Children social worker jobs

We're looking for someone a lttle bit special - someone who believes in the deep potential of children who are not thriving elsewhere in life and who has the experience, passion, energy and the drive to go the extra mile on these young people’s behalf.

The position is an exciting dual role:

1. Volunteering & People Manager (80% of workload)

You'll become a key cog at the heart ofFree to Be's management team, taking lead responsibility for volunteer and staff recruitment and retention, holding and delivering our volunteering strategy, launching a new training infrastructure through 2026-27, and heading up 'all things volunteering'. With one direct report, you'll aim to grow volunteer numbers year on year, ensure volunteers are well matched, and well supported, onto our residential projects, and lead on quality assurance, including volunteering standards concerns/grievances.  Alongside our Services, Operations and Fundraising Managers, you'll be a core management team member holding shared responsibility for the day to day running of an impactful and growing children's mental health and adventure charity and will work closely with our inspiring and supportive CEO to set longer-term key strategic goals underpinning Free to Be's future development.

2. Residential Project Lead Coordinator (20% of role)

Our residentials are fun, immersive, tiring (in all the right ways), impactful and inspiring. A core aspect of all Free to Be Kids staff's roles is leading circa 8-10 of our residential projects across each year - working on the ground with the children, leading the volunteers & staff team on project, and helping make the projects special, safe, and transformative for vulnerable young people, many of whom have damaged confidence, low self-worth, or other social-emotional needs. 

Attendance at approximately 8-10 five-six night residential projects per year outside London is a core component of this role. As a manager, you'd likely attend 8-10 residentials in year 1 to build familiarity with both the projects and our volunteer base, with this dropping to c.8 per year thereafter.

On offer to the right candidate:

Salary: Circa £38,000 - £40,000, dependent on experience.

Hours: Fulltime: 37.5 hours per week. Essential attendance on at c.8-10 residential projects a year.

Leave: 25 days per year, plus bank holidays and up to 13 additional pre-set discretionary reward days in September and during the Christmas period. A substantial perk of the role is potential to take up to 4 consecutive weeks off to travel each September.

Other benefits: 4% employer pension contribution paid on full base salary, rising by 1% per year of service, up to a maximum of 7%; hybrid working; office with great transport links; flexible working (outside core hours); employee reward scheme; tight-knit, fun, vibrant, cohesive staff team with great morale.

Based: Hybrid – our small office in Waterloo, London. Hybrid working is well established with the majority of the team splitting time around 50:50 between the office and home.

To start: Early January 2026. 

Who we’re looking for:

Our next Volunteering Manager hero. You'll be fun, flexible, energised, experienced in work with young people with addtional needs, and looking to join an organisation you can believe in and who in return will believe and invest in you.

Kind, empathetic, resilient and efficient, you’ll have a real affinity for supporting others - whether volunteers, more junior staff, or children themselves. We're looking for someone who loves working with young people, as you'll be role modelling that commitment and energy to our volunteers and playing a leading role in holding our already thriving team culture. Volunteer Management or HR experience is a bonus, and capacity and personality to quickly pick that up is a must, but ultimately we're looking for the right organisational fit - someone who believes in what we do and wants to step up to join a management team working hard to deliver it. 

You’ll have the flexibility to work away from home on (up to) 10 five to six day residential projects per year. Ideally, you’ll also have experience of leading projects for children – whether residential or non-residential - for example as a teacher, or running groups in other settings. Experience of working on or leading residentials projects themselves is not required but may be an advantage.

We are a small, vibrant, 'can do', friendly staff team of 10, supported by a committed volunteer base of around 300.

We are particularly keen to encourage applications from those who can help us represent the lived experiences of our children through their own lived experience or background.

To apply:

See full Job Description & Person Specification on our website.

Send a copy of your CV or up to date LinkedIn profile, as well as a covering letter and introductory short video, by the closing date of 10pm, Wednesday 26th November 2025.

Covering letters should be very approximately 1 to 1.5 sides A4 and address the question of: ‘Why this role, why now’, as well as ‘what strengths, experience and skills you would bring into the role’.We also ask for a short (1-3 minutes) informal video introducing yourself and touching on the person specification. We have found this helps bring the strongest applications to life, and filters out AI driven applications.

Selection Process and Timeline:

Selection will be via two stage interview. As there is only a short turnaround from application closure on 26th November to 1st stage interviews 1st-2nd December, we will assess applications and offer interview slots throughout the window. However, you will not be disadvantaged if you need to wait till the closing date to submit.

1st stage interviews: Mon 1st - Tues 2nd December (virtual)

2nd stage final interviews: Mon 8th - Tues 9th December (in-person preferred, London Waterloo)

Please hold interview dates as alternate dates are unlikely to be available.

​The role requires an Enhanced DBS check and existing right to work in the UK.

If you have any questions about the role, contact us via our website and we’d be happy to arrange an informal chat. We look forward to hearing from you!

Job Title:  Paediatric Occupational Therapist 

Location:  Watford and Hemel Hempstead 

Salary: Banding depending on experience, with pension option. 

DBS checks are required.

Job Type: Permanent - 15 hours a week on Monday and Fridays, 11 weeks per Hertfordshire term

About us: 

Playskill is a Hertfordshire-based charity supporting pre-school children with physical disabilities and their families. The charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to fund its vital services.

Using therapeutic play as a tool for development of key milestones, Playskill steps in during the crucial early intervention window when the brain is developing faster than at any other time. Through expert therapies, vital in-home support, specialist training and all important social and respite events for the whole family.

We stand alongside families throughout the challenges of living with disability, offering guidance, care, and community, helping them to build skills, resilience and networks to face the journey ahead. 

About the role: 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join and work in a multidisciplinary team alongside a Physiotherapist and Speech and Language Therapist, family support and specialist workers, and the families/carers of the children. 

Skills and Experience Required: 

• Qualified Occupational Therapist

• Relevant experience in the assessment and treatment of children with a physical disability 

• Clear understanding of current legislation regarding safeguarding of children 

• Knowledge of GDPR legislation to ensure clear understanding of confidentiality and the need for data protection 

• IT literate 

• Good communication, empathy, numeracy, and administrative skills 

Diversity statement:  

Playskill is an equal opportunities employer and has a high number of team with caring responsibilities and is keen to encourage applicants from a diverse number of backgrounds. 

Safeguarding statement: 

Playskill is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Playskill has a full safeguarding policy and expects all staff to undergo safeguarding training.

Interview date: TBC

Interview location: Hemel Hempstead

Reg Charity no 1198233 (formerly 1122745). Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. 

Would you like to become a vital part of our collaborative and innovative team to make a lasting difference to families?

We are looking for a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker to join our Reading team.

We believe that every child deserves a loving and supportive home. We are committed to providing the highest quality services to help make that a reality, and we are proud of our three successive outstanding ratings with Ofsted.

Position: Social Worker or Senior Social Worker

Location: Hybrid working from our Reading office and home - with service delivery in Berkshire and surrounding areas including West London.

Contract: Permanent part time – 26 hours per week over 3.5/4 days between Monday and Friday.

Salary Ranges: Social Worker - Salary in the range of £23,929 to £29,246 pro rata per annum (full time equivalent £34,053- £41,620 per annum). Senior Social Worker - Salary in the range of £27,611 to £33,745 pro rata per annum (full time equivalent £39,292- £48,022 per annum)

About the role:

Our Social Worker/Senior Social Worker’s role is a pivotal one within our Adoption service.  Some of your responsibilities will include:

· undertaking ‘home study’ assessments (PARs) and present these to the adoption panel

· support families throughout the matching process and once children are placed, up until the Adoption Order

· participating in recruitment activities and training for prospective adopters

About you:

As a Social Worker, you’ll bring a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in childcare social work and as a Senior Social Worker, a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience. You’ll have an understanding of child development and the impact on behaviour of interrupted development. You’ll have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, equity and inclusion within service delivery.

If this sounds like you then visit our website to apply today to join a dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful.

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please visit our website for contact details.

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Closing date: 9am, Friday 14 November 2025

Interviews likely to be held on: Thursday 20 November and Thursday 09 December 2025 

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Adoption Social Worker, Adoption Senior Social Worker, Adoption Support Social Worker, Independent Social Worker, Fostering Social Worker, Independent Reviewing Officer, Supervising Social Worker, Children’s Social Worker, Child Protection or Safeguarding Hub Social Worker, Looked After Children’s Social Worker, etc.

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.

Would you like to become a vital part of our collaborative and innovative team to make a lasting difference to families?

We are looking for a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker to join our team, based from either Milton Keynes or London.

We believe that every child deserves a loving and supportive home. We are committed to providing the highest quality services to help make that a reality, and we are proud of our three successive outstanding ratings with Ofsted.

Position: Social Worker or Senior Social Worker

Location: Based in either our Milton Keynes or our London team, with hybrid working arrangements in place for both home and office working, and travel covering Milton Keynes, North London and surrounding areas.

Contract: Permanent full time – 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Salary Ranges: Social Worker - Salary in the range of £34,053 - £41,620 per annum. Senior Social Worker - Salary in the range of £39,292 - £48,022 per annum.  If based from our London office, a location allowance of £3,299 per annum will be payable.

About the role:

Our Social Worker/Senior Social Worker’s role is a pivotal one within our Adoption service.  Some of your responsibilities will include:

· undertaking ‘home study’ assessments (PARs) and present these to the adoption panel

· support families throughout the matching process and once children are placed, up until the Adoption Order

· participating in recruitment activities and training for prospective adopters

About you:

As a Social Worker, you’ll bring a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in childcare social work and as a Senior Social Worker, a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience. You’ll have an understanding of child development and the impact on behaviour of interrupted development. You’ll have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, equity and inclusion within service delivery.

If this sounds like you then visit our website to apply today to join a dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please visit our website for contact details for our Adoption Team Manager.

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 25 November 2025

Interviews will be held on: Thursday 04 December and Thursday 11 December 2025.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Adoption Social Worker, Adoption Senior Social Worker, Adoption Support Social Worker, Independent Social Worker, Fostering Social Worker, Independent Reviewing Officer, Supervising Social Worker, Children’s Social Worker, Child Protection or Safeguarding Hub Social Worker, Looked After Children’s Social Worker, etc. 

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.

We are recruiting for a Children's Support Worker to join our team in Cambridge; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Children's Support Worker

Location: Cambridge
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Children’s Support Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing date: 9.00am on 10 November 2025

Interview date: 24 November 2025

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Sessional Assessing Social Worker

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Role: Self-Employed Form F Assessor

Locations:  Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Bradford, Leeds, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Rotherham, Hull, Sheffield

Pay - £2,250 per Form F Assessment / £37.50 per hour,  plus £250 bonus for ‘panel ready’ assessments, plus £250 bonus for completion within 16 weeks, plus 45p mileage

We are the UK’s largest specialist charity provider of fostering. Our core work involves providing high quality and well supported fostering families for children and young people in the care of local authorities. 

As a ‘not for profit’ organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and look to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. TACT invests all surplus income into staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to establish expert in-house support services such as our TACT Health and Education Services and create TACT Connect, our ground-breaking scheme for care experienced young people and adults.  New staff and workers will join us as we  embark on a journey to become a wholly trauma-informed organisation with the aim of increasing our effectiveness and improving outcomes for the children and young people in our care.

As a self-employed worker with TACT, you will be a part of our amazing team of professionals working with our organisational values at the heart of their everyday practice. You can review our values here.

We are recruiting sessional assessing social workers to undertake Form F Assessments in Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Bradford, Leeds, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Rotherham, Hull, Sheffield

Our assessments are undertaken face-to-face and applicants should be able to travel across the regions listed above for visits to prospective foster carers. 

Key Duties for Form F Assessors include:

• To undertake and complete Form F assessments in the timescale set out in our policy and guidance.
• To visit personal referees as identified on application form for prospective foster carers.
• To ensure that all checks and references are undertaken and completed.
• To provide to the supervisor, regular written updates of the draft assessment.
• To liaise with our administrative team concerning the progress of administrative checks and completion of the Form F.
• To be available for supervision, consultation or liaison as required.
• To be available to present completed Form Fs to the virtual fostering panel and provide support to the applicants through this process.
• To be aware of our child protection procedures and immediately report any child protection matter or concerns to a TACT manager and any relevant placing authority and the area authority.
• To carry out the duties in line with our Foster Carer and Supervising Social Worker Standards and Practice Guidance.

Rates of Pay for Form F Assessors

• We will pay £2250 (inclusive of VAT) + up to £500 bonus payments (if criteria are met) upon submission of a successfully completed Form F Assessment.
• £37.50 per hour for assessments which are not completed, and any other piece of work.

Please see the Self-Employed Form F Assessor Job Information Pack for a full breakdown of role requirements. 

You will be DipSW, CSS or CQSW qualified and registered with the relevant regulatory body (Social Work England).

An Enhanced DBS check will be required for this role and will be undertaken  by TACT on your behalf.

Closing Date: Sunday, 16th November 2025

Interview Date: Wednesday, 26th November 2025 (via Teams)

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and we believe that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children.  We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard our young people. All staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies.

JOB TITLE: Lead Youth Services Worker (Northern Ireland)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director, Northern Ireland

HOURS OF WORK: 25 hours a week (flexible with some evenings)

LOCATION: Office based, with travel across Northern Ireland.

DURATION: Fixed Term – 5 Years 

SALARY / GRADE: Grade 5 (£30,738 - £33,921 FTE)

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•Adopted Young People in Northern Ireland

•  Director Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland staff

•  Wider AUK youth staff

 •Representative staff from educational establishments.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To develop, implement and evaluate the Banter Project youth service in partnership with adopted young people in Northern Ireland.  These young people range in age from 14-25 years and live throughout Northern Ireland.  The role will primarily work with the project participants, but has additional relationships with community organisations, educational establishments and employers to ensure that all project goals and outcomes are efficiently and effectively met.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To lead the development and delivery of all elements of the Banter Project adopted young people’s service within Northern Ireland in a fun, interactive, interesting and an ability appropriate manner.

• To support the project participants to play an active role in the design and implementation of a programme of monthly activities for adopted young people. Sustaining and developing a monthly social hub, supporting the development of basic life-skills, and preparation for opportunities in further education, training, employment.

• To support a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) in its role to enable adopted young people to steer the Banter Project while developing skills which promote independence, personal development, social and life skills, leadership, and community involvement.

• To organise and supervise the work of the Youth Services Support Worker to deliver the Banter Project. 

• To provide opportunities to connect with, and signpost to, relevant services, particularly those who work with care experienced young people.

• To develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation to review individual goals, track progress and impact, via data and analysis of outcomes to assess effectiveness and areas for improvement.

• To record service activity using the electronic data management systems to collate in preparation for reporting and learning opportunities.

• To gather output and outcome data from the Banter Project service in accordance with the quality assurance systems within AUK. 

• Work with other staff members to deliver a high-quality project for our adopted young people and their adoptive parents.  Work as part of a team to contribute to a positive work environment and shared goals. 

• To attend internal and external training/meetings as appropriate, to remain connected with broader adoption issues, relevant policies, working practices, and network with other youth work providers in Northern Ireland.

• To engage in supervision and professional development.

The role
The Children and Young People’s Key Worker will undertake individual and group sessions with children, young people and parents/carers who are participating in our young people using harm programmes. The purpose of this role is to deliver sessions that support a young person and their parents/carers to address and change their harmful behaviour, ensuring they develop their understanding of abuse, as well as its impact on others. You will support the delivery of face to face and online sessions, including up to two evening group sessions per week.

As a Children and Young People’s Key Worker, you will work with clients on awareness raising, developing their motivation to change, ensuring accountability, and prioritising safety of the young person and those around them. .

About you

You’ll be confident in delivering programmes to children, young people and their parents/carers, assessing and managing dynamics in 121 and group formats. You’ll have experience in gaining young people’s trust and you’ll be confident addressing challenging and harmful behaviour. You’ll have direct experience of working therapeutically with a client group. You will also have experience of managing safeguarding issues.

Above all you will be comfortable with conflict managements, and you’ll bring a positive, solution focus attitude. We’d also love to hear from applicants who are fluent in speaking an additional language or have experience in supporting young people with complex needs. 

We want you to feel empowered to bring your best to this role, so we encourage flexible working around core hours. We offer an annual continuous Professional Development allowance, generous annual leave entitlement and Birthday leave.

About us

We want to make working at TLC an enjoyable and rewarding experience. 
It takes a dedicated, passionate, and flexible team to deliver the range of services we provide. We’re lucky to have over 150 people on our teams and 12 Trustees who believe in what we do. We are looking for enthusiastic, experienced, engaged and highly motivated people to join our team. 
 
We aim to encourage a culture where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths. We seek to attract and employ the best people from the widest pool, reflecting the diverse range of people we support. 
 
We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to be the best you can be, please contact us.  

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. 

Senior Adviser

Job Title - Senior Adviser

Contract - Permanent

Hours - 28 hours per week

Salary - £36,800 per annum (£46,000 FTE)

Location - Coram Campus, London WC1 (with flexibility for hybrid working)

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

About CoramBAAF

CoramBAAF is the UK's leading membership organisation for professionals dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people in care. Our corporate members in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland represent 94% of all local authorities as well as regional adoption agencies, health and social care trusts, independent fostering providers and voluntary adoption agencies, and cover 88% of all children and family social workers.

Our 650+ individual and associate members - comprising lawyers, health professionals, educational institutions, therapeutic and family support services, and more - reflect the multidisciplinary nature of our work. Together, our members make up the largest network of organisations and individuals involved with children in their journey through the care system.

About the role

The Senior Adviser post is a new role to increase capacity within our small and friendly Advice and Information Team. The Senior Adviser will be responsible for delivering high quality, evidence-based, advice and information by email and phone to Coram BAAF members. Our enquirers are primarily social workers at all levels including senior managers, along with associated professionals in health, legal and other areas of children’s social care.

The role will also support our Outbound Permanence Service which provides specialist advice and resources for local authorities across the UK seeking to place a looked after child with relatives overseas, and also offers training and consultancy. The post holder will, once familiar, have the opportunity to participate in Outbound training delivery.

We envisage this as a 4 day per week role, but are open to considering additional flexibility within the constraints of our core service hours (see full job description).

This role may suit you if you have considerable experience in childcare social work, in one or more of adoption, kinship, or foster care, together with experience in advising fellow professionals. You will have a clear understanding of the key principles involved in providing accurate, evidence-based advice and information.

You may have experience of working for a similar national helpline or advice, though this is not essential. You should have good knowledge of relevant regulations, guidance, minimum standards, and published good practice, along with the ability to research and translate complex information into accurate, clear, evidence-based, and practical advice.

Although we have an extensive database and internal Consultants to draw upon, the ability to present this information as a concise, logical summary tailored to each individual query is essential.

If you are looking for an opportunity to influence practice, advise and support fellow professionals, consolidate your current knowledge, research, and continually learn, including areas of practice currently unfamiliar to you, please see the job description and person specification for full details.

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK.

Closing Date: Monday 1st December 2025 at 8am – we reserve the right to close this job early if we have sufficient applications, so early application is advised.

Interview Date: Tuesday 9th December 2025 - Please note that interviews will take place in-person and will include a written test.

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Neo-Natal Support Worker - Greater Manchester

£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave and pension)

Greater Manchester region

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Neonatal Support Worker as part of the Kentown Children’s Palliative Care Programme, funded by Kentown Support as part of a developing programme delivering high quality wrap-around care and support to families with a baby receiving treatment on the Neonatal Intensive Care units within the Greater Manchester region, working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team supporting the families.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Greater Manchester Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a special care baby unit/community environment and those with a recognised qualification in health or social care.

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

We are a Best Companies Two-Star rated organisation, an outstanding place to work! We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:

· 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

· Company car for front line care posts

· 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 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· 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

· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme

· 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

As part of our learning and development Anne Harris skills development programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, introduction to play, drawing and talking training.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables 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. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

Please visit our website and apply online.

Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.

Interviews will take place at our Manchester Care Team office 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.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. 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 we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Location: Sheffield

Salary: £31,600 per annum pro rata plus £802 per annum pro rata essential car user allowance

Contract: Fixed term ending 31st March 2027 – funded by the National Lottery

Hours: Full time – 37.5 per week

Closing date: Sunday 9th November 2025 at 11.30 pm

Do you have a good understanding of child development and the needs of homeless families and children plus proven experience of supporting parents and children with complex needs? Then join Shelter as a Children & Families Support Worker and you could soon be playing a vital role aimed at minimising the impact of bad housing, homelessness and exclusion in the Sheffield area.

About the role 

With your own caseload of families, you will act as their key worker within our Family Service and support homeless and poorly housed families to defend their right to a decent home. Your primary focus will be on households where some tailored interventions are required around the needs of the children in order to stabilise their housing situation and enable the family to thrive.

Accordingly, you will provide intensive, tailored support as part of a whole family approach in a 1-2-1 setting and through group work. You will also need to regularly visit clients’ homes, schools and community venues across the city and liaise with other agencies in the community in order to provide a co-ordinated service.

About you 

You have knowledge of child development and a strong understanding of homeless children and families, with experience of supporting parents, children and young people who have complex needs.  You also have knowledge of housing, homelessness and ASB legislation and welfare benefits that affect families and the skills to network and gather information as well as advocacy, negotiation and problem-solving skills.

You will need to be able to demonstrate that you have worked within, or understand, a safeguarding framework, are IT literate and have experience of managing a caseload and can prioritise, organise and set boundaries. With a full driving licence, you will have access to a vehicle for work purposes, an allowance and mileage will be paid.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About the team 

Shelter Sheffield provide housing advice and support to people across the city, with a focus on emergency homelessness, intensive support for children and families, people experiencing domestic abuse and people with multiple and complex needs. We take a holistic approach to help people deal with interrelated issues that can impact their ability to keep a home and work for systemic changes to prevent homelessness and support over 5000 people every year.

About Shelter 

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

How to Apply 

You are required to submit a CV and a separate supporting statement to the following points of the ‘About You’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each.  Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the following knowledge, experience and behaviours throughout your responses:

1. Your knowledge of;

•Child development and an understanding of the needs of homeless families and children

•And homelessness and housing legislation/ASB legislation/ welfare benefits that affect families.

2.  Your experience of;

•Working within a safeguarding framework and be able to demonstrate your role within this.

3.  Your experience of;

•Supporting parents and children with complex needs and developing parent and child activities, including through play.

4.  How you prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

5.  How you enable decision making

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

*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.

Workers should be “violence free in their own lives.” Applicants are asked not to put themselves forward for selection if this is not the case.

Location: Test Valley

Hours: Staffed 9am-5.00pm Monday to Friday Staff will provide an on-call out-of-hours service, on a rota basis including weekends.

MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB

· To assess the needs of children and young people on an individual basis about their experiences of domestic abuse and provide appropriate individual support.

· To deliver and support the dedicated Advocacy Service for children and young people to enable them to express their views on matters important to them and issues which affect their lives

· To provide independent and confidential advocacy to support children and young people experiencing domestic abuse

· Increase community awareness and dialogue around domestic abuse to reduce stigma and promote a culture of support and prevention.

· Focus on breaking the cycle of abuse by offering targeted programs for children exposed to domestic abuse, providing them with the skills and support needed to overcome trauma and achieve their potential.

· Deliver age-appropriate workshops on topics such as healthy relationships, emotional resilience, and conflict resolution, equipping individuals with the tools to avoid abusive situations.

· To work in conjunction with adult support workers to assess the whole family and to provide appropriate support to adult survivors and their children.

· To develop and deliver a programme of activities and events to assist children in overcoming the negative effects of domestic abuse.

·  To act as an advocate for children, attending school, court and child protection case conferences where required.

To participate in the delivery of the on-call out-of-hours service on a rota basis.

It is essential that the post holder has a driving license and access to a car for work purposes.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 60,000 young people each year at its 46 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for graduates who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role.You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as a part-time Education Worker at our centre in Newcastle.

The role at a glance

Contract: Part-time (11.25 hours per week), fixed-term until July 2026

Start date: January 2026

Working hours
11.25 hours per week across 1.5 days

Education Workers are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres.

Location

IntoUniversity Newcastle East

The role requires intermittent travel in your region (usually within the day) this can involve journeys times of 1 hour+. Occasional travel out of your local area e.g. to London is also required, this may include overnight stays.

Salary

£28,250 per annum (pro rata)

Staff benefits

• Employer pension contributions of 6% (and up to 8% after two years)
• Year round ‘early finish’ Fridays at 4.30pm
• Summer working hours (finish at 1pm on Fridays for six weeks in the summer), pro-rated for staff joining after January in the same year 
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to wellbeing and legal support 
• Life Assurance scheme with Aviva including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
• Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay and sick pay allowances
• Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Children and Families Lead Manager to play a pivotal role in our Domestic Abuse Services across London.

At Hestia, we know that children are not just witnesses to domestic abuse they are survivors in their own right. We are looking for an experienced and passionate leader to join us as Children & Families Manager, shaping and driving the support we provide to children and their families across our domestic abuse refuges in London.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

This is an opportunity to make a profound impact. You will lead on designing and delivering a transformative strategy for our children and families' services, ensuring that every child we support has the chance to feel safe, to recover, and to thrive. Working at both a strategic and operational level, you will bring together the voices of children, the expertise of our Children & Family Workers, and the knowledge of in house and external mental health specialists to deliver holistic, trauma informed support.

Your leadership will be central in strengthening outcomes for families, embedding best practice, and ensuring our services respond to complex safeguarding needs with confidence. You will also play a key role in supporting and developing our frontline teams, helping them to remain resilient and equipped to deliver life changing work. As deputy child safeguarding lead for the organisation, you will bring authority and assurance to our safeguarding culture, ensuring we meet the highest standards of care and protection

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for

We are seeking a qualified social work professional with strong expertise in child safeguarding (Level 4). The ideal candidate will bring experience in child-focused practice, trauma and crisis response services, and proven leadership as a Safeguarding Lead. You will have a track record of effective multi-agency working, developing protocols and referral pathways, and delivering training to upskill teams. With in-depth knowledge of child and contextual safeguarding, childhood development and the impact of trauma, you will be skilled at working with children and families in a user-led, strengths-based way to achieve the best outcomes.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.