Children and young people support worker jobs in london, essex

Children And Family Worker

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Please note, due to the nature of the service, it is an occupational requirement that the post holder is female and the post is therefore exempt from the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 in terms of Schedule 9, Part 1, and Paragraph 1 of the Act.  

Job Title: Children and Family Worker

Location: Based on site in West London (This location is hidden due to the sensitive nature of the service) Unfortunately this service does not have step free access.

Salary: £27,007.50

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week on a rolling rota Monday to Friday between 07:30 - 15:30, 09:00 - 17:00 and 11:30 - 19:30 with occasional Saturdays, at least one Saturday every 3 months between 09:00 - 17:00. 

About the role

Are you passionate about providing safe and stable accommodation to women and children escaping domestic abuse? Wanting to help make a difference and provide specialist support to them to gain greater independence? This might be the role for you.

As a Children and Family worker, you will be based within our Women's Refuge service, supporting women and children up to the age of 15 who have escaped domestic abuse. You will deliver trauma-informed, child and family centred support to promote safety and wellbeing, working collaboratively with mothers to strengthen the parent-child relationship during a time of crisis. You will support with both emotional and practical day-to-day support. This is typically done through key work sessions, risk assessments, and empowerment focused activities. 

You will play a vital role in supporting families, being the sole specialist within the service, which gives you autonomy to shape the role based on your expertise and experience. You will lead on child-focused support, as well as working part of the wider team to provide the support to mothers. You will deliver a range of support for children and young people, as well as family and parenting support. 

About you

We are looking for someone who has a real passion to support families and children who have experienced domestic abuse. You will have a trauma-informed understanding of domestic abuse and the impact it has on families, and will be able to engage in sensitive conversations, recognising signs on trauma, and being proactive to support families to overcome this. This is a hands-on, active role, ideal for someone who is creative, energetic, and passionate about working directly with families. You will be a team player, able to collaborate and provide support to colleagues as needed. 

• A background in working with adults and children, particularly from trauma affected backgrounds
• Experience in supporting mothers in helping children transition to new schools
• Proven ability to plan and deliver engaging play sessions, after school activities, and family events as well as religious and national celebrations
• Confidence in working with children who may have behavioural challenges, being able to signpost to early intervention services
• Experience/ability to support children with special educational needs or additional behavioural needs
• Ability to work in a fast changing environment
• Patience, empathy and resilience
• Creativity, flexibility, and a can-do attitude
• Non judgmental approach and genuine commitment to empower families to overcome their barriers
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme
• Be part of an organisation which believes good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities.
• Join an organisation with a mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. 

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Domestic Abuse | Women services | Domestic Violence | Children Worker | Children specialist | Trauma Specialist | Womens Refuge | Female Services | Family Specialist | Trauma informed care

Camberwell but with frequent travel around London and occasion travel outside of London

Ref CYPSW-251

Closing date Monday 22 September 25 at 9am

Are you a proactive, collaborative and compassionate individual with proven experience working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults, delivering effective interventions that have resulted in positive outcomes?  Do you have the exceptional ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with young people and their parents/carers, particularly those who have had previous negative experiences with services?

If so, join St Giles as a Children & Young People Progression Support Worker (Southwark), where you will play a key role in supporting and motivating young people who are not yet ready to access paid work, many of whom may lack confidence, feel disengaged, or face personal barriers that prevent them from taking the next step. 

About St Giles Trust

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this key role

Our successful candidate will deliver tailored, young person-centred support to those who are not yet ready for education, training, or employment (ETE).  You will hold a caseload of up to 15 young people at one time, supporting at least 60 over the course of a year, and work collaboratively with allocated Caseworkers to develop and deliver practical, strengths-based plans that build confidence, motivation, and personal development.

You will identify and help young people access appropriate opportunities, including volunteering, insight days, traineeships, and early work experience and help them overcome barriers that impact their ability to engage with ETE — supporting them to take small, achievable steps towards long-term goals. We will also count on you to build and maintain strong working relationships with local ETE providers, employers, and community partners to source meaningful opportunities, plus ensure you keep accurate and timely records of all work in line with all safeguarding legislation, best practice, and St Giles policies and procedures.

What we are looking for

• Experience independently addressing safeguarding issues with children, young people, and adults at risk of violence or exploitation

• Skilled in conducting thorough risk assessments and identifying the needs of children and young people at risk of significant harm

• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a multi-agency team, collaborating to achieve positive outcomes for young people and their families/carers

• Comprehensive understanding of the complex issues facing young people, such as exploitation, victimisation, offending, gang involvement, unemployment, and trauma

• Awareness of local ETE providers, referral routes, and barriers young people face accessing opportunities

• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, verbal and written

• A professional, collaborative and flexible approach to your work

Please note:  as an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Child Workforce with Child Barred list DBS.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment

Closing date: Monday 22 September 2025 at 9am

We're looking for 2 kind, compassionate and resilient Support Workers to join our Learning Disability Service in Kensington and Chelsea.

£13,676.00 per annum, working 20 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? 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.

Amy Garvey House is a low support Learning Disabilities service, situated in the delightful Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It comprises 11 self-contained flats offering accommodation to both male and female residents. As a low-need service, the role involves supporting customers in developing essential life skills. Support workers collaborate with residents to foster social inclusion and, together with the team, promote independent living. They encourage residents to enhance their skills and make informed choices to improve their quality of life.

The shift pattern for this role is comprised of Early shifts 8am-4pm and Late shifts 2pm-10pm, and occasional weekend shifts when necessary.

Responsibilities may also involve providing 1:1 support to customers during specific times.

We are seeking dedicated and compassionate Support Workers to join our team. If you're passionate about making a meaningful difference and enjoy working in a dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you!

For a full job description, please visit our website.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or experience within charity/social care sector

Desirable:

• Experience in working with people with Learning Disabilities and Autism
• Knowledge around housing management and welfare benefits

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.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Learning Disability Service in Kent.

£25,051.00 per annum, working 37.5 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? 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.

The Pelham Road Service is for people with learning disabilities, Autism and Complex needs, and we are looking for someone to support an existing staff team with an excellent value base to support the customer to build their life and develop their skills as an independent person.

Support Workers will provide support to customers to help them develop the life skills they require to meet the assessed needs of the customers of the service. At Pelham Road this includes providing physical, domestic, emotional and social care. They will work with customers to promote social inclusion and alongside other members of the team to promote independent living, encouraging customers to maximise their skills and choices.

The shift patterns for this role include 7am-10pm, 1am-2.30pm, 2,30pm-10pm.

For a full job description, please visit our website.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with customers with care and support needs including Learning disabilities.
• Driving licence and a willingness to drive as part of support duties

Desirable:

• Has some experience in Trauma Informed care
• Has some experience in working with people with Mental health

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.

We are Hestia. We make a difference.
At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Children and Families Worker to play a pivotal role in our Merton, Croydon and Sutton Domestic Abuse Service.
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
The role focuses on building positive and supportive relationships with women and their children, empowering them to work towards their goals through a strengths-based approach. This includes creating, implementing, and reviewing personalized support plans in collaboration with service users and external agencies, while also advocating on their behalf when needed. Key responsibilities involve assisting mothers with parenting skills, signposting them to appropriate services, and offering targeted support to families facing issues such as domestic abuse. Ensuring the safeguarding of children and maintaining confidentiality at all times are central to the role, alongside working within relevant policies and procedures.
Additionally, the position emphasizes the importance of children's development and wellbeing by providing educational, recreational,
and interactive play opportunities both during term time and holidays. Service users and children are encouraged to actively participate in shaping projects through consultations, feedback, and creative engagement. The role also involves promoting community involvement by networking, fundraising, and collaborating with statutory and voluntary organisations. Ultimately, the work contributes towards the five key outcome areas: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution, and achieving economic wellbeing.
What do I need to bring with me?
You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.
Here's what the team will be looking for
This role is restricted to female applicants under Schedule 9 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010 due to the nature of the work. It requires someone who can bring optimism, resilience, and a non-judgemental, anti-discriminatory approach when supporting women and children. A calm manner, empathy, and compassion are essential, particularly when working with service users who have experienced trauma or domestic abuse. The role demands the ability to engage directly with families in a supportive, constructive way, while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality at all times.
In addition, the post holder must be skilled in partnership working with statutory, v
oluntary, and community agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes for families. Strong problem-solving abilities, accuracy in processing and sharing sensitive information, and a clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities are vital. The role also requires flexibility to travel between service premises and to accompany clients when necessary. Success in this position relies on being able to manage responsibilities effectively within a structured and often pressured environment, while always keeping the wellbeing and empowerment of families at the centre of practice.
Interview Steps
We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.
Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.
We are a disability confident employer
Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.
Safeguarding Statement
Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.
Important Information for Candidates
If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.
We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

We are seeking a flexible, reliable, and enthusiastic Support Worker to deliver services for Young Carers aged 5–16. The role involves three key parts. The first is delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities that promote wellbeing, reduce isolation, and give Young Carers a break from their responsibilities. The second is providing one-to-one support to help Young Carers manage challenges, access services, and prioritise their mental and emotional wellbeing. The third is leading outreach with schools, colleges, community settings and professionals to identify and engage hidden Young Carers. 

About The Role: 

You will work across two key age groups, 5–11 and 12–16, delivering and supervising activities, supporting events and trips, and providing behavioural management where needed. Alongside group activities, you will offer one-to-one support to individual Young Carers, ensuring they feel heard, included, and supported as they navigate the challenges of their caring roles. You will also deliver awareness training sessions, run stalls, and build partnerships in the community to identify and engage Young Carers. 

This is a part-time post (3 days per week). Flexibility is required, with regular evening and occasional weekend work.

Key Requirements Include: 

• Experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable groups 

• Experience facilitating groups or activties 

• Ability to provide one-to-one support in a sensitive and empowering way 

• Strong communication skills with young people, families, and professionals 

• Reliable, punctual, and flexible 

• A strong understanding of professional boundaries and confidentiality 

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when required 

• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice 

About Wandsworth Carers’ Centre: 

We are a busy, ambitious charity operating at the heart of the Wandsworth community since 1995, helping thousands of people across the borough in unpaid Caring roles. We give information and advice, organise respite, offer complementary therapies, deliver training, provide peer support, arrange fun events and much more.  In short, we are the Carer's friend and advocate, often helping Carers through difficult times. 

Wandsworth Carers’ Centre is an inclusive employer. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do.

Benefits of working for Wandsworth Carers’ Centre:   

Friendly team and working environment, contributory company pension, ongoing training and development opportunities and an employee assistance program.  

Early Literacy Interventionist (North London)

• £16 per hour

• Working across two schools -  20 hours per week, over 5 days per week, so 4 hours per day

• Contract to July 2026 (with the possibility of extension, funding permitting)

Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you keen to work with children to support and develop their phonics and reading skills? 

38% of children from disadvantaged backgrounds leave primary school in England each year unable to read to the expected standard. Chapter One is a fast-growing charity, with a vision of a world in which all children have the literacy skills they need to thrive. We work to ensure that all children have 1:1 reading support at the time they need it most.

Our Early Literacy Intervention (ELI) programme (based on a model that serves 20,000 children successfully in the USA) provides daily, 1:1, 7 minute phonics sessions for children who are behind in phonics. Using a bespoke technology tool, a trained Early Literacy Interventionist works individually with target children. 

This ELI role, reporting to the Schools Development Manager, is a great opportunity for someone who wants to develop and grow their knowledge of phonics and/or their teaching skill set. It is ideal for someone with previous school experience who is looking for a new and exciting challenge.

You will conduct initial baseline assessments and then deliver differentiated, 1:1, targeted, 7 minute phonics sessions to pupils using a systematic, synthetic approach. Although you are employed by Chapter One, you will work closely with the school team to understand the progression of the school’s phonics teaching; establish tailored plans for each child and feedback on pupil progress. Using your knowledge and insight, you will also collaborate with colleagues at Chapter One to further improve the ELI model, the online tool and programme delivery.

Please read the full job description for details of the responsibilities of the role, and our employee recruitment pack to learn more about Chapter One. 

This is a part-time role, based across two primary schools in North London. One school is Millbrook Park CE Primary School, NW7 1JF and the other is The Devonshire Hill Nursery and Primary School, N17 8LB. Our preference is for a candidate who will work across both schools, travelling between them in the middle of the day. However, if you are only interested in working 10 hours per week in one school then please state this in your application.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 21st September at 9pm

Interview date: Thursday 25th September

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.

As a charity that values and celebrates people's diversity and champions opportunities for all young people, we are keen to receive applications from people who have experienced disadvantage and from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. We believe that a diverse organisation is one that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

Croydon Drop In (CDI) are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic practitioner to work within our award-winning Voluntary Sector services. The post-holder will work within our safeguarding protocols to provide safe interventions for Neurodivergent children, young people and families using evidence-based methodologies. The post holder will safely work with people across different cultural backgrounds and ages and will be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The post holder will use their skills to support children and young people who are referred in to or have self-referred in to the A for Autism Service. This service is a community based Pre and Post Autism Diagnostic Service. The successful candidate will receive Reflective Practice Supervision to support their professional development and ensure the safety of themselves and the people they work with, alongside Line Management Supervision.

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification before applying for the role.

Information about the Job Role

This full-time role will be best suited for applicants who are able to balance a busy work schedule being both office based and community based, working mainly with 16 – 25 year old children, young people and their families, and delivering workshops and one to one support in a range of community based settings, and at CDI sites. Applicants must be willing to travel around Croydon as the service is community based. Occasional travel outside of Croydon may also arise to best meet the needs of those accessing the service. This role will include session, activity and resources design and delivery.

Closing date for applications: 11pm Wednesday 24th September 2025

Interview date: Friday 3rd October 2025

 Please note - we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier if we receive sufficient applications which we will review on a rolling basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible

Deliver a range of mental health focused services for young people aged 8-19 (21 for SEN) year olds, with a particular focus on ages 8-12, in Gospel Oak and its surrounding areas in the London Borough of Camden to help young people grow their awareness on mental health and to support each young person developing into happy, healthy, and aspired individuals.

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.

The LifeSkills Support Worker (Virtual) will provide online support to individuals who are further away from employment, education or training by using a strengths based approach as part of the LifeSkills Intensive Programme. 

This is a new role and it is planned that referrals will be received directly from Tier 3 FamilyLine services (counselling and befriending services). 

The LifeSkills programme supports individuals and families to build their confidence, social networks, financial and employability skills. The LifeSkills Support Worker will work closely with the wider LifeSkills teams (Intensive and Open).

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Head of Change – Children’s Services  

Reports to: Assistant Director for Change – Children’s Services, Neighbourhoods & the Youth Sector

Salary: £67,900

Contract: 2 year fixed-term – potential to extend. Open to 0.8FTE for the right candidate

Location: Central London, Hybrid*  

Closing date:12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025

About the Youth Endowment Fund

We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice. 

Last year, 244 people in England and Wales tragically died after being assaulted with a knife. Of these, 32 were children. Every child captured in these numbers is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them. Even when violence doesn’t strike directly, we know that the fear of violence has a terrible effect on children’s lives.

The Youth Endowment Fund exists to try and permanently change things. To succeed, we must build an exceptional body of knowledge about violence affecting young people and how we reduce it. This knowledge has to be both rigorous and highly relevant to those making decisions about how to support vulnerable young people. We need to find out what works and what doesn’t through evidence synthesis, data analysis and qualitative research into children’s lives. We need to convert this into highly accessible content on what works, how delivery organisations need to change their practice and how the systems they operate in need to be reformed. We then need to work with the right people that can make change happen, across systems, policies and practice, to have a real impact on reducing violence affecting children’s lives.

   

Key Responsibilities 

We build demand and interest in evidence across the Children’s Services sector 

This will include: 

• Running events, speaking at conferences and curating webinars to bring evidence to life for practitioners 
• We have great relationships with the people who can make change happen.  

This will include:

• Developing great relationships with senior policy makers, sector leaders and experts, including representing YEF in external meetings and speaking at events.
• Managing a Strategic Advisory Board of leading experts across the children’s services sector and keep members onside and excited about our work.

We deliver our children’s services system recommendations. 

This will include:

• Helping to identify the right recommendations at a system level (such as changes in policy, regulation, inspection, funding, or guidance) that make it more likely highly vulnerable children get access to the right support at the right time. 
• Work out the best way to make our system recommendations happen (due for publication in December 2026) and then do it – persuading the key people to make changes that make a difference.
• Tracking progress carefully, being thoughtful and creative about when and how to change the plan.

We work out the most effective ways to connect people with the evidence, then make those things happen. 

This will include:

• Helping children’s services leaders change how they plan or provide services to better protect children from violence, based on the YEF Children’s Services Practice Guidance – due for publication in May 2026. 
• Creating a plan to get people to follow our guidance, using what we know about how they think and behave. 
• Creating practical tools and resources that help leaders put evidence into action 
• Continuously testing and improving our approach to get better results. 

As a senior member of staff in the organisation you also: 

• Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.
• Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results, and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.

About You

You are this sort of person: 

• You know how to make change happen. You combine analytical sharpness with emotional intelligence and real-world experience. You understand why people resist change – and how to move them through it. You’re curious about human behaviour and what drives decision-making. 

• You bring deep experience of the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services – potentially commissioning support for young people at risk of or involved in violence. You understand how Directors of Children’s Services and other senior leaders think and know how to navigate and influence within the system. 

• You communicate complex ideas clearly. Whether speaking or writing, you break down complicated concepts in ways that make sense to different audiences – without oversimplifying. You bring clarity where others bring jargon. 

• You get things done. You’re organised, delivery-focused, and produce high-quality work, even under pressure. You work independently and to a high standard. 

• You build trust and connect with people. From government ministers to social workers, CEOs to 15-year-olds – you know how to listen, build rapport, and make people feel heard. You’ve led meetings, made strong introductions, and bring people with you. 

• You think big and adapt fast. You’re a strategic thinker who can see the big picture without losing sight of the detail. You’re logical, creative, and open to challenge – always testing and refining your ideas.  

• You understand young people. You get what life can be like for vulnerable young people and you understand the systems and organisations around them. Ideally, you’ve seen this first-hand, whether professionally or personally. 

• You’re committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Not just in theory – but in how you work, who you listen to, and what you prioritise. 

You must have this sort of experience. 

• Delivering concrete change in practice or systems that improved children’s lives. You have significant experience in leading behaviour, practice or policy changes within a children’s services setting. You can show how these have been effective in delivering tangible change.  
• Leadership experience in the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services - especially local authority children's services, commissioning and/or children's social care policy, and you understand how to navigate and influence within these complex systems.

• Firsthand knowledge of the system that supports highly vulnerable children, particularly those at risk of or involved in violence. You understand the barriers these children face and what it takes to get them the right support.

While it’s not a criterion, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.   

It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.   

   

Hybrid Working Details 

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office for a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month.     

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 the interview stage. 

   

To Apply

To apply, please send a CV, your answers to the three questions below and complete the monitoring form by clicking on "Apply for this" button by 12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025.

When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:   

Improving practice or systems 
1. Can you describe a time when you successfully supported children’s services leaders to improve practice or systems? Please include the scale and context of your experience. (maximum 500 words) 

 Developing strategy 
2. Please provide an example of a strategy you developed from scratch and implemented independently. What did you do, what was the impact, what did you learn? (maximum 500 words) 

 Personal and professional experiences in violence prevention 
3. What personal and professional experiences have shaped your understanding of the children’s services sector’s role in preventing violence? (maximum 500 words) 

Interview Process 

This will be a 2-stage interview process. The first stage interview will take place on 9 and 10 October 2025

The second stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week commencing 13 October 2025. 

PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. 

Benefits Include 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support • Volunteering days - 4 half days per year

• Death in service - 4 times annual salary

• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm

• Financial support including travel and hardship loans

• Employer contributed pension of 5% 

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.   

  

The Baobab Centre is a non-residential therapeutic community supporting unaccompanied minors who have experienced human rights abuses and are seeking asylum, refugee status and settlement in the United Kingdom.

As an ‘advocate’ caseworkers support young people to express their views and wishes, to stand up for their rights, make choices and access opportunities.

As a Casework Advocate you will understand the impact of specific human rights abuses on the development of children and young people in exile and their individual experiences of loss, trauma and grief on their mental health and well-being. 

As a Casework Advocate you will be out and about with young people - accompanying to appointments and encouraging their involvement and access to their community and support networks. You must be prepared to challenge certain decisions and practices where required for the welfare of the young person. The role can involve supporting young people to initiate legal challenges when necessary and advocating on young person’s behalf where required.

Exciting opportunity to join our Harrow community wellbeing team - make an impact today!

Anna Freud is seeking a Child and Family Specialist to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

Our EDI commitment

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.

We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.

As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.

What we offer

You will join a big thriving team who are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the field of clinical services. The Harrow community wellbeing team is a newly commissioned service and deliver interventions for young people and their families. The work takes place on an outreach basis in schools, family homes and other community venues as well as being conducted virtually.

We offer a range of staff benefits, including an all-in-one rewards and recognition platform called Perkbox and wellbeing offers such as finishing early on Fridays and free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. We are proud to have staff-led Diversity Networks offering unique opportunities for learning, connection and impact.

What you’ll do

You will play a vital role within an innovative, community-based mental health service jointly commissioned by the London Borough of Harrow and NW London NHS, in partnership with Anna Freud. You will deliver brief, evidence-based interventions - primarily CBT, trauma-informed, and Mentalization approaches - to children and families experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. Working across schools, homes, and community venues, you will conduct psychological assessments, offer individual and group therapy, and collaborate with professionals to support complex cases. You will also provide consultation, training, and supervision to school staff and Wellbeing Practitioners, ensuring a trauma-informed and neurodiversity-aware approach.

What you’ll bring

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled mental health professional with a strong foundation in therapeutic interventions and a commitment to supporting children, young people, and families within a community-based setting. Essential qualification, experience and skills:

• Proven experience delivering evidence-based psychological interventions such as CBT, including a recognised qualification in a core profession of Clinical/Counselling Psychology, Family Therapy or other recognised background in child and adolescent mental health.
• Strong assessment and formulation skills, with the ability to manage complex cases and tailor support to individual needs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, particularly when working across schools, families, and multi-agency teams.
• Experience providing consultation, supervision, or training to professionals, ideally within educational or mental health settings.
• Cultural competence and a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-aware approach to working with diverse communities and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

Key details

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week): usual working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Flexible working is possible, subject to discussion and operational needs.

Salary: £46,800 per annum FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme.

Location: Hybrid working (a mixture of onsite and home/remote working). 60-80% in-person working to deliver intervention therapy sessions across Harrow Community sites (Cedars Children’s Centre, 127 Whittlesea Road, Harrow HA3 6ND) and occasionally at Anna Freud, 4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH).

Contract type: Permanent.

Next steps

Closing date for applications: midday (12pm), Tuesday 23 September 2025. Please note: this vacancy will close early once we receive 50 applications, therefore we encourage you to apply promptly and keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Friday 26 September 2025. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews: will be held remotely on Wednesday 1 October 2025.

How to apply: please visit our careers website to submit an application online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

Questions?

Please email Recruitment with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor license therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer life is turned upside down – for them and their family.  Fear, isolation, extreme money worries, not knowing where to turn – this is the reality for many.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help children, young people and families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. You could be a part of the team making it happen.

The Role 

We are looking for an experienced Social Workers to join our London & South East Team supporting children and young people diagnosed with cancer.

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality support tailored to the needs of the children and young people and their families. The work we do is rewarding but also complex and demanding. You will be part of a close-knit Young Lives vs Cancer social work team, working with an established NHS multi-disciplinary team and services in the community.

This role is part home, part site-based. Your contractual base will be both Home and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

About You

You will be committed to delivering high quality social work support to promote the best outcomes for the children, young people and families we work with. You will need to be resourceful and resilient. You will have a positive attitude and be willing to embrace difference. As part of the wider Young Lives vs Cancer team you will actively engage with the work of the charity and welcome opportunities to get involved.

You will have:

• A recognised Social Worker qualification and current registration with Social Work England/ Scottish Social Services Council/Social Care Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council
• Experience working with children, young people and their families/carers in a social care setting.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, ideally in an NHS setting.
• Sound knowledge of child and young people development.
• An understanding of the impact of serious illness for children, young people and their families.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

What will I gain?

 For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing days: four days a year to do what works for you – from catching up on training to going for a walk
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

If you have applied for this role within the last three months, your previous application has already been considered and you need not apply again.

To arrange an informal chat, please contact Barbara Inglin (Team Manager). 

Interview date: 29th September 2025 Interviews to be held in Central London

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