Children Services Director Jobs

London Youth has a track record of providing high quality outdoor learning and trips away from home, for over 75 years.  You will be joining us at a critical time as we seek to provide these opportunities for more children and young people than ever before.

As the Director you will oversee the smooth operation of Hindleap Warren, in East Sussex, and Woodrow High House, in Buckinghamshire.  You will also lead on the safety and safeguarding aspects of London Youth’s work, supported by a strong and well-qualified team.

Having already undertaken substantial renovations at Woodrow during the pandemic, London Youth is making plans to improve the Hindleap site.  You will be leading that capital investment programme.

London Youth aims to make more trips happen for our member youth organisations and young Londoners who would not otherwise get the chance. You will have a key role to play in maintaining existing support for this work and securing new opportunities.

Working closely with a highly committed and skilled Senior Team, the Director of Outdoor Centres is a key appointment to the team to enable us to realise our ambitions.

To be considered for this role we are looking for a highly motivated, values-based leader with a passion for improving the lives of young people.

London Youth is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcomes applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, sexuality, belief or disability.  To be successful in this role you will need to be personally committed to our anti-racism approach and our broader diversity work.

You will be expected to be on site at least three days a week.

Further details about the role and London Youth can be found on our Careers page, please take a look by clicking the apply through company site button.

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact, Alison Henderson, Director of People with the contact details on our job page.

About Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind

This is an exciting opportunity to join and support a fast growing and dedicated team supporting the wellbeing of communities across West London.

We’re here to make sure that everyone suffering with a mental health problem gets the help they need to recover. We listen, support recovery, fight stigma and work with partners to take action. We provide services for adults, children and young people, signposting for everyone and training and consultancy for employers.

Job Purpose

This role sits within our Adult Services, across Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, Hounslow. You will be responsible for the operational delivery and service development, of a portfolio of services. Namely (but subject to change):

• Safe Space Community
• Safe Space ED
• Hounslow Helpline
• Nova Roots (Forensic Community Hub)

One large service you will be responsible for is our crisis alternative service – Safe Space - which is a tri-borough out of hours service providing a safe and welcoming space for people who are feeling distressed and experiencing crisis. The service operates 365 days a year from 12:00(midday) – 11:30pm across all of our boroughs. You will be responsible for managing peripatetic teams: we currently have 3 in person Safe Spaces and based in 3 A&E.

Staff within the service will provide person-centred, practical and emotional support, face to face or via telephone on a one-to-one or group basis to individuals experiencing mental health crisis.

The objectives of the service include:

• To improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental health crisis in HFEH.
• To provide support to clients accessing the service- for instance: signposting, de-escalation, planned wellbeing activities etc.
• To contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• To treat service users with respect, dignity and personalised support
• To raise awareness of mental health services available with the goal to improve long term mental health and reduce social isolation
• To increase self-management skills of those accessing the service
• To reduce the use of police, ambulance and statutory mental health services whilst experiencing crisis.
• To reduce the use of statutory crisis services by people experiencing mental ill health without positive outcomes for the individual.

The Role

The role of the Crisis Alternative Service Manager will provide operational management, mobilisation and service development of all Crisis Services within Adult Services. The ideal candidate will have experience of mobilising and developing high quality, large services. In addition to managing and supporting staff working within challenging environments and experience of working with challenging behaviour and complex needs. The Service Manager will hold all operational risk.

Excellent organisation and decision-making skills are essential for this role, as it requires being able to manage time effectively to meet tight deadlines and work unsupervised during evenings and weekends. You will also be required to be rostered into the on-call rota.

The Crisis Alternative Service Manager will be required to work collaboratively with the Director of Adult Services and will be proficient at communicating effectively with staff at all levels, a wide range of key stakeholders and service users. They will ensure the service is well resourced from a staffing perspective and embed high-quality operational plans and processes.

They will be responsible for the delivery, progression and continual improvement of the service. They will have responsibility for ensuring Crisis Services operate in line with organisational H&S processes and procedures, HFEH Mind policies and CQC requirements.

Key Responsibilities

For full list of responsibilites, see attached job description

• To oversee the management of the Crisis Alternative Services and other services, in line with organisational values and service quality expectations.
• To ensure all risks are recognised and mitigated in line with the serious incident and safeguarding policies.
• To ensure safe working and risk management
• To ensure feedback is provided on risk mitigation through serious incident reports.
• To continually drive enhancements to operational effectiveness and maximise outcomes against targets (key performance indicators)
• To complete audits and high quality reports for senior internal and external stakeholders
• To interpret performance and impact data for crisis services and be responsible for reporting against service targets
• To provide effective line management supervision to Team Managers and Support Workers
• To collaborate with the Director of Adult Services and the Head of HR to deal with performance management/disciplinary issues confidently and effectively in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
• To mobilise the crisis services in line with agreed project plans and ensure they are promoted and marketed well.
• To pro-actively develop relationships with external stakeholders in order to improve and develop crisis provision for people with mental health needs.
• To develop robust referral routes and pathways into the service with both statutory and non-statutory bodies.
• To ensure excellence in the recruitment, training and ongoing support of staff and volunteers where applicable.
• To support the Team Managers to ensure adequate and appropriate staffing at all times within the service.

Person Specification

For full person specification, see attached job description

• A minimum of three years managing a crisis service or similar setting with high complexity and high incident rates
• Experience of managing and mitigating risks
• Experience of managing safeguarding risks and understanding legal requirements for safeguarding adults and children
• Understanding of how to report and mitigate risks
• Understanding of suicide prevention
• Understanding of trauma informed care
• Understanding of mental health and safety planning
• An understanding of CQC requirements for mental health
• Managing services for vulnerable people in a service delivery organisation.
• Excellent people and project management skills and significant experience of supporting and managing staff.
• Experience of working in the voluntary sector and/or statutory services
• Experience of motivating, developing and training staff
• Experience of creating and implementing safety and risk policies and procedures.
• Successful track record in planning and project management.
• Understanding of the principles of ensuring safe service provision for people at risk and how these are put into practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of the relevant statutory authorities including NHS and social care.
• Excellent communication skills and able to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Commitment to service user involvement and able to work with service user groups to develop this. 
• Strong organisational skills and able to take control of own workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with minimum support.
• Confident in challenging poor performance assertively, constructively and successfully.
• High professional standards and the ability to communicate these clearly to others.
• IT literate to aid communication and analysis of data.

Desirable

• Mental health registration (nurse/doctor/therapist etc)
• Mental health qualification
• Has a full driving licence and use of own vehicle (desirable, not essential. Work related mileage will be paid)
• Experience of working with databases such as Views, IAPTUS, Rio and Python
• Project management qualification

We are an equal opportunities employer; and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check

Job Description

Job Title: Head of School Programmes

Reports to: Director of Programmes

Location: Quantum House, 22 – 24 Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, London, EC4A 3AB The role is open to hybrid working but the candidate would be expected to be in the office one day per week

Purpose: This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a team supporting and engaging thousands of state schools nationally to effectively use the Inspiring the Future and Primary Futures programmes to improve outcomes for children and young people. These programmes leverage technology to raise the aspirations and broaden the horizons of children and young people by connecting them to a huge range of volunteers from the world of work via career related learning activities. Alongside staff management and delivering a strategy for general programme engagement, the role manages the delivery of several funded projects.

Remuneration: £36 - £40k per annum FTE depending on experience

Additional Terms: 30 days paid holiday, exclusive of Statutory Holiday plus competitive pension scheme and a volunteering allowance of up to 5 days – pro rata in accordance with the length of contract. Additional family friendly benefits including enhancements to Statutory Payments.

Appointment Terms: Permanent and full time. We are open to part time working of a minimum of 4 days per week (0.8 FTE).

Job purpose

Working closely with the senior management team and deputising for the Director of Programmes where necessary, the successful candidate will have responsibility for developing and delivering a strategy to support the increase in successful school engagement with the charity’s main programmes Inspiring the Future and Primary Futures. This will include managing and leading a team to deliver effective school support, building strong relationships with key stakeholders including local authorities, unions and school networks and ensuring appropriate marketing, resources and guidance to support effective school usage. The role will be responsible for managing several key funded projects and contracts for the charity.

The schools team are responsible for both delivery of key funded projects and contracts as well as driving up awareness and effective engagement with Inspiring the Future and Primary Futures from schools. We now have over 11,000 teachers from state schools and colleges registered on Inspiring the Future and want to see a significant increase in those successfully using the platform and its related services over the next five years. In particular, we are looking to engage significantly more primary schools as well as continue our strong links with secondary and college staff.

The successful applicant will be expected to quickly pick up delivery of key projects and review, and where appropriate improve, existing strategic plans to engage and support state schools through our programmes and therefore a good understand of career related learning activities is essential. They will be supported by the Director of Programmes and senior management team and an excellent schools team of passionate staff.

The ideal candidate will be able to lead and manage a small and dynamic team and will be able to absorb key information quickly, working across a number of varied projects and programmes.

Key Accountabilities

Schools Engagement

• Working with the Director of Programmes to review, improve and implement strategic plans to increase the charity’s engagement with primary schools and secondary/colleges for Inspiring the Future and Primary Futures programmes
• Reviewing and updating KPIs around the number of schools registered, engaged and school satisfaction levels and monitoring these, adapting approaches as appropriate and utilising our salesforce CRM as a basis for reporting
• Utilising feedback mechanisms to monitor impact of programmes and projects, for children, young people, teachers and parents / carers as appropriate, working closely with colleagues across the team
• Developing and maintaining key relationships with careers providers, the Careers and Enterprise Company, local partners, teaching networks and unions and across various types of schools
• Presenting at virtual and face to face conferences and network events to school/college audiences about our programmes with a view to improving engagement and awareness,
• Leading the review and enhancement of resources and marketing materials for school engagement and ensuring these (including on our websites) are up to date
• Ensuring we have a strong teacher ambassador network that help drive the quality of our programmes and who act as advocates for the charity
• Working with the Communications Officer to support engaging content and newsletters for schools audience
• Input into the development of the team’s budget and forecasting.
• Keeping up to date with current education sector issues, research and trends particularly related to careers support and employer engagement.

Project Management and Delivery

•  Funded projects – leading the overall management and delivery of several projects which seek to engage schools to use Inspiring the Future and Primary Futures including funder relationship, project design, reporting, managing operational delivery and evaluation
• Supporting the charity to develop funding bids and identifying opportunities for future funding

Team Leadership / Line Management

• Line management of the Schools Engagement Team – currently 5 staff members
• Fostering a strong team environment including regular team meetings
• Supporting the recruitment of new staff including the development of any job descriptions
• Ensuring appropriate training is delivered for staff necessary for their roles

Other

• Attending and delivering virtual or face to face activities with schools and colleges
• Other ad hoc administrative tasks to support the team as needed

Person specification

Skills/ Knowledge/ Expertise

Essential

• A strong understanding of career-related learning at primary and secondary level
• Proven track record in delivery of programmes in primary and secondary schools
• Experience in successful project and programme management, including managing funder relationships and reporting.
• Experience in managing and leading a team, including line management, recruitment and performance reviews
• Knowledge and first-hand experience of effective use of client relationship management databases; preferably Salesforce
• Ability to engage confidently, articulately and sensitively with stakeholders and partners at a range of levels of seniority up to and including board level
• Polished presentation skills, adapting to different audiences and opportunities and including the ability to speak to research finding and create effective presentations.
• A passion for supporting young people in realising their potential
• Excellent, planning, prioritisation, time management, and organisational skills in order to effectively manage multi-faceted projects to agreed timescales, deadlines and budgets
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk management and data protection
• Excellent knowledge and practical application of Microsoft office tools
• Excellent written communication skills. Fluency in written and spoken English

Desirable

• Experience of delivering funded projects in the education sector
• Experience of working with both primary and secondary schools
• Specialist knowledge of the education and employment sectors and the policy environment and delivery models which underpin relationships
• Experience of working in a small team
• Understanding of risk management and data protection
• Experience of running education campaigns

Personal Attributes

• Uphold our charity’s values - Inspiring, Inclusive, Innovative, Impactful, Integrity
• Flexible – responsive to changing operational context and new opportunities
• Team Player: working collaboratively and flexibly to achieve outcomes and is keen to add value to the organisation’s culture and ethos
• Able to undertake some occasional work in the evenings and at weekends
• Able to travel in the UK if required

Application process

The Education and Employers charity values having a diverse workforce.  We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. We offer a range of inclusive employment and family friendly policies as well as flexible working arrangements in order to support staff from different backgrounds.

The closing date for applications is 5pm Monday 22nd April.

Interviews will take place online  in the week commencing 29th April

Please note we will only consider applications with both a CV and covering letter and applications will only be accepted from those with the right to work in the UK with a valid passport/visa. 

The Charity is fully committed to safeguarding those in our care. We plan our recruitment processes to ensure effective timelines for any required vetting processes such as enhanced DBS, qualification, reference and identity checks. The Charity also ensures that each staff member is appropriately trained for their duties with a comprehensive induction process on commencement. 

About the Education and Employers charity

Education and Employers is an independent UK based charity launched in 2009 with the vision of “providing children and young people with the inspiration, motivation, knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to help them achieve their potential”. It aims to achieve this by working with schools, employers, the national bodies that represent them and a wide range of other partners including the government and third sector organisations. The charity also works with partners internationally.

The charity runs Inspiring the Future, a free service which uses innovative match-making technology to connect volunteers with state schools and colleges, quickly, simply and at scale. Schools can very easily search a massive database of willing volunteers, filter against a wide range of criteria – e.g. subject, sector, career route and send them a message. It enables young people, wherever they live, whichever school they attend, the opportunity to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds doing jobs from across the whole world of work.

Nearly 85,000 people have already volunteered in the UK - people from all levels: apprentices to CEOs and all sectors: apps designers to zoologists and over 85% of English secondary schools have registered. People can volunteer from an hour a year in a local primary or secondary school to chat informally about their job and career route, take part in career speed networking session, give careers insights, provide mock interviews or feedback on CVs through to serving as a governor or trustee.  There is also the opportunity to link up with schools for workplace visits, job shadowing and mentoring.

Inspiring the Future operates on a technology platform kindly developed in partnership with Deloitte, Salesforce and Ordnance Survey. It allows the charity to run national campaigns others focused on specific geographic areas or economic sectors such as engineering, science, health and arts and culture. The campaigns have secured high profile support across government, business and teacher associations and ongoing corporate partnerships including our lead corporate partner Bank of America.

In partnership with the National Association of Head Teachers the charity has developed a version for primary schools called Primary Futures and over 6,500 primaries have already signed up. Te.  All campaigns run through Inspiring the Future share a common objective: to broaden young people’s horizons, raise their aspirations and show them the range of opportunities and careers routes e.g. apprenticeships and university open to them. Over 3.5 million interactions between young people and volunteers from the world of work have already taken place.

The charity runs Inspiring Governance the free governor recruitment and support service. This Department for Education funded service aims to get highly skilled volunteers to serve as governors in some of the most disadvantaged schools in England and in so doing help raise educational achievement.

Since the Charity’s launch it has sought to understand what difference employer engagement in education makes to young people and the economy. It works with academics and researchers from around the world and its own research is regularly cited by government and international organisations like the OECD. The research, which has informed and influenced a range of government policies, shows that employer engagement helps improve social mobility, reduces the likelihood of young people becoming NEET (not in education, employment of training), increases the amount they earn in adult life, helps them make better informed career choices and leads to improvements in educational attainment.

For more than 30 years, War Child has been driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war. We aim to reach children as quickly as possible when conflict breaks out and stay long after the cameras have gone to support them through their recovery. We work with local communities and governments to help protect and educate children, and support them to heal and learn, for a safer, brighter future.

Last year, War Child UK agreed to come together with War Child Holland, War Child Germany, War Child Sweden and Children in Conflict in the USA, each of whom previously operated as independent NGOs, to form the War Child Alliance, which went live in January 2024. The new Alliance now runs our overseas projects, our research, scaling and advocacy programmes on behalf of us all, utilising our collective power and influence to have the greatest possible impact for children affected by war. As a member of the new Alliance, War Child UK is now a highly effective and innovative fundraising entity, raising crucial funds and awareness of our work globally.

Join us as our Director of Finance and IT at War Child UK, a pivotal role within our Leadership Group reporting directly to Helen Pattinson, CEO. Your role is to lead our finance and IT, but as a member of our leadership group to take joint responsibility with other Directors for leading the organisation.

As Finance and IT Director, you'll lead the optimisation of our finance and IT systems to streamline recording and reporting of financial transactions. Your analytical skills will be essential as you explore cost and income centres, supplying vital data necessary to significantly enhance our fundraising efforts.

Beyond day-to-day operations, you'll play a strategic role in long-term financial planning, fostering collaboration across the War Child Alliance. Together with fellow leaders, you'll steward the wider organisation, ensuring War Child UK is ready for success and equipped with ambitious financial investment frameworks.

Success in this role also entails ensuring our IT systems maintain the highest standards of excellence, delivering accurate and timely financial performance insights. You'll contribute to a vision where War Child UK achieves extraordinary results within a financially sound Alliance, empowering members to maximise their impact while being accountable for every penny raised.

You will be a qualified accountant with exceptional strategic and operational experience. You do not necessarily need to have prior international development experience, although you will need to demonstrate that you can build effective working relationships with overseas counterparts. Experience of working within a complex fundraising environment would be highly advantageous though.  For this role, we are also as keen to hear from experienced directors who are excited by what we do as we are from those for whom this would be their first senior leadership role.

Tall Roots is acting as an employment agency partner to War Child UK. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Mark Crowley at Tall Roots.

We are delighted to be working in partnership with Kingsley Hall Church and Community Centre (KHCCC) to secure their brand-new Director of Development (Children and Families).

KHCCC has been a cornerstone of Barking and Dagenham for nearly a century, serving as a vibrant community hub where people gather for worship, celebration, and companionship. Since its establishment in 1929, it has been a place of solace and connection, remaining a vital part of the borough to this day. Their flagship site is renowned for its role as a local leader, offering a range of amenities such as the Street Kitchen café, Social Supermarket, diverse activities, preschool, and church gatherings, attracting hundreds of visitors weekly.

KHCCC are embarking on an exciting chapter, creating the new role of Director of Development (Children and Families). With their Christian values driving transformation, this role is pivotal. KHCCC are seeking an innovative leader to join their executive leadership team and help steer change.

This opportunity will involve leading the transformation of their established Pre-school into a thriving year-round nursery. Furthermore, it includes launching a new childcare service at their second church site, enriching family and children's initiatives, and strengthening ties with borough leaders and funding bodies. This role will be instrumental in establishing connections between KHCCC and other services, enabling the comprehensive development in a unified approach.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Experience in creating and implementing operational strategies and overseeing changes.
• Ability to build relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience in management, including overseeing teams and coordinating organisational tasks and responsibilities.
• A passion for family support and children's development.

This is a wonderful opportunity to join a nurturing and ambitious staff team that has daily devotions together. Including a weekly team meeting that is centred in prayer and envisioning.

Please note: Joining one of KHCCC’s church congregations is not compulsory, open to applicants who are members of other churches.

Please see the candidate pack for more details.

For an informal chat, please contact Nick Thomas, Recruitment Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

*In accordance with the equality act 2010 it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian and in agreement with the KHCCC statement of faith.

Closing date for applications: 28th April 2024

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by midday on 1 May prior to shortlisting on the 3 May.

First stage interviews with Kingsley Hall: w/c 13 May 

Second stage interviews with Kingsley Hall: w/c 20 May

A note from Charisma

Don’t feel like you meet all of the requirements?  We’d still love to chat, we’re a people first recruitment partner.  We specialise in charity recruitment with over 22 years’ experience working as a consultancy who support inspiring professionals find the perfect roles in transformational organisations.

About our Organisation

The Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of human health, the environment and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues in isolation.

We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn't do any of this without our supporters, partners, donors and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world where it’s needed the most.

About the Opportunity

You’ll lead our portfolio of ‘on-the-ground’ work across healthy and sustainable diets, with responsibility for concept generation, innovation, piloting, commercial development (including income generation) and operational delivery, with impact a clear focus throughout. You’ll lead a senior leadership team to ensure our programmes, schemes and services achieve our 1-year and 3-year plans. You’ll be responsible for identifying opportunities and threats for the portfolio as a whole, for forging strong external relationships and partnerships, that can help to scale our impact and income. Reporting to the Programmes Director, you will be a member of the Charity Leadership Team, whilst leading, via your direct reports, a wider team of c. 50 people.

About You

You are a natural leader with an empowering, coaching style, that can bring out the best in the senior managers that you lead, helping them realise their potential whilst maintaining a clear focus on impact outcomes. You are a proven commercial and operational leader, with extensive experience of programme or product development and delivery, as well as knowledge of/interest in relevant issues including childhood health and diet, school food, and public sector procurement. You are able to collaborate effectively and influence a wide range of stakeholders, developing relationships with partners and allied organisations who can help us achieve our aims. You’re able to strategically prioritise and provide clarity, consistency and confidence for your wider team.

Commitment to Safeguarding

The Soil Association and FFL are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults that we work with. In accordance with this commitment we ensure that we follow a thorough and safe recruitment and selection process for all roles that work with children. This includes checking against the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) where appropriate. Please note that if you are successful in your application to the role any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Our Benefits

We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)

• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service

• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce

• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives

• Family friendly policies and flexible working

• Cycle to work scheme

• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce

Hours

30 - 37 hours per week

Permanent 

Location

Bristol or Edinburgh with hybrid working

Join the team at Haven House Children’s Hospice

Haven House Children’s Hospice cares for children and young people who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions across North and East London, West Essex and East Herts. Our mission is to provide the highest quality palliative and holistic care services to children and their families in our local communities.

Since the hospice opened its doors in 2003, it has gone from strength to strength both in terms of the care we provide to children and their families as well as the close bonds we have developed and nurtured with individuals and organisations who are inspired by our work.

This is a great time to join the team at Haven House as our Trusts and Grants Manager. We have recently restructured the Income Generation and Marketing team and this role sits within the High Value team, working alongside Corporate fundraising, Philanthropy and Special Events, and reporting into the Assistant Director of IGM/ Head of High Value Partnerships. The team are currently developing a new high value strategy, to underpin the organisation wide strategy and the overall IGM strategy.

At Haven House the focus within the Income Generation and Marketing Team is to put the supporter and donor at the centre of everything we do, ensuring they feel inspired by our work and the children and families we support; engaged and committed to our cause and ultimately make a commitment to do something amazing.

We’re looking for an individual who is has the experience and skills to manage and nurture relationships with our existing donors and funders from charitable trusts, foundations and grant-making bodies as well develop long lasting commitments through new donor partnerships.

We want someone to join us who loves being part of a hardworking and collaborative team and who is willing to try new things, bring fresh ideas and who has the energy and personal drive to execute them.  

If this role sounds right for you and you have the right skills and experience, please do download the job description from our website.

If you are a potential candidate who would like to have an informal chat with someone about the role before applying, please contact our HR department and someone will come back to you.

Benefits
As an employee you will be entitled to the following range of benefits:

· Hybrid office/ home based arrangement

· 27 days' annual leave

· Pension scheme (company matches contribution up to 7%)

· Free onsite parking

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Eye care voucher scheme

· Cycle to work scheme

· Life Cover

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.

Closing date: 12pm Friday 26th April 2024

Interview: w/c 7th May 2024

ABOUT ASYLUM AID

For over thirty years, Asylum Aid has been providing legal representation to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum. We have built an expert service, delivering vital and life-saving services in some of the most complex legal cases, with a particular speciality working with unaccompanied children, Survivors of trafficking, torture or other forms of human cruelty,  and stateless people. Our vision is that all those in need of protection from persecution and other forms of human cruelty in the UK can obtain it, and are treated fairly and with dignity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Children and Young People’s Solicitor and Senior Caseworker at Asylum Aid, you will primarily work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking child (UASC) and young people (under 25), providing end to end representation on their asylum, human rights and trafficking claims. You may also undertake age dispute challenges and other judicial review work on behalf of your clients. You will combine this work, which will account for approximately 70% of your time, with conducting other immigration matters, including adult asylum claims, family reunion applications and statelessness applications. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the wider work of the Asylum Aid team, delivering high quality legal services on the full range of protection and trafficking issues that affect migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. You will conduct asylum casework under legal aid funding, with a specialist focus on representing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people, and contribute to policy and strategic legal work to promote the rights of children and young people in the asylum system. 

 You will be a qualified solicitor or Immigration caseworker with IAAS Level 2/Senior Caseworker accreditation and have significant experience in publicly funded immigration work under a Legal Aid Agency Contract. You should have, or be able to obtain, Level 2 Children Safeguarding. 

As is the nature of this sector, the role will be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Asylum Aid Director, supervisors and the surrounding team, they should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment.

Equal Opportunities

The Foundation and Asylum Aid is an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer. We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates as we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in at every level within the organisation.  We particularly welcome applications from those with BAME backgrounds and with lived experience of the UK immigration system.

Please note you must have the right to work in the UK as we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Please note that the successful candidate will be offered the job subject to suitable references and an enhanced DBS check.

If appointed you will be required to give your consent to Asylum Aid to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment. 

Please submit an up to date CV and covering letter by 9am on 25 April 2024. Your application should outline your relevant skills and experience, as well as how your previous experience matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role. In setting the salary regard has been had to the NCJ payscales.

Interviews are scheduled to be held during the week commencing 6 May 2024 at our offices in central London. For any queries, please contact Monika Nollet, Director of Legal Casework at Asylum Aid. 

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage. No agencies.

Head of Children and Young People’s Counselling and Wellbeing Services

Do you want a rewarding and influential role where your success directly contributes to the protection and growth of support services for children and young people subjected to sexual violence and abuse?

This is an opportunity for an experienced and relational leader to oversee the counselling service at exciting time, ensuring the charity maintain the recent period of growth and continue to support survivors through specialist, trauma-informed services.

Stand with survivors and challenge victim-blaming attitudes.

Position: Head of Children and Young People’s Counselling and Wellbeing Services

Location: Birmingham/hybrid

Hours: 38 hours a week (full time). Hours to be negotiated (flexible working available)

Salary: £37,261 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 23rd April 2024. However, shortlisting will be taking place on a rolling basis so we advise applying as early as possible.

The Role

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join the leadership team of a specialist charity for children and adults subjected to sexual violence and sexual abuse. You will be responsible for supporting the Chief Executive in meeting strategic objectives surrounding the provision of compassionate, timely and trauma-informed CYP counselling and wellbeing support; establishing and nurturing supportive relationships with partner CYP organisations; supporting the team in collective care to grow, flourish and develop in their roles and continue leading the charity as a reflective and responsive organisation. Your role will also involve impact and evaluation, communications and operations.

You will lead in the safe delivery, strategic direction and development of the trauma-informed CYP counselling and wellbeing services. You will support the Chief Executive and work closely with Heads of Services to implement the strategic direction of the organisation, manage operations, strengthen sustainability and to continuously improve the effectiveness and impact for the CYP we support.

This position offers an established role in a leading specialist rape and sexual abuse support charity and value-led, relational and strategic service provision to help the charity achieve the CYP service mission

About You

You will be a experienced and relational leader with the ability to oversee the counselling service, with previous experience of shaping trauma-informed CYP services, therapeutically supporting CYP and leading individuals with a relational approach, this role could be for you. You will also need to show how you will live the charity’s big-hearted, bold, believing and trauma-informed values through this role. 

About the Organisation

Join an award winning, long established and well-respected specialist charity supporting children and adults of all genders following rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. A vibrant, growing organisation that believes survivors. If you are big hearted, can the empathy that survivors deserve and need… then we would love to hear from you!

Benefits include:

• Wellbeing support and resources
• Training opportunities and access to specialist resources
• Pension
• Mileage allowance
• Hybrid working
• Time off in lieu (TOIL)
• Awards and recognition
• 35 days annual leave, with it increasing with length of service: after 5 years’ service, it increases from 35 days to 36 days.

The charity is committed to equality and valuing diversity. This includes a commitment within the recruitment and selection processes, applications are welcome from across the community, especially applicants with a protected characteristic to join a bold, believing and big-hearted team.

We also welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of sexual trauma who also meet the person specification, so everyone can work together, engage and amplify survivors’ voices throughout all the work.

You may also have experience in areas such as Counselling, Counsellor, Lead Counsellor, Head Counsellor, Counselling Manager, Director of Counselling Services, Counselling Service Manager, Head of Service, Service Manager.

Should you hear nothing from by 30th April 2024, you may assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Ministry of Stories champions the writer in every child. Co-founded by author Nick Hornby in 2010, we help young people discover their confidence, imagination and potential through the power of their writing. We develop self-respect and communication skills through writing programmes and mentoring for children in our community, by working in schools, and at our dedicated writing centre in East London. We empower young people to write brighter futures for themselves through the power of their ideas, creativity and imagination.

We are looking for a confident leader to work closely with the Director to continue the growth and resilience of our organisation. You’ll drive successful fundraising and trading income, and understand how our communications can support this.

You will be a forward planner with an ability to respond to opportunity and manage risk. With keen attention to detail as well as the overview, you’ll have strong financial management skills. You will be great with people, have excellent communication skills, and be able to bring the best out in our team.

You will enjoy working in a supportive, busy and fun environment and be motivated by our commitment to champion the writer in every child.

First Days Children's Charity is seeking a determined and innovative Director of Fundraising to lead our fundraising efforts and secure the vital income needed to support our ambitious growth plans.

You are the person we are looking for if you:

About You:

• You see yourself as a fundraising heavyweight with a proven track record of exceeding ambitious targets, particularly in securing large grants, major donors and corporate partnerships.

• You thrive on smashing targets and delivering unexpected and exciting results.

• You are a natural leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys continuous learning, and embraces a culture of trusted and honest feedback.

• You are an influencer with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, comfortable engaging with high-net-worth individuals and corporate leaders.

• You are a strategic thinker with a can-do attitude, not afraid to ask questions and explore innovative approaches to fundraising.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with our growth targets, ensuring diversification of income streams.

• Build and deliver a robust fundraising pipeline, encompassing major donors, corporate partnerships, grant applications and other income streams.

• Lead, motivate and inspire a high-performing fundraising team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment.

• Deputise for the CEO in their absence, providing strategic and operational support.

• Represent the Charity at all levels, building strong relationships with key stakeholders.

• Contribute strategically to the Charity's overall success, providing insights and recommendations to support the mission.

You are:

• Assertive, self-reliant and confident, with a drive to succeed and a love for learning.

• Energetic, enthusiastic, and a fast-paced individual who thrives in a dynamic environment.

• Open to feedback, willing to ask questions, and continuously seek new knowledge and approaches.

• A passionate advocate for change, with a desire to shape the future of fundraising for the organisation.

We Offer:

• A competitive salary of £55,000 per annum.

• A full-time role, based in our Wokingham office.

• Generous annual leave entitlement.

• A company pension scheme.

• An electric car scheme.

• Flexible working from the start, for all employees

• The opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of disadvantaged children.

To Apply:

If you are a fundraising leader with the vision, drive and expertise to take First Days Children's Charity to the next level, we want to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Closing Date: 21st April 2024

Shortlisting will take place on 22nd April 2024

First interviews (telephone) will take place on Tuesday 23/ Wednesday 24th April

Second Interviews will take place on Thursday 3rd May 2024

Final interview with our trustees and opportunity to meet the team will take place w/c 13th May 2024, if successful an appointment will be made that week. 

First Days Children's Charity is an equal opportunities employer.

Our Head of Young People's Services is a critical, strategic and operational role within Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone. As a supporting member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will work closely with the Director of Operations, CEO and the Director of Finance to ensure the charity delivers its vision and strategic objectives. This includes strategies for sustaining and overseeing the ongoing transformation of Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zones' operational business plan and its operational processes and infrastructure. Your leadership skills will play a crucial role (in conjunction with the leadership team) in establishing a platform and environment for growth by creating a best-in-class, people-first, employee-of-choice that changes the prospect of local children and young people (aged 5 to 25 years). You must be abreast of new opportunities (sourced independently and through your colleagues) and advise the leadership team and board on all Universal and Targeted Service operational matters, including its performance, risk, forecast/trajectories, and the general state of play. 

You will need to show exceptional skills and the ability to meet KPI’s relating to (but, not limited to) leadership skills, the ability to design and deliver organisational operational plans, risk management, departmental budget management, stakeholder relations and organisational safeguarding responsibility. 

We have big plans for the Youth Zone and this is an exciting time to join us. We would expect the right candidate for this role to be open to new opportunities and there is a strong line of progression within the charity for the right person. 

Anna Freud is a world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families.

We are seeking an experienced and influential leader to join us as our new Chief Executive Officer. You will provide leadership of the organisation and be the lead advocate for the charity with the government, the media, senior stakeholders, supporters and other external partners. You will also oversee key partnerships, most notably with University College London (UCL).

Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer will develop the organisation’s long-term strategy, budget and business plan to secure organisational sustainability and compliance.

The role requires someone with visionary leadership who can demonstrate their commitment to shaping and nurturing a collaborative and open-minded culture. We’re known for the quality of our research and education & training provisions.

Candidates should have significant leadership experience in children and young people’s mental health, and a solid grasp of research in the field of child and adolescent mental health.

Find a full list of responsibilities, person specification and list of benefits on the job pack for the role.

Our commitment to EDI

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applicants who meet the criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age or veteran status.

Applicants are invited to share information about their diversity dimensions to help us address biases and provide any additional support by completing the attached Diversity Monitoring form. Your responses remain confidential and have no bearing on the selection process.

How to apply and recruitment schedule

Please click on the apply section and you will be directed to our vacancies page for more details on how to apply.

Closing date for receipt of applications is midday (12pm) Monday 29 April 2024.

We kindly request no contact from agencies.

Deputy Service Director

We are looking for a Deputy Services Director to support a cluster of Area Managers across England and Wales.

This role is home based, with regular travel across the regions.

Position: 5494 Deputy Service Director

Location: Home Based

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (Flexibility is possible, but likely to be required to meet core hours across Monday to Friday)

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £62,522.13 per annum

Closing Date: First stage interviews will take place, via Zoom, in the week beginning 30th of April.

The Role

This role is home-based, regular travel and some unsocial hours will be necessary.  As a Deputy Service Director, you will:

• Support the Services Director to manage services across England and Wales
• Represent the charity externally, promoting a positive image of the organisation
• Identify and promote opportunities to grow and develop the services in order to improve reach and impact
• Monitor, develop and advance the approach to excellence, ensuring teams work to the highest quality standards
• Take the lead in developing the skills and expertise of the Operations Managers and further advancing excellent standard of casework
• Lead on income generation in allocated areas
• Promote advocacy for service users, ensuring that they are involved in the development of services and their needs are heard and understood

About You

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• An excellent understanding of the impact of crime and the experience of the criminal justice system on victims and witnesses
• A proven track record of successfully delivering services with significant contract values
• Exceptional leadership skills, ensuring individuals and teams feel nurtured and supported in order to achieve high levels of performance, commitment and collaboration
• Demonstrable experience operating effectively within a complex organisation at both operational and strategic level
• Previous experience of developing and maintaining successful partnerships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• A genuine openness to feedback and willingness to proactively learn from others

In Return…

Work for an organisation who believes in attracting and retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity and paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment and leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career development and progression

About the Organisation

This independent charity provides a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. Working towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System, everyone at the charity is driven by the Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events.

The organisation is committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Applicants are welcome from all communities and monitor the diversity of applicants to analyse if they are representative of the communities it serves in terms of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, age and socio-economic status. As part of the commitment to the Race at Work Charter applicants are particularly welcome from BAME communities

You may have experience in areas such as Service Director, Director of Service, Deputy Service Director, Deputy Director of Service, Head of Service, Deputy Head of Service, Service, Criminal Justice, Victim Support, Community.

Please note this role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of our client.