Children services director jobs

c. £68k per annum

Fixed term (until November 2026)

Part home/Part office (London) based

UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as our Head of Supporter Growth.

As the Head of Supporter Growth at UNICEF UK, you will lead a best-in-class programme to recruit new supporters across multiple channels and products, including one-off and regular donations, eCommerce customers, campaigning actions or supporters leaving gifts to UNICEF in their will.  You will develop strategies to grow our income through delivery of multi-channel campaigns that engage supporters and inspire them to act. 

You will be a values-based leader, with extensive experience of inspiring teams to achieve strategic objectives.  You will have extensive experience of developing and implementing successful marketing strategies, including financial management, strategic planning, monitoring and reporting of KPIs.

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 23 February 2026.

Interview date: week commencing Monday 2 March 2026 via video conferencing (MS Teams).

In return, we offer:

· excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)

· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role

· impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children

· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.

We anticipate most colleagues will work an average of two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London (change to Scotland address if appropriate) and the rest of the time from home.  We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)

Context:
Kinship provides direct support to, raises awareness of and campaigns for the rights of kinship carers across the UK. Kinship carers are navigating complex family relationships, trauma, poverty, discrimination. The children that they care for have frequently experienced abuse or are at risk of harm. Safeguarding concerns can be disclosed by kinship carers at all contact points with Kinship. 

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility and requires a safeguarding approach that is aligned to statutory frameworks, is professional, consistent, trauma-informed and proportionate to level of risk.

The designated safeguarding officer holds organisational responsibility for Kinship’s safeguarding framework and actions. The role works collaboratively with a team including a Safeguarding Trustee and a group of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads drawn from key service areas across the charity.

The role provides expertise, professional guidance and clear direction across the organisation, supporting staff and volunteers to make sound safeguarding decisions within a framework.

Purpose of the role:
The Designated Safeguarding Manager works closely with all teams across Kinship to embed proactive, person-centred, and partnership-driven safeguarding practice to protect children and adults at risk of harm.

The role provides professional oversight to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads through individual and group reflective practice and supports high-quality and defensible safeguarding decision-making. The role drives contextual safeguarding approaches, promote professional curiosity, continual professional development and ensures safeguarding responses are informed by lived experience and the realities of kinship care.

At Kinship safeguarding concerns come from risks of harm to adults and children often with risks of harm to multiple people in the same family context.

This requires careful, trauma-informed decision-making and support for staff responding to complex safeguarding situations.

How the role works:
Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Designated Safeguarding Manager holds responsibility for safeguarding practice across the organisation and provides expert oversight and organisational assurance ensuring safeguarding is embedded consistently, proportionately and in line with best practice.

This role will require flexibility for occasional travel in England and Wales.

Key responsibilities:

Organisational safeguarding accountability and assurance

• Act as Kinship’s Designated Safeguarding Officer, holding organisational authority for safeguarding decision-making and escalation.
• Hold organisational accountability for safeguarding practice, ensuring responsibilities are well defined, understood and embedded across the organisation.
• Maintain and assure a robust safeguarding framework, including defined roles, escalation routes, decision-making thresholds and accountability arrangements and balance safeguarding rigour with compassion and proportionality.
• Provide safeguarding oversight and assurance during service development, mobilisation and organisational change to ensure risks are identified, assessed and mitigated.

Trauma-informed safeguarding practice and oversight

• Embed trauma-informed safeguarding practice, ensuring all decisions, interventions, and organisational processes:
  • Recognise the impact of past and ongoing trauma on children, kinship carers, and families.
  • Prioritise emotional and psychological safety while balancing protection, autonomy, and empowerment.
  • Integrate trauma-awareness into risk assessments, safety planning, case management, policies, and service design.
• Support staff through reflective supervision, guidance, and training to respond effectively.
• Provide professional oversight and reflective practice support to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
• Provide expert safeguarding advice and consultation to staff and managers, supporting the assessment of concerns, threshold decisions, appropriate escalation, and proportionate, trauma-informed decision-making.
• Quality-assure safeguarding practice and decision-making to ensure actions are proportionate, person-centred, trauma-informed, and defensible.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of safeguarding records, risk assessments, and safety planning.

 Policy, compliance and organisational assurance

• Develop, review and maintain safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance in line with legislation, statutory guidance and Charity Commission expectations.
• Ensure safeguarding systems, processes and recording arrangements are robust, accessible and consistently applied.
• Provide regular safeguarding assurance, analysis and learning reports to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Culture, capability and continuous improvement

• Embed trauma-informed, contextual and culturally responsive safeguarding practice across the organisation.
• Promote professional curiosity and reflective practice, supporting staff to exercise sound professional judgement and avoid overly procedural responses.
• Design and deliver safeguarding training and guidance for staff and volunteers, building organisational capability and confidence.
• Lead learning reviews following safeguarding incidents or near misses, ensuring learning informs service and practice improvement.

Equity, inclusion and anti-racist safeguarding

• Ensure safeguarding practice actively considers how race, ethnicity, racism and intersecting inequalities shape risk, vulnerability and access to support.
• Support teams to identify and challenge bias and assumptions through reflective practice, supervision and learning.
• Embed equity, inclusion and anti-racist principles within safeguarding frameworks, policies, training and quality assurance processes.

Partnership working and external accountability

• Work collaboratively with statutory partners and external agencies to support effective safeguarding responses.
• Represent Kinship in multi-agency safeguarding forums, reviews or regulatory engagement as required.

Experience (Essential)

• Significant experience in adult and child safeguarding practice, including oversight of complex, high-risk, and multi-agency safeguarding situations.
• Experience providing professional oversight, reflective supervision, and structured learning support to safeguarding practitioners or leads, without direct line management responsibility.
• Experience embedding contextual safeguarding approaches and promoting professional curiosity in decision-making.
• Experience of working confidently with complexity, challenging constructively and supporting teams to do the right thing in difficult situations.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and embedding safeguarding policies, procedures, training, and learning frameworks.
• Substantial experience working with dispersed or multi-disciplinary teams, supporting wellbeing, professional development, and reflective practice.
• Experience working in voluntary sector, community-based, or service delivery organisations, particularly where safeguarding concerns arise through multiple routes.

Knowledge (Essential)

• Strong working knowledge of adult and child safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and recognised safeguarding frameworks, with the ability to apply them proportionately in practice.
• Up-to-date knowledge of children’s and adult social care systems.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based practice in work with adults, children, and families.
• Awareness of how racism, inequality, and structural disadvantage can increase risk and shape safeguarding experiences, particularly for Black and minoritised communities.
• Understanding of organisational safeguarding governance, including accountability, assurance, escalation, and risk management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities within the voluntary and community sector, including Charity Commission expectations, trustee duties, and regulatory requirements

Skills and abilities (Essential)

• Strong professional judgement, with confidence in making and defending complex safeguarding decisions.
• Calm, credible, and reflective approach in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to support and challenge colleagues constructively through reflective discussion, learning, and coaching rather than directive management.
• Clear, compassionate, and adaptable communicator, able to translate safeguarding complexity for diverse audiences, including operational and service delivery teams.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple safeguarding priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across wide-ranging professional teams and external partners.
• Values-led, with a demonstrable commitment to equity, inclusion, anti-racist practice, and culturally responsive safeguarding.

Qualifications (Essential)

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, health, or related field), or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in safeguarding children and adults.
• Permission to work in the UK.

Attributes and general characteristics (Essential)

• Commitment to the values, aims, and objectives of Kinship.
• Respectful, empathetic approach to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Flexible and willing to travel across England as required.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Lived experience of kinship care.
• Experience using Salesforce, Asana, Notion, and/or general AI tools for case management, project management, or documentation.
• Experience in innovation and continuous improvement within safeguarding practice or organisational culture.

How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Designated Safeguarding Manager by sending a tailored CV and responding to these 5 questions below in the online application process. Please read the guidance notes in the job pack. 

Closing date is 9am on Mon 2 March, with a first interview (30 mins online) that week and a second interview in person on Tues 10 March 2026. 

For all questions, please provide a maximum of 250 words per answer.

1.Alignment with Kinship: Why do you want to work for Kinship, and why does this Safeguarding Manager (Designated Safeguarding Lead) role matter to you at this point in your career?  Please refer to Kinship’s work and services in your answer, and explain what specifically about this role you are drawn to. 

2.Trauma informed practice: Describe a specific example where you have led or overseen a safeguarding concern using a trauma-informed approach.

3. Contextual safeguarding and professional curiosity: Tell us about a time you applied contextual safeguarding or professional curiosity to a situation where the initial concern did not tell the full story. What did you notice, what questions did you ask, and how did this change the safeguarding response? 

4. Reflective practice and supporting others: Give an example of how you have supported others to improve safeguarding decision-making through reflective practice (for example group reflection or one-to-one discussion). What was the issue and what changed? 

5. Equity, racism and safeguarding: Describe a situation where race, ethnicity or structural inequality affected safeguarding risk or decision-making. How did you recognise this and what did you do to ensure a fair and proportionate response? 

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts. 

Regional Operational Manager

Service: Services and Innovation London

Salary:

• £42,562 - £46,703 FTE per annum (£34,049.60 - £37,362.40 per annum for part-time, 29.6 hours per week)
• Additional £3,866 Inner London Weighting FTE per annum (£3,092.80 ILW per annum for part-time, 29.6 hours) for office based
• OR £480 homeworking allowance per annum (£384 per annum for part-time, 29.6 hours per week) if homebased

Location: Various areas across London

Hours: 29.6 hours per week (part-time) – can also be worked as a 3 day a week role (22.2 hours per week)

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.

Contract: Permanent

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

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

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

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

This is an exciting opportunity for a Regional Operational Manager to oversee a portfolio of services across London, driving innovation, operational excellence, and community impact.

The postholder will lead service managers, manage stakeholder relationships and pursue development opportunities across the capital.

Key requirements:

• Proven leadership experience managing services for vulnerable children, young people, and families.
• Strong background in team management, budget oversight, and quality assurance.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, partnership building, and service development.
• Experience with tenders, funding bids, and strategic growth.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, compliance, and data-driven performance monitoring.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with an understanding of intersectionality.
• Excellent communication, project management, and organisational skills.
• A recognised qualification in social work, health, education, youth work (or equivalent), and ideally a management qualification.

We welcome applicants with lived experience of the communities we support.

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

· Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service

Benefits:

• an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time hours)
• up to 6% matched-pension contributions
• enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
• eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
• cycle to work scheme
• investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

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

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community / particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support.

All candidates with a disability are welcome to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and request priority consideration for an interview, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. 

To help remove financial barriers to working with us, we will reimburse travel costs if you are invited to attend an interview in person. 

To Apply:

• Click the ‘Apply’ link below and fill out our digital application form
• Closing Date: Monday 23rd February at 11.59pm

Interviews are scheduled to take place on March 17th, 2026, at our Head Office in London, with slots throughout the working day and early/late slots available.

Appointments are subject to satisfactory Safer Recruitment checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where appropriate to the role.

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

Director of Public Engagement

Location: London (Hybrid)
Salary: £90,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent

Every child deserves to be safe, loved, and free from abuse. At the NSPCC, that belief drives everything they do.

The NSPCC is one of the UK’s oldest and largest children’s charities, and today their mission has never been more urgent. From tackling the challenges of online safety to delivering vital frontline services, the organisation is responding every day to the changing world children are growing up in.

This is a pivotal moment for the NSPCC as they establish an Engagement & Fundraising Directorate to modernise how they connect with supporters and unlock new opportunities for growth. Key to that team is a visionary, and collaborative leader to join the charity as their Director of Public Engagement, leading work to engage and motivate public audiences to support their work.

What You’ll Do

As the new Director, you will lead the development and delivery of public engagement and income‑generation strategies and drive an insight‑led understanding of NSPCC’s public audiences, shaping segmentation, motivations and long‑term value plans. You will also oversee an integrated, multi‑channel marketing that grows and retains supporters and boosts sustainable net income. As well as creating engaging propositions and products, you will be responsible for leading an integrated supporter-development approach across all audiences and fostering a high‑performing, collaborative culture.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of the charity’s public engagement, leading bold, audience-driven strategies that unlock significant and sustainable funding to help protect children for generations to come.

Who You Are

You will bring a proven record of driving income growth at scale, with deep expertise in consumer marketing, fundraising and supporter engagement, including digital. You’ll be an experienced fundraising and marketing leader of large, diverse teams, skilled at guiding transformation with clarity and resilience, and inspiring public audiences. Strategic and able to make high-impact decisions quickly under pressure, you are an outstanding communicator who can inspire trust and build strong relationships at every level.

Above all, you’ll be driven by the belief that together, we can end child abuse.

Ready to Learn More?

Click below to view our full Candidate Pack for everything you need to know including how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 9th March, 9am

Head of Family Support

Location: Base in Balloch, Kinross, Edinburgh or Glasgow with travel and hybrid working

Salary: £63,071 – £67,762 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent; Full-Time; 37.5 hours per week

Closing Date: 01/03/2026 23:59

The Vacancy

Lead a National Service That Changes Lives Every Day.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a newly created national role at the heart of CHAS’s mission. Every week in Scotland, three children die from a life shortening condition. CHAS is there for them, and for their families, providing unwavering, compassionate, specialist care.

Our Family Support teams include Senior Social Workers, Child and Family Workers, Play Specialists and other experts, working hand in hand with clinical colleagues across our two hospices, in hospitals, and in homes and communities across Scotland.

We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Family Support to shape and lead the full breadth of these services – from child and family support and therapeutic activities to bereavement, spiritual care and financial wellbeing. Your leadership will ensure families receive holistic, responsive and trauma informed support wherever and whenever they need it.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Nursing and Family Support, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership across all CHAS family support services.
• Lead teams across hospices, hospitals and community settings.
• Act as CHAS’s Safeguarding Lead, offering expert oversight and driving safe, compassionate practice organisation wide.
• Champion continuous improvement, helping families make the most of their precious time together.
• Strengthen resilience and support families navigating life-altering adverse experiences.

About You

You will bring:

• Significant leadership experience in children’s services, operating confidently at senior level.
• A professional social work qualification, with deep knowledge of GIRFEC, UNCRC and Scottish policy.
• Expertise in child protection, safeguarding, and adult support and protection.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in emotionally complex environments.
• Excellent partnership skills, working across HSCPs, local authorities, NHS and the third sector.
• A compassionate, values driven approach that supports wellbeing, reflection and professional growth.
• Confidence in shaping high quality, impactful services.
• SSSC registration.

Why CHAS?

For the families we support, time is precious, and the work you lead will help families live it fully.

Our 2024 – 2028 Strategic Plan commits us to providing unwavering care from the moment a child is diagnosed through living well, dying well, and beyond into bereavement. As Head of Family Support, you will play a pivotal leadership role in bringing this strategy to life for our family support workforce shaping services, developing people, and ensuring the highest standards of safe, compassionate and effective care.

We Offer:

• Broad national impact: Influence practice across Scotland and contribute to sector wide improvement.
• Flexibility: Based at one of our central CHAS sites (Kinross, Balloch, Edinburgh or Glasgow) with frequent presence in our hospices. CHAS provides care and support to children and families across Scotland with staff bases in Aberdeen and Inverness. This role will require Scotland-wide travel to CHAS sites, local authority and NHS settings and office locations, as well as attendance at external events. Flexibility is essential, and business mileage expenses will be reimbursed. As a family friendly organisation, we recognise that flexibility works both ways, and we will support a balanced and adaptable approach to working hours and locations wherever possible.
• Professional growth: A visible, national leadership role with space and support to excel.
• Generous holidays: 35 days, rising to 40 after five years.
• Pension: Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme for Scotland, administered by Lothian Pension Fund or continued membership of the NHS Scotland Pension Scheme (if applicable).
• Comprehensive benefits: Including life assurance, wellbeing support, employee assistance programme, discount schemes such as Blue Light and Perkbox, and incremental pay progression.

Further Information and How to Apply

Click apply now and you will be redirected to our careers website where you can access more information and submit your application.

Provisional interview date: 31 March.

Director of Care – Hope House Children’s Hospices

Location: Hope House, Oswestry, Shropshire (with regular travel to Ty Gobaith, Conwy and across the UK)

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (flexible working with some evenings/weekends)
Salary: £79,950 – £90,456 per annum + £7,380 car allowance + relocation package
Closing Date: 25th February 2026
 

Make a Life-Changing Difference Every Day

Hope House Children’s Hospices are seeking an exceptional and compassionate Director of Care to lead and shape the delivery of outstanding palliative care for children and families across Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid Wales.

 This is more than a job, it’s a calling. You’ll join one of the UK’s most respected children’s hospices, where 98% of staff say they enjoy their work and 94% are proud to be part of our mission.

 About the Role

 As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will:

 Lead the strategic development and delivery of care across our hospices and community services

• Champion a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Inspire and empower a multidisciplinary team to deliver compassionate, professional care
• Represent the charity as the Nominated and Registered Individual under relevant care regulations
• Ensure the voices of children and families shape our services and strategy

 What We’re Looking For

 NMC Registered Nurse with at least 5 years’ experience in care services, ideally with multi-site or children’s hospice experience

• Proven senior leadership experience with a track record of motivating high-performing teams
• Strategic thinker with strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and governance skills
• Passionate about making a difference in children’s palliative care

 Why Join Us?

• Purpose-Driven Work: Help every child with a life-threatening condition live their best life
• Supportive Culture: Work with a dedicated team of nearly 300 staff and 450 volunteers
• Excellent Benefits: NHS pension continuation, generous leave, wellbeing support, learning & development, and more
• Flexible Working: Hybrid and flexible hours with hospice-based presence 3+ days/week

Ready to Lead with Heart?

To explore this unique opportunity, please contact our retained executive search partner:

Chris Mayers -  

Do you share our vision to end youth unemployment?

The King’s Trust is seeking an exceptional individual to become Director of Delivery for Wales.You should share our passion for supporting young people to realise their potential and increasing our reach and impact. 

You will lead a team of colleagues, delivery partners and volunteers to turn our strategy into action, ensuring that our programmes reach those who need our help the most, by building partnerships, upholding our commitment to inclusion and safeguarding and growing our income. You will also develop and implement plans to achieve our four strategy goals of Tackling Inequality, Building the Nation’s Workforce, Being a Bold Voice for Change and Making Every Pound Count.To do this, you’ll need to able to engage and motivate a dispersed team and collaborate effectively across the whole organisation. You’ll also need to have an understanding of the challenges facing young people.

You will be a member of the Trust’s Senior Leadership Team, working with colleagues across the UK and will lead on a number of cross organisational projects.You’ll need to be visible across Wales and the wider organisation, working in our centre in Cardiff at least three days a week, as well as travelling to other centres and partner meetings in Wales and the UK as required. 

Our client is a leading Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Counselling training organisation and therapeutic services provider based in North London. They provide high quality, low-cost psychotherapy and counselling to children, young people, parents and families in over 35 schools and organisations in London and the South East as well as from their London-based therapeutic and training centre ‘The Bothy’. At an exciting time of change, the organisation are now looking to recruit a dynamic new Head of Services to oversee the efficient delivery and development of their therapeutic services.

As Head of Services you will be responsible for leading on the delivery, development and growth of the organisation's therapeutic services. You will oversee a small, tight-knit team (comprising of office staff, as well as a Clinical Lead and a School Liaison Coordinator), leading on administrative, marketing and budgeting for the entire service.  You will update and implement policies across the organisation to meet standards in the field of therapeutic provision and mental health services. You will also liaise with external agencies, statutory and non-statutory organisations and schools, nurturing relationships, identifying new clients and securing new contracts in order to develop additional revenue streams and ensure the financial sustainability of the Centre.

To apply for this role you will be a supportive leader with significant experience of overseeing staff and service operations previously. You will have an awareness of children mental health services (CAMHS) and related settings such as education, social care, health, public sector, and will be confident working in partnership and building relationships with a variety of external agencies. You will have the ability to think strategically and creatively with a solutions-focused attitude and will have knowledge of safeguarding processes. A recognised child psychotherapy qualification with UKCP or ACP training organisation would be an advantage.

In order to apply please initially submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will then arrange a suitable time to fully brief you on the role.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Victoria Savva at Prospectus.

Please note this is a full-time role and will be based on-site at the organisation's offices in North Finchley.

Job Title - Managing Director of Research Programmes (UK)

Contract – Permanent

Hours - 35 hours per week

Salary – Circa £75,000 per annum (negotiable)

Location - Coram Campus, Bloomsbury, with occasional travel and some working from home as agreed

About Coram

Coram, which is the oldest children’s charity, is a group of specialist organisations; we help more than 1 million children and young people from infancy to independence, creating positive change that lasts a lifetime.

Established by Royal Charter in 1739, as the Foundling Hospital, and operating from its distinctive 3.5 acres headquarters in the heart of London, Coram has built a position of insight, influence, and research by working closely with other organisations and other sectors, universities and government, professionals, and families. We have ambitious plans for the future, to be the UK’s leading recognised research organisation, dedicated to improving life chances as the Institute for Children.

About the role

This role works directly with the Chief Executive as a member of the Senior Management Team in achievement of this vision and strategy; it will lead the advancement of the Coram Institute for Children as a UKRI recognised independent research organisation (IRO), drive research capacity and capability, champion and deliver internal and external evaluations, advance Coram’s sector credibility and relationships, and inform and contribute to the group’s reach, relevance and results.

This senior position leads a large team of mixed methods researchers and data analysts and comprises an important opportunity for a credible research leader and experienced charity senior manager who is dynamic and multi-skilled with an entrepreneurial approach to lead the only IRO in the children and young people’s sector.

The successful candidate will have a strong business focus and commitment to translating research findings into policy and practice and direct experience of securing research council funding, or funding from sources such as What Works Centres, local and central government or Trusts and Foundations.

You will be able to work individually, in a team and across the organisation. Strong critical thinking ability, partnership building skills and knowledge, experience and commitment to improving lives of children are essential.

To apply for this role, please visit the Coram website to complete an application. Please note CV’S will not be accepted.

Closing date: 18th February 2026 at 12 noon

Interview date: 26th & 27th February 2026

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Location: MSSC NSC, 200B Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7JY (Hybrid Working)

Contract: Full-time permeant

Salary: £39,000 gross, per annum

Closing Date: 1 March 2026

Face to Face Interviews: Either 25 or 26 March 2026

Application: CV & Covering Letter

Are you a Safeguarding professional looking for a new opportunity and challenge?  We are currently looking for an exceptional Safeguarding Officer to join our expanding team.

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.

About the role

We have an opportunity for a Safeguarding Officer to join our very busy team!

The organisation has a strong safeguarding ethos promoting the overall safety, safeguarding and welfare of all of our members. We are seeking individuals who have experience of the voluntary youth or community sector or other relevant professional field and have direct practice experience of working with children & young people in a safeguarding context.  You will have excellent knowledge of the principles and practices of Early Help along with experience and knowledge of statutory requirements, and best practice guidance, relating to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. 

Our safeguarding team operates centrally in London where we are responsible for providing support, advice and guidance to our volunteers relating on all safeguarding matters across the UK. Our safeguarding Officers act as our lead professionals in managing safeguarding casework in line with our policy, procedures and statutory duty.

We aim high and strive for excellence in our practices to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk.  We are continually evolving and seeking ways to improve and enhance our safeguarding practices as we move forward. 

Whilst this is a Monday- Friday full time position, a flexible approach to work and working patterns is a must, as is the ability to work effectively and respond appropriately in challenging circumstances. 

Requirements

• Support, guide and coach SCC volunteers to implement a local response to safeguarding concerns
• Effective and skilful management of an allocated caseload
• Lead professional – Allegation Management
• Action referrals to statutory agencies e.g. Local Authority Designated Officer, Police, Children’s Services, Social Care or equivalent across the UK (including DBS, PVGS)

For further information, please download the full Recruitment Pack.

For applications to be considered, it is essential that both a CV & Supporting Statement are submitted.  Supporting statements should detail how a candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience meet the requirements of the Job Description and Person specification.

Without this, we sadly will be unable to progress your application for this role.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

Safer Recruitment - We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.

Are you passionate about tackling the issues faced by young people such as school absence, loneliness and career opportunities, and determined in supporting their development of life and employability skills? Then there is a place for you at WeMindTheGap. 

We are seeking a special person to fill a new role, Director of Operations. You will bridge the gap between our Board of Trustees, CEO and Operational Delivery. You will be responsible for turning our 5-year plan into high-quality sustainable action while ensuring that our culture remains the golden thread running through everything we do. To do this you will need to be able to effectively manage our growing team of circa 31 staff, line manage our Senior Leadership Team, maximise our yearly budget of roughly £1.7 million, and monitor and report on our Key Performance Indicators directly to our CEO.

Over the last decade, WeMindTheGap has walked alongside the most amazing young people aged 11–25yrs who have fallen through the gaps to find their place in the world. However, sadly, factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic mean that the need for our programmes is greater than ever.  

That is why we have launched an ambitious 5-year plan to deepen our impact and expand our ‘Villages’. Through our place-based approach and continuum of five programmes, we provide our 'Gappies' with work and life skills opportunities, a sense of belonging in their communities, and a chance to build independent, fulfilling lives. 

If you are an individual who thrives in social system changes, complex systems work, if you are driven by purpose and want to be part of an organisation that changes the lives of young people today and for our future generations, we want to hear from you. 

Location: In-person at our WeConnect Hubs (Wrexham, Flintshire, Cheshire) 
Salary: £50,000 
Hours: Full-time, 5 days a week (37.5 hours) 
Start Date: ASAP, ideally by 01/05/2026 (negotiable) 
Contract: Permanent 
Deadline: 12:00pm, 11th of March 2026

To find out more and how to apply, please download and read our full ‘Director of Operations - Recruitment Pack’. 

Please note, the deadline for applying is 11th March 2026 and if chosen for stage 2 you must be available for interview in-person on 31st March or 1st of April 2026.

What makes us unique is that we also care deeply about ‘plugging the gap’ for families and young people who are struggling to find the mental health support they need as a result of financial, social or other disadvantage. For this reason, we are a not-for-profit organisation and offer grant and donation funded programmes when we can.

Youth Arts & Health Trust are a registered charity based in Exeter and East Devon who specialise in providing creative therapies and inclusivity-informed arts activities for children and young people aged 5 to 25.

We are in an exciting phase of our development, with new premises in Exeter, growing activities in East Devon, a dynamic team, a supportive and experienced Board of Trustees, and much shared passion to make a difference to children, young people and families.

We provide our services for children and young people via local authorities, organisations, schools and for families directly.

We are looking for someone with vision and passion who can lead and nurture our highly capable and ambitious team to build further upon our compassionate, inclusive and trauma-informed services for children, young people and families.

This is a 0.7 - 0.8 post (25-30 hours per week) with terms to be agreed with the successful candidate.  We are open to flexible working arrangements with the right individual, whether that’s flexitime or compressed hours, or some other agreed arrangement.   

It is expected that the post-holder will work within our premises for 1-2 days a week depending on service needs, and the remainder of hours worked from home, in the community at meetings or events or working on a hybrid basis.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• To develop and deliver our strategy including a business plan and regular progression reports for the Board to ensure the charity is financially robust.
• To develop existing and new income streams to secure the future of the charity and enable us to meet our charitable objectives of benefitting children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties through arts therapies and arts activities.  This is likely to include grant fundraising, exploring procurement and commissioning routes, philanthropy, appropriate business sponsorship, training delivery and pathways for private purchasing of our service.
• To line manage, support, and collaborate with our Operations and Clinical Director who oversees our team of therapists and practitioners in ensuring all staff are adequately trained, registered, supervised and supported to provide an excellent service to our clients.
• To provide leadership for the charity both internally in regards to a positive and nurturing culture and externally in regard to reputation, partnerships and opportunities.
• To ensure all relevant policies are implemented effectively, developed and reviewed as required.
• To act as one of three Designated Safeguarding Officers and ensure policy is implemented effectively.
• To ensure the charity fulfils all its statutory obligations, working alongside the Board to achieve this.
• To ensure the charity has appropriate systems in place for the management and mitigation of risk.
• To ensure the charity meets its obligations under health and safety law.
• To lead on the development of innovative arts therapy programmes, in collaboration with our Operations and Clinical Director, our staff team and stakeholders.
• To ensure evaluation and impact data is collected and utilised for our learning and to provide evidence for the effectiveness of YAHT’s services.
• To act as an ambassador for the charity.
• If relevant, to carry a small caseload of children and young people to remain practising as an Arts Therapist or other registered mental health professional (if relevant, see desirable criteria).

We are recruiting for a family support worker and we would like to hear from you if you have a Level 3 qualification or substantial work experience related to social care, social work, family support or early help. The ideal candidate will also have experience working with children, adolescents and families and have knowledge of parenting skills.

The role of the  Family Support Worker is to directly support, maintain and develop the network around the child, liaising, building relationships and communicating between multiple agencies and multi-disciplinary roles, these include, the local authority, social workers, family members, carers and significant others and the child in placement.
Within the community, the role is closely linked with each child in placement and will closely work with the Community Director and the senior management team to ensure that it meets the therapeutic and educational needs and interests of each child. This will necessarily include working closely with professionals and developing their expertise in a psychoanalytic-systemic approach to care, education and treatment.
Responsibilities include:

• Ensure that plans for the process of assessment, co-ordination and delivery of placement and family support and transition plans are developed and managed on a day to day basis to agreed standards.
• Co-ordinate and facilitate contact arrangements, linking with networks and families in a manner which is integrated with the community’s existing relationship and contribute to and develop its professional effectiveness.
• Contribute to the holistic assessment of needs of children, families and networks.
• Devise and develop tailored packages of support based on assessment.

Childhood First is committed to safeguarding children. Appointments will be subject to a satisfactory DBS Disclosure and references.

Edward's Trust is seeking a values-led Chief Executive to build on recent stabilisation and lead the charity into its next phase of sustainable impact.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a respected bereavement charity supporting parents, children and young people across the West Midlands.

Edward's Trust provides specialist counselling and holistic wellbeing support to families experiencing profound and often complex grief. Our work is rooted in compassion, integrity and a deep respect for the individuality of every person we support.

We are now looking for a Chief Executive who can combine emotional intelligence with strategic clarity and hands-on leadership. Working closely with a committed Board and skilled staff team, the successful candidate will guide the organisation confidently through a challenging funding landscape while protecting the quality and integrity of our services.

This is a senior, visible role with real autonomy and influence. Key priorities include strengthening income resilience, leading income generation activity, nurturing partnerships, and embedding a shared strategic direction across the organisation. The role requires a leader who is comfortable holding complexity and uncertainty, and who understands the responsibility of working within emotionally demanding services.

We welcome applications from experienced leaders within the charity, health or social care sectors, as well as those ready to step into a Chief Executive role. Flexible and part-time working arrangements are welcomed, including 0.8 FTE.

Full details, including the role profile, priorities and how to apply are available in the recruitment pack.