Children services director jobs

This is an exciting role leading our committed policy team leading the fight to end child poverty in the UK. The development and implementation of a UK-wide cross-government child poverty strategy means this is a great time to join CPAG as we look to influence policy makers to adopt our evidence-based policy solutions to child poverty.

We are looking for someone to take a lead role in developing evidence-based policy positions to support CPAG’s influencing and campaigns work. You will have knowledge of political processes and how external organisations can effect change. You will have a track record of producing high quality research and analysis, including policy briefings, on social policy issues. You will have experience of managing a small team and working collaboratively to identify policy issues and develop solutions with colleagues across the organisation, as well as externally.

The postholder will be working in a fast moving, high profile and complex policy environment and will need to balance short term priorities with long term objectives. Current priorities include influencing the implementation of the forthcoming child poverty strategy, gathering and sharing analysis and expertise with the DWP as part of their review of universal credit, and monitoring the development of forthcoming changes to disability benefits.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

We welcome applications on a secondment basis.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Head of Policy job pack.

If you have questions or need specific arrangements or reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please contact us.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 14th January 2026 (midnight)

Interviews will take place: w/c 19th January 2026

Our CEO, Daisy Srblin, has served since May 2022, and is expecting to take maternity leave from May 2026. We are looking for an excellent Interim CEO, to steward YCF in her 9-12 months away, lead our team and keep our charity on track.

2026/27 is set to be a busy period for Young Camden Foundation, as we navigate a complex ecosystem for the voluntary sector, embed new projects, and drive forward the objectives of our 2025-28 strategy. This is also a pivotal year for fundraising efforts, as is the case for many in our sector, and maintaining strong leadership on behalf of our dynamic and talented team will also be essential.

We are looking for an experienced Interim CEO, who brings particular proven expertise around fundraising, people and budget management, and reporting, as well as confidence in stakeholder relationships and proven leadership experience.

You will be responsible for a team of 7, reporting to a board of twelve, and managing a budget of around £1.3m. You will be responsible for the effective management and delegation of responsibilities throughout the team, via your three direct line reports. You will be responsible for reporting to funders on a regular basis, who fund everything from YCF’s core operations to our grants and onward projects. You will oversee YCF’s complex functions, including grant giving, membership and training, and youth engagement.

You will lead on YCF’s fundraising goals for 26/27 and beyond, helping to put YCF on a firm and confident footing as we look to the future. You will also lead external engagement work at the charity, ensuring YCF is represented and advocating in high-level spaces in Camden, whether with Camden Council, local Councillors, sector and member leaders, and local businesses. 

Please download the full job specification for a complete breakdown of responsibilities and essential skills and experience. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The job of a CEO is hard to define, especially in a small charity, so the list below is by no means exhaustive, or reflective of all the responsibilities you will undertake in post.

However, these summarise the key areas of responsibility and priority as Interim CEO in the 9-12 month period:

1. Fundraising on behalf of our objectives

2026 is a pivotal fundraising year for YCF, as with so many in the sector. You will lead on our fundraising efforts (including identifying and writing bids) for both core and project funding in this important year, to put YCF on the strongest financial footing possible in delivering our objectives to 2028.

2. Team management and leadership

The YCF team is a dynamic mix of individuals, ranging from longer-serving staff to newer staff. You will effectively lead our people (YCF’s key asset) driving performance by identifying development opportunities, and effectively delegating to get the most out of our team. You will also be called upon to make judgement calls on behalf of the team, when these come up.

3. Stewarding our finances

In our small organisation, the CEO is chiefly responsible for the effective stewardship of our finances. Working closely with our Finance Manager, you will set our 27/28 budget and steward and monitor our performance across both financial years (including around fundraising targets). You will oversee an effective audit process in 2026, and ensure records and invoicing are meticulous and kept up to date.

4. Supporting project management and delivery

While staff members hold responsibility for their work streams, YCF is a small team, and you will have overall responsibility and oversight for all delivery, including two sizeable projects in the 26/27 year (the delivery of the UK Government’s Holiday Food and Activities programme, (HAF) on behalf of the Borough of Camden, and YCF’s new cross-borough programme tackling Serious Youth Violence). You will ensure strong delivery across each workstream, identifying opportunities for development throughout, and stepping in where needed.

5. Ensuring effective communication

YCF has a wide range of stakeholders, including members, funders, partners and many others from our cross section of voluntary, public and private sector partnerships. You will be an effective communicator (verbally and in written form) and able to represent YCF in the spaces needed, including with prospective partners, on strategic boards, and with high-level stakeholders. You will lead the team in our written reporting to funders, guiding the team to harness our data to communicate our impact.

6. Oversee governance 

Bringing experience with Board accountability, you will report to the board quarterly, and work closely with the Chair to ensure progress is being driven forward on YCF’s strategic objectives.

[While your closest working senior relationship will be with the Chair, YCF benefits from a very engaged board. As such, the trustees can be available to support you on an on-going or ad-hoc basis. Collectively, they have deep local connections, excellent sector knowledge and expertise in various functional areas such as HR, governance, finance and more.]

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We are looking for the following essential experience in our prospective Interim CEO candidate:

- Successful fundraising experience: You will have proven experience in fundraising in a VCS context, including from Trusts & Foundations, corporate sources, and Local Authorities. You will have direct experience in writing applications, making pitches and so on.

- Proven finance experience: As a proven sector leader, you will have experience managing complex and large organisational budgets. You will be able to demonstrate how you have set and managed budgets in the past, including stewarding budgets to effective use.

- Leadership and team management: You will have experience of leading teams, including in contexts without an internal HR function where these are held by the CEO. You will be well versed in all aspects of team leadership, including managing performance, supporting morale and maintaining YCF’s positive team culture. You will have held the position of Director or CEO before, and have experience reporting to a Board of Trustees, and knowledge of governance arrangements that support a healthy charity.

- Exceptional communication: You will demonstrate proven exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal. You will be well versed in compiling strong reporting to funders and stakeholders, as well as producing high quality reports for Trustees. You will also be an exceptional verbal communicator, representing YCF and the needs of our members in advocacy spaces.

- Project start up and management: While YCF has senior leaders to oversee work delivery, you will bring your own experience in project management, to help support existing and new projects at YCF, namely the Tackling Serious Youth Violence Project, which will begin in 2026.

- A positive attitude: Working in a small charity is tremendously rewarding, but it can be tough to lead a small organisation. You will demonstrate proven maturity in navigating those challenges, while bringing an optimism and positive attitude to your work, including all of the (many) responsibilities that fall outside of the ‘usual’ CEO job description, in a small charity.  

We would also ideally be looking for some of the following desirable areas of expertise and experience:

- Working in a youth setting: Our Interim CEO will need to share our passion for a stronger Camden for all children and young people. Ideally you will also bring experience of working in a youth setting or for a youth focused charity in the past, and be familiar with some of the challenges facing children and young people

- Grant making: Our Interim CEO will steward a significant grant-making budget of around £1m per year. Our ideal candidate would bring knowledge of hyper-local grant giving for community led organisations

- Working with and for community groups: Our team works predominantly (though not exclusively) with members who are micro, small and medium sized. Ideally you will be well versed in the unique challenges facing grassroots community VCS organisations. You may bring experience leading a small charity yourself, proving your understanding of the unique leadership challenges in doing so

- Understanding Camden: YCF’s work is unapologetically rooted in our borough, with all its challenges and opportunities. Our ideal candidate brings an understanding of the challenges of living within inner London, particularly for communities facing disadvantage.

WHAT WE OFFER IN RETURN

We firmly believe you’ll be working in one of the best teams in the sector, with a collaborative and supportive culture.

You will be working with a dynamic and enthusiastic team, and will also benefit from regular check-ins with a present and supportive Chair, as well as support from our experienced Board of Trustees. Flexible working is also available, after discussion and agreement with the Chair.  

You will also benefit from:

· 25 days of annual leave per year (pro-rata’d for part time employees)

· In addition, your Birthday off (or closest working day) as paid leave

· Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, 360 Wellbeing, including 6 free in-person counselling sessions per year and unlimited 24/7 online and telephone GP consultations

· Training and development opportunities

· Free on-site gym access and access to free creative and fitness classes (and access to on-site showers) as part of our Labs membership

· Access to tea, coffee, biscuits and fruit each day at our office

· Discount on food and drink in Camden Stables Market

Please download the full job description for further information. Pease note the deadline for applications is Sunday 8th February - however the Charity Jobs advert will expire on Thursday 5th February, so please be sure to download this application and details of how to apply before this date. 

Closing Date: 25 January 2026

Ref 7142

We're looking for an individual with extensive data strategy and leadership experience to join us as our Head of Data and Analysis here at Save the Children UK. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-performing team and embed a data-driven, supporter-centric culture that drives income growth, supporter engagement and impact as we enter a period of transformation.

Note: This role is a 12-month maternity cover contract to start in January/February 2026. 

About us

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. When crisis strikes and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

About the role

As Head of Data and Analysis, you will play a vital role in transforming how data and insights drive strategic decisions across our Public Impact division. You'll lead the development and delivery of a forward-looking data strategy, enabling agile, insight-led campaign planning and supporter engagement. You'll also play a key role in leading the team through technological and cultural change, championing collaboration and capability-building across multidisciplinary teams.

Joining our Public Impact Division and reporting to the Director of Public Income & Engagement, you’ll be leading Data and Analysis teams who are passionate about harnessing the power of data to deepen supporter engagement, increase income, and deliver relevant, impactful experiences. 

In this role you will:

• Lead and implement a transformational data strategy that elevates the role of insight across marketing, engagement, and fundraising activities.
• Support and lead teams through change, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Inspire and manage a high-performing team of data professionals, embedding a shared vision and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Collaborate across digital, technology, and marketing functions to unlock the power of data and supporter insight.
• Translate complex data analysis into clear, actionable insights that drive commercial impact and strategic decision-making.
• Champion robust data governance, quality standards, and safeguarding practices to ensure effective and ethical data use.

About you

With a proven track record of successfully guiding teams through transformation, you'll have a strong background in data strategy and leadership with a passion for unlocking the power of data to drive income and engagement.

You'll have: 

• A strong track record of leadership in data, insight, and analytics roles within complex or matrixed organisations.
• Experience successfully leading teams and departments through transformation or change programmes.
• A deep understanding of data strategy, marketing technology ecosystems, supporter lifecycle engagement, and performance measurement.
• Strong understanding of analytics methodologies and approaches, including digital analytics.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into actionable insight for diverse audiences and to drive cultural change. 
• A collaborative, agile mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and innovation.
• A passion for using data to advance social impact, and a commitment to upholding the highest standards in safeguarding and ethical data use and to Save the Children's vision, mission, and values.

What we offer you:

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work.
• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day.

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Location & Ways of Working:

The majority of our roles can be performed remotely in the UK, but at times you will be required to come to your contracted office (usually between 2–4 days per month, depending on the needs of your role, team, or service). For many roles, this is likely to be the minimum required to deliver impact.

This will be discussed and agreed with your manager / team and we encourage candidates to discuss our ways of working in more detail at interview stage.

Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense. 

Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

Role Purpose 

This is a new role. Stand-by-me is seeking an experienced Director to effectively lead and manage the organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the effective continued delivery of the charity’s aims, providing strong, strategic leadership and operational management, focussing on enhancing fundraising capacity and developing a robust organisation strategy. This role will also serve as the public representative of the organisation and will report directly to the Board of Trustees.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Development:

· Conduct a rapid assessment of the charity’s current strategic plan and identify key areas for improvement.

· Lead the development of a revised or updated strategic framework, focusing on sustainability, growth, and impact.

· Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and Clinical staff to define clear strategic priorities and measurable outcomes.

· Provide clear and concise report to the Board on progress against strategic objectives.

· Manage and coordinate research projects and feasibility studies including budgeting, resourcing, scheduling, tracking and ensuring quality assurance.

2. Income Generation and Financial Management:

· Conduct a rapid, comprehensive review of existing fundraising activities and identify opportunities for growth and diversification.

· Develop and implement a short and long-term fundraising strategy to maximise income generation.

· Monitor and report on grants and funding.

· Lead and motivate our volunteer community fundraising team providing guidance and support to achieve specified targets.

· Cultivate and strengthen relationships with major donors, trusts, foundations, patronage, and corporate partners.

· Explore and develop new fundraising streams, including regular giving, digital fundraising, innovative partnerships and legacies.

· Working with the team, develop compelling funding proposals and grant applications.

· Improve fundraising reporting and analysis to track performance and inform decision-making.

3. Operational Management:

· Provide effective line management to the team and volunteers to foster a positive and collaborative work environment.

· Effectively delegate tasks to team members including promoting self organisation.

· Work with the Finance Trustee to oversee financial management, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and best practices for budgeting.

· Manage risk and ensure the charity's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

· Represent the charity to external stakeholders, building and maintaining positive relationships.

· Ensure effective communication and engagement with staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

· Work with Safeguarding Trustee and external Supervisors on any clinical or safeguarding issues as they arise.

· Conduct annual appraisals to monitor and evaluate staff performance.

4. Board Engagement/Governance:

· Act as the primary point of contact between the Board of Trustees.

· Provide regular updates to the Board on organisational performance including operational and strategic matters.

· Ensure the organisation’s compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and internal policies to support the Board in its governance role by providing advice and information as needed.

· Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between the Trustee Board, staff and volunteers.

Please note that this vacancy is a fixed-term contract until May 2026, with the possibility of extension.

Our supporters are at the very heart of our fundraising efforts. The team responsible for data management, supporter care, and compliance plays a vital role in enabling our fundraising teams to operate effectively.
We work closely with Battersea colleagues, suppliers, and agencies acting on our behalf to collect, process, and analyse data. We are committed to supporting our generous donors and customers by ensuring their contributions are recognised and celebrated through outstanding customer care.
We ensure that all fundraising activities are carried out with diligence, care, and in full compliance with relevant regulations, using data-driven insights to maximise impact.
The Supporter Services Administrator is responsible for delivering excellent supporter care to existing, potential and previous supporters of Battersea, to develop relationships and maximise income for Battersea.

What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year.
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.

More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 21st January 2026
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview date(s): To be confirmed. Early applications are encouraged as interviews may take place on a rolling basis ahead of the closing date.

Head of Programmes / Programmes Director, Level Water

What we're building

Level Water exists to solve a problem that shouldn’t exist: too many disabled children are still missing out on high-quality swimming lessons.

We’ve built a delivery model that works. Families trust us. Pools want to work with us. Funders back us. We’re well-funded (80% unrestricted) and responding to growing demand.

Now we’re entering the next stage: scaling what works without losing quality, care, or joy. This role sits right at the heart of that mission - leading not just how our programmes are delivered, but how we define, measure, and grow our impact.

We’re Level Water - a founder-led charity solving unequal access to swimming for children with disabilities. We’re not a typical charity. We own our swim events and run them like a business, creating a sustainable income stream that directly funds our programmes. That model gives us the freedom to move fast, test ideas, and build something that doesn’t exist anywhere else.

Because we’re self-sustaining, we can make clear, confident decisions about our programme and impact direction. If you want to help tackle unequal access to sport - and shape how a modern charity designs, delivers, and measures programmes at scale - this is your chance.

The opportunity

This isn’t a “keep programmes running” role.

This is a build, lead, and scale a national delivery model role.

As Head of Programmes, you’ll own how Level Water’s programmes are designed, delivered, improved, and expanded. You’ll take a proven model, design for growth  and help turn it into something category-defining - working at pace, making smart decisions, and setting the standard for what inclusive swimming can look like across the UK.

You’ll work closely with the CEO and senior team, lead our brilliant programme function (a Training and Excellence Manager and Programmes Officer), and bring energy and momentum to a part of the organisation that sits right at the heart of our impact.

If you’re excited by growth, complexity, and building something that really matters, you’ll thrive here.

If you’re looking for a role where you can play it safe, this probably isn’t it.

What you’ll actually own

Programme design, quality & scale

• You’ll own how Level Water’s programmes are designed, delivered, and grown - now and into the future.

• Set the strategic direction for our lesson delivery model, ensuring it scales without losing quality, care, or joy.

• Lead and develop the Programmes team, setting clear priorities, standards, and ways of working.

• Ensure programmes are safe, inclusive, effective, and consistently high-quality as delivery expands.

• Build the systems and processes that make great delivery easier at scale, not harder.

Impact, learning & continuous improvement

• You’ll define how we understand, measure, and improve our impact - and use learning to drive better delivery.

• Ensure we gather meaningful insight from families, swimmers, teachers, and partners.

• Turn data and feedback into clear learning that actively shapes programme decisions.

• Lead Level Water’s approach to impact reporting for funders, partners, Trustees, and the Board, alongside the Senior Leadership Team.

• Set clear success measures and use them to guide prioritisation, iteration, and growth.

Strategic partnerships, funding & sector influence

• You’ll build the relationships and credibility that enable sustainable programme growth and wider change.

• Build and manage strategic partnerships with national pool operators and delivery partners.

• Secure and manage national agreements that unlock scale and improve access.

• Work closely with Fundraising to shape strong, realistic programme content for grants and funding proposals.

• Own the programme side of grant-funded delivery, ensuring work is well planned, delivered to a high standard, and reported with clarity and confidence.

• Represent Level Water externally as a credible, influential voice in inclusive swimming, helping to shift culture and practice across the sector.

Who we’re looking for

We care far more about how you work than where you’ve worked or what sector you come from. You don’t need a background in swimming. You don’t need charity experience. What matters is how you think, how you lead, and the energy you bring.

People who thrive here have:

• Ambition for growth. You’re excited by the moment where something good needs to scale - and you want to help shape what comes next, not just maintain what already exists.

• Ownership and momentum. You take responsibility, spot opportunities, and move things forward. You don’t wait for perfect information or permission before acting.

• The ability to hold strategy and delivery together. You can zoom out to set direction and zoom in to make sure things actually work - and you know when each is needed.

• Confidence leading through change. You’ve helped programmes or services evolve through growth, complexity, or transformation, and you’re comfortable making decisions in imperfect conditions.

• Strong relational leadership. You build trust quickly, bring people with you, and create credibility with partners, teams, and senior stakeholders.

• A solutions-first mindset. When things get complicated (and they will), you stay calm, pragmatic, and focused on what will move things forward.

Bonus points if:

• You’ve worked in a scale-up, start-up, or fast-growing organisation.

• You’ve built or reshaped delivery models, partnerships, or systems as things grew.

• You’re motivated by impact and inclusion, and want your work to genuinely change lives.

If this sounds like you - and you’re excited by the challenge of building something ambitious with real-world impact - we’d love to hear from you.

Why Level Water?

Our values - Bold, Driven, Personal, and Joyful - shape how this role shows up in practice. You’ll be expected to bring ambition, move with purpose, care deeply about people, and help build programmes that feel genuinely joyful to be part of.

Bold.
This isn’t a “run what already exists” role. You’ll challenge assumptions, set direction, and help shape the future of inclusive swimming. We want your judgement, your ideas, and your confidence to make clear calls.

Driven.
We’re growing fast, and programmes sit at the centre of that growth. If you’re ambitious about scale, impact, and building something that lasts, there's a real opportunity here to lead what comes next.

Personal.
We’re founder-led and people-first. You’ll work closely with families, partners, and colleagues, balancing high standards with empathy, clarity, and care.

Joyful.
Swimming should be positive, empowering, and fun - especially for children who’ve too often been excluded. You’ll help ensure our programmes don’t just deliver outcomes, but create experiences that build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of the water.

Practical details:

• Flexible working: remote, hybrid, or (even better) office-based in Tunbridge Wells, your choice.

• You'll attend weekend events throughout the summer.

• Some travel required to pools, partners, and events (including occasional weekends)

• Salary: Head of: £46k-57k (depending on experience)

How to apply

We want to hear from you in whatever way best shows us who you are and how you think.

Get creative. We really want to get a feel for your personality and style. A traditional CV and cover letter? Great. A video introduction? Awesome. Whatever format helps you shine and show us who you are. 

Here's what we'd love to know:

1. What’s the boldest change you’ve delivered that improved outcomes for the people your programme existed to serve - and what did you personally do to make it happen?

Before you apply:

If you've got questions about the role, the team, or whether this might be right for you, please reach out. I'm Lucy Powell, Operations Director at Level Water, and I'd genuinely love to chat. 

Deadline: 

We're reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will close this advert once we've found the right person. So if this excites you, don't wait, but do take the time to show us who you really are. 

We'd rather see your best work than a rushed application. If you need a bit of time to put that together, talk to us.

We're excited to meet you. Let's build something brilliant together.

Lead quality and innovation in adoption – and make a lasting impact.

Position: Adoption Quality and Development Lead

Location: Based in Reading with hybrid working arrangements

Contract: Permanent role. Full time (37 hours per week) or part-time (4 days per week may be considered).

Salary range: Starting Salary Range from £49934 to £58256

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team in a newly created position which is a reflection of our dedication to ensure the highest standards of quality and continuous improvement across our adoption services.

The Adoption Quality and Development Lead plays a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality adoption and adoption support services. The post holder will lead on quality assurance activities, policy development, complaints investigations, and specific projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and contributing to continuous improvement. They will be one of PACT’s agency decision makers. They will also manage projects such as the birth relatives project and support digital and training initiatives. The role requires collaboration across teams, liaison with external agencies, and occasional cover for Team Managers.

About you:

We are looking for a qualified and registered social worker with substantial post-qualification experience in adoption and children’s services, including quality assurance and inspection preparation. You will have excellent knowledge of adoption legislation and standards, strong analytical and organisational skills, and the ability to influence and advise at all levels.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about driving quality and innovation in adoption services. You will have access to learning and professional development opportunities and the chance to make a real difference to the lives of children and families.

We realise that this may be a role that is unique to PACT. Other relevant roles you may have experience of could include: Team Manager; Adoption Team Manager; Adoption Practice Manager; Practice Manager; Adoption Service Manager; Service Manager; Quality Assurance Manager; Social Work Team Lead; Social Work Team Manager etc

About PACT:

PACT is a long-standing, established charity and has been building and strengthening families since 1911. We have a long history of providing adoption services and specialist adoption support for life. As an independent adoption charity, PACT has been rated outstanding by Ofsted three times in a row in 2014, 2017 and 2023.

PACT has a stable and committed workforce, with a passion to support families and a desire to deliver the highest quality services. Last year, PACT found loving and permanent homes for 84 children.

For further information, contact email and details on how to apply, please visit our website.

Closing date: Friday 23rd January 2026 (midday)
Interviews are planned for: Monday 9th February 2026

We look forward to hearing from you. Early application is encouraged. We will review applications received throughout the advertising period and may close the vacancy or interview earlier than stated.

Please do not submit your CV; only completed application forms will be accepted. No agencies please.

PACT is a supportive and respectful place where people are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of women, children and families from many different backgrounds. We continuously look to progress the ways in which we create families and bring people together and encourage applications from people across all communities. We are committed to ensuring that our people and our services reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and applications from people from under-represented groups are particularly welcomed.

PACT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s Safer Recruitment pre-appointment enquiries. These include the provision of documentation of the right to work in the UK, Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, overseas police check where applicable and references covering a minimum 5-year period. All opportunities are based in the UK

This role will take the lead in creating and developing an exciting, safe, fun and vibrant young people’s ministry at St. Andrew’s Church that sees young people come to faith and grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus.

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?   

Do you have experience of successful delivery of safeguarding strategies and initiatives?  

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard through a profound commitment to safeguarding, protection and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults? 

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.  

We have an exciting opportunity for a Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our team to Act as the expert organisational designated safeguarding lead (DSL) for all work 

covering children, young people (CYP) and adults in equal measure. Your role will be homebased but may require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes nationally to meet with stakeholders; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.

About us  

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.  

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.  

About you 

You will have at least 2 years’ experience of working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead with line management responsibility, developing, implementing and evaluating of CYP and Adult safeguarding policies, procedures, and training programmes, reflecting current legislation and best practices.You will also have demonstrable experience in leading, managing, influencing diverse teams on safeguarding, focusing on developing a positive culture and promoting continuous professional development. 

You should have experience in managing complex safeguarding cases, including conducting risk assessments, deciding on immediate actions, and coordinating with external agencies and key stakeholders. 

How will you make a difference? 

You will be called upon internally and/or by external bodies as a source of organisational expert knowledge. 

You will provide leadership and accountability for the advancement of safeguarding best 

practices. 

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively across agencies and adapt child protection systems to address risks in diverse social environments as part of a contextual safeguarding approach, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people, vulnerable groups and adults alike.

Benefits  

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service  

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution  

Salary sacrifices pension scheme  

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)  

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc  

24/7 Employee Assistance programme  

Access to remote counselling service  

Paid Disability Leave  

Paid compassionate Leave  

Home Working Allowance   

Support with continuous professional development  

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development   

Personal Development Plans  

How are staff supported to work remotely?  

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.  

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).   

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.  

Equality and Diversity 

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. 

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. 

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU?

 Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets.

Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Founded in 1996, Railway Children has dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for street connected children. With projects in the UK, India and Tanzania, we aim to reach these children as soon as they are in danger and intervene before an abuser can.  As we embark on our new strategy to 2030, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work.

The role
This is an exciting opportunity for a database specialist looking for an organisation with purpose, where your work makes a difference to vulnerable children every day. This is a brand-new role in our organisation which is putting data at the heart of its new strategy.
 

About you
As a person who is passionate about the power of data, you will have the opportunity to shape the way that the organisation captures and analyses fundraising income and other data to maximise income which will in turn enable us to support more children.

You will have a track record of managing a fundraising database in a charitable organisation and proven data analysis skills. This role will provide an essential link between the finance and fundraising & marketing teams and will suit someone who thrives on working collaboratively to achieve the goals of the organisation.

We are looking for someone with advanced skills in data management. Time management and problem solving are an essential part of this role.

For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website 

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience.

Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed.

Closing Date: 18 January 2026

The time commitment will be approximately 20 panel sessions per year, with a payment rate of £500 per panel, plus reasonable expenses incurred. Attendance at 2 training sessions per year is required and travel expenses will be covered. Panel sessions are held online.

PACT is one of the UK’s leading independent adoption charities, placing children with secure and loving families and supporting them with specialist therapeutic support.

Our external Adoption Panel Members play a vital role at PACT by carefully considering applications from those wishing to become adoptive parents. We are currently seeking an independent Adoption Panel Chair, to lead our online panel in making fair, informed recommendation outcomes to a high quality standard.

You will bring an understanding of the adoption process, gained from professional or personal experience, and will be competently skilled in chairing complex meetings. You’ll be capable of facilitating active participation and ensure the panel operates within a clear regulatory and policy framework.

With an awareness of the richness of different kinds of families and their potential for meeting children/s needs, we would love to hear from you if you can bring different experiences, knowledge and perspectives to our panel member group. 

We are actively working to ensure that equality and inclusion is embedded in everything that we do. It is central to our work with vulnerable children and families, and championed by our community. However, we know there is more we can do. We want to do all we can for our service users, and we want everyone at PACT to feel a sense of belonging. To support this aim, we are working proactively to develop a panel member group that it is representative of our diverse service users (both current and prospective), volunteer community and our wider eco-system. We also know the value of having panel members who champion inclusive values and bring a wide variety of perspectives to our organisation. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and experience to apply for this role.

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please visit our website to find contact details for our Panel Advisor.

If you believe you can contribute to the skills and diversity of our panel as Independent Adoption Panel Chair, then visit our website to apply today to join a dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful. We look forward to hearing from you!

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Fri 30 January 2026

Interviews will be held on: Wednesday 18 February 2026

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Independent Adoption Panel, Adoption Panel Member, Adoption Panel Representative, Adoption Panel Chair, Adoption Panel Vice Chair, etc.

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.

All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.

About SCEC

SCEC was founded over twenty years ago to provide learning enrichment opportunities to primary school children in disadvantaged communities in south London. Together with our partners, several leading independent schools, we currently operate four schemes in math, literacy, science and art. Children learn through fun, engaging group activities like science experiments, storytelling and mathematical treasure hunts, all taught by qualified teachers with added support from student mentors. Through the schemes, children explore their curiosity, build knowledge and develop their confidence as learners.

Your Role

The Scheme Director is a newly created role that will be pivotal in helping SCEC extend its reach. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will help SCEC design and implement an expansion programme as well as coordinating the delivery of the existing schemes via our school partners. You will also serve as a trusted partner to the Board in the administration of the charity.

Similar to a COO, this role straddles the operational and the strategic. We are looking for a confident communicator and relationship builder who can work across varied stakeholder groups. You will have project management experience that can be applied to challenges like process design and change management. You should be able to grasp the big picture and have an eye for the details needed to deliver successful outcomes.  This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join SCEC on a transformational journey working with excellent learning partners and established leaders to improve educational outcomes for children.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee scheme operations including pupil recruitment, enrolment and attendance to ensure the smooth running of schemes and maximum impact
• Promote the charity to prospective partners and donors
• Support the Board in developing, implementing and monitoring an expansion programme
• Monitor and report on scheme performance and impact
• Prepare and manage budgets and disbursement of funds 
• Build and maintain systems and processes to support scheme operations, compliance and monitoring

Key Qualities

• Passionate about making a difference in the lives of children
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve organisational goals
• Track record of effectively managing programmes and services, including programme development, implementation, and evaluation
• Committed to working collaboratively to build strong relationships with business partners and colleagues and proactively engaging stakeholders when making decisions
• Self-motivated and highly organised, you have a strong sense of initiative and take a hands-on approach to planning and administration

Child Protection

SCEC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This is the responsibility of the whole organisation (trustees and staff).  An enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this role.

For more information, please see the attached Job Description below

JOB TITLE: Lead Youth Services Worker (Northern Ireland)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director, Northern Ireland

HOURS OF WORK: 25 hours a week (flexible with some evenings)

LOCATION: Office based, with travel across Northern Ireland.

DURATION: Fixed Term – 5 Years 

SALARY / GRADE: Grade 5 (£30,738 - £33,921 FTE)

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•Adopted Young People in Northern Ireland

•  Director Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland staff

•  Wider AUK youth staff

 •Representative staff from educational establishments.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To develop, implement and evaluate the Banter Project youth service in partnership with adopted young people in Northern Ireland.  These young people range in age from 14-25 years and live throughout Northern Ireland.  The role will primarily work with the project participants, but has additional relationships with community organisations, educational establishments and employers to ensure that all project goals and outcomes are efficiently and effectively met.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To lead the development and delivery of all elements of the Banter Project adopted young people’s service within Northern Ireland in a fun, interactive, interesting and an ability appropriate manner.

• To support the project participants to play an active role in the design and implementation of a programme of monthly activities for adopted young people. Sustaining and developing a monthly social hub, supporting the development of basic life-skills, and preparation for opportunities in further education, training, employment.

• To support a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) in its role to enable adopted young people to steer the Banter Project while developing skills which promote independence, personal development, social and life skills, leadership, and community involvement.

• To organise and supervise the work of the Youth Services Support Worker to deliver the Banter Project. 

• To provide opportunities to connect with, and signpost to, relevant services, particularly those who work with care experienced young people.

• To develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation to review individual goals, track progress and impact, via data and analysis of outcomes to assess effectiveness and areas for improvement.

• To record service activity using the electronic data management systems to collate in preparation for reporting and learning opportunities.

• To gather output and outcome data from the Banter Project service in accordance with the quality assurance systems within AUK. 

• Work with other staff members to deliver a high-quality project for our adopted young people and their adoptive parents.  Work as part of a team to contribute to a positive work environment and shared goals. 

• To attend internal and external training/meetings as appropriate, to remain connected with broader adoption issues, relevant policies, working practices, and network with other youth work providers in Northern Ireland.

• To engage in supervision and professional development.

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a Head of Philanthropy to join our Fundraising team.

You'll lead, oversee and implement ambitious plans, as set out in the new fundraising strategy and enabling us to fully capitalise on the opportunities presented over the next few years, with a focus on the development of a major donor strategy, growing our profile and supporting a high-performing Philanthropy team. Alongside this you will personally manage a portfolio of high value solicitations, resulting in 6- and 7-figure gifts.

You'll evaluate each income stream and develop plans aligned with fundraising strategy, ensuring these translate into deliverable objectives. You'll play a key role in the development of fundraising appeals, including large scale proposals and approaches, as well as developing creative and compelling funding applications to engage new supporters.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience of planning and implementing successful major donor fundraising programmes
• Proven experience of securing high-value major gifts
• An understanding of trends and developments across the sector and demonstrable knowledge of best practice in major donors, trusts and foundations fundraising
• Experience of financial management of expenditure budgets including setting, accurate forecasting and achieving financial and non-financial targets

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.

Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.