Community support worker jobs in central london, greater london

Head of Human Resources and Facilities

Location: Hybrid

Salary: £57,000 per annum plus £312 Home Worker Allowance per annum

Hours: 35 hours per week

Vacancy Type: Permanent

Sands are the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity. We are here to support everyone touched by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby. Always.

We’re creating a community of compassionate and lifesaving changemakers, whose voices inspire change and turn understanding into action.

For more than 40 years, Sands has provided a safe, understanding and caring community for anyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss. We can help, whether your loss happened recently or long ago.

Sands offer many types of support, including our free, confidential telephone helpline, email support, and online group sessions. We have a UK-wide network of local groups offering peer-support in the community, social media groups helping people connect wherever they are, and free resources for partners, siblings, grandparents, and wider family and friends.

The Role

Our Human Resources and Facilities team are responsible for providing a high standard of support to our staff, who are based throughout the UK.

This exciting and high-profile role is responsible for leading on all operational HR & Facilities activity within the charity. This includes ensuring that this activity aligns with Sands’ strategic objectives and meets KPI’s set by the Board. This is a key role which will help us to promote Sands’ vision; a world where fewer babies die and when a baby dies those affected receive the best care and support for as long as they need.

The areas that the team covers include staff learning & development, organisational change management, EEDI, implementation and development of HR policies and procedures, staff wellbeing, recruitment, employee reward and recognition, employment relations, development of HR IT systems and management of our property portfolio.

With significant experience in a Head of HR role, you will have a good understanding of UK employment law and be able to apply this in everyday situations.

You will be confident in advising senior managers in HR best practice, including leading on change management processes.

Experience of developing employee benefit and wellbeing packages, HR policies and information systems is essential. Additionally, you will have demonstrable experience of developing HR strategies including budgets and be able to confidently present to groups of staff and managers.

An excellent influencer and communicator, you will be able to build effective working relationships with staff and managers across the organisation as well as external stakeholders.

With a good knowledge and understanding of employment law and HR best practice, you will be able to manage several work streams simultaneously and meet deadlines under pressure. Excellent organisational and time-management skills are therefore essential for this role. You will also need to be highly numerate and demonstrate good problem-solving ability.

Skills and Qualifications

• CIPD qualification at Level 7 (MCIPD) or equivalent
• Significant experience of working in a Head of HR / People role
• Proven track record of developing and delivering HR strategies, policies, and reports aligned with organisational objectives
• Experience in organisational development, staff learning and training design, and delivery
• Demonstrated experience of introducing and embedding Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) initiatives
• Experience in HR policy development, implementation, and review
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application
• Experience of managing complex employee relations cases including grievance, disciplinary, and capability matters
• Significant experience of leading organisation-wide change management and transformation projects
• Experience in developing and implementing reward and recognition initiatives
• Experience of introducing and promoting staff health and wellbeing programmes
• Strong working knowledge of HR Information Systems (HRIS), ideally Sage HR or equivalent platform
• Experience of managing departmental budgets and reporting on financial performance
• Proven experience of leading, motivating, and developing a team of HR professionals
• Excellent influencing and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organisation
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships across departments and with external stakeholders
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work
• Ability to manage a demanding workload, prioritise effectively, and meet tight deadlines
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Sound knowledge of data protection and GDPR legislation as it relates to HR practice
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a pragmatic approach to complex issues
• Confident, assertive, and able to make sound judgements and decisions when required
• Experience of, or an interest in, facilities management
• Understanding of maternity, neonatal, and healthcare policy and practice across the UK
• Empathy with Sands’ vision, mission, and values

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Sands, please do not hesitate to apply.

Senior Practice Development Adviser

We are looking for a Senior Practice Development Adviser to lead the design and delivery of projects that influence local leaders and commissioners to improve the availability of evidence-based support for families across early intervention and children’s social care.

If you want to join an impact-driven organisation, improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families, then apply today!

Position: Senior Practice Development Adviser

Location: London/hybrid

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours/week

Salary: £53,300 plus generous benefits

Contract: Fixed Term until March 2027

Closing Date: 9th November

The Role

The team support local areas to use evidence to improve their services and outcomes for children and families. The Senior Practice Development Adviser will work with local leaders to support their decision-making on how to increase the availability of services and approaches that have evidence of improving child outcomes.

You will develop and deliver projects which increase the use of evidence in local services for children and families, in relation to the organisational priority areas, and provide senior input on service and practice development relevant to statutory social work and early intervention services. This will include working to encourage greater use of evidence in local service planning and delivery, supporting the generation of new evidence about what works, and liaising with national and local stakeholders to encourage and support evidence use.

About You

We are looking for someone with in depth understanding of UK policy, legislation and practice relating to children’s services, including how this responds to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

You will understand the role of evidence in improving local services and assessing their impact and be skilled in supporting others to engage with data and evidence

You will have experience of:

• Management of children’s social work and/or early intervention services, and an understanding of local multi-agency systems
• Working with local leaders and commissioners on service improvement or practice development in a relevant sector, for example children’s services, public health, or NHS
• Managing large and complex projects to time and budget
• Managing and motivating staff and non-staff teams.

The Organisation

This is a great place to work, where everyone is high performing and where together everyone can achieve impact that makes a real difference for vulnerable children and families. Focusing on using and championing high-quality evidence, working directly with government and local leaders, the team provides practical solutions and encourages change. This is an organisation with ambitious aims and people are essential to its success.

Benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave, plus one extra day off for your birthday, paid bank holidays with up to three which may be switched for religious observance
• Up to five days carers’ leave, in a 12-month period, three days paid
• Paid compassionate leave
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced parental leave and pay
• 6% employer and 3% employee contribution. No limit on any additional employee contributions made via auto enrolment
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 counselling, legal and information line
• Unlimited access to 24/7 GP
• Mental health support
• Life cover at x4 annual salary
• Bike to work scheme.

The organisation offers excellent salaries, learning and development opportunities, and a great office location situated in the heart of St James’s. Working in a hybrid and flexible way, the organisation recognises the importance of a good work-life balance. Please note that where staff live within approximately two hours travel of the office, they are expected to work onsite two days per week. For those based further afield, more flexible or home working arrangements can be discussed.

Do you want to work somewhere that values and celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all employees? People are at the heart of everything we do. It’s vital that the workforce reflects the diversity of stakeholders, and the wider society in the UK, and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities.

You may have experience in other areas such as Practice Development Advisor, Senior Practice Development Advisor, Social Worker, Social Work, Children’s Worker, Practice supervisor, Early Intervention, Early Intervention Officer, Family Help, Children’s Service, Project Manager, Public Health, NHS.

This role is currently unable to offer sponsorship. Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying.

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

There will also be two drop-in sessions to find out more about the role:

• Tuesday 21 October, 3:30 – 4:15
• Wednesday 29 October, 4:00 - 4:45

To register to a drop in session please see our job pack to register. Please note that you will only need to attend one drop in session #INDNFP

Tender is an arts charity working with children and young people to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence through creative projects. Our programmes are safe, enjoyable, age-appropriate spaces where young people can engage with sensitive topics and “rehearse” for real-life scenarios. Participants are encouraged to be both consumers and producers of learning through script-work, role-play and creative media such as films and art. Throughout, we enable young people to explore their choices, rights and expectations in relationships and to recognise the early warning signs of abuse. 

Tender has grown significantly in recent years. We have secured income from an increasing range of sources: corporates, major donors, trusts & foundations and statutory funders. We have done this with a small but highly effective development team.

With a clear strategic focus for the next five years, we are strengthening our development team to ensure we have the funding needed to achieve our strategic ambitions. We plan to grow both the extent of our reach across the country, and the difference we make to the people we work with. We are also planning to increase the effectiveness of our policy & influencing work, aiming to deliver significant, systemic change to how violence against women and girls is prevented.

You will play a pivotal role in raising the funding for our ambitions, focusing on statutory and trusts & foundations income streams. You will lead on both these income streams, managing existing funders and securing new funders. You will secure income from your own portfolio of funders and partners, and lead and inspire the team to achieve their own ambitious targets, both through new sources and through excellent stewardship of existing funders.

Role purpose

The main purposes of this role are:

• Researching, identifying and applying for grant funding and commissioning from statutory sources, trusts and foundations (T&F)
• Developing and writing high quality fundraising bids which align with the objectives and needs of statutory funders, T&F and Tender’s strategic objectives
• Managing and maintaining partnerships and relationships with a range of stakeholders (statutory funders, T&F, delivery partners, professionals in the sector, internal stakeholders)
• Developing the Statutory and T&F strategy in collaboration with the Development Director

Main responsibilities and duties

New business development

• Developing and implementing a strategy to develop relationships with, and maximise income from, statutory sources, T&F
• Working with service managers, designing, developing and submitting high-quality funding proposals to statutory sources, T&F which are technically sound, meet donor requirements and align with Tender’s strategic objectives
• Maintaining an up-to-date market awareness of grant-making trends and best practice in T&F fundraising
• Developing the overall statutory and T & F strategy with oversight from the Development Director
• Monitoring and reporting against business development plans to ensure objectives are achieved, and proposing plans for remedial action if projections are not on track

Relationships

• Managing relationships with Statutory sources and T&F funding Tender, building a deep understanding of the needs and requirements of each funder
• Developing and executing stewardship and relationship management plans for T&F to maximise the value and duration of their support for Tender
• Overseeing the production of high-quality monitoring reports for T&F, and using insights from funded programmes to develop case for support materials
• Working with other Tender managers to ensure the consistent tone and positioning of Tender in the implementation of marketing of all projects
• Line managing two Development Officers

Administration

• Working with the Governance team to improve operational effectiveness and quality service by identifying and implementing process improvements
• Contributing to the maintenance of Tender’s overall Development function, providing appropriate analysis and reports
• Developing and maintaining a funding database and ensuring it is up to date to effectively monitor and evaluate the strategy
• Completing all mandatory training, and proactively seek opportunities for ongoing professional development
• Ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed, including safeguarding, data protection and equal opportunities
• Working as a member of the Tender team and carrying out other duties that may be required to meet the needs of the organisation

Executive Manager

Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £45,981

Location: Farringdon, hybrid working, minimum 2 days on-site

MLC Partners are actively seeking a highly organised and proactive Executive Manager to provide exceptional support to the CEO and leadership team at a renowned, impactful and ambitious charity. Turn2us is a national charity tackling financial insecurity and its structural causes. Offering practical support and information to help everyone thrive, they’re working to change the systems and perceptions that cause financial insecurity across the UK.

If you have the knowledge and experience to ensure the smooth running of the CEOs office; the executive operations, governance and business support functions organisation-wide and you are passionate about this crucial cause - eradicating financial insecurity, then this could be the ideal opportunity to build your career in a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.                                                                           

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Executive Support to CEO:

• Assemble and prepare papers, being the main point of conduct for CEO key meetings.
• Coordinate, attend, take minutes, and track actions for the Organisational Leadership Team.
• Manage diary, project manage and carry out administration for the CEO.
• Coordinate, attend, take minutes, and track actions for the CEO.
• Follow up on actions from meetings on behalf of the CEO and Chair of EFH, ensuring timely completion.
• Draft correspondence, manage communications, and liaise with key stakeholders including government departments, Patrons’ offices, and external partners, ensuring appropriate professionalism.

Governance Liaison:

• Act as the primary liaison between the CEO and the Group Head of Governance, ensuring all governance-related matters are effectively managed by having weekly check ins with both the Chief Executive and Group Head of Governance, and keeping the Director of People, Culture & Governance informed about pertinent matters.
• Coordinate the preparation and distribution of governance papers and briefing documents for the CEO.
• Ensure timely submission of board and committee papers, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Support the CEO in governance-related activities, including regulatory compliance and strategic planning discussions.
• Work closely with the CEO, Director of Finance and Operations, and Property Consultant on property-related matters.
• Act as secretariat for relevant property committees including meeting scheduling, minute taking and tracking actions.

Business Support:

• Lead the induction of new Business Support team members, ensuring consistency in approach.
• Hold regular meetings with the Business Support team, inviting feedback and implementing improvements.
• Lead meetings with Business Support staff to share best practices and resolve operational challenges.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment.
• Lead and support the Business Support team, providing a backup service to teams across the organisation, ensuring tasks are carried out in a timely manner. Where there is insufficient capacity within the Business Support Team, this may mean sourcing a temp or outside agency.

Person Specification:

It’s 2025, no-one should be lying awake worrying about mounting bills. No child should be starting their school day cold and hungry. But the fact is, it’s happening, and we want to end it. With an ambitious strategy, we need a strong leader to work alongside the CEO and leadership team who can streamline operations and coordinate key business functions. Successful applicants will have previous experience providing executive support at a senior level with excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

You should have a sound understanding of governance processes, including board and committee administration, be an excellent communicator with the ability to draft high-quality correspondence. In addition, you will bring proven leadership experience, motivating and coordinating others, while demonstrating professionalism, discretion, and a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the values of Turn2us.

Essential Criteria:

• Significant experience in a high-level Executive Assistant or Business Support Management role.
• Strong knowledge of governance processes, including board and committee administration.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting formal correspondence and briefing papers.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to coordinate and motivate others.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with digital collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, SharePoint).

Skills:

• Substantial experience working in a senior administrative role or comparable work, highly organised, able to plan proactively and prioritise work, with excellent time management skills and the ability to deliver to a deadline under pressure within a context of competing demands
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), CRM databases and virtual meeting products
• Ability to take a strategic approach, working across the organisation to suggest and implement processes and systems, creating business plans for new initiatives
• Understanding of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning to support effective impact and continuous improvement, good project management and budgeting skills
• Demonstrable and highly developed interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to manage effective working relationships.

Knowledge:

• Understanding of safeguarding and safe working practices including Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and its practical application
• Experience of organisation of meetings, travel arranging, diary management and email management
• Ability to take concise, accurate and efficiently produced minutes of meetings
• Line management experience and ability to motivate others

Attributes:

• Personal commitment to the work of Turn2us
• Resilience, good problem-solving skills
• Initiative/self-starter: able to operate independently and be a team worker.
• A continual improvement approach to yourself and to the work
• Tactful and diplomatic with emotional intelligence

How to Apply/Interview dates

To express your interest or request the full candidate briefing pack, please contact Tess at MLC directly or submit your application via the link provided.

We particularly welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of financial insecurity or those from underrepresented communities, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Closing date of applications: Friday 14th November

1st stage interviews: w/c 17th November

2nd stage interviews (face-to-face): w/c 24th November

The Vacancies

We are seeking to appoint two business registrants and one dispensing optician to our Advisory Panel Companies Committee.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance, and conduct.

About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration, and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:

• matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals, Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee; 

• matters relating to optical training, education, and assessment; 

• matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and 

• matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register. 

Time Commitment and Remuneration 

This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices in London or other suitable venues.

A daily fee of £319 will be paid. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule.  This is taxable and subject to Class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions. It is not pensionable.

Members can claim expenses for travel and subsistence costs incurred on Council business as set out in our expenses policy.

How to apply 

Please apply with the following: 

• your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service, or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic, or vocational qualifications (please keep this to two sides of A4); 

• the application form (attcahed below), stating how your experience matches the essential criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and 

• an EDI monitoring form (link can be found in the candidate pack below). 

Please email your completed application quoting reference GOC05/25 to appointment@optical .org.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as these are currently under-represented on our Council and committees. 

For more information please see the attached candidate information pack.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight Sunday 09 November 2025.

Online interviews will be held the week commencing 12 January 2026.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, and geographical locations outside of London.