Development officer jobs

We're looking for a organised, proactive and resilient Referral, Assessment and Operational Development Manager to join our Complex Specialist Services located at our Head Office in Islington .

£44,000.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The Referral, Assessment and Operational Development Manager will play a pivotal role in supporting the Managing Director with new business development, coordinating and managing referrals, assessments, tenancies and transitions for our customers with learning disabilities and autism.

The working pattern for this role is:Monday - Friday 9am-5pm

What you'll do:
Referral & Assessment Coordination
* Monitor and respond to referrals from external sources and direct contacts.
* Maintain a current tracking system for referral clarity and produce regular reports.
* Analyse referral data to identify local commissioning needs and growth opportunities.
* Work with managers on person-centered assessments covering care needs, environmental suitability, risk management, and transition planning.
* Complete and submit needs assessments with costings and support package requirements.
* Coordinate the assessment process and internal referral meetings.
* Develop a responsive referral and assessment pathway aligned with best practice.
* Act as the first point of contact for stakeholders ensuring timely and responsive communication.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
* Strong understanding of the learning disability and autism sector, including CQC regulations.
* Proven ability to build professional relationships with stakeholders.
* Strong understanding of sector
* Ability to manage staff effectively

What you'll bring:
Essential:
* Experience in assessments, referrals, and placement coordination within supported living or health and social care settings.
* Knowledge of brokerage, purchasing systems, and commissioning portals.
* Ability to write reports for the senior management team
* Understanding of residential and supported living service models.
* Familiarity with funding processes and financial negotiations.
* Experience of working with costing models for placement pricing
* Experience of managing staff and services in social care or health

Desirable:
* Knowledge of how local authorities, councils and ICBs commission and agree services.
* Experience with Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and trauma-informed practice.
* Understanding of complex needs, forensic histories, and dual diagnoses.

About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job description

The role

The Project Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of our Council funded Adult Bereavement Service in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This service aims to provide accessible, accessible, empathetic and effective support for adults affected by bereavement, particularly sudden or drug/alcohol-related deaths. The Project Delivery Officer will work collaboratively as part of the local and regional volunteer and staff team. We welcome applications from candidates who wish to job-share the responsibilities of this role.

How to apply

Your application must consist of a CV and covering letter, which outlines your suitability for the role with reference to the Job Description and Person Specification and should be no longer than two pages. 

The closing date for applications is the 17th of December 2025 with interviews taking place on W/C 12th January via zoom or Teams due to the festive break.

Please be advised that if you do not hear from us by Thursday 8th January unfortunately on this occasion you have not been shortlisted.

Cruse welcomes and encourages applications from all protected groups as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Appointment will be made on merit.

Criminal Record Checks

All staff are required to complete a Criminal Record check. Staff working directly with clients will be required to complete an enhanced check. We comply with the relevant codes of practice and they can be viewed online: 

· Applicants in England and Wales: DBS Code of Practice

· Applicants in Northern Ireland: AccessNI Code of Practice

· Applicants in Scotland: Disclosure Scotland Code of Practice

Previous convictions will not prevent full consideration of your application to work with Cruse. Our Recruitment of Ex-offenders' Policy & Handling Criminal Record Check Data Policy are available on request by email.

We comply with all relevant data protection legislation and process your data fairly.   

The Role

To provide health and safety monitoring support to the housing team. This will include maintaining and updating local and central health and safety records and carrying out local health and safety inspections and checks using CIHA’s standard recording processes. Ensure tenants understand their health and safety obligations and support housing officers to take enforcement action as necessary.

Our Organisation

Causeway is a London living wage employer, with a competitive pension scheme. We also offer an employee assistance programme that provides free financial, legal, and mental health advice and support to our employees. We provide core training, and continuous learning and development throughout your career with us. 

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Safer Places to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

Safer Places is a specialist support service for individuals at risk of, fleeing from, or recovering from domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking. We provide a wide range of trauma-informed services to adults, children, and young people across Hertfordshire and Essex, with safe accommodation available to those in need from across the UK.

As Chief Executive, you will:

• Lead Safer Places into its next chapter. This includes enhancing the charity’s service delivery, forging new partnerships, and expanding its role as a Registered Social Landlord to better meet the evolving needs of our communities.
• Embed Safer Places’s vision across the organisation – ensuring it is understood, embraced, and translated into action at every level.
• Have an entrepreneurial mindset to leverage opportunities for the charity to grow. 
• Continue to ensure that Safer Places is recognised for the quality of its services, its commitment to inclusivity, and its highly trained, compassionate staff.

If you are inspired and excited by what Safer Places does, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £85,000 - £90,000 p.a.

Location: Hertfordshire/Essex – most working hours will be spent collaborating with colleagues and partners at our offices and service sites, with flexibility for some remote work.

Employment term: Permanent / full time.

How to apply:

Please review the recruitment pack for further information about Safer Places, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 5th December 2025

Safer Places is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. However, this CEO post is restricted to women applicants due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

About Us

At the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, we’re on a mission to create a Wilder Birmingham and Black Country. As an urban Wildlife Trust, we believe that education and community engagement are vital to protecting and restoring nature in our region. We work with people of all ages and backgrounds to build meaningful connections with the natural world and empower them to take action.

About the Role

We’re looking for a dynamic and organised Education Officer who will play a vital role in inspiring children and families to connect with nature through engaging outdoor learning experiences. They will deliver a dynamic annual programme of curriculum-linked environmental education sessions and wild play activities across the region, with a particular focus on Birmingham. This role supports the development of lifelong connections to nature by bringing learning to life in local green spaces and nature reserves. to support the planning and delivery of events and engagement activities across our sites and communities. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same.

This post is based at EcoPark, 258a Hobmoor Road, Small Heath, B10 9HH, with flexibility to work from home as required. This role will require regular travel regionally – a company pool vehicle will be provided for travel in between sites.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Volunteer Officer to plan and deliver our new Volunteer Strategy. This role involves leading and coordinating our voluntary role holders across different roles and integrating with the wider work of the team.

We want someone who is passionate about volunteers and who will rise to the challenge set by our Chief Officer for all our work to have a clear fingerprint of volunteers demonstrated. The post holder will have latitude to develop a modern, exciting, and vibrant volunteer base and will work across the team to embed new roles which enable us to spread our reach further into the District.

We work closely with the local health and social care system to use our volunteer’s skills and lived experience to support Patient Safety Walkabouts and Patient Led Assessments of Care Environments (PLACE). We also have the power and responsibility to deliver Enter and View visits as a Local Healthwatch organisation. The Volunteer Officer will coordinate and oversee these activities to continue our successful partnership approach.

We are committed to providing social value to the local population, we do this through our opportunities which include volunteering, collaborating, work experience, and placements.

Purpose

To have responsibility for the Healthwatch Wakefield Volunteer Strategy. To lead on recruitment, co-ordination, and support of a diverse range of volunteers for Healthwatch Wakefield; including a ‘buddy’ system to help overcome barriers to involvement. To facilitate and maintain an activity and training record, and report on volunteer contributions on a regular basis. To remain up to date with relevant legislation and good practice in volunteering. To review and develop the roles available for volunteers in Healthwatch, working collaboratively with volunteers, contributors and the team.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Promote and deliver volunteering opportunities
  
• Recruit, induct, support and develop volunteers
• Lead Enter and View visit planning and coordinate patient safety activities
• Provide leadership for the volunteer programme

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of supporting and supervising volunteers, including recruitment and induction.
• Experience of producing systems and procedures for volunteers.
• Experience of delivering and co-ordinating training.
• Experience of working with a diverse range of communities.
• Experience of working in partnership and with external stakeholders.
• Experience of report writing.
• Communication, facilitating, and liaison skills.
• Ability to confidently build and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate with others.
• Good planning and organisational skills, including ability to prioritise workload.
• Able to work effectively under pressure and to deadlines.
• Able to produce succinct, articulate and well-formatted documents and reports.
• Ability to understand, interpret and analyse basic financial information
• Competence in IT skills and internet use.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of developing a volunteer policy.
• Experience of working with volunteers within a health or social care setting.
• Experience of managing a project budget.
• Knowledge of the third sector in Wakefield District and the environment within which it works.
• Knowledge of health and social care structures.

This is your chance to lead a growing and high-profile team at the heart of ARU’s future – building lifelong relationships and a culture of giving that makes a lasting difference.

Applications close at9 a.m. Tuesday 6th January 2026 

Who we are

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is a modern, inclusive and globally engaged university that transforms lives through innovative, entrepreneurial and socially impactful education and research. Named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 and rated Gold in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework, we are recognised for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise. With students from more than 185 countries, our community is driven by curiosity, collaboration and the desire to make a difference. Our research spans health, sustainability, creativity and technology, and we are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England. We are also one of the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeships, working with hundreds of employers to equip students for meaningful careers.

The opportunity

This is an exciting and pivotal moment for ARU’s Development and Alumni function. Now three and a half years old, the team has already established early strengths in major donor, trust and foundation fundraising, and plays an important role in advancing ARU’s mission around participation and social mobility. We are looking for an inspiring and strategic leader to shape the next phase of our Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Strategy. You will build on strong foundations to develop an integrated and creative approach across fundraising and alumni relations, creating a clearer narrative and a consistent, values-led experience for supporters.

Working closely with the Director of Marketing, Communications and Recruitment, the Vice Chancellor and the Chief Operating Officer, you will have the opportunity to influence at a senior level and help shape a visible culture of philanthropy across the university. You will lead a growing team, foster innovation, and harness digital and AI tools to enhance donor and alumni engagement. This role will also connect with our expanding international development remit, opening new opportunities to engage ARU’s global alumni community and build relationships that have both regional and worldwide impact.

About you

You will bring a strong track record in major gift fundraising and strategic relationship management, with experience across multiple income streams including individuals, trusts and corporates. A confident and inclusive leader, you will inspire your team and colleagues to achieve shared success, building collaboration and creativity across the function.

You will be skilled at developing compelling cases for support and using insight, data and storytelling to connect people to purpose. Experience in higher education or a large, complex, mission-driven organisation would be an advantage, as would familiarity with CRM systems such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge and the use of digital and AI-driven approaches to engagement.

Above all, you will share our belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of philanthropy in unlocking opportunity, driving inclusion and changing lives.

At ARU, you will join a values-led institution where ambition, integrity and community shape everything we do. You will be part of a supportive environment that encourages innovation, nurtures potential and celebrates success.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply. 

This advert will come down before the role closes, so please be aware that the closing date is 9 a.m. Tuesday 6th January 2026 and to visit Peridot Partners for the full details and the job pack. 

We're looking for a organised, proactive and resilient Referral and Operational Development Manager to join our Complex Specialist Services.

£44,000.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The Referral and Operational Development Manager will play a pivotal role in supporting the Managing Director with new business development, coordinating and managing referrals, assessments, tenancies and transitions for our customers with learning disabilities and autism.

The working pattern for this role is:Monday - Friday 9am-5pm

What you'll do:
Referral & Assessment Coordination
* Monitor and respond to referrals from external sources and direct contacts.
* Maintain a current tracking system for referral clarity and produce regular reports.
* Analyse referral data to identify local commissioning needs and growth opportunities.
* Work with managers on person-centered assessments covering care needs, environmental suitability, risk management, and transition planning.
* Complete and submit needs assessments with costings and support package requirements.
* Coordinate the assessment process and internal referral meetings.
* Develop a responsive referral and assessment pathway aligned with best practice.
* Act as the first point of contact for stakeholders ensuring timely and responsive communication.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
* Strong understanding of the learning disability and autism sector, including CQC regulations.
* Proven ability to build professional relationships with stakeholders.
* Strong understanding of sector
* Ability to manage staff effectively

What you'll bring:
Essential:
* Experience in assessments, referrals, and placement coordination within supported living or health and social care settings.
* Knowledge of brokerage, purchasing systems, and commissioning portals.
* Ability to write reports for the senior management team
* Understanding of residential and supported living service models.
* Familiarity with funding processes and financial negotiations.
* Experience of working with costing models for placement pricing
* Experience of managing staff and services in social care or health

Desirable:
* Knowledge of how local authorities, councils and ICBs commission and agree services.
* Experience with Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and trauma-informed practice.
* Understanding of complex needs, forensic histories, and dual diagnoses.

About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job description

Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for improving the lives of women and families in the perinatal period?

Are you ready to lead the next phase of growth and development of our established Perinatal Mental Health Support charity as Chief Executive?

About Light Peer Support

Light is a perinatal mental health support charity, set up in 2010, which has grown to support parents and their families across South Yorkshire through the provision of peer support and counselling. We’re led by our passion to support mental health during pregnancy and beyond for all families from all communities.  

From our hub in Sheffield as well as in Family Hubs across Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley, we work with families who are experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties in the perinatal period, working in partnership across the statutory and voluntary sector to raise awareness of perinatal mental health difficulties and the support available.

We’re committed to providing services that embrace diversity to support equity in service access and promote equality of opportunity. 

The role

Following the planned retirement of our current Chief Executive, we are seeking an exceptional leader to guide our grassroots charity through its next phase of growth and development. As our new Chief Executive, you will work closely with the Board of Trustees to build on a strong foundation of trusted services and demonstrable outcomes. You will provide inspiring strategic, financial, and operational leadership to ensure our services remain sustainable, evidence-based, trauma-informed, and responsive to the needs of parents and families from all communities.

We’re looking for a compassionate, visionary leader with proven senior-level experience who can balance day-to-day operational oversight with stakeholder engagement and longer-term strategic thinking.

This is a pivotal moment for our organisation. You will lead us into an exciting new chapter — strengthening partnerships, creating new collaborations, expanding our reach, diversifying income, and driving innovation in how we support families. As our lead ambassador, you’ll champion lived experience and the value of co-production, raise awareness of perinatal mental health challenges, and influence change locally and nationally to improve the experiences of families at a crucial time in their lives.

We looking to you to bring the following skills and experience:

Senior operational and strategic leadership with at least 3 years’ experience, including successful delivery of public or private sector contracts.

Service growth and development experience, including leading organisational expansion and managing performance, contracts, tenders, and funding or grant applications.

Financial and governance expertise, including budget management, financial oversight, reporting to governing boards, and strong knowledge of governance, compliance, safeguarding, and GDPR.

People leadership, with a track record of managing staff, building high-performing teams, and increasing volunteer involvement.

Stakeholder engagement and networking skills to advance awareness and investment in our mission.

Sector knowledge, including understanding of maternity, mental health and children’s services, and the challenges faced by women and families in the perinatal period, along with the value of timely intervention.

Equality at Light

We believe that every parent deserves understanding, compassion, and the right support at the right time and in the right place.

We’re proud to be a welcoming, inclusive charity, and we want our team to reflect the diverse communities we serve. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and life experiences, especially those with lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges. We're aiming for a workforce that is truly representative of the communities we serve.

We're a family friendly employer and open to discussion on flexible working subject to service needs.

If you’re an inspiring leader who shares our passion for supporting parents and families — and you’re ready to build on a proud 15-year legacy and shape the future of perinatal mental health support — we’d love to hear from you.

Please note full-time working is 35 hours/week

Closing date 23:59 Monday 1st December 2025

A bit about the role

We’re looking for a Managing Director to lead the next chapter of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, shaping the strategic direction and operational excellence of a fast-growing national charity dedicated to protecting, celebrating and rehabilitating serving and retired police dogs across the United Kingdom.

As the organisation’s sole employee, you will be at the heart of everything we do, driving strategy, operations, marketing & communications, and fundraising with autonomy, ownership, and purpose. You will take responsibility for the charity’s day-to-day running, long-term planning, and the delivery of initiatives that improve the welfare and care of serving and retired police dogs, including through our newly established National Association of Police Dog Handlers.

You will build and maintain strong relationships with supporters, trustees, partners, and the policing community, and you will ensure that our operational processes, beneficiary support, campaigns, and income generation all run smoothly and effectively.

The role requires flexibility, including attending events, ceremonies, and engagements across evenings and weekends each month. You’ll work closely with our Board of Trustees and volunteers, collaborating to ensure the Foundation continues to grow sustainably while staying true to its mission.

A bit more detail

In this role, you can expect to…

Lead and deliver organisational strategy

• Develop and execute the Foundation’s long-term strategic plan with the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance, risk management, and effectiveness across all areas.
• Report regularly to the Board with performance updates, insights, and recommendations.

Oversee day-to-day operations

• Manage all core operations, ensuring processes are efficient and aligned to organisational needs.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring responsible management of charitable funds and long-term financial sustainability.
• Maintain high-quality case management and beneficiary support for serving and retired police dogs.
• Uphold and refine policies on safeguarding, data protection (GDPR), welfare, and service delivery
• Coordinate volunteers and support the Trustee Board with administrative and operational needs.

Drive marketing, communications & supporter engagement

• Develop and implement the charity’s marketing and communications strategy across digital channels, campaigns, newsletters, and public outreach.
• Plan and deliver compelling content that raises awareness and strengthens engagement with supporters and partners.
• Maintain brand consistency and ensure all messaging aligns with the mission and values of the Foundation.
• Campaign development, storytelling, and digital engagement, including optimising the website and CRO to drive digital donor engagement, acquisition, and retention.

Lead fundraising & income generation

• Develop multi-channel fundraising strategies across individual giving, campaigns, corporate partnerships, grants, events, and digital fundraising.
• Build and nurture donor and partner relationships with professionalism and warmth.
• Identify and pursue new fundraising opportunities with creativity and strategic focus.
• Manage income forecasting, budgeting, and financial oversight to support long-term sustainability.

Represent the Foundation at events

• Attend and support events, ceremonies, police dog engagements, fundraising activities, and partner visits (including evening and weekend commitments).
• Build meaningful relationships across policing, welfare groups, supporters, and the canine community.

A bit about you

• You’ve held a senior leadership role in a charity, nonprofit, mission-driven organisation, or commercial equivalent.
• You are highly organised and comfortable running an organisation end-to-end as the sole employee.
• You bring experience across marketing, communications, digital engagement, and charity campaigning.
• You have demonstrable experience in fundraising and donor stewardship.
• You are an excellent communicator and storyteller who can inspire supporters, partners, and trustees.
• You enjoy building relationships and are confident working with external stakeholders, including policing partners.
• You’re proactive, hands-on, and comfortable switching between strategic planning and day-to-day delivery.
• You are flexible and willing to attend events across evenings and weekends.
• You have a full UK driving licence.
• You’re passionate about animal welfare, policing communities, and the mission of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation.

A bit about us

Founded in 2020, The Thin Blue Paw Foundation is a national charity dedicated to supporting serving and retired police dogs across the UK. We believe that these exceptional working dogs deserve protection, recognition, and the highest standard of care during their service and throughout retirement. We provide financial support for veterinary treatment, raise awareness of the vital work police dogs do, and campaign for improved welfare standards.

Through the dedication of supporters, volunteers, and policing communities, we’ve grown rapidly and we’re just getting started. This role will help drive the next chapter of our mission to protect the paws that protect us.

A bit about what we offer

• Salary - £60,000 - £65,000
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Hybrid – Monday, Wednesday and Friday (Office – Hertfordshire) - Tuesday/Thursday (WFH)
• Training & development opportunities
• Pension scheme (5%)
• The chance to shape a growing national charity with real impact
• Regular interactions with police dogs

The Vacancy

Job Title: CEO YMCA Newcastle

Location: Newcastle

Salary: TBC

Weekly Hours: TBC

Reference: YMC1157145

About YMCA Newcastle
YMCA Newcastle is part of the global YMCA Movement — one of the world’s oldest and largest youth organisations — and has been empowering young people in the city for over 170 years. As an independent local charity, we deliver a diverse range of youth and community services across Newcastle, including youth work, housing and social enterprise. Our housing portfolio includes supported accommodation and outreach programmes, alongside private rented flats, managed in partnership with a local managing agent,.

Our mission is simple but powerful: to empower young people and strengthen communities so that everyone can belong, contribute and thrive.

The Role
We are seeking a visionary, compassionate and inspirational Chief Executive Officer to lead YMCA Newcastle into its next chapter. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring that our organisation continues to deliver high-quality, impactful services while remaining financially sustainable.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading the strategic development and operational delivery of YMCA Newcastle’s youth, housing and community services.

Managing supported housing provision.

Acting as the Ofsted Responsible Officer and ensuring full compliance with regulatory standards.

Overseeing financial management, budgeting, reporting and income generation.

Building strong partnerships with funders, local authorities, and community stakeholders.

Promoting, developing and expanding youth work provision across Newcastle – and, in time, Gateshead.

Leading and developing a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of inclusion, safeguarding and continuous improvement.

Managing commercial interests, including a block of 22 flats in partnership with a managing agent.

About You
You’ll be a dynamic, values-driven leader with at least five years’ senior management experience in a complex or multidisciplinary organisation. You will combine strategic vision with hands-on operational understanding and have a track record of managing services for young people and/or housing provision. Financial acumen, excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion are essential.

Why Join Us?

Lead a historic and impactful charity with a bold vision for the future.

Work alongside a dedicated team and supportive Board committed to positive social change.

Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a collaborative, values-based culture.

Make a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable young people across Newcastle.

YMCA Newcastle is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Purpose of the job

This role is responsible for the design of UK Youth’s support to young people, youth organisations and youth workers. This could include structured youth work programmes, funding and grants+ programmes, professional development programmes, and campaigns.

You will lead and oversee end-to-end design processes, ensuring that UK Youth develops fully packaged offers that respond to the evidence base and people’s needs, drive forward our strategy and achieve incredible impact. You will work across UK Youth teams, with external design partners, and meaningfully involving young people and the professionals who support them in the design process.

You will be experienced in developing high quality funding propositions (proactively and in response to new business opportunities). You will be confident in taking a human-centred design approach to tackle some of the youth sector’s knottiest problems.  You will design solutions to important problems, ensuring that they are feasible, equitable, impactful and scalable.

In 2026, our priority topics for youth work programmes and network development are: mental health and wellbeing, employability, social cohesion and community safety.

 As a leader, you will work closely with research, evaluation, policy, service delivery, network development, and fundraising teams. You will help to improve the skills and confidence of colleagues across UK Youth to apply design methods in their own work and collaborate effectively with the Design team.

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth wants all young people to be equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. Youth work can be life changing (and even life saving.) In 2026, we will be launching our new strategy, positioning UK Youth to unlock youth work so that every young person in the UK can benefit. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed, and delivers high-quality outcomes.

 UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference, and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people. Come and be part of this change in a driven and supportive team that puts evidence at the heart of our work.

Role Responsibilities

• Designing Solutions

• Developing new business and funding propositions

• Embedding Human Centred Design

• Building a strong external network to support the Design team’s work

• Operations

Experience we're after

• Significant experience of leading and overseeing the development of new business propositions and proposals to time-limited funding opportunities

• Significant experience of designing interventions (digital and/or physical) for young people and/or those who support them 

• Experience using human-centred-design methods and mindsets; managing projects across the end-to-end design process

• Proven track record of inspiring and motivating diverse teams and improving collaborative ways of working across teams and departments

• Experience of developing high quality programme content and curricula for young people, youth workers and/or outdoor learning instructors (desirable)

• Experience of commissioning and managing external design freelancers and consultants (desirable)

• Experience of designing and/or delivering professional development programmes (desirable)

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Sunday 4th January 2026 at 23:59pm

Provisional Interview Dates: 12th and 13th January 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Playskill is a Hertfordshire based charity supporting pre-school children with physical disabilities & delays and their families. Across two sites in Watford and Hemel Hempstead, our work helps to build family resilience in the pivotal early years of a child’s life. Our specialist early intervention work delivering multi-disciplinary therapeutic play sessions, parent training/modelling, family social respite events and family support provides holistic family centred work aiming to build foundational skills for life

The Family Support Lead will coordinate our Family Support service across all locations providing holistic support to families of children with a physical disability/delay living in Hertfordshire, always keeping close adherence to best Safeguarding practice and procedures.

The role involves working with the Head of Family Service and Operations and Head of Development to develop the Support Worker team to deliver high quality family support. This may mean supporting families in group settings, family centres or in the home and holding caseloads with a holistic view in how to best meet need. Working closely with local stakeholders (including but not limited to schools, family hubs, social care, health and other voluntary sector organisations), the wider Playskill team and families, this role will deliver family-centred practice, ensuring positive outcomes for families.

We are looking for someone who has an understanding of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and the challenges to navigate education, welfare and health systems. They will need to understand the needs of families and be able to work collaboratively.

The role will be responsible for the integration of our Support Worker team and family support services, ensuring best practice and identifying training needs as they arise.

You must be well organised and able to demonstrate the ability to develop strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. As a self-starter, you will be able to use your own initiative, can problem solve and prioritise, with good planning and organisational skills. You will be expected to manage your weekly diary ensuring you are offering timely, quality support across our sites and within the community. You will be expected to have a positive, resilient attitude, be able to work under pressure, meet deadlines and be flexible and adaptable.

All employees will be expected to make a commitment to Playskill’s core values of Respect, Compassion, Collaboration, Whole Family and Support.

What we can offer you

• Wellbeing support

• Supportive colleagues

• Pension

Diversity statement: 

Playskill is an equal opportunities employer and has a high number of team with caring responsibilities and is keen to encourage applicants from a diverse number of backgrounds.

Safeguarding statement:

Playskill is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Playskill has a full safeguarding policy and expects all staff to undergo safeguarding training.   

Closing Date:  5pm, Wednesday 17th December 2025

Interview date: Tuesday 6th January 2026

Interview location: Hemel Hempstead

Reg Charity no 1198233 (formerly 1122745). Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.in

Carers Trust is looking for a Policy and Practice Office to join the team in Wales. This role is central to advancing our mission by amplifying the voices of unpaid carers, ensuring their experiences shape policy and practice, and strengthening the visibility and accessibility of carer support services across Wales.