Communications jobs

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Retail Van Driver & stock Collector to join the Retail team. Your role is to ensure the careful movement, collection and delivery in liaison with Shop Managers, of all merchandise within a dedicated boundary as directed by the Retail Operations Manager.

This role is not open to sponsorship.

Role Requirements

Minimum age 21 or Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) holder for Insurance purposes.

• Responsible for the collection and delivery of donated goods to the required location within agreed timescales and to agreed targets.
• To provide delivery and collection service to external stock generation sites through Donation Stations.
• To undertake bag drops and collections as required.
• To maintain strict control of security of all goods collected, transported and delivered.
• To ensure minimum losses are incurred on goods and furniture by the careful and respectful handling of all such items.
• Role will involve a large amount of heavy lifting in picking up and moving stock including furniture.
• To support maintenance of multi-site storage of stock belonging to The Children’s Trust
• Transportation of rubbish and unwanted items to recycling centre or refuse site as appropriate.
• To ensure customer care and quality of service.
• To act as the representative of The Children’s Trust in the collection from and delivery to customers of donated goods and furniture.
• To liaise with shop managers over the movement of stock between shops as directed by the Retail Operations Manager.
• Training of Volunteer Van/Driver Assistants where necessary
• Provide all relevant training and development to the Volunteer

Interview Date: TBC

About Us

The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing expert rehabilitation, education, therapy, and care at our national specialist centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK, via our Brain Injury Community Service.

Boasting a beautiful 24-acre site in Surrey, we are located just outside of London, close to the M25 (accessible via Junction 8, A217 to Tadworth) and easily accessible via National Rail, by way of: Clapham Junction, Sutton, and Epsom.

Staff Benefits

The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including our staff flexible benefits platform, on-site nursery, free eye tests, enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay, time out days for those experiencing menopause symptoms and time off for gender reassignment.

We also offer additional annual leave days for those with long service, with entitlements ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on your length of service.

Other benefits include free on-site parking; a staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train stations to Tadworth Court, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability), the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable), Teacher’s pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme, and the opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

Many roles at The Children’s Trust are exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020) and as such, are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.  Successful applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, which will disclose all unspent convictions and adult cautions and any spent convictions or adult cautions that would not be protected.  The exceptions to this are our retail roles within The Children’s Trust shops, which are subject to Basic DBS checks which will disclose unspent convictions or adult cautions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To help us achieve our ambition to give children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability the opportunity to live the best life possible, we want to accurately reflect the UK’s diverse population. We want equity, diversity, and inclusion to be at the heart of everything we do, and our people, services, and culture to reflect the diverse needs of all. Through our diversity and inclusion strategy, we have made a commitment to increase the diversity of our charity and create an inclusive culture. We have networks across the organisation working to ensure that these aims are met - including an LGBTQIA2S+ group, Ethnic Diversity Group, and Spark – our broad EDI group. Read more about our EDI work here. We welcome applications from all who share our ambition regardless of background. We will strive to ensure that any reasonable adjustments are made in respect of interview and working arrangements.

Online Searches

In accordance with statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance, online searches will be conducted for shortlisted candidates before interview. The online searches will be conducted by a person who is independent of the interview and selection process and will focus on relevant information returned via searches of the candidate’s name (and variations thereof). Social media searches will be limited to professional platforms such as LinkedIn. Any concerns relating to suitability for work with children and young people will be forwarded to the interview panel, for discussion during the interview.

We are seeking a passionate and community-focused Community Engagement Officer to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in strengthening community connections, supporting vulnerable residents, and delivering inclusive programmes that make a meaningful impact. 

Working closely with the Community Development Manager, you will lead on engagement activities, coordinate community events, support advocacy work, and help activate our community garden. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Build strong, positive relationships with local residents and stakeholders. 

• Increase engagement and participation in community activities. 

• Organise trips, community meals, and celebrations as part of our Welcome Project for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, and for larger community events for key faith and cultural events. 

• Assist community members with form filling, signposting, and general advocacy support. 

• Oversee the upkeep and activation of the community garden, encouraging participation and engagement. 

Schools Coordinator

We are seeking an organised and passionate Schools Coordinator to work with the UK’s leading children’s charity, working to prevent abuse, support young people and protect every child from harm.

Position: Schools Coordinator

Location: Home based, ideally in the central East Midlands areas of Leicestershire/Warwickshire, travel required.

Salary: £28,337 - £31,485 full time equivalent plus home working allowance

Hours: Part time, 28.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 13 June 2026

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a national children’s charity delivering impactful programmes and services through schools and education settings. The Schools Service plays a key role in helping children understand abuse, recognise unsafe situations and know where to turn for support.

Working within a regional team, you will coordinate and deliver the schools offer across a designated area, building strong relationships with schools, volunteers and local partners to maximise reach and impact.

The role is home based, with regular travel across the East Midlands. Access to your own car and home broadband is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and delivering the schools programme within a local area
• Building relationships with primary, secondary and non-mainstream schools
• Recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to deliver workshops and presentations
• Working towards agreed KPIs, targets and reach plans
• Acting as a key contact for schools and external stakeholders
• Ensuring safeguarding procedures and organisational standards are followed at all times
• Supporting quality assurance and continuous improvement activities
• Representing the organisation at meetings, events and community activities
• Working collaboratively with regional and national colleagues to maximise service impact

About You

We are keen to hear from candidates from a range of backgrounds, including education, safeguarding, project coordination, volunteer management, community engagement, sales, marketing or the charity sector.

You will ideally have:

• Experience delivering programmes or services within education, safeguarding or similar settings
• Experience working towards targets and objectives
• Experience recruiting, coordinating or supporting volunteers
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Good understanding of safeguarding procedures and child-centred practice
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Confidence working independently and remotely
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office systems
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• A passion for improving outcomes for children and young people

About the Organisation

This organisation works to prevent child abuse and neglect and supports children and families across the UK through education, campaigning, safeguarding and direct services. Their Schools Service helps children understand their rights, recognise abuse and know where to access support through engaging and impactful school-based programmes.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Education Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Community Engagement Officer, Schools Liaison Officer, Programme Coordinator, Safeguarding Officer, Education Outreach Officer, Youth Engagement Officer, Project Coordinator, Family Support Coordinator.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Chair (Non-Executive) – Board of Directors

South West Wildlife Fundraising Ltd (‘SWWFL’)

Remuneration: £12,500 per annum (plus expenses)
Location: Home-based, with some travel across the South West
Time commitment: Approximately 4 days per month

Do you care about the work of the Wildlife Trusts and want to make a real difference to the future of our treasured wildlife?

About the role

SWWFL, a wholly-owned trading subsidiary of 8 regional Wildlife Trusts, is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to take on the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Board. This is a pivotal leadership position, providing direction to the Board of Directors, supporting the Chief Executive Officer, and strengthening relationships with our owning Wildlife Trusts and partnerships with client Trusts.

You will also serve as a Company Director of SWWFL, sharing responsibility for the oversight, stewardship, and long-term success of the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation supporting the work of The Wildlife Trusts across the extended South West.

Key responsibilities

As Chair, you will:

· Lead the Board of Directors, ensuring effective governance, decision-making and accountability

· Work closely with the CEO, providing both support and constructive challenge

· Ensure strong strategic alignment between SWWFL and its owning Wildlife Trusts and client Wildlife Trusts

· Oversee financial performance, risk management and regulatory compliance

· Chair Board meetings and ensure effective participation from all Directors

· Act as an ambassador for SWWFL with external stakeholders and partner Wildlife Trusts

· Lead the annual appraisal and development of the CEO

Governance and Director responsibilities

In addition to Chair duties, the postholder will fulfil the responsibilities of a SWWFL Company Director, including:

· Acting in accordance with the SWWFL Memorandum & Articles of Association and Members’ Agreement

· Exercising independent judgement, care and diligence

· Ensuring robust governance, financial oversight and risk management

· Supporting long-term sustainable success of the business

Terms of appointment

· The Chair is appointed by majority vote of the Board

· Term: normally 3 years, may be renewed, with annual performance review by the Board and owning Trusts

· The Chair role is remunerated, via a contracting agreement, in recognition of additional responsibilities

· The person appointed must, therefore, have appropriate and genuine self-employed status (or equivalent) to receive payment

· Where a Trustee of an owning Wildlife Trust is appointed, they cannot receive remuneration in line with SWWFL governance arrangements

· All Directors (including the Chair in their Director capacity) are subject to SWWFL governance requirements

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

Experience

· Significant Board-level experience

· Proven experience of chairing meetings

· Senior strategic leadership experience (ideally in a commercial environment)

· Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building experience

Skills & knowledge

· Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements

· High level of financial literacy

· Commercial awareness

· Experience in risk management and organisational oversight

Personal qualities

· Strategic, decisive and emotionally intelligent

· Collaborative and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal skills

· Confident in an ambassadorial role

· Committed to the mission of The Wildlife Trusts

Time commitment

The Chair is expected to commit around 4 days per month, including:

· Regular meetings with the CEO and Finance Manager

· 6 Board and Stakeholder meetings annually

· 4 Finance & Remuneration Committee meetings

· Meetings with auditors and owning Trust CEOs

Some travel across the South West will be required, although many meetings are held remotely.

Eligibility

The Chair does not need to be an employee of an owning Wildlife Trust. However, they do need to be a member of their local Wildlife Trust, and they will operate within a Board that includes Directors who are drawn from the owning Trusts:

Avon, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a values-driven organisation, helping to support vital conservation work across the South West and beyond.

How to apply

An application pack and form can be downloaded from the SWWFL website. A copy of your CV, plus the application form detailing your skills and experience relevant to this role, must be included in your application.

The deadline for applications is 7th June 2026.

Interviews will take place on 30th June 2026 at Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol. 

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm with the requirement of working one late shift per week, one shift at the weekend per month and be part of an out of hours ‘on-call rota’

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

Are you a person‑centred leader who thrives on empowering others and driving positive outcomes for young people?

If so, we are searching for a motivational and resilient leader who thrives on developing others, championing best practice, and nurturing a collaborative and compassionate culture. You will bring a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach to both your team and the young people we support, ensuring everyone feels understood, safe, and empowered. If you are energised by leading teams, shaping services, and supporting staff to deliver exceptional, person-centred support - even in challenging moments - this could be the role for you.

As Deputy Supported Housing Manager, you will play a central role in our Eastbourne and Hailsham services - supported accommodation for young people aged 16–25 who are at risk of homelessness. Our services operate 24/7 to provide a safe, stable home where young people can feel understood, encouraged and supported. You will be based at our Eastbourne Foyer, located in the heart of Eastbourne, where the service maintains strong connections with and contributes actively to the local community. The role also involves travel across Eastbourne and Hailsham to our other East Sussex sites.

Across our East Sussex sites, we work with around 50 young people, each with their own story, strengths, challenges and ambitions. Support Workers hold individual caseloads and meet regularly with residents to build support plans, celebrate progress, and set meaningful goals for the future. Your leadership will help create the environment where this work thrives - one where young people feel empowered and staff feel confident and supported. 

What you will be doing

As Deputy Supported Housing Manager, you will play a key role in the running, quality, and impact of our services. Working closely with the Supported Housing Manager, you will help lead a safe, supportive, and high‑performing environment where young people can thrive.

Service Provision

You will support the Supported Housing Manager with the day‑to‑day delivery of the service, ensuring we meet all requirements set out in the service specification and remain fully compliant with Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and Ofsted standards. Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the full referral, interview, and induction process for all bedspaces and ensuring that every resident understands their Occupancy Agreement and House Rules.
• Maintaining the quality, safety, and presentation of the accommodation by working closely with our Housing and Property Services team to coordinate estate inspections, health and safety risk assessments, repairs, and the timely turnaround of void rooms.
• Supporting effective income collection across the service, working with the Rents team to build and maintain a positive rent‑payment culture among residents. 

Leadership and People Management

You will directly line‑manage members of the staff team, ensuring their practice, professionalism, and development reflect our high standards. You will:

• Provide coaching, guidance, and clear expectations to ensure staff feel confident, supported, and motivated in their work with young people.
• Create a team culture rooted in creativity, consistency, and best practice, ensuring staff are equipped to empower young people to reach their goals while maintaining appropriate and safe boundaries.
• Be responsible for creating and maintaining staff rotas to ensure adequate service coverage at all times.

General Responsibilities

• Participate in the management on‑call rota, offering out‑of‑hours support to services across the wider locality.
• Embed Psychologically Informed Environments (PIEs), Trauma‑Informed approaches, and restorative practices throughout your work, ensuring our support model is compassionate, reflective, and person‑centred.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.

You have experience line managing staff and building positive, supportive team cultures. You bring consistency, are well organised and approachable, and are confident in setting clear expectations. You enjoy motivating others, supporting staff development, and planning effective rotas to ensure high‑quality service delivery.

You will bring experience working in supported housing or similar services, supporting young people and/or adults at risk, along with proven experience in managing or supervising a team. You will already have a solid understanding of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and Ofsted frameworks, as well as a strong working knowledge of Trauma‑Informed Care and Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE).

You will be an effective communicator with strong facilitation skills, able to navigate challenging situations with confidence, calmness, and a solution‑focused approach. You will also have experience overseeing safeguarding procedures within residential settings, ensuring safety, accountability, and robust decision‑making. Just as importantly, you will understand the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, modelling best practice for the team and the young people we support.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 31 May 2026 at midnight. Please note applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and we may invite strong candidates to interview before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

We are not able to support a work permit or offer a visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider.

Director of Policy

£82,450 pa + Excellent benefits

Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL / Hybrid Working (minimum 40% in person collaboration per month)

About the role

We’re looking for a highly strategic Director of Policy with deep experience of influencing policy and political decision-making to lead WWF-UK’s policy development and influence at a critical moment for climate and nature.

This is a senior leadership role at the heart of WWF-UK’s strategy and impact. Working across advocacy, conservation, science, in the UK and internationally, you will shape and drive a small number of high-impact policy priorities capable of unlocking meaningful change across systems including food, finance, trade and land use.

You will lead a high-performing Policy team, strengthening WWF-UK’s ability to respond quickly and credibly to political opportunities with deliverable solutions. This is a role for someone who combines deep policy expertise with sharp political judgement, trusted relationship-building and the ability to influence both behind the scenes and at the highest levels externally.

Working with the advocacy Directorate, you will build and maintain trusted senior relationships across Whitehall, including with departments such as the Cabinet Office, Treasury and FCDO, helping shape thinking early and informally while also influencing policy development and implementation with colleagues and partners internationally.

Alongside leading and developing a collaborative and confident team, you will contribute as a senior organisational leader, helping shape direction, organisational outcomes and strategic decision-making across WWF-UK.

This is an opportunity to lead policy work that helps tackle some of the world’s most urgent challenges, while building the partnerships, coalitions and political influence needed to turn ideas into action and impact.

Skills and experience

You’ll bring the skills and experience needed to succeed in this role, including:

Essential

· Significant senior-level experience of developing and influencing policy through to implementation, including shaping practical and politically deliverable solutions

· Strong understanding of UK political and policy-making environments, including experience of influencing senior stakeholders, policy makers and decision-makers through trusted relationships

· Experience of operating effectively in fast-moving and politically sensitive environments, responding quickly and credibly to emerging opportunities and challenges

· Track record of delivering high-impact policy outcomes across complex issues and multiple stakeholders

· Experience of building and maintaining senior relationships across government, business, civil society, finance or international institutions

· Strong strategic judgement with the ability to identify priorities, simplify complexity and focus organisations around a small number of actionable policy asks

· Experience of leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams, including matrix and cross-organisational leadership

· Experience of leading organisational or cross-functional priorities through collaboration, influence and strong stakeholder engagement

· Experience of managing significant programmes, budgets and organisational priorities effectively

· Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively to different audiences

· Strong analytical skills and confidence using evidence, insight and data to shape decisions and influence policy

· Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure, balancing strategic thinking with delivery and pace

· Commitment to inclusive leadership and experience of building equitable, diverse and inclusive approaches to policy development and decision-making

· Strong self-awareness, resilience and openness to challenge, feedback and learning

Desirable

· Experience of influencing international policy, coalitions or global advocacy agendas

· Experience of working across devolved policy environments including Scotland, Wales and/or Northern Ireland

· Understanding of climate, nature, food, finance, trade or land use policy

· Experience of developing policy-led partnerships, funding proposals or income generation opportunities with funders, businesses or philanthropic organisations

· Experience of involving affected communities or external partners in policy development and design

· Experience of working across advocacy, science, conservation or campaigning environments

· Experience of building voluntary action or partnership-based approaches alongside formal policy and regulation

· Fluency or working proficiency in languages other than English would be advantageous

What we offer

We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect:

• Annual leave starting at 26 days a year pro-rated, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays

• Flexible working options, to support your work life balance

• 5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution

• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow

• Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness.

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.

About WWF-UK

We're a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world.

At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left isn’t enough. We’re racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it’s a race we can win with everyone’s help.

We’re courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.

How to apply

Click the link to apply via our website. You’ll be asked to complete an application form and upload your CV and a supporting statement that tells us why you’ll be a great addition to WWF-UK.

Application closing date

14/06/2026

Our Diversity Promise to You

At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself.

We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.

So, if there’s anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give our Talent Acquisition Team a shout via our website.

Safeguarding Commitment

Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter.

Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent.

We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting.

If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF-UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.

As one of the UK's best employers, we believe in putting people at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for an experienced and proactive Animal Care Tutor, to join Inscape House School

Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support - they are at the heart of everything we do. We stand by them and we work together for change.

We believe that everyone deserves a chance to learn and space to thrive and that the right education can change lives. You’ll help break down barriers to education for young people, helping them learn and grow at their own pace. 

The Role

Inscape house school is recruiting for a tutor to to deliver Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) and teach animal care, welfare, and related work experience skills to students within our secondary provision. The Animal Assisted Intervention Tutor will design and deliver accessible, meaningful and aspirational animal-care and AAI-based learning opportunities, including accredited qualifications such as BTEC and/or ASDAN in Animal Care (or similar).

Inscape House School is a non-maintained ASC specialist day school for children and young people aged 5 to 19 years. It is part of the Together Trust, a charity that has been providing care, education and support in the Northwest of England since 1870. The post holder will be a member of Inscape House School on the Cheadle campus.  

Hours: 37.5 Hours

Contract - Permanent

Location: Inscape House School, Cheadle, Stockport

Reports: Deputy Head Teacher 

Responsibilities Include but are not exhaustive;

Teaching

• Work flexibly and adapt teaching strategies to ensure animal care and AAI content is accessible, inclusive, and responsive to individual learner needs.
• Embed Tier 1 universal support strategies within practical animal-care and AAI sessions to meet the diverse needs of learners with autism.
• Deliver accredited qualifications, including BTEC and/or ASDAN programmes in Animal Care (or similar), and support learners to build evidence for assessment portfolios.

Management of Staff

• Effectively deploy Education Assistants (EAs) to facilitate learning, ensuring that all support positively impacts on the development of every pupil’s independence.
• Work with colleagues to support students to plan, carry out and reflect on animal care routines and structured AAI activities.

Curriculum Knowledge 

• Have a secure knowledge of animal care, animal welfare and husbandry practice, and associated curricula (e.g. BTEC/ASDAN Animal Care or similar).

• Be able to foster and maintain pupils’ interest in your preferred key stage and subject, and address misunderstandings.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and take responsibility for promoting high standards of functional literacy, articulacy, and the correct use of Standard English and Numeracy within the context of animal care (e.g. care plans, observations/record sheets, measuring feed, timetables and routines).

 Accurate and productive use of assessment

• Know and understand how to assess pupil progress, including appropriate statutory assessment requirements.
• Make use of formative and summative assessment to secure pupils’ progress.
• Use progress data to monitor progress, set targets and plan subsequent lessons.

Professional Communication   

• Attend and contribute to pupils’ review meetings and multi-disciplinary team meetings. 
• Work with pupils, families and the multi-disciplinary teams to identify pupil centred goals.
• Demonstrate skill in communicating with pupils with autism and a range of physical, cognitive, and communication difficulties.  

Training

• Comply with the school’s mandatory training requirements.
• Attend conferences and meetings including professional shows as required.  
• Attend external and internal training courses as agreed for continual professional development and meeting appraisal objectives.  
• Read current literature on autism and special educational needs and to disseminate information to the rest of the staff team. 

About You

• Experience in animal care/animal welfare (e.g. kennels, stables, farms, rescue, shelters, zoos, veterinary environments, or education-based animal provision)
• A recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, CertEd) QTS/QTLS
• Vocational Qualifications: 
• A Level 3 (or higher) qualification in Animal Care, Animal Management, Animal Science, Equine Management, or a related subject (or equivalent substantial industry experience).
• Evidence of relevant training such as animal welfare, safe handling/restraint, infection control, risk assessment, and/or Animal Assisted Intervention practice.
• Experience of successful work with pupils displaying challenging behaviour.
• Ability to identify, clarify, prioritise and solve problems as they arise.
• The ability to use information technology to communicate with others, track academic progress and share planning and resources.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Knowledge and understanding of strategies for inclusion and equal opportunities.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety expectations affecting children and adults across the school

Benefits

• Eligible for Teachers’ Pension Scheme and its associate Death In Service benefit
• Occupational sick pay and family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Reward and Discount platform offering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
• Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card
• Proud to be a real living wage employer
• Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications
• Long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday.
• Promotion of Wellbeing across the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga session in person or online
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio-economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience. 

If there is any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can to support you

This role will expire 31st May - Please do apply soon as we have the right to close the role early.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).

This role will involve regulated activity.

Are you a passionate leader who wants to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people?​

We are looking for a Youth Service Lead to oversee and shape the delivery of our programmes across Bedfordshire. This is a key leadership role where you will ensure our services are safe, engaging, and impactful for the young people and families we support.​

At F4YP, we support over 500 children and young people across 50+ schools, providing safe spaces, enrichment opportunities, and vital pastoral support. As Services Lead, you’ll play a central role in making this happen every day.​

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading and managing high-quality delivery across face-to-face services

• Supporting and developing a team of delivery staff and volunteers

• Ensuring excellent safeguarding, pastoral care, and behaviour support

• Overseeing planning, staffing, and day-to-day operations across multiple sites

• Monitoring impact, quality, and outcomes to continuously improve delivery

• Working closely with schools and partners to support young people effectively​

What we’re looking for:

• Experience leading programmes or services for children and young people

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and pastoral support (SEMH/SEND desirable)

• Proven experience managing and supporting staff

• A hands-on, organised leader who can balance people, operations, and quality

• Someone who is passionate about helping young people feel safe, supported, and confident​​

Bedford/Bedfordshire | Full-time (37.5 hrs) | 3-year fixed term​​​​​​​​ | Working pattern: 9-day fortnight (one day off every two weeks), with full 5-day weeks required during holiday delivery periods

Kentown Family Support Worker

Maternity Cover up to 12 months

£24,000 pa + Company Car (with an approx. retail value of £23,000-26,000, taxable benefit in kind of £6-£8K) and other excellent benefits

To Cover Kentown and East Lancashire

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker for a fixed term period of up to 12 months, on a full-time basis ('We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker on a full-time basis (35 hours, 5 days per week) to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Kentown Team to families in the local area, at a time where they need it most.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Kentown 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. You will enjoy responsibility for managing your own schedule, remaining flexible to the needs of the families on your caseload.

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 community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, 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 proud to be a Best Companies Two-Star rated organisation, an outstanding place to work! As a Top 10 Charity, we have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:

• Control over your own schedule, based on the needs of families on your caseload, to balance home and working life

• Company car for front line care posts (car P11D value of £23,000-26,000, taxable benefit in kind of £6-£8k)

• Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

• 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)

• 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

• Time off in Lieu

• Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

• 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

• 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

• Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth.

If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our why work with us page on our website.

More information about us and our recruitment process can be found in our Candidate Pack on our website.

Development opportunities:

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 Workers 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, counselling skills, and Introduction to Play.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs, with all family support workers having a foundation level of skills within their first year.

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 their 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:

To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online.

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

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

Additional information:

Interviews will take place via Teams or in person with a date to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate the team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation.

Product Lead – HOSTHub  

(Operational Product Delivery) 

Reports to: Operations Director (Head of Delivery) 
Contract: 1.0 FTE (Temp to Perm) 
Location: Remote (UK or International) 

Role Purpose 

The Product Lead – HOSTHub is responsible for identifying, prioritising, and resolving day-to-day product challenges across HOST’s digital platform. 

HOSTHub serves as the operational backbone of the organisation, enabling delivery across finance, legal, partnerships, and hosted partner services. In this role, the Product Lead ensures the platform functions effectively in practice—by understanding user needs, surfacing issues early, and driving the design, prioritisation, and rapid delivery of solutions. 

While contributing to the longer-term product vision in collaboration with the leadership team and development partners, the primary focus remains on operational product delivery. This includes managing fortnightly sprint cycles, maintaining a dynamic and prioritised backlog, and ensuring continuous alignment between user requirements, internal processes, and platform capabilities. 

The role requires a highly hands-on individual who thrives at the intersection of users, internal teams, and developers, with the ability to translate real-world challenges into clear, actionable product decisions. 

Core Responsibilities 

1. Product Problem Identification and Prioritisation 

Lead the ongoing identification of friction points, inefficiencies, and system gaps across HOSTHub use cases, including those impacting hosted partners, funders, and internal staff workflows. 

Maintain a dynamic, prioritised backlog of product issues and enhancements, informed by user insight and operational impact. 

Work closely with delivery teams across finance, legal, partnerships, and community support to understand how the platform performs in practice and where it falls short of user needs. 

Translate operational challenges into clear, well-defined product requirements that are actionable for development teams. 

Ensure prioritisation is driven by delivery urgency, risk exposure, and opportunities for efficiency, rather than abstract feature development. 

2. Sprint Management and Delivery Execution 

Own the end-to-end delivery of the product, managing fortnightly sprint cycles. 

Set sprint priorities, create and refine tickets, and ensure all development work is well-scoped, logically sequenced, and ready for delivery. 

Collaborate directly with development contractors to run sprint planning, stand-ups (where applicable), and sprint reviews. 

Validate completed work against real user workflows before release to ensure quality and usability. 

Maintain clear visibility of progress, risks, and dependencies, escalating blockers and trade-offs to the Operations Director as needed. 

Provide bi-weekly sprint reports outlining delivered outcomes, outstanding issues, and upcoming priorities. 

3. User Engagement and Feedback Loops 

Establish continuous feedback loops with both internal users (staff teams) and external stakeholders (hosted partners and funders). 

Conduct structured user conversations to understand how systems are used in practice, not just how they were designed to be used. 

Validate proposed solutions with users prior to development where appropriate, ensuring alignment with real needs. 

Ensure user insights consistently inform backlog prioritisation and shape sprint scope. 

Maintain a clear view of user satisfaction grounded in qualitative feedback, not just survey-based metrics. 

4. Cross-Team Operational Alignment 

Act as the central point of coordination across product, delivery teams, and external developers. 

Ensure HOSTHub effectively supports real operational workflows across key service areas, including Project Hosting, Hosted Grantmaking, and Capacity Building. 

Partner closely with Finance, Legal, and Partnerships teams to align system functionality with compliance, contractual, and reporting requirements. 

Identify and resolve misalignments between team processes and platform functionality, either by adapting the system or clarifying and standardising ways of working. 

5. Development Oversight  

Manage the day-to-day relationship with the development team, ensuring requirements are clear and issues are addressed promptly. 

Ensure all development outputs are practical, functional, and aligned with real operational needs. 

Avoid over-specification and unnecessary complexity, prioritising simple, implementable solutions. 

Track defects, rework, and technical debt, incorporating them into sprint priorities where they have a meaningful operational impact. 

6. Data, Workflow, and System Effectiveness 

Ensure HOSTHub captures and delivers data that is accurate, actionable, and aligned with reporting requirements. 

Identify and implement opportunities to automate key workflows, reducing manual effort across teams. 

Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure system logic supports compliance and audit requirements in day-to-day operations. 

Maintain clear, practical documentation of key workflows and system behaviours to support effective operational use. 

7. Risk, Compliance, and System Integrity 

Work closely with the Legal Lead and Operations Director to ensure product decisions do not introduce unmanaged risk. 

Prioritise data protection, security, and system reliability as core product considerations. 

Ensure compliance requirements, including data protection and financial controls, are embedded in how the platform operates in practice. 

Take clear ownership of system incidents or failures, coordinating response and ensuring timely resolution and follow-through. 

8. Contribution to Product Direction 

Contribute to longer-term product thinking, including roadmap development and the ongoing evolution of the system. 

Provide grounded input to strategy based on observed user behaviour, operational constraints, and delivery realities. 

Ensure product direction remains focused on solutions that are practical, scalable, and genuinely valuable to users. 

Key Relationships 

Internal: Operations Director, Finance Team, Legal Lead, Partnerships Director, Community Support Team, Data Analyst, Training Lead. 

External: Developers, technical providers, hosted partners, funders. 

Performance Indicators 

Reliable delivery against sprint commitments, with a clear connection to resolved operational issues. 

Reduction in recurring user-reported problems across key workflows. 

Demonstrable improvements in system usability and efficiency for internal teams and hosted partners. 

A well-maintained backlog with clear, transparent prioritisation rationale. 

Strong alignment between platform functionality and operational delivery needs. 

Timely identification and effective resolution of system risks and critical defects. 

Required Experience 

5–8 years’ experience in hands-on product management or product delivery roles, with clear ownership of day-to-day execution. 

Proven experience managing sprint cycles and working directly with developers to deliver iterative improvements. 

Strong track record of identifying user needs and translating them into effective product solutions. 

Experience working with complex operational systems involving multiple user groups and workflows. 

Ability to operate effectively in environments with evolving and loosely defined requirements. 

Comfortable working across technical and non-technical teams, acting as a practical bridge between them. 

Familiarity with system integrations, workflow tools, and data-driven platforms (e.g. CRM systems, finance platforms automation tools) 

Strong prioritisation skills, with the ability to balance urgency, impact, and feasibility. 

Clear, structured communication style, enabling effective coordination and delivery clarity across teams. 

Orion Education is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance Officer to help shape the next stage of the Trust’s development. This is a pivotal executive leadership role at a critical moment for a forward-looking, values-led organisation with eight schools across Bromley and Kent.

Orion is driven by a clear mission: to improve outcomes, transform lives and enable social mobility. Its work is underpinned by the values of trust, kindness and endeavour, and by a belief that strong culture, academic rigour and excellent leadership can make a lasting difference for young people and their communities.

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Trustees and wider Executive Leadership Team, the CFO will provide clear, disciplined and strategic financial leadership across the Trust. You will ensure that Orion has the financial strategy, systems, governance and decision-making capability required to support sustainable growth, operational resilience and improved outcomes for pupils, particularly those who are most disadvantaged.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the Trust’s long-term financial strategy, planning, budgeting and forecasting.
• Providing high-quality financial insight to the CEO, Board and Executive Leadership Team.
• Ensuring robust financial governance, compliance, risk management and assurance.
• Overseeing statutory reporting, audit, cashflow, financial controls and regulatory requirements.
• Implementing curriculum-led financial planning across the Trust.
• Supporting school and Trust leaders to make evidence-informed decisions about staffing, resources and investment.
• Driving value for money through procurement, contract management, systems improvement and standardisation.
• Building financial frameworks that support sustainable growth and potential future school integration.
• Developing finance colleagues and contributing to a strong, collaborative and accountable culture.

This is a role for a finance leader who can operate with both strategic ambition and practical grip. You will be able to translate complex financial information into clear advice, build confidence among non-finance leaders, and ensure that resources are aligned to educational priorities.

We are looking for someone who can bring:

• Professional accountancy qualification and significant senior finance leadership experience.
• A strong track record in financial strategy, planning, control and governance.
• Experience of operating at executive or board level in a complex organisation.
• The ability to manage significant budgets, risk and resources with confidence.
• Strong judgement, integrity and accountability.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• A values-led approach, with the ability to build trust and develop others.
• Commitment to Orion’s mission, values and ambition for young people.

Just as importantly, you will be a leader with cultural tenacity, accountability with purpose, imaginative intelligence and the capacity to connect with colleagues, pupils, communities and partners.

In return, Orion offers:

• A senior executive role with real strategic influence.
• The opportunity to join an ambitious Trust at an exciting stage of development.
• Competitive salary of up to £125,000 per annum.
• Pension provision and a strong commitment to professional development.
• A culture that places wellbeing, inclusion and belonging at its heart.
• The chance to make a lasting contribution to pupils, schools and communities.

Orion Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Trust is fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Phil Southern at Ivy Rock Partners.

Magic Bus is seeking a Global Senior Finance Manager to lead financial management
across each of its Magic Bus Global, UK and Singapore entities (“three Magic Bus
entities”). This is a senior, high-impact role, critical to supporting the organisation’s next
phase of growth and strengthening its global finance function.

Based in the UK and reporting to the Magic Bus UK Board and Executive Director (with
alignment to Magic Bus Global and Singapore leadership), the role operates within an
international development NGO environment. It combines hands-on financial
management with strategic oversight, ensuring strong governance, compliance, and
financial insight across multiple geographies.

The postholder will oversee end-to-end finance operations, manage outsourced
providers (audit, payroll) and play a key role in driving financial sustainability and
performance. In addition, and when the opportunity arises, the postholder will support
the fundraising initiatives of Magic Bus UK and any other Magic Bus entities as
appropriate.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership:
- Lead financial management across each of Magic Bus’s Global, UK and
Singapore entities, ensuring consistency, transparency and strong internal
controls.
- Act as the primary finance lead to the Magic Bus UK Board and Executive
Director.
- Strengthen financial policies and processes across all three Magic Bus entities.
- Ensure compliance with UK charity regulations and Companies Act 2006 (as
appropriate) and all relevant international requirements.
- Oversee relationships with external providers (auditors, payroll, finance
partners).
- Maintain a robust financial control environment.

Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting:
- Lead the annual budgeting process across three Magic Bus entities,
incorporating input from country teams and the Boards.
- Develop high-quality financial forecasts, scenario modelling, and long-term
financial planning.
- Provide clear insight into financial sustainability, funding gaps, and reserves
strategy.
- Monitor performance against budget and support timely corrective actions, as
required.

Management Reporting and Performance:
- Oversee the production of accurate and timely monthly management accounts
across all three Magic Bus entities.
- Deliver clear variance analysis and actionable insights to support decision-
making.
- Standardise and improve reporting processes across geographies.
- Present financial performance to the Board and senior stakeholders.

Financial Accounting:
- Ensure robust month-end and year-end close processes across entities.
- Maintain oversight of key accounting areas.
- Lead the annual audit process and statutory reporting requirements.
- Oversee submissions to the Charity Commission, Companies House, and
relevant international bodies.
- Support fundraising and operations with donor requirements, including
restricted funding and grant reporting.

Cash Flow, Treasury and Risk Management:
- Oversee cash flow across entities, ensuring adequate liquidity at all times.
- Monitor and optimise reserves in line with organisational policies.
- Oversee payment processes and financial controls.
- Identify financial and operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.

Strategic Finance and Business Partnering:
- Act as a strategic finance partner to country leads and global leadership.
- Provide financial insight to support growth, expansion and funding strategies.
- Strengthen financial literacy and capability across non-finance teams.
- Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes and data quality.

Candidate Profile
Qualifications and Experience:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA).
- Significant experience in a senior finance role, with end-to-end ownership of
finance operations.
- Strong experience in international development, NGO or grant-funded
environments.
- Experience working across multiple countries and/or legal entities.
- Experience reporting to Boards and senior leadership.
- Proven experience managing audits and external stakeholders.

Technical Skills:
- Strong financial accounting, controls, and compliance expertise.
- Experience with multi-entity consolidation and reporting.
- Advanced budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling skills.
Strong understanding of:
- Restricted funding and donor compliance.
- Grant reporting and funder requirements.
- Cash flow and reserves management.
- Experience with finance systems (e.g. Xero) and advanced Excel and Power
Point.

Leadership and Personal Attributes:
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to translate complex financial information for non-finance audiences.
- High level of integrity, accountability and sound judgement.
- Comfortable operating in a complex, evolving, international environment.
- Proactive, collaborative and solutions-oriented.
- Strong attention to detail with a strategic mindset.

Desirable:
- Experience managing outsourced finance functions or shared service models.
- Strong knowledge of UK charity compliance and governance.
- Exposure to US, Singapore, or other international reporting environments.
- Experience in scaling organisations or strengthening finance functions.
- Passion for international development and social impact.

Why Join Magic Bus UK
This is a unique opportunity to join our organisation at a pivotal moment of growth,
where you can shape strategy and contribute directly to life-changing impact for young
people in India.

We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment. Our
offer includes:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (33 days total), pro-rated for part-time
staff.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Private health insurance.
- Employer pension contribution.
- Training and professional development opportunities.
- Death in service benefit.
- A collaborative, mission-driven team culture.

Diversity and Inclusion:
Magic Bus UK and other entities are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and
equitable organisation where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute
fully. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including all gender
identities, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, nationalities, and religious beliefs (or
none). We particularly encourage applications from individuals and communities that
are underrepresented in the charity sector. We recognise that talent and potential are
not always reflected in traditional career paths. If you feel you meet most of the criteria
but not every requirement, we would still strongly encourage you to apply. We are
committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you require
any adjustments at any stage, please let us know; we will be happy to support you. At
Magic Bus UK, we believe that diversity of perspectives strengthens our work and helps
us better serve the young people and communities we support.

ABOUT MUSTARD TREE

At Mustard Tree, we believe everyone deserves dignity, opportunity, and hope.

We work alongside people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and financial hardship, providing practical support, life-changing opportunities, and pathways towards greater stability and independence.

Our work addresses both the causes and consequences of poverty. We support people not only in crisis, but as they rebuild confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing, and take meaningful steps towards a more secure future.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role provides person-centred employment and progression support to individuals facing barriers to financial wellbeing, including homelessness or risk of homelessness. Working with a managed caseload, this role will support participants to build confidence and employability skills, and progress towards meaningful, sustained employment, further education, or accredited training.

The role includes a blend of structured employability support, responsive frontline 121 work combined with corporate partnership skills.  This role will work directly with Freedom Trainees and Mustard Tree clients, supporting walk-ins, referrals, and longer-term participants. This role will represent our values through high-quality, compassionate, and professional service delivery.

This role combines direct participant support, employability delivery, employer engagement working with the Salford Area Manager. You will work across our Eccles and Little Hulton sites, helping create meaningful opportunities that enable participants’ progression.

Key Competencies

1. World Class Welcome and Customer Service

· Deliver Work Placement and Employment service across Salford appropriate to participants’ needs, through a welcoming, inclusive, and professional service that reflects a world-class customer experience.

· Networking and building relationships in Salford with new and existing corporate partners to deliver work placement opportunities to Freedom Project trainees, attendees to structured courses/clubs, and referrals from partner organisations (JCP and Elevate partners)

· Provide tailored, 1:1 employment and skills support, including caseload management, action planning, CV development, job search, and interview preparation.

· Adapt support to meet the diverse and complex needs of participants, demonstrating empathy and resilience.

· Manage referrals and signposting effectively, ensuring participants access appropriate internal and external services.

2. Proactive in Living and Sharing our Culture, Values and Behaviours

· Consistently model Mustard Tree’s values, culture and expected behaviours in all interactions with participants, colleagues and partners.

· Promote equality, diversity and inclusion by creating safe, welcoming and respectful environments for everyone by building positive relationships, challenge inappropriate behaviour appropriately, and reflect on feedback to continuously improve practice.

· Communicate in an inclusive, accessible and person-centred way, adapting approaches to meet participants needs.

· Demonstrate professionalism, integrity and accountability while maintaining boundaries and delivering on commitments.

3. Courage in Problem Solving and Embracing Change to Meet Needs

· Identify barriers affecting participant progression and respond to reduce/remove the barriers

· Adapt quickly and positively to changing priorities, service demands and participant needs while maintaining high-quality support.

· Demonstrate resilience when managing complex situations, setbacks or competing pressures, whilst taking ownership of actions and outcomes

· Embrace learning, feedback and change to continuously improve ways of working and support positive participant outcomes

4. Confident in Safeguarding and Incident Management

· Manage situations calmly and professionally, maintaining dignity and safety for all.

· Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and incident management procedures, escalating concerns appropriately.

· Work collaboratively with colleagues, contributing to case discussions and team meetings

• Complete and maintain accurate documentation, incident forms, and risk records.
• Attend required training, supervision, and reflective practice sessions and keep up to date with relevant legislation and local statutory and voluntary-sector provision.

5. Skilled in Reporting

· Monitor progress, record outcomes, and adapt support in response to individual needs, using TreeSalt, case notes, and case studies to evidence impact.

• Signpost and refer trainees and participants to appropriate internal services and external agencies, including housing, mental health, benefits, and specialist support.
• Track participant outcomes including engagement, training completion, volunteering, work placements, and employment progression to support internal reporting requirements and funder monitoring.

6. Positive Management of Stakeholders, Partners and Supporters

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local employers, job centres, statutory services, charities, and third-sector organisations.

• Coordinate referrals and progression pathways into and out of the programme. Establish and maintain pathways into employment, education, training, and volunteering.

• Identify, develop, and maintain work placement and progression opportunities with employers and partner organisations.
• Match participants to placements aligned with their interests, goals, and support needs.

• Ensure placements are structured, safe, and provide meaningful learning and development. Escalate any placement-related issues promptly and collaboratively.

General Duties

• Work in line with organisational policies, procedures, and values.
• Support colleagues and provide cover across services and sites when required.
• Take responsibility for professional development and ongoing learning.
• Act as a positive ambassador for the organisation internally and externally.
• Contribute to environmental responsibility through day-to-day working practices.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as required.

What we are looking for.

Person Specification 

Minimum of two years’ frontline experience supporting adults, including vulnerable individuals. - Essential

Experience supporting people facing multiple barriers such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment, or housing instability. - Essential

Experience of managing varied caseloads and achieving measurable outcomes with participants. - Essential

Experience of and/or ability to build and maintain partnerships with external organisations, local businesses or employers. - Essential

Understanding of employability pathways, training provision, and labour market opportunities. - Essential

Resilient, adaptable, with flexible enthusiastic approach. Able to work on their own initiative as well as contributing effectively as part of a team. - Essential

Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, and risk management. - Essential

Good interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication skills. - Essential

Degree-level qualification and/or equivalent experience in responsible roles. - Desirable

Strong time management and administration skills, with the ability to multitask - Essential

Experienced in using IT systems including Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, and Word - Desirable 

Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle and willingness and ability to travel regularly across our Salford hubs - Desirable

Why Work for Mustard Tree

Working at Mustard Tree is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to be part of a community that is changing lives every day.

Our Culture

• A values-led organisation where compassion, dignity, and respect guide everything we do
• A supportive and collaborative team environment where your voice matters
• A place where lived experience is valued and people are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work
• A strong sense of purpose, with the opportunity to see the real impact of your work

What We Offer

• A meaningful role where you can make a tangible difference in people’s lives
• Opportunities for learning, development, and progression, including access to training and mentoring
• A flexible and supportive approach to working, with consideration for work-life balance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service), with additional bank holidays and a day off for your birthday
• Employer pension contribution
• Access to wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Perkbox

We are committed to investing in our people and creating an environment where you can grow, feel supported, and do your best work.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement - telling us about your experience and why this role matters to you.

This job description is intended as a guide and may evolve as our work continues to grow and respond to the needs of our community.

Social connections and community activities are at the heart of creating healthier, happier lives and a flourishing society. That’s why through The National Lottery Community Fund Strategy 2023-2030 we’re looking to make a bigger difference in the years ahead, by listening and responding to communities and by focusing on supporting bolder change.

Thanks to National Lottery players, we plan to distribute at least £4 billion of funding by 2030. Supporting projects that will create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Projects that will strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.

We are looking to recruit two Funding Officers (one permanent and one FTC until March 2027) to join the London, Southeast and East Team (LSE&E), within the Strategy, Learning Partnerships team (SLP). You’ll be part of a team, led by a Funding Manager and comprised of several other Funding Officers.

The LSE&E team is headed up by a Senior Head of Regional Funding, together with regional leads. There are 5 local patches for the South East and East and 3 local patches for London.

The SLP team purpose is to:

• Enable and lead grant making across geographical boundaries within the LSE&E region & across England
• Ensure intentional and responsive grant making responds to sector needs, is impactful, focused and mission aligned
• Build evidence & drive continuous learning and impact in the mission areas and our equity-based approach
• Provide regional leadership for external engagement, partnerships & funder collaborations & lead and / or support project teams across LSE&E and share best practice

SLP does this through:

• Supporting LSE&E regional strategy, grant making and learning
• Working strategically with England wide colleagues on responsive funding and Partnership – working beyond LSE&E and across the England regions.
• Working with LSE&E colleagues, the Regional Leadership Team and England Wide
• Unlike other LSE&E patch-based Funding Officers, SLP has a uniquely collaborative function, working together with local patches, the region as a whole and across England. Therefore the Funding Officers for SLP must have a strategic, flexible and collaborative approach.

Your role:

• In Responsive Grant making, you will support the pipeline of ideas across two or more LSE&E local patches, assessing by The Fund's priorities and missions and using understanding of regional priorities.
   
• Using regional priorities and new IMD data, you will be horizon scanning opportunities for intentional external engagement and contribute to the LSE&E Regional Funding Plans.
   
• You will support strategic funding England Wide and exploring potential partnerships. You may support the region with Funding Mechanisms that will enable flexible grant making.
   
• You will support SLP to drive continuous learning within the LSE&E region and to implement high quality and relevant learning & events that meet the strategic objectives of the region.

In return we can offer the opportunity to work with one of the largest funders in the UK. 

Working in SLP is a good opportunity to collaboratively across LSE&E and England Wide. It is an opportunity to work strategically, with complexity and to hone your leadership skills. You will support colleagues and work with the Regional Leadership Team to support strategic plans for the region.

This is a fast-paced role that requires an ability to manage a large workload with & prioritise, with minimal supervision.

Interview details:

• Dates: 10th, 11th and 15th June
• Format: Virtual
• Location: We have a hybrid approach to working, work pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate. London is the regional Office.

You’ll ideally be based in London or within a couple of hours reach. The role does require travel to London at least once a month, and occasionally more frequently — up to once a week during peak periods

We will be hosting a briefing session on Wednesday 20th May, 9:45am. To register for the session or for any questions about the recruitment process, please email us from the link.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role specifically, please contact: Deborah Meyer-Lewis.

How to apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application. (NOT the Funding Officer attachment)

Essential Criteria

1. Strategic Direction - A strong understanding of the Fund’s Priorities and Missions, how this contributes to the achievement of team and organisational goals and how this applies to grant making.
    
2. Responsiveness & Managing Competing demands –You should have a flexible approach, a can-do attitude and the ability to pivot between different funding programmes & audiences. An ability to manage a large, varied workload, prioritise with minimal supervision, and keep your Manager up to date on key issues and risks.
    
3. Working together – A strong team player, take’s time to build relationships, collaborate and contribute to team processes that remove silos and nurture a culture of mutual support. You drive higher performance across interconnected teams. You adjust your personal work styles and practices accordingly.
    
4. Responsiveness to change & feedback - The SLP team is working on new projects that are subject to reflection and change. You should be flexible and open to supporting continuous learning and change and be able to adapt your approach as needed. You promptly address concerns and actively seek feedback and opportunities for continuous improvement.
    
5. Visibility - Actively participates in cross functional teams and collaborates with other directorates to achieve common goals. You should have strong written and verbal communication skills for engaging with stakeholders at all levels. Confident to convene & give presentation to different audiences.
    
6. Leading our culture / Developing Self and others – Understands the importance of The Fund's Equity Diversity and Inclusion focus. Contributes to an inclusive environment through understanding the views and experiences of others. Considers personal and professional development as well as supporting needs of team members.
    
7. Delivering Quality Results: A strong ability to promote learning and foster a culture of continuous development. Ability to inspire and guide others towards achieving objectives. You should be able to clearly communicate desired results and ensure others feel supported and feel motivated to achieve.
    
8. Diligence and Control – Your conduct, behaviour and duties are positive and carried out in line with set expectations and policy and/or regulatory considerations.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition).