Children service manager jobs in hackney central, greater london

Interim Head of Finance & Operations

Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.

We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.

You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.

The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.

You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.

Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.

This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.

Main responsibilities and accountabilities

· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people. 

· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.

· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.

· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.

· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.

· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis. 

· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)

· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)

· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity. 

· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets. 

· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.

· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings. 

· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise. 

· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.

· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.

· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.

· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.

· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.

· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience

•  Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
• Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
• Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
• Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
• Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
• Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
• Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
• Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
• Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
• Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
• Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
• Attention to detail
• Ability to present financial information to various audiences
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
• Honest and dependable

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
• Line management experience
• Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
• Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
• Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
• Degree in financial management or accounting

Full details are provided in the candidate pack

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)

28-35 hours per week.  Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.

Permanent and remote.  Travel to London required on an occasional basis

You will be rewarded with the following benefits:

· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.

· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.

· Flexible working

· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.

We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check. 

Timetable

Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025 

Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.

This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Waking Night Specialist Behavioural Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities service in Hertfordshire

£13,676.00 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 (take this out if BSW advert)
* 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.
Waking Night Behavioural Specialist Support Workers are responsible for ensuring continuity of a support service at night and for keeping customers and the building safe.

The shift pattern for this role: 21:30-07:30 10 hour night shift two nights a week

What you'll do:
* Building a supportive, trusting relationship with the customer and creating a positive atmosphere.
* Supporting the customer in their preferred night-time routine, including personal care, and promoting good sleep hygiene.
* Supporting the customer to undertake activities in line with their preferences.
* Ensuring the customer's safety and wellbeing at night, providing emotional and practical support and reassurance as needed.
* Using positive behavioural support and Autism-specific approaches to manage any distress during night-time hours.
* Working proactively with other members of the team to meet the needs of the customer and handle administrative responsibilities.
* Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging to achieve Support Plan goals.
* Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with the customer within an attitude of 'positive risk taking';
* Ensuring appropriate handovers between shifts and documenting night-time activity, including any incidents;
* Working in line with Look Ahead's lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues.
* Adhering to all other Look Ahead policies and procedures.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
- 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
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organized
- Able to apply the right balance of care and support dependant on the needs of the customer
- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments

What you'll bring:

Essential:
- NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with little or some previous relevant sector work experience

Desirable:
- Driving Licence

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 our website for full Job description

Citizens UK 

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

South London Citizens 

South London Citizens (SLC) is Citizen’s UK second oldest chapter, established in 2004. SLC has over 100 member institutions spread across seven south London boroughs, working together for the common good.

South London Citizens has developed 1000s of local leaders through training and action teams and won big national campaigns, for example delivering free school meals for children whose parents have no recourse to public funds.

The Living Wage campaign is part of SLC’s DNA and in the last 12 months a campaign to bring the Living Wage Campaign to the Southbank has delivered well over 1000 pay rises to south London workers. The Real Living Wage is currently £13.85 in London, compared with the National Minium Wage of £12.21 (for workers aged over 21).

Community Organising

Through our theory of social change, called community organising, we train thousands of everyday people to lead change in their communities, equipping them with the skills to hold politicians and other powerholders to account. We are made up of 500+ member organisations in powerful alliances throughout the UK. Our members include schools, universities, faith groups, parents’ groups, health practices, charities, trade unions and other civil society organisations. 

Purpose 

The principal responsibility of an Associate Organiser is their own development: learning the craft of Community Organising under the guidance of an experienced Community Organiser. They work intensively with a small number of member organisations under close supervision, growing their experience, skill and responsibility incrementally. An Associate Organiser is working towards becoming a competent practitioner of the craft of broad-based community organising methodology, and focuses on the building of relational power, the recruitment and retention of dues-paying institutions, the development of leaders, the strengthening of member institutions, leader-led public actions, and the winning of systemic change. 

This role is particularly to organise around the issue of low pay and precarious work and participate in Citizens UK’s flagship campaign, the Living Wage Campaign. We need someone who can speak Spanish as well as English, as south London’s Latin American communities are leading the work in South London. There is scope to involve leaders in campaigns around housing, health and migrants' rights, as we recognise that people affected by low pay are very often determined to take action on wider issues beyond work.     The purpose of the role is to develop leadership, especially grassroots leadership, workers from London’s lowest paid sectors, that can power the campaign. Crucially the Associate Organiser will work with colleagues in South London Citizens to build and execute a strategy that develops powerful leaders for South London Citizens and wins the Living Wage, Living Hours and other material gains for thousands of workers across the capital.

Main Responsibilities 

Working as an Associate Organiser in South London for Citizens UK, reporting to the Lead Organiser, South West, SLC, your main responsibilities will include: 

Build relational power to further the goals of CUK 

• Actively participate in the development of a comprehensive power analysis appropriate to the desired sphere of influence for each project/assignment 

• Establish working relationships with identified leaders and demonstrate ability to move them into action, including as part of the wider alliance; taking the initiative to establish new relationships as required 

• Conduct one-to-ones to develop relationships with leaders and understand their concerns. 

• Tell a wide range of Community Organising stories effectively to influence others and achieve CUK’s goals 

Identify and develop relational leaders prepared to act with others for the common good 

• Identify and discern actual and potential leaders with the passion and ability to drive change

• Proactively create opportunities for leaders to develop, in particular tertiary or new leaders; nominate for training on the core taster curriculum 

• Successfully deliver training workshops in local institutions and on the core taster curriculum at a local level 

Strengthen institutions and develop BBOs 

• Ensure good understanding of the basic interests and traditions of typical member institutions and worker leaders. 

• Organise a small number of member institutions or 1 strategic partner to work together for the achievement of common goals relating to the Living Wage campaign. 

• Support pre-existing core teams and create/develop new core teams to provide leadership 

Support leaders through the Cycle of Action in order to create change 

• Support leaders in running listening campaigns 

• Organise Living Wage actions; demonstrating increasing independence in working without the need for close supervision

• Take the lead in supporting groups of leaders through the cycle of action on the Living Wage; aiming to achieve new accreditations and other wins.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of actions; demonstrating ability to incorporate lessons learned into future actions 

  Contribute to CUK’s financial viability through effective fundraising & financial management  

• Recruit new dues paying institutions; work together with a more senior Organiser to negotiate annual membership fees and letters of understanding 

• Contribute substantively to fundraising to ensure the sustainability of the work 

• Liaise with the Finance & Operations team to update the membership database and ensure timely invoicing and fee collection 

Contribute to effective teamwork 

• Be proactive concerning personal professional development and wellbeing; i.e. by reading widely, developing a healthy work-life balance and demonstrating ability to reflect on own organising craft & improve on self-identified weaknesses 

• Demonstrate ability to work effectively with colleagues and participate in a team 

• Produce all required reports and follow CUK’s procedures on time and to the required standards 

Participate in the development of the craft of Community Organising and play a role in the Guild of COs 

• Schedule an average of at least three 1-2-1 relational meetings into your daily schedule as a core part of your professional practice 

• Commit 10 working days pa (pro rata for part-time staff) to the preparation, delivery and evaluation of Citizens UK National Community Leadership Training or other local or regional trainings; 

• Participate in a Guild Team and help it develop as a Community of Practice that enables Organisers across the UK to develop their skills and experience. 

Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in any subject (D) 

Subject of relevance to community work or community organising (D) 

Experience 

• Previous campaign experience (D) 

• Evidence of having acted in a leadership role with peers or in local community activities (e.g., organising clubs or societies) (E) 

• Experience of project management; evidence of having delivered work on time and to standard (E) 

• Able to demonstrate previous experience of ‘learning by doing’ in a work or project environment; evidence of being open to feedback and comfortably coachable (E) 

Key skills and knowledge 

• Excellent interpersonal awareness – ability to listen well and appreciate a viewpoint or opinion that is different from one’s own (E) 

• Excellent concern for impact – ability to adapt own behaviour to address the needs or concerns of someone else (E) 

• Good communication skills – able to speak with conviction and passion; and to make a logical argument (E) 

• Fluent in Spanish and English – written and spoken (E) - other community languages, especially Portuguese (D)

Personal qualities & values 

• A self-starter with ability to take initiative and work independently (E) 

• A passion for justice (E) 

• A positive enthusiasm for working with faith congregations, trade unions, schools, and other community organisations (E) 

• An interest in and experience of politics and public life (E) 

• Able to work in a team (E) 

• Willingness to work within accountable relationships (E) 

• Self-motivated and adaptable (E) 

  Our Organisers and some project teams work closely with our member institutions and will be expected to attend member events that take place in the evenings and occasional weekends. We operate a Time Off in Lieu approach and have very flexible working arrangements to ensure a good work-life balance. 

The successful applicant will be required to undertake a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. DBS checks are renewed on a 3-year cycle. 

About the application process 

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

 Interview date: Tuesday 22nd July 

 Job Title: Strategic Funding Project Officer

 Salary:£31,716.00 per annum plus £1760.00 Outer london Weighting, Band E level 3

 Location:   Gilwell Park (Hybrid), Chingford, London. 

 Contract Type: Fixed term unitl  10th April 2026

 Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Join Us as a Strategic Funding Project Officer

Are you ready to take on a varied and rewarding role that gives you real insight into how Scouting is delivered across the UK? We’re looking for a Strategic Funding Project Officer to join our team—someone who’s eager to make a meaningful impact.

In this role, you’ll work closely with the Strategic Funding Team and colleagues across the organisation to build a deep understanding of Scouting—how it works, the challenges it faces, and the innovative ways we overcome them. You’ll also play a key role in delivering our small trusts mailing programme, helping to generate vital income from smaller trusts and foundations.

No two days will be the same—and you’ll be part of a team that’s passionate about enabling more young people to gain skills for life.

As the Strategic Funding Project Officer, your Key Responsibilities will include:

Process management and enquiries; this will include managing grant and corporate donations across the different areas working with legal and finance to manage legal grant agreements, contracting, preparing invoicing and funder queries. You will be the first point of contact for enquiries from Local Scouting,  Funded Project Managers, Trusts, Foundations and Corporate partners.

Database Management: This includes managing the pipeline, updating records, creating a variety of monthly internal reports, monitoring timelines and investigating any communication queries from funders. You will ensure all due diligence processes are recorded and segment data to maximise Trust, Foundation and Corporate income.

Skills & Abilities

• Works effectively with those within the team, the wider organisation and external stakeholders
• Recognises the benefits of empowering and collaborating with volunteers and young people, and can demonstrate the empathy, ability to give and receive constructive criticism and political acumen to do this well.

Knowledge & Experience

• Able to effectively communicate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Understanding of managing grants and contracts

• Comfortable with quickly understanding and navigating internal governance and sign-off processes, and seeking efficiencies where possible.

??Benefits:

• We are an award-winning Charity of the Year (Charity Times Awards 2022) with over 400 employees across multiple locations across the country.
• 28 days holiday and going up to 32 days after 2 years’ service plus additional days at Christmas
• Flexible working hours

For a full list of our benefits, click .

Closing date for applications: 11:59 pm Tuesday 15th July 2025

Interviews will be in person on Wednesday 23rd July 2025

Strictly no agencies!

The Scouts is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. We offer flexible working arrangements to support diverse needs and lifestyles, ensuring that our teams can thrive both professionally and personally. We welcome and encourage applicants from all walks of life, believing that varied perspectives strengthen our innovation and community. Your unique experiences and ideas are essential to our success, and we look forward to hearing from all voices.

Senior Finance Officer

14 hours per week

As our Senior Finance Officer you will contribute to Career Ready’s finance and operations function by providing high quality financial support to the charity. Working as part of a small team of three, you will perform core finance tasks and will support the Head of Finance and Operations with budgeting, reporting and auditing activities.

Main responsibilities and accountabilities

Bookkeeping and Accounting

• Ensure transactions are properly recorded and entered into Xero Accounts
• Assist with the annual audit
• Maintain financial files and records
• Manage and reconcile the accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Process payable invoices and staff expenses in line with fortnightly payment runs
• Perform credit control for maximum debt recovery
• Reconcile the bank statements for review the Head of Finance & Operations
• Assist with the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts and budget monitoring reports

Support to the Partnerships and Income Teams

• Collating financial information for funding applications as required
• Monitoring expenditure on grant-funded programmes
• Preparing financial reports on receivable grants as required
• Maintain electronic files of funding agreements and contracts

Payroll

• To support with the administration of monthly salaried payroll for staff, and internship payroll throughout Jun-Sep each year
• To raise monthly salary journals for review by the Head of Finance & Operations
• To process payroll payments via online banking portals

Essential skills and experience required

· Fully or part qualified – AAT, ACCA or CIMA or qualified by experience

· Clear understanding of financial controls, compliance, and reporting frameworks

· Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel

· Ability to prioritise and meet competing deadlines

· Previous experience of computerised accounting and payroll e.g. Xero

· Previous experience of payroll administration that includes maintaining confidential data

· Ability to work as part of a team as well as on own initiative.

· Excellent attention to detail and high numeracy

· Ability to communicate financial information to different audiences

· Problem-solving ability

Desirable skills and experience

· To have an understanding of Charity Finance.

· Experience of working in a finance function in a charity

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £32,000 to £38,000 per annum FTE (pro rata for part time), depending on qualifications/experience

14 hours per week.  Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns

Permanent and remote

You will be rewarded with the following benefits:

· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.

· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.

· Flexible working

· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.

We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check. 

Full details can be found in the candidate pack.

Timetable

Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025

Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.