Child Support Officer Jobs in Isleworth, Greater London
At Ambitious about Autism, we’re currently looking for a Research Manager to join our External Affairs team.
You’ll conduct and commission research projects, publish and disseminate research findings to ensure we are maximising our reach and impact, and ensure that we are using relevant and up-to-date evidence throughout our work.
You’ll identify key research needs and questions to continually improve our activities and impact for autistic children and young people, drafting briefs and managing independent researchers to deliver projects on time and to budget.
You’ll use both quantitative and qualitative research methods to develop and support co-produced research with autistic children and young people, as well as parents and carers, whilst ensuring that new evidence is embedded into our resources, working collaboratively with the policy, communications, fundraising and service delivery teams to ensure that we maximise the impact of our findings.
The successful candidate will be joining the organisation at an exciting time and this role will play a central role in providing an evidence base for us to influencing Government, as well as enable us to engage media and public attention to our calls for change. It will also look for ways to unlock insight and learning, so we can influence the practice of the wider education sector.
We are looking for someone who has:
- Strong working knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Proven experience of managing research projects or programmes within agreed timescales and budgets.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to critique and summaries data and research findings to make recommendations.
- Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research evidence into forms that are accessible for a range of audiences.
- Ability to effectively prioritise a diverse workload in a fast-paced environment.
In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!
This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.
If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
CVAA UK is a membership organisation supporting not-for-profit adoption agencies across the UK who specialise in finding homes for children in care. Over 3000 children in the UK need adoption each year because they cannot remain at home or with family members. The CVAA Practice Programme delivers 30 or more online courses each year to those working in the sector, primarily social workers. The programme has developed a strong reputation for attracting a range of subject experts to deliver cost effective, engaging and useful training. The full programme is listed on the CVAA UK website and inlcudes topics such as LGBTQ+ parenting; therapy for children; identity formation; racism and anti-racism; parenting courses; theraplay and many more.
Due to a restructure of the team, we are now looking for a Training Manager who can oversee the delivery of the programme from mid to late July 2024. Initially fixed term, it is anticipated that this post will become permanent.
The Training Manager will work with the Head of Practice Development and the Programme Administrator to ensure that the courses are full, delivered effectively and evaluated. Part of the role will also be to source new trainers and support the creation of the programme into 2025.
The CVAA team work remotely across the UK so location of the postholder is not a barrier to recruitment as long as long as they can travel occasionally and come into London for team days. The team is small, diverse and dynamic. Experience of project management or delivery of training or events is more important than knowledge of adoption or children's social care. We would warmly welcome an application from people who have lived experience of adoption or fostering, and candidates from the Global Majority.
Benefits include:
- Flexible working
- Pension
- Personal training budget
- Generous holiday allowance
Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK and will need to undertake a DBS due to the sensitive nature of the work of CVAA. We require three references, one of whom can be personal. To apply please prepare a comprehensive CV a covering letter in English which address all the requirements of the Person Specification by providing evidence and examples to back up statements.
Petra Jodlova, Head of Practice Development, is available to arrange informal conversations about the post.
The closing date for applications is 11.59pm 16th May 2024. Interviews will be week commencing 27th May 2024.
Please note we will require a full CV and detailed cover letter addressing the key person specification criteria.
CVAA UK supports adoption agencies across the UK to find homes for vulnerable children who need adoption through improvements in policy and practice.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Purpose
Money Minded is a new service designed to support adults (18 years and over) in Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow. This role offers an exciting opportunity to collaborate closely with the West London NHS Mental Health Teams, operating within the tri-borough area.
The service provides support with welfare benefits, accessing debt support, housing and well-being. The role of the Mental Health Information and Advice Officer will be to provide advice, guidance and customer representation to tri-borough residents living with Mental Health difficulties. Advice issues may include housing, welfare benefits, council tax, accessing debt support, signposting etc.
The successful candidate will deliver support to enquirers and manage a caseload of individuals, as agreed with the Service Manager. In addition to advice casework, the Mental Health Information and Advice Officer will also be expected to assist onboarding referrals to the service, as and when needed.
The successful candidate will work closely with the West London NHS Mental Health teams and project volunteers, ensuring adherence to the Advice Quality Standard framework (AQS) and Mind's policies and procedures.
Due to the nature of the work, if successful, you will need to have an up-to-date DBS check completed, prior to undertaking unsupervised client work.
You can download a PDF of the full job description for this role at the bottom of the page.
Place of Work
The Mental Health Information and Advice Officer will be required to work within the West London NHS Mental Health team offices.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver support to enquirers and manage a caseload of individuals as agreed with the service manager
- Deliver monthly wellbeing peer support groups/workshops
- Provide advice and information relating to all welfare benefits, including assisting clients with form filling and contacting agencies such as the Department for Work & Pensions on their behalf
- Provide housing advice
- Link in with specialist debt and money support agencies
- Provide information on employment opportunities and training support for clients
- Signpost to other relevant services in the boroughs, or further afield
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
- Substantial experience of delivering advice in a similar position, preferably to individuals with Mental Health needs
- Knowledge and understanding of Mental Health problems and how they are impacted by social issues
- Experience of delivering advice, information and customer representation
- Experience of managing complex cases
- Experience of working with multiple agencies
- Experience of delivering desired outcomes in a timely manner
- Up to date knowledge and experience of safeguarding adults
- Understanding of the importance of monitoring and evaluation, and the ability to keep records
Skills & Attributes
- Relevant and up to date knowledge of welfare benefits, housing and social care
- Facilitate and deliver peer support groups for longer term improved wellbeing
- Ability to communicate effectively in person on a one-to-one basis and with groups, as well as over the telephone and in writing
- Excellent listening skills
- Computer literate, with the ability to use MS Office, email systems and databases (inputting information and extracting reports)
- Ability to liaise with a range of people – customers with support needs, carers, and a range of different professionals
- Ability to remain calm in challenging situations and reinforce boundaries
- Ability to support people to manage difficult feelings, and communicate their needs effectively
- Strong organisation and administrative skills
- Flexibility in overall approach to work
We are an equal opportunities employer; and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.
HFEH Mind are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Ref 6714
Save the Children UK has an exciting opportunity for a dedicated individual to join us as our Head of Partnership Management to lead impactful partnerships that deliver lasting change, through influencing and advancing our partner relationships for the good of children everywhere.
About Us
Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting change for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.
About you
As our Head of Partnership Management, you will lead a dynamic team responsible for managing our existing partnerships, driving sustainable income growth, and amplifying our impact. Your strategic direction will be instrumental in maximising the value of each partnership, securing vital resources, and ultimately delivering greater impact for children worldwide.
In this role, you will be accountable for:
- Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and direction to the Partnership Management team, ensuring we remain leaders in impactful partnerships with the private sector.
- Team Leadership: Lead and support a team of Partnership Managers, fostering growth and maximising the holistic value of partnerships.
- External Engagement: Represent Save the Children UK externally, driving our profile and networks with key organisations and stakeholders.
- Internal Collaboration: Collaborate across departments to maximize the value of Save the Children in our partnerships and ensure alignment with organisational goals.
- Operational Delivery: Oversee budget management, resource allocation, and strategic planning to achieve partnership objectives effectively.
To be successful, it is important that you have:
- Proven track record of leading seven-figure partnerships with global businesses.
- Experience influencing and delivering results cross-organisationally in a large complex organisation.
- Strong leadership and influencing skills at senior levels.
- Experience in team leadership and strategy development.
- Excellent written and presentation skills, including the ability to engage at CEO level.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills for effective networking and negotiation.
- Understanding and application of commercial and financial principles.
What we offer you:
- Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.
- To have the best (and happiest) employees we focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health, and wellbeing both in and outside of work.
- We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day.
Closing date: 19th May 2024
Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Ways of Working:
The majority of our roles can be performed remotely in the UK, but there are likely to be times when you will be required to come to your contracted office (up to 2-4 days per month or 6-8 days per quarter). This will be agreed with your Line Manager and team and is intended to be time spent on collaborating with colleagues and relationship building.
Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense.
Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think.
We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here.
Chief Operating Officer
We have an exciting opportunity for a Chief Operating Officer to join the team in this hybrid-working role.
Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 per annum
Location: Central London, WC2A 3PE/Hybrid
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
The closing date for applications is the 24th May, and interviews with Eastside People will take place the week after. Interviews with BAUS will take place in early June.
About the Role
Our team currently consists of 8 dedicated staff members and is led by our CEO, Anne Bishop. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a new role for BAUS. It will be a key part of our Senior Leadership Team, playing a vital part in the development and implementation of our strategy and deputising for the Chief Executive.
The COO role provides the essential financial stability and operational facilities to enable future growth through leadership and management of finance, maintaining and developing our IT infrastructure, and ensuring effective governance and regulatory compliance.
Key responsibilities include:
· Supporting the CEO on the development of BAUS’s annual strategic planning and leading the accompanying operational plan
· Oversight of financial management and administration, with support from an outsourced bookkeeper and finance team
· Ensuring BAUS’s IT and digital infrastructure is well maintained, cyber compliant and fit for purpose
· Ensuring effective governance and regulatory compliance
About You
We are looking for:
· Experience of leading a finance function in a charity, as part of a leadership team
· Track record of delivering on a range of other corporate support/operational services such as IT and Governance in addition to financial responsibilities
· Relevant professional qualification desirable e.g. part qualified/fully qualified management account or chartered governance institute (CGI)
As an Association, we understand that equality, diversity and inclusion are very important as we strive for excellence. Our members come from every walk of life and, therefore, to represent them effectively, so should we.
About Us
BAUS is a registered charity and a professional membership association dedicated to ensuring the highest standards in the practice of urology for the benefit of patients. We support our circa 2000 members, ranging from medical students to consultants & associated urological specialists by developing guidance for clinical practice, providing education and fostering research.
How to apply
Eastside People is supporting BAUS in the recruitment of this role.
Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV, and ensure that you cover the following:
· Why are you interested in the COO role, and why BAUS?
· How can you contribute to BAUS in this new role? Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role as set out in the job description and person specification.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustments so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
You may also have experience in other areas such as COO, Chief Operation Officer, Operation, Director of Operations, Operations Executive, CEO, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Exec, Executive, Charity.
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
We’re looking for an experienced Governance Officer, who can plan and organise meetings of our trustees and ensure accurate records of those meetings in line with Charity Commission guidance and requirements.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the opportunity
As our Digital Marketing Officer, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Marketing Manager and broader team in volunteer and school recruitment efforts, while managing our social media presence. Your primary responsibilities will include managing and curating content for Action Tutoring's social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok.
In addition to social media management, you will contribute to the creation of diverse content, such as graphics, videos, and photography, with occasional visits to our school programmes and events. You will also monitor and report on the impact of our social media campaigns, staying abreast of industry trends to optimise our digital presence.
If you're creative, passionate about education, and thrive in community engagement, we'd love to have you on board.
Closing date: Sunday 19th May 2024
Interviews: 28th and 29th May 2024
Start date: June 2024
Location: This role is remote. The candidate can be based anywhere in the UK. Occasional travel to London is required.
We use anonymised applications for our shortlisting process.
Duties and responsibilities
• Responsibility for managing Action Tutoring’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, TikTok and YouTube). Plan content (in collaboration with wider Marketing and Communications team) in line with the charity’s wider campaigns, volunteer recruitment rounds and key messages, ensuring regular diverse posting.
• Work with the Marketing Manager to develop engaging content which encourages the recruitment of high quality volunteer tutors, enquiries from potential partner schools and raises awareness of the charity to potential fundraisers, donors and employees.
• Promote the breadth of Action Tutoring’s activities and projects on social media, working across the whole team to gather content to raise brand awareness (including Programme, Philanthropy, Operations, Policy and Impact).
• Contribute to the development of content for social media channels including graphics, video and photography, with the occasional visit to school programmes and other charity events.
• Regularly analyse and report on the impact of Action Tutoring’s social media content through weekly analysis, quarterly reporting and campaign analysis.
• Monitor social media trends and industry developments to ensure we’re maximising content across all channels.
• Lead on blogger, influencer and community outreach (e.g. Facebook community groups, Next Door) to help raise awareness of Action Tutoring's volunteering opportunities and encourage applications.
• Manage our national digital adverts (such as Indeed, CharityJobs, Do-It). Respond to any direct enquiries sent through these and other digital platforms, including the Volunteer Facebook Group and Google business.
• Identify national digital advertising opportunities for volunteer and school marketing, and support with content for regional adverts. Work with the Marketing Manager to analyse impact and decide where our budget is best spent.
• Support the day to day management of Action Tutoring’s website, editing content with updates upon request. Support with creating high quality, engaging content for the Action Tutoring website to ensure it’s optimised.
• Create external marketing materials on request and support with ad-hoc visual design work.
• Support with the attendance at volunteering promotion events, mainly university fairs.
• Any other duties deemed reasonable by the Chief Executive Officer.
Person specification
Qualifications criteria:
• Right to work in the UK.
We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:
• Excellent knowledge of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok.
• Copywriting skills: able to interact with a range of audiences and have outstanding verbal and written communication skills. The role involves representing our brand on various channels and you will need to be able to adapt your communication style to different audiences and inspire them to engage with the charity.
• Able to work independently and use initiative in a range of situations.
• Able to think creatively and generate content to effectively convey messages and motivate audiences.
• Adaptable and open to learning. You will need to be willing to adapt and to grow and develop with the organisation.
• Efficient and able to work under pressure when required, able to multi-task and juggle a varied workload.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Committed to the mission and values of Action Tutoring.
• Committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our award winning MS Helpline are looking for a new Helpline Services Volunteer Officer to join our fantastic and supportive team.
Helpline Services Volunteer Officer
Type: Part-time (21 hours/or 3 days a week), permanent
Location: Office-based in London, N4 with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £19,293.60 - £20,552.40 per annum (FTE £32,156 - £34,254) plus excellent benefits
Salary Band: Band E1
About us
We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.
Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.
Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.
Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.
About this job
Please note this role is part-time 21 hours/or 3 days a week.
Our Helpline runs from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and we’re looking for an enthusiastic, warm and experienced individual to support our dedicated Helpline Volunteers and Befriending Volunteers within the Helpline team.
This role requires working flexible hours, including 9am–5pm, 10am–6pm or 11am–7pm between Monday to Friday to meet services and volunteer needs (3 days a week).
If you’re passionate about offering high quality information and emotional support and have relevant Helpline experience, we’d love to hear from you.
You will be providing continuous support to all our volunteers at the Helpline team, directly contributing in providing information and support to our Helpline enquirers, with both proactive and reactive content and information on prevalent topics or trends affecting the MS community.
Our aim is to empower people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) to:
- Live to their full potential
- Take an active role in their treatment
- Secure the care and support they need
We recognise the significant and excellent contributions; experience; and skills our employees bring to the MS Society.
Working with external pay and reward consultants, we’re taking active steps this year to review our employees’ pay and benefits package. Ensuring we’re aligned with the most accurate and up-to-date benchmarks for the UK charity sector.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Friday 10 May 2024
Anticipated interview date: Monday 20 May 2024
PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Equal Opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.
We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application.
Disability Confident Employer
We are a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.
You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.
If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us to discuss.
You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.
Your right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.
You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.
More about our recruitment and selection process
- The HR team will anonymise your CV and supporting statement before forwarding to the shortlisting panel. This is done as part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- The first round of our recruitment and selection process includes an interview with competency-based questions.
- Our recruitment and selection process might also include extra tasks. For example, a written or Microsoft Excel test or making a presentation.
- We’ll let you know what the selection process will include when we invite you to interview. You can ask for any more reasonable adjustments for the interview as part of the invitation.
- You might also be invited for a second interview. We’ll let you know about this during the selection process.
More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to):
Encouraging work life balance
- 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
- More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
- Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us)
- Flexible working options
Caring for you and your family
- Generous sick pay entitlement
- More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment
- Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year
- Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis
- Enhanced leave for new parents
- Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
- Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
- 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
- in the event of miscarriage or still birth
- to support fertility treatments
- for antenatal appointments for both parents
- Cycle to work scheme
- Death in service scheme
- Health cash plans to help offset the cost of health care for you and your family
Thinking about your finances
- Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
- Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
- New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing
Enriching your life at work
- Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
- Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
- New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups)
- Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community)
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal working hours
Safeguarding
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.
This is regardless of:
- gender
- race
- disability
- sexual orientation
- religion or belief
- pregnancy
- gender reassignment
We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.
We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.
No agencies please.
Play a leading role in ensuring every child can flourish in their school and community.
About us
West London Zone is an award-winning charity that proactively identifies children at a tipping point of need in some of the UK’s most under-resourced neighbourhoods. Working in schools through tailored Impact Programmes we support each child’s Social, Emotional, and Academic progress to drive a SEA change, promoting positive community change.
We are a medium-sized charity, with annual revenue of approximately £7m and a headcount of over 110 employees. Following eight years of impact for children and families in west London via an innovative partnership model – involving young people, families, schools (50+), local authorities (4), charities and community organisations (50+) – our next 3-year plan takes us to a £10m charity committed to pursuing more and broader social change across our communities in three places and having a national influence.
Since our launch in 2016, we have helped over 4,500 children and young people to build the relationships, self-belief and skills they need to get on track to flourish into adulthood. However, we have ambitions plans to help more children and young people.
This is where you can make a substantial difference in the newly created position of Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO).
About the role
The CFOO will report to the Chief Executive and play a pivotal role for us, as we broaden and deepen our impact, transitioning from local to national scale. You will oversee and drive development of all financial and operational management, processes and reporting. As we continue to evolve, you will lead the integration of our most developed place of work, west London, with our new place of work, Wigan in the Greater Manchester area, followed by a third place in the near/medium-term.
Working closely with the Chief Delivery and Impact Officer, who oversees all of our collaborative work in our communities with children and families, you will lead the development of our operating model for our growing range of activities. Ensuring we have the highest quality governance, business planning, finance, compliance and risk management functions, as well as robust systems, processes and policies to do our best work will be vital. To achieve this, you will be responsible for bringing together some of our existing functions and building a new team within the organisation.
About you
We seek an experienced strategic leader who has held a broad finance and operations position, with a track record of interacting at Board level and presenting clear financial and management information. Whilst you don’t have to be financially qualified, we do need someone with strong financial acumen and demonstrable ability to monitor, interpret and communicate financial information effectively. You will be experienced at scaling organisations and have delivered new and/or successful improvements to existing systems and processes, with a track record of driving changes or improvements to business plans, policies and procedures.
You will have a passion for our purpose, commitment to our mission and alignment with our organisational values. Whilst being robust about process, you need to be able to flex to changing circumstances and be skilled at getting the best out of people as well as driving a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Crucially, you be wholly committed to driving forward the core infrastructure for our work supporting children and families to flourish and communities to strengthen themselves.
If you are excited at the prospect of driving change that leads to better outcomes for children and young people in their communities and takes us into our next chapter of growth, we’d love to hear from you!
Closing date: By 9am, Monday 20th May 2024
For further information, please click 'Apply Now' to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website.
Job title:Community and Events Fundraising Officer (East Coast of Scotland)
Division:Income Generation
Responsible to:Senior Fundraising Officer
Hours: Permanent, 36 hours per week (Full Time). This role will require occasional
weekend and evening working for which time off in lieu will be agreed
Location:Home based in the East Coast of Scotland (with travel throughout)
Salary: £26,895 – £29,746
- Advertised from: 3 May 2024
- Closing Date: Monday 27 May 2024 at 12noon
- Interview Date: Monday 3 June 2024
- Interview Location: National Office, Paisley
By joining Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA) as a Community and Events Fundraising Officer you can play a full and active role in securing income to improve the lives of families impacted by Huntington’s disease.
Scottish Huntington’s Association is the only charity in the country exclusively dedicated to providing expert and personalised support for those impacted by Huntington’s disease when they need it, regardless of where they live.
Organised, motivated and a confident communicator, you’ll be responsible for driving income and building relationships throughout the East Coast of Scotland, to ensure we have the funds needed to deliver our specialist services for every family impacted by this devastating disease. We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds including (but not limited to) account management, marketing, fundraising, event management, or sales, and candidates who are based in any of the following areas: Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Angus, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife or Perthshire.
From supporter stewardship, event management, delivering inspiring presentations, and managing volunteers, no week will be the same. The Community and Events Fundraising Officer (East Coast of Scotland) will be joining a hard-working and talented fundraising team, working closely with our Senior Community, Event & Individual Giving Fundraising Officer, Community and Events Fundraising Officer (West Coast of Scotland), our SHA Communications team, as well as the wider SHA team.
We are looking for an engaging, passionate and tenacious person who can deliver strong, cost effective and sustainable income growth for the charity, along with good copy writing, admin and organisational skills, experienced at developing relationships, and can manage a busy and varied workload. This is a chance for you to channel your varied skills, qualities, and passion for relationship building to improve the lives of families impacted by Huntington’s disease in Scotland.
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to a Basic Disclosure check. SHA is committed to equality of opportunity and to providing a service that is free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. We therefore aim to ensure that no applicant, volunteer, or member of staff is unfairly treated on the grounds of offending background.
You will work from home with periodic travel throughout the East Coast of Scotland. There will also be occasional travel required for organisation-wide meetings.
This role will require occasional weekend and evening working for which time off in lieu will be agreed.
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer benefits including flexible working practices, and a generous leave allowance totalling 37 days (25 days Annual leave and 12 days public holidays). Upon 5 completed years of service, you will receive an extra day for each completed year up to a maximum of 5 days, and the the opportunity to opt into our competitive pension scheme.
This is an exciting time for the charity, now in the second year of Standing Tall: A Strategy For Growth 2023 - 2028 to transform the care and support of Huntington’s families, expand specialist services and deepen involvement in research and clinical trials.
About Scottish Huntington’s Association
People impacted by Huntington’s disease need specialist services to cope with a severe and complex disease, its impact on families, and a lack of awareness amongst health and social care providers and the wider public.
Scottish Huntington’s Association is the only charity in the country exclusively dedicated to providing expert and personalised support for those impacted by Huntington’s disease.
Our personalised support reduces unnecessary hospital admissions, supports carers and other family members; lowers household poverty; and alleviates wellbeing risks to children and young people living in Huntington’s families.
We are commissioned by NHS Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships throughout the country to share our expertise with front-line staff and build support for improved services and higher standards of care for every family impacted by this devastating disease. Scottish Huntington’s Association plays a full and active role in attracting the global research community to Scotland to work in partnership with us to improve the lives of families impacted by Huntington’s disease.
If you wish to apply to join a values-driven organisation, founded by families for families and recognised at national and international levels for its expertise and support delivered through a nationwide network of Huntington’s Disease Specialists, Specialist Youth Advisors, and Financial Wellbeing Officers, please follow the application notes below.
Application notes
Please review the Job Description and Person Specification documents then complete the downloadable Application Form and the downloadable Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which are also available in the vacancies section of our website.
Please email your completed application, including the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, with the subject line Community and Events Fundraising Officer (East Coast of Scotland) vacancy, to the email address that you will find on our website in the vacancy section.
Informal enquiries should be made for the attention of the Head of Income Generation by emailing us.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
An inspirational charity is seeking an inspirational CEO. The Amber Trust is a unique charity, dedicated to funding music opportunities for blind and partially sighted children and young people.
Job title: Chief Executive Officer
Reporting to: Board of Trustees through the Chair
Location: Flexibility to work remotely with at least one day per week in our SW London and other locations for meetings as required
Hours:,30 – 37.5 hours per week TBA with candidate
Contract: Permanent
Salary range: £55 - £60K pro-rata (depending on experience)
Charity overview
The Amber Trust provides musical opportunities for blind and partially sighted children, including those with additional disabilities, via its Music Awards and Music Services.
Amber Music Awards fund instrumental and singing lessons, the purchase of musical instruments and specialist software, funding for concert tickets, and travel to musical activities for vision impaired children throughout the UK. In addition, there are structured programmes in its Music Services.
‘Little Amber’ is a service that offers music resources and quarterly sessions with a specially trained music practitioner to children under five and their families. ‘AmberPlus’ provides music resources and sessions offered on a termly basis to children over five who also have complex needs.’ ‘With Music in Mind’ is a new service for visually impaired children and young people with life-limiting neurodegenerative disease. Amber’s workshop scheme offers music sessions for groups of children in schools, charities and community organisations.
We have also developed extensive online music resources for teachers that are freely downloadable from anywhere in the world.
The Charity has a turnover of around £400k, employs a small central administrative team, and, for the music services, works through a large network of self-employed practitioners.
Role purpose
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Board of Trustees for leading The Amber Trust, developing and realising Amber’s vision and strategy, and playing a key ambassadorial role with funders and other senior stakeholders. The CEO is responsible for the management of the charity and its staff and the execution of Amber’s targets, plans and policies, ensuring that resources are used to best effect in meeting the needs of beneficiaries. The CEO is responsible for initiating and overseeing new initiatives that will ensure Amber plays a leading role in the field of music and blindness in children and young people into the future.
Role Description
Accountabilities: To develop, lead and manage The Amber Trust, in particular:
Strategy
• to develop and deliver innovative projects and services in accordance with Amber’s strategy.
• to ensure Amber flourishes, meeting all its charitable objectives and its legal obligations as a charity and a company limited by guarantee, and to honour its duty of care to its staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders;
• to maintain Amber’s ethos of providing individual and personal support to beneficiaries and their families;
• to lead Amber in the development and implementation of its long- and medium-term strategy and annual business plans in accordance with the strategic direction and policy framework agreed by the Trustees;
Fundraising and events
• to attend, represent and promote Amber at meetings, conferences and other events, enhancing its profile across the UK – occasional evening and weekend work and travel may be required for this;
• to manage volunteers and liaise effectively with fundraisers and individual donors;
• to engage in fundraising and income-generating activity to ensure the sustainability and growth of Amber, including bid writing activity;
• to monitor and evaluate the services offered by Amber as required by external funders and Trustees, writing and submitting reports to deadline
Operations
• to manage and support operations and services and to be hands-on where required to ensure these are delivered;
• to be pro-active in maintaining digital media relating to Amber and its work, including (but not limited to) its web page, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube;
• to manage the budget prudently to ensure Amber’s financial soundness;
• to ensure efficiency and effectiveness externally in service delivery, and internally in its systems, resources and infrastructure;
• to communicate effectively and in a timely manner with Trustees, organising and contributing to regular meetings for the Board, and its Investment, Fundraising, Digital Media, Music Awards and Music Services subcommittees, including the provision of reports, financial information, data on service delivery and all other matters to enable the Trustees to fulfil their governance role.
People management
• to manage staff, setting their objectives and ensuring that these are met, and that colleagues appreciate the ethos and values of Amber, and work in accordance with its strategic objectives, with regular update meetings and an appraisal cycle, and to monitor and recommend to Trustees appropriate remuneration;
• to ensure all staff are aware of current national policies and procedures relating to safeguarding in relation to the children and young people that Amber serves, and are given training annually.
Also to undertake other such duties as may reasonably be required from time to time by the Trustees.
Person specification
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they have the following essential requirements:
Essential criteria
· Proven leadership experience in the third sector
· Proven management experience in at least two organisations
· Demonstrable passion for music
· Experience of measuring the impact of charitable services and driving quality improvements
· Degree level education or equivalent
Knowledge, skills and experience
· Experience of working with trustee boards and an understanding of their role and governance experience
· Experience of programme development and the management of grants
· Familiarity with UK charity law and governance issues
· Awareness of disability issues
· A track record of successful fundraising
· Experience of staff management including personal development, objective-setting, recruitment and performance management
· A high level of computer literacy in standard office packages and CRM systems such as Salesforce ;
Competencies and personal qualities
· The capacity for innovative thinking
· The ability to motivate self and others – of developing a vision and enlisting others to share it
· The ability to see ideas through from concept to implementation and evaluation
· The capacity to operate at a strategic level and to analyse and understand complex issues;
· The ability to prepare and manage budgets;
· Strong organisational, written and oral communication skills, including experience and confidence in public speaking and in effective report writing
· The ability to work in a self-directed manner, and to develop good working relationships with stakeholders
· A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, treating people from all backgrounds with respect, dignity
· The right to reside and work permanently in the UK
Desirable criteria
· Experience of working with or caring for people with visual impairment
· Familiarity with the UK education system, and in particular, music education
· Knowledge of and familiarity with special education provision, incl]uding special schools
· Familiarity with other regional and national music organisations working in the field of music education.
The closing date for all applications is 9:00 am Monday, 20th May 2024. Initial interviews are planned to take place face-to-face in London on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th May 2024.
To apply to the role, please send a CV and covering letter, outlining your motivation for applying for the role and how you meet the essential criteria.
To apply to the role, please send a CV and covering letter, outlining your motivation for applying for the role and how you meet the essential criteria.
To maintain good practice standards, provide timely information and advice to local churches, and operate a robust casework service. To sustain and further develop a comprehensive safeguarding training programme that delivers nationally approved training effectively and with impact.
We are seeking to appoint two experienced Safeguarding Officers on a permanent contract; altogether 1.3 full-time equivalent between the two posts, with hours being negotiable with successful candidates.The post holders will have a relevant professional qualification and be able to demonstrate a proven track record of direct safeguarding practice with vulnerable adults or children or both. The successful applicants will be expected to provide effective leadership across the District to promote a culture of safeguarding, whilst supporting survivors of abuse.Working with partners from the Church’s Learning Network, the post holders will be expected to contribute to the planning and delivery of the District’s safeguarding training programme.
The post holders will be expected to be in sympathy with the aims of the Methodist Church.
Location: Home-based, own transport is essential as travel will be required region-wide.We need one member of staff to cover Cumbria and North Lancashire.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 17:00. Also to include some evenings and occasional weekends.
Salary: £40,000 to £42,000 pro rata, dependent on experience.
Holidays: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays
Closing date for applications: Midday on Monday 20 May 2024
Interviews: 5th or 7th June
Applicants need to be aware that a report will be presented to the Methodist Conference in June which may result in DSOs becoming connexional (national) rather than district employees.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The purpose of this role is to provide administrative support for Global Black Thrive involvement in the Culture of Care Programme liaising with the Lived Experience Advisors, the Race Equity Lead, Neurodiverse Connections, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and NHS England.
This will include HR, Operations and Admin functions relating to the Culture of Care (CoC) Programme and will include managing systems to efficiently run the business and achieve strategic objectives agreed by Black Thrive Board of Directors.
The role will be the first point of contact for our CoC team, organising travel and accommodation, managing HR and office queries.
You may be involved in managing onboarding and offboarding, preparing employment contracts (Full-time and/or part-time, zero hours and/or fixed terms contracts), checking and following right-to-work in the UK, and administrating DBS checks.
You will be working with the HR and Admin Manager in Global Black Thrive and may be required to assist in wider team activities where required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re looking for a Housing & Income Officer to join our Landlord Services team based locally at our services in Bracknell, Windsor and Maidenhead.
£32,000.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.
Want to feel in control of your career? You’ll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren’t token gestures - we’ve thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Look Ahead manages a number of young people services in Bracknell and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Look Ahead is looking for a highly motivated and committed Housing & Income Officer for an initial 6-month placement to work alongside our support workers and deliver a good quality intensive housing management service to our customers.
The successful applicant will be responsible for all aspects of housing management within the service. This will include rent arrears management, occupancy agreement management, ASB management, void management and some compliance and repair reporting responsibilities. This is not an exclusive list.
You will be based at our local offices in Bracknell, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. You will have significant daily contact with our customers and staff.
The successful candidate needs to be able to meet challenging targets for arrears and voids, have excellent problem-solving skills and be prepared to “go the extra mile”.
The role is based on site at two of our young people's schemes- visiting customers in their homes and having a presence in the community. This role covers Bracknell Forest in Berkshire, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead region.
This role is a Fixed Term Contract, lasting 6-9 months.
This role requires a valid Right to Work for the UK as Look Ahead are not a sponsoring organisation.
What you’ll do:
• Sign up new customers to the appropriate occupancy agreement and ensure housing benefit claims submitted and maintained correctly.
• Be responsible for monitoring and updating all relevant information on Look Ahead`s housing management database including inputting all new customers and ending occupancy agreements in a timely way.
• Proactively monitor rent accounts and take timely and effective action to deal with increasing rent and service charge arrears.
• Ensure all customers are supported to have the most appropriate payment method (rent payment cards, direct debit etc.) for their individual circumstances to ensure easy payment of their rent and/or arrears.
• Lead on making back-dated claims for housing benefit and appealing over-payment deductions.
• Ensure that all customers are kept informed of their rent account status regularly and that action plans are agreed with customers to address any arrears or other rent related issues promptly.
• Issuing arrears warning letters, monitor payment agreements and escalate arrears enforcement action.
• Serve accurate notices for possession, complete court paperwork and represent Look Ahead in court cases in the county court.
• Requesting rent adjustments and repayment of housing benefit over-payments
• Ensure that there are effective and on-going liaison processes in place with key agencies such as the housing benefit service, Department of Work and Pensions and local police.
• Develop and promote financial inclusion initiatives in the service such as advertising credit unions and local debt management advice services.
• Act as the lead role for void management in services – ensure void inspection forms are completed, void reporting systems are maintained and that there is effective liaison with the organisation’s void team and contractors. Ensure that void turnaround times are in line with Key Performance Indicators and post inspections are completed and reported.
• Support local staff to ensure occupancy levels at the service are as high as possible and escalate issues where necessary.
• Lead on ASB enforcement across the portfolio ensuring early intervention techniques are utilised. Ensure timely and appropriate actions is taken against perpetrators including issuing warnings and serving notices where appropriate.
• Maintaining systems and spreadsheets associated with all housing management functions and producing reports and data where requested.
• Act as the lead role for reporting repairs in the service both in communal areas (internal and external areas) as well as in customer rooms. Ensure all works are post inspected and reported. Liaise with contractors to ensure access is granted.
• Act as the lead officer in completing all required compliance tasks within the service including call point and fire alarm checks, fire door checks, fire evacuation drills, health and safety inspections, carrying out living standard checks. This list is not exhaustive.
• Make sure all compliance records are maintained to a good standard and that KPIs are being met. Liaise with the scheme manager regarding underperformance against compliance targets.
• Participate in team meetings, 1:1 meetings with the manager and undertake any training required for the post.
• Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Team Leader/Manager
• Adhere to all the policies and procedures of Look Ahead Care & Support, those specific to the project including any statutory requirements.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead
About you:
• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement.
• Approachable and open behaviour. Can work independently and as part of a team.
• Prefers working as part of a group or team.
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement.
• Exercises decisions and discretion in a non-judgmental manner.
• Is assertive and will challenge others.
• Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised.
• Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments.
• Demonstrates significant confidence and high levels of self-esteem.
• Is respectful, articulate, and sensitive in style of communication.
• Is passionate and enthusiastic about his/her career and job experiences.
• Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can-do attitude.
• Committed and passionate about improving the life chances of vulnerable customers.
• Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour.
What you’ll bring:
Essential:
- Experience of monitoring rent accounts and managing rent arrears
- Experience of using computerised rent systems to monitor arrears and record information.
- Ability to track and manage void properties and ASB cases.
- Knowledge of managing ASB and lettings and be able to explain good practice in this area.
- Extensive knowledge of welfare benefits, especially housing benefit.
- Experience of liaising with housing benefit departments, the DWP and other external agencies.
- Confidence in interpreting rent accounts and using IT packages to run and create reports, identify priorities, and update records.
Desirable:
- 1-2 years’ experience in housing management.
About us:
Look Ahead is a dynamic, leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. As an organisation we deliver over 110 services, providing support to around 7000 customers each year. We work across mental health, homelessness, young people and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.
We're looking for a Housing & Income Officer to join our Landlord services team located at our Head Office moving to Caledonian Road this year.
£32,000.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.
Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.
and innovative care and support business known for its life-changing services is looking for a dedicated and target driven Income and Housing Officer who can maximise the organisation's rental income collection, effectively manage rent arrears and deal with other breaches of the occupancy agreement.
Managing a patch of 400+ units across our services you will ensure that challenging rent collection targets are met but also that everything is done to avoid eviction. Your personal qualities are as important in this role as your work experience.
Working alongside Operational Colleagues, the Income and Housing Officer will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of generic Housing Management services across their patch with the main focus on Income Collection and some ASB management. You will be expected to meet tight KPI's increasing rent collection and carry out rent arrears actions at all stages from the initial warning letters to the eviction stage.
In order to effectively deliver the services listed above to their patch, the Income and Housing Officer will need to work closely with Contract Managers and Support Workers working within our projects to empower and enable them to carry out their responsibilities. Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills are a pre-requisite to the role. The post holder will be extremely flexible and have the ability to effectively manage multiple projects at one time.
Fixed term contract of 6-9 months
Needs to be able to travel, some homeworking but priority is out on site visiting customers in their homes and having a presence in the community.
This role requires a valid Right to Work for the UK as Look Ahead are not a sponsoring organisation.
What you'll do:
Take responsibility for maximising rent collection across a defined patch of Look Ahead's portfolio of properties ensuring that rent collection targets are met and tenancies sustained
Advise operational teams on their support related arrears management activities, including holding local surgeries with tenants and staff, taking direct control of higher level and more complex arrears cases
Proactively monitor all current and former accounts within the defined patch and make recommendations to the Housing Manager for appropriate former accounts to be written off or referred to Look Ahead's debt collection agency
Ensure that the rent collection function is carried out both sensitively and in a timely fashion so as to avoid the build up of excessive arrears and record all case details accurately.
Ensure that all sign ups within the defined patch are done accurately on the correct type of tenancy and at the correct rent and service charge levels.
Prepare files and documents for legal action and present cases in County Court hearings for possession claims, money judgements
For the full list please see our website.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead
About you:
An understanding of the needs of customers who have experienced homelessness and who may also have support needs.
Excellent time management skills to systematically monitor arrears and complete other tasks in a logical and systematic way.
Excellent communication skills and experience of dealing with vulnerable people in a sensitive , friendly and clear manner.
An understanding of how to effectively deal with breaches of occupancy such as anti-social behaviour and abandonment. .
The ability to communicate clearly with non -housing management staff and explain cases in a non technical way.
A logical approach to problem solving and a willingness to deal with problems quickly and efficiently.
A willingness to "go the extra mile" when working with our customers
What you'll bring:
Essential:
Experience of monitoring rent accounts and managing rent arrears
Experience of using computerised rent systems to monitor arrears and record information
Extensive knowledge of welfare benefits ,especially housing benefit
Experience of liaising with housing benefit departments ,the DWP and other external agencies
About us:
Look Ahead is a dynamic, leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. As an organisation we deliver over 110 services, providing support to around 7000 customers each year. We work across mental health, homelessness, young people and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.