Children and families jobs in windsor and maidenhead, berkshire
Job Title: Family Support Worker (12 months FTC)
Salary: £30,944 - £31,004 per annum
Team: Family Support Team
Hours: 37.5 hours per annum
Location: Christopher’s
About Shooting Star Children’s Hospices
We have an exciting opportunity for a family support to join our Family Support Team at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or whose child has died. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we support families across Surrey, north-west London and south-west London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.
About the role
Family Support Workers (FSW) are the frontline of our psychosocial care. Each FSW holds a caseload of end-of-life and bereaved families. They get to know their families, and check-in regularly with phone calls and home visits and can provide enhanced emotional support where required through more regular contact and interventions. Our FSWs inform families about the different psychosocial care and many services they can access at Shooting Star, assess their needs and make recommendations to our specialist psychosocial MDT. They work hard to support families of different ethnicities and families living in poverty, so that our service is as equitable as possible.
Our FSWs work closely with our Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, Transition Team and our Care Events Team. Weekly specialist psychosocial MDT meetings bring the team together to think of ways to help families in crisis. The work is varied and creative, taking place at the hospices, in family homes and hospitals, allowing the support to be where the families need it. Our Family Support Workers are hugely appreciated by the families we support.
The ambition of our strategy is to ensure every family affected by a life-limiting condition, or the sudden death of a child, has access to the specialist care that they need. Day to day duties are:
- Being part of the duty rota over both sites monitoring 3 email inboxes and answering the Family Support Line.
- Supporting the events team with admin tasks and attending various events
- Providing on the spot emotional support, sometimes in a crisis where a calm and empathic response is required.
- Support the in-house team with families staying at Christopher’s for assessed nights and end of life care.
- Attend various sites over the course of a week, hospice, hospital, family homes. Planning your own diary effectively.
- Building connections with families from different backgrounds, delivering culturally competent care.
- Acting as an ambassador for Shooting Star’s Specialist Bereavement Service, supporting other care team members with their learning and delivery of the bereavement pathway, and continually seeking ways to improve quality.
About you
This role requires experience of working with children and families who have experienced hardship, presenting with complex needs. You should have a calm positive manner, be consistent in your approach, and convey empathy whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
Please see the attached job description for more information about this opportunity at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
What we offer
In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include:
Pension scheme
- NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions
Annual leave
- 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
- 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service
Contractual benefits
- Generous sick pay scheme
- Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
- Flexible working arrangements
- Death in service benefits
- Reimbursed professional membership fees
- Eye care
- Employee referral scheme
- Blue Light discount card
Health and wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Occupational Health
- Mindfulness sessions
- Cycle to work scheme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Nutritionally balanced meals at Christopher’s (free for employees) and free fruit at our Hampton site
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Also, we are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and an ehanced DBS check.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Shooting Star Children’s Hospice is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.
We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospice to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.
Closing Date: 15/05/2025
Interview Date: TBC
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
To deliver sessions to children, young people and their families that are diagnosed with or being assessed for neurodevelopmental conditions.
To support the development and delivery of bespoke programmes of support to children and young people and their families, under the guidance of the Service Delivery Manager.
As a practitioner, you will hold a caseload, will work as part of a team, undertaking assessments and delivering a range of evidence-based interventions for those on your caseload focused on neurodevelopmental conditions.
The service is underpinned by principles centred around THRIVE and Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies.
Key responsibilities
· Through a holistic approach, assess the needs and strengths of the referred child or young person and help them and their families identify and implement strategies that will support them, help them identify individual goals (through identification and implementation of strategies) to achieve desired change
· Deliver bespoke programmes of support, to families of children and young people diagnosed with or being assessed for neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autistic Spectrum Condition and/or ADHD. This could take the form of time limited 1:1 or group sessions or a blended approach depending on the needs presenting themselves
· Use creative, engaging approaches and own knowledge along with research-based methods and models to meet the emotional wellbeing needs of CYP
· Record and collect data with various tools and use this to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
· To take responsibility for own caseload of children, young people and families some with complex and multiple needs
· To involve children, young people and their parents in the co-production of programmes, activities and services
· To keep accurate records of individual engagement, evidence of change and celebrate progress with children and young people
· To provide, record and report the appropriate data to ensure support programmes can be accurately monitored and evaluated
· To provide written case studies as evidence of the effectiveness of individual interventions
· To take responsibility for the more complex cases/situations presenting within the service
· To assist with the development and progression of the service by adhering to all communication requests and assisting with peer progression development when requested through case supervision
Organisational requirements
- Work within Eikon’s equal opportunities, health & safety, and safeguarding policies at all times
- Understand and act when safeguarding issues need to be escalated
- Work as part of a team and attend team meetings, training events and participate fully in 1:1
- Work co-operatively and under the management of The Eikon Charity staff to ensure the highest quality of delivery and support
- Work within Eikon’s internal policies, safeguarding and data protection regulations
- Be responsible for equipment/resources
- Work some planned evenings or weekends
- To promote, monitor and maintain health safety and security in the working environment
- Attend and actively participate in regular clinical supervision
Helping young people feel safe, heard and supported





The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
35 hours per week
Remote
£55,000-£60,000 per year
Permanent
Lead the future of inclusive education with RNIB - Apply today to make a difference for children and young people with visual impairment.
RNIB are seeking an Education lead with teacher and QTVI qualifications along with Head of Service experience.
What you'll be doing:
Leading RNIB's education engagement strategy and furthering development in the specialist support to the education sector, through development of training, resources, engagement with Local Authorities and national education bodies.
What you'll need to succeed in this role:
- You'll have experience of managing high-performing, specialist teams
- You'll be comfortable with influencing policy to enhance services for children and young people with vision impairment.
- You'll understand the VI sector, possessing deep knowledge of educational provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) up to age 25, including current practice standards and relevant research
- You'll be able to evidence the full range of aspects of a QTVI role e.g. Braille, exams, 11+ etc
What We Offer
RNIB prides itself on being a great place to work with a positive, progressive culture. We offer a wide range of benefits including 26 days of holiday per year (plus bank holidays) which rises with service, enhanced family friendly benefits, a contributory pension scheme with an employer contribution of up to 11% and a rewards platform with employee discounts across over 800 retailers.
For more information on our available benefits, please visit our .
How to Apply
If you'd like to apply for this opportunity, please apply online, uploading your CV and supporting statement, telling us how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification.
About UP
Unlocking Potential deliver high performing therapeutic programmes and education provision for children and young people with SEMH needs. We work in collaboration with families, communities, and other partners to ensure that children and young people access the interventions they need to thrive.
Mission
We work collaboratively with communities to enable children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs to unlock their full potential
Values
Trust
We build trust by being honest, transparent, and accountable in the way we work with children and young people, staff, and partners and by providing services and programmes whose outcomes are measurable and evidenced based.
Collaborative
Relationships are at the heart of our work. We prioritise communication and collaboration with partners, families, and communities, believing that by working together we create more effective and holistic outcomes for children and young people.
Empowering
We co-create opportunities for our children, young people, parents/carers and staff to actively participate in decision-making that influences change. We promote the voices of children and young people in our organisation and the wider community.
Nurturing
We provide a nurturing approach based on safety and space for creativity, exploration, and growth. We support and care for our children, young people, and staff to realise their potential.
Impact
We are committed to measuring our impact through a data driven method to develop our programmes and make a greater difference to the lives of children, young people, and their parents and carers.
Overview
We will be launching our new programme from September 2025, initially as a pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue beyond this.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Family Support Manager to play a pivotal role in establishing our new Family Support programme. Your initial focus will be leading on the development of the service, implementing policies and procedures, building referral pathways, and recruiting a team of skilled Family Support Workers.
Once the service is established, you will manage a high-quality programme providing support and guidance to families facing complex challenges. Your role will involve overseeing a team of Family Support Workers, case management, fostering effective collaboration with internal and external multidisciplinary teams, and leading the service under a shared vision to ensure the well-being of children and their families.
Using a restorative approach, you will develop strong relationships to support families and empower them to take an active role in their own support plans and interventions, helping them build resilience and make informed decisions. A commitment to safeguarding excellence will be at the heart of everything you do.
This role would be an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker or an experienced professional with a background in setting up and developing family support services. It offers a genuine opportunity to shape a new service and build an impactful team to make a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for two Children & Young People Workers
Salary: £26,000 - £32,000
Location: Various co-locations in Brent including Brent Social Care and Advance Headoffice
Hours: 35 Hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term – March 2027
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
The Children & Young People Worker will be based in our Brent service and hold responsibility for delivering one to one and group work services for children of the age of 5 – 18 years, where there is domestic abuse perpetrated from one parent to another or in the household. The post holder will provide support and advocacy for young people and identify and improve referral pathways for those experiencing domestic violence and abuse to access ongoing support.
The post holder will have an excellent understanding of domestic abuse as its effects on women and children, and of best practice within the domestic abuse and young people’s sectors. As an experienced children and young people’s advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, the post holder will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis, and in handling sensitive information on a daily basis. Experience of direct work with children survivors of domestic abuse and working with young people and children in face-to-face and group-work is essential for this post as is working within safeguarding principles and promoting a strong partnership approach to service provision.
A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential
About You:
To be successful as the Children & Young People Worker you will need the below experience and skills:
You will have great knowledge and understanding of the needs of children and young people who are or have experienced domestic abuse, or have a parent experiencing domestic abuse, and the practical and emotional support needs specific to this group including, education, confidence and relationship building.
You will have the ability to network, influence, problem solve and apply solution focused approaches to increase access and safety and facilitate positive outcomes for women and children.
You will have excellent risk assessment, support and advocacy skills and the ability to advocate successfully using evidence and professional experience.
You will have experience of partnership working and of maintaining excellent working relationships with a
range of stakeholders.
You will possess excellent organisational skills, excellent communication skills and be able to work in a prison environment whilst remaining calm.
How to apply:
Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 4th May 2025
Interviews are taking place on: w/c 12th May 2025
*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
Pension scheme
Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
Employee eye-care scheme
Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
Organisation wide away days
Thorough induction and training
Career development pathways
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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Purpose of the Job
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a clinical lead working within our Mental Health Support Teams and wider Children and Young People’s Services. As an integral part of our services, you will ensure the high-quality delivery of mental health interventions for children and young people. You will provide clinical supervision and support to a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring adherence to evidence-based practice and national guidelines. This role involves overseeing the delivery of low-intensity and early intervention mental health support within schools and the community for children and young people between the ages of 5-18 (for young people with SEND under 25). In addition, you will ensure professional development and clinical governance.
Job Summary
The role includes:
- Providing case management and clinical supervision (1:1 and group) and some line management
- Supporting the team to write sensitive and appropriate reports concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of children and young people
- Carrying out clinical case file audits to ensure high quality practice and to support practitioners and trainees
- Ensuring that practitioners and trainees work within their scope of practice and adhere to professional standards
- Ensuring adherence to evidence-based practice in accordance with national guidance and national and local policies (including NHS and educational frameworks)
- Escalating referrals where the level of need is beyond the scope of the service
- Contributing to the ongoing evaluation and improvement of the MHST model
- Where appropriate, directly delivering sessions to more complex young people or families
- Support trainee practitioners and supervisors to meet the requirements of their studies
- To facilitate in person group supervision or reflective practice across CYP Services
- To manage the duty service and be part of the out of hours on-call rota advising staff on complex challenges and safeguarding
- To step in to deliver services (e.g. targeted groups, CBT informed 1:1s) to schools where needed (e.g. staff holidays, sickness, special requests from schools)
- To support Whole School Approach staff in the design and delivery of training sessions and developing engaging and accessible resources for children, parents and school staff
- Working with the service manager to establish our presence in schools and the local college and support the on-going delivery and development of our work in partnership with school leaders and other professionals
- Giving timely advice to school staff and liaising with external specialist local services to help children and young people to get the right support and stay in education
- Building and maintaining partnership relationships (e.g. CAMHS, Youth Offending Teams, Educational Psychologists)
- Participate in complex case discussions and contribute to multi-agency safeguarding processes.
- Uphold high standards of safeguarding, ensuring all concerns are appropriately escalated.
Other Responsibilities
- Oversee the quality of case-recording and documentation on a clinical database (IAPTUS)
- Ensure that all follow up and records maintenance is done within the project timelines and to a high standard
- Contribute to the quarterly reporting to the commissioners on quality assurance from the clinical point of view
- Represent the MHST and HFEH Mind at external meetings
- Attend regular team meetings as agreed with the service manager
- Attend and successfully complete all mandatory training as required by HFEH Mind
- Ensure that all support provided has an inclusive values base which recognises and respects difference and diversity
- Attend regular 1:1s and reflective practice sessions, and work to meet KPIs and actions from meetings
- Any other reasonable tasks to meet the needs of the organisation (inline with the requirements of the role).
Person Specification
Essential
- Professional qualification (e.g., Clinical Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Mental Health Nursing).
- Accreditation with a relevant professional body (e.g., HCPC, BACP, UKCP, BPS, BABCP, NMC, Social Work England).
- Significant experience (minimum of 5 years) in child and adolescent mental health, including direct work with children and families with complex needs
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to practitioners working with children
- Strong understanding of evidence-based interventions (e.g. CBT, trauma-informed approaches)
- Experience of managing risk and safeguarding concerns
- Excellent communication skills and non-judgmental approach to working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Understanding of neurodiversity and the needs of children with additional or complex needs and an adaptable approach to what works
Desirable
- Knowledge of the MHST model, early intervention, and school-based mental health services
- Experience of working in education settings or school-based mental health teams
- Training in supervision models (e.g. BABCP/BPS supervision course)
- Experience in delivering training
- Experience of working in a school or college setting
We are an equal opportunities employer; and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.
HFEH Mind are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
We’re here to make sure that everyone suffering with a mental health problem gets the help they need to recover.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Social Care IDVA - RBKC
Salary: £28,000 - £32,000
Location: Across three locations within RBKC and Hammersmith Head Office
Contract: Permanent
Hours p/w 35 hours per week (some working from home up to 2 days)
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
The Social Care IDVA will work within a dynamic, fast paced, crisis intervention, advocacy, and support service to ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process, specialising in working with women whose families are involved with Family Children Services and risk to children is a factor. You will work to make proactive contact and provide high quality advocacy and support based upon a client led needs and risk assessment to women, focusing on working with those aged 18 and over who access the domestic abuse service. This role is part advocacy, part training/education and project work to improve response to victim/survivors experiencing domestic abuse. You will be embedded in the local authority Family Children Services team, working with Social Care professionals to ensure they adopt a trauma informed approach, can recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse and are providing more holistic support. You will be the domestic abuse subject matter expert on site, upskilling fellow professionals and acting as a point of contact for any clients experiencing domestic abuse and support requirements from Family Children Services.
The Social Care project was established in 2021 and has been working in partnership with Hammersmith and Fulham Family Children Services, so the IDVAs will inherit strong working relationships and a commitment from all parties to offering more trauma-informed services. The borough has a focus on prioritising and developing good DA work in social care and this is an opportunity to be a major player in institutional change, ensuring that women accessing Family Children services for their children have an improved experience and that the local authorities are leading the way for all survivors engaging with their services.
Advance delivers nationally accredited, quality marked services in Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Brent, Ealing, and across parts of East London. We work within a coordinated partnership response to domestic violence to provide independent domestic violence advocacy and support for women, children and young people and women’s community services for women who are involved in the criminal justice system, in anti-social behaviour or are at risk of breaking the law.
About You:
You will have an excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children and of best practice within the domestic abuse in various areas of need, with particular knowledge on children safeguarding/legislation. As an experienced domestic violence advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, the post holder will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive information on a daily basis. Experience of direct work with female survivors of domestic violence, of supporting women with child safeguarding, needs, and of working within safeguarding procedures is essential for this post, as is the need to adopt and promote a strong partnership approach to service provision.
To be successful as the Social Care IDVA you will need the below experience and skills:
You will establish positive, proactive, and innovative working relationships with housing services and partner agencies.Provide high-quality crisis intervention, information, advocacy, and proactive support to women referred to the service, in respect to risk management and safety planning, criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, and children’s legislation.
Your abilities extend to assessing the needs and risks of survivors, carry out short and longer-term risk management, safety planning and support and identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs.Advising women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies and proactively advocate to ensure barriers to accessing support and protection are reduced. You will work as an advocate and educator to raise awareness and upskill professionals within Children Social Care plus work with colleagues to successfully develop and deliver training.
How to apply:
Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
· Interviews are taking place on rolling basis
*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
- A 35-hour working week
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye-care scheme
- Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation wide away days
- Thorough induction and training
- Career development pathways
**************************************************************
Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email contact the Talent team via our website and the Talent Acquisition Team will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Major Gifts Fundraiser
£27,000 pa + benefits (including 25 days annual leave and pension, flexible working options available)
Leatherhead, Surrey (Office-based with some flexible, remote working options available)
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.
About the role:
We are looking to appoint a self-motivated, proactive and excellent communicator to help our major donors achieve their philanthropic goals through their relationship with Rainbow Trust.
Reporting to the Major Donor and Trusts Manager, this newly created role, in our expanding team, will help manage and cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals as part of our major gift programme. The Major Gifts Fundraiser will be responsible for reaching new donors and increasing sustainable income growth, contributing to driving our key fundraising campaigns and events, and will also manage a small portfolio of donors.
With our growth plans, this is an exciting time to join the team and raise funds to support seriously ill children and their families. Whilst previous experience of fundraising or working with high-net-worth individuals would be useful, it is not essential as this role will provide an opportunity to develop fundraising, research and communication skills.
What we’re looking for:
· A poised, confident and persuasive communicator – you have clear and creative writing and presentation skills, communicate confidently in person and over the phone
· People-oriented and outgoing – you are naturally warm with a sincere appreciation for people and how they are each uniquely motivated. An ability to quickly connect with and motivate others
· A goal-oriented and analytical problem solver – you respond quickly to varied activities and can adapt quickly to change
· A helpful and supportive team member
· You thrive working at a faster-than-average pace on multiple priorities simultaneously – results-oriented and a fast learner, you respond quickly to pressure and a changing environment
· Confident use of MSOffice with a strong attention to detail, comfortable working with data, and produce high quality accurate work.
What we offer:
We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, this includes:
· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life
· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand
· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 days to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)
· Company car for front line care posts
· Time off in lieu
· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts
· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes
· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year
· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%
· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping
· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth
· A recommend a friend recruitment referral bonus scheme
About us:
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed.
How to apply:
Please send your CV and a covering letter to us via the link.
Interview dates: Interview dates to be confirmed
Your covering letter should highlight why your application should be considered above others, and clearly state how your experience matches the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification. Please disclose in your covering letter if you have used AI for any part of your job application.
Interviews will take place at our Head Office in Leatherhead with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.
Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Kentown Support is a new charity, here to ensure that every child with a life-limiting condition and their family across the UK has access to a model of integrated community children’s palliative care. We will:
· REPLICATE and roll out the Kentown model to reach more children;
· CREATE sustainable teams around the child and family; and
· EQUIP professionals and parents/carers with the knowledge and expertise to deliver the best health and social care for children with life-limiting conditions through high-quality research, education and training.
Our Marketing and Communications Manager will play a key role in growing our reach and influence, building Kentown Support’s brand across the children’s palliative care sector.
In this home based role, you will use your creative flair to develop and deliver strategic communications and marketing plans to our audiences using a range of channels. Working closely with colleagues, partners and service users, you will lead and implement all aspects of our communications’ strategy: Brand management & development, Web & social media, PR & Media and Storytelling & publishing.
We are building a compassionate and high performing organisation at Kentown Support. We are looking for an ambitious, energetic and collaborative colleague who has both a passion for their work and the difference it can make to children and their families. This is a rare opportunity to join an incredible charity at the beginning of its journey.
With the privilege of starting a new organisation is the ability to define the way in which we work. We are creating an environment based on trust and integrity with everyone’s wellbeing at the of core of its success. More traditionally, Kentown Support also offers 25 days’ holiday (pro rata) with an additional day off in your birthday month, 2 paid volunteering days (pro rata), an employee assistance program (including death in service) and 6.5% employer’s contribution to our workplace pension.
We are holding interviews on Teams on Monday 12th May, and final interviews in person on Monday 19th May, location to be decided.
Our website is currently under development, so while helpful on one key area of our work, it does not show the whole range of our activities.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
About Chapter One
Chapter One is a dynamic, growing charity with a vision of a world in which all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive. Our mission is to close the reading gap by providing children with one-to-one support at the time they need it most.
Our unique Online Reading Volunteer programme currently supports about 3,000 children a year. It pairs disadvantaged, struggling five to eight-year old (KS1) readers with reading support volunteers who come from over 140 local and national businesses. The volunteer ask is very focused: readers commit 30 minutes a week to read with a child using a bespoke digital platform for an entire academic year. The results are transformative, boosting children's reading confidence and ability.
We have set ourselves ambitious targets to support thousands more children by 2029, and this role, with responsibility for managing, stewarding and nurturing our existing corporate partners, will be crucial to ensuring that we have sufficient volunteers and support to achieve not only this target, but also to develop other innovative pilot programmes.
For more information about our programmes please visit our website. Please also take some time to visit our social media channels and watch our videos.
About the role
Chapter One is seeking a proactive, energetic and enthusiastic Corporate Partnerships Manager to be an integral part of a team which aims to both maximise corporate income and deliver an excellent partner and volunteer experience.
Reporting to our Head of Corporate Partnerships, and responsible for the line management of our Corporate Partnerships Officer, you’ll deliver on our annual volunteer and income targets and maintain our strong partner retention rate (target 87%). This will involve supporting the account management of a portfolio of existing partners and the responsibility to nurture relationships to increase partner investment in Chapter One over time. The role involves collaborating across departments to ensure a seamless and positive experience for volunteers and partners
This is an opportunity for an experienced partnerships manager to take on a more senior role and demonstrate their sales acumen and creativity in a dynamic, flexible and agile charity.
Key Responsibilities
Partner Stewardship
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Lead the account management of a selected portfolio of corporate partners, ensuring Chapter One achieves its annual retention and growth targets
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In collaboration with the Head of Corporate Partnerships, devise effective schemes of delegation and partner allocation within the Corporate Partnerships Team
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Focus, in all corporate partnership discussions, on maximising income
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Identify opportunities to increase a partner’s support eg by identifying other regional/divisional opportunities or inclusion of Chapter One as a social value partner in public sector bids
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Conduct regular partnership meetings, including mid and end of year reviews, proactively proposing tailored opportunities to retain and grow partner support
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Lead on producing high quality written communications, reports, proposals and pitches as per the requirements of each partner, collaborating with the Data and Systems Officer and Fundraising team as needed
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Advocate effectively, with passion and enthusiasm, for Chapter One’s programmes in a variety of internal and external settings
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Proactively network to deepen and strengthen external relationships with Chapter One partners, identifying speaking opportunities for Chapter One where possible
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Strategically use LinkedIn to identify, connect with, and actively engage key stakeholders within corporate partner organisations,
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Attend conference and events to represent Chapter One and talk about its work to existing and potential new partners
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Keep up to date with relevant business news and strategic shifts or developments at key partners and sectors, proactively seeking opportunities to broaden knowledge
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Regularly analyse data in Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets, working with formulas, pivot tables and data analysis tools to aid decision-making and create dashboards.
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Oversee and maintain all Account Management related processes, including stewardship plans, recording of activity on the Salesforce CRM and internal platform databases
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Ensure, in conjunction with the Finance Assistant, that partners are invoiced for their Chapter One donations accurately and in a timely manner
Line management
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Line manage and develop the Corporate Partnerships Officer, ensuring adherence to all Chapter One’s HR Policies and Procedures
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Be a source of advice and guidance for the Corporate Partnerships Officer as they manage their allocated partner relationships
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Supervise the Corporate Partnerships Officer to lead volunteer recruitment meetings, including stepping in if necessary
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Supervise the Corporate Partnerships Officer to manage new partner onboarding meetings, stepping in to lead them if required
Partner/volunteer onboarding and experience
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Alongside the Head of Corporate Partnerships, use internal systems to assign partner teams and volunteers to specific schools and ensure that their needs are met
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Develop proactive, supportive relationships with Volunteer Coordinators in partner organisations, providing high-quality data and information in a timely manner
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Work closely with the Volunteer Support Team to ensure that partner and volunteer onboarding is a smooth, time-efficient experience
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Support the Programme Management team to liaise with partner contacts about the organisation of in-person school/office visits and virtual meet and greets
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Attend Chapter One’s internal Volunteer Experience group and Corporate Engagement Group.
Marketing and Communications
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Work with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure that companies and volunteers have access to an array of promotional assets and recruitment materials
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Create and provide content for the regular volunteer and corporate partner newsletters, including working with partners to gather volunteer testimonials and partner profiles
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Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to develop ways to promote, showcase and celebrate partnerships and individual volunteers across our social media channels and other digital platforms
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Encourage corporate partners to promote Chapter One through their own social media and channels
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Support the organisation of online and in person partner and volunteer recognition events
We are looking for the following key skills, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:
Account Management Skills:
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Experience of managing Corporate Partnerships, or equivalent relationship-based roles in a fundraising, events, sales or marketing environment
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Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with business professionals at all levels
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Expert meeting facilitation skills
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Strategic thinker, able to maximise income and growth opportunities
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Understanding of CSR / ESG partner policies and social value trends
Communication Skills:
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Able to eloquently express commitment to Chapter One’s mission and values
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Outstanding presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to excite and inspire an audience
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An ability to create compelling, attractive written pitches, ensuring messaging and brand are consistent
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Experience of engaging partners on social media (particularly LinkedIn)
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Experience of representing organisations at events
Technical Skills:
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Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets (including formulas, pivot tables, dashboard creation)
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CRM management (specifically Salesforce)
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Experience of complex data analysis
You’ll be more successful in the role if you have:
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Experience of working in the charity/non-profit sector
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Line management experience
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Experience of mentoring and developing staff
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Experience of process oversight and improvement
Chapter One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of teams we are building. Literacy is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to maximise our innovation, creativity and impact. We especially welcome applications from persons who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation.
Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.
Please send your CV (maximum 2 A4 sides) and a covering letter via Charity Jobs. Your covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4) should include:
1) Your relevant experience, including clear examples.
2) Tell us about a partnership that you have grown over time, how much investment you secured and what you personally did to make it succeed.
3) Tell us about how our organisational mission is in line with your values.
Applications that fail to meet these criteria will automatically be discounted. We want you to have every opportunity to shine and to show us your talents—please let us know if there is anything we can do to make sure the assessment process works for you.
At Chapter One, we want to create a world where all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We're looking for a talented and versatile communications officer to help grow our communications and supporter base and increase our impact for the children with complex disabilities and their families who we support.
This is an exciting time for our charity as we are developing ambitious growth plans and we want to increase our social media and digital presence to engage with a wider audience.
You will be expected to lead on our social media strategy, planning, producing and delivering content for all our audiences, and engaging with social media connections to grow our community. You will also be responsible for increasing engagement via our website, e-news and direct digital and offline communications.
We're looking for a natural storyteller with attention to detail, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to turn their hand to a wide range of tasks, striving for excellence while building relationships and working collaboratively with staff from across our small charity.
Key responsibilities include:
- Create a social media strategy that builds our community and engagement across our current active platforms of Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and considers the use of other platforms
- Develop and maintain our website to provide and easy and rewarding experience that seamlessly transitions users to the next stage of their journey
- Develop and manage our communications calendar to ensure coordinated planning and communications activity
- Build and manage our range of audience groups, including monthly e-news, email marketing, hardcopy reports and newsletters, and assist with donor stewardship communication
- Support our engagement with external media organisations, using all opportunities to gain positive media coverage
- Support the development of data and reporting processes to help build an insight-led understanding of our audience groups and to inform our marketing and engagement plans
- Assist with the production of our digital assets and communications using digital design software where appropriate
The successful candidate will have strong social media knowledge and experience, as well as experience of building reach and engagement across digitial, printed or in-person communications. They need to be a collaborative team player, willing to learn from and work with staff from across the organisation, and the ability to multitask and juggle different projects and deadlines simultaneously. They will also have a passion for our cause - helping the families of children with complex disabilities get the support they need with the aim of preventing them from going into crisis.
We help to keep families together by providing home from home care for children with complex disabilities and a meaningful break for the families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Full time 37 hours, permanent position
Salary in the range £56,869 - £69,506 per annum
Based in Reading - hybrid working available (1-2 days in the office)
About us
PACT is a supportive and respectful charity where people are genuinely passionate about what we do and are at the heart of everything we can achieve together.
We change lives by building and nurturing adoptive families and empowering women, children and parents to rebuild after trauma and embrace a positive future.
Established in 1911, we are now one of the UK’s leading charities in its field dedicated to finding secure and loving families for children waiting to be adopted, continued support through therapeutic services, supporting and empowering women facing multiple disadvantages and the recovery of children affected by domestic abuse.
The role
We are looking for an experienced Head of People and Operations who is passionate about our work and who will flourish in a values-based culture founded on professionalism, positivity, innovation and a genuine desire to help others.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Senior Management team, this is a key role that leads a dedicated team responsible for ensuring that the charity has exceptional people and providing them with the necessary resources and equipment to excel in their roles and thrive.
Committed to delivering excellence, you will seek opportunities to enhance the services you and the team provide across the charity and will be a champion for people’s wellbeing and a culture of inclusion.
About you
To flourish in this role, you will need to be a confident and trusted CIPD qualified practitioner, who has significant experience of working in a generalist HR role at a senior management level. You will need excellent knowledge and practical application of employment legislation.
A skilled and considerate communicator, you will enjoy managing, motivating and coaching others as well as working collaboratively to find pragmatic solutions to issues and challenges.
Given the size of the charity and the team, you will be comfortable in a dynamic role where no day is the same; moving easily from strategic to operational tasks and ways of working.
Whilst you do not need to be an expert in offices services and facilities and IT systems and applications, a general understanding and desire to learn would be an advantage.
If this sounds like you then visit our website and apply today to join an amazing organisation and be part of something that is truly special. You will also find contact details on our website for an informal discussion about the role.
Closing date: noon, Wednesday 30 April 2025
Interview dates: Monday 12 May, Wednesday 14 May and Tuesday 20 May 2025.
Other roles you may have experience of could include: Head of Human Resources, Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Senior HR Manager, HR Consultant, Head of Operations, Head of Support Services
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.
Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.
All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.
an adoption charity and family support provider helping hundreds of families every year through outstanding adoption and adoption support services


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Purpose of the Job
Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind deliver a range of services for children and young people from 5+. We have two Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs), and some specialist inclusion, community, creative and partnership work. We are looking for someone to look after and manage our programmes that support inclusion for children, young people and families throughout our boroughs for a one year maternity cover (depending on start date). You will ensure that our specialist inclusion services continue to grow and work to support the development of new inclusion programmes. Children and young people with special educational needs, neurodiversity and disabilities will continue to be the priority for this role, and you will work closely with our existing services to ensure they meet the additional needs of the communities we serve.
Job Summary
The role includes:
- Line management to specialist ASC/LD practitioners; assistant psychologists and music/creative based programme team
- Support the wider team and organisation to ensure all provision is inclusive and meets additional needs
- Develop our SEND and inclusion programme within the MHST, and throughout CYP Services
- Overseeing and developing our trauma-informed approach to work
- Build and hold relationships with the Local Authority (in particular Hammersmith and Fulham), local schools (especially SEND and alternative provision) and communities who may not access mental health services.
- Tailor services to reach young people who may be disengaged from school, have specific additional needs or diagnoses.
- Liaise with commissioners within the NHS and other funders
- Write reports for commissioners and other stakeholders (e.g. monitoring reports, Key Line of Enquiry documents)
- Work closely with the Mental Health Support Teams (schools) service manager and clinical lead
- Ensuring service meets all targets.
- Building on an existing programme and expanding the service to meet additional identified needs
Person specification:
Knowledge & Experience
- At least 3 years’ experience of supporting young people with a variety of needs, including neurodiversity or learning disabilities, ideally within a mental health context
- A related professional qualification and registration (but please consider applying without this qualification if you have extensive experience)
- At least 2 years’ of management experience within a relevant service
- Detailed understanding of the mental health needs of children and young people from a range of under-served communities
- Experience of working on (ideally managing) a commissioned service within a Third Sector Organisation
- Experience in delivering a service within budget and meeting all KPIs and contract requirements.
- An understanding and commitment to trauma-informed practice (ideally with a related qualification)
Skills, Attributes & Qualities
- A passion for supporting and developing staff
- A commitment to improving the lives of young people living in our boroughs through high-quality mental health support, especially those with additional needs, or who are under-served by services
- Skilled in working closely with colleagues (e.g. Clinical Lead/service managers) and clearly sharing roles and responsibilities.
- Having a creative approach to problem solving and developing the service to meet the needs of diverse young people, families and schools.
- Ability to form and maintain relationships (e.g. with schools, commissioners), and communicate effectively with all stakeholders and young people.
- Ability to manage own workload, work to deadlines and prioritise effectively, and bring out these qualities in your team
- Good standard of Microsoft Office – Word, Excel and PowerPoint
We are an equal opportunities employer; and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.
HFEH Mind are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
We’re here to make sure that everyone suffering with a mental health problem gets the help they need to recover.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us:
Greenhouse Sports is on a mission to transform the lives of young people from disadvantaged communities through the power of sport and mentoring. We’re looking for a Head of People who is as passionate as we are about creating opportunities for young people to succeed. If you believe in the power of sport for development, this could be your chance to make a real impact.
About the Role:
As Head of People, you will lead the strategic direction and operational delivery of our People function, championing and developing a culture where our coaches and support teams can thrive. This is a pivotal senior role, offering the opportunity to shape our people strategy, drive organisational development, and position Greenhouse Sports as an employer of choice. You’ll work in close partnership with the Senior Leadership Team to foster an inclusive, values-driven environment that enables every staff member to do their best work – all in service of our mission to help every child have a fair chance to succeed.
This role is ideal for a senior HR professional who is ready to partner with senior leadership, confidently make tough decisions, and handle challenging situations with empathy and discretion. You’ll build strong relationships across all levels, stay self-motivated, and keep a sharp eye on both the details and the bigger picture. This could be your first senior role if you have already demonstrated calm, capable leadership and are ready to step up, especially if you’ve taken responsibility for a broad range of People solutions in previous roles.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the People function with strategic and operational oversight of all HR activities, aligning with organisational goals and values.
- Collaborate with senior leadership on staff development plans and lead and measure staff engagement and support broader cultural development efforts.
- Partner with managers across the organisation to develop their skills and ensure consistency in approach.
- Manage employee relations issues, ensuring fair and legally compliant outcomes, with varying levels of complexity.
- Lead and continuously improve recruitment practices, driving forward our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy, embedding it into all areas of people practice.
- Maintain responsibility for safeguarding compliance within HR policies and practices and act as Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
- Lead and continuously improve HR systems, policies, and procedures.
- Manage and support the development of the HR Officer.
Who We’re Looking For:
- CIPD Level 7 qualified, or demonstrable equivalent experience including experience in a senior HR role.
- Passionate about improving the lives of young people through sport, and inclusivity in the workplace
- Strong leadership and influencing skills. Self-motivated, discreet and able to deal with confidential information professionally.
- In-depth knowledge of employment law and best practice HR across the employee lifecycle
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proactive and collaborative approach
- A forward-thinking, values-led leader who is excited by the opportunity to develop
Why Join Us?
At Greenhouse Sports, we’re more than just a charity. We’re a close-knit team driven by a shared goal: to make a positive impact on the lives of young people. We offer a flexible, supportive work environment, with fantastic benefits like a personal wellbeing budget, health insurance, and a generous holiday allowance. Plus, we’re proud to have been named one of The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work 2024.
Join us and be part of a team that’s making a real difference.
Interested?
If you would like to apply, please submit your CV and cover letter. Please highlight your skills, experience, and passion for supporting people and aligning with our mission.
Application Deadline: Friday 23rd May at 23:59hrs. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity.
Greenhouse Sports is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children therefore applicants must be willing to undergo child protection training and screening including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check and obtaining satisfactory references from past employers.
Helping young people succeed through sport and team spirit
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Reporting to: Director of Policy and Engagement
Direct reports: 1 x Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Legislative Lead, 2 x Policy and Public Affairs Officers, 1 x England Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Location of work: Home-based. The post holder must be easily and quickly commutable to London and will require frequent meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland to attend events and meetings.
Contract type: Full-time, 35 hours per week, flexible hours may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work
Contract Length: Permanent
Salary: £54,500 - £56,500
BACKGROUND
Our work has never been more needed. The latest research suggesting that the number of children and young people at risk of hunger has rocketed to 2.6 million* means that one in five children don't have enough to eat.When a child is too hungry to learn, when they’re aching for something to eat, they can’t concentrate. They can’t absorb information. Big feelings and worries can be impossible to control. They fall behind in their studies.
Magic Breakfast provide a nutritious and filling breakfast to over 300,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma. Magic Breakfast are ambitious to grow our impact to remove hunger as a barrier to learning for all children and young people in the UK.
This is an exciting time to join Magic Breakfast if you wish to make a difference to the lives of children as we work to influence both policy implementation, with the national rollout of primary-aged universal school breakfast, and legislative change, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. There has also been commitment from the Scottish Government for a national breakfast scheme and we are seeking to expand our advocacy work into Wales. Magic Breakfast’s influence will be instrumental to ensuring school breakfasts are implemented in a way that is hunger-focused and barrier free.
In addition, thousands of secondary school children are at risk of losing their free school breakfasts from September next year. For many of these students, this is their only opportunity to have a nutritious meal before facing a demanding school day, including taking exams. And for the very youngest, we know that the disadvantage gap begins before they even reach reception. With the Government commitment to another 100,000 places in school-based nurseries, early years is also a critical part of our advocacy work.
Being part of the work of Magic Breakfast is your chance, together with parents, teachers and people across the UK, to demonstrate the power of school breakfasts and to shape the way forward to end morning hunger for good.
*Food Foundation Insecurity Tracker Jan 2025
JOB PURPOSE
The Head of Policy & Public Affairs will review, develop and implement our advocacy strategy and lead a team to influence the devolved legislatures across the UK to address child morning hunger, with a view to the underlying systemic causes of child poverty and hunger, by driving change through policy and legislation. The role operates at our ‘Head of level’ which is the most senior operational specialist level and provides both operational and strategic leadership.
This role will also provide wider leadership across the charity and input into organisational strategy development and planning as part of the Core Management Group. This role will ensure that the Policy and Public Affairs function is aligned to the wider strategic aims and outcomes of Magic Breakfast as well as the internal operational systems and delivery.
The strategic leadership will ensure an external and long term view, with an outward looking and forward thinking approach that builds thought leadership, relationships and partnerships, with positioning to anticipate and build on new opportunities to end child morning hunger for good.
It will require an experienced Policy and Public Affairs professional, with significant experience of high impact and demonstrable outcomes at a senior level in the field. The postholder will lead the policy and public affairs team to influence the Early Adopters Scheme, the national rollout of primary school breakfast provision in England and breakfast legislation in the Children’s Wellbeing Bill (CWB).
They will also develop, guide and lead plans to influence the Scottish government, particularly in the run up to the election in May 2026 and the influencing of manifestos; and will lead Magic Breakfast’s upcoming influencing work in Wales.
In the external leadership that the role provides they will build relationships with politicians, political influencers, special advisors and civil servants to establish long-term, sustainable solutions to child morning hunger in the UK.
As a compassionate, people centric and inspiring leader they will work to enable their team to grow and develop in their skills ensuring they can step away from the detail whilst retaining accountability, build effective resource management and progression pathways. This role may manage external consultants where necessary, and work collaboratively with external organisations to amplify our voice and asks and strengthen our position as a thought leader.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Review and define the advocacy strategy for 25/26 in line both with moving political environment and Magic Breakfast’s influencing agenda, considering the systemic barriers to ending child morning hunger for good.
· Develop and maintain close relationships with the Department for Education and other key departments including Department for Health and Social Care and Treasury, to secure hunger and child focus as key priorities for breakfast provision.
· Develop, monitor and evaluate influencing plans for each devolved nation
· Support the development of influencing plans with coalition groups and organisations to influence school breakfast policy, commitments and implementation
· Review policy positions in Wales and Northern Ireland and define our advocacy approach, gaining external insights and analysing available research and data to shape the plan
· Develop a vision for advocacy beyond current demands, considering political appetite and gaining insight from lived experience communities and relevant sectors, to ensure that we are clear on future asks, and can build the foundation towards them.
· Work with Impact and Insights team to define future research needs to meet our longer-term advocacy plans
· Enhance and establish internal processes and ensure good internal information dissemination
· Work closely with key internal stakeholders to shape advocacy work and support broader organisational objectives
· Embed learnings and develop a fail fast, learn fast culture in the team
· Coach, support and lead direct reports enabling increased professional development, strategic decision making, proactive project management and robust political influencing
· Contribute to and help shape the work of the Core Management Group to ensure ongoing alignment for in year implementation of the strategic plan and create integrated future year plans which meet organisational goals
· Monitor and review KPIs to monitor and measure both team and cross organisational performance, using the results to guide teams and surface learnings
· Assess areas of risk and escalate where necessary and according to policy
· Develop and monitor annual team budgets
General
• Work collaboratively across the organisation, building good working relations and providing ad-hoc support to other teams and members of staff
• Passion and commitment to Magic Breakfast’s aim of alleviating morning hunger as a barrier to learning for children in the UK.
• Help to maintain a positive working environment; keeping the vision of Magic Breakfast at the heart of everything we do.
• Share Magic Breakfast’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
• Establish and ensure existing Ways of Working are adhered to across team
• Adhere to all Magic Breakfast policies and procedures and ensure that all activity is compliant with current legislation, GDPR, data protection and child safeguarding requirements
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
· Strategy development, demonstrating a deep understanding of how to craft, implement, and evolve strategies that align to operational outcomes for the Policy and Advocacy function as well as enabling our organisation strategy in our aim to end child morning for good.
· Stakeholder management and partnership building with extensive experience of engaging, influencing, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including senior political figures, policymakers, funders and sector leaders.
· Ability to confidently and flexibly deal with volatile political environment, anticipating potential developments and adapting to emerging situations to meet aims
· Highly experienced in developing and shaping policy positions, using insights, research and data sets to inform and guide decision-making
· Understanding and experience of the role of the broader external environment to shape policy asks and political influencing, including the implications of a policy ask in one sector on another.
· Experience of influencing key political events such as budgets, national elections and the legislative process.
· Significant experience of coaching, supporting and managing the development of a team, with the ability to make difficult decisions and challenge where needed to deliver the organisational strategy.
Desirable
· Experience of education, food insecurity, child poverty or childcare sectors
Skills and Abilities
• Effective leadership mentality with confidence to step away from the detail and delegate responsibility, enabling others to use judgements, make decisions, learn from failures and continuously improve.
• Analytical and evidence based decision making, with the ability to turn data and analysis into policy and advocacy related recommendations or outcomes for action.
• Effective planning, prioritisation and project management skills. Able to organise self and team to meet planned objectives and strategic direction with the ability to pivot and manage the unexpected.
• Strong, influential and impactful interpersonal and communication skills and to advocate for own specialism, department and Magic Breakfast's mission, effectively conveying the organisation's impact and needs to a wide range of audiences.
• Operational and financial acumen and analysis: understanding and practical application of knowledge as required around funding considerations, budget development and management, risk management, and ensuring systems in place for efficiency by setting and maintaining policy and procedural frameworks.
• An outward looking and forward thinking approach that drives a sense of curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. Always thinking what can we learn from others, what new developments can be explored and what are the opportunities for the function to improve and grow with others too.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.
Please find attached our job pack
APPLICATION PROCCESS
Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com
Shortlisting - w/c 5th May
Interview 1 - 15th and 16th May
Interview 2 - w/c 21st May
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.