Communications And Supporter Services Manager Jobs in West Midlands

PLEASE NOTE: Although this role is homebased, candidates MUST be based in the north or south west of England.  The ability to undertake regular travel across Southwest or North England is essential.

About LawWorks

What we do 

LawWorks is the operating name of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group. We are a charity, and our aim is to enable access to justice through supporting and developing the contribution of legal pro bono.

With support from the Law Society of England and Wales, we encourage, facilitate and celebrate pro bono across the solicitor profession and at law schools in England and Wales.

Who we work with 

We work primarily with solicitors (firms and in-house teams), and also with law schools and law students, and other legal and non-legal volunteers and organisations.

LawWorks has around 150 member organisations including some of the largest City firms and international firms with an office in London, national, regional and local firms, in-house teams, law schools and charities.

Who we are 

LawWorks is a relatively small organisation with 18 members of staff (5 full-time) and a small team of volunteers and interns.  We operate a flexible working policy, with several members of staff working hybrid, or where appropriate, from home.

We are a busy and (for our size) complex charity, with a friendly team, a positive ethos and a commitment to doing all we can to ensure LawWorks is a strong and efficient organisation and a great place to work. 

Our projects 

There are a number of key strands to our work to support and facilitate pro bono:

• we support a growing network of around 300 local independent pro bono advice clinics across England and Wales. We work with lawyers, advice agencies, charities and others to establish or develop new clinics, and provide ongoing information and support, training and resources, for clinic volunteers and coordinators; 

• our Not-for-Profits Programme facilitates the provision of free legal advice for smaller charities and not-for-profit organisations, supported by volunteer lawyers from LawWorks’ members; 

• our Secondary Specialisation Programme supports the development of more ‘in-depth’ pro bono in areas of social welfare law.  This currently includes an unpaid wages project and ‘Voices for Families’, with the charity Together for Short Lives, supporting parents and carers of children with life-limiting conditions;

• we support collaborative projects including: Pro Bono Connect: a project which facilitates barristers and solicitors working together on pro bono cases; the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance and IP Pro Bono. 

• we have launched new online tools and digital platforms including a website called ‘Free Legal Answers’ and the Pro Bono Portal UK (with Justice Connect, an Australian access to justice charity). 

In addition to encouraging and supporting pro bono delivery, we also work to address barriers to justice and to provide a ‘policy voice’ for pro bono - for example, working to address regulatory and other barriers to pro bono volunteering, and working with our members and others to influence policy on legal aid and other aspects of access to justice.

The role 

Our experience in the different regions in England and Wales has shown the valueof having staff based locally to support pro bono initiatives, develop new pro bono opportunities and to increase engagement from the local legal profession. 

This role will include helping to develop and support your own set of clinics, building on existing relationships in the Southwest or North of England.  You will work with our members and the local advice sector to support the development of new pro bono clinics to meet unmet legal needs. We take an innovative, tailored approach to the support we provide, and you will provide one-to one support for individual clinics, allowing you to identify and address need, providing help with insurance, regulatory queries, finding volunteers and access to online tools.

A small part of the role (1 day per week) will involve working closely with the part-time Engagement & Training Officer (Wales) focusing on expanding stakeholder engagement to increase the number of independent legal advice clinics in Wales and promote pro bono involvement by the legal profession. You will work to identify and engage new stakeholders, develop training sessions and support impact monitoring. This role will also work closely with the Clinic Support and Development Officer (Wales), who acts as the first point of contact for guidance and support for clinics in Wales. 

Key priorities for this role will be: 

• To provide guidance and support to independent pro bono clinics registered with the LawWorks Clinics Network in the Southwest or North of England; 

• To increase the number of individuals in Southwest or North England provided with free legal advice at clinics in the LawWorks Clinics Network by identifying opportunities for new pro bono advice clinics, supporting local stakeholders to develop new services to meet unmet legal needs in their area; 

• To support and grow pro bono volunteering and LawWorks’ membership (e.g., law firms and in-house legal teams); 

• To identify the training needs of LawWorks’ members, clinics and their volunteers in Southwest or North England, working with colleagues to arrange regional training and other events. 

• To support the Engagement & Training Officer (Wales) with the delivery of the training plan in Wales. 

• To lead on communications with LawWorks’ members, clinics and their volunteers in Southwest or North England. 

We are looking for a confident networker who is able to identify opportunities andestablish new partnerships. All of LawWorks’ work is delivered through partnerships so it is essential that the candidate is personable, collaborative and an effective communicator. 

A background in the legal or advice sector will be an advantage, but not essential - training and support will be provided for someone from another sector who is passionate about pro bono and access to justice and willing to learn. Experience of managing multiple projects and seeing them through to completion will also be an advantage. 

The role offers variety, autonomy, the opportunity to help develop new initiatives from idea to launch, and a chance to support local communities and volunteer lawyers. 

The position will be predominantly home based, with some travel throughout the Southwest or North of England, and occasional travel to LawWorks’ office in central London. 

Primary purpose of role  

To increase the amount and quality of pro bono legal advice being delivered in the Southwest or North of England and Wales through legal advice clinics, working with the local legal profession, law schools, advice agencies and other stakeholders, to identify new pro bono opportunities and ways in which LawWorks can better support the delivery of pro bono. 

Key task areas and duties  

• To develop relationships with law firms, legal teams, free legal advice clinics and other relevant stakeholders to identify their needs, plans and priorities in relation to pro bono. 

• To facilitate sharing between stakeholders in the region to identify best practice, local opportunities for collaborative working and local training and support needs, and to assist in taking these forward.

• Support LawWorks’ clinic development work in the region, in line with annual support and development targets. 

• As the first point of contact for our stakeholders in the Southwest or North, support clinics and members with troubleshooting queries, accessing resources and ensuring that contact information and website content related to their services is kept up to date. 

• To work with the wider LawWorks team to support member recruitment and the delivery of local engagement events. 

• To work with clinics in the region to support data collection, evaluation and impact assessment for internal and donor purposes and to inform policy. 

• To contribute to the overall development and running of LawWorks, undertaking any other tasks which may from time to time be required. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Experience of working on (or demonstrable ability to deliver) comparable or similar projects (e.g., involving networking, support and project development) 
• Experience of excellent of stakeholder support, relationship building, and collaborative working 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including making presentations 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and confident in networking with people of varying seniority and backgrounds 
• Experience of devising and following project plans, and ensuring personal and organisational targets are met or exceeded 
• Experience of working effectively in a partnership or team to achieve shared objectives 
• Ability to undertake regular travel across Southwest or North England is essential. This may involve early starts, late finishes and occasional overnight stays 
• Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team, and confidence in your ability to develop strategies to overcome the challenges of working remotely from the rest of your team 
• A genuine commitment to driving forward LawWorks’ aims and work to meet the needs of our beneficiaries 
• A demonstratable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 

Desireable

• Good knowledge of legal advice clinics and the context in which they operate, including how law schools and the legal profession engage in volunteering 
• Previous experience working at a membership/network-based organisation, and/or working with volunteers 
• Experience of coordinating events or training (online and in-person) 
• A sound understanding of web-based communications and strong IT skills 

The Role 

SafeLives is very proud of its reputation for high quality training and operational programmes, and your role in maintaining our standards for learners and stakeholders will be vital.

As a Training and Engagement Coordinator to the Scotland Team, you will provide effective and efficient co-ordination of resources and support, primarily related to our accredited courses, Idaa and DACA, as well as our open course and bespoke training, when capability allows. You will work alongside the Training Lead and Senior Training and Engagement Coordinator and occasionally help support with our Safer, Sooner and Authentic Voice operational work.

This role is integral to our providing quality training across Scotland, influencing and enhancing the approach of professionals who come into contact with domestic abuse.

Hours: 22.5 hours per week (3 days)

Contract: April 2026 with the possibility of extension

Location: UK based, remote (with occasional fully imbursed travel in Scotland and wider UK and, where candidate is England-based, expected occasional working from Bristol office)

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good.    

Last year alone, 14,000 professionals received our training. Over 80,000 adults at risk of serious harm or murder and more than 100,000 children received support through dedicated multi-agency support designed by us and delivered with partners. In the last six years, over 4,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change by interventions we created with partners, and that’s just the start. 

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

Benefits

• 34 days' holiday incl. public holidays
• Flexible working e.g. compressed hours
• Cycle to work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
• Childcare vouchers
• Employee assistance programme
• Clinical supervision
• Holiday purchase scheme to buy up to an additional 5 days
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Enhanced sick pay
• Professional development fund
• Individual learning budget
• Restorative practice training
• Time off in lieu 

If this challenge sounds as exciting to you as it does to us and you believe you have the qualities we have described, please take a look over the job description and submit a 500-word cover letter and CV.

Closing date: Wednesday 6th November 2024. 

SafeLives is a committed provider of equal opportunities for all; please see our job description for full details.

No agencies, please.

Senior Peer Support Development Officer – North West

About Kinship:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Team

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

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

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

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

 About the role

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

Who we are looking for:

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

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

· Supervise a small team of Peer Support Development Officers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key responsibilities: 

Service delivery:

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

Service quality, development and data management:

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

Management and supervision: 

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

Team culture:

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

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

 Essential: 

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

 Desirable:

· Lived experience of kinship care.

· Understanding of children’s social care.

· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc).

· Full, clean driving licence/own car.

 General characteristics and attributes:

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

· Drive and have access to a vehicle.

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

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

· Good standard of written and spoken English.

· Permission to work in the UK.

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

Equality Diversity and Inclusion 

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

Candidate Application Information

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

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews:  1st Interview Week Commencing 4 November

2nd Interview Week Commencing 11 November

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

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

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

SCIE Vision

We are committed to building a society which enables people who draw on social care to live fulfilling lives.

At the SCIE, we are driven by our values:

· Progressive – always learning and developing.

· Inclusive – working together for equality, diversity, and fairness.

· Credible – evidence-based, robust, and reliable.

· Transparent – open and honest.

The role:

A great opportunity for you to join our small friendly team and make a real difference to people’s lives by:

· Ensuring that SCIE’s evidence, drawn from research and people’s lived experiences, influences social care policy and practice.

· Developing and delivering influencing strategies, drafting policy papers and legislative briefings, and managing relationships with various stakeholders and key partners.

· Growing SCIE’s profile as an influential, informed, and powerful voice in the social care sector.

· Positioning SCIE to work as a partner to government, responding independently to new government policy, supporting and advising on a range of national policy programmes, initiatives, and influencing guidance and practice.

· Producing high-quality research and evaluations demonstrating what works and makes a difference in social care, promoting evidence-based good practice.

What we are looking for:

· Knowledge of the policy and political landscape developed from previous experience working in a policy or public affairs role, either in government, the civil service, charities, or non-governmental organisations.

· Proven experience developing and delivering public affairs strategies and leading influencing activities.

· Proven experience producing policy papers and applying policy research skills, such as evidence gathering, analysis and reporting.

· Proven experience as a strategic and analytic thinker who can influence policymakers with persuasive arguments, policy ideas and campaigns.

· Proven ability to manage a wide range of internal and external stakeholder relationships, including at senior levels, and to engage with people with diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.

What we offer in return.

We offer excellent staff benefits including a competitive salary and homeworking allowance. We provide an employer pension contribution above the statutory minimum, an award-winning employee assistance programme, and an attractive holiday package which rises with length of service.

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us.

Child Bereavement UK helps children and young people (up to the age of 25) and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

Their mission is to tackle the inequalities that exist in the availability, accessibility and quality of bereavement support and training across the UK and to build capacity within communities to manage the impact of child bereavement.

In addition to supporting families experiencing bereavement, the charity also provide training to professionals, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.

As Philanthropy Officer, you will join a passionate and collaborative Fundraising Team, working closely with the Head of Corporate, Philanthropy & Events and other CBUK departments. With support, you will take personal ownership of a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, contributing to the charity’s Major Donor strategy. You’ll be part of a supportive team that fosters creativity and teamwork, working together to secure essential funding that directly impacts the lives of bereaved families across the UK.

We are seeking someone creative and analytical who has strong research, administration, relationship management and database skills, and who can provide excellent donor stewardship.

As Philanthropy Officer, you will: 

• Identify and research new potential major donors supporting a team income target c.£1.5m
• Manage a portfolio of major donor relationships at 4-5 figure level
• Develop donor cultivation and stewardship plans
• Implement a patron and celebrity stewardship plan

Ideal skills and experience: 

• Fundraising experience from core income streams such as major donor, corporate or trusts and foundations
• Experience of prospect research and preparing donor materials
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Managing records using CRM systems like Raiser’s Edge

The Diocese is seeking a Church Building Support Officer to join our team on a fixed-term contract, to work closely with parishes to help secure sustainable futures for some of our most historic and cherished church buildings. You'll help PCCs to identify and explore complimentary non-worship uses for their buildings, helping them to become vibrant and viable centres of mission and community life. You’ll support them in ensuring the church buildings are fit for the future, fostering greater community engagement, and developing long-term sustainability strategies.

This role offers the opportunity to be part of a developing church buildings strategy, shaping the future approach to church building support within the Diocese. You will work closely with a range of stakeholders to bring these strategies to life, ensuring that churches remain places of worship, community activity, and cultural significance.

This is a new fixed-term post funded by the Church Commissioners of the Church of England through their Buildings for Mission funding. The funding is for an initial period of twenty months, ending in September 2026, unless the funding is extended.

The main responsibilities of the Church Building Support Officer are:

• Work with Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) to develop community action plans that align with local needs.

• Support PCCs in identifying mixed-use opportunities for the church building

• Facilitate the building of strong relationships with local groups, charities, and other partners to promote the wider use of church buildings.

• Help PCCs in maintaining and developing their buildings to accommodate wider uses, and ensure they are kept in good condition

• Foster volunteer engagement, helping churches recruit for new roles and groups to aid long-term sustainability.

• Capture and share key lessons from pilot projects to inform future diocesan strategies.

What we are looking for in a Church Building Support Officer:

• Experienced in project management and/or community development.

• A passion for the conservation and sustainable use of historic buildings.

• Strong relationship-building and networking skills, with experience working with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve shared goals

• An ability to inspire and support volunteer groups.

• A proactive and creative approach to problem-solving.

This post reports to the Church Buildings Development Officer, and is based in the Coventry Diocesan Offices. There will be the option to partially work from home.

For more information and an application form please click apply to be taken to our website

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (the Award) is a Non-Formal Education and Learning framework encouraging young people to find their purpose, place and passion in the world.

In more than 120 countries and territories, our globally recognised accreditation is available to all 14 to 24-year-olds, of all backgrounds, locations, cultures and abilities.

Through the programme, each young person becomes part of something special while developing their own interests, universal skills and life aspirations.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation is the international charity that drives and encourages the Award’s growth, access and impact across the globe. Working in partnership with organisations and governing bodies, we oversee the licensing of Award operators – including schools, youth groups, employers and custodial institutions. 

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will support the Senior Operations Manager and the Bid Manager to help develop and implement monitoring and reporting processes across the Foundation’s grant-giving activities.

To be successful in the role, you must have excellent knowledge of results-based monitoring and reporting, including experience in sampling techniques and the use of computer software in support of monitoring, reporting and statistical analysis; demonstrate strong organisational and administrative skills, and ideally have experience working with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds. This role will also work closely with colleagues from the Operations, Communications and Development teams to ensure accurate information is delivered to key stakeholders.

The Finance Officer will be involved in all aspects of the charity’s financial operations, this is a very broad role. From handling small donations like a child’s pocket money right up to processing large grants.  You will be the first point of call for financial queries and questions arising from our team. You will process purchase and sales invoices, volunteer, and staff expenses.  You will support grant and other fundraising applications, process donations from a variety of different platforms, deal with gift aid and banking. You will need to be an analytical problem solver able to work on your own and as part of our team.

Job Title: Money & Energy Adviser

Reports to: Money & Energy Advice Service Lead

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

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

Contract: Full fixed term contract, ending 31 March 2026

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

(plus expenses, pension, and generous annual leave)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Youth Futures Foundation is the What Works Centre for youth employment. We exist to address the significant disparities in youth employment for marginalised groups. We want to ensure that all young people can access and keep good quality jobs.

We are looking for a Senior Grants Officer who will be a key role within the grants team, supporting Relationships Managers and the Head of Grants in the delivery of innovative and impactful grant-making. You will lead on the delivery of key funding relationships and portfolios, making recommendations on complex and strategically important requests for funding and building effective relationships with our grant holders. You will also work closely across our Impact and Evidence, Employer Engagement and Policy & Communications teams to ensure successful applicants are supported to deliver high quality, impactful projects that will build the evidence base of “What Works” to support the most disadvantaged young people into good jobs.

This role can be based at any of our hubs located in London, Birmingham or Leeds.  We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

We offer flexible working and consider alternative patterns of work (open to Job Share requests).

For more information, please download the job recruitment pack.

The young people we aim to serve – and the challenges they face - are all unique. We are looking to build a team that reflects this diversity. Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, class, religion, identity, and experience forms the cornerstone of our work. We are an equal opportunities, Living Wage and Disability Confident employer and encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds representative of our communities.  We offer a welcoming and inclusive workplace, where employees are encouraged to have a voice.

Peer Support Development Officer – South East and M4 Corridor

Thank you for your interest in the above role.  This pack tells you more about Kinship, how we work, and details of the role and the people you will be working with. It also gives information on how to apply.

About Kinship:

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

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

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

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

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

It is life changing and challenging raising children who have been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first.

We know how hard life can be for kinship carers, but we have seen the amazing things they are capable of, with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families can flourish. 

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

About the Team

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

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

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

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

 About the role

This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form Peer Support Groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national Hub.

You will do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers. You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment.

Funded by the Department of Education, the National Peer Support Service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and two years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an individual located in South East of England, who possesses the drive, passion, and skills to:

• Develop new Peer Support Groups across a diverse range of communities
• Demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm required to achieve key targets and objectives
• Work collaboratively within the Peer Support and Community Team, as well as throughout the broader organisation, to ensure the development of safe and effective support services for the kinship community.
• Maintain current Peer Support Group levels, taking the lead from the national Hub.
• Maintain accurate records that are used to populate reports, identify learning and share key insights across Kinship that allow the organisation to continuously improve our services and products.

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

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

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

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

We are ideally looking for candidates based close or within easy reach of our priority development areas in the South East of England which include; Reading, Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Slough and Hampshire but also able to travel to locations along the M4 corridor.

An essential requirement of the role is to be a driver with access to a vehicle for work purposes.

 Key responsibilities: 

Service delivery:

• In-person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local communities including setting up and attending local engagement events.
• Set up and develop sustainable in person peer support groups, initially attending and leading sessions in person before transition to self-sufficiency. 
• Working with existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support that need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreement, in addition to new groups. Targets are subject to change and are not fixed. 
• Recruit and retain support group leaders to develop their peer support groups.
• Assist with the delivery of training to support group leaders and groups to become self-sufficient.
• Develop strong boundaries and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment and community.
• Support established groups (including independent) in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community. 
• Follow (and where appropriate support further development off) the service blueprint to develop sustainable peer support groups.
• Collaborate with the Peer Support Hub team to provide a joined-up and positive user experience for kinship carers.
• Manage special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘Hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners. 

Service quality, development and data management:

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

Team culture:

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

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

 Essential:

· Proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person.

· Significant experience developing peer support communities.

· Proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers.

· Proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services are evidenced through high-quality data collection.

· Evidence of developing and delivering training/support to volunteers, based on the needs of service users (in this case kinship carers).

· Strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user-led groups with charity beneficiaries.

· Proven experience of using a customer relationship management system effectively (we use Salesforce).

· In-depth understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families.

· Excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail.

Desirable:

· Lived experience of kinship care.

· Understanding of children’s social care.

· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc.).

· Full, clean driving license/own car.

General characteristics and attributes:

· Flexible and willing to travel for work across England.

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

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

· Excellent written and spoken English.

· Permission to work in the UK.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion 

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

Candidate Application Information

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

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews:  Week Commencing 2024

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

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

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

We are seeking a dynamic director of member support and development, to lead a team that supports, inspires and champions hundreds of community groups across Britain, engaging people with their local railways and delivering empowering community projects. You’ll be helping communities to come together, take action and have a voice on sustainable and inclusive transport and development.

About this role

This role couldn’t be more crucial to who we are and what we do: putting our members and their local communities at the forefront, empowering them to achieve their goals, and ensuring we and our partners are listening to and learning from their insights.

As a member of our senior leadership team, reporting to our chief executive, you will manage, lead and develop our support and development team, with nine passionate and knowledgeable staff.

Your job is to ensure the team excels and thrives in its work supporting and developing our membership to increase its impact, in line with our strategic goals and members’ locally-determined plans and ambitions. This includes nurturing togetherness, positivity and innovation, ensuring strong collaboration with our other teams, external partners and funders, and bringing new opportunities into community rail, while sharing its insights and experiences.

It’s an exciting time to be joining community rail, with the movement expanding, increasingly influential in rail and transport development, a burgeoning evidence base, and growing recognition of its relevance in tackling the climate crisis and social inequalities.

Main responsibilities:

1. Manage, lead, support and develop our support and development (S&D) team, ensuring effective delivery and performance against our aims, objectives and plans, and ensuring the team’s work is well-planned, coordinated, evidenced and reported;
2. Lead on the development, delivery and regular review of a strategy and annual plans, targets and budgets for the S&D team, engaging the team and our funders effectively in this process, drawing on member, partner and Board input, and aligning with our overarching strategy;
3. Nurture a member-orientated, empowering, positive approach in the S&D team, in line with our values, ensuring high-quality provision of support, advice and signposting, balancing proactiveness and responsiveness, and being attentive to members’ needs and input, as well as wider contexts and opportunities;
4. Help our team to show positive leadership and provide intelligent, effective support, training and development services to our members around community engagement and empowerment, social inclusion and diversity, sustainable and healthy travel and socio-economic development – including by listening to members, continually developing the team’s knowledge, skills and networks, and enabling the team to signpost, refer to and collaborate with organisations with useful expertise/services;
5. Coordinating with our other teams, forge and maintain strong external partnerships, especially leading on those that help us support our members better and bring them opportunities, such as with train operators, corporate partners, third sector organisations, and at operational level with devolved/regional/combined authorities;
6. Continually monitor and develop the S&D team’s performance and impact, including using member, partner and colleague feedback, supporting staff to consider and maximise effectiveness, driving innovation and efficiencies, and developing ways to assess and evidence our impact, especially as our membership continues to grow;
7. Manage our activity supporting the creation and development of new or emerging community rail partnerships, station groups and community stations, and our support for those undergoing major change or challenges, ensuring this is carefully balanced with existing members’ needs;
8. Ensure our members’ voices, experiences and insights can be effectively used by our other teams and external partners, in their delivery, planning and strategic influencing work, especially ensuring that case studies, stories, examples and views are fed through to our communications, policy and events activity;
9. Play a key role in our liaison with and reporting to our own funders, and other major funders of our members, including ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation of our S&D work, collating good evidence of our own and our members’ impact, and maintaining a robust awareness of and ability to advocate on opportunities and risks in community rail;
10. As a member of our senior leadership team, work closely with senior colleagues and across the organisation, and liaise with our Board as relevant, to co-ordinate and manage the delivery of our overarching strategy, reinforce our values, ensure the whole team is engaged with our mission and purpose, and to show external leadership across our members, partners and beyond.

Skills and competencies:

1. Strong leadership and management skills, including a track record in managing, developing, drawing on and getting the best from a multi-faceted team, and working in and driving positive change in a complex, rapidly-evolving environment;
2. Significant experience and demonstrable experience in community engagement and community-led projects, ideally from both professional and voluntary positions, and ideally experience in supporting and advising community initiatives;
3. Experience in successfully planning, developing, delivering and evaluating programmes with positive social outcomes, including reporting to funders;
4. Experience working collaboratively and forming mutually-beneficial partnerships and professional networks, ideally with experience of developing corporate partnerships and/or funder relationships;
5. An understanding of how to evidence and increase social impact, particularly in relation to community development, empowerment and sustainability;
6. Awareness of and a strong commitment to community empowerment, social inclusion, social justice and sustainable development, with a good grasp of the importance of public transport and sustainable travel, and community-led action, to these agendas;
7. Excellent communication skills, articulate and assertive, with the ability to work constructively, diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels and handle challenging situations;
8. Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while dealing with competing priorities, and an evidenced ability to support a team to do so;
9. IT literate and competent using Office applications, the internet and CRM/database/recording systems;
10. Appropriate qualifications and professional development demonstrating knowledge and skills in line with the above, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Other information

As you will be home-based and managing a dispersed team, we are flexible about your location. However, you will be expected to travel to our office in Huddersfield for in-person full-team meetings quarterly, and you will need to bring your team together at a central location with similar regularity in between. On top of this, attendance at occasional in-person events and partner meetings, and visits to members to learn more about community rail and assist the team, will be important. We therefore welcome applications from those with decent public transport links, not too far from a railway station to enable journeys to be made sustainably.

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system, with the core hours 10am-3pm, and we are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain their unbreakable bond. StreetVet relies on its team of over 400 vet and nurse volunteers in 23 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016 the charity has treated nearly 3,000 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

Title: Head of Volunteering

Duration: Permanent, full-time Reporting to: CEO

Responsible For: All StreetVet volunteers

Works With/Key Contacts: Colleagues across the organisation, volunteers, potential volunteers

Location: Home - remote working with regular travel to outreach locations and, as necessary, recruitment events

Contracted hours: 37.5-hour work week (flexible working available)

Holiday: 25 days per year plus national holidays

Salary: £35,000 - £43,000 depending on experience

Main Purpose of the Role

The Head of Volunteering will manage, develop and grow StreetVet’s Volunteer programme. They will have overall responsibility to recruit, onboard, induct, train, support, communicate with, develop and recognise volunteers as well as ensure good governance and compliance. The Head of Volunteering will act as an ambassador for volunteering across all StreetVet locations and externally. The Head of Volunteering will monitor and evaluate the impact of StreetVet’s volunteering programme and will identify and assess opportunities to develop the programme further.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the StreetVet Volunteering Strategy

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the volunteer programme across all locations and work with the clinical team to ensure appropriate and robust processes are in place to provide suitable and high-quality care for the animals StreetVet work with.

• Develop and grow the volunteer programme to continually improve the volunteering experience at StreetVet.

• Review and refine all volunteer processes, policies and documentation to improve standards and ensure compliance.

• Oversee the recruitment and retention of volunteers, including the review and maintenance of all volunteer-related data, ensuring that it is compliant with data protection and GDPR principles.

• Oversee the development and provision of effective induction and learning and development activities appropriate for volunteer roles, working with key contacts across the charity and liaising with existing volunteers as required.

• Work to ensure all volunteers are aware of and adhere to StreetVet’s policies on safeguarding and working with vulnerable individuals.

• Develop effective methods of communicating with volunteers about their volunteering and the activities of the wider charity and provide opportunities for volunteers to communicate with each other.

• Oversee the development and provision of volunteer reward and recognition activities.

• Deal appropriately with escalated issues around volunteering, using tact, diplomacy and mitigating reputational and other risks that might be involved. This may include working in conjunction with management on issues that involve staff, as well as sensitively managing and, on occasion, terminating volunteer agreements when deemed appropriate.

• Establish and develop relationships with key stakeholders across the charity to ensure a consistent and best practice approach to volunteering across our locations and central volunteer team.

• Provide advice and guidance to staff that work with volunteers to ensure they receive appropriate support and development.

• Ensure effective use of the volunteer database and other tools to record, produce and analyse metrics on volunteer involvement, recruitment, retention and other relevant KPIs.

• Produce outcome and impact reports for both internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis.

• Keep up to date with current developments in the volunteering sector, including undertaking benchmarking and accreditation e.g. Investing in Volunteers standard. Maintain and develop good relationships with similar organisations in the sector and represent StreetVet at external conferences/meetings as relevant.

• Manage budgets and resources related to the volunteer programme.

The above job description is intended to be an outline of the duties and responsibilities for this role. This is not an exhaustive list, and it is likely to change over time. You may be expected to undertake other duties that are commensurate with this role and grade.

Please see full job description for essential experience required.

Are you a detail-oriented, motivated, and focused professional? As we embark on a new five-year strategy, we are seeking a Network and Learning Coordinator to support the development, implementation and engagement in our Advantaged Thinking Learning Community (ATLC) framework and digital platform across our national network of youth Foyers.

Position: Network and Learning Coordinator

Accountable to: Head of Programmes and Network

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £28,000-32,000 per year, based on experience

Benefits include: Contributory Pension Scheme; Enhanced Maternity/Paternity package; Own Macbook, iPhone and support to work from home; Training and development; travel expenses; Annual leave increases year on year after 3 years service (up to 30 days), Discretionary 3 days leave at Christmas.

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Location: Home-based with some travel to Foyers and team meetings

Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Application deadline: 7th November 2024

First Interviews (Online): 14th and 15th November 2024

Second Interviews (In Person): 21st or 22nd November 2024

How to apply

Please download the job pack below and send a copy of your CV, a completed application form and the equality and diversity form to inbox[at]foyer[dot]net