Care service manager jobs

37 hours per week / £32,565 per annum / fixed-term until 31 March 2027 / working Monday - Thursday 9.00-1700, Friday 9.00-16.30.

At YMCA DownsLink Group,is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

YMCA  works to prevent and disrupt the sexual exploitation of children and young people aged 5-25 across East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and Surrey.

We are a specialist team of passionate, dedicated professionals who support each other to work in this challenging area.

We deliver trauma informed, consent-based work with young people, schools, statutory services and Sussex Police. The WiSE SOLAH ("safer online at home") project focuses on one-to-one interventions as well as group work, training for professionals and creation of resources to challenge the risk presented from the online space.

We have an exciting opportunity to join the WiSE team as a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Practitioner - SOLAH. We are looking for someone who is passionate about safeguarding children and young people, working creatively around promoting healthy relationships, online safety whilst creating safe spaces for children and young people to be heard.

You will provide early intervention support to children and young people 5-25 years who have been identified as being at risk of sexual or criminal exploitation.

Working primarily across Rye, Eastbourne, Robertsbridge and Hastings, you will support children and young people to stay safe online and within their communities by providing consultation, guidance and professional support to those working directly with individuals at risk of exploitation. As the role involves travel across East Sussex, you will ideally need access to a car and the ability to drive. Your work will include exploring key topics with young people such as risk, healthy and unhealthy relationships, sex and consent, negotiation and assertiveness, protective behaviours, personal boundaries, harmful sexual behaviours, gender identities, and concepts of masculinity.

Key responsibilities are:

• Manage a caseload of vulnerable young people and supporting them to stay safe and leave the influence of perpetrators
• Work with other professionals to deliver tailored care packages and provide consultation
•  Maintain accurate case records and contributing to timely reports
•  Liaise with Children’s Services, Sussex Police and other agencies to disrupt abuse and support prosecutions
• Deliver training and awareness-raising workshops to professionals and foster carers
• Contribute to strategic development and deputising at relevant meetings

This is a challenging role where children and young people do not always identify the level of risk they are exposed to or the abusive nature of the relationships they are in. The support of victims can be distressing and emotionally demanding for the workers, consequently 1-to-1 clinical supervision, weekly team meetings and regular line management supervision of cases and wellbeing.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we’re looking for.

Qualifications, experience and knowledge:

• Qualification in Youth Work/Social Work or equivalent, or comparable experience working with vulnerable young people
• Proven experience in safeguarding young children
• Experience providing casework support young people aged 10 to 25 years old
• Group work experience with young people
• Safeguarding children and young people at risk of serious harm
• Delivering and risk assessing outreach work with young people
• Knowledge of risks posed to vulnerable young people through sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviour

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 15 February 2026 at midnight. 

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

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

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

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

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity check.

All counselling delivered through The Matthew Hackney Foundation is provided in line with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (or equivalent professional standards).

The Matthew Hackney Foundation is a small, registered charity (Charity No. 1208669) dedicated to improving access to emotional and mental health support for children and young people who would not otherwise be able to access counselling.

We currently provide funded, school-based counselling across 23 Surrey schools and support approximately 45 children, young people and their caregivers each week. We are proud of the strong, trusting relationships we have built with the schools we work with, all of whom provide appropriate, private spaces for counselling sessions. Session days and times are arranged collaboratively, with flexibility for our counsellors wherever possible.

The Role

This role is particularly well suited to newly qualified counsellors or therapists looking to build confidence, experience and regular school-based hours within a highly supportive charity setting.

We are delighted to invite one or more fully qualified Counsellors to join our small, passionate team on a self-employed basis, initially for the Summer Term 2025.

You will provide a minimum of 3 hours of counselling per week in one school. There is flexibility to take on additional paid hours, up to 6 hours per day and up to 5 days per week, delivered across different schools, depending on availability and funding. Placements typically run for up to 11 weeks, aligned with individual school terms.

You will need access to your own transport, as travel between schools may be required.

Should funding continue, there may be opportunities to extend this work into the next academic year.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

· Deliver high-quality, safe and confidential 1:1 counselling to children and young people

· Undertake assessments and agree appropriate therapeutic interventions

· Manage and maintain a clinical caseload, including regular reviews

· Work using an integrative therapeutic approach

· Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date clinical records

· Engage in monthly clinical supervision with a suitably qualified supervisor experienced in working with children and young people (external supervision is acceptable and expected)

Working with Schools

· Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with pupils and school staff

· Work closely with the school’s designated contact and the Foundation’s Clinical Lead

· Embed the counselling service within the ethos of each school

· Work autonomously and proactively within the school environment

· Identify and discuss potential referrals appropriately

· Promote positive mental health and share good practice where appropriate

Safeguarding and Professional Practice

· Demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding and child protection

· Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and follow reporting procedures

· Work in line with KCSIE, statutory guidance and the Foundation’s safeguarding policies

· Maintain high standards of professionalism, conduct, punctuality and communication

· Promote the values, reputation and policies of The Matthew Hackney Foundation

Person Specification

We warmly welcome applications from newly qualified counsellors and therapists, as well as those with more established practice.

Essential Criteria

· A recognised post-graduate qualification in Counselling, Psychotherapy, or Psychology

· BACP Accreditation, UKCP or BPC registration (or working towards), or equivalent

· Experience of working therapeutically with children and/or young people or relevant transferable experience and a clear interest in developing this specialism

· A sound understanding of child development and the emotional, social and educational needs of children and young people

· A clear understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities

· Commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice

· Ability to work independently while recognising when to seek support

Desirable Criteria

· Experience of working within a school setting

· Additional training in child and adolescent therapeutic approaches

· Knowledge of local CAMHS and mental health services

Personal Attributes

· A genuine passion for supporting the mental wellbeing of children and young people

· Emotionally resilient, reflective and self-aware

· Friendly, approachable and professional

· Proactive, organised and reliable

· Creative and flexible in approach

What Support Will I Get?

We recognise that working in schools — particularly as a newly qualified counsellor — can feel both exciting and daunting. We are committed to providing a supportive, containing and ethical environment in which you can develop your practice.

You can expect: - A named Clinical Lead for guidance, consultation and professional support - Clear safeguarding procedures and support with decision-making - Well-established relationships with schools, reducing administrative burden - Flexibility around days and times where possible - Opportunities to gradually increase hours as your confidence and availability grow - A values-led organisation that prioritises ethical practice, reflection and care for practitioners

Additional Information

Employment Status

• This role can be offered on either a self-employed or employed basis
• Self-employed counsellors are responsible for their own tax, National Insurance, supervision and professional insurance
• Employed counsellors will receive statutory holiday pay and employer National Insurance contributions; the employed hourly rate has been calculated to reflect this difference
• You must be able to commit to a minimum of one half-day per week (term time only) for at least one school term (ideal for newly qualified counsellors building a portfolio of experience)
• You will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS check, provide evidence of safeguarding training, and supply three professional references
• Counsellors may also have the opportunity to be listed on our website for self-referrals and to receive referrals for part-funded work

If you share our values and are passionate about making a meaningful difference to children and young people’s mental health, we would love to hear from you.

UK: This role can be based in any of our UK offices, please see our locations here: Active Countries - Christian Aid

You will be required to attend the office for a minimum of 2 days per week with the option to work remotely for the remaining 3 days.

About us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.

We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. And no, you don't have to be Christian to work here - we encourage people of all faiths and none to apply. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love. We value a good work-life balance, so we're open to part-time and flexible working. We also offer hybrid working for our office-based colleagues and the option of being a homeworker for most of our roles too.

Learn about our vision, mission and values

About the role

The Campaigns Officer is a fast-paced and exciting role. It leads and contributes to a variety of projects to deliver our campaigns, equip and inspire our core audience to get involved in activism, and build power in the movements for justice of which Christian Aid is part

The postholder will help develop a range of strategies, tactics and activities to help deliver our campaigning work. They will create resources and marketing content, develop and lead workshops and much, much more.

The role reports to the Campaigns Advisor and works closely with colleagues across our Income and Public Engagement team to engage Christians to give, act, pray in support of Christian Aid. The role will also work closely with our UK influencing team to ensure our actions and tactics contribute to making impact.

About you

You will be passionate about tackling poverty, making change happen and building the agency of others to campaign.

You will be comfortable taking on responsibility for delivering projects and outputs within agreed parameters and able to scope and shape projects as required - as such you will have proven project management skills and ability to work unsupervised, under pressure and juggling multiple priorities simultaneously.

You will have knowledge and experience of winning campaigns, mobilising a wide range of people and applying different campaign methodologies

You will have a good understanding of UK churches in their diversity.

A full list 'person specification' is included in the job profile.

Further information

At Christian Aid we strive to be an inclusive and diverse employer and recognise the value that this brings in helping to build strong, creative and high performing teams.

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams.

We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with Christian Aid's faith identity.

All successful candidates will require a DBS/police check appropriate to the role and location and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. We also participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information as part of the referencing process from job applicants' previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This role requires applicants to have the right to live and work in the country where this position is based and undertake the role that you have been offered. If you are successful and we make you an offer for the role, we will be required to conduct a right to work check on your immigration status in the UK. We will contact you regarding the documentation you will need to provide to evidence this.

You can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, please refer to the benefits booklet for your location to see our full list of employee benefits.

For Salary details for this role, please refer to the Salary band by location.