Approved social worker jobs

Join Barnardo's North West Fostering Service as a Practice Manager

Barnardo's is one of the UK's leading children's charities, and our North West Fostering Service is committed to providing safe, nurturing, and supportive homes for children and young people. We are now seeking a passionate and skilled Practice Manager to join our dedicated team.

 

About the Role

As a Practice Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting a team of Supervisory Social Workers to provide high-quality care. You will:

Supervise, support, and develop Supervisory Social Workers to ensure the best outcomes for children and carers.
Undertake Quality Assurance of all reports, assessments, annual reviews that have been completed by a Supervisory Social Worker for our carers.
Have a lead area to develop the service
Contribute to the matching process and placement stability.
Oversee our duty and recruitment processes
Work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including LA, commissioning teams, children, families, carers, and professionals.
Maintain accurate and timely records in line with regulatory requirements.
Ensure compliance with NMS and Fostering Regulations

 

We're seeking someone who is:

A qualified Social Worker (DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent) registered with Social Work England.
Experienced in fostering or children's social care.
Skilled in building strong, supportive relationships.
Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Able to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends (on call rota)

Why Barnardo's?

A supportive and inclusive working environment.
Access to high-quality training and development.
Generous annual leave and pension scheme.
Opportunities to grow within a respected national charity
Regular supportive supervision with experienced fostering service manager

 

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're passionate about improving the lives of children and supporting foster carers to thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Pay & Reward Framework
We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

Benefits
Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our HolidayPlus scheme
A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
Service related sick pay from day 1
Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
Cycle2work scheme
Interest free season ticket loans
Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
20% discount at Barnardo's stores
Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer
*T&C's apply based on contract

About Barnardo's
 

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Closing Date: 30 November 2025

Purpose of the Job

This role is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding individual to join the UK Youth Employer Engagement team as part of the Network Delivery Department, supporting the Summer Jobs Programme. With a focus on identifying and securing employment placements and income for The Summer Jobs  Programme, the Employer Engagement Officer plays a key role in ensuring strong stewardship and a positive employer experience of the programme and partnership with UK Youth over the next 12 months.

Key Responsibilities

Employer recruitment and income generation

• Work closely with the Employer Engagement Manager to develop and implement an employer engagement strategy, integrating both local and national approaches.

• Support the development of employer sponsorship proposals, creating a menu of different engagement levels to meet income targets

• Work with the Employer Engagement Manager and the wider Corporate Partnerships Team to collaborate on UK Youth fundraising opportunities and integrate our employer ask into our wider corporate partnerships offer

• Track, monitor and report confirmed placements in specified locations.

• Input to feedback for programme funder, the Youth Endowment Fund, on corporate partnership opportunities

• Identify and engage with regional and localised contacts to assist in sourcing placements (e.g. local business networks).

• Accurately record programme donation contributions

Employer training and management

• Manage relationships with a cohort of employers throughout the programme, including:

• Securing their commitment to provide placements and funding in agreement with the programme’s terms of reference

• Ensuring they have the information and tools to succeed within the programme.

• Act as the primary point of contact at UK Youth.

Key Internal Relationships

• Collaborate closely with The Summer Jobs Project Manager to:

• Ensure consistency and accuracy of approach and information.

• Support Local Delivery Partners to build relationships with employers.

• Attend one to one meetings and appraisals with the Employer Engagement Manager

• Work in partnership with colleagues in the Communications team to enable the delivery of high-quality comms activities that support employer recruitment.

Experience we're after

• Experience of fundraising, sales or recruitment

• Experience of working in a busy and deadline-driven work environment

• Experience of managing multiple relationships

Who we are

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened, supported, and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed and delivers high-quality outcomes. UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people.

Why work at UK Youth?

Young people are facing a complex and increasingly challenging world. There are pressures on their mental health, employment prospects, and even physical safety. Youth work is an essential tool to help young people navigate these difficulties and set them up with skills for life. But over ten million young people are currently unable to access this life changing and even life-saving resource. UK Youth brings together young people and youth workers with business leaders, teachers, doctors, and other professionals to identify solutions, provide practical support and campaign for social change. By working at UK Youth, you will be a joining a committed group of people who are seeking to tackle the systemic problems letting young people down. 

We are a value-based, passionate and committed organisation offering a friendly working environment with lots of opportunities for professional development and socialising (even for those working remotely!) from lunch and learn sessions, staff quizzes to virtual coffee meet ups.

UK Youth prides itself on being an Equal Opportunity employer and we would particularly welcome applications for this role from those who identify under one of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

We value the differences that a diverse workforce brings and are committed to inclusivity, and to employing and supporting a diverse workforce. Our selection procedures ensure that people are treated on the basis of their relevant merits, experience, skills and abilities and that no individual receives more or less favourable treatment.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Monday 1st December 2025 at 09:00am 

Provisional Interview Dates: W/C 8th December 2025

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic safeguarding specialist to be our Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) to lead safeguarding across the Diocese. Effectively as Head of Safeguarding, this is a senior leadership role with independent authority of the Diocesan Bishop, responsible for the professional oversight of safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. 

The Head of Safeguarding provides expert guidance, manages safeguarding concerns and allegations, and ensures the implementation of national safeguarding standards. You will lead a dedicated team, collaborate with senior clergy and external agencies, and ensure that safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of diocesan life. 

Some of the key responsibilities of the role include:  

Culture, leadership, and Capacity 

• Lead the development and implementation of the diocesan safeguarding strategy. 

• Work closely with the Bishop of Guildford, Cathedral Dean, Diocesan Secretary, and senior clergy to promote a culture of safeguarding excellence. 

• Support the Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP), ensuring effective governance and oversight. 

• Oversee diocesan responses to audits, quality assurance, and Safeguarding Practice Reviews. 

Prevention 

• Implement the Church of England’s Safeguarding Code of Practice across the Diocese. 

• Provide expert safeguarding advice to clergy, parishes, and the Cathedral. 

• Ensure safer recruitment practices are followed across all diocesan bodies. 

• Develop and oversee the diocesan safeguarding training plan in line with the Church of England’s Learning and Development Framework. 

• Ensure training is high-quality, legally compliant, and regularly reviewed. 

Recognise, Assess and Manage Risk 

• Lead and coordinate all safeguarding casework within the Diocese, ensuring that work is completed as required by Church of England Managing Safeguarding Allegations Code of Practice, and statutory guidance and legal responsibilities.

• Participate in Case Management Groups, supporting the chair to ensure proper case management and ensure lessons learned are shared with DSAP. 

• Collaborate with senior leaders to report Serious Safeguarding Incidents to the Charity Commission. 

Victims & Survivors 

• Coordinate responses to disclosures of abuse, ensuring timely and compassionate support. 

• Implement the House of Bishops’ policy on responding well to victims and survivors. 

Learning, Supervision and Support 

• Work collaboratively with the National Safeguarding Team and other Church of England Safeguarding Officers, attending national safeguarding events and activities as required. 

• Engage in continual professional development, including ensuring that the requirements of the National Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework for Diocesan Safeguarding Officers are met. 

General 

• Lead and develop the safeguarding team, fostering a culture of collaboration and reflective practice. 

We are looking someone who has: 

• Proven leadership and strategic planning skills. 

• A professional qualification or equivalent experience (e.g., in social care or criminal justice), with current professional registration where applicable.

• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and best practice. 

• Experience of leading/facilitating/influencing organisational culture change to develop good safeguarding practice and healthy safeguarding cultures.

• Experience in managing complex safeguarding casework and risk assessments. 

• Experience working with victims, survivors, and perpetrators of abuse. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively. 

• Familiarity with Church of England safeguarding frameworks and governance structures. 

• Commitment to the values and mission of the Church of England. 

Please refer to the attached Job Description for full details of the Head of Safeguarding 

Benefits of the role include: 

• Competitive salary within the Charity Sector 

• A 10% non-contributory pension 

• Life assurance provision of 3x annual salary 

• 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays 

• An employee assistance programme 

• Learning and development opportunities 

Ready to Apply? 

Submit your CV along with a detailed supporting statement (cover letter), outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification. The supporting statement is an essential part of the application process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. 

This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in accordance with our Safer Recruitment Guidelines. 

The Diocese take our responsibility for the safeguarding of children and adults seriously. Our recruitment processes reflect this commitment. 

We take your privacy seriously. To understand how your personal data will be processed during the recruitment process, please read our Candidate Privacy Notice before applying 

We believe that diversity is a strength. We actively welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities, particularly those who identify as female, younger, of a UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage, or disabled, as it is essential that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. 

Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date, it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date. 

Purpose of the job

This role creates a positive impact for young people by managing partners through the effective delivery of our youth work programmes, delivering high quality facilitation and training and building excellent relationships across a region to contribute to improvements in our network offer.

Working with Project Mangers across Network Delivery, you will enable the effective delivery of our provision to the youth sector through effective contract management and support for partnerships with Delivery Partners and Grantees. You will deliver high quality training and facilitated sessions, translating curriculum and content into engaging and effective delivery. Working within a specific geographical location you will pro -actively build relationships with organisations and networks and foster connections that will help to unlock youth work for all young people. You will gather insights from across your region to feed into and contribute to the development of our offer to our network.

Key responsibilities

Programme delivery

• Account and contract management of relationships with a portfolio of Delivery Partners and Grantees within your geographical location

• Ensure that Delivery Partners and Grantees understand their programme and grant requirements and are successfully delivering against those

• Support Project Managers in coordinating and administering a range of project activities through the project lifecycle including contracting, onboarding, monitoring progress, event management and delivery and data collection

• Conduct visits to youth organisations engaged in our digital and physical delivery

Facilitation and training

• Deliver engaging and effective facilitation, training and events across both digital and physical platforms.

• Translate curriculum, content and workforce development tools into impactful delivery for youth workers and young people across both digital and physical platforms.

Network Development

• Build knowledge of the provision of support for young people in your geographical location to enable you to act as an effective relationship builder, networker and connector

• Actively engage individuals, organisations and specific networks that can support development of our delivery (e.g., employment networks, regional infrastructure organisations, Violence Reduction Networks)

• Facilitate Delivery and Grantee networks and collaboration spaces as per the requirements of our youth work provision and network offer

• Engage Delivery Partners and Grantees with our network offer and facilitate the embedding of our youth development content and workforce support tools

Experience We're After

• Experience in relationship and contract management

• Experience coordinating activities across several programmes and project simultaneously

• Expertise in facilitation and training particularly in youth development content

• Experience planning, delivering and hosting events

• Experience of operating effectively in a matrix management structure

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We have influence as a sector-supporting infrastructure body, a direct delivery partner and a campaigner for social change. As outlined in our 2025 #unlockingyouthwork strategy, we believe youth work is a catalyst for change that young people need now more than ever. We play a unique role in addressing; the lack of investment into the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding of how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions.

 We are building a movement of change; galvanising likeminded individuals, organisations, government, and businesses from all sectors, to work together and deliver system change for all young people. Together we will create a society that understands, champions, and delivers effective youth.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Monday 8th December 2025 at 09:00am

Provisional Interview Dates: W/C 15th December 2025

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Position: Learning Support Assistant

Ambitious About Autism is a national charity for autistic children and young people. We stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights, and create opportunities. We run specialist education services, an award-winning employment programme, and children and young people are at the heart of our charity's decision-making, policy work, and campaigning.

(Please note, this role may not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship) 

In this role, you will work on a 1:1 basis with our autistic learners. You will provide support to learners so that they can access the curriculum whilst also promoting their independence and self-esteem through community-led activities.

School: Ambitious College, Pears Campus, Capital City College Tottenham, N15 4FY
Contract Type: Full time, Permanent (Hours: 9am – 4.30pm)
Salary: £25,837 to £27,165 (based on experience)

About the School:
Ambitious College is an independent specialist day college dedicated to supporting autistic young people aged 16–25. Our educational approach focuses on the individual at all times. We offer a highly personalised curriculum and positively support our learners to acquire new skills and take part in everyday life. We are located within two mainstream further education college campuses: the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, and West Thames College, West London.

Through a range of partnerships with local businesses, community groups, and our mainstream college partners, we also offer opportunities to learn in the community. This combined approach – personalised education, positive support, and real work experience – delivers results. It allows our young people to achieve their goals, fulfil their potential, and go on to lead active lives in their community. Ambitious College's values define how we work and ensure that children and young people with autism are at the heart of all that we do.

As part of the Ambitious About Autism team, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Term-time only role (yet paid across 52 weeks)

• A competitive salary of up to £26,502 with an increase every September

• Free healthy breakfast available every day

• State-of-the-art autism-specific training including person-centred approaches, positive behaviour support, medical training, and understanding sensory needs

• Working with experts in the autism sector with 1:1 meetings and training provided

• Eye test vouchers, season ticket loans, and a cycle-to-work scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme to help you balance your work, family, and personal life

• Continuous professional development including access to coaching and mentoring as well as e-learning and online training courses

Start date: January 2026 

(Please note, the official job title for this role is a Specialist Teaching Assistant)

Ambitious About Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious About Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are as per the job description and person specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Canterbury Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

We are looking to recruit a dynamic and visionary individual to join Canterbury Cathedral as a Governance Officer. Providing strategic leadership of governance across the organisation, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, promoting best practice, and supporting the effective operation of the Board (Chapter) and it's committees.

As a Governance Officer, you will ensure that the organisation operates within the legal, regulatory, and best practice frameworks applicable to the charitable, religious organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative guidance and advice to Chapter, Committees, SLT and staff members on governance best practice and interpretation of governing documents.
• Act as Clerk to Chapter and our Senior Leadership Team, ensuring agendas are focused, meetings are compliant, and decision-making supports strategic objectives, taking responsibility for communicating these throughout the organisation.
• Lead the development and delivery of the organisations governance strategy, ensuring structures, policies and processes are effective, proportionate, and aligned to the strategic plan and community values.
• Review, develop and maintain governance policies and procedures (e.g. conflict of interest, whistleblowing, risk, delegation of authority), ensuring they are up to date and prepared for audits as required.
• Produce the Cathedrals Annual Governance Statement for approval by Chapter.
• Support recruitment, induction, and training of Chapter and Committee members, fostering an informed and engaged governance community. Oversee systems for board and committee effectiveness reviews including commissioning of external reviews where required.
• Maintain statutory and regulatory compliance: ensure filings with the Charity Commission, Companies House (if relevant), and other regulatory bodies are completed accurately and on time.
• Monitor developments in charity law, regulation, and governance best practices; ensure the organisations governance practices are aligned.
• Check reports for completeness and quality assurance in terms of content and format, and dispatch agenda in accordance with agreed deadlines.

What We're Looking For

• Good understanding of charity governance, legal and regulatory requirements (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House, relevant legislation).
• Experience in policy drafting and implementation.
• Knowledge of risk management practices.
• Some legal or compliance training or professional qualification.
• Understanding of the requirements of the Charity Commission.
• Ability to collate accurate and relevant performance data.
• Articulate with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Resilient and flexible.
• Ability to influence others to achieve required outcomes.

Please see the full job description and person specification for further details.

Interviews will be taking place on the 16th December 2025 in person at Canterbury Cathedral.

For your application to be considered, you will need to complete the attached application form.