Befriending coordinator jobs
About HIAS+JCORE
HIAS+JCORE is the UK Jewish voice on refugees and racial justice. Our work is driven by the belief that the Jewish community should play an active part in building a society in which Refugees are able to live in dignity where the UK is a welcoming place free from racism.
Our organisation came into this form through the joining of operations between two organisations: the UK-based JCORE (Jewish Council for Racial Equality) and HIAS, a global humanitarian aid and advocacy organisation. HIAS+JCORE is inspired by Jewish values and history to support those who are displaced, no matter their background.
JUMP is a London-based befriending project for young asylum seekers and refugees who have been separated from their families. The three primary ways in which JUMP supports young people are casework, community, and
befriending.
About the role
We are looking for a self-starting team member who will help coordinate this valuable project in London. You’ll be responsible for the befriending pairs and undertake tasks such as develop and maintain relationships with partner organisations, manage referrals for young people, recruit volunteer befrienders, and setting-up and sustaining pairs. This includes leading an initial training day.
Contact with befrienders is through monthly reporting, and bi-annual supervision (initially after three months for new befrienders); alongside ad-hoc communication on safeguarding or other urgent matters. Contact with young people is more regular and varies depending on their casework support needs.
Community events take place every three months and offer a space for all young people and volunteers to come together and celebrate the work they are doing on JUMP. You will need to attend these events, which can take place on the
weekend, and liaise with your cohort of befriending pairs to ensure everyone has the correct information.
JUMP also has Hardship Fund (HSF) available to young people who need financial support with travel, clothing, food vouchers, and phone contracts. We also have a small budget for miscellaneous payments, which in the past has included paying for emergency accommodation for young people facing homelessness.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Supporting the running of our JUMP project in London, and overseeing and supporting up to 15 pairs, by:
Supporting young people and the JUMP Community
· Managing a caseload of young people;
· Offering casework support (e.g., related to housing, education; day-to-day needs; arranging legal intervention etc.);
· Where necessary arranging and attending appointments with the young person (GP, Home Office, Job Centre, and Legal appointments);
· Signposting young people to available support and intervening where necessary.
· Assisting in the planning and organising of group trips and events every 2- 3 months;
· Conducting initial assessments with young people to understand their needs, and once paired with a volunteer, hosting befriending initial meetings;
· Facilitating Hardship Fund payments to young people, including applications and approvals.
Supervising and supporting volunteers
· Organising and delivering JUMP core training to new and existing befrienders;
· Recruiting, interviewing and onboarding new befrienders;
· Supporting befriending volunteers through regular supervisions, meetings, emails and phone calls;
· Responding to applications from new volunteers and actively recruiting volunteers as required;
· Ensuring that volunteers uphold JUMP’s policies and boundaries for
befriending;
· Responding promptly to safeguarding concerns raised by volunteers.
Publicising JUMP, and engaging with key stakeholders
· Publicising the project to existing and potential referral agencies working with young asylum seekers and refugees who have been separated from their families;
· Establishing and maintaining excellent close working relationships with referral organisations;
· Representing HIAS+JCORE and JUMP in the refugee sector as required, for example at the Refugee and Migrant Forum meetings..
Project monitoring, evaluation and record keeping
· Working with experts and the Frontline Support Manager on supporting the project and its evaluation;
· Keeping accurate records in the JUMP database, including for safeguarding and impact evaluation purposes.
Other Duties
· Ensuring that JUMP informs our campaigns, communications and education work. As the project develops, there will be opportunities for the post- holder to contribute to and support these areas of our work;
· Undertaking any other related tasks as required.
ABOUT YOU
· Ability to support, develop rapport and trust with, and motivate both young people and volunteers from a range of backgrounds and ages in challenging circumstances, including the ability to facilitate and engage in cross cultural communication;
· Knowledge of issues facing separated asylum seeking and refugee children and young people, and the rights and entitlements of ‘Looked After’ children and young people;
· Understanding of the current context surrounding immigration, asylum and welfare issues facing children and young people in the UK today;
· Understanding of Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding, and ability to communicate this to volunteers;
· Understanding of youth work principles and methods, including the benefits and challenges of befriending and other participatory methods;
· Ability to network in the refugee sector and develop strong working relationships;
· Ability to work independently and to self-motivate;
· Commitment to HIAS+JCORE values, social justice and antiracism;
· The ability to communicate in languages other than English, in particular Arabic, Spanish and French (desirable).
Necessary Experience
· A track record of working directly with asylum seeking and refugee children and young people;
· Experience of social work, youth work, or other relevant methods of supporting people in challenging circumstances;
· Experience of training, coordinating and supporting volunteers;
· Experience of juggling commitments and responding to relevant stressful situations.
Desirable Experience
· Educated to at least undergraduate degree level, or equivalent background or experience;
· Working knowledge of Local Authorities’ responsibilities for Looked After
Children and Care Leavers;
· Experience of project management including administration, monitoring, evaluation and report writing.
Applicants must be UK based either in London or be willing to relocate. We are only able to consider applicants who have the right to work in the UK. HIAS+JCORE is unable to sponsor working visas to the UK.
We particularly encourage applicants from people with lived experience of the asylum system.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
We work for a UK where refugees and people seeking asylum have a fair chance to thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Bright Futures UK
Bright Futures UK supports children and young people aged 5 to 24 whose education has been disrupted due to serious long-term physical or mental health conditions. We offer online one-to-one tutoring, befriending, and mentoring programmes, as well as group activities including hospital workshops, industry events, and advocacy initiatives. Working with hospitals, families, and partner services, we make sure children and young people experiencing health-related challenges are not left behind.
Role Overview
Provide an adaptable programme and volunteer support across referral intake, onboarding, delivery, safeguarding, and impact. The postholder will be placed on a primary track that suits their strengths and the organisation’s needs, while contributing to core team tasks.
Key Responsibilities
- Move children and young people or volunteers smoothly through referral or onboarding steps and keep them informed at every stage.
- Maintain clear, accurate records in our CRM and task systems, meeting GDPR and safeguarding standards.
- Coordinate logistics such as calls, meetings, sessions, and training, including invitations, reminders, and attendance records.
- Complete required paperwork and checks.
- Build positive relationships with families, hospitals, schools, partners, and volunteers through timely, friendly communication.
- Monitor progress against timelines, identify bottlenecks or risks early, and work with colleagues to resolve them.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns promptly in line with policy and contribute to safe, trauma-informed practice.
- Prepare and share resources and updates, and support basic reporting by tracking outputs, outcomes, and feedback.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Demonstrated ability to hold sensitive conversations in a trauma-informed, empathetic and professional way
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
- High level of organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records
- Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality and ethical practice
- Proficiency in using digital systems and confidence in learning new tools (e.g. Better Impact, Asana, Canva)
Desirable:
- Experience working with or supporting children and young people with complex needs, including health, SEND or mental health challenges
- Experience working in a charity, school, hospital or youth work setting
- Understanding of trauma-informed approaches and inclusive practice
- Experience supporting or supervising team members
- Mental Health First Aid
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job Title: Independent Visitor Co-ordinator
Service: Coventry & Warwickshire
Reporting to: Senior Independent Visitor Co-ordinator
Salary: £8,329.21 per annum (£24,293.53 FTE)
Location: Home based with travel across the region (Coventry & Warwickshire)
Hours: 12 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Introduction
- Are you passionate about supporting and developing volunteers?
- Are you looking for an opportunity to help make positive differences to the lives of children and young people who are looked after or care leavers of the local authority?
- Do you want to work with a leading national independent children’s charity?
Then come join us here at Coram Voice. We have an exciting opportunity for you to become a co-ordinator of our independent visiting service in Coventry & Warwickshire.
We are seeking candidates who are committed to our objectives for children and young people and equally committed to the organisation and the development of our services. We recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and young people we help.
Our work
Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.
Coram Voice is a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children. We get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them and work to improve the lives of children in care, care leavers and others who depend upon the help of the state.
We provide:
- Advocacy services direct to children and young people in care, in need, in custody and to care leavers and children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives. This may be through the telephone helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to advocate for young people as qualifying patients under the Mental Health Act, in order to fully support them to get their views heard in matters relating to their mental health.
- Independent Visitor services offers a child or young person in care an adult volunteer who provides independent, one-to-one visiting, advice and befriending support. Our independent visitors can become the only long-term, consistent source of support throughout a young person's time in care.
- Independent services provide independent person services for complaints by children and for reviewing whether children should be locked up in secure units on welfare grounds.
- Policy and campaigning to create a better system for all children and young people looked after by the state, for their care to be more child-centred and to give young people a greater say in decisions about their lives.
- Participation services to ensure children and young people have a voice in the development and delivery of services and campaigns, and through the process, provide the opportunity to develop relevant skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.
- Training, development and information for young people, advocates and child care workers, offering courses in advocacy, children’s rights and child-centred practice across a range of areas including the National Advocacy Qualification.
About the Role
You will co-ordinate and deliver a statutory independent visitor service to children and young people in care or care leavers of Coventry & Warwickshire.
You will recruit, assess and train volunteers to become independent visitors, who are volunteer befrienders to children and young people looked after or care leavers. You will manage a cash flow to fund suitable activities for independent visitors to enjoy with the young person. You will manage data and reporting for this statutory service so that service leads and other stakeholders can understand the activity in the service.
We are a child led service, you will not act outside of the young person’s instructions (except in matters of child protection and safety.)You will build strong relationships with the child or young person, independent visitors and other significant adults, you will support Independent Visitors to develop long term, meaningful friendships with the young person.
You will work in partnership with other parts of the service, organisation and external agencies and professionals. This is to ensure there are pathways to attract and retain Independent Visitors in the area and sometimes out of area.
What you will receive
We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of up to 25 days’ annual leave plus an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and New Year. A supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies, which promote employee wellbeing.
You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.
Recruitment process
Shortlisting will be undertaken by Leanne Hughes, Children’s Rights Manager and Debbie King, Senior Independent Visitor Co-ordinator. Successful candidates will then be invited for interview. The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview. Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.
Returning your application:
- We cannot accept general CVs. When completing your application form, you need to address each point of the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.
- Applications must be fully completed.
- If you are a current Coram Voice employee you may submit a supporting statement only addressing the person specification requirements for the post.
Please return your application to: via Blue Octopus.
Closing Date: 10th December 11:59.
Proposed Interview Date: 18th December.
Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.
If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.
We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Registered Charity No. 312278.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We are a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children and get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them.
Thank you!
Job Title: Independent Visitor Co-ordinator
Service: Manchester and Stockport
Reporting to: Children’s Rights Manager
Salary: £24,293.53 per annum
Location: Home based (with travel across Manchester and Stockport)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Introduction
- Are you passionate about supporting and developing volunteers?
- Are you looking for an opportunity to help make positive differences to the lives of children and young people who are looked after or care leavers of the local authority?
- Do you want to work with a leading national independent children’s charity?
Then come join us here at Coram Voice. We have an exciting opportunity for you to become a co-ordinator of our independent visiting service in Manchester and Stockport.
We are seeking candidates who are committed to our objectives for children and young people and equally committed to the organisation and the development of our services. We recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and young people we help.
Our work
Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.
Coram Voice is a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children. We get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them and work to improve the lives of children in care, care leavers and others who depend upon the help of the state.
We provide:
- Advocacy services direct to children and young people in care, in need, in custody and to care leavers and children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives. This may be through the telephone helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to advocate for young people as qualifying patients under the Mental Health Act, in order to fully support them to get their views heard in matters relating to their mental health.
- Independent Visitor services offers a child or young person in care an adult volunteer who provides independent, one-to-one visiting, advice and befriending support. Our independent visitors can become the only long-term, consistent source of support throughout a young person's time in care.
- Independent services provide independent person services for complaints by children and for reviewing whether children should be locked up in secure units on welfare grounds.
- Policy and campaigning to create a better system for all children and young people looked after by the state, for their care to be more child-centred and to give young people a greater say in decisions about their lives.
- Participation services to ensure children and young people have a voice in the development and delivery of services and campaigns, and through the process, provide the opportunity to develop relevant skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.
- Training, development and information for young people, advocates and child care workers, offering courses in advocacy, children’s rights and child-centred practice across a range of areas including the National Advocacy Qualification.
About the Role
You will co-ordinate and deliver a statutory independent visitor service to children and young people in care or care leavers of Manchester and Stockport.
You will recruit, assess and train volunteers to become independent visitors, who are volunteer befrienders to children and young people looked after or care leavers. You will manage a cash flow to fund suitable activities for independent visitors to enjoy with the young person. You will manage data and reporting for this statutory service so that service leads and other stakeholders can understand the activity in the service.
We are a child led service, you will not act outside of the young person’s instructions (except in matters of child protection and safety.)You will build strong relationships with the child or young person, independent visitors and other significant adults, you will support Independent Visitors to develop long term, meaningful friendships with the young person.
You will work in partnership with other parts of the service, organisation and external agencies and professionals. This is to ensure there are pathways to attract and retain Independent Visitors in the area and sometimes out of area.
What you will receive
We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of up to 25 days’ annual leave plus an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and New Year. A supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies, which promote employee wellbeing.
You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.
Recruitment process
Shortlisting will be undertaken by Emma Keen, Children’s Rights Manager and Martine McFadden, Children’s Rights Manager. Successful candidates will then be invited for interview. The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview. Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.
Returning your application:
- We cannot accept general CVs. When completing your application form, you need to address each point of the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.
- Applications must be fully completed.
- If you are a current Coram Voice employee you may submit a supporting statement only addressing the person specification requirements for the post.
Closing date: Monday 8th December 2025 at 9am
Interview date: Thursday 18th December 2025
Please return your application to: Human Resources via Blue Octopus.
Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.
If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.
We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Registered Charity No. 312278.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We are a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children and get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
.png)
COMMUNITY HUB LEADER
Oasis Hobmoor, Wash Lane, B25 8FD
Full-time (40 hours per week, 1 FTE)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £35,570 per annum
Opportunity
Oasis is looking for a Community Hub Leader who can combine an entrepreneurial flair and excellent leadership skills to lead Oasis Hub Hobmoor through the next phase of its growth.
We are seeking an experienced Community Hub Leader who will bring fresh vision, take the community on the next stage of its journey together as a movement and bring innovation as well as stability to the charity, which has become an anchor, and a place called home for the local community.
The post holder will lead the local charity – which over the last 8 years has grown considerably, in terms of staffing, income and projects (including food pantry and café, football training and teams, a wide range of adult education, advice and support, an array of community classes and holiday provision).
About us
Oasis Hub Hobmoor is a local charity situated in South Yardley, Birmingham, at the meeting point of three wards: Tyseley and Hay Mills, South Yardley, and Yardley West and Stetchford.
Our aim is to help create a local community where people of all ages and stages feel included, know they can contribute, and realise a deep sense of belonging. We are actively engaged in creating a community that is characterised by trust, safety, and opportunity.
Key responsibilities
This is a key role as you will be responsible for strategic oversight of the local charity, ensuring the youth and community work supports the work of the academy, working alongside other local Oasis leaders such as the Academy Principal, volunteers and members of the local community to develop a joined up local vision for the community.
Some of the specific duties of this role include:
· Establishment and coordination of a range of provision such as family support, holiday clubs, volunteering and community empowerment projects.
· Maintaining and building supportive working partnerships across the community and various groups.
· Leading strategic development (e.g. comms, income generation, MEL).
· Planning, resourcing and coordinating the community plan, measuring impact.
· Strengthening the local Oasis Movement.
About you
This is very much a relational and project management role. As such, the successful applicant will need to demonstrate:
· A strategic mindset, and experience of leading community delivery and growing projects.
· Innovative use of resources and budget management to maximise funding, with a track record of securing income.
· A thorough knowledge and understanding community work.
· An education to degree level or equivalent and /or relevant professional qualification.
This is a unique opportunity for a self-reliant and results-focused individual, who is looking to make a difference in this complex and high-profile field of work.
What we offer
· Flexible working practices which encourage innovation and fresh ideas.
· A supportive network and friendly team in a motivating working environment.
· A non-contributory defined benefit pension scheme with 7% employer contributions.
· 25 days holiday per year (plus Bank Holidays), rising to 30 days after 2 years of service.
· Employee wellbeing schemes such as Cycle to Work and an employee funded health cash plan.
Application process
For full details please go the Oasis UK charity website.
Closing date for completed applications is 9am Monday December 8th 2025. Stage 1 interviews will be held on either 10th or 11th December via Teams and the final stage will take place on Wednesday 17th December in person at Hobmoor.
Please send us your CV and cover letter.
To arrange a visit or an informal conversation about the role, please visit the Oasis Charity Jobs website.
We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.
The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
Oasis supports Equal Opportunities. Registered Charity No. 1163889
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.