Children and young people support worker jobs in East of england

About Us

We are Kinship, the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers - friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. Our mission is to ensure kinship families are recognised, valued, and supported. We provide advice, training, and community connections to help carers navigate the challenges of raising children in kinship care. Together, we campaign for change so that every kinship family gets the support they need.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive professional People Advisor to join our People and Culture team. This role combines administrative responsibilities with advanced HR advisory duties including case management, training delivery and deputising for the Head of People and Culture. This role may suit an experienced People Administrator looking for career advancement, or an experienced HR Advisor looking for a new opportunity.

We welcome applicants who are kinship carers or kinship care experienced and value diversity, inclusion and open-mindedness. This role will be predominately office based, however, there could be some opportunities to work from home by agreement. 

Key Responsibilities

• Employee relations: Manage disciplinary, grievance and absence cases, providing advice and coaching to managers.
• Performance management: Support managers in performance improvement plans and appraisal processes, coaching on effective techniques.
• Policy and compliance: advise on and implement HR policies, ensuring adherence to employment law and charitable regulations.
• Training and development: Identify training needs and help coordinate learning programmes to boost employee skills.
• Change management: Support managers and employees through organisational changes, including formal consultations if required.   
• People administration: Employee lifecycle
• Respond to basic people queries promptly and professionally.

Skills and attributes

• Organised and detail-oriented.
• Coaching approach
• Strong communication skills.
• Problem-solving mindset and ability to work independently.
• Open-minded and inclusive approach.
• High level of integrity 

Experience

• Demonstrable employment law knowledge
• Demonstrable case management experience
• Demonstrable knowledge of creating and improving people processes
• Familiarity with people systems is a bonus (training provided).
• Commitment to confidentiality, including highly sensitive personal information
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Respectful and empathetic in all interactions.
• What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time). We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work.   We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements 
• 40 days paid leave per year: 25 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 3 days between Christmas and New Year and 4 wellbeing days
• Strong commitment to professional development with a dedicated training budget
• Annual performance and pay progression reviews
• Up to 5% pension contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme offering access to free therapy
• Work phone and laptop
• A supportive and inclusive culture with regular team social events
• Scope to take real ownership in a fast-growing charity   

Personal development programme: 

• You will have a line manager dedicated to growing your strengths and supporting your professional skills development 
• You can work with your manager to set your own objectives within the scope of the job description 
• You will have a dedicated buddy within the team 
• You will take part in external and internal training to help grow your knowledge and skills

Please note that care-experienced applicants who meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our team and we encourage applications from people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds. We are dedicated to being a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and where diversity is celebrated. In our last staff survey, 95% said they feel a sense of belonging at Settle. Please see our website for more information on our approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

We are looking for a Partnerships Engagement Officer to join us at this exciting stage in Settle’s development. Over the next few years, we aim to significantly grow the number of young people we are working with while maintaining the quality and impact of our programme. The Partnerships Engagement Officer will join the Business Development Team, reporting to the Senior Partnerships Manager. You will be integral to helping us to grow our reach so that we can work with more care-experienced young people across London. 

The successful candidate will nurture and strengthen our existing partnerships to maximise referral numbers. The core of the role will be to build strong formal and informal relationships with partners and increase awareness and a deeper understanding of Settle’s work. You will make regular in-person visits to Local Authority, Housing Association and charity referral partners across London to promote the Settle programme and ensure our offer is well understood and uptake is maximised.  Ideally, you will spend some of your time working from partner offices. 

With some experience of working for or with local authorities, housing associations or charities, you enjoy working collaboratively to improve processes and widen access to opportunities in order to create better outcomes for young people. This role will suit someone who can work independently and appreciates variety in their work: one day you might enjoy a lively conversation with a group of social workers and another you will delve into the data to produce informative reports for partners.

ABOUT SUZY LAMPLUGH TRUST:

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust was established in memory of Suzy Lamplugh, a young estate agent who tragically disappeared while at work in 1986 and was later declared deceased in 1993.  Created to honour Suzy's legacy, the Trust aims to empower individuals and organisations to take a stand against abuse, aggression, and violence in all forms, supporting safety in both personal and professional lives.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are looking for an ambitious, dynamic senior social worker to lead, deliver and develop our SAFE Project, a pan-London project dedicated to providing advocacy support for stalking victims aged 11-16 (or up to age 25 with particular vulnerabilities), funded by Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong senior operational experience.  You will need to be able to think on your feet and work in a fast paced, ever-changing environment.  This first-of-its-kind project, co-designed with partner organisation Safer London, will seek to fill in important gaps in understanding, assessing and supporting young people experiencing stalking. You will work closely to ensure that systems are robust, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of vulnerable children, while embedding the service into the wider ecosystem of London specialist services driving change.

Reporting to the Head of Pan London Stalking Support Service, you will provide expert advice and advocacy to children, young people and their families, ensuring the SAFE Project has what it needs to deliver an outstanding service.  You will be trainined as an Independent Stalking Advocate (ISA), hold a caseload, and over the course of the contract, you will support the upskilling of all ISAs on the team to be able to take children and young people's cases.  In addition to leading on the development of the children and youth work provision, you will oversee a Young People's Experts by Experience group to ensure victim's voices are fed into project development.

This role is hybrid, initially requiring on-site attendance at our London office until the sucessful completion of the first probation review (typically 3 months), as well as regular travel across London

Location: MK ACT Office
Hours: 30 per week (Tue–Fri, 9:30–17:30, 30-minute lunch break)
Salary: £20,998 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Reporting to: Refuge Manager
Closing Date: 21 January

About Us

MK ACT is a long-established domestic abuse charity with over 50 years’ experience supporting individuals and families across Milton Keynes. We provide safety, refuge, advocacy and long-term support as survivors rebuild their lives.

We have a vacancy for a  Children and Young People’s Support Worker to join our refuge team. This is an exciting opportunity to support our children living in refuge to overcome the trauma of abuse in a play setting. You will play a key role in ensuring safety, emotional wellbeing and development for children and young people aged 0 to 16, living in our accommodation. This role suits someone who is enthusiastic, adaptable and creative.

You will need to have experience of working with children and a level 3  qualification in Early years or Childcare.  

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful difference for children affected by domestic abuse
• Supportive, specialist team environment
• Training and professional development opportunities
• 25 days’ annual leave (pro rata) + bank holidays
• Additional paid birthday leave
• Opportunity to grow with the charity as we expand

Key Responsibilities

Support for Children and Young People

· Plan and deliver interesting age-appropriate activities and holiday playschemes

· Work with the Family Support Workers to provide support for the residents and their children

· Deliver age appropriate support around children’s experiences of Domestic Abuse

· Work with other agencies to ensure safety of children living in the refuge

· Keep accurate records

· Be part of the refuge on call rota

About You

You will thrive in this role if you enjoy working with children, are energetic, child-centred and aware of safeguarding responsibilities

Essential
• Understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on children
• Experience supporting children or young people
• Strong communication and record-keeping skills
• Confidence working with families from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work effectively within multi-agency frameworks

· Level 3 Early years of Childcare qualification

· Have a full UK Driving licence

Desirable
• Experience in refuge or safeguarding environments
• Experience delivering group activities or children’s programmes
• Knowledge of Protective Behaviours

How to Apply

As part of our fair recruitment approach, we do not accept CVs.
Please complete our official application form. Applications submitted without the form cannot be considered.

Join BBS UK and help deliver compassionate support within NHS highly specialised clinics, supporting children and families living with Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

At Bardet-Biedl Syndrome UK (BBS UK), we are dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by this rare genetic condition. Our charity provides specialist support services that help children, young people and families feel informed, supported and able to navigate complex health and care systems, working in partnership with NHS Highly Specialised BBS Clinics.

We are seeking a compassionate and organised individual to join our Clinics Support Team as a Patient Liaison Officer (PLO). This role offers a unique opportunity to deliver charity-led support within specialist paediatric clinics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, working alongside NHS multi-disciplinary teams while remaining part of a close-knit and supportive charity team.

About the Role

As a Patient Liaison Officer, you will play a vital role in ensuring families feel prepared, supported and heard before, during and after their clinic appointments. You will provide emotional and practical support, advocacy and system navigation, helping families to understand their care and access appropriate support, while referring more complex casework to BBS UK’s specialist Advice Service.

You will:

• Support families before, during and after NHS Highly Specialised BBS clinic appointments

• Facilitate clinic attendance by preparing families for appointments, addressing concerns and helping to reduce “Did Not Attend” rates

• Attend specialist BBS clinics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and St Thomas' Hospital, providing on-the-day support to families and clinicians (Approximately 2-4 days per month)

• Act as a key point of contact between families and clinical teams, supporting communication and information-sharing

• Provide light-touch advocacy, information and signposting in relation to health, education, social care and local authority support

• Identify unmet needs or emerging issues during clinic interactions and refer families to the BBS UK Advice Service for specialist advocacy and follow-up

• Support families during key transition points, particularly the move from paediatric to adult services

• Maintain accurate and confidential records using BBS UK’s CRM system (CharityLog)

• Contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement and the wider work of BBS UK

This is a home-based role with attendance at clinics in central London and occasional travel to other clinic sites and BBS UK events. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with BBS UK policies.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for an experienced individual with a background in supporting children and families, who can work confidently in a clinic-based, people-facing role.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Experience working with children, young people and families, ideally within health, social care, education or the voluntary sector

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with families experiencing distress or uncertainty

• Experience providing emotional and practical support to individuals with complex or long-term conditions

• Ability to organise and manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and work independently

• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case management/CRM systems (e.g. CharityLog)

• Understanding of safeguarding principles and professional boundaries

• A strong commitment to improving outcomes for people living with rare or complex conditions

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Knowledge of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome or other rare or genetic conditions

• Experience working alongside or within NHS services or multi-disciplinary teams

• Understanding of education, health and social care systems in England

• Experience supporting families affected by disability or visual impairment

• Ability to travel for work, including clinic attendance (travel expenses reimbursed)

Why Join BBS UK?

BBS UK is a small, dedicated charity making a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families affected by Bardet-Biedl Syndrome. Our Clinics Support Team is widely recognised by families and clinicians as an essential part of the specialist BBS service.

By joining us, you will:

• Have a direct and positive impact on families at critical points in their care journey

• Be part of a supportive, values-driven charity team

• Work flexibly from home while delivering face-to-face support in specialist clinics

• Receive training, supervision and ongoing professional development

• Contribute to a nationally recognised rare disease support service

Additional Information

• DBS Check: An enhanced DBS check is required for this role

• Safeguarding: Completion of safeguarding training within the first month of employment

• Flexible Working: Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, with time off in lieu provided

• Hours: This is a permanent, part-time role (20 hours per week)

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about supporting children and families living with a rare condition and would like to be part of a dedicated charity team, we’d love to hear from you.

If you would like to discuss the role before applying, details can be found in the application pack.

Application Deadline: 8th February 2026

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives.   

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our teams apply these daily offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.    

We are looking for a passionate and experienced professional to lead the development of our Affected Others service, supporting children, young people (CYP), and families impacted by familial substance misuse. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow a service that makes a real difference in breaking cycles of harm and building resilience.

Where: Buckinghamshire (Countywide)

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary Range: £32,002.35- £34,214.20*

*Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours. 

Responsibilities

About the Role
As the lead for this specialist area, you will:

• Drive the design and delivery of innovative interventions for children, young people and families affected by substance misuse.
• Develop group programmes, resources, and training to strengthen whole-family approaches.
• Build strong partnerships with key stakeholder such as adult substance misuse services, schools, children’s services, and health professionals to ensure seamless referral pathways.
• Develop and deliver training and consultation to external partners and stakeholders on the issues facing young people affected by substance misuse of others. 
• Champion safeguarding and best practice across the service.
• Hold a caseload of complex and high-risk cases involving children, young people, and families, delivering whole-family support, including parenting programmes and harm reduction strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate service impact, ensuring continuous improvement.

About You
We’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in working with families facing multiple risk factors, including parental substance misuse.
• Skilled in delivering 1:1 and group interventions and developing new programmes.
• Knowledgeable about safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Qualified to Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• A strong communicator and collaborator, able to influence and lead within multi-agency settings.
• You will need to work flexibly countywide across Buckinghamshire so must hold a full UK driving license and have access to a car.

What we Offer

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days” 
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 
• Opportunity to lead and shape a vital service alongside a friendly and supportive team 
• Training, career development & progression opportunities 
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role. 

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 28 to 30 (£32,002.35 - £34,214.20)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Interview Date

23/1/2026

Closing Date

12/1/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Can you inspire, energise and motivate young people aged 9–18?
Do you want to make a genuine difference while being part of a supportive, values-driven team?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

One YMCA Youth Clubs provide safe, inclusive spaces where young people can socialise, build confidence, and develop skills for life. We are looking for a Youth Development Worker to support the delivery of engaging youth work sessions and contribute to the growth of our youth offer, including the opening of new clubs in Bedford town centre.

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Youth Development Worker, you will support the planning and delivery of a range of youth work activities. This is a hands-on role working directly with young people, helping to create welcoming, fun and meaningful sessions that reflect the YMCA Youth Work Strategy and Principles.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone passionate about youth work who wants to develop their skills in a supportive environment. Training and ongoing support will be provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the planning, delivery and evaluation of youth work activities for young people aged 9–18
• Deliver a range of youth work activities, including centre-based sessions, outreach, school-linked programmes, mentoring and digital engagement
• Build positive, trusted relationships with young people, offering encouragement, guidance and support
• Assist with projects and new youth club development in Bedford town centre
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, engagement and outcomes to support monitoring and reporting
• Promote safeguarding, equality, inclusion and positive behaviour in all aspects of delivery

About You

You don’t need to be fully qualified - what matters most is your enthusiasm, reliability, and commitment to young people.

You will be:

• Passionate about supporting children and young people
• Confident engaging with young people in group settings
• Willing to learn and develop your youth work skills
• Able to work as part of a team and follow safeguarding procedures
• Experience working with young people (paid or voluntary) is desirable but not essential.

Hours and Contract

• Part-time role
• 10 hours per week, paid on a monthly salaried basis
• Working pattern includes evenings and weekends, with most sessions taking place after school

Additional Information

• Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship available)
• This role may require a Basic or Enhanced DBS check following a conditional offer
• Applications will be reviewed as received, so early application is encouraged

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: At One YMCA, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and aim to create a working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Please let us know if you need any support to apply or attend an interview.

Job Title: Independent Visitor Co-ordinator

Service: Children’s Rights Services, London and the South East

Reporting to: London Lead IV Coordinator  

Salary: £16,200-£16,605 per annum (£27,000-£27,675 FTE)

Location: Hybrid, Coram Campus with homeworking and work in the community

Hours: 21 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Job Introduction

· Are you passionate about supporting and developing volunteers?

· Are you looking for an opportunity to help make positive differences to the lives of children and young people who are looked after or care leavers of the local authority?

· Do you want to work with a leading national independent children’s charity?

Then come join us here at Coram Voice. We have an exciting opportunity for you to become a co-ordinator of our independent visiting service in London.

We are seeking candidates who are committed to our objectives for children and young people and equally committed to the organisation and the development of our services. We recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and young people we help.

Our work

Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.

Coram Voice is a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children. We get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them and work to improve the lives of children in care, care leavers and others who depend upon the help of the state.

We provide:

· Advocacy services direct to children and young people in care, in need, in custody and to care leavers and children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives.  This may be through the telephone helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.

· A National Helpline to provide access for children and young people to advocacy and advice, with access to legal advice and links with other national services.

· Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to advocate for young people as qualifying patients under the Mental Health Act, in order to fully support them to get their views heard in matters relating to their mental health.

· Independent Visitor services offers a child or young person in care an adult volunteer who provides independent, one-to-one visiting, advice and befriending support. Our independent visitors can become the only long-term, consistent source of support throughout a young person's time in care.

· Independent services provide independent person services for complaints by children and for reviewing whether children should be locked up in secure units on welfare grounds.

· Policy and campaigning to create a better system for all children and young people looked after by the state, for their care to be more child-centred and to give young people a greater say in decisions about their lives. 

· Participation services to ensure children and young people have a voice in the development and delivery of services and campaigns, and through the process, provide the opportunity to develop relevant skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.

· Training, development and information for young people, advocates and child care workers, offering courses in advocacy, children’s rights and child-centred practice across a range of areas including the National Advocacy Qualification.

About the Role

You will co-ordinate and deliver a statutory independent visitor service to children and young people in care or care leavers of London.

You will recruit, assess and train volunteers to become independent visitors, who are volunteer befrienders to children and young people looked after or care leavers. You will manage a cash flow to fund suitable activities for independent visitors to enjoy with the young person. You will manage data and reporting for this statutory service so that service leads and other stakeholders can understand the activity in the service.

We are a child led service, you will not act outside of the young person’s instructions (except in matters of child protection and safety.)  You will build strong relationships with the child or young person, independent visitors and other significant adults, you will support Independent Visitors to develop long term, meaningful friendships with the young person.

You will work in partnership with other parts of the service, organisation and external agencies and professionals. This is to ensure there are pathways to attract and retain Independent Visitors in the area and sometimes out of area.

What you will receive

We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of 28 days’ annual leave per year, with increases linked to years worked at Coram Voice. A supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies, which promote employee wellbeing.

You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.

Recruitment process

Shortlisting will be undertaken by Grace Maher, Children’s Rights Services Manager and Jade Joseph, London Lead IV Coordinator. Successful candidates will then be invited for interview. The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview. Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.

Returning your application:

· We cannot accept general CVs. When completing your application form, address each point of the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.

· Applications must be fully completed.

The deadline for applications to be returned is 11.59pm on Sunday 1st February 2026.

Interviews will be arranged for Thursday 12th and Friday 13th February 2026.

                                                   Young People’s Advocate - RECRUITMENT PACK

Hopscotch takes pride in working to support women and families facing racial and gender inequity in London. We take our trauma informed practice seriously, both with service users and within the organisation. We also run a successful Homecare service, with Care Workers taking care of vulnerable people in south Camden who draw on care.

This Young People’s Advocate role will give you the chance to be an integral part of our organisation. You will be working with the VAWG team to deliver positive masculinity workshops in Camden Schools. You will be engaging with boys and girls aged 12-17 years and to enable them their improved understanding of masculinity.

Salary:  £32,639 FTE

Hours of Work: Flexibly, normally 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday

Location:  Mainly based in a school but to also spend some time in the office (NW1)

Reporting to:  Head of Programmes

Funding:  Annual

WHY HOPSCOTCH?

• An opportunity to live out your values
• Working in a human rights environment
• A chance to challenge the status quo and not settle for what is
• Working with a diverse and vibrant team
• Team positivity, creativity and problem solving
• A place where all voices are heard
• Daily opportunities to make a meaningful impact on those in need
• Signatories of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant – creating a safe working environment for all staff
• Part of an award-winning charity
• Generous annual leave provision
• Occupational sick leave
• Regular internal and clinical supervision with amazing therapists
• Ongoing training with experts from around the country

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supporting young people referred to Hopscotch’s programme in schools to safely explore positive masculinity.
• Listening and helping the boys to cultivate healthy attitudes and behaviours – towards each other and girls. 
• Work closely with young people and the school to co-create each programme, with a focus on supporting boys to embrace qualities such as empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence.
• Create a culture of inclusivity and respect where teenage boys can develop into confident and compassionate young men.
• Supporting experts by experience
• Maintaining data and reports
• Carrying out relevant administration requirements of the post
• Speaking at public events about the project

This job description in no way implies that these duties are exhaustive as any other duties falling reasonably within the scope of the position may be assigned from time to time. All staff members must be committed to and promote Hopscotch’s Equal Opportunity Policies and Procedures in relation to both service provision and employment issues.

Values, Behaviours & Competencies

• Committed to the Vision and Mission of Hopscotch, ensuring our service-user voices are centred in all circumstances
• Committed to fostering innovation and continuous improvement in working practice
• Flexible and open to new challenges, ideas and experiences, and able to be self-reflective
• Committed to understanding diversity and ensuring anti-discriminatory practice is applied in all forms of our work
• Non-judgemental with a commitment to self-care within the team
• Collaborative, building relationships with internal and external partners

Knowledge, Experience and Skills - Essential

• A degree in Psychology – Desirable
• Experience of working within the charity sector
• A coaching or mentoring qualification - Desirable
• An understanding of the essence of Positive Masculinity and attitudes on this issue
• Knowledge of how to relate to young people
• Knowledge of how to challenge young people to think differently
• Knowledge of how to teach young people to challenge non-conformist views and behaviours of other young people
• Knowledge of how to mentor young people.
• Experience working with a diverse staff team applying anti-discriminatory practice
• Experience of working to targets and meeting deadlines
• Ability to critically reflect on own practice and performance and make use of clinical supervision
• Excellent organisational and IT skills including the ability to be self-servicing, use relevant IT packages and maintain an efficient case recording and data reporting system
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must have strong attention to detail, highly organised and process driven.
• Classroom & Group Management
  • Ability to confidently manage and facilitate group discussions with teenage boys, creating a safe, respectful, and engaging learning environment.
• Empathetic & Youth-Centred Approach
  • Demonstrate an empathetic, non-judgemental stance with an ability to understand young peoples lived experiences, challenges, and social realities.
• Awareness of Digital & Social HHMedia Influences
  • An understanding of the role of social media, online culture, and peer influence in shaping young people’s attitudes, identities, and behaviours.
• School Partnership Working
  • ​​​​​​​Ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive professional relationships with school staff, teachers, safeguarding leads, and external partners
• Engaging Delivery Style
  • Ability to deliver sessions in an enthusiastic, accessible, and engaging way that captures young people’s interest and encourages participation.
• Professional Boundaries & Conduct
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times while building trust and rapport with young people.

Additional requirements

• Safeguarding & Training
  • The postholder will be required to undertake regular safeguarding training and demonstrate a strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities when working with children and young people
• To work closely with the Head of Programmes, attending very regular reflective supervision sessions and annual appraisals
• Willingness to work flexibly and to keep knowledge and skills up to date
• Attain an enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service formally known as the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure
• Right to work in the UK

Starting Salary: Up to £35,000 depending on experience

Specific Hours: 40 hours per week shift work- including evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins. 

(flexibility to work evenings and sleep-ins are for the Day position. Waking Night position requires staff to be awake for the entire night shift).

Sleep-ins: £50. Overtime / bank holidays paid time-and-a-half and alternative weekends off

Location: Croydon, CR2 - closest station is 1 stop after East Croydon | 10 minutes from Clapham Junction | 20 minutes from Waterloo.

Looking for fantastic career progression, excellent training and therapeutic support? Join our committed and professional team and make a difference to young people living in residential care, where no two days are the same!

About the role

As a Children’s Residential Worker, you will directly look after children and young people who have complex emotional and mental health needs due to trauma, loss and other adverse experiences.

You will be required to support children to regulate and understand their emotions. Working within a therapeutic framework, you will develop a direct programme of work aimed at developing authentic relationships with our children and young people (aged 12 – 17 years old on admission to the Children’s Home).

You will have a key role in making sure our children are safe and happy. You will also be required to work collaboratively with key professionals to ensure that information is recorded and shared appropriately, as well as to enable children to receive the multi-agency support that they require.

If applying for the Day position, you will be required to do sleep-ins paid at £50 each.

If applying for the Waking Night position, you will have the additional support of an on-call manager should there be any emergencies. Further to this, you will be involved in monthly team meetings and receive monthly supervision.

Applicants should have

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent (i.e. Level 3 Diploma Children and Young People Workforce with the children's social care pathway) as per Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 (England).
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working and supporting children and Young People to achieve their full potential.
• Genuine commitment to working with and supporting children and Young People to achieve their full potential; with the ability to build and promote trusted relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• An understanding of the issues facing children and Young People and a basic understanding of safeguarding Regulations and Procedures.
• The ability to cope effectively with challenging behaviour.
• Good communication and team working skills.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays, and if applicable, sleep-in’s.
• Commitment to undertake any mandatory training (outside of working hours) and continuous learning to ensure a high level of service.
• Creativity, enthusiasm and energy to inspire and encourage young people to achieve their goals.

What you should expect from us

• Salary: Up to £35,000 depending on experience
• Sleep-ins: £50. Overtime / bank holidays paid time-and-a-half and alternate weekends off
• A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
• Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
• UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
• Discretionary funded training programs.
• Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
• Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.

Recruitment Process

At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements. Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting.

Your Online application must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification.

For the full Job Description and Person Specification please see our website. CV’s will not be accepted.

For more information or assistance during the application process, please visit our website.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview at our Head Office

Second Stage Interview 

Successful candidates will then attend the second stage interview at one of St Christopher's residential homes.

Our Children and Young People are looking forward to hearing from you

We advise you to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please note:

• This post has a minimum age restriction of 21 year for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and supported accommodation Homes in line with the Equality Act ‘occupational requirement’.
• It is illegal to apply for any role that involves working with children and young people under the age of 18, if you know you are barred from working with children.
• All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.

We are looking for a Community Leader Programme Support Worker who will focus on engaging existing members of SLRA’s Community Leaders Programme and encouraging new members to join, through one-to-ones and grouplistening sessions. Through these listening activities, the role will identify the issues people are facing and barriers that exist to participating in the programme, and use this learning to help shape the monthly sessions, projects and actions, as well as the evaluation of the programme. This is a developmental role and focus will be on strengthening core skills through training opportunities and support from the team.

We would love to hear from you if you have: 

• Experience of community organising work, and participating or leading activities/workshops.
• Personal, lived experience of the impact of the UK immigration or asylum system.
• The ability to quickly build positive relationships with community members and colleagues.

Join us for a short information session on Tuesday 27th January 13:00-14:00 to find out more about the role ahead of applying,  find details on our website.

SLRA is a well-established local migrant support organisation working with and for refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants who are at risk or in crisis as a result of immigration issues. We provide specialist immigration advice, as well as a broad range of practical, social and therapeutic support services. SLRA also campaigns for a fairer immigration system, local people with lived experience in influencing local and national policy and practice.   

Benefits include: 

• 25 days holiday per year (with 3 additional days when the office is closed at Christmas) plus bank holidays.
• Additional long service annual leave days up to a maximum of an additional 5 days per year.
• Flexible and family friendly working arrangements including compressed hours and school term time working.
• Pension scheme with 5% employer contribution.
• Commitment to staff learning and development.
• Cyclescheme and travelcard loans.

For all roles, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from individuals of the global majority, and those who are migrants or refugees, and those with lived experience of the hostile immigration system. 

One YMCA provides housing, health, wellbeing, children’s, youth and community services across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We are committed to helping people reach their full potential and strengthening communities through inclusive, high-quality programmes.

Are you an experienced youth worker ready to take the next step in your development?
Do you enjoy leading sessions, supporting colleagues, and shaping meaningful opportunities for young people?

We are seeking a Senior Youth Development Worker to support the development and delivery of One YMCA’s Universal Youth Work provision in Bedford.

The Role

Reporting to the Youth Work Coordinator, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality youth work for young people aged 9–18. You will lead engaging sessions, support and supervise sessional youth workers, and contribute to the growth and development of One YMCA’s youth work offer in line with the YMCA Youth Work Strategy.

This is a hands-on role combining direct youth work, team support, and partnership engagement. You will help ensure young people feel safe, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver and evaluate inclusive youth work sessions for young people aged 9–18
• Lead sessions and act as a positive role model for young people
• Support and supervise sessional youth workers during delivery
• Build and maintain positive relationships with partners, schools and external agencies
• Maintain accurate records to monitor attendance, engagement and outcomes
• Contribute to the development and expansion of One YMCA’s youth work offer, including partnership and funding opportunities
• Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of work

About You

You are passionate about youth work and committed to making a positive difference in young people’s lives. You are confident leading sessions, supporting others, and working collaboratively as part of a team.

You will have:

• Experience delivering youth work (paid or voluntary)
• Confidence leading group sessions and supporting small teams
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• An understanding of inclusive and safeguarding-led practice
• A Level 3 Youth Work qualification, or willingness to work towards one (essential)

Hours and Contract

• Part-time role
• 18 hours per week, salaried on a monthly basis
• Working pattern is flexible but will include evenings and weekends, with most delivery taking place after school

Additional Information

• Interviews will be held on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged
• Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available)
• This role may require a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, subject to a conditional offer

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: At One YMCA, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We actively promote equality of opportunity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities, and experiences.

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Please let us know if you require any support to participate fully.

ABOUT THE CLINK CHARITY

The Clink Charity, founded in 2009, aims to prevent and reduce reoffending through training, rehabilitation, and support. We deliver hospitality and horticulture training behind the prison walls and in the community by creating an environment where our students are supported to gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to rebuild their lives.

Since that time, we have trained approximately 5,000 people in prison and delivered 2,600 City & Guilds qualifications in a variety of hospitality and food courses.
What makes The Clink so unique is our post-release support and mentoring programme that rehabilitates an offender back into society through assistance with health and mental health issues, housing, employment, family connections and friendships.

The charity operates an award-winning fine-dining restaurant open to the public inside HMP Brixton, training kitchens in the prison estate, horticulture projects at HMP Send and HMP Erlestoke, a commercial bakery in Brixton, and a bespoke delivery service, Catered by Clink.

Additionally, Clink Events is our social enterprise catering business with food produced by the women in HMP Downview and also in an additional kitchen at Herne Hill and then served by alumni on front of house at some of the best venues in London including: the Guildhall, the Science Museum, Cutty Sark, Kew Gardens and the Camden Roundhouse. In 2024, across 218 events, The Clink fed 36,000 people.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Support and Employment Worker will provide a high quality and responsive mentoring and advocacy service which creatively addresses the needs and risks of our students and graduates to enable them to avoid further offending and to obtain and maintain employment upon release.

Our students and graduates will come from multiple prison sites across the London and the South East region, so careful diary management, logistical planning and travel are key components of the role.

This is a flexible role, mostly based at HMP Brixton, but will also include travelling between

HMP Downview and HMP Send multiple prisons and our Clink Training Café site in Herne Hill, with some working from home and managing a community caseload of graduates who have been released.

The Support and Employment Worker will develop action plans with each student in prison to support them in obtaining employment upon release and also in developing independent living skills to work towards their long-term goals and aspirations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Support and Employment Worker at The Clink, you are responsible for:

•Mentoring, supporting and being the point of contact for students and graduates as they transition from our hospitality and horticulture training programmes in prison and in the community for up to 12 months.

•Working with and supporting people in prison and students prior to and after release from prison, or from graduation in our community café, to empower them in finding and maintaining accommodation, employment and a drug-free, offence-free lifestyle.

•Building relationships with Clink Chef Trainers, HMPPS Resettlement and Employment Teams, HMPPS Officers and Governing Teams in the prison and all parties invested in the training, support and employment of our learners.

•Working with students and graduates to identify their needs and risks, and to identify short and long-term goals.

•Motivating and engaging students and graduates and to provide practical and emotional support.

•Liaising with employers to secure opportunities for our students and for continuity of employment for graduates upon release.

•Supporting people dealing with drug and alcohol problems and to make referrals to other services as required.

•Undertaking risk assessments for each student, to recognise changes in risk level and take appropriate action.

•Maintaining case records and report on students' progress to external agencies and for our own Clink records on Clink Connect, our CRM system.

•Working in partnership with the team to enhance overall delivery of the service.

•Maintaining a professional approach that enhances the reputation of the charity.

DESIRABLE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience of prisons and/or the criminal justice system. This can be lived experience.
• Experience of working with a variety of client groups both in custody and in the community, including men, women and 16-25-year-olds.
• Experience of working with young people in gangs and/or at risk of exploitation and county lines.
• Experience of working with neurodivergent people and those with disabilities and additional needs.
• Experience and skill in using a trauma informed approach with vulnerable people who present a risk of harm, including knowledge of mental health issues, drug and alcohol use and offending behaviour.
• Experience in setting up a strong employer network and using this to support our graduates into employment post-release.
• Experience referring to other services and using a multi-agency approach.
• A level of numeracy sufficient to carry out tasks such as budgeting with clients, calculating benefit entitlements and understanding rent arrears.
• An understanding of safeguarding issues and PREVENT Duty and the ability to assess risk in consultation with line manager.
• Some knowledge of the benefits system and ability to deal with housing agencies and landlords
• Driver with clean licence.
• IT literate - will need to maintain records about our students on our in-house CRM system and complete assessments for HMPPS.
• Able to adopt a supportive, confident and motivating approach to the client group.
• Willing to engage in training and development of your own knowledge and skills.
• Able to pass a prison security clearance.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Confident and resilient personality, with the strength of character to work in complex prison settings and with highly vulnerable people.
• Perseverence and tenacity — a desire to see our students be successful and to advocate strongly on their behalf which often requires a relentless optimism.
• Highly organised and efficient person - able to juggle multiple responsibilities, manage your own time and schedule, and be a consistent source of support for our beneficiaries.
• A strong networker - your key responsibility will be to manage stakeholders in the prison, in probation, in other third sector support groups, and with employers to advocate for our students to have the chance of quality employment outcomes.
• An assertive communicator - you will need to be patient, kind and compassionate and to communicate with our students with sensitivity and clear expectations.

REPORTING LINES MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS

You will report directly to the Support Lead for London and the SE, the Executive Leadership Team, but also work closely with the Operations team in the prisons and related Clink project leads in the community.

GENERAL CLINK CHARITY INFORMATION

All staff are expected to:

• Comply with all current legislation
• Comply with all prison operational policies
• Comply with The Clink Staff Handbook
•  Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your Manager

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to pass prison security vetting process to be able to draw keys.
• Must have a valid driving licence .

Benefits:

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Free meals on duty when based in a restaurant or visiting for business

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 sides of A4) to Lizann Barnwell.

In your supporting statement you should ensure that you try to address the desirable criteria set out in the person specification for the role. Make sure you give evidence which shows how you meet the criteria, not just telling us that you did it.

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis for this role, so early applications are encouraged. The deadline for applications is Friday 6 Feb at 0900.

We do not send individual acknowledgment of applications due to the high volume we receive, and we will only contact candidates who are shortlisted for an interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

If you would like an informal chat about this role, we can offer a call with a member of The Clink Team. Even if you feel you do not meet some of the criteria listed above, we would still welcome applications from passionate candidates who are keen to make a difference.

Appointment process

Applicants who have demonstrated that they meet the desirable criteria set out in the person specification will be contacted and interviews arranged on a rolling basis.

Interview

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to a selection process. A panel of two or more, including the recruiting manager conducts all interviews. If there are any special arrangements associated with the selection process e.g. tests or presentations, you will be informed accordingly.

Interview outcome

If you are invited to attend an interview, you will be informed either verbally or in writing of the outcome. The successful candidate will have the decision confirmed in writing as an offer of employment. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered the opportunity for feedback.

References

If you are successful in your application, you are asked to provide us with the details of two referees. We only contact referees with your permission after an offer of employment has been made.

All offers of employment are conditional upon the receipt of references that are satisfactory to The Clink Charity, verification of right to work in the UK and where applicable, verification of qualifications and Disclosure and Barring Service (where required).

Personal information

The personal information that you have supplied will only be used for recruitment and selection purposes. You should refer to the Privacy Notice on our website, which sets out how The Clink Charity will deal with the personal and sensitive data you have provided in your application form and supporting information.

EDI

We welcome all applicants and are keen to enhance our team to reflect the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disabled people, those from LGBTQIA+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those experiencing other forms of marginalisation, as they are underrepresented at this level. In addition, as this role works directly with people in prison and those at risk of offending, those with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Accessible recruitment

The Clink Charity is committed to making our recruitment process and workplace accessible to all. If you are an applicant with a disability and/or have any specific needs or adjustments that you would like us to consider, at application, interview, or appointment stage, please make us aware in your application.

We're looking for a kind, empathetic and resilient Refugee Children's Worker to join our Homelessness and Complex needs Service in Tower Hamlets.

£14,000.00 per annum, working 20 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? 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.

Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Are you looking for a rewarding role working with families who have fled domestic abuse? We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our refuge team.

This is a fixed term contract until May 2026 with possibility of extension

What you'll do:
* To ensure that the needs of children and young people in the refuge are assessed as part of admission and the duration of their stay
* To plan and implement a programme of therapeutic and recreational activities for children and young people living both at the refuge and in the community, as well as play-work and activity trips
* To provide individual, age-appropriate key working sessions for children of all ages. With a focus on safeguarding, including risk and safety planning, emotional & physical health & wellbeing, education and social & family networks
* To encourage and support mothers to build loving and consistent relationships with their children

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:
* Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
* 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
* Flexible
* Open to feedback and self-development
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments Mission & Values 'Working with people to make choices, achieve goals and take control of their live through high quality care, support and housing'

What you'll bring:
Essential:
* A recognised qualification in childcare such as NVQ level 3, NNEB/DCE,
* Experience of working with children of all ages
* Experience of working with children who've experienced domestic abuse
* Ability to communicate effectively with children of different ages and backgrounds, and help them communicate their experiences
* Experience of planning, facilitating, evaluating and recording group play
* Experience of writing Reports
* Ability to work flexibly around working hours

Desirable:
* Experience of working with children in a residential setting
* Experience of delivering domestic abuse recovery programmes
* Experience of coproducing delivery outcomes and gathering evidence in accordance with them

About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

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.

Please see our website for full Job description