Employment advice

There is a range of organisations in Southwark that can help people who need employment information or legal advice about work related issues, including::

• Contractual rights, statutory rights and responsibilities
• Data protection and employee confidentiality
• Discrimination and harassment including ageism, gender, sexual, racial and religion
• Health and safety
• Recovery of wages
• Self employment
• Training schemes
• Unfair dismissal.

Southwark Works

The Southwark Works voluntary programme offers training and advice for people with barriers to employment such as

• Childcare and being a single parent
• Drug or alcohol misuse and being an ex offender
• Learning difficulties
• Leaving council care as a young person
• Long term health problems and incapacity benefits
• Mental health disabilities
• Physical disabilities
• Refugee status

Southwark Circle

All members of Southwark Circle get direct access to a range of social activities listed on their member's calendar.

There is also a network of teaching and education support to help people learn new skills and find work.

Visit Southwark Circle

Southwark Carers

Southwark Carers is an organisation that provides a wide range of advice and information to carers who live in Southwark. This includes support with employment, money, legal and benefits issues.

Visit Southwark Carers

Building London Creating Futures (BLCF)

Building London Creating Futures (BLCF) finds long term employment for local people using work place coordinator projects (WPC's) and offer specialised recruitment into the construction industry for:

• Ethnic minorities
• Lone parents
• Maturer workers
• People with low or no skill set
• Long term unemployed people
• Recent returnees
• Women - who are currently under represented in the construction industry.

Southwark Benefits Advice Hub

Southwark Benefits Advice Hub advisors can help you claim your full entitlement to benefits. This could maximise your weekly income.

This service will also support you if you feel you have a reason to appeal against the decisions made in the financial assessment.

Who to contact:

• If you are aged over 60 years, please call 0207 525 3393
• If you are aged under 60 years,  please call 0207 525 7434
• You can also email the team: sbah@southwark.gov.uk

Community Legal Advice

Community Legal Advice, formerly known as Community Legal Service Direct offers free legal information and advice including

• Benefits
• Communications and media
• Education and training
• How to find a solicitor or adviser in your area

Other local Advice Centres

• Blackfriars Advice Centre (BAC)
• Southwark Law Centre 
• Cambridge House Law Centre - for employment law, debt work, volunteering and welfare rights

The CAB offer advice on benefits and housing, employment rights and discrimination, as well as debt and tax issues. The national Citizens Advice Bureau offers practical, up-to-date information.

• Bermondsey Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
• Southwark Works voluntary programme offers training and advice for people with barriers to employment such as

Advice in other languages

Multikulti - provides a translation service about immigration, health, discrimination and racism in various languages