Children advocate jobs

Looking for a career with purpose and a clear path for development? 

As a social worker, you’ll work directly with children and families to make sure children are safe, supported and able to thrive. It’s a career that offers stability, progression and the chance to make a lasting difference. On this programme, you’ll be supported from day one and gain the skills, experience and master’s degree to succeed, wherever your career takes you. 

About the programme 

Approach Social Work is a fully funded training programme that helps you step into children’s social work with the training, tools and support to make a difference.

On the programme, you’ll develop a deep understanding of child-focused practice and how to build relationships that create real change. You’ll also explore anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches — and earn a master’s degree along the way. 

What to expect 

Year one: 

• Begin study for your postgraduate diploma 

• Work with children and families within a local authority, supported by experienced tutors and practice educators 

• Receive a bursary of £18,000 or £20,000 (depending on location) to help with living and travel costs 

Year two and three:

• Move into a paid role as a newly qualified social worker (up to £34,000, or more in some London boroughs) 

• Keep working towards your master’s degree 

• Join the Frontline Fellowship, a national community offering career-long support and development 

The role:

You’ll learn how to build relationships, make difficult decisions and advocate for children’s safety and wellbeing. That means: 

• Visiting a child at home or school 

• Supporting a parent through difficult circumstances 

• Working with teachers, health professionals or police 

• Writing reports and helping decide what’s safest for a child 

It’s a role that takes empathy, resilience and strong judgement, rooted in anti-racist, anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice. 

Who we’re looking for 

You don’t need experience in social work, just the right values, resilience and commitment to making a difference. We welcome applicants from all degree backgrounds and are especially keen to hear from those underrepresented in the sector, including men and people from racially diverse communities. 

Eligibility requirements 

• Have at least a 2.2 (predicted or obtained) in an undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent)

• Have obtained GCSE English Language at Grade C/4 or above (or approved equivalent qualification)

• Possess the right to work and study in the UK (including access to public funds) for the duration of the programme (until September 2029)

• Be resident in England by the time the programme commences

• Not be a qualified social worker 

Real support. Real skills. A career that matters. 

Apply now 

Delivered by children’s charity Frontline. Formerly known as the Frontline programme. 

We are recruiting a Suicide Prevention Officer to facilitate the development, sale and delivery of high quality and impactful training and education programmes, upskilling individuals and organisations in suicide prevention.

What you will do:

• Facilitate in-person and online training sessions, ensuring interactive and impactful learning experiences.
• Develop and promote PAPYRUS’s training offer, tailoring to stakeholder needs and securing sales.
• Build relationships and partnerships to expand our reach and influence.
• Support the creation of e-learning and digital training resources.
• Prepare stakeholders for, and debrief them after, suicide interventions.
• Stay informed of best practice and national strategy, contribute to campaigns, and represent PAPYRUS in the media and at events.
• Champion safeguarding, health and safety, and equality across all activity.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A degree or professional qualification in a relevant field such as Education, Counselling, Training, Psychology, Community Development or Youth Work.
• A recognised training qualification or willingness to work towards one.
• Experience in delivering and developing training programmes and community-based projects.
• Ability to manage sensitive conversations and facilitate learning in emotionally complex areas.
• Strong relationship-building, presentation and time management skills.
• Professional curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to safeguarding.
• Confidence in working independently and remotely, with ability to travel as required.

Please visit the careers site for the full job description and person specification for the role.

Salary: £31,537 per annum (Scale SCP 18), progressing by increments to £34,434 per annum (Scale SCP 23)

Hours: 36 hours per week  

Location: Home-based, with regular travel across the Yorkshire and Humber area must live within the required area due to regular travel across the region.

Contract: Fixed Term Contract for 18 months

Benefits: You will receive 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time workers), hybrid and flexible working arrangements, an attractive pension scheme, Simply Health membership, enhanced sick pay and enhanced parental pay. Please visit our website for more details.

Closing date: 26th October 2025

We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier if we receive sufficient applications so, please submit your application as soon as possible.

PAPYRUS is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its recruitment policies are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

PAPYRUS is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk that interact with the organisation. The organisation recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of these vulnerable groups by a commitment to procedures to protect them. The charity expects all staff and volunteers to fully support and promote these commitments.

Working Pattern: Primarily based in Torfaen. Offices are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. All staff must work flexibly on occasions to meet the needs of the women and children.

Salary: £23,970 - £24,480 (pro-rated)  after successful completion of 6 months’ probation

Location: Contractually based in our Hwb in: Pontypool. Covering referrals from: Torfaen

Conrtact type: Permanent (in line with funding). Agile – working where and when required, to do the job most effectively

Hours & working Pattern: 

• 21hrs per week (Part time) 
• Monday’s Wednesday and Fridays
• All team members must work flexibly on occasions to meet the needs of the Charity and the people we support   
• Participate in organisational on call rota (paid)

Accountable to: Support Service Coordinator

Purpose of the post : To provide specialised, holistic support to adults and families who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, harm and violence, and are being supported within Community services in Torfaen

Who are we looking for?We are looking for a compassionate, reflective, and person-centred individual to join our team in delivering trauma-informed support to adults and families. This role is about more than providing a service—it’s about striving for people to feel safer, gain more control, and have choice over decisions about their future.
You’ll work collaboratively to create environments where individuals feel seen, heard, and respected, and where their experiences and strengths shape the support, they receive.

Specific responsibilities

• Collaborate with individuals and team members to provide trauma informed support to a caseload of adults and young people within community settings.
• Assess and manage risk sensitively and collaboratively, promoting safety through strengths-based approaches that recognise each person’s lived experience.
• Co-develop personalised support and/or safety plans with individuals, ensuring goals are meaningful, achievable, and shaped by the person’s own priorities and values.
• Respond to safeguarding concerns in line with legislation and organisational policies, maintaining a trauma-informed, non-judgemental stance that prioritises dignity and emotional safety.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records that reflect the support provided, using respectful, person-centred language
• Provide clear, compassionate signposting to internal and external services, guided by the individual’s expressed needs, interests, and readiness.
• Create regular opportunities for feedback, ensuring Cyfannol’s services are shaped by the voices and experiences of those supported.
• Contribute to audits and reporting, engaging positively with service improvement plans and recognising the value of reflective learning and continuous development.
• Participate actively in clinical and managerial supervision, using these spaces for reflection, learning, and maintaining emotional wellbeing in a supportive environment.
• Build and maintain respectful, collaborative relationships with external agencies, advocating for the needs and rights of individuals in a way that promotes trust and partnership.

General responsibilities

Contribute to the: 

• Development and achievement of our Vision, Mission and Objectives. 

• Promotion of our values, culture and aspirations. 

• Creation of a safe, supportive and explorative working environment. 

• Promotion of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

• Upholding of our Policies and Procedures. 

It may be necessary, following consultation, to amend the job description in light of experience and changing circumstances

A current valid driving licence, access to a car and insurance covering business use are essential for this role.

Closing Date: 21st October 2025

Due to the nature of these roles, they are only open to female applicants (Exempt under the Equality Act 2010, pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1).  A disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service is required for all posts. 

Cyfannol is an organisation with equality, diversity and inclusion at its heart. We welcome applications from all areas of the community. However, we particularly encourage applications from members of our BAME community as well as individuals with disabilities who are currently under-represented within our workforce.  

About Women in Prison

Women in Prison is a national, women-led, feminist organisation. We deliver front line support to women harmed by the criminal justice system, through our work in prisons, in the community and ‘through the prison gate’ as they resettle back into their communities. We also campaign for systems change that addresses the root causes of offending, reduces the harmful impact of prison, and creates workable, community-based alternatives to imprisonment.

Job Description:

Job Purpose:
Women in Prison’s Advocates deliver high-quality, trauma-informed, independent advocacy for women in communities and in prisons, which focuses on early intervention, and holistic provision as part of a ‘whole system’ multi-agency response that looks to address the root causes of women’s offending. 

The primary purpose of this role is to provide in-depth, ongoing support to a caseload of women who have been referred for support by prison staff, predominately the Mental Health In-Reach Teams and Primary Care Teams.

Key Responsibility Areas:
1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy and support to women in contact with the criminal justice system.
2. Maintain case management systems to ensure accurate and timely data recording.
3. Develop effective relationships with key stakeholders such as statutory and voluntary sector agencies.

We are seeking a qualified Specialist ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) to join our Advocacy team at Respond. The role includes providing pro-active emotional, practical and advocacy support for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people with complex or multiple needs who have experienced any form of sexual violence and are engaging, (or considering engaging) with the criminal justice system. The ISVA will work across London to provide non-judgmental, trauma-informed emotional support, working in partnership with other London sexual violence support services. 

Our ideal candidate will have experience in the ISVA role as well as a friendly and relational approach to working with clients.  You will have the ability to build trusting relationships, work in an empowering and inclusive way and support clients to heal following sexual abuse and develop coping capacity. You will be a self-motivated individual who will engage with a wider range of people who have experience sexual violence, and other barriers to justice.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive and passionate team, and you will be supported by the ISVA Service Manager in your ongoing development. Respond values and encourages working in a collaborative and compassionate way, as we support each other to address one of the most enduring injustices; of the experience of trauma to autistic people and people with learning disabilities and their families.

Background information about Respond   

Respond started in 1991 and has grown from a small London based charity to a medium sized national charity in recent years.  Our mission is to reduce the impact of trauma in the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, by developing trusting relationships, through psychotherapeutically informed services.  

An important part of our work at Respond is working in a trauma-informed way. What this means for us is that we hold in mind the impact of trauma at all levels of the organisation, and all staff take part in reflective practice or team dynamics.     

We are keen to encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates including people with lived experience, who are both interested in working in partnership to provide advocacy support, as well as supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have experienced trauma.    

We are committed to the furthering of human rights, equality, and positive social change through our therapeutic and advocacy work and are committed to anti-racism and other forms of anti-discriminatory practice. We recognise that we need to continually keep this as a focus in our work and as an integral part of our organisational strategy.      

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement in the person specification, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable for this role.  You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles within the organisation. 

Respond Benefits package (all per financial year)

We offer a generous and comprehensive package of flexible benefits to all of our staff.

• Hybrid working model, which means that if you’re full time you make a commitment to be working in the office at least two days a week, with the remainder working from home.  Part time hours are altered accordingly.   

• Generous paid leave benefits including 28.5 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), with some to be taken between Christmas and New year.

• Up to 4 weeks paid sickness leave at full pay and a further 4 weeks at half pay,

• Discretionary study leave to support training relevant to your role. 

• Paid leave to employees who may need to take one day off a year when a religious festival falls on a workday.

• Up to 5 days paid time off for dependents per financial year.

• Opportunity to apply for up to 2 days (14 hours) paid leave per year to participate in volunteering activities relevant to the role.      

• Access to a workplace pension scheme, administered by NEST, with a minimum 5% employee contribution and 3% employer contribution from commencement of employment. 

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which includes 24/7 telephone service and counselling.     

Note all of the above days per annum stated are pro rata’d for part time employees.    

If you’d like to find out more about this role, please read through the job description and our person specification. When you apply, please send a CV and address the points in the person specification in an accompanying supporting statement.   Your statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4.     

Closing date for applications: 12th September 2025

Job Title: Housing Independent Gender Violence Advocate (Housing IGVA)

Location: The GAIA Centre (Lambeth, London)
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

The Housing Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) will be embedded within borough housing teams to facilitate the dual working that will ensure that survivors’ safety and housing needs are met. This includes:

· Close working relationships with Housing colleagues 

· Provision of specialist knowledge relating to DA for Housing Officers and Homelessness Teams to draw on 

· Specialist support for survivors at the moment of crisis 

· Provision of advocacy; supporting survivors to access safe accommodation 

· Ongoing support from the IGVA from wider DA service, including access to group clinical supervision, casework management meetings, reflective practice sessions, one-to-one supervision from service manager 

The Housing IGVA will work closely with victims of gender-based violence from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender-based violence at the highest risk and their children. The role will be part of increasing the ability of partner agencies to recognise, reject and respond appropriately and safely to all forms of gender-based violence (including domestic violence, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence).

The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal, housing and practical options that might increase their safety. The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support especially around complex housing needs.

The job involves ensuring that women are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am October 2025

Interview Date: 13 October 2025

Chief Executive - Children's Charity

Location: Imara Nottingham Office (Hybrid Working available)
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 (flexible working options available)
Salary: £53,000 pa

About the role:

As CEO, you’ll provide strategic leadership, ensuring our values of Acceptance, Seeking Justice, Creative Empowerment, Holding Our Ground, and Compassionate Commitment are at the heart of everything we do. Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, you will:

• Shape the long-term vision and strategy of the charity.
• Oversee operations, finances, partnerships, and service development.
• Advocate for children and families, raising awareness of the issues they face.
• Lead and inspire our team, building a culture of collaboration and creativity.
• Represent Imara externally, strengthening partnerships and supporting income generation.

About you:

We’re looking for an experienced leader with:

• Strong strategic, financial, and operational management skills.
• Charity sector knowledge (or transferable experience).
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Resilience and empathy when working with sensitive issues.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people. You’ll lead a passionate, supportive team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a vital local charity.

How to apply:

For more information about Imara and our work, please visit our website. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and actively encourage applications from survivors with lived experience. Closing date for applications is 12 midday on 31st October 2025, however we reserve the right to close applications early.

Benefits: We aim to provide a trauma informed approach to all employees and volunteers through the provision of Wellbeing days; flexible working; external clinical supervision; Employee Assistance Package (including alternative therapies); regular training and team days. In addition to this, we offer 25 days annual leave 8 bank holidays per annum (pro-rata)

REF-224 279

Freelance Communications Manager (3 days/week, remote)

About Our Time

Our Time is a pioneering UK charity supporting children and young people who have a parent with a mental illness. We make sure these young people are not isolated or overlooked by providing tools, resources and safe spaces to help them thrive. We deliver innovative programmes, education, campaigning and advocacy that create lasting change.

The Role

We’re looking for a talented and hands-on Communications Manager to help amplify our impact at this exciting stage of growth.

Working closely with the Operations Director, you will manage and support our Social Media & Communications Officer while driving engaging communications across all channels.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing Our Time’s communications and campaign activity.

• Managing, mentoring and supporting the Social Media & Communications Officer.

• Creating high-quality digital content for our website, newsletters and social platforms.

• Coordinating partner communications and supporting campaign mobilisation.

• Overseeing storytelling and narrative development to strengthen advocacy and impact.

• Monitoring and evaluating communications performance.

About You

You’ll bring established experience in communications, campaigns or advocacy (charity/NGO sector preferred) with strong digital content skills and social media management expertise. You’ll be confident managing colleagues or freelancers, an excellent writer and organiser, and able to work independently with initiative and creativity. Above all, you share our commitment to supporting children and families affected by parental mental illness.

Contract Details

• Freelance contract, £180 per day

• 3 days per week, fully remote

• Occasional in-person meetings (London/York)

How to Apply

Please download the application pack for full details on how to apply.

Please Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the vacancy will close once a suitable candidate is appointed, so early applications are encouraged.

Our Time is committed to safeguarding children and young people. Offers are subject to proof of UK work eligibility, satisfactory references covering the past five years, and an Enhanced DBS check. We welcome applications from all identities and backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates through the process.

Senior Practitioner, LifeSkills Intensive

Service:  LifeSkills

Location: Teesside (Stockton-on Tees, Middlesbrough, Guisborough) - We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details

Hours: 18.5 hours per week (part-time)

Salary: £28,598 - £31,384 FTE per annum (£14,299 - £15,692 per annum for part-time, 18.5 hours per week)

Contract type:  Permanent

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the

importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our expanding LifeSkills Intensive team.  You will offer supervision and management oversight to support workers primarily in your geographical area. You will be able to retain your practice experience and hold a small caseload and will be part of a wider supportive LifeSkills team.

LifeSkills supports individuals and families to build their confidence, social networks, financial and employability skills.  LifeSkills Intensive provides 1-1 support to those that are furthest away from employment, education and training.  This service is funded by our corporate partnership with Barclays.

Main Responsibilities:

· To line manage and supervise support workers in a specific geographical area

· Support with the management of referrals into the service, both in terms of service promotion and also decision making /allocation.

· To oversee and develop the service offer and ensure that this is having a positive impact.

· To hold a small caseload.

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

• Experience of supervising, coaching ,mentoring or supporting practitioners.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Strong communication skills and aptitude for building relationships.
• Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service –Enhanced.

Benefits:

• An annual paid leave entitlement that commences at 25 working days, rising each April by one day, subject to a maximum of 30 working days plus bank holidays / of 30 working days plus bank holiday pro rata
• up to 6% matched-pension contributions
• enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
• eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
• cycle to work scheme
• investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

• Please apply via our website by following the link and clicking the “Apply Now” link below the advert to fill out our digital application form
• Closing Date: Monday 20th October 2025 at 23:59

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role, and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.

Charity Director – Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children
 

Location - Cannock, Staffordshire |
Full Time, Permanent 
Competitive Salary Benefits
 
As one of the UK’s leading charities providing essential specialist equipment to children with disabilities, Newlife is dedicated to making life better - for the families we serve, and for the people who help us to make that happen.
 
Through grants and emergency equipment loans, we ensure children get the vital equipment they need, when they need it, while our free nurse helpline offers crucial support and information – as well as a listening ear. Our campaigns help to give children with disabilities and their families a voice, advocating for change to benefit the families we serve. And we support adults with additional needs with volunteering and employment opportunities, providing an introduction to the workplace and a means for career development.
 
Across the whole of Newlife, our teams are crucial to our success – it’s not just a job; here you’ll be helping us to change lives every day.
 
Make a life-changing impact for disabled children across the UK.

We’re entering an exciting period of growth and innovation, and we’re seeking a dynamic Charity Director to help shape our future.
 
As Charity Director, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading and strengthening the charity side of our organisation. Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll oversee service delivery, drive operational excellence, secure sustainable income, and ensure our teams are empowered to deliver high-impact support for children and families.
 
This role is perfect for an experienced charity leader with a proven track record of delivering strategic growth, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and championing inclusion and innovation. You’ll act as a key ambassador for Newlife, building meaningful partnerships and influencing change that improves the lives of disabled children nationwide.
 
Key responsibilities:

• Providing visionary leadership and supporting Newlife’s strategic goals.
• Overseeing day-to-day service delivery across equipment provision, family support, volunteering, and campaigning.
• Driving income generation and ensuring effective financial management.
• Strengthening governance, compliance, and organisational resilience.
• Acting as a spokesperson and ambassador to raise Newlife’s profile.
• Developing a high-performing, inclusive workplace culture where staff thrive.

 
What we’re looking for:

• Director-level leadership experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Proven ability to deliver strategic goals and operational excellence.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and public speaking skills.
• Commitment and passion for improving outcomes for disabled children and their families.

 
Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a leading national charity. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference every day. You’ll be joining a passionate, supportive team dedicated to transforming lives.
 
REF-223 857

About Impetus

Our vision is for a society where all young people, regardless of their background, can thrive in school, secure crucial qualifications, and take their first steps into the world of work on the journey to sustained employment in adulthood, for a fulfilling life.

As a leading impact funder, since 2002, Impetus has been helping the best leaders build stronger organisations delivering the most promising interventions that support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed against the odds. We do this by using our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact, through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school.
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths.
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment.

These are challenges that are faced by all young people, but they disproportionately affect young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

About the role

Are you passionate about giving all young people the best chance in life? Are you a brilliant influencer and communicator who relishes harnessing great policy, research and communications to realise social change? Do you want to work in a pioneering charity with impact at its core?

Then this could be the role for you. At Impetus we are looking for our next Director of Public Affairs, someone who can inspire our brilliant Public Affairs team and spearhead our communications, policy and research work. This is an exciting senior role, joining our Senior Management Team and working alongside our CEO, board, donors, supporters, portfolio partners and the wider sector to effect real change for young people.

This is an exciting time to join Impetus. We are at an inflexion point, having welcomed a new CEO this year and implementing a new strategy focusing on strengthening and expanding our impact and influence. A big part of that is through our public affairs and communications work; whether influencing policy makers so that all young people regardless of background get the best possible chance to succeed, reducing the gaps in education and employment between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their better off peers, or working with government and other funders to prove and expand impactful programmes or communicating our findings, insights and message to a wider range of audiences.

The Director of Public Affairs will work with the CEO and Senior Management Team to raise our profile and influence policy, unlock and steward resource and build new partnerships, in order to facilitate growth in impact. They will do this by getting the most out of our high performing Public Affairs team, which covers policy, research, advocacy and communications - as well as working across teams and with the Board to ensure Impetus is well positioned externally.

We’re proud of the work we’ve achieved to date, developing a strong track record of high-quality research and insightful reports, significantly raising our profile through media relations and stakeholder engagement, building strong sector partnerships and coalitions to drive meaningful change, establishing a wide range of relationships across government and the sector and building strong expertise in the team. We’re delighted that you’re considering joining us to take forward this work to the next level.

Here are some examples of the types of work that the Public Affairs team delivers:
• Our monthly policy newsletter, Impetus Insights
• Our news and commentary and blogs
• Our latest research reports on school engagement, attainment and youth employment
• Our coalitions: The Youth Employment Group and Who is Losing Learning?

For more information on what we’re looking for from our Director of Public Affairs & what a typical week can look like – please view the Director of Public Affairs recruitment pack.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and income generation

• Work with Impetus CEO and SMT to support the delivery of the Impetus strategy and business plan and deliver the public affairs milestones to time and within budget.
• Champion and contribute to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of Impetus' work, ensuring that EDI principles related to Impetus’ mission are reflected in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, communications and public positioning.
• Vision setting and strong line management of the Public Affairs team, developing their capabilities, representing the team at SMT and to the Board and ensuring it continues to make a valuable - and valued - contribution to the achievement of Impetus’s objectives, through building and implementing high quality work plans for the team and ensuring the wider Impetus team is aligned on these.
• Increase awareness, understanding and trust in Impetus among key stakeholders, through regular, thoughtful engagement with the sector and securing high profile media coverage.
• Raise awareness of the education and employment gaps faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and what we can do to break down the barriers they face - through research, policy positioning and effective communications.
• Build a positive reputation for Impetus in government and parliament and among funders, as a source of expertise on how to improve the education and employment outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and as a trusted interlocutor and partner, building on and leveraging the many relationships already established.
• Ensure that all advocacy is supported by high quality research and evidence, with our policy and research agenda well aligned to supporting the delivery of Impetus’ strategy.
• Ensure a positive media profile, continuing to build on the base established to build awareness among the media of Impetus’s expertise and content.
• Position Impetus as a ‘sought-after’ collaborative partner for other organisations with shared objectives; including regularly representing Impetus at relevant sector events.
• Support the delivery of our fundraising strategy and the successful delivery of our events programme, in particular, our flagship Transforming Lives Dinner.
• Where appropriate, collaborate with our portfolio partners to support their public affairs work and to leverage relevant partnerships, drawing on their insights to inform Impetus’ work.
• Contribute to the successful performance of the Senior Management Team, and provide expert advice to them, as well as to Trustees, on all public affairs-related activities and in the implementation of the broader strategy, engaging with decisions and challenges across the organisation.
• Oversee the running of our Public Affairs Committee (PAC), leveraging their skills, expertise and influence for the good of Impetus.

Personal specification

Essential

• A commitment to Impetus’ mission
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Experience of leading public affairs / communications / policy at a senior level
  Strong track record of influencing (through policy, advocacy, communications, stakeholder relations)
• Strong management skills including strategy development, people management, budgeting and impact monitoring
• Experience of leading multiple and complex workstreams to achieve measurable results
• Experience of representing an organisation externally; in meetings, media interviews and on public platforms
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
• Presence, credibility, motivational skills, natural ability to command respect based on experience, and ability to look beyond own area of expertise
• Proven experience of building and maintaining influential external relationships and strategic partnerships
• Ability to motivate a team and work collaboratively, enlisting support from others
• Knowledge of the education and/ or young people sectors

Desirable:

• Experience of fundraising, including trusts and foundations
• Knowledge of digital communications
• Experience of data management and good analytical skills
• Understanding of, and/or lived experience of, the barriers that young people face, that contribute to the education and employment gap
• Knowledge of venture philanthropy / impact management
• Knowledge of private equity and associated industries

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

How to apply

Please click here to apply.

You will need to:

• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
• We will also share our equal opportunities form which must also be completed.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm, Sunday 12th October 2025.

Interviews

First round interviews will take place: w/c 20th/27th October 2025.

Second round interviews will take place: w/c 3rd November 2025.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

Job Title: Deputy Service Manager (Maternity Cover)

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £28,539.24 per annum
Contract type: Part Time, Fixed Term Contract (From November 2025 Until November 2026)

Hours: 30 hours per week (days to be discussed)

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Deputy Service Manager to support women and children who are impacted by domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls.

The deputy manager will contribute to the management of the IDVA, Outreach and Helpline Single Point of Access community based services, in line with Refuge’s policies and procedures and quality management system.  This involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors.

The post holder will provide line management and support to staff. This will include providing supervision on complex casework issues such as child protection, overseeing operational emergencies and ensuring high standards of support.

Working closely with the services manager to ensure that contractual and other funding requirements are met fully and that Refuge’s high quality standards are maintained, the role may involve visiting potential sites and contributing to the establishment of new services in conjunction with the development team.

The job involves working closely with members of staff that support victims and survivors of domestic abuse using our services, which will include overseeing the delivery of groupwork and participating in multi-agency forums and multi-agency training delivery.

The deputy manager will act as an ambassador for Refuge, demonstrating Refuge values in their work.

As a member of the management team, the post holder will be required to participate in an out-of-hours management service.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 20 October 2025

Interview Date: 27 and 28 October 2025

Team Lead South (Engagement and Support)

Location: Cambridge & Ely

Salary: £34,000 – £38,000 per annum

Closing date: 20/10/25

Interviews to be held week beginning 3rd November

Full Time (35 hours per week) 

Centre 33 is an ambitious and growing charity based across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We offer a range of high-quality services to young people aged up to 25, including information and support on a “drop in” basis, mental health services, counselling, housing and financial advice, sexual health support and support for young carers.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our established ‘Someone to Talk to’ service in a Team Lead role.  The Team Lead will manage and oversee a team of staff and volunteers supporting young people across Centre 33’s two hubs in our South Locality – in Cambridge City and Ely. The Team Lead will work closely with the other Team Leads and Heads of Service to jointly ensure our multidisciplinary teams deliver excellent, safe, impactful and responsive services to young people.

We are looking for a highly motivated professional with experience working within a practical support, youth work or mental health role, and with experience of managing people.  The Team Lead will bring strong expertise and leadership to Centre 33’s holistic support offer for young people aged 13-25 years: our open-access drop-in, ongoing support around practical needs such as housing, and flexible mental health support. They will be responsible for providing support with case allocation, case management, reflective practice, risk management and Safeguarding. They will provide day-to-day designated Safeguarding leadership, supported by the Head of Service and Director of Services.  They will develop strong relationships with local organisations to ensure effective joint working and support for young people.  This role may deliver ad hoc case work to support young people with more complex needs but will not hold an ongoing regular case load.

The hours of work for this role are predominantly within core opening hours of 10 to 6pm, with some evening/Saturday working based on a rota. Due to our service delivery, it is important that the Team Lead is available for hub-based work during our core working hours.

This role will work to Centre 33’s values of being young people led, collaborative, inclusive and striving for excellence.

This post is subject to a DBS check, references & providing evidence of eligibility of Right to Work in the UK

Centre 33 strives to be an equal opportunities employer.

We welcome discussions about part time and flexible working arrangements

Main Purpose of the Post:

Provide advocacy, support, impartial advice, and information to survivors of all ages who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives. This includes support within the Criminal Justice System (CJS), as well as delivering informed choices sessions to help survivors decide whether they wish to engage with the CJS process.

Key information:

· We require the post holder to be female under Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR), Schedule 9 (Work; Exceptions), Part 1 (Occupational Requirements), of the Equality Act (2010).

· The post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

· The post involves flexible working hours including responding to crises in order to meet the needs of the service as and when required.

· The post is part of a countywide ISVA service covering Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. For all survivors accessing the service

· Undertake needs-led assessments and develop individual support plans.

· Support survivors to access services to which they are entitled.

· Provide support (non-therapeutic) to survivors.

· Provide information on criminal, legal, and civil remedies where appropriate.

· Provide information and support in relation to Criminal Injuries Compensation.

· Where relevant, liaise with other agencies who are supporting the client.

· Assist survivors who decide to report by facilitating the reporting of the offence.

2. For survivors reporting to the Police

· Support survivors through the criminal justice system explaining the procedures, the ISVA role, and the client’s rights within the system.

· Liaise with the police and CPS on behalf of survivors and/or with survivors.

· Participate in case conferences with the police, CPS, and prosecuting barrister.

· Support and advocate for clients to access special measures.

· Where appropriate, support survivors to provide a victim impact statement during the trial phase.

3. Quality Assurance

· Maintain confidential client records, sharing and managing information in accordance with PRCCG Policies and Procedures.

· Develop and maintain effective working relationships with agencies supporting survivors.

· Ensure survivors receive the best possible standard of support in line with Rape Crisis National Service Standards.

· Attend and participate in regular Team Meetings, Peer Review Meetings, Reflective Practice and Clinical Supervision.

4. General

· Manage a caseload while taking responsibility for scheduling time off to ensure a healthy work/life balance.

· Work flexible hours where required and dependent on the needs of PRCCG and its service users.

· Participate in PRCCG training and development opportunities.

· Support the monitoring and evaluation of PRCCG services.

· Support the running of other PRCCG services where required.

Flexibility Statement

The content of this Role Profile represents an outline of the post only and is therefore not a precise catalogue of duties and responsibilities. This document is therefore intended to be flexible and is subject to review and amendment in the light of changing circumstances and following consultation with the post holder.