Information And Advice Volunteers Jobs in Farringdon, Greater London

Operation Smile is a global nonprofit specialising in cleft surgery and care. We provide medical training, education and mentorship to surgical teams around the world, along with expertise, research and care through our staff and volunteers, working alongside local governments, nonprofits and health systems.

Join Operation Smile UK as our Senior Acquisition Manager and make a difference in the lives of children. We're searching for a fundraising professional with experience in acquiring new donors through a variety of fundraising channels including Door to Door (F2F), digital fundraising, DRTV, cold mailing and door drops. You'll be responsible for managing a £2.4 million budget and developing innovative strategies to increase individual cash and regular giving support.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and drive recruitment of regular givers and cash givers to grow income and supporter volumes, in a multi-channel programme including Door to Door (F2F), digital fundraising channels, DRTV, cold mailing and door drops.
• Manage relationships with agency partners executing acquisition campaigns on behalf of Operation Smile UK for the betterment of the acquisition programme.
• Lead and execute our door to door (F2F) programme with the goal of expanding this form of acquisition fundraising over the coming years.
• Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of OSUK's digital acquisition fundraising program, including the performance of current agencies and consultants. Develop strategic recommendations and a future-focused plan that leverages the expertise of existing or new external partners.
• Full campaign management and execution in line with prescribed deadlines. This includes briefing agencies, sourcing content, managing data, copy development, proofing, briefing stakeholders, training agents, developing campaign analysis and reporting, managing costs and invoice processing.
• Monitor and report on budgets and assist in building future expenditure and income targets. Work as part of the Individual Giving team to reach strategic targets.
• Work closely with the Communications & Digital team, and Individual Giving team to ensure campaigns are in line with brand standards and integrated seamlessly with supporter retention.
• Work closely with the Individual Giving team to constantly refine the newly introduced ‘welcome programme’ aimed at transitioning new donors to retained donors and improving retention rate.
• To work closely with the Senior Database Manager and agency partners to review direct marketing acquisition campaigns and ensure that information is used to maximise income for future campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Senior Database Manager to develop and implement essential Power BI dashboards. Proactively request ad-hoc data analysis to track key acquisition metrics and inform strategic decision-making.
• Introduce new acquisition channels and develop existing ones within KPIs to manage risk and keep fundraising up-to-date within evolving channels.
• To ensure that campaigns are where possible integrated or co-ordinated thematically, creatively and/or by target audience to maximise impact.
• To lead in the training of external agencies, effectively communicating the work of Operation Smile to key representatives.
• Travel to meetings in the UK and overseas where necessary.

Staff Benefits

• Hybrid Working (1-2 days per week at the UK Office if you are based in Greater London or 2 days per month if you are further afield)
• Season Ticket Loan
• 1-day additional holiday each year to a maximum of 30 days annual leave
• Additional days off over the Christmas period
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Enhanced maternity and sick pay benefits, subject to length of service
• 6.1% employer pension contribution
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a confidential employee benefit designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home life or work life, health, and general well-being. The EAP service provides a complete support network that offers expert advice and compassionate guidance 24/7, covering a wide range of issues. 

Application Process

Submit your CV for review and we will be interviewing candidates at the latter end of November (dates to be confirmed), with first interviews held in person at our UK office.

The full job description and person specification is provided as a PDF with this job advert.

Note: The deadline for applications has been extended until 30 November.

A little bit about the role 

This role will be closing at 12pm on Thursday 14 November.

This role will sit within the Fellowship team, within the wider external relations directorate, and be managed by the Fellowship and engagement lead, supported by our chief social worker and a steering group of staff and trustees. This will ensure that we are connecting fellows – social workers who have completed one of Frontline’s programmes – to our young people’s work. The postholder will also have strong links with our communications and fundraising teams, which also sit within the external relations directorate.

The postholder will shape and grow all our work with and for young people with experience of social work, ensuring all involved have a positive experience. Our goal is to improve social work by listening to the needs of children and young people with lived experience. By involving them in all aspects of our work, we can make social work more effective and responsive for vulnerable children and families across England

We are seeking a dedicated professional who excels in youth-centred social work, with hands-on experience supporting young people aged 14-25. You will understand the unique challenges they face, especially those with care experience, and have insight into relevant social care policies. Working collaboratively with senior leadership, you will support inclusive, cohesive programme delivery.

The successful candidate will be an effective communicator and strategic relationship builder who prioritises youth voices and partnership. Skilled in managing complex workloads and securing funding, you will also bring a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and using technology to enhance impact.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Bringing individuals with care and social work experience together, helping them to have a bigger influence on Frontline's mission to create social change for vulnerable children without a safe and stable home.
• Leading and growing the young people’s advisory board, recruiting and inducting new members.
• Developing a programme of activities for the young people’s advisory board and other experts by experience which includes quarterly meetings, day sessions and residentials each year.
• Collaborating with the Fellowship team to aid the development of future opportunities available fellows, using insights, voices and experiences from young people directly.
• Developing a mentoring programme for all of Frontline’s experts by experience through our Fellowship.

Please see job pack for full list of role responsibilities

A little bit about you 

This role will suit an experienced leader who is passionate about empowering young people with lived experience and integrating their perspectives into impactful social work. The hiring panel will be looking for candidates who demonstrate a deep commitment to inclusive leadership, strong coordination skills across diverse teams, and a proven ability to build meaningful engagement with young people and stakeholders.

We have a fast-moving culture within the team and organisation, so we’re looking for someone who is who is well organised, details-focused and can use their initiative to do what works. You will have excellent communication skills, be able to build relationships with people and be willing to learn. There are lots of opportunities for growth and development in this role – and for the right candidate to make the role their own. 

If you feel you have the skills to make a real impact and contribute to creating lasting social change for children and families, we would love to hear from you. 

Important information

We have increased the diversity of Frontline’s workforce in the last 12 months, but we need to do more to have greater racialised minority representation in our senior roles. We know the value racialised minority voices bring and therefore, we are strongly encouraging applicants from these backgrounds to apply. We are also a disability confident employer and welcome applicants with disabilities. Please let us know how we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you .

We recognise that artificial intelligence (AI) such as ‘ChatGPT’ etc can be useful for applicants e.g. to shorten an initial draft, so we do not attempt to have an absolute ban on AI in applications. However we would caution applicants not to rely too much on AI in drafting answers to application questions. We want to hear your authentic voice arising out of your experience, and we will be looking for answers that use examples and experiences that are specific to you. You are more likely to be able to produce that kind of content yourself than an AI will.

We reserve the right to close this role ahead of the deadline once we reach a suitable number of applications, so please apply as soon as you can!

You will need to have current right-to-work in the UK prior to application and for at least the first six months (for permanent positions) or for the full duration of the contract (for fixed-term positions). Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed.

If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact Jackie Sanders, External Relations Director, contact details can be found in the job pack.

Ready to make a real difference? Join us as our new Fundraising Manager and be at the heart of Sufra’s mission to transform lives in Northwest London.

This isn’t just a job; it’s a call to action. You’ll have the freedom to shape our fundraising strategy, working hand-in-hand with our Director and Senior Leadership Team to make a tangible impact in our community.

• Salary: £36,000 - £42,000 per annum (dependent on experience, Full-Time Equivalent)

• Hours: Flexible arrangements from 20 hours per week (0.5 FTE) up to full-time considered. Hybrid working options available.

• Contract: Permanent

About Us

Sufra is an innovative charity in Northwest London that prevents hunger, fights poverty and builds community.

With the help of our volunteers and partners, we coordinate a network of food banks and community kitchens, as well as a social supermarket and café. These act as a gateway for guests to access more holistic support – including welfare advice, asylum support, volunteering opportunities and our award-winning community garden.

We aim to work with our guests to find solutions to their challenges together, whilst campaigning against the causes of hunger and poverty.

What You’ll Do

Strategy & Execution: Create and drive an innovative individual giving strategy that skyrockets our donor base and revenue.

Understanding Our Supporter Base: Dive into our CRM system (Beacon) to understand, profile, and engage with our supporters on a personal level.

Donor Stewardship: Cultivate and nurture relationships with individual donors, including high-net-worth individuals, ensuring they feel valued and connected to our cause.

Campaign Management: Lead dynamic direct marketing campaigns, digital appeals, and social media drives that captivate and convert.

Data, Budgeting & Reporting: Analyse fundraising performance like a pro, managing budgets and providing insightful reports.

Team Leadership: Inspire and guide a passionate team, fostering collaboration across departments to achieve our shared goals.

And More…

• Support our corporate fundraising, sponsorship, and volunteer strategies.

• Boost our PR efforts and build strong media relationships.

• Be the face of Sufra at external events and meetings.

• Work closely with the entire team, stepping in wherever needed to propel our charity forward.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

Health and Wellbeing: Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for confidential advice and counselling.

Learning and Development: Annual training budget, plus shadowing opportunities to grow your skills.

Annual Leave: Start with 25 days per year (pro rata) plus bank holidays, gaining an extra day for each year of service (up to 5 additional days).

Pay and Pension: Competitive salaries with regular reviews, plus eligibility for the Nest pension scheme with employer contributions.

Flexibility: Embrace hybrid and flexible working arrangements tailored to your needs.

If you’re an experienced fundraiser with a knack for storytelling and a heart for serving the community, we want to hear from you. Join us in driving positive change and making a real difference in Northwest London. Apply now and become a pivotal part of our mission.

Job Title: Advocacy and Campaigns Officer
Contract: 12 Months Fixed Term
Hours: Part Time (15-18 hours per week)
Salary: £25,290 - £27,100 FTE
Location: Homeworking

About Us:
Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a user-led charity dedicated to promoting choice, control, and quality of life for teenagers and adults with muscle-weakening conditions. We strive to empower our members by ensuring they have access to essential support, resources, and opportunities to thrive in their communities.

The Role:
Are you passionate about advocacy and driven to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with muscle-weakening conditions? We are seeking a dynamic Advocacy and Campaigns Officer to lead the expansion of our advocacy services and drive impactful campaigns. In this role, you will be instrumental in shaping our advocacy provision across housing, healthcare, social care, and benefits, ensuring that our members feel empowered to express their needs and rights.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage the advocacy service, supporting members in navigating complex systems of support.

• Conduct outreach and marketing efforts to raise awareness of our advocacy services.

• Create and maintain a database to track advocacy needs and support, informing future funding applications.

• Lead our campaigning initiatives, collaborating with members and stakeholders to highlight key issues and drive policy changes.

• Produce engaging campaign materials for our website, newsletter, and social media platforms.

Who You Are:
You will have at least two years of experience in advocacy or advisory roles, ideally connected to housing, healthcare, or social care for disabled individuals. Your understanding of the challenges faced by those with muscle-weakening conditions is essential. Strong communication and organisational skills, combined with a commitment to equality and diversity, are crucial for this role.

Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in advocating for those seeking better support and influencing policy for better services. As part of a passionate team, you'll have the chance to drive meaningful change and contribute to the development of a supportive community.

Application Details:
To apply, please send a completed application form by Sunday, 10th November at 11:59 PM. Interviews will be conducted between 13th-22nd November. You can download the application form from our website or request it via email.

Join us at Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance and help empower individuals to take charge of their health and future!

Centre Administrator 

£28,000 p/a + cost-of-living increase (pending), full-time 35 hours per week, plus excellent benefits and opportunities for progression 

Did you know that there may be over 20,000 Sutton residents who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is sick or disabled due to a physical, mental health or substance misuse issue? Sutton Carers Centre works in partnership to help improve and maintain the quality of life for these Young and Adult Carers living, working, studying or caring in the London Borough of Sutton. 

We are looking to recruit to a key and rewarding role in our charity. The members of our team are highly skilled, passionate and committed, so we are looking for an experienced administrator who can support them. The successful candidate will be skilled in office administrative functions, to ensure the delivery of an efficient, friendly and smooth-running Centre as well as office co-ordination and support services. The post-holder will have experience of developing, maintaining and improving systems in an office environment. The post-holder will also oversee reception functions, including the support of the administration and reception volunteers. 

You also will have excellent IT, literacy and numeracy skills and be able to express yourself well in person and in writing. The successful candidate will be positive, empathic, creative and boundaried in their ability to work alongside Carers as well as our colleagues and partners, in helping Carers maintain their own health and wellbeing alongside their caring roles.

Sutton Carers Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and children and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS and other appropriate checks.

We value the diversity of our teams and are looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. We particularly encourage people who are black, from other minoritised ethnic or refugee groups, or from LGBTQ+ communities to apply. Men are currently under-represented in our team as well. We also seek applicants with personal caring experience as well as welcoming applications from people with lived experience of mental health issues.   

We are looking for someone on a 2 year fixed term contract to support CCT, as we engage in a programme of significant digital change, with our core information management systems under active review and development. The complaint processing of personal data is fundamental to delivering our business objectives and will be a crucial deliverable for our Digital Transformation Programme.

The Compliance officer will be instrumental in ensuring CCT complies with best practice in relation to the storage and use of people’s personal information, ensuring compliance with the relevant GDPR regulations and will also be responsible for ensuring that the CCT’s policies and procedures are compliant with the relevant Government Functional Standards as well as following good practice in relation to its governance policies and procedures.

The post holder will work with every team, at all levels across CCT, to help embed a risk-based approach to data protection and decision-making, championing both the intent of data protection law and effective operational outcomes; adopting best recommended practice where there is ambiguity about minimal compliance requirements.

If you would like to apply for this role, please visit our recruitment portal to begin your application. You will be asked to submit a CV and a short supporting statement (max 2 sides A4) outlining why you’d like to apply and how you fulfil the person specification for this post, so you’ll need to refer to the job description.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 8am on Friday 8th November 2024.

The interviews will take place in Northampton on 18th November 2024. Please note that the interview date and location have been specifically chosen according to the availability of the panel.

We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the job will be offered an interview.

If you have any queries about this role, or if you have a disability and wish to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.

We are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities to all regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are not a licensed sponsor at this time. Any offer of employment will be made subject to valid right to work in the UK being provided.

Job Title: Technical Security Manager
Reporting to: Director of IT and Security
Contract: Six-month fixed term contract
Hours: Full-time
Salary: £60 - £65k FTE depending on experience
Base: Hybrid, home and minimum two days per week in London office 
Job purpose: To operate our information security management system and maintain Mental Health Innovations’ ISO 27001 certification
Closing Date: 8th November 2024, 5pm

Key Responsibilities 

• Building and maintaining excellent relationships with team leads across the organisation to raise awareness of security and work through issues
• Deputising for the Director in security matters as required
• Operation of the ISMS and Data Protection processes
• Managing risk register, preparing for management review meetings
• Developing/maintaining controls and ensuring they are implemented across the organisation
• Refining our security KPIs and maintaining them
• Proposing actions from KPIs, events and incidents and coordinating resultant work
• Working with the Director to track threats and vulnerabilities, evaluate risk levels and progress treatment plans
• Ensuring secure endpoint and cloud posture
• Working with the team to plan consultancy days; e.g. work items requiring deep knowledge of a specific security domain or a technical specialist
• Monitoring our processes and suggesting improvements Proposing and progressing other continuous improvement work
• Feeding into training and awareness programmes and improving security culture
• Preparing for audits and carrying out remediation work
• Working with the Director to create, maintain and manage policies and ensure compliance
• Planning and participating in incident response exercises
• Managing major incidents and conducting post mortems/reviews

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of risk management
• Working knowledge of security standards and frameworks, particularly ISO 27001
• Knowledge (and preferably experience) of GDPR and DPA 2018
• Experience of incident management
• Excellent knowledge of high level security concepts and best practice
• Excellent documentation skills, including policies and standards
• Knowledge of the following areas (deeper experience of one or more preferred):
• Endpoint security
• Network security
• Cloud security
• Application security
• Identity and access management
• Secure distributed working practices
• Excellent written and verbal communicator
• Ability and desire to learn new tools, skills and consider other perspectives
• Growth mindset. Comfortable performing a wide range of activities, including stretching to new skill/experience areas
• Ability to manage own time, confirm priorities and expectations
• Independent worker who knows when to ask questions
• Comfortable working with the wider team and organisation
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguous situations and objectives

Desirable

• Professional qualifications, such CompTIA+, CISSP, CCSP, ISO 27001 Auditor
  Exposure to ITIL (ITIL Foundation or higher preferred)
• Experience in one or more of the following:
  • Cloud (AWS preferred)
  • Salesforce
  • SSO & federated identities
  • Network security, SASE & VPNs
  • Endpoint security
  • Infrastructure security and best practices
  • Working knowledge of encryption technologies
  • Password management and access control
  • Security training and awareness
  • Secure distributed working practices
  • Securing domains
• Detection and response, with excellent troubleshooting skills
• Working knowledge of one or more of these tools/products:
  • Salesforce
  • JIRA & Confluence
  • Mac/iOS & ChromeOS
  • Windows/Office365
  • Google Workspace
• Creative thinker, but understands the importance of seeing a piece of work through to the end and on time
• Decisive, proactive, knows when to check the boundaries

We will be interviewing on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of applicants.

The Cardinal Hume Centre works to prevent and tackle youth and family homelessness.

Job title: Immigration Advisor (OISC L1)
Westminster, London
Hours: Permanent, part time, 21 hours
Salary: £20,916 (£34,860 FTE)

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? Do you want to leverage your skills to combat homelessness for children and young people? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking to recruit an OISC Level 1 Advisor to provide tailor-made advice to individual clients with regard to child citizenship applications. This is an exciting role in our Immigration Team that will Act as a point of contact within the Centre for all queries and questions relating to immigration advice. You will develop your own caseload in partnership with the service manager, assess referrals, apply for fee waivers and provide casework support for other team members. You will work to Office of Immigration Services Commission (OISC), Specialist Quality Mark (SQM) and Immigration and Asylum Accreditation (IAAS) standards and keep up to date with changes in law and policy relating to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

Please refer to the job description for further information.

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the role and why you would like to work for us. You must account for any gaps in your employment history. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The Centre requires staff and volunteers to complete a criminal records self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.

Benefits
‍·26 days’ leave rising to 28 days’ leave after two years’ service (pro rata for part time staff)
·Two annual wellbeing days
·Access to Blue Light Card discounts
·Pension: stakeholder pension scheme and we will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.
·Life assurance cover(after probation passed)
·Season ticket loan
·Training and development opportunities

Students’ Union UCL is an organisation that exists to make more happen. We are the representative body for University College London’s (UCL) students, one of the most diverse student communities in the world. We are one of the largest student-led organisations in the UK and a charity with over 48,000 members. We provide opportunities for 300 staff and have an annual turnover of more than £12m.

It's an exciting time our growing organisation as the delivery partner for UCL’s new Student Life Strategy. In 2023 we received a multi-million-pound investment to enhance student life at UCL. The financial backing from our parent university is recognition of the transformative effect that extra and co-curricular experiences have on students at UCL – helping them develop skills, build networks, reduce loneliness and isolation, grow in confidence, and enjoy their time here.  

We are looking for a Marketing Coordinator to coordinate the marketing activity of the Students’ Union throughout the year, taking the lead on campaigns and projects such as Varsity, the Leadership Race, Sustainability Conference, International Festival and End of Year Awards, working with 10+ departments across the Union. The Marketing Coordinator will also support, train, and advise these departments and Sabbatical Officers on the development and delivery of effective marketing plans helping the Union to achieve its objectives

This is a full time and fixed term contract role until 31 July 2025. This role is also a hybrid working role, where 40% of the role will be on campus based.

Have you got a skilled approach to the planning and implementation of innovative marketing campaigns, promotions and offers to continuously refresh and develop the customer experience? Have you experience in providing recommendations based on data analysis and market research? If the answer is yes, then we want to hear from you. 

Our ideal candidate will work with departments, teams, and managers to develop innovative marketing campaigns aimed at increasing engagement and use of our services. The right candidate will utilize the Marketing Planning Process where possible, and be a cheerleader for the process, setting clear aims and KPIs when developing marketing plans with teams. The successful role holder will also respond to enquiries from customers where appropriate, ensuring the Union is represented in line with the brand guidelines.

We are looking for Maternity Cover for a Safeguarding Advisor.  If you bring both a breadth of safeguarding experience and an understanding of faith contexts, we have a new opportunity for you to use your accrued knowledge and skills for a good cause.

Thirtyone:eight, the UK’s leading Independent Christian Safeguarding charity is looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable Safeguarding Advisor. You will provide an expert and professional service on behalf of thirtyone:eight; including the provision of consultancy and engagement services, maintenance of policy, procedure and best practice guidance and contribute to the operation of our safeguarding helpline. 

We are looking for a person with strong communication skills and experience of providing safeguarding support and advice as part of a multi-disciplinary or faith-based context to join our established team for maternity cover. 

With a demonstrated commitment to the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and adults, you will need a good working knowledge of safeguarding policy, practice and legislation across diverse contexts (including the UK four nations), as well as a solid understanding of implementing safeguarding at a grass-roots level with faith organisations. In return you’ll get to work in a supportive and rewarding environment and the opportunity to share and learn from fellow safeguarding professionals from a range of backgrounds and settings. 

Please note that this job could be home based, office based or hybrid.

The out of hours cover hours are: 7am-9am and 5pm-midnight weekdays; and 7am - midnight Sat & Sun. There are minimal calls coming through during this time so you would not be on the phone all these hours. 

The Youth Participation and Support Worker will work with care experienced young people subject to immigration controls, to tackle the injustice and inequity of the systems, policies and procedures that define their lives.

They will support young migrants to evaluate what they have learned through their experience of being in care and going through the immigration system so that young people are able to recognise the skills and strengths they have developed. They will support young people to engage with a range of opportunities to develop and use their learning, skills and strengths through our Young Community Leaders programme.

We would love to hear from you if you have: 

• Experience of working in a practical support role with refugee, asylum seeking, unaccompanied asylum seeking and migrant children and young people in the UK.
• Experience of delivering group activities to young people.
• Ability to build trusting and empowering relationships with young people.
• Knowledge of the issues faced by care experienced migrant children and young people.

Our organisation:

SLRA is a well established local migrant support organisation working alongside refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants who are at risk or in crisis due to immigration issues. Our committed, supportive team works alongside local volunteers to provide a range of services including advice and casework, supportive group sessions, youth casework and activities for families and young people. 

The benefits: 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata) 
• 5% employer pension contribution 
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities 
• Being part of a committed, supportive and inclusive team 
• Cyclescheme

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals, and those who are migrants or refugees, and who have lived experience of the impact of immigration policy and practice. 

This role is a core part of Pecan’s senior leadership team (SLT), working to develop strategic direction and playing a play a key role in the organisation’s aim to transform the lives of the most disadvantaged people in our community.

You will enable Pecan’s frontline team to deliver the highest possible standards of service.  You will have responsibility for Employment Support, Southwark & Lewisham Women’s Service and Together community projects. This role also oversees Marketing & Communications and Partnerships. It will work closely with the Fundraising Manager and is the Safeguarding Lead and the Equalities Lead

When working for Pecan, you can expect to become a valued member of a diverse and supportive team. In addition to a place in our 35-year legacy, you will receive a generous holiday allowance, pension contribution and life assurance cover. You can also expect regular team meetings and social opportunities, and a variety of other benefits as outlined in our recruitment pack.

Main Responsibilities:

• To play a significant role in the pastoral care and wellbeing of staff and volunteers ensuring they feel supported and safe at work and have access to wellbeing support
• To develop and deliver services supporting women affected by the criminal justice system and for local women seeking support, information and community.
• To develop and deliver contracted services to enable people to gain employment.
• Expand the offer to reduce isolation and increase community cohesion as well as tackle some of the barriers facing people.

Key Requirements (specific skills, qualifications required):

• Strong experience of managing contracts. 
• Experience of managing staff and volunteer teams.
• A strong understanding of the community, employment, women’s or criminal justice sectors.
• Experience of establishing new contracts.

Desirable knowledge/expertise

• An effective networker.
• Experience of the voluntary and community sector.
• Experience of working across a spectrum of church cultures and types.
• Experience of organisational development.

Please read the Recruitment Pack containing the Job Description for more information. To apply please submit the following:

• CV
• Covering Letter, no more than 2-sides of A4 paper, expanding on your passion for this area of work and describing how you meet the Job Description/Person Specification, as set out in the Recruitment Pack.

Closing Date: Wednesday 6th November 2024, 9am

Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 11th November 2024, Details TBC.

Start Date: ASAP

Please note that applications that do not contain BOTH the CV and Covering Letter as described above cannot be considered. Candidates that have not been contacted by the interview date or within 2 weeks of submitting an application if it is an open recruitment, have not been shortlisted for interviews.

Peer Support Development Officer – Greater London

 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 Greater London, 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 in or around Greater London and willing to work initially across London Boroughs. This role may involve work to establish groups on the periphery of this area that currently have no dedicated Development staff.

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 boundaried 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 licence/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 and Interview details are:

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews: Week Commencing 4 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.

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 and Interview details are:

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews: Week Commencing 4 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. 

About the role:

We understand that a spinal cord injury can be devastating, but we believe it shouldn’t prevent anyone from getting the most out of life. And we’re here to help make sure that can happen through our range of services that are designed by, and delivered for people affected by spinal cord injury.

As our Services Manager, you will oversee some of our most impactful delivery, including our Courses service, Vocation service, Digital services, and our award winning Mentoring service. You’ll be just as comfortable working alongside the team to problem solve as you are working with the leadership team on our business plans and budget management.

Reporting to the Head of Services and working with the Outreach & Engagement Manager, you will play a key role in the services leadership team.

You will be naturally driven to achieve the best outcomes for people affected by spinal cord injury. Above all, you will be passionate about being able to demonstrate the impact of what we do, and you will see for yourself how Back Up quite literally transforms lives every day.

About us:

At Back Up, we have big ambitions. Over the next few years, we’re going to be transforming the lives of even more people affected by spinal cord injury.

Together we’ll be working hard to make sure everyone affected by spinal cord injury has access to the support they deserve; and we are the only spinal cord injury charity in the UK providing dedicated services to children and young people. 

At Back Up, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from those from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds or those with higher level spinal injuries.

In 2024 Back Up won The Times and The Sunday Times Spotlight Award for Best place to work for disabled employees. As well as this, Back Up has been voted one of the top ten charities to work for (Third Sector Best Charities 2020). The enthusiastic, inclusive and supportive spirit of our very skilled staff ensure excellence in the services we deliver.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As a ‘Disability Confident’ employer we are committed to the inclusion of candidates and employees with disabilities. If you have a disability and meet the minimum criteria of the role, set out as essential criteria in the job description, we will invite you to interview. Please let us know if you would qualify and want to take advantage of this scheme by emailing: recruitment @ backuptrust . org . uk.

Don’t meet every single requirement? 

At Back Up we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every criteria in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at Back Up.

Location:

There is flexibility around working location either home-working or office based (Wandsworth). Home based staff will be required to make regular visits to the Back Up office in Wandsworth, London and surrounding area.