Child support officer jobs

Does every child have the right to "sparkle"? We think so.

At Thriving Through Recreation, we believe that equitable access to hobbies, sports, and the arts is a fundamental part of growing up. We work with children and young people navigating social, emotional, or educational difficulties, helping them find and fund the activities they love in their own communities.

We are looking for a proactive, empathetic, and highly organised Activities Support Co-Ordinator to join our team.

The Role

Working directly with our CEO, you will be the engine room of our Activities Support Programme. This is a primarily remote role, but because our heart is in the community, you must be based in Cambridgeshire to facilitate local connections and occasional travel within the county.

Your day-to-day will involve:

• Connecting: Triage and assess applications, building relationships with families and referring professionals to understand a child’s unique needs.
• Vetting: Conducting risk assessments and due diligence to ensure every activity provider we partner with meets our gold-standard safeguarding requirements.
• Facilitating: Managing the "matchmaking" process—finding the right club, negotiating payments, and tracking the budget.
• Evidencing: Collecting the stories and data that prove our impact, helping us grow and reach more young people.

Who You Are

You are someone who balances a big heart with a sharp eye for detail. You understand that "equity" means doing whatever it takes to level the playing field.

• Experienced: You have a background in social work, youth work, teaching, or a related field. You’ve worked with families facing disadvantage, and you know how to navigate complex family difficulties.
• Qualified: A degree or certification in Social Work, Youth Work, Education or a related field.
• Safeguarding Savvy: A deep understanding of safeguarding principles and child protection procedures.
• Independent: You’re comfortable leading frontline operations autonomously and can manage a budget with precision.
• A Multitasker: Ability to manage a budget, family case load and calendar without breaking a sweat.
• A Great Communicator: Whether you’re on a video call chatting with a parent and child about finger painting or liaising with a local activity provider, you can adjust your style to build rapport instantly.
• Local Knowledge: As a resident of Cambridgeshire, you’ll use your local insight to help expand our reach across the county.

Why Join Us?

• Be a Pioneer: You’ll be instrumental in shaping the future of a rapidly growing charity.
• Impact-Focused: You will see the direct results of your work as children gain confidence and thrive through recreational learning.
• Flexible & Inclusive: We offer remote working and value your unique journey. We encourage applications that evidence these requirements through paid or unpaid roles, as well as personal and professional experience.

Thriving Through Recreation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All short-listed applicants will need to submit a Safeguarding Self-Declaration Form, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

The role 

The Innovation team at Leadership Skills Foundation is responsible for the design and evaluation of learning programmes that give young people life‑changing skill development and leadership opportunities. As Innovation Officer you will provide support to our Innovation Leads across learning development, visual design, and research activities. 

This role is ideal for a creative all-rounder. You don’t need to be an expert in all areas on day one. We are looking for a proactive problem solver who can grow into the role and is energised by the idea of wearing multiple hats to help young people succeed. 

You will directly support a broad range of projects including: 

• Our strategic partnership with Sport England to positively impact a wider diversity of young people through sports leadership opportunities.

• The development of our new youth voice initiative to empower young people to lead positive change. 

• The expansion of our Environment Leaders Programme to raise awareness and equip young people with green skills for their future employment.

What you’ll do 

Learning development 

• Work collaboratively to help create and test new learning programmes, and continuously improve our range of Awards and Qualifications based on research findings e.g. from our Sport England Programme. 

• Support the creation, editing and quality-checking of course content and materials, such as Learner Evidence Records and tutor guidance documents. 

• Support digital learning activity, including content creation, managing online platforms and testing user experience.

Visual design and content 

• Create engaging visual designs for use in course materials and impact reporting, ensuring designs are always accessible and on brand. 

• Manage our library of learning resources, ensuring designs are reviewed regularly and improved based on feedback and research findings e.g. from our Sport England Programme.

Research and evaluation 

• Play a supporting role organising and conducting research interviews, observations, surveys and focus groups.

• Assist with data collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative insights.

• Support the preparation of engaging impact reports and insight summaries.

What you’ll love 

Remote working with flexible / agile working, with some travel to in-person meetings. 

A small, friendly team committed to making a difference for young people.

Summer and winter team events. 

Optional Vitality Health Care Plan, with option to add family/significant others at reduced rate ((following successful completion of probation period). 

*** Please review the job pack for the full person specification and further information. This is a full-time, two‑year fixed‑term contract, with the ambition to extend subject to funding. *** 

Youth Outreach Practitioner – Glasgow  

Salary: Up to £32k 

Hours: Full time 

Location: Glasgow  

Contract: Permanent  

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU? 

Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets.

Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. 

Founded in 1996, Railway Children has dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for street connected children. With projects in the UK, India and Tanzania, we aim to reach these children as soon as they are in danger and intervene before an abuser can.  As we embark on our new strategy to 2030, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work. 

The role 
We are looking for a Youth Outreach Practitioner for our Glasgow team and are keen to receive applications from those living in and around the City of Glasgow.  You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s programme in the UK, in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP).  

As a Youth Outreach Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in keeping children safe from harm by engaging in patrols to identify and safeguard young people (aged 10-17) at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown.  

You will also work closely with our Youth Practitioner, supporting a number of young people who have been identified or referred for 1-1 direct support.

Both aspects of the role will involve working directly with young people and their families to reduce risks, as well as building strong relationships other social care, Police, third sector agencies and local services in the area.  

Your base would be near to Glasgow Central Station with regular travel between the station and working in the boroughs of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Renfrewshire. This role involves some evenings and weekend hours.   

About you 

You will have experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people and families as well as working in an outreach or similar setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.   

A relevant qualification in an appropriate discipline in working with children and families, community or youth work or equivalent experience is desirable. Alongside this relevant training in safeguarding and/or issues relevant to vulnerable young people and families is essential.

You will need to have experience of providing front line support to safeguard some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK.

Experience of developing productive relationships/partnerships with a variety of organisations such as 3rd sector group, local services and statutory services such a social care to support the needs of vulnerable young people and families is a must.

A full person specification can be found in the job pack.  

For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience. 

Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed. 

Closing Date: Sunday 10th May at 5pm 

1st interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 21st May 2026

2nd interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 

Youth Outreach Practitioner – South Yorkshire  

Salary: Up to £32k 

Hours: Full time 

Location: Sheffield or Doncaster

Contract: Permanent 

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU? 

Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets.

Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. 

Founded in 1996, Railway Children has dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for street connected children. With projects in the UK, India and Tanzania, we aim to reach these children as soon as they are in danger and intervene before an abuser can.  As we embark on our new strategy to 2030, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work. 

The role 
We are looking for a Youth Outreach Practitioner for our South Yorkshire team and are keen to receive applications from those living in and around Sheffield or Doncaster.  You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s programme in the UK, in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP).  

As a Youth Outreach Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in keeping children safe from harm by engaging in patrols to identify and safeguard young people (aged 10-17) at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown.  

You will also work closely with our Youth Practitioner, supporting a number of young people who have been identified or referred for 1-1 direct support.

Both aspects of the role will involve working directly with young people and their families to reduce risks, as well as building strong relationships other social care, Police, third sector agencies and local services in the area.  

Your base would be at Sheffield or Doncaster Railway Station with regular travel between these stations plus Barnsley and Rotherham stations and working across these boroughs. This role does involve working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.   

 About you 

You will have experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people and families as well as working in an outreach or similar setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.    

A relevant qualification in an appropriate discipline in working with children and families, community or youth work or equivalent experience is desirable. Alongside this relevant training in safeguarding and/or issues relevant to vulnerable young people and families is essential.    

You will need to have experience of providing front line support to safeguard some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK.   

Experience of developing productive relationships/partnerships with a variety of organisations such as 3rd sector group, local services and statutory services such a social care to support the needs of vulnerable young people and families is a must.   

A full person specification can be found in the job pack.  

For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience. 

Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed. 

Closing Date: Sunday 10th May at 5pm 
 
1st interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 20th May 2026 
2nd interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research & Participation Programme Officer
Contract: Fixed-term, 24-months
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £34,408 per annum
Location: Northern Ireland. (NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the Belfast BT15 office).

The Vacancy

This role will work across NCB’s Research and Participation teams, ensuring children and young people’s voices and lived experiences are embedded in the organisation’s evidence generation and implementation work.

Working across these high-performing teams, this role brings together research skills involving designing and undertaking primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, combined with strong youth participation practice that supports seldom heard children and young people to be part of influencing systems change.

The successful candidate will work with senior colleagues in the Research and Participation teams to deliver a range of projects and programmes on topics including social care and the transition to adulthood; education; mental health & wellbeing; child poverty; youth violence and early years.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 8:00am on Wednesday 27th May 2026.
Assessment and interviews to be conducted on 4th and 5th June 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

N.B. Unlike other new roles posted during our period of organisation change, this role will be advertised both external and internally from the outset, rather than internal only for 1-2 weeks. This is due to the requirements of the funder and grant conditions. If you have any questions on this, you will be able to contact the NCB People Team.

No agencies please.

Shine supports a community of over 15,000 members living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, including 5,000 children and young people (0–25).

You will be delivering high-quality support and creating opportunities for children and young people living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their families/carers. Supporting Shine members to lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives by improving condition management and fostering connections within the Shine community. 

This role will focus on children and young people (0–25), you will be primarily working within the Children, Young People and Families team. However, there will be occasions when you will work across age groups to ensure the best outcomes for our members. 

The role is home-based but you will be required to attend regular clinics in London including GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital). Other travel across Southern England including Bristol, Devon and Hampshire may be required. There will be occasional travel required across wider areas and nationally including attendance at events, conferences and meetings at our head office in Peterborough. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027 

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)   

• 3% pension contribution 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year 

• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’ 

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

• Broadband allowance for home-based roles 

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment   

• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders  

• Support to learn and develop  

How to apply  

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.  

If you would like to discuss the role please email Gill Valentine, Deputy CEO, to arrange a convenient time for a call.  

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria.

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application, but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications.  

Closing date:  Monday 17th May 2026 at 11pm  

Interviews:  Tuesday 26th May 2026  (Virtual) 

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.  

Please see full details on the Job Description and Person Specification document below and on our website.

Do you have experience in supporting vulnerable adults and empowering them to move forward with their journey?

Walking With the Wounded (WWTW) supports those who have served in the British Armed Forces and their families, specialising in developing pathways to independence.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Veterans Liaison and Officer (VLSO) to join a team providing support to ex-armed forces personnel.  You will be home-based, with a caseload spread across Hertfordshire and occasionally adjoining counties.

We are looking for a dedicated individual who will empower ex-service personnel to regain their independence after a period of Mental Health (MH) Crisis, supporting them to thrive and contribute to our communities.  This role will join a team of existing VLSOs across the  East of England as part of a wider collaborative team within NHS England’s Op Courage - the Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing service, and will work with other service charities and local support services. You will be home based with daily travel around your local region to support your clients and build relationships in the community, whilst working as part of the wider regional WWTW and NHS clinical teams.

We are looking for a highly motivated self-starter with prior experience of working with vulnerable adults; an individual who can work independently to set priorities that accurately reflect the client’s needs.  Your role will be to work with clients in the community (or their homes), facilitating intense support and analysing individual needs to create a support plan that will break down barriers to a successful stabilisation, whilst navigating their mental health pathway.

In return, we will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop your skills and career as a Veterans Liaison and Support Officer in a supportive, inclusive environment. In this role, no two days are the same and every day will bring new challenges. Internal training will be provided, and we encourage our staff to develop their own personal and professional skills. 

For an informal discussion please contact Anne Germany 07935-065716.

We are looking for 2 motivated & empathetic individuals to join the team at Victim Support based at Compass House, Ashford as Initial Support Agents (known internally as Triage & Early Intervention Officers). These positions are offered on a permanent basis.

Are you looking for a new challenge that will be rewarding and make a real difference to people's lives? Do you enjoy talking to people, providing empathy & support, and helping to find solutions to problems?

If this sound like you, then we'd love to hear from you...

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the role:

You will be talking to people on the telephone from a variety of different backgrounds, all with different experiences. No two days are the same & you will need to use your communication skills and resilient nature to help those dealing with trauma and the effects of crime, who may have gone through a life-changing experience. Previous experience is not required as you will receive robust training prior to working directly with clients. You will also receive ongoing support to ensure that you can provide victims with quick responses to meet their needs and help them cope and recover.

These roles are based in our Victim Care Unit in Ashford. You will be working shifts Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm or 12pm and 8pm. Shifts are designated on a rota basis and scheduled well in advance so you can plan ahead. You will be working within a supportive team that is part of a large independent charity which offers the opportunity to develop skills to enhance your ongoing personal development.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Barnardo's is seeking an empathetic and child led individual who can work within a dynamic and fast-paced environment using their strong organisational, communication and time management skills to support children in the secure estate.

This part-time position (Independent Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker – Project Worker 2) is based within HMYOI Parc, which accommodates children aged between 15-18 years, who are in custody, either sentenced or on remand.  Barnardo's refers to Young Offender Institutions (YOI) and Secure Training Centres (STC) as the ‘Secure Estate'.

Barnardo's is commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to provide an Independent Children's Rights and Advocacy (ICRAS) Service to children accommodated in a secure setting. The service is known to children as Barnardo's: Your Rights, Your Voice, and currently works within  four Young Offender Institutes and  one Secure Training Centre. The ICRAS service is child led and independent of the secure estate; our service is delivered within HMYOI Parc to ensure children can freely access support for a range of issues linked to their needs, rights & experiences of custody, resettlement, and safeguarding.  As such this is a child-facing service, and at times involves lone working in the establishments, so we are seeking someone who can see the child, not the offence.

We hold ‘voice' at the heart of all we do, therefore we feel the role is best described by someone who is currently working in this sector: “The role is an Independent Children's Rights and Advocacy role, which means it is our job to empower the children we work with and help them to understand that what they think, what they feel and what they want, really matters. We can speak on behalf of children to ensure their voice is heard and we also have the opportunity to help them to find the tools and confidence to raise their voices for themselves.  Advocacy and Children's Rights support is particularly crucial in the secure estate because children are away from home, family and natural advocates, and also because children in secure estate are some of the most vulnerable children in society; they have often faced considerable adversity, disadvantage and discrimination prior to arriving into custody and they might not, therefore, be equipped with the skills needed to articulate their concerns. Through the work you do with a child such as  simply helping them make contact with friends or family on the outside, to helping them with concerns they may have in relation todiscrimination, resettlement or safeguarding issues, you  may be the one person telling them that  they matter for the very first time.”

The position (Independent Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker – Project Worker 2) is line managed by a Team Manager, reporting to an off-site manager. The post holder will need to be able to work autonomously, working to the requirements of the contract and the regime of the YOI. The secure estate is a highly structured environment; as a Barnardo's service we deliver independent advocacy and support for a range of issues, whilst still having to follow and adhere to this structure.

This role includes lone working in this challenging secure environment. It is, therefore, critical that the successful candidate can follow guidance and policy and is able to take proactive and individual responsibility to understand and access the service support mechanisms.  This role requires the worker to be onsite for their contracted hours, working remotely only for occasional training or meetings. The advocacy team work on a rota system with set hours each week, which includes weekends and bank holidays. Applicants should also be aware, that due to the nature of working within secure estate, the vetting and induction process can take several months to complete.

When completing your application please refer to your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the Additional Information, Person Specification and Job Description document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described, including advocacy and safeguarding.  

This is a part-time vacancy with 18.5 hours available per week.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Barnardo's is seeking an empathetic and child led individual who can work within a dynamic and fast-paced environment using their strong organisational, communication and time management skills to support children in the secure estate.

This part-time position (Independent Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker – Project Worker 2) is based within HMYOI Werrington, which accommodates children aged between 15-18 years, who are in custody, either sentenced or on remand.  Barnardo's refers to Young Offender Institutions (YOI) and Secure Training Centres (STC) as the ‘Secure Estate'.

Barnardo's is commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to provide an Independent Children's Rights and Advocacy (ICRAS) Service to children accommodated in a secure setting. The service is known to children as Barnardo's: Your Rights, Your Voice, and currently works within  four Young Offender Institutes,  one Secure Training Centre.  The ICRAS service is child led and independent of the secure estate; our service is delivered within HMYOI Werrington to ensure children can freely access support for a range of issues linked to their needs, rights & experiences of custody, resettlement, and safeguarding.  As such this is a child-facing service, and at times involves lone working in the establishments, so we are seeking someone who can see the child, not the offence.

We hold ‘voice' at the heart of all we do, therefore we feel the role is best described by someone who is currently working in this sector: “The role is a Children's Rights and Advocacy role, which means it is our job to empower the children we work with and help them to understand that what they think, what they feel and what they want, really matters. We can speak on behalf of children to ensure their voice is heard and we also have the opportunity to help them to find the tools and confidence to raise their voices for themselves.  Advocacy and Children's Rights support is particularly crucial in the secure estate because children are away from home, family and natural advocates, and also because children in secure estate are some of the most vulnerable children in society; they have often faced considerable adversity, disadvantage and discrimination prior to arriving into custody and they might not, therefore, be equipped with the skills needed to articulate their concerns. Through the work you do with a child such as  simply helping them make contact with friends or family on the outside, to helping them with concerns they may have in relation todiscrimination, resettlement or safeguarding issues, you  may be the one person telling them that  they matter for the very first time.”

The position (Independant Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker – Project Worker 2) is line managed by a Team Manager, reporting to an off-site manager. The post holder will need to be able to work autonomously, working to the requirements of the contract and the regime of the establishment. The secure estate is a highly structured environment; as a Barnardo's service we deliver independent advocacy and support for a range of issues, whilst still having to follow and adhere to this structure.

This role includes lone working in this challenging secure environment. It is, therefore, critical that the successful candidate can follow guidance and policy and is able to take proactive and individual responsibility to understand and access the service support mechanisms.  This role requires the worker to be onsite for their contracted hours, working remotely only for occasional training or meetings. The advocacy team work on a rota system with set hours each week, which includes weekends and bank holidays. Applicants should also be aware, that due to the nature of working within the secure estate, the vetting and induction process can take several months to complete.

When completing your application please refer to your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the Additional Information, Person Specification and Job Description document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described, including advocacy and safeguarding.  

This is a part-time vacancy with 18.5 hours available per week.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Barnardo's is seeking an empathetic and child led individual who can work within a dynamic and fast-paced environment using their strong organisational, communication and time management skills to support children in the secure estate.

This part-time position (Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker – Project Worker 2) is based within Oakhill Secure Training Centre, which accommodates children aged between 12-18 years, who are in custody, either sentenced or on remand.  Barnardo's refers to Young Offender Institutions (YOI) and Secure Training Centres (STC) as the ‘Secure Estate'.

Barnardo's is commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to provide an Independent Children's Rights and Advocacy (ICRAS) Service to children accommodated in a secure setting. The service is known to children as Barnardo's: Your Rights, Your Voice, and currently works within  four Young Offender Institutes,  one Secure Training Centre and one  Secure Children's home. The ICRAS service is child led and independent of the secure estate; our service is delivered within Oakhill STC to ensure children can freely access support for a range of issues linked to their needs, rights & experiences of custody, resettlement, and safeguarding.  As such this is a child-facing service, and at times involves lone working in the establishments, so we are seeking someone who can see the child, not the offence.

We hold ‘voice' at the heart of all we do, therefore we feel the role is best described by someone who is currently working in this sector: “The role is a Children's Rights and Advocacy role, which means it is our job to empower the children we work with and help them to understand that what they think, what they feel and what they want, really matters. We can speak on behalf of children to ensure their voice is heard and we also have the opportunity to help them to find the tools and confidence to raise their voices for themselves.  Advocacy and Children's Rights support is particularly crucial in the secure estate because children are away from home, family and champions, and also because children in secure estate are some of the most vulnerable children in society; they have often faced considerable adversity, disadvantage and discrimination prior to arriving into custody and they might not, therefore, be equipped with the skills needed to articulate their concerns. Through the work you do with a child such as  simply helping them make contact with friends or family on the outside, to helping them with concerns they may have in relation todiscrimination, resettlement or safeguarding issues, you  may be the one person telling them that  they matter for the very first time.”

The position (Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker – Project Worker 2) is line managed by a Team Manager, reporting to an off-site manager. The post holder will need to be able to work autonomously, working to the requirements of the contract and the regime of the STC. The secure estate is a highly structured environment; as a Barnardo's service we deliver independent advocacy and support for a range of issues, whilst still having to follow and adhere to this structure.

This role includes lone working in this challenging secure environment. It is, therefore, critical that the successful candidate can follow guidance and policy and is able to take proactive and individual responsibility to understand and access the service support mechanisms.  This role requires the worker to be onsite for their contracted hours, working remotely only for occasional training or meetings. The advocacy team work on a rota system with set hours each week, which includes weekends and bank holidays. Applicants should also be aware, that due to the nature of working within secure estate, the vetting and induction process can take several months to complete.

When completing your application please refer to your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the Additional Information, Person Specification and Job Description document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described, including advocacy and safeguarding.  

This is a part-time vacancy with 25.5 hours available per week.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

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. 

JOB TITLE:                      Parent Partner

RESPONSIBLE TO:Peer Services Lead for England

HOURS OF WORK:As per individual terms

GRADE/SALARY:Grade 2.4/ £24,479

LOCATION:Home based 

TYPE OF CONTRACT:Permanent

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Provide peer support services via the transition service for One Adoption. You will support individual families with peer to peer goal-based intervention servicedeliverable via 6 sessions of support (1-1).

Provide peer support services via dedicated support phone line, bookable sessions & email cover. This will be delivered via rota’dsessions for the Eastern Region Peer Support Line.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct 1-1 support

•To work with families to achieve agreed goal-based outcomes.

•To work to a plan for transition.

•To signpost families to relevant support.

•To provide 6 online support sessions of 1 hour via TEAMS covering the programme topics agreed within timescale.

•To follow a programme of support and monitor progress regularly.

•To empower families to work closely with schools, settings and relevant professionals encouraging them to build and strengthen relationships. 

•To complete admin and paperwork relevant to the family including evaluation paperwork. 

Support Line

•Following a scheduled work pattern, respond to adopters calling in to alive phone line, providing a listening ear & signposting to relevant resources/information.

•Following a rota ensuring bookable sessions are responded to, listening & signposting where required

•Monitor & respond to emails within your scheduled shifts.

•Ensure feedback texts are sent at the end of each interaction with a caller.

General

•Retain accurate records in accordance with Adoption UK policy and practice, complying with GDPR legislation.

•To ensure compliance with appropriate Adoption UK policies and procedures 

•To carry out such other duties as may be deemed necessary.

•Ensure all admin tasks are carried out within a timely manner, Evide updated.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & KNOWLEDGE

•Personal experience of adoption. (essential)

•Sound knowledge of current adoption issues, or a strong interest in developing such knowledge (essential)

•Experience within the education setting (desirable)

•Experienced mentor or similar support role. (essential)

•Experience of supporting families in group settings as well as 1:1 (desirable)

•A good understanding of One adoption RAA(s) systems and adoption landscape (desirable)

•Safeguarding – understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures (essential)

•Good working knowledge of how to use social media and a range of online platforms with confidence. (essential)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

•Work and act on own initiative (essential)

•Work to deadlines and tight timescales and reporting around progress (essential)

•Flexible and able to work purposefully from home (essential)

•Excellent communication skills or verbally and written (essential)

•        Group facilitation skills (essential)

•Good empathic listening skills, able to deal with issues in relation to significant trauma and loss (essential)

•Ability to organise and hold meetings, including by telephone and online (essential)

•Excellent IT skills including Teams, Outlook and Zoom or a willingness to learn (desirable)

•Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times. Aware of GDPR, particularly around holding information at home (essential)

•Ensure that internal policies and procedures are complied with. (essential) 

BEHAVIOURS 

•Supports, encourages and motivates adopters and families (essential)

•Values transparency and consistency (essential)

•Understands the role of individual and collective accountability (essential)

•Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities (essential)

•Approachable and friendly (essential)

•Confident in 1:1 and group settings (desirable)

•Ability to empower and work in partnership with families (essential)

•Shares skills and knowledge appropriately (essential)

•Offers outstanding service to service users (essential)

•Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders (essential)

•Willingness to learn new skills (essential)

Are you passionate about connecting young people with nature? Do you believe nature is for everyone? Do you genuinely want to make a difference?

Environmental Education School Support Officer
Salary: £ 28,365 per annum FTE (£19,855.50 per annum for 26.25 hours per week) + travel costs
Contract: Contract (fully funded until August 2027 with potential to extend)
Hours: Part time, 26.25 hours a week
Location: Based at London Wetland Centre, SW13, with frequent travel to schools in the area

About The Role

We have a fantastic opportunity for someone with the drive, skills and experience to support schools taking part in Generation Wild, our nature connection programme for primary schools, children and families in disadvantaged areas. This ground-breaking project uses story, music, art, performance and puppetry to create a sense of magic and adventure, engaging a wide range of children irrespective of their background or ability.

You will be joining us at an exciting moment, as we launch in-person support for the first time - bringing an inspiring programme of nature‑connection activities to school grounds and local nature spaces.

70,000 children have already taken part in Generation Wild and together they’ve completed over 270,000 nature activities. Your work will help us reach even more young people and take this work to the next level.

Generation Wild has been running for five years and is currently fully funded until August 2027.

Join us as we inspire a new generation of nature lovers.

About Us

WWT is the UK’s leading wetland restoration charity. Our wetland centres engage a million visitors every year. Generation Wild forms an important part of our wider learning programmes which inspire over 55,000 learners per year.

About You

You will need:

• Teaching qualification (or equivalent) or substantial relevant experience
• Current driving license as the post holder will need to travel regularly to schools within a one-hour travel distance of our London Wetland Centre
• A passion for connecting young people and families with nature and to opening up nature for all, irrespective of background
• Experience of working with children (ideally either in a school or informal learning setting)
• Ability to design and deliver inspiring nature-connection activities for primary age children and their families
• Ability to coordinate and enthuse volunteers in support of your work
• Ability to use IT (particularly Word/PowerPoint/Excel) effectively in support of your work
• A good understanding of the way schools work and the pressures teachers currently face

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

Further details

• This post will be based at our London Wetland Centre but will require frequent travel to schools within a one-hour travel distance. Your travel costs for visits to schools will be reimbursed.
• This is initially a one-year contract but we are currently in talks with our funder with a view to extending both the Generation Wild programme and this post.
• Appointment to this position is subject to the successful candidate receiving an enhanced disclosure and barred list check (child).

We have a passion for engaging disadvantaged communities with nature and have a strong track record of working with young people from these areas. We would welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds. If this is a role that excites you, we want to hear from you.

Closing Date: Monday 11th May 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

No agencies please.

Do you have a sharp eye for detail and want to help deliver programmes that change lives?

Project Support Officer (Northern Futures)
Salary: £25,887 - £27,385 per annum
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2027
Location: Lobley Hill Community Centre, Gateshead NE11

About us

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is a long‑established environmental and community charity with over 30 years of experience creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the region. Our mission centres on Creating Better Places, Improving People’s Prospects, and Promoting Greener Living, helping communities thrive no matter the challenges they face.

We deliver hundreds of locally‑led projects each year, including initiatives that support young people into education, training and employment, helping them overcome barriers, build life skills, and reach their full potential.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly organised and detail focused Project Support Officer to join our Northern Futures team. This role is central to ensuring the smooth administration, financial accuracy and compliance of a large, funded programme delivered across the North East.

Job Purpose

Working closely with the Project Manager, you will coordinate and process funding claims, manage programme documentation, and liaise with prime funding organisations to ensure deadlines, quality standards and contractual requirements are consistently met. Northern Futures is funded by the North East Combined Authority as part of Trailblazer funding.

Key Responsibilities

• Compile, process and submit accurate funding claims in line with programme guidelines
• Collect, check and quality assure funding documentation from delivery staff
• Maintain secure manual and electronic filing and archiving systems
• Train delivery staff on funding documentation requirements and deadlines
• Manage internal and external databases to track submissions and performance
• Reconcile historic claims and support financial monitoring and forecasting
• Liaise with Prime Funders on invoicing, MI, compliance and payment schedules
• Produce reports, meeting minutes and management information as required
• Prepare documentation for audits and support resolution of non compliance
• Manage petty cash in line with organisational financial procedures
• Support delivery teams with resources, inductions and ongoing administration

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with experience of managing a varied workload of administrative and financial tasks prioritising to meet target deadlines, and dealing with external clients. Excellent IT skills are essential as well as having effective verbal, written and presentation communications skills

You’ll thrive working in a busy and friendly environment and have the ability to maintain confidentiality as required. You will also have the ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team.

Closing date: Thursday 14th May 2026
Please note, should we receive a high volume of applications, we may look to close the role early, therefore we recommend an early application.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure endorsed by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We want you to be yourself at Groundwork and we value everything that makes you unique. We recognise and celebrate your difference and together we make Groundwork a special and great place to work. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role.

At Groundwork we ensure that we provide a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and comprehensive process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all the people we appoint are suitable to work with our children, young people and adult

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

No agencies please.