Children services director jobs in mitcham junction, greater london

The Organisation

The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable. We are a small, growing charity delivering many school leadership programmes, with a growing research and policy arm. We have had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and campaign to lower exclusions across England.

The Role
This is an exciting time to join The Difference as we increase our impact, reach more schools, and develop our influencing strategy. As Communications and Events Officer you will:

• play a crucial role in influencing change-makers

• work across the whole organisation to deliver high-impact content

• support the delivery of our annual inclusion conference

• support the delivery of smaller events including publication launches and symposiums

• lead our social media content to drive sales of our programme and influence change-makers

• produce engaging graphics, posts, and persuasive story telling social media content, working across the team and with external partners to produce blogs and other content

Our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being highly autonomous, reactive and flexible. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role for you!
 

The Candidate
We are seeking a combination of the following skills, aptitude and experience:

• Experience of producing and monitoring a broad range of communication and marketing functions

• Skilled written communicator with a creative flair for storytelling

• Experience in planning and executing successful events

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team

• Passion for The Difference's mission and improving the lives of vulnerable children

You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have either/both:

• Experience giving strategic and tactical political advice to senior leadership on how to create change in the educational sector

• Lived experience of the school experiences of marginalised young people, including those with experience of the care system, mental ill health, special educational needs, and racism

The Youth Endowment Fund

Head of Change – Health

Reports to: Director of Change, Youth Endowment Fund

Salary: £67,900 per annum                       

Location:  Central London or remote

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

About the Youth Endowment Fund

We’re here to prevent children from becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to change things.

In recent years, violent crime involving children has increased. This is a tragedy. Every child is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them.

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) is a charity with a £200m endowment that exists to prevent children from becoming involved in violence. We will achieve this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice. To make this happen we fund, evaluate, and then spread the very best work on reducing violence affected young people across England and Wales.

Central to all of this to is two key tasks: firstly, deciding which initiatives we should fund and evaluate and secondly, ensuring we do this excellently. Our Programmes Team is central to getting this done. This team is responsible for planning specific rounds of funding that will fill evidence gaps and identifying, assessing, funding, and supporting initiatives designed to prevent violence affecting young people. This way we build evidence on what works so that we can change national practice and policies.

Your main responsibilities will be ensuring that:

We have great relationships with the people who can make change happen.

This will include:

• Developing great relationships with senior policy makers, sector leaders and experts, including representing YEF in external meetings and speaking at events.
• Build a Strategic Advisory Board of leading experts across the health sector and keep members onside and excited about our work.
• Manage excellent Strategic Advisory Group meetings. You can read more about our Education Strategic Advisory Group here.

We deliver the health system recommendations. 

This will include:

• Helping to identify the right recommendations at a system level (such as changes in policy, regulation, inspection, funding, or guidance) that make it more likely highly vulnerable children get access to the right support at the right time.
• Creating and delivering a plan to deliver the health system reforms, working closely with leaders to make the change happen.
• Tracking progress carefully, being thoughtful and creative about when and how to change the plan. 

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

This will include:

• Helping health leaders change how they plan or provide services to better protect children from violence, based on our Practice Guidance.
• You can read our first guidance for school, college, and alternative provision leaders here.
• Creating a plan to get people to follow our guidance, using what we know about how they think and behave.
• Continuously testing and improving our approach to get better results.

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

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

About You

You are this sort of person:

• You know how to make change happen. You combine analytical sharpness with emotional intelligence and real-world experience. You understand why people resist change – and how to move them through it. You’re curious about human behaviour and what drives decision-making.
• You bring deep experience of the health system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with health services – potentially commissioning support for young people at risk of or involved in violence. You understand how ICSs, LHBs, CAMHS and other health leaders think, and know how to navigate and influence within the system.
• You communicate complex ideas clearly. Whether speaking or writing, you break down complicated concepts in ways that make sense to different audiences – without oversimplifying. You bring clarity where others bring jargon.
• You get things done. You’re organised, delivery-focused, and produce high-quality work, even under pressure. You work independently and to a high standard.
• You build trust and connect with people. From government ministers to youth workers, CEOs to 15-year-olds – you know how to listen, build rapport, and make people feel heard. You’ve led meetings, made strong introductions, and bring people with you.
• You think big and adapt fast. You’re a strategic thinker who can see the big picture without losing sight of the detail. You’re logical, creative, and open to challenge – always testing and refining your ideas.
• You understand young people. You get what life can be like for vulnerable young people and you understand the systems and organisations around them. Ideally, you’ve seen this first-hand, whether professionally or personally.
• You’re committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Not just in theory – but in how you work, who you listen to, and what you prioritise.

You must have this sort of experience.

• Delivering concrete change in practice or systems that improved children’s lives.
• Leadership experience in the health system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with health services – potentially in commissioning – and you understand how to navigate and influence within these complex systems.

First-hand knowledge of the system that supports highly vulnerable children, particularly those at risk of or involved in violence. This includes children with conditions such as conduct disorder, psychosis, substance use disorder, ADHD, developmental language disorder, and traumatic brain injury. You understand the barriers these children face and what it takes to get them the right support.

While it’s not a criterion, we are especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of violence affecting young people.

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

All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Hybrid Working

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage.

To Apply

Please click on the "Apply for this" button and submit your CV, your completed monitoring form and cover letter, which must answer the following three questions below. Please submit your application by 12pm on Friday 6th June 2025.

Application Questions

Improving practice or systems
1. Can you describe a time when you successfully supported health leaders to improve practice or systems (e.g., regulation, funding, guidance)? Please include the scale and context of your experience. (maximum 500 words)

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

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

Interview Process

This will be a two-stage panel interview process. Interviews will take place in the week commencing the 16th June 2025. Second stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week commencing 23rd June.

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

Benefits Include

• £1000 professional development budget annually
• 28 days holiday plus Bank holidays 
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24hour phone line for free confidential support 
• Volunteering days - 4 half days per year
• Death in service - 4 times annual salary Flexible hours.
• Core office hours 10am – 4pm
• Financial support including travel and hardship loans
• Employer contributed pension of 5%.

Your Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful, and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

Are you passionate about leading high-impact services that support individuals facing multiple disadvantage? Do you thrive in complex environments and have the leadership skills to shape a psychologically informed, client-centred team? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

About the role:

We’re looking for a dedicated Service Manager to lead our specialist 18-bed 24/7 Complex Needs hostel in Camden. Leading a team of Project Worker Complex Needs, Specialist Multiple Disadvantage Workers, Trainee Project Workers, an Apprentice, ETE Worker, Night Concierges, and locums - the service supports individuals who have experienced significant disadvantage. This includes long-term rough sleeping, substance use, severe and enduring mental health issues, involvement with the criminal justice system, and self-care challenges.

This is not a typical hostel service - it is a dynamic, intensive, and highly specialist environment requiring compassionate leadership, robust risk management, and strong inter-agency collaboration. You will be at the forefront of driving a psychologically informed and trauma-responsive service that not only provides accommodation, but creates a platform for meaningful recovery, connection, and progress.

As Service Manager, you will lead a skilled team in delivering high quality, person-centred support and accommodation. You’ll be responsible for staff development, operational oversight, risk management, partnership engagement, and ensuring compliance with service specifications and safeguarding standards.

In return, we offer a strong culture of learning, access to a sector-leading leadership development programme, and the opportunity to shape practice in one of the most critical and challenging areas of homelessness work. Join us in creating a place of safety, growth and transformation in the heart of Camden.

About you:

• You’ll bring a deep understanding of complex trauma and how to translate this into Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE).
• You’ll have a proven ability to lead and motivate staff teams, respond to crisis, and ensure that frontline practice is effective, compassionate, and empowering.
• Demonstrable experience working with people facing multiple disadvantage in a supported accommodation or complex needs setting.
• A strong track record of managing or leading teams to deliver measurable, client-centred outcomes.
• Confidence in working in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to build integrated and effective support pathways.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• A reflective, emotionally intelligent leadership style grounded in values of inclusion, equity, and respect.

About us:

Single Homeless Project is a London-wide charity. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life.

We help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, we make a difference to 12,000 lives every year across all 32 boroughs.

We offer you more than a job; we offer you a chance to be part of a compassionate, driven team that's committed to making a real difference in people's lives. You'll have the opportunity to lead, co-create, and inspire change while enjoying a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Join us in creating a brighter, more hopeful future for individuals in need. 

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 1st June at midnight

Interview date: Thursday 12th and Friday 13th at SHP Head Office in Kings Cross

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. 

The position of CEO is an exciting and challenging role that is primarily external facing in order to promote and further develop the essential support we provide to families in need throughout Camden and Islington.

A key aspect is to continue growing our network of stakeholders, partners, corporate sponsors, commissioners and donors. The CEO will also be expected to lead the drive to secure new income streams, and maintain existing relationships with key funders and stakeholders.

The CEO works with the Board of Trustees to drive the future strategy, ensure fulfilment of the implementation plan and direct a staff team comprising a Head of Delivery, 3 Family Liaison Managers, An Operations Manager, a Community Projects Manager, a Bookkeeper, and a Fundraising Consultant.

There is considerable scope for the post-holder to make a real difference and significantly further raise our profile within the community that we serve, building on our track record of excellence and impact as one of the leading organisations affecting social change in the local area.

Core Responsibilities

· Support the team in identifying funders and income generation opportunities

· Build networks with new and existing funders to engage their support

· Represent and participate at external events and meetings to promote HSC&I

· Actively contribute to expanding the role and influence of Home-Start London consortium in the wider London area

· Be accountable for the management of resources to enable us to actively support a minimum of 90 to 120 families at any one time

· Provide leadership and oversight to colleagues and volunteers to ensure the correct outcomes for families through training, governance and quality assurance

· Performance and line management of Head of Delivery, Funding and Projects Manager and Bookkeeper

· Annual budget setting in conjunction with the Treasurer, and ongoing monitoring and reporting of financial position

· Provide management reports to the Trustee Board on progress against key performance measures

· Ensure that we remain compliant with all legislative and policy changes that impact the charity and our processes

· Understand the impact of legislative, changing political, economic and social climate on our work, and share this knowledge within the team to ensure compliance

Personal Specification / Attributes

The successful candidate will be an experienced Senior Manager/Chief Executive with a demonstrable track record of successfully running an organisation or team leadership. You will possess strong strategic management, governance and people skills in addition to being solution focussed. Excellent stakeholder management skills are essential as is the ability to generate income from a range of sources.

Essential knowledge and skills

· Three years experience as a Senior Manager / Chief Executive

· Ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload, working to tight deadlines

· Demonstrable success in raising significant income from a variety of external sources

· Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

· Accomplished at providing motivational and influential leadership

· Proven track record of successfully delivering change

· Good understanding of financial accounting and budgeting in the charity sector

· Strategic and innovative thinking

· Understanding, interpreting and presenting Management Information and data

· Previous experience of working with organisations in social services or health, with an understanding of the public sector commissioning process

· Good working knowledge of MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint)

Preferred experience but not essential

· Experience of working in the voluntary sector

· A background in health and wellbeing

· Safeguarding children and working with families

· Understanding and interest in perinatal mental health, isolation, early years’ development and recovery through crisis.

· Using Charitylog or other CRM platforms

· Presentations and public speaking

Affiliation

Home-Start Camden & Islington is affiliated to the national organisation Home-Start UK, but we are autonomous and responsible for own management and securing our own funding. Home-Start UK provides support and advice to over 300 Home-Start schemes around the UK, and manages a stringent Quality Assurance Review process to ensure schemes operate effectively.

Notes

· The CEO will benefit from supported career progression, including mentorship if appropriate.

· Home-Start Camden & Islington offers a staff pension contribution.

· The post holder would be expected to attend evening and weekend meetings whenever necessary, and agreed Time of in Lieu (TOIL) is available for this work.

· Applications from people who reflect the community we support are most welcome

· The post holder will need to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS)

LAE Tottenham seeks to appoint a proactive and enthusiastic individual to oversee the management, security and strategic development of the school’s IT infrastructure. They will oversee the maintenance of network systems, servers and IT services to ensure reliability, security and efficiency across the school. Working with the IT & Operations Manager, Business Director, Senior IT Technician and external providers, the postholder will ensure that the school’s IT provision effectively supports both operational and educational needs.

About us

LAE Tottenham is a selective 16-19 free school, which offers a rigorous academic curriculum alongside a broad co-curricular programme and exceptional pastoral support enabling students to access high tariff universities. In 2023-24, over 75% of students won places at Russell Group universities, from a cohort in which 50% of students had been eligible for free school meals at secondary school.

The Network & Systems Manager role will help us become sector leader in supporting students from lower income backgrounds to achieve the highest academic outcomes and this new role has been created so we can ensure we are fulfilling that mission.

The role is advertised on a part-time basis, with hours and working pattern to be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate. It is offered on a permanent basis.

LAE Tottenham

• Academically selective 6th form, opened in September 2017. Results in the top 3% nationally for attainment and progress.
• Principal Education Sponsor Highgate School and Lead Business Sponsor Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
• Partnered by eight other leading independent schools - Alleyn’s, Chigwell, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’, Harrow, John Lyon, North London Collegiate, Mill Hill and St Dunstan’s College, each offering departmental support, CPD, expertise and shared student experiences.
• Providing first-class support into top class higher education and employment, focused on academically ambitious young people
• Housed in a stunning new state of the art school building linked to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Sunday Times ‘State 6th Form College of the Year 2020-21
• Rated outstanding by OFSTED

LAE Tottenham offers a range of benefits to all directly-employed members of staff, including free breakfast and lunch and access to Benenden Health private healthcare.

We are actively working to close the gap in areas within the school that are currently underrepresented. To better reflect the diversity of Haringey, we especially encourage applications from within the Black community, as well as other members of our diverse community, to further enrich all aspects of our school.

LAE Tottenham is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, if shortlisted, you will be required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Further information is available on the school's website.

The closing date is 30th May 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place w/c. 2nd June 2025.

(LAET will invite strong candidates to interview as applications come in throughout the designated advertisement period).

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Take on a pivotal leadership role as Director of People, where you'll be at the forefront of shaping strategic priorities and cultivating a culture defined by innovation, collaboration and excellence. In this influential position, you'll be part of the executive team to craft and execute transformative people strategies that span the entire employee lifecycle; from talent acquisition and development to recognition, performance and employee engagement.

Our mission is simple: to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. We see Harris Federation as a system disrupter – whose purpose is to make life fairer for children in and around London. Our focus is to take on the most challenging schools and turn them into exceptional places of learning where everyone – staff and students – thrives.

This is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on a high-performing, purpose-driven organisation. Join a passionate, forward thinking people team committed to positioning Harris Federation as an employer of choice within the education sector. We're seeking a visionary leader to champion this exciting transformation and help drive our collective success.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Director of People is part of the executive team at Harris Federation, leading the organisation to deliver the strategic priorities and foster an environment of innovation, collaboration and excellence.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and leading the implementation of the people strategies and supporting policies, frameworks, and processes, consistent with the firm’s strategic priorities and values.
• Lead organisational design and change initiatives, ensuring people are at the centre, and act as custodian of the organisation’s cultural evolution
• Create and maintain a strong employee value proposition, including reward strategies, recognition and holistic wellbeing initiatives, ensuring Harris Federation becomes an employer of choice
• Engender a continuous improvement ethos within the HR team, encouraging innovative thinking and a future-focused mentality

A full list of responsibilities can be found in the Job Pack.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Demonstrable experience in senior HR leadership roles, overseeing people strategy and leading a team of HR professionals
• Proven ability to think strategically to create strategies combined with a strong understanding of how to align strategy to operational excellence and commercial reality
• Extensive experience in shaping and leading organisational change initiatives, including experience in managing TUPE and union engagement
• Demonstrable success in designing and implementing leadership development and talent programmes
• Strong understanding of UK employment law, with experience of navigating complex employee relations situations

For a full person specification please download the Job Pack.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Elliott, Talent Acquisition Partner, via email to arrange a conversation.

Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.

When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.

A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.

OUR VISION & VALUES

Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.

We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

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 Drop In Service 
• 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 core and 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 14:00-22:00 across all of our boroughs. You will be responsible for managing peripatetic teams: we currently have 3x in person Safe Spaces, a Helpline and a Forensic Community You’re your portfolio may expand as new services are acquired.

Our aim of the service is to keep individuals well in the community and prevent readmission into hospital. The service operates 365 days a year from 14:00-22:00pm across all of our boroughs.

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

The objectives of the service include: 

• To improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental health and social crisis in HFEH. 

• To proactively work with keeping people well in the community to reduce re-admitters into hospitals by working with WL NHS teams (e.g. discharge, LPS, CATT, MINT and SPA) 

• To provide a true alternative to A&E via a non-clinical drop-in service to support clients 

• To provide support to clients accessing the service- for instance: signposting, de-escalation and crisis recovery planning. 

• 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 via a drop-in service. 

• 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. The Service Manager will also be expected to build and sustain working relationships with statutory services and represent HFEH Mind at external meetings.

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

· To oversee the management of the Crisis Alternative Drop-in 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 ensure 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, Senior Support workers and Support Workers where applicable.

· 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 Deputy Manager, Team Managers to ensure adequate and appropriate staffing at all times within the service.

· To ensure high levels of meaningful service user involvement in service provision, responding to the needs of service users locally.

· Work collaboratively with West London Mental Health Trust staff to support, develop and promote both the service.

· Establish excellent working relationships with core and out-of-hours services such as Emergency Services, Crisis Teams and GPs, around inward and outward referrals.

· Ensure quality and compliance (in line with CQC standards, NICE guidelines, MQM and other relevant standards)

·        Work within HFEH Mind’s policies and procedures including; Performance Management, Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Service User Involvement, Health & Safety, GDPR and Professional Boundaries.

· To embed all operational policies across managed services in line with a consistent organisational approach.

· Ensure service users satisfaction surveys are undertaken.

· Ensure data and qualitative information is collected, collated and communicated to key partners and key stakeholders, as required and directed by the Director of Adult Services.

· Ensure that all managed services are effectively informed by service user feedback.

· Keep up to date with best practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of the service.

· Monitor the quality of the service and ensure appropriate data is collected (in line with GDPR) to monitor outputs and outcomes.

· Produce regular service summary reports.

· To be rostered on the on-call rota

· Undertake such duties not included in the job description as are reasonably requested by the Director of Adult Services

Person Specification

· 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

· Successful track record in performance management of staff

· Experience of creating and implementing safety and risk policies and procedures.

· Compiling and interpreting performance data and reporting against service targets.

· Successful track record in planning and project management.

· Experience of report writing and presentation.

· Supporting people with mental health problems.

· Knowledge of and empathy for the issues facing people with mental health problems.

· Knowledge of the day-to-day application of relevant legislation e.g., Health and Safety.

· 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. 

· Is committed to working in an anti-oppressive way and striving to create equal opportunities for all people.

· Clear understanding of Equality, Equity, Diversity and inclusion organisational approach

· Commitment to working within the policies of HFEH Mind including confidentiality and safeguarding.

· Positive attitude, passionate about working for HFEH Mind and able to inspire people to higher levels of performance.

· Team player and able to form positive, professional relationships with staff at all levels.

· Able to work effectively with a range of external stakeholders to promote and develop the service.

· 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.

· Willing to undertake training and development.

· Ability to travel to multiple sites

Desirable:

· Mental health registration (nurse/doctor/therapist etc)

· Mental health qualification

· Has a full driving licence and use of own vehicle (desirable, not essential)

· 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

About UP

Unlocking Potential deliver high performing therapeutic programmes and education provision for children and young people with SEMH needs. We work in collaboration with families, communities, and other partners to ensure that children and young people access the interventions they need to thrive.

Mission

We work collaboratively with communities to enable children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs to unlock their full potential

Values

Trust

We build trust by being honest, transparent, and accountable in the way we work with children and young people, staff, and partners and by providing services and programmes whose outcomes are measurable and evidenced based.

Collaborative

Relationships are at the heart of our work. We prioritise communication and collaboration with partners, families, and communities, believing that by working together we create more effective and holistic outcomes for children and young people.

Empowering

We co-create opportunities for our children, young people, parents/carers and staff to actively participate in decision-making that influences change. We promote the voices of children and young people in our organisation and the wider community.

Nurturing

We provide a nurturing approach based on safety and space for creativity, exploration, and growth. We support and care for our children, young people, and staff to realise their potential.

Impact

We are committed to measuring our impact through a data driven method to develop our programmes and make a greater difference to the lives of children, young people, and their parents and carers.

Overview

We will be launching our new programme from September 2025, initially as a pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue beyond this.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Family Support Manager to play a pivotal role in establishing our new Family Support programme. Your initial focus will be leading on the development of the service, implementing policies and procedures, building referral pathways, and recruiting a team of skilled Family Support Workers.

Once the service is established, you will manage a high-quality programme providing support and guidance to families facing complex challenges. Your role will involve overseeing a team of Family Support Workers, case management, fostering effective collaboration with internal and external multidisciplinary teams, and leading the service under a shared vision to ensure the well-being of children and their families.

Using a restorative approach, you will develop strong relationships to support families and empower them to take an active role in their own support plans and interventions, helping them build resilience and make informed decisions. A commitment to safeguarding excellence will be at the heart of everything you do.

This role would be an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker or an experienced professional with a background in setting up and developing family support services. It offers a genuine opportunity to shape a new service and build an impactful team to make a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families.

Are you the person to take The Ivy Street Family Centre to the next level? We are looking for a motivated and passionate Director of Operations who can take this much-loved and vibrant charity into the next phase of its life. 

ABOUT US

The Ivy Street Family Centre is a little oasis of warmth and fun in the heart of Hoxton. We provide welcoming and relaxing spaces for children and their carers where everyone makes friends. We welcome mums, dads, childminders, nannies, grandparents and anyone else looking after under fives.

Ivy Street has a history of serving the local community for over 40 years. We punch well above its weight in terms of reach and impact, and you have the opportunity to build on this solid foundation to reach more people and organisations to improve lives and promote thriving relationships within families in Hackney.

THE ROLE

The main purpose of the role is to build a financially stable base for the work and impact of The Ivy Street Family Centre, by making full use of the income producing potential of our fabulous new centre.

You will work with our small, but wonderful and committed team of play workers to develop our range of services and increase the impact of Ivy Street in Hackney and beyond.

Title: Director of Operations

Reporting to: Ivy Street Family Centre Trustees

Salary: £32,000 (working 4 days/week) or £40,000 (5 days/week); scope for higher salary and/or annual bonus if sustainable funding targets achieved.

Benefits: Eligible to join our stakeholder pension scheme after passing probation.

Location: 54 Ivy Street, Hoxton, London, N1 5JE; up to one day per week working from home.

Hours: 28 (if working 4 days/week) or 35 hours (5 days/week)

Holiday entitlement: 22.5 days (if working 4 days/week) or 28 days (5 days/week)

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 15th June 2025

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Operations Director reports directly to the Trustee Board and is responsible for the following:

1. Working with the Trustees

• Overall vision and mission setting: Developing the use of the services and the building and increase the impact of Ivy Street for the benefit of the local community.
• Fundraising: Raising funds from a variety of sources to ensure the long term financial security of the charity, particularly focussing on rental income from the facility.
• Financial: Overseeing finance (with the assistance of a Trustee Treasurer)  and ensuring that regular, accurate financial reports are provided to the Trustees and accurate records are kept, and providing an Annual Report for the annual accounts.
• Compliance: Ensuring that all legal requirements are met:
  • Health and Safety
  • HR
  • Safeguarding
  • All other policies and procedures including risk management.
• Community Impact: Nurturing of outside relationships with other organisations and services.
• Monitoring: Overseeing the quality and monitoring of our services.

2. Day to Day Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing a robust rental strategy to increase the use of the building for the long term financial security of Ivy Street and benefit of the local community.
• Networking with other organisations, charity partners and donors.
• Work with the staff team and trustees to develop and monitor the programme of activities and services.
• Overseeing staff and the activity programme.
• Overseeing the maintenance of the fabric of the building.
• Promoting the charity’s work with other organisations and in the local community.
• Ensuring that accurate financial and service records are kept.
• Developing and implementing a volunteer programme to support the work of the staff and provide opportunities for local people.

3. Reporting

• Attending Trustees meetings.
• Providing regular written reports to the Trustees for each trustees’ meeting.

4. Training

• Ensuring that appropriate training is available to all staff and volunteers.
• Pursuing self development by attending appropriate training courses/events and networking opportunities.

5. Equal Opportunities

• Encouraging mutual understanding, support and co-operation amongst a diverse group of people in line with the Equal Opportunities policy.

6. Safeguarding

• Working with the staff and trustees to ensure that:
  • all staff and volunteers are following safeguarding procedures in accordance with the Safeguarding policy.
  • all DBS checks are up to date.
  • staff and trustees can access appropriate training.

7. Other

• Undertaking other relevant duties as required, in consultation with the Trustees.

ABOUT YOU

Skills and Experience

• A good degree OR relevant professional qualification OR relevant experience.
• Experience of running a facility and programme of services.
• Demonstrable ability to develop and execute a business strategy or fundraising programme.
• Good interpersonal skills and an ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong administrative ability; including computer literacy and experience.
• Willingness to work with volunteers and a positive attitude to their development, including an ability to undertake some on-the-job training.
• An awareness of the factors affecting inner city life and marginalised groups, and knowledge of the local community.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities requirements.

Personal Qualities

• Genuine passion for supporting vulnerable families in urban communities.
• Personal commitment to social justice and community development.
• Respect and appreciation for diverse cultural and racial backgrounds.
• Deep resonance with our charity's roots and ethos.
• Self-starter, willing to learn and with a great can-do attitude.

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for an Interim Deputy Director of External Affairs to join our team on a 9 month FTC.

While this role covers all our External Affairs functions, you'll be particularly expected to have knowledge and expertise in providing leadership in policy-influencing and campaigns. You'll provide leadership of AaA's External Affairs strategy to ensure the needs of autistic children and their families are high on the political and media agenda.

You'll have an externally-facing role in policy influencing, representing AaA in coalitions with relevant government departments among parliamentarians, as well as increasing AaA's profile through an effective communications strategy.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Substantial experience, knowledge and understanding of the policy landscape, including political and legislative processes, and local government structures and processes
• Extensive experience of developing and delivering strategic, integrated communications programmes
• Demonstrable leadership of successful policy-influencing activity, including stakeholder engagement and above/below the line influencing strategies
• Proven experience in strategy development

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.

Campaigns and Communications Manager (Job share) 

2 days a week, 14 hours a week  

Salary:  £37,035 - Pro-Rata

Duration of Contract: 2 years (Renewable subject to funding)

IKWRO –Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) is an award-winning charity founded (as the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation) in 2002. As testament to its’ success and in response to huge need, IKWRO has expanded and now provides unique and vital support for women and girls from all Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan (MENA) communities who are at risk of “honour” based violence, child marriage, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual violence and other forms of gender violence.  

IKWRO provides direct services including advocacy and professional counselling. IKWRO opened the UK’s first specialist Middle Eastern women’s refuge. IKWRO is regularly called upon to share expertise with government, academics, and media and to train professionals from bodies such as the police, social services and schools.  

IKWRO has led the recognition of “honour” based abuse and “honour” killing as forms of violence against women and girls. Campaign successes include; the first extradition from Kurdistan-Iraq to the UK of perpetrators of “honour” killing of Banaz Mahmod, the UK’s criminalisation of forced marriage, child marriage, virginity testing and hymenoplasty, as well as the first ever national inspection of policing of “honour” based violence. 

This is an exciting time to join IKWRO with the opportunity to help shape and implement the organisations’ new campaigns and communications strategies.  

The Campaign and Communications Manager will work under the direction of the Executive Director of IKWRO and will be responsible for drafting and implementing IKWRO’s new campaign and communications strategy to achieve positive systemic legal and policy change, informed by the experiences of the women and girls that IKWRO represents. The role involves lobbying, research, media and communications, networking, events management, engaging with the wider team and the women and girls IKWRO represents to ensure their voices are heard and maintaining and strengthening IKWRO’s leadership in the field. The Campaign and Communications Manager will be both an excellent team player and also have the ability to work independently and manage volunteers.  

Job purpose

This is an exciting time to join Action for ME. With developments in research and policy alongside delivering services which are in high demand, you will enjoy working in a fast-paced and continually changing environment. You will be responsible for overseeing operational programme design and delivery, reporting of progress, and measuring the impact of all Action for ME work to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow. You will also assist the Chief Executive in implementing the organisational strategy, and by adapting and evolving delivery models on the ground. As you will have operational management and oversight for our Healthcare Services and hold the Designated Safeguarding Lead role for the organisation, you will bring considerable services-related experience at a management and leadership level. The Chief Executive will focus predominately on external matters and therefore you must have experience of managing an organisation to achieve high quality programmes with evidenced impact and motivated teams. You will act for the Chief Executive on topics, as agreed, and deputise during their absence.

Key duties

1. Leadership

• Ensure that children and adults with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of our work.
• Deputise for the CEO and represent and promote the Charity at national meetings and events.
• Deputise for the CEO during periods of absence, and in relation to specific matters, issues or elements of operation as delegated from time to time by the CEO, ensuring a consistency of approach and decisions aligned with the organisation’s objectives.
• With the CEO and HR Business Partner, lead on implementing the People and Culture Strategy and ensuring our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plan is achieved.
• To provide support, leadership and coaching to the Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and development of the Charity.
• Contribute to the development of the overall strategy for Action for ME, ensuring that the best use is made of available resources within agreed priorities. Ensure that agreed strategy is delivered to target and in line with agreed budgets.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees to ensure effective reporting to the Board and sub-committees.

2. Operations & management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity ensuring high quality service provision that meets all best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal policies and procedures.
• Hold overall management responsibility for our Healthcare Services including the role of the CQC Nominated Individual, ensuring all regulatory requirements and compliance are met.
• Manage the staff and volunteer team, including holding regular meetings and ensure the efficient running of the office ensuring a culture that supports, inspires and motivates the team while ensuring required standards and quality are met at all times through effective performance management.
• Act as the organisational Designated Safeguarding Lead (children and vulnerable adults), working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Officers, colleagues and the Safeguarding Lead Trustee; facilitate the annual safeguarding audit (led by the Lead Trustee) and ensuring safeguarding standards across the organisation are maintained.
• Contribute to the learning and development of key personnel including coaching support (either directly or through the identification of external coaches) to enhance performance.
• Establish (where not already in place) and maintain a clear performance outcome-focused management system driving positive change and improvement across all teams.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are effectively implemented and kept up-to-date to enable the effective management of operations and support growth.
• Take the lead role for data protection, health and safety, compliance and risk management across the organisation and act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

3. Finance & income generation

• Hold financial leadership responsibility, working closely with the Finance Manager and the Fundraising Director to ensure sustainability for our work.
• Ensure effective financial management with procedures in place which are kept up-to-date and implemented accordingly.
• Provide support and engagement, where appropriate, to actively grow our income.

4. Working with others

• Lead, nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholder groups and partner organisations, both locally and nationally, supporting Action for M.’s place as the ‘go to’ organisation for people affected by ME
• Lead on new business ideas and pilot projects in line with the strategic objectives; with colleagues, develop the business case, identify and manage risks, lead implementation across teams, evaluate success and learning and make recommendations for future development.

5. Other key accountabilities

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting operations and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development.
• Take direction on projects and priorities from the CEO, which may vary from time to time.
• To ensure best value in all service delivery.

Person specification

Experience and Knowledge

• Proven experience in an operations, leadership, or senior management role, ideally within the charity service delivery or healthcare sector, with the ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive organisational growth and reporting that demonstrates impact delivered. If you come from outside a support services background, you must demonstrate sound understanding of the regulatory and best practice requirements related to delivering support and/or healthcare services.
• An understanding of ME and associated/overlapping illnesses, the impact on people affected by it or a commitment and ability to understand the illness and lead services to meet the needs of children and adults with ME
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, including remote workers, and fostering a supportive workplace culture where change is a constant.
• Safeguarding understanding at a management/decision-making level.
• Proven experience of building and nurturing strong relationships internally and externally at all levels.
• A sound understanding of outcome-focused, effective performance management, quality assurance and risk management.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial planning, and resource management in the voluntary sector.

Skills and Behaviours

• Experience of governance, risk management, and compliance, including within regulated services, ideally within a charity and/or service delivery setting.
• Proven ability to think strategically, balance competing demands, use initiative to solve problems and actively seek innovative approaches to problem solving and delivering results.
• Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating influencing and networking skills which build strong internal and external relationships.
• An ability to understand, analyse and make effective use of data across all of our work.
• A proven ability to coach and motivate staff and to build and lead teams reflecting organisational culture and values, a respectful, constructive and energetic style.
• Proven, strong MS Office skills that supports writing, email, internet and database use.
• Demonstrable ability to work within our organisational values

Executive Assistant & Head Office Administrator

Part time Job Share, 3 days per week

£28,000 - £30,000pa (pro-rated to £16,800 to £18,000) + benefits

Leatherhead, Surrey

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed.

This role will provide proactive and efficient administrative and operational support to the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees, whilst observing the strictest confidence. Provide proactive and efficient administrative support at the Head Office. The Senior Leadership Team comprises the Chief Executive, Director of Care Services, Director of Finance and Operations, Director of Fundraising and Engagement and Director of HR & Volunteering. The role is responsible for a wide range of cross-organisational tasks and projects as directed and will be part of a job share arrangement, working 3 days per week. The post holder will live the Rainbow Trust Values and effectively communicate with all stakeholders, over the telephone, online, by email and face to face.

About the role:

This Best Companies Top 100 mid-sized company and Top 20 charity is looking to appoint an Executive Assistant to provide proactive and efficient administrative and operational support to the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees, whilst observing the strictest confidence. This is a part time job share role, working 3 days per week.

Reporting to the Chief Executive you will be responsible for a wide range of cross-organisational tasks and projects, including leading on general operational issues at Head Office including franking machine, stationery orders, cleaning materials, managing and monitoring switchboard voicemail messages, sign-in sheets, shredding, parking etc. You will act as key point of contact for Trustees and a wide range of external contacts, maintaining a professional, confidential and responsive approach.

Having worked in an administrative support role, you will have exceptional organisational skills and will support the Senior Leadership with their day-to-day activities, including the monitoring the progress of their various projects and organising, as required, internal and external meetings for each SLT member including sector-wide meetings.

What we’re looking for:

A co-operative working style – you’re able to work well with others, communicating clearly and consistently with your job share partner, and you thrive working at a steady pace with a desire and willingness to help others

A confident user of MSOffice and experience of managing multiple diaries and priorities – you’re efficient and organised, produce high quality accurate work, are able to carry out instructions carefully and respond promptly to enquires.

Strong verbal and written communication skills and a team-oriented focus

Patient and consistent – you have better-than-average attention to detail and accuracy, even with repetitive work, and make cautious decisions within clear guidelines

Applications will be particularly welcome from those who have volunteered or worked in a charity, are educated to A level or equivalent and have previously worked in a busy administrative office, in a role that provides support to multiple people.

What we offer:

We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, this includes:

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 days to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Company car for front line care posts

· Time off in lieu

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

· A recommend a friend recruitment referral bonus scheme

If you’d like to find out more about working with us, please click here. More information can also be found in our Candidate Pack.

How to apply:

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter highlighting why your application should be considered above others to us via the link.

Closing date: 25 May 2025

Please disclose in your cover letter if you have used AI for any part of your job application.

Interviews will take place at our Head Office in Leatherhead with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds. Registered Charity No: 1070532

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and thoughtful communicator to lead our communications and advocacy work during a period of maternity cover. 

At Martin James Foundation, we work alongside a network of committed partners who lead change for children and families in their contexts. Our role is to contribute where we can, granting funds, sharing learning, supporting campaigns, influencing systems and amplifying the good work already happening. You’ll lead on implementing our communications and advocacy strategy, manage key partnerships, and strengthen our presence across digital platforms. You’ll also support internal communications projects.

This role is central to how we tell our story, build meaningful collaboration, influence change and ensure the voices of those with lived experience are prioritised, listened to and able to lead change.

About Martin James Foundation

The Martin James Foundation (MJF) is a global network of charitable organisations working with a shared vision: a world in which children grow up and thrive in safe and loving families.

The Foundation is made up of:

· MJF Global – our programmes team, which uses the Foundation’s technical and financial resources to support locally rooted partner organisations around the world. Together, we work to strengthen families and reduce reliance on orphanages, contributing to global efforts to reform children’s care.

· Key Assets – a group of independent, non-profit fostering agencies operating in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. With over 30 years’ experience, they provide foster care, family strengthening, and support for people with disabilities. Their trauma-informed approach is built on strong partnerships and a commitment to meeting the unique needs of those they serve.

The Need

Millions of children are separated from their families, not because they have no one to care for them, but because of poverty, crisis, or a lack of support. Many end up in orphanages, yet removing a child from a struggling family does not solve poverty. It can deepen harm, sever vital family bonds, and leave children more vulnerable to instability, trafficking, and lifelong inequality. Our mission is to reduce the reliance on institutional care by supporting proven alternatives and advocating for systemic change.

What You’ll Do

 Advocacy & Policy Influence

• Lead the delivery of advocacy strategies to raise awareness about the benefits of family-based care and the harms of institutions, including orphanages
• Manage MJF Global’s advocacy partnerships, supporting joint campaigns and influencing initiatives
• Oversee project-based public affairs and PR efforts, coordinating with agencies, consultants and media stakeholders where needed
• Represent MJF Global in key coalitions, working groups, and sector events as required
• Strategic communications

Implement the communications strategy that aligns with our organisational goals

• Manage our editorial calendar across digital and offline channels, highlighting awareness days, partner updates and sector milestones
• Write and curate content for social media, newsletters, campaigns, and reports
• Oversee relationships with our design and web partners, ensuring consistency and quality

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Support MJF’s global marketing working group by co-coordinating with marketing leads across Key Assets
• Strengthen relationships with internal teams and external collaborators, ensuring alignment on messaging and values
• Provide guidance to global partners, as requested/required, developing and implementing their own communications plans

Operational Comms & Tools

• Manage CRM platforms (e.g., MailChimp), website updates (WordPress), and file sharing (SharePoint and Google Drive)
• Use project management tools to track campaign and content workflows
• Lead quarterly reporting on communications and advocacy performance

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who is not only an excellent communicator but also a values-led leader, someone who can work with sensitivity across contexts and cultures, while keeping an eye on strategy and detail.

Essential

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or your country equivalent certificate (can be obtained upon appointment)
• Experience leading and implementing communications and/or advocacy strategies in the charity, NGO, or development sectors
• Strong understanding of care reform, family strengthening, or children’s rights issues
• Ability to manage relationships and partnerships, particularly in advocacy, policy or public affairs work
• Excellent communication skills across formats including written, verbal and visual. Fluency in English is required.
• A collaborative, curious and proactive mindset, with the ability to work independently and across cultures
• Commitment to equity, anti-racism, and decolonising approaches in communication and advocacy

Desirable

• Experience working in or with organisations in the Global South
• Familiarity with digital tools like Canva, WordPress, MailChimp, or Adobe Suite
• Experience in journalism, media relations, or public policy advocacy
• Confidence using communications to support locally led, ethical storytelling and systems change

What We Offer

• Fully remote working with flexible scheduling
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Meaningful work with a passionate, globally distributed team
• Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organisation that centres lived experience and ethical partnership

The Martin James Foundation strives to enable a diverse range of participation and contributions, and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. People with lived experience of alternative care, and from people outside of the UK are encouraged to apply.