Policy and Public Affairs Advisor (Health and Social Care)

Overview

• ID

  308894

• Salary

  £40,404.00 per annum

• Type

  Permanent - Full Time

• Location

  Birmingham

• Hours

  37.5 hours per week

• Closing Date

  03/05/2026

• Interview Date

  w/c 18th May

• Downloadable Files

About the Role

This new and influential policy and public affairs advisor role will join a team that is ambitious about using evidence, lived experience and stories to drive change in health and social care, alongside disabled people with complex needs. This is an exciting time to join Sense, as we develop and embed our new organisational strategy and strengthen our approach to evidence-led influencing through co-production.

The successful candidate will provide expert insight into how health and social care policy and practice impact disabled people with complex needs, shape evidence-based policy positions and work with colleagues, stakeholders and decision-makers to secure meaningful improvements in health and social care policy alongside disabled people with complex needs.

You will be responsible for:  
•    Leading Sense’s health and social care policy priorities and influencing, and contributing to wider organisational influencing strategies 
•    Developing evidence-based policy positions alongside disabled people with complex needs 
•    Engaging with relevant politicians, government departments, external health and social care organisations and campaign coalitions. Building and maintaining strong external networks and representing Sense externally

This is a full time, hybrid role working 2 days per week from our office in Selly Oak.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Sense’s health and social care policy priorities, ensuring they reflect the needs and experiences of disabled people with complex needs
• Analyse emerging legislation, government strategies, and regulatory changes across health, social care and integrated care systems
• Build strong relationships with policymakers, national and regional health bodies, local authorities, regulators, and sector partners
• Represent Sense at external meetings, roundtables, and advisory groups
• Build strong relationships with policymakers, national and regional health bodies, local authorities, regulators, and sector partners
• Represent Sense at external meetings, roundtables, and advisory groups
• Advise senior leaders on health and social care policy developments and strategic policy and practice opportunities.
• Support colleagues across the organisation to understand health and social care policy issues and their implications.

Key skills and experience

• Strong understanding of UK health and social care policy, health and care structures, and integrated care systems.
• Experience developing policy positions, producing briefings, and responding to consultations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex information and communicate it clearly to different audiences.
• Experience influencing or engaging with policymakers, government officials, or health system leaders at a national and regional level
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

This position requires the applicant to be willing to travel to London and Westminster as needed.

About Sense

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply:

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 393 4529 or recruitment@sense.org.uk

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit:  https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

Closing Date

03/05/2026