Advocacy Officer Jobs in Cardiff, Wales

Job Title: Money & Energy Adviser

Reports to: Money & Energy Advice Service Lead

Location: Based at home/preferred place of work, with travel across the region as required

Hours: 37.5 (full time) Monday to Friday. Hours to be agreed with successful candidate. Must be sufficiently flexible to work irregular hours as demanded by the requirements of the post

Contract: Full fixed term contract, ending 31 March 2026

Salary: 35 hpw £27,000 pa - pay review pending Jan 2025

(plus expenses, pension, and generous annual leave)

To deliver money and energy advice service for kidney patients struggling with their energy and water bills and other costs of living challenges. You will provide subject matter expert support within our Patient Support Services team, and will work closely with our Patient Support & Advocacy Officers to develop and grow this service in your area.

Summary
To raise awareness of the service and build strong relationships with kidney patients, professionals, and other kidney stakeholder groups in your defined geographic region.

Key responsibilities
• With support, establish the Kidney Care UK Money & Energy Advice Service in the region for patients and carers at risk of fuel poverty to access independent support on money and energy matters
• Responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the Money & Energy Advice Service across the region, effectively managing an ongoing caseload
• Provide practical advice to patients, assessing their needs and identifying sources of support to resolve financial, practical and psychosocial challenges.

• Activities will include creating budget plans, completing income maximisation checks and benefit claims, carrying out switching exercises and Home Energy Surveys (this is not an exclusive list of tasks)
• Responsible for identifying cases where FSA approved advice is required, and supporting patients in the referral of their case to our approved partner organisation or other appropriate regional/national services

• Act as a gateway to local information and access to:

• Kidney Care UK Patient Grants service, raising awareness of the service and supporting applications
• Kidney Care UK Patient Support & Advocacy Service, to ensure patients have access to reliable and accurate patient information relating to kidney disease, patient pathways, models of care, and patient choice
• Kidney Care UK Counselling Service and other appropriate services to meet patients’ emotional and physiological needs

• Work closely with local Kidney Care UK Patient Support & Advocacy Officers to ensure that patients receive expert advice in all areas of need, with smooth, effective handovers ensuring that patients feel supported and part of the Kidney Care UK ‘family’ at all times
• Maintain records on the Kidney Care UK database to support service delivery and communications with patients, and facility effective reporting to Kidney Care UK and our funders
• Raise awareness of Kidney Care UK and the benefit of its full range of Patient Support Services amongst kidney patients, their families, carers and professionals across the region
• Provide insight on patients’ concerns and unmet needs to inform Kidney Care UK research, campaigns, and new service development activity
• Work in a way that respects the personal, social, cultural and spiritual needs of the individual and maintains the confidentiality of information they may have shared with you

Location: Remote, with regular meetings in London, UK

Hours: 2.5 days per week

Sustainability First is a leading UK think tank and charity that acts as a critical friend to businesses, regulators, governments, and civil society, to create more sustainable energy and water sectors in the UK. We work tirelessly to advocate for policies that support environmental and consumer protection and to engage the public through accessible and impactful communication. We believe that it is possible to create a thriving economy that respects environmental limits and enables social equity.

Role overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and committed Advocacy and Communications Officer to join our team. This new role is integral to amplifying our voice with decision-makers, including business leaders, senior officials in central government and regulatory bodies, and amongst politicians. You will help to shape public policy and drive our communications strategy.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in advocacy, excellent communication skills, and a shared commitment to our values. This is an excellent opportunity to develop a core role in our charity, as well as make a tangible impact on the environment and social equity in the UK. We will also be rolling out a refreshed brand and updated website – you will have the opportunity to help us make the most of our new branding.

What we offer:

• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• The chance to make a tangible impact on environmental and public policy, and public awareness
• Flexible working hours including remote working
• 25 days' annual leave, pro-rata.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the ‘apply’ button.

Closing date: Sunday 3rd November 2024.

Sustainability First is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Chief Executive 

Design in Mental Health Network

£65,000 - £70,000

Remote, with access to London and UK travel

Full-time, permanent

Design in Mental Health Network is a registered charity, which aims to improve mental health outcomes by promoting knowledge exchange, co-production involving the voice of people with Lived Experience and challenging the status quo of mental health design.

We are a network of experts whose perspectives, thoughts, insights, opinions are grounded in research, professional qualification and/or lived experience.  The collective includes a wide range of stakeholders involved in planning for, designing, building, managing and using spaces that impact on our mental health.

We believe the better the design brief is in determining and matching the evidenced needs of all users, the better the goal of improving the actual design of settings to support better mental health care and patient outcomes will be. 

Good design facilitates human connection (therapeutic/supportive relationships) and to this end we advocate to engage and influence people with decision making capabilities and/or budget control, to understand how to use existing resources more effectively in leading to better mental health outcomes.

We want to actively challenge the status quo, using research and our design skills to reimagine radical new ways of approaching mental health care that improve the outcomes for patients and make these spaces better places to work for the staff on the front line.  We’ll always do this from the view of what is best for the person receiving care, using the built environment as a platform for lasting stabilisation or recovery from mental ill health.

Looking forward to this exciting time we are seeking a CEO with the skills and experience to develop, implement and drive a plan to see our ambitious vision come to fruition. 

There is now a growing appetite globally for what we do, with a group of interested people forming in the US and Canada as they invest significant sums in new buildings.

How to apply

Application is by way of CV and a Supporting Statement, which should clearly set out your motivations for the role and how your experience to date meets the requirements.

Please click the apply button for further information.

Closing date: Sunday 10th November

First interviews: Week beginning 25th November (conducted remotely by NFP)

Final interviews: Monday 9th December (conducted in-person, location tbc)

Would you like to work in a forward looking, faith based charity? One where you can bring your current skill and experience and develop and earn  points through our global training programme to become a Certified Fundraising Executive?

From its humble beginnings, ICC has become a trusted advocate and innovative leader in providing compassionate care for children with disabilities. For over 30 years, thousands of vulnerable children’s lives have been transformed by the essential services we provide.

Within China’s ever-changing social landscape, ICC’s nurturing care is modeling a new standard of support and empowerment for children with disabilities. Our dedicated team of therapists , special educators, social workers, vocational trainers and medical staff work tirelessly to help children live with hope, dignity and opportunity.

This Job Is For You If…….

You have fundraising experience in a charity environment and you’re ready to take the next step up in your career.
You already know how to retain donors and increase income
You love to project manage integrated fundraising campaigns and achieve your goals
You want to treat donors as VIP’s so they stay committed and engaged and you use a customer relationship management systems (CRM) to achieve that.
You can write engaging fundraising copy, or you’re willing to learn
You thrive developing innovative fundraising ideas and campaigns
You can embrace our culture, vision and mission wholeheartedly. 
You have ideas and energy to initiate new processes, you’re excited about getting things done better
You are a team player, willing to collaborate and serve to get the job done.
You are a Christian who wants to put your faith into action at work

Our preference is for a full-time candidate working from the Newcastle Office (Hybrid working offered). However, we are willing to consider applications from exceptional candidates who would only be able to take the post working fully remotely or who are interested in working part time

For the full Job Description and person spec, please refer to the attachment below.

About Us
At Applied Microbiology International we fundamentally believe that global challenges need to be solved by global, interdisciplinary experts. We are the oldest microbiology society in the UK and with more than half of our membership outside the UK, we are truly global, serving microbiologists based in universities, private industry and research institutes around the world. We publish an industry-leading magazine, The Microbiologist, and in partnership with Oxford University Press, we publish three internationally acclaimed journals.

AMI has been recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024, being acknowledged as one of the happiest places to work in the UK. The Sunday Times Best Places to Work recognises and celebrates the best employers in the UK based on feedback from employees and an independent assessment of workplace culture, leadership, and employee engagement and wellbeing.

About You
The post-holder will provide key support to the Policy and Diversity Manager to achieve the policy objectives set out in AMI’s strategic plan; ensuring AMI’s community are engaged on key areas of policy and aware of relevant policy developments by contributing to the AMI newsletter, website, The Microbiologist magazine, social media, other digital platforms and networking events. They would also ensure that all activities under this remit are delivered to an excellent standard, and in line with AMI’s strategy.

Candidates will have knowledge of policy structures relevant to science and technology along with excellent research and analytical skills, and the ability to grasp unfamiliar subjects and report as concise recommendations. They will have strong communications skills to communicate with a wide-ranging audience.

Closing date: 25th October 2024

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Please note that this role will be remote, and interviews will be virtual.

For more information, please visit our website

Please send your CV and Cover Letter via the button below. Please DO NOT include your personal information i.e. name and contact details in your CV and Cover Letter. *To ensure the vacancy can be recruited in a timely manner, early application is advisable.

This is because AMI is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies to support staff from different backgrounds.

AMI takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

Please note that due to limited resources it is not possible for the Society to acknowledge receipt of applications. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

“We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United Kingdom. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.”

Position: Safeguarding Officer
Type: Part Time (28 hours over 5 days a week), 18 month Fixed Term Contract
Location: Office based in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh or Belfast with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £20,632.80 per annum* (FTE £25,791 per annum) plus excellent benefits 
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 1, Charity

*you will start at our entry point salary of £20,632.80 (FTE £25,791) per annum, increasing to £21,922.40 (FTE £27,403) after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £23,212 (FTE £29,015) after a further 6 months.

This post is a fixed term contract (FTC) initially for 18 months, working 28 hours over 5 days per week.

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK. 

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference. 

About this job

Are you an experienced and enthusiastic Safeguarding professional, with a strong interest in protecting adults at risk and children from harm, within the wider Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Community?

Based within our Helpline Services team, you’ll have responsibility for:

• Responding to concerns reported by staff and volunteers
• Leading the coordination of responding to safeguarding concerns
• Dealing with safeguarding issues (as they arise) and liaising with statutory services as needed
• Giving advice and support to colleagues and our volunteers in relation to safeguarding and disclosure checking
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the society
• Liaising with external safeguarding agencies
• Embedding organisational safeguarding policies, procedures and practices across the society

You’ll have experience of working in a safeguarding customer-facing environment within the Charity or Public Service sectors. You’ll have proficient administrative and IT skills with the ability to work accurately, consistently and independently. You’ll ideally have had experience in supporting vulnerable people in person, over the phone and or online.

An understanding of safeguarding within the Charity and Public Service sectors is essential.

A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check without barring list check will need to be obtained to undertake this role.

The MS Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all who use its services and come into contact with the Charity.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Wednesday 30 October 2024

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Do you have skills in community engagement, providing advice, support and training? Could you motivate and support local communities to engage with their local railways and sustainable travel?

We’re looking for a community rail support officer to support our network of community rail partnerships (CRPs) and station adoption groups in the Midlands and East of England.

About us

Community Rail Network is a not-for-profit organisation, working across Britain, supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 75 community-based partnership organisations, and around 1,200 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence with families and disabled people, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener travel and tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic staff team of 22 people works mainly from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to advise our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights via decision-makers and the media. We believe in developing our team and supporting everyone to reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role

The purpose of this role is to provide support and advice to community rail partnerships and groups on delivering maximum benefit within and with their communities, working collaboratively with the railways and wider partners. The role will support our members across an area covering the West Midlands, Central England and East Anglia, so it is desirable for you to be based in this area.

You’ll be comfortable engaging and advising local groups and communities to extend existing and set up new initiatives, and to reach wider audiences with an evidence-led, place-based approach. As well as supporting local groups, you’ll work closely with the rail industry, and wider third and public sector partners to ensure collaboration and shared success.
 

Main responsibilities

1. Provide direct support and advice to CRPs and their officers, and other community rail groups in the region. This includes responding to queries and requests, passing on specialist queries to other members of the team, and providing proactive support through an annual planning and accreditation process and as set out in our plans.

2. Support the development of skills, confidence and effectiveness across the network of CRPs and station groups, helping them to increase their positive social, environmental and economic impact, including through referral to our training, events and resources.

3. Support the development of emerging community rail partnerships, station friend groups and community-led stations and railway-related projects in the region.

4. Helping our members to work effectively with rail, transport, local government and community partners, supporting effective relationship building and showing positive leadership and insights on community rail within the region.

5. Work with our regions support manager on delivery and monitoring of our grant schemes, and support CRPs and groups in the region to apply, deliver successfully and report back on funded work.

6. Gather and share examples, feedback and insights from our members across the region, to facilitate best practice sharing and confidence across community rail and to feed into our communications, resources, events and public affairs work.

7. As a member of the Community Rail Network team, participate and contribute to our wider work as relevant, such as Community Rail Week, our annual conference and Awards.

Skills, competencies and experience

1. Skills in supporting community engagement projects; an understanding of and confidence in using community engagement, local communications, project planning and evaluation techniques

2. Interpersonal skills and the ability to work confidently with stakeholders at all levels and facilitate positive discussion; articulate and assertive

3. Excellent writing and presentational skills

4. Awareness of sustainable transport and social inclusion, and an appreciation of the importance of rail, sustainable travel and mobility to communities

5. A demonstrable ability to manage time effectively and juggle a range of activities in an organised and professional manner. 

6. Proactive, positive and self-motivated, able to work on own initiative and inspire and enthuse others, and overcome hurdles to achieve results.

7. IT literate with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, the internet and social media

This is a permanent position and includes a probationary period of three months from the date of appointment. Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Other information

The community rail support officer reports to our regions support manager within the Support and Development team. This is a new position, expanding our small team.

The role is 3.5-4 days per week (25.9 to 29.6 hours) with a degree of flexibility and out-of-hours working (evenings and weekends). It is home-based, but with regular travel (including occasional overnight stays) across your region and occasionally beyond for member meetings and events and to take part in our wider national activity. Applicants will need local access to a train station to enable rail-based travel for work as needed, including good links across the Midlands and East of England.

We are committed to being a flexible, supportive, inclusive and understanding employer.

We are looking for a part time Information & Advocacy Community Support Worker in Scotland.  You will be home based living in the North of Scotland.

You will ensure that service users (children and adults) and their families, receive high quality support, from the point of diagnosis and throughout their journey, and will assist them to access funding, equipment and care and support that they are entitled to. You will join a team that makes a real difference to the lives of the people living with muscle-wasting conditions, and their families, in Scotland. The role will be primarily home based, but there will also be a requirement to attend outpatient clinics within the region, attend home visits where appropriate and to support responding to queries through the helpline and information inbox. Some travel will be required to attend meetings and events outside of Scotland. You will work with both statutory and voluntary organisations, clinicians, and health and social care professionals to ensure that people living with muscle wasting conditions get the care and support they need to live well and independently.

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities.

About us:

Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) is the charity for the 110,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK.  We bring together people affected by more than 60 rare and very rare progressive muscle-weakening and wasting conditions.  We provide vital information, advice, resources and support for people with these conditions, their families and the professionals who work with them. Our care, information and advocacy service coordinate our support for families, providing advice and practical support to enable individuals to access the services, benefits and equipment they are entitled to. As part of our support, we also connect individuals with others affected by these rare conditions through our peer support networks.

Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We also offer a range of benefits including pension, life assurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, financial wellbeing and an employee assistance programme.

Location: Home based in the North of Scotland. 

Please note: you will need your own car and be able to drive for this role.

*Unfortunately, due to resource capacity, we will only contact candidates that are shortlisted for interview. Therefore if you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of the closing date please note your application has been unsuccessful.

**Please note interviews may be held on a rolling basis (via Microsoft Teams) so early application is advisable

Senior Peer Support Development Officer – North West

About Kinship:

Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We offer kinship carers financial, legal, practical and emotional support and understanding from the moment they need it, for as long as they need it. Our expert advice, information and guidance helps with complicated and stressful decisions that so many kinship families have to make. We are always there to support them through challenging times and celebrate the good. 

Kinship carers are strong and determined. Together, they are powerful. We help them build communities of support and action by connecting families locally and across England and Wales. 

We are at the heart of kinship networks, partnering with and influencing service providers, local and national government and other organisations. We give everything we have to fight for each family and their rights, changing society until every kinship family is recognised, valued and supported. 

Kinship care often begins in crisis. A child has parents who are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It can be frightening, confusing and heart-breaking.

Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. There is often no chance to prepare. Plans may be pushed aside. Relationships, jobs and savings are frequently sacrificed.

It is life changing and challenging raising children who have been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first. We know how hard life can be for kinship carers, but we have seen the amazing things they are capable of, with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families can flourish. 

That is why we support, connect and campaign – to keep kinship families stronger by keeping them together.

About the Team

The Peer Support and Community team at Kinship is dedicated to enhancing the lives of kinship carers across England and Wales by delivering the first national peer support service. With a focus on building and sustaining networks of peer support groups, the team aims to empower kinship carers through access to resources, training, and development opportunities.

By fostering connections within local, regional, and national ecosystems, the team plays a vital role in ensuring that every kinship carer has access to a supportive community.

As part of our commitment to growth and impact, the team develops innovative approaches to peer support, creating an inclusive environment where kinship carers can share experiences and access essential services. We prioritize collaboration across various departments, ensuring that support group leaders receive high-quality advice and training, facilitating their sustainability and effectiveness. This integrated approach also includes alignment with national and local campaigning efforts to further engage and support the kinship carer community.

In line with our strategic focus on cultivating a vibrant Kinship Community of over 10,000 carers, the team leads initiatives aimed at enhancing community connection and empowering kinship families. By developing a robust model of community engagement that encompasses both in-person and digital services, the team aims to amplify the voices of kinship carers, enabling them to effect meaningful change in their lives and communities.

 About the role

This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form Peer Support Groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national Hub. You will do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers. You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment. Funded by the Department of Education, the National Peer Support Service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and two years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.

Who we are looking for:

We are seeking an individual located in or around Greater Manchester, and willing to travel across the North West of England who possesses the drive, passion, and skills to:

· Establish new Peer Support Groups across a diverse range of communities

· Supervise a small team of Peer Support Development Officers

· Demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm required to inspire yourself and your team to achieve key targets and objectives

· Work collaboratively within the Peer Support and Community Team, as well as throughout the broader organisation, to ensure the delivery of safe and effective support services for the kinship community.

· Maintain current Peer Support Groups, taking the lead from the national Hub.

· Maintain accurate records that are used to populate reports, identify learning and share key insights across Kinship that allow the organisation to continuously improve our services and products.

In the role of Senior Peer Support Officer, you will be instrumental in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, consistent, and sustainable peer support service that has a significant impact on the lives of kinship carers.

You should have experience in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with various community-based stakeholders such as local authorities, health services, schools, charities, and kinship carers. You will need to understand the key success factors involved in establishing and developing new in-person groups in areas of high need, as well as how to support existing groups in their journey towards sustainability.

As a practical thinker, you will work creatively to identify stakeholders and assets in areas of high need. You will build local connections and bring together kinship carers across the region, empowering them to build resilient and robust peer support communities.

You will be confident in building relationships that generate referrals from external stakeholders and in contacting kinship carers directly to secure engagement with local coffee mornings, community, and training events that will help kick start a thriving peer support group.

As you establish new groups, you will provide training to help them lead their groups effectively, and develop their group culture, resilience, and skills to function independently while offering reassurance and support to empower them.

You will be an inspirational and energetic team leader with experience in providing day-to-day line management and operational support for a small team.

We are ideally looking for candidates based in or around Greater Manchester but willing to work initially across the whole of the North West. This role may involve working to establish groups in West Yorkshire and into North Staffordshire.

A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are essential, as this role may require travel across London and its periphery to reach areas in need of dedicated support.

Key responsibilities: 

Service delivery:

• In person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local and regional communities including setting up and attending local engagement events.
• Work creatively to set up and develop new sustainable in peer support groups, attending up to six sessions in person (if needed) before transition to self-sufficiency.  Existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support will need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreements across the team, in addition to new groups. 
• Recruit and retain support group leaders to develop their peer support groups.
• Deliver training to support group leaders (group roles and responsibilities, safeguarding, setting up, running and promoting a group).
• Develop strong boundaries and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment and community.
• Support established groups in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community. 
• Help develop and deliver a service blueprint for sustainable peer support groups, thinking strategically about how to develop groups.
• You'll collaborate closely with the ‘Hub’ team to provide a joined up and positive user experience for kinship carers. This collaborative approach is key to our success and ensures that kinship carers receive the best possible support.
• Manage special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘Hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners. 

Service quality, development and data management:

• Accurately record all recruitment, contact information and volunteer case management in Salesforce in line with service framework and data protection requirements.
• Ensure accurate data entry in Salesforce to support service performance, evaluation and learning.
• Provide regular reports to ensure targets and SLA are met for the service.
• Support continuous development and improvement of the service (new systems and processes) as required.

Management and supervision: 

• Inspire, motivate and be responsible for day-to-day line management and supervising up to 4 staff members
• Oversee tactical development of new sustainable groups in your area and your team.
• Help set clear objectives to achieve targets and outcomes.
• Actively encourage personal development and learning.
• Increase efficiencies and impact across the team.
• Ensure good team induction processes and systems are in place.
• Role model Kinship values. 

Team culture:

• Act in the best interest of Kinship and the families we support.
• Maintain and contribute up to date understanding of kinship care.
• Deliver effective administration with attention to detail and keeping to deadlines.
• Identify and contribute to appropriate case studies to demonstrate the impact of Kinship services and contribute to policy and campaigns work.
• Actively contribute to delivering and evidencing a high performing service.
• Take responsibility for your ongoing continued professional development.
• Work in line with the Kinship values.

 Knowledge, abilities, skills and experience (person spec):

 Essential: 

• Experience of team leadership or line management and supervision of a small team and managing performance to deliver targets effectively.
• Proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person.
•  Experience developing peer support communities.
• Proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers. 
• Proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services is evidenced through high-quality data collection. 
• Evidence of delivering training/support to volunteers,
• Strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user led groups with charity beneficiaries. 
• Understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families. 
• Excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail.
• Full driving licence and use of a car for work purposes.

 Desirable:

· Lived experience of kinship care.

· Understanding of children’s social care.

· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc).

· Full, clean driving licence/own car.

 General characteristics and attributes:

· Flexible and willing to travel for work across England and Wales.

· Drive and have access to a vehicle.

· Commitment to the values, aims and objectives of Kinship.

· A real commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within your role and a respectful approach to working with people from a range of backgrounds.

· Good standard of written and spoken English.

· Permission to work in the UK.

· Able to remain focused on the primary task of establishing new peer support groups, ensuring that more kinship carers have access to high-quality peer support.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion 

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

Candidate Application Information

Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing date and interview details:

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews:  1st Interview Week Commencing 4 November

2nd Interview Week Commencing 11 November

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.

We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply.  Please let us know if we can help and remember that you can request information in large print or in a different format. 

Location: To cover the Dorset, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire area 

Working pattern: Remote work with frequent travel required. You will be expected to deliver a face-to-face service to clients in their own home or safe meeting place within the South West area. 

Deadline for applications: 1st November 2024 (we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications)

Interviews to be conducted: Early November 

Start date in role: 6th January 2025 

Rare opportunity: Help those affected by road crashes and create lasting change with Brake, the renowned road safety charity. 

Who we are: Brake has been supporting victims of road carnage since 1995, and we're on a mission to prevent future collisions. Every 20 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads, impacting lives profoundly. 

Join our team: We're expanding our National Road Victim Service and need a dedicated caseworker to join our dynamic, compassionate team. Your role will involve delivering world-class support services to those at their most vulnerable. 

Not your average job: This isn't a 9 to 5. You could play a significant part in rolling out trauma-informed support services nationwide. Make a real difference in the lives of those affected by road crashes. 

What we offer: 

• A generous 35 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and 3-day shutdown period between Christmas and New Year, pro-rata for part-time working patterns) 

• Birthday day off 

• Enhanced sick pay and compassionate leave 

• Death in service benefit 

• Pension 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Flexible working 

• A rewarding role with purpose 

• Be part of a skilled, friendly team with an engaged Board of Trustees  

Who you are: We need passionate, self-starters with a background in providing high-quality emotional support and advocacy. Your experience in roles within the police, criminal justice, counselling, caseworker or health and social care sectors could make you an ideal candidate.

Specifically seeking candidates with: 

• frontline support service experience 

• a full, clean UK driving licence, access to your own transport and are willing to use it for work purposes (we reimburse travelling expenses) 

• experience supporting people who have suffered sudden bereavement or working with those with heightened vulnerabilities. 

• research and advocacy skills – you will reach out to other organisations to support your cases where required 

• competent IT skills for remote work 

Join our mission: Your greatest reward will be knowing you've made a positive difference in someone's recovery from psychological trauma. 

About us: Brake is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We welcome your application whatever your background or situation. We particularly welcome applications from those who are part of the global majority, the LGBTQIA+ community or disabled. We are proud to be a disability confident employer. We don’t want you to ‘fit’ our culture, we want you to enrich it. So, if you have a passion for making a difference and share in our vision for a world where no one is killed on our roads, we would love to hear from you. 

Apply now: If you're up for a new challenge and have the skills, apply now. 

Not for traffic offenders: Due to the nature of our work we can't accept applications from traffic offenders. Candidates will be asked to disclose whether they have any unspent points on their licence at interview. 

A DBS check is required due to the sensitive nature of our service. 

Join us today and be part of the solution!  

We are  seeking a passionate and committed Chief Executive Officer who will help us unite the global Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) community to collectively find solutions to the challenges of the syndrome. Our vision is to create a world where people with PWS receive the services and supports they need to fulfil their potential and achieve their goals. PWS is a complex genetic disorder characterised by low muscle tone and failure to thrive at birth, and later evidence of short stature, intellectual disabilities, behavioural and psychiatric challenges and impaired satiety.

IPWSO is the international umbrella body for PWS associations around the world with 47 full paying country members and contacts in over 120 countries. We are committed to supporting people with PWS and their families whatever their needs and wherever they live.

What we do

We build communities between people with Prader-Willi syndrome, their families and the professionals who support them to share knowledge and expertise and improve outcomes for people with Prader-Willi syndrome and their families everywhere.

We want everyone with Prader-Willi syndrome to get equal access to diagnosis and treatment no matter where in the world they live. We want to ensure better, more consistent outcomes for people with the syndrome and their families.

We work to ensure research into the condition works for everyone and reflects the diverse experiences and environments of those living with the syndrome around the world today.

Main purpose and scope of role

Working closely with the President and the Board of Trustees, the CEO will provide strategic vision and leadership and will strive to ensure that IPWSO delivers its charitable purposes and remains successful and sustainable.

Duties and Responsibilities (to include but not limited to)

Leadership

· Strive to ensure that the charitable purposes of IPWSO are followed and that it delivers the public benefit set out in its governing document.

· Take overall responsibility for the management and administration of IPWSO.

· Provide support and information to the Board of Trustees to enable trustees to fulfil their roles and legal responsibilities.

· Pursue close cooperation with, and accountability to, IPWSO’s members.

· Act as an ambassador for IPWSO by representing IPWSO at events and networking to build new strategic relationships.

· Keep abreast of relevant new research, treatment recommendations and service developments for people with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Governance

· Strive to ensure that IPWSO has governance systems in place that enable it to consistently fulfil its legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities.

· Maintain awareness of risks and changes in the external environment that could affect IPWSO and advise the Board of Trustees accordingly.

· Together with the President manage complaints (including from whistle-blowers) and recommend actions to the Board of Trustees

Finance and Fundraising

· Work with the Treasurer and the Finance Committee to ensure the overall financial health and sustainability of IPWSO.

· Work with the Treasurer and the Finance Committee to prepare budgets for review by the Board of Trustees and to enable IPWSO to operate within its financial means.

· Seek to ensure that appropriate financial reports are submitted to the Charity Commission and other entities as required.

· Support the work of the Fundraising Committee and strive to ensure a sustainable income from both IPWSO members and individual, corporate, philanthropic and government donors.

· Build relationships with potential donors and prepare funding proposals.

· Seek to provide high quality support to existing donors, by means including the preparation of regular reports and updates.

· Seek out and build new income streams.

Staff, Trustee and Volunteer and Committee Support

· Provide support to staff, trustees and volunteers to enable them to carry out their duties.

· Deputise for other staff members during periods of leave.

· Conduct annual reviews with staff.

· Participate in the recruitment of new staff as required.

· Provide support and advice to IPWSO committees and conference organisers.

Project Support

· Seek to ensure that all IPWSO projects are designed and implemented in accordance with IPWSO’s mission and objectives.

· Support IPWSO’s Project Managers and others who lead IPWSO projects and, if necessary, manage projects directly.

Person specification

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Proficiency in English.

Experience of working in a leadership role in the charitable sector either as a CEO or as part of a wider Senior Management Team.

Ability to articulate a compelling vision to inspire others

Broad understanding of global development issues, geopolitical dynamics, and cultural nuances and able to take into account the diverse contexts in which IPWSO operates.

Strategic Thinking: experience of leading and or contributing towards strategic development as well as experience of organizational management and supporting change.

Collaborative approach: outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships, based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Experience of managing budgets, financial planning, preparation of funding applications and report writing.

Experience of working with volunteers.

Desirable

Fluency in another language.

Experience of working in a leadership role in an international organisation within health or disability either as a CEO or as part of a wider Senior Management Team.

Knowledge / experience of PWS.

Willingness to travel internationally as needed to support IPWSO’s priorities.

An understanding of charity operations and governance structures in the UK.

Personal Attributes

Essential

Enthusiasm for IPWSO’s work and commitment to its vision, mission and values including dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Empathy for disadvantaged people.

Cultural sensitivity and respect. Confidence and ability to work well with people from different backgrounds from around the world.

Highly self-motivated and able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.

Adaptability and flexibility. Able to navigate change and uncertainty. Able to accommodate international time zones as well as GMT for UK based staff. 20% of time may be outside of normal working hours.

Ethical leadership.

Resilience and determination.

Desirable

Desire to empower and mentor staff and foster a culture of learning, growth, and innovation.

Location: To cover the Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Thames Valley area 

Working pattern: Remote work with frequent travel required. You will be expected to deliver a face-to-face service to clients in their own home or safe meeting place within the South and Central area. 

Deadline for applications: 1st November 2024 (we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications)

Interviews to be conducted: Early November 

Start date in role: 6th January 2025 

Rare opportunity: Help those affected by road crashes and create lasting change with Brake, the renowned road safety charity. 

Who we are: Brake has been supporting victims of road carnage since 1995, and we're on a mission to prevent future collisions. Every 20 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads, impacting lives profoundly. 

Join our team: We're expanding our National Road Victim Service and need a dedicated caseworker to join our dynamic, compassionate team. Your role will involve delivering world-class support services to those at their most vulnerable. 

Not your average job: This isn't a 9 to 5. You could play a significant part in rolling out trauma-informed support services nationwide. Make a real difference in the lives of those affected by road crashes. 

What we offer: 

• A generous 35 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and 3-day shutdown period between Christmas and New Year, pro-rata for part-time working patterns) 

• Birthday day off 

• Enhanced sick pay and compassionate leave 

• Death in service benefit 

• Pension 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Flexible working 

• A rewarding role with purpose 

• Be part of a skilled, friendly team with an engaged Board of Trustees  

Who you are: We need passionate, self-starters with a background in providing high-quality emotional support and advocacy. Your experience in roles within the police, criminal justice, counselling, caseworker or health and social care sectors could make you an ideal candidate.

Specifically seeking candidates with: 

• frontline support service experience 

• a full, clean UK driving licence, access to your own transport and are willing to use it for work purposes (we reimburse travelling expenses) 

• experience supporting people who have suffered sudden bereavement or working with those with heightened vulnerabilities. 

• research and advocacy skills – you will reach out to other organisations to support your cases where required 

• competent IT skills for remote work 

Join our mission: Your greatest reward will be knowing you've made a positive difference in someone's recovery from psychological trauma. 

About us: Brake is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We welcome your application whatever your background or situation. We particularly welcome applications from those who are part of the global majority, the LGBTQIA+ community or disabled. We are proud to be a disability confident employer. We don’t want you to ‘fit’ our culture, we want you to enrich it. So, if you have a passion for making a difference and share in our vision for a world where no one is killed on our roads, we would love to hear from you. 

Apply now: If you're up for a new challenge and have the skills, apply now. 

Not for traffic offenders: Due to the nature of our work we can't accept applications from traffic offenders. Candidates will be asked to disclose whether they have any unspent points on their licence at interview. 

A DBS check is required due to the sensitive nature of our service. 

Join us today and be part of the solution!  

Location: Any SMF City (Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle). We are currently operating a hybrid of office and home working for staff across all cities.

Salary: £29,900 plus £2,200 London Weighting if applicable

Contract and hours: We are looking for the right candidate and we envisage this being a full-time role (37.5 hours per week), but we’re open to conversations regarding flexible or part-time work. Permanent contract. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu will be given.  

Closing Date: 23:59 PM on Sunday 27th October we anticipate interviews being held on Monday 4th November 2024. 

About the role
Your role will be central to achieving our three-year strategy, which is focused on:  

1.  developing our programme so it makes a bigger difference, and is available to more young people  
2.  influencing system changes that lead to progress towards equity of, who gets in, who gets on and who belongs – in education and employment 

Based in our Advocacy and Campaigns team the Senior Policy Officer will be responsible for delivering our Social Mobility Employer Index and support the development of our wider policy positions and campaigns work. 

Growing the influence and impact of the Index is a key strategic priority within ambition two, and this role will help achieve that by ensuring we continue to develop our knowledge and to influence and improve employer-led social mobility. You’ll be responsible for project managing and delivering core components of the Index including the marking, design and delivery of the survey, which we use to gather employer data and the feedback reports, which we share with entrants. You’ll ensure the documents evolve with best practice and in line with our work with young people. Working with others you’ll deliver the annual key findings report, ultimately helping improve employer led social mobility in the UK. 

Alongside the Index you’ll play a key role in developing policy positions for our political influencing campaigns. You’ll support our internal knowledge hub, drawing insights from our Aspiring Professionals Programme, wider research and focus groups with our young people and share external developments to ensure we have robust, youth-led positions. You’ll analyse evidence and help carve out our unique point of view on how we can improve social mobility in the UK.  

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the project management and delivery of the Index including development of policy positions and best practice, questionnaire design, employer feedback reports. 
• Lead the annual review of the Index assessing the impact it’s had on driving employer behaviour and update our measurement and evaluation metrics accordingly. 
• Ensure documents are reviewed annually and updated to reflect the latest best practice and insights from our wider interventions.  
• Co-ordinate the different individuals and teams working across the Index to deliver the annual key findings report. 
• Utilising our political monitoring service and our relations with employers, stay across updates from key stakeholders such as the Social Mobility Commission, the wider sector and employer research, utilising these insights to update our policy positions and develop our advice to employers. 
• Undertake rapid scans of various types of data and evidence; produce summaries of the main findings and implications for policy and generate ideas for further policy opportunities. 
• Present findings internally and support fundraising colleagues with the insights, tools, and knowledge to develop new products that can influence employer behaviour.  
• Create resources for the wider organisation to ensure our evidence base and policy positions are understood, up to date and consistently used across teams.  
• Attend relevant conferences, stakeholder meetings and gather intelligence, raising our profile and influencing where appropriate.  
• Support the Campaigns Officer (media) and Campaigns Officer (public affairs) with the insights required for political and media interventions. E.g. briefing MPs and creating briefing materials for media interviews. 
• Administrative tasks as needed.  

Essential skills and experience

• Experience of developing policy positions for an organisation. 
• Experience in translating research into insights and using that to inform positions. 
• Experience of analysing and interpreting data sets to develop policy positions.  
• Excellent written and oral communication and influencing skills.  
• Experience of project management.  
• A problem-solving mindset - you assess the quality of your own ideas and ask questions about others’ ideas and proposals, devising solution options with costs/benefits and risks where appropriate. 
• You set high standards, actively seek and act on feedback and lead the team efforts to continuously improve. 
• You are outcome focused - You define your work in terms of outcomes rather than time spent and encourage others to do the same. 
• Planning and organising - You manage and work effectively with stakeholders to reach desired outcomes; you identify and escalate potential timeline issues in a timely manner proposing solutions. 

Desirable experience:  

• Experience of hosting focus groups and co-creating policy positions with young people.  
• Experience working in a policy role focused on social mobility. 
• Experience working in agile. 

Benefits

25 days holiday per year pro rata, plus bank holidays. 5% Employer contribution to pension calculated using NEST’s current thresholds for ‘qualifying earnings’ following successful probation period, in line with auto-enrolment pension requirements. 

How to Apply

There are two components to the application process. To apply, please submit your application to Pinpoint by 23:59 PM, Sunday 27th October.   
 

a) A cover letter outlining your previous experience and your suitability for the role  
 

b) In no more than 500 words, summarise what works for improving belonging for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in the civil service, and what steps you would take to maintain up-to-date knowledge of this and communicate the relevant aspects to colleagues.   
 

We intend to have one virtual interview lasting one hour to understand your experience and ambitions for the role and get to know you personally. You will not be required to do a task for the interview. Please let us know if you have any reasonable adjustments. We expect interviews for this role to take place on Monday 4th November. 
 

Please note that we do not accept CVs or generic applications. 

Location: Cardiff Head Office / Hybrid

About Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is one of the leading substance use organisations in Wales, supporting over 10,000 individuals each year. Founded in 1968 within an urban church, it was established with the ambition of promoting harm reduction. The name "Kaleidoscope" reflects the coming together of various aspects of youth culture, including mods, rockers, teddy boys, hippies, and Hell's Angels, all of whom were welcome. The organisation embodies these values to this day, providing support to some of the most complex and vulnerable individuals in society on their journey with substance use, and aims to create a safe, non-judgmental environment.

About the role

Are you ready to make a difference? Join Kaleidoscope, the leading drug and alcohol charity in Wales, as our CEO and help shape the future of services for vulnerable individuals. You will drive innovation, foster collaboration across a diverse network, and ensure that those we support are at the heart of service design. By promoting co-production and addressing the root causes of substance use, you will empower people to find their own paths to recovery. If you're passionate about creating impactful change and leading a dedicated team, Kaleidoscope is the place for you.

Who we are looking for

Kaleidoscope is at a crucial juncture in its journey, seeking a dynamic leader to guide us into the future after being led by the same family since 1968. We need someone full of drive and motivation, with a deep understanding of our mission, who can embrace new ideas and take calculated risks. You will be a tenacious trailblazer and a compelling advocate, able to influence policy on substance use and harm reduction while fostering connections with government and strategic partners. If you have experience in the non-profit sector, strong political acumen, and the passion and resilience we seek, we want to hear from you.

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Responsible to: Board of Trustees

Responsible for: Executive Team

Salary: £80,000- £90,000 per annum

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Our Head Office is based in Cardiff, and we would like the new CEO to be based within commuting distance for regular visits to all sites in Wales, however we are flexible on working location.

Benefits: We have a flexible approach to colleague benefits at Kaleidoscope and will agree the additional benefits with the successful candidate.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups or with protected characteristics. Kaleidoscope are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and diverse workplace where everyone can thrive.

Vacancy closes at 9am on Friday 29th November.