Early years jobs

Barnardo's is seeking a qualified teacher to lead and support the delivery of evidence‑based social and emotional learning (SEL) programmes across St Helens, working with Early Years settings, primary and secondary schools, and parents.

A key focus of this role will be the implementation of the PATHS Programme (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies), alongside wider SEL approaches. PATHS is a well‑established, evidence‑based programme that supports children and young people to develop essential life skills, including self‑awareness, self‑management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision‑making.

About the role

As Programme Co‑ordinator, you will play a central role in embedding high‑quality SEL practice across a range of educational settings. You will work collaboratively with professionals and families to ensure programmes are delivered with confidence, consistency and impact.

Your role will include:

• Leading and supporting the delivery of SEL programmes across Early Years, primary and secondary school settings
• Providing coaching and ongoing support to staff delivering the programmes
• Modelling effective programme delivery in educational settings
• Designing and delivering training sessions to build staff skills and confidence
• Engaging with parents and carers, supporting them to understand and reinforce social and emotional learning at home
• Building strong, collaborative relationships with schools, settings and partner organisations

You will be part of a UK‑wide Barnardo's team, with access to comprehensive training, resources and peer support to help you excel in the role.

About you

In addition to meeting the criteria outlined in the generic Programme Co‑ordinator Person Specification, applicants must demonstrate the following service‑specific experience and attributes:

Essential:

• A recognised professional teaching qualification
• Experience of working within Early Years, with an understanding of progression into primary and secondary education
• Post‑qualification practice experience in social and emotional learning (SEL)
• A strong working knowledge of the UK Curriculum and its key components
• Experience in a co‑ordination or leadership role, developing collaborative relationships to achieve shared goals
• A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle to travel between settings
  (Driving is an intrinsic part of the role. Applicants unable to drive due to a disability should demonstrate alternative ways of meeting the mobility requirements of the post.)

Desirable:

• Experience of designing and delivering engaging, high‑quality training for professionals, using a range of approaches to meet different learning needs
• Experience of delivering social and emotional learning programmes within primary and/or secondary school settings

Although this contract has a permanent status, please be aware that this post is subject to funding currently to end of July 2027 and therefore should this funding not be extended further, you may be subject to a redundancy consultation or a TUPE arrangement. This contract is due to expire on 31st July 2027.

We are now looking for an exceptional Senior Operations Manager  to lead the organisation into its next phase - someone who can balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational delivery, while continuing to build on the Centre’s strong reputation.

The Sunshine Centre is a well-established and highly valued community hub, supporting children and families across Banbury through early years provision, family services and strong local partnerships.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a purpose-driven organisation where your impact will be visible, meaningful and genuinely valued within the community.

The role

As Senior Operations Manager you will take overall responsibility for the leadership and performance of the Centre, working closely with the Board of Trustees to shape its future direction.

You will:

• Provide clear strategic leadership and deliver the Centre’s long-term vision

• Oversee day-to-day operations across early years provision, childcare and family services

• Lead and develop a team of 30-35 staff, including the Senior Leadership Team

• Ensure high standards of safeguarding, compliance and regulation (including Ofsted)

• Take ownership of financial sustainability, including budgeting, fundraising and income generation

• Drive continuous improvement, responding to community needs and feedback

• Act as a visible ambassador, building strong relationships with families, partners and stakeholders

This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring both strategic thinking and close involvement in day-to-day delivery.

About you

You’ll be a confident, values-led leader with the ability to inspire others and deliver real impact.

You will bring:

• Proven leadership experience within early years, childcare, charity or community settings

• Experience working in regulated environments (e.g. Ofsted), with strong safeguarding knowledge

• A track record of securing funding through fundraising, bid writing or income generation

• Strong financial and commercial awareness

• The ability to turn strategy into practical delivery

• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams

• A genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and families 

Why join the Sunshine Centre?

• Lead a respected, community-rooted organisation with a strong local impact

• Shape the future strategy and long-term sustainability of the Centre

• Work with a committed team and supportive Board of Trustees

• Make a meaningful difference to children, families and the wider community

Circa £53,000 per annum

Permanent

Part home/Part office (London) based

UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as a Senior Policy Adviser – Education.

The role provides strategic leadership on UK education policy across the organisation, with a current focus on early childhood learning and development. The role shapes and delivers rights-based policy influencing strategies, research, and analysis, working closely with colleagues in campaigns and political affairs to drive change for children in the UK.

The role requires expertise in UK education policy, clear experience leading advocacy-oriented research, and a history of influencing UK Government. You will bring a strong understanding of UK policy-making processes and a commitment to children’s rights.

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.

Closing date: 9am, Thursday 14 May 2026.

Interview date: Wednesday 27 May 2026.  

In return, we offer:

· excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)

· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role

· impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.

· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.

We anticipate most colleagues will work two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and the rest of the time from home.  We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, and disabled candidates, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)

About Coram
Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

Coram Family Lives is part of the Coram group.

About the role

This is a highly rewarding role for an Early Years Home Visitor to work with the ParentChild + Coordinator and to deliver ParentChild+ across Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea areas to deliver the home learning service to families to improve educational outcomes for the children and to improve their parenting skills. The postholder will work closely with Early Years Practitioners in the local authority.

Coram Family Lives is the only organisation licensed to deliver the ParentChild+ in England and has done so since 2017. The programme delivers a model based on a combination of weekly home visits and small group sessions.  Each family receives free toys, books and small group sessions over a period 37 weeks. The ParentChild+ team will deliver the home learning service to 200 children over a 4 year period. The programme also addresses a range of outcomes for parents whose children are at risk of starting school below the expected level, by modelling to parents how to create a rich home learning environment.

The successful candidate must have experience of working with pre-school children and supporting their parents. You should be able to build good relationships, have excellent organisational skills, be proficient in keeping records and entering data and have good written and verbal communication. Commitment to equality of opportunity is essential. Level 3 or equivalent qualification in childcare is desirable.

You will work flexibly and must be willing and able to easily travel around area of work with occasional travel to other areas in London.

To apply for this role, please click on the apply now  to complete the application.

Closing date: Sunday 24th May 2026. Interview date: week commencing the of 8th June 2026.

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Communications Officer to come and join our team in Middlesbrough.

Location – This role is both community-based in Middlesbrough, with the ability to work from home as agreed with your manager. There may also be occasional travel to other programme sites (currently Redcar, Cleveland, Stoke-On-Trent and Scotland) or travel to our London office.  

Salary – Up to £35,000 DOE 

Employment Type – Permanent

Team – Communications team

About you

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following: 

• Significant experience in a communications role, including experience with copywriting and content creation. 
• Experience producing high quality, clear, compelling and audience appropriate content for a range of platforms.
• Empathy, cultural awareness, and sensitivity when communicating with and about communities whose voices and experiences are often underrepresented, including those with English as an additional language or limited literacy in English.
• The ability to clearly demonstrate our impact and inspire collaboration among our partners and stakeholders by sharing compelling and meaningful stories.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the local community, including its strengths, needs, and challenges. 
• Strong knowledge and skills in Adobe Creative Suite such as Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop or Canva. 

About the role

The responsibilities of this role include: 

• Actively identify opportunities where communications can strengthen programme delivery, support parent outreach and increase engagement with families and communities. 
• Develop the local stakeholder engagement approach in line with agreed objectives, proactively identifying opportunities to strengthen relationships and using data and team insight to increase engagement.
• Support effective communications with stakeholders across sectors including community, health, education and local organisations. 
• Develop and produce compelling, audience focused content for a range of channels, including newsletters, case studies and promotional materials. 
• Work closely with the Head of Communications, Programme Leads and colleagues across the organisation to align communications priorities with programme and organisational objectives. 

About us

Thrive at Five is a national charity focused on giving every child the best possible start in life. We know the foundations for life and learning are built in the earliest years, from pregnancy to five. By working alongside families, communities and local partners, we help build stronger, more connected support for parents, so more children get what they need to thrive and reach a good level of development by age five.
 

Thrive at Five is a relatively young organisation but with an already strong national and political profile, having been called out in Parliament for our ways of working in Stoke-on-Trent and invited to be interviewed at the 2025 Civil Society Summit by the Secretary of State for Education. We have grown rapidly in our first four years, with a growing team of nearly 40 across the country. 2026 will be a year of further growth and milestones for the charity as we celebrate our fifth-year anniversary and expand into our third and fourth regions. This will involve recruiting for a new teams, establishing our programmes and beginning to co-design and implement our work in partnership with communities. 

About our benefits

• Pension contributions – We will contribute 3% and you can contribute 5% towards your pension through NEST. 
• 25 annual leave days per year plus bank holidays.
• £100 contribution towards your professional body membership.

Please note that as this role is subject to a successful Basic Level Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you have any unspent convictions, but wish to apply for this role, please advise us in your application. The successful candidate will also need to provide satisfactory references and current right to work in the UK. 

To apply for this role, please submit your cover letter and CV by following the Apply Now button. Closing date for applications is midnight on Friday 8th May 2026.

Welsh Language Coordinator

We have an exciting opportunity for a Welsh language Coordinator to support early years, childcare and play work practitioners with Welsh language skills.  

Position: Welsh Language Coordinator

Location: Home Based, Travel will be required to undertake this role.

Hours: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week

Salary: £27,500 - £29,000 pro rata (dependent upon experience)

Contract: Fixed term until 31st March 2027, extension possible subject to funding

Benefits: Include pro rata of 26 days paid holiday (rising to 30 days with service increments) plus 8 bank holiday, Personal Pension Scheme, Healthcare Cash Plan, Online Discount Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Staff Awards Scheme, Company Sick Pay Scheme, Flexible working patterns

The Role

As Welsh Language Coordinator you will support early years, childcare and play work practitioners with Welsh language skills. Targets are agreed annually between the Welsh Government and charity partners. You will co-ordinate the charity’s Welsh language project, encourage Members to embark onto the online self-learning course, and provide ongoing support to practitioners on increasing their use of the Welsh language.

Main duties include supporting the wider organisation and our UK and international customers through:

• To establish and manage robust procedures and systems to support the co- ordination, delivery and monitoring of the Welsh Language project
• Identify settings and recruitment of practitioners for the delivery of training courses
• Promote the development of Welsh language skills by providing information on the online self-learning course, encouraging practitioners to sign up for the training
• Provide support to practitioners to ensure learning from the training is implemented in the workplace
• Development of resources to ensure training influences practice
• Delivery of live interaction sessions with practitioners and other partners
• Collection of data, monitoring and tracking the progress of participants
• Provide regular written reports identifying progress against targets
• Systematically gather and record sector intelligence and research
• Carry out visits within member settings in North Wales to identify settings which may want to transition to Bilingual or Welsh medium status.

About You

To be successful in the role you will need the following skills and experience:

• Effective communication skills - fluent in both English and Welsh
• Knowledge of the benefits and value of the Welsh language in the early years sector
• Experience of using a range of IT applications including Microsoft Office/ Excel
• Excellent administrative skills with attention to detail
• Able to build relationships easily and communicate at all levels, including the ability to use language and other communication skills that very young children can understand and relate to
• Enthusiasm for quality early years, childcare and play work opportunities
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise a busy workload
• An enthusiastic, self motivated, organised, team worker and networker
• Ability to work independently and use their own initiative
• Ability to organise and prioritise work with a minimum of supervision

In order to fulfil this role you must have the use of your own transport and the ability to travel as needed.

To apply you will be asked to submit your CV along with a covering letter detailing how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role.

About the Organisation

The organisation is a national charity and membership association specifically for nurseries. They work in partnership with nurseries, local authorities, national government and a range of partners to develop an environment in which early learning and care can flourish.

The organisation is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and is actively opposed to discrimination in society.

You may have experience in areas such as Welsh Language Support Officer, Welsh Speaking Project Manager, Welsh Speaking LSA, Welsh Speaking Teaching Assistant, Welsh Translator, Teacher of Welsh, etc.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Communications Officer to come and join our team in Redcar & Cleveland. 

Location – This role is both community-based in Redcar & Cleveland, with the ability to work from home as agreed with your manager. There may also be occasional travel to other programme sites (currently Middlesbrough, Stoke-On-Trent and Scotland) or travel to our London office.  

Salary – Up to £35,000 DOE 

Employment Type – Permanent

Team – Communications team

About you

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following: 

• Significant experience in a communications role, including experience with copywriting and content creation. 
• Experience producing high quality, clear, compelling and audience appropriate content for a range of platforms. 
• The ability to clearly demonstrate our impact and inspire collaboration among our partners and stakeholders by sharing compelling and meaningful stories.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the local community, including its strengths, needs, and challenges. 
• Strong knowledge and skills in Adobe Creative Suite such as Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop or Canva. 

About the role

The responsibilities of this role include: 

• Actively identify opportunities where communications can strengthen programme delivery, support parent outreach and increase engagement with families and communities. 
• Develop the local stakeholder engagement approach in line with agreed objectives, proactively identifying opportunities to strengthen relationships and using data and team insight to increase engagement.
• Support effective communications with stakeholders across sectors including community, health, education and local organisations. 
• Develop and produce compelling, audience focused content for a range of channels, including newsletters, case studies and promotional materials. 
• Work closely with the Head of Communications, Programme Leads and colleagues across the organisation to align communications priorities with programme and organisational objectives. 

About us

Thrive at Five is a national charity focused on giving every child the best possible start in life. We know the foundations for life and learning are built in the earliest years, from pregnancy to five. By working alongside families, communities and local partners, we help build stronger, more connected support for parents, so more children get what they need to thrive and reach a good level of development by age five.
 

Thrive at Five is a relatively young organisation but with an already strong national and political profile, having been called out in Parliament for our ways of working in Stoke-on-Trent and invited to be interviewed at the 2025 Civil Society Summit by the Secretary of State for Education. We have grown rapidly in our first four years, with a growing team of nearly 40 across the country. 2026 will be a year of further growth and milestones for the charity as we celebrate our fifth-year anniversary and expand into our third and fourth regions. This will involve recruiting for a new teams, establishing our programmes and beginning to co-design and implement our work in partnership with communities. 

About our benefits

• Pension contributions – We will contribute 3% and you can contribute 5% towards your pension through NEST. 
• 25 annual leave days per year plus bank holidays.
• £100 contribution towards your professional body membership.

Please note that as this role is subject to a successful Basic Level Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you have any unspent convictions, but wish to apply for this role, please advise us in your application. The successful candidate will also need to provide satisfactory references and current right to work in the UK. 

To apply for this role, please submit your cover letter and CV by following the Apply Now button. Closing date for applications is midnight on Friday 8th May 2026.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with experience working in a policy role focused on food or related issues (climate, nutrition, health or education). You will have knowledge of the political landscape in the UK and experience working with or in government departments, academia and NGOs on a range of policy issues.

It is an exciting time in food policy, and in this role you’ll have opportunities to work across our national policy portfolio, whether its exploring the link between climate change and food prices, developing our proposition for a Good Food Bill, improving the Healthy Start scheme, or strengthening public sector procurement.

The postholder will manage a variety of high impact activities and outputs that are used to drive forward change across our national policy areas and will work will colleagues across the organisation working in national policy, local policy, communications, events and food business transformation to do this.

Due to the evolving policy landscape, there will be a chance to tailor the role to the interests and experience of the successful candidate.

Across these workstreams, you’ll get a chance to:

• contribute to the refinement of policy asks and comms messaging,
• undertake desk research to inform policy,
• coordinate activities with different stakeholders and partners working across different policy areas
• support Ambassadors on advocacy related to dietary inequalities
• support communications and campaign work related to this work

Job Description:

Management and Strategy

• Support the policy portfolio of campaigns and projects across our national policy areas, including on food prices and food inflation, our Good Food Bill campaign, Healthy Start and early years.
• Work closely with the Policy and Advocacy Manager to develop and implement project plans and deliverables across these areas
• Maintain a careful record of our policy impact according to our agreed metrics within our Monitoring Evaluation and Learning framework.
• Policy and research
• Synthesize evidence for and play a significant part in the development of position statements/briefings/reports, working closely with the wider policy team and our designer.
• Support the Public Affairs lead to develop policy products for use in parliamentary engagement.
• Working closely with our Research Lead, identify evidence gaps and policy research questions which are relevant to our policy work to support new positions and generate new ideas for research or evidence collection which help achieve our policy goals.
• Work where needed with external contractors in the delivery of specific pieces of work, setting clear expectations and holding them accountable for delivery.
• Stakeholder engagement
• Develop and maintain a strong civil society network of stakeholders, working to broaden the support base for specific policies.
• Participate in coalitions of organisations who are campaigning together on specific areas of policy change.
• Develop and maintain relationships with junior civil servants in key departments across all policy areas.
• Work with the Citizens Engagement Manager to identify opportunities to bring Adult and Young Food Ambassadors into policy activities and research.
• Represent the Food Foundation and present our work in external events and meetings with relevant audiences and the media.
• Budgets and fundraising
• Administer grants which support our projects and ensure that funders are kept well informed, receive timely reports and that budgets are kept on track.
• Maintain good relationships with funders according to their requirements and provide input to proposals and funding bids.

Communications and campaigns

• Develop a comprehensive approach to dissemination of our policy outputs so they reach our intended audiences.
• Act as a local/regional media spokesperson, brief journalists, and respond to media queries.
• Contribute policy and evidence expertise to support campaign delivery.
• Contribute policy expertise to press releases, newsletters, web copy, podcasts and blogs.
• Support the maintenance of website pages related to project areas.
• Draft social media posts and newsletters.

Personal Profile

Technical skills:

• Knowledge and understanding of the food system, food and nutrition and/or health policy and policy levers for change.
• Strong knowledge of the mechanics of the UK policy-making landscape, including the workings of Westminster and Whitehall.
• Proven experience in synthesising evidence and using evidence to make a case for change.
• Proven experience in writing reports and briefings for different audiences, with the ability to explain complex and highly nuanced subject matter in plain English.
• Previous experience working in a policy role, refining policy asks and communicating these with different stakeholders
• Excellent analytic skills and close attention to detail.

Personal skills:

• Proven experience in budget management, project management and reporting to funders.
• Proven experience in managing multiple projects concurrently to tight deadlines and prioritising workload.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong presentation skills and confidence in speaking to external audiences.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to problem-solve and manage risk.
• Ability to work independently and manage own time effectively.
• Ability to build strong relationships with all members of the team.
• Open to giving and receiving challenging viewpoints.
• Resilience and tenacity whilst recognising the need for self-awareness and the impact of actions on others and the organisation.
• Willingness to travel for project meetings and dissemination events.
• A confident networker who enjoys building connections and relationships with new people.

This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity only. The Food Foundation is a small charity and as such all staff are expected to vary their duties as necessary to meet the needs of the organisation.

Please see the full job pack on our website 

As we approach our 30th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce a brand-new role that will help shape the future of our organisation. This is an exciting chance for a Brazelton-trained visionary with clinical experience in the infant and perinatal field to make a real impact.

You will bring your expertise in the Brazelton approach, the NBAS and/or NBO, to the forefront of our work, ensuring it continues to guide everything we do. Collaborating with our team and partners in the field, you will help implement a bold strategic plan and play a central role in developing innovative services for the future.

If you are passionate about the Brazelton approach, embedding relationship-centred care into services and want to be part of an organisation that values compassion, knowledge, and collaboration, this role is for you.

Responsible to

The Director

Responsible for

Strategy implementation, service development, programme development and partnerships

Base

Hybrid with some in person meetings at 66 Devonshire Rd, Cambridge CB1 2BL 

Salary

£49,000 to £57,000 pro rata depending on experience (Band 7 AfC)

Working hours

22.5 hours per week (equivalent to 3 days per week)

Background

The Brazelton Centre UK aims to support the transition and adjustment to parenthood, focusing on the development and mental health needs of both babies and parents. Holding the baby in mind, the Centre, which is research and practice based, enables health professionals to facilitate relationship building between parents and their newborn at a time that is experienced as a major life event. The philosophy of the organisation is one of enabling effective service development, appropriate clinical intervention and sharing of expertise.

The Centre, established in Cambridge in 1997, is a training organisation for health professionals and researchers who work with babies and parents.We offer training courses in the Newborn Behavioural Observations System (NBO) and Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale. (NBAS). Brazelton Centre UK is one of four Centres in the world, teaching the NBO and NBAS, and the most active.Brazelton UK works in partnership with other organisations on training, surveys and research, including third sector organisations, universities, NHS trusts and organisations providing support for the under-fives. Almost 6,000 practitionershave undertaken the UK training courses in both the NBO and NBAS.

The Centre currently has a staff of 7 from different professional groups, in a range of roles, with 10 Trainers across the UK, able to teach specific courses as required. 

The charity has a Board of Trustees.The Strategy and Service Development Lead will report directly to the Director and be ultimately accountable to the Board of Trustees.

The Brazelton Centre UK has developed a new Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, setting out ambitious goals to increase reach and impact, expand research activity, develop new training programmes and increase engagement with parents.

This new post has been created to support the Director and Trustees in delivering this strategy and to lead the development of new programmes, partnerships and services that support the Centre’s mission.

This is a part-time post in the first instance and may entail some travelling in the UK and abroad for meetings. 

Key Responsibilities and accountabilities:

Strategic development and implementation

·Support the Director and Board of Trustees in the implementation of the Brazelton Centre UK’s strategic plan.

·Lead the coordination and delivery of strategic initiatives designed to increase the reach, impact and sustainability of the Centre’s work.

·Identify opportunities for innovation and development of services that support professionals working with babies and their families.

·Work collaboratively with the Director and staff team to translate strategic priorities into practical implementation plans and measurable outcomes.

·Monitor progress against strategic objectives and provide regular updates to the Director and Trustees

Service and programme development

·Lead the development of new programmes, services and initiatives in line with the BCUK’s strategic goals.

·Support the development of new training programmes and educational resources for health professionals and practitioners working with parents and babies.

·Work with colleagues, trainers and partners to design, pilot and evaluate new initiatives including antenatal and postnatal programmes.

·Work with the Director, staff team and trainers to support the development and implementation of online learning modules, webinars and digital educational resources that enhance the BCUK’s training and educational offer.

·Contribute to the development of digital resources that support professionals trained in the NBO and NBAS, including resources designed to strengthen implementation and reflective practice.

·Ensure that all programme development reflects current evidence and best practice in infant mental health, early development and parent–infant relationships.

Partnerships and collaboration

·Develop and maintain strong partnerships with external organisations including universities, NHS services, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations.

·Contribute to the development of professional networks and initiatives that support practitioners trained in the NBO and NBAS.

· Support the Director in identifying opportunities for collaborative projects, research partnerships and service innovation.

· Represent the Brazelton Centre UK in meetings, networks and events as appropriate.

· Promote collaborative working with partners in order to strengthen the Centre’s profile and maximise opportunities for impact.

Research and evaluation

·Support the Director and R&D Manager with the development of research collaborations and evaluation projects which strengthen the evidence base for the Brazelton approach.

·Work with academic and clinical partners to develop evaluation frameworks that demonstrate the impact of Brazelton Centre UK programmes and training, and support dissemination of learning and research findings.

·Assist in the identification of opportunities for research funding and collaborative projects.

Governance and organisational development

·Support the Director and Board of Trustees in the development and review of organisational policies, strategies and governance processes.

·Work closely with the Director to support the effective operational functioning of the Brazelton Centre UK, helping to ensure that organisational priorities and work programmes are delivered effectively.

·Provide leadership and coordination of agreed areas of organisational activity, working with the Director to support the management and development of the Brazelton Centre UK staff team.

·Support the Director in the development of staff objectives, work plans and monitoring of progress against agreed priorities.

·Contribute to the coordination and oversight of the delivery of programmes, projects and training activities to ensure they meet organisational standards and strategic objectives.

·Work collaboratively with the Director and colleagues to support the effective coordination of the Brazelton Centre UK Trainers and related initiatives.

· Ensure that work undertaken within the role reflects the values and principles of the Brazelton Centre UK.

General

This job description describes the major responsibilities and accountabilities associated with the post of Strategy and Service Development Lead.It is not intended to be exhaustive and it should not be assumed that other duties of a similar level/nature appropriate to the role of Strategy and Service Development Leadare excluded simply because they are not itemised.

Similarly, it should be recognised that the duties of the post may alter due to changes in legislation or policy or the business needs of the charity.Where such changes occur, training may be given where reasonable to enable the post-holder to undertake the new or varied work.

The Strategy and Service Development Leadis a key advocate for The Brazelton Centre UK and is expected to display the highest levels of personal and professional integrity at all times and to always act in a way which reflects positively on the organisation. 

Further details about the Centre can be found on the Brazelton Centre UK website.

For more information about the post and informal discussions, please contact Inge Nickell, Director of the Brazelton Centre UK.

Please refer to the attachment for person specifications. 

Right to Work in the UK: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.Proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required from candidates who are shortlisted for interview.

Interview date is on the 30th June 2026 in Cambridge in person. 

Camberwell with delivery across all London Boroughs

Ref CFC-261(0.5)

Closing date: 18 May 2026 at 9am.

Are you a proactive, compassionate and collaborative individual with a proven record of successfully engaging with challenging families and young people? Do you have lived, personal experience of the Criminal Justice System and/or care system?

If so, join St Giles Trust as our Children and Families Caseworker to support young people and their families who are at risk of Youth violence or criminal exploitation.

About St Giles Trust

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

The Children and Families team will support 45 young people and their families a year as part of our Greenwich Gangs team. Gang involvement increases the risk of violence and victimisation to the young person, their friends and their family, therefore, it is essential when supporting young people to exit gangs we adopt a ‘whole family’ approach.

About this key role

As a Children & Families Caseworker, you will be tasked with providing both face-to-face and virtual/remote 1:1 case work to children, young people and their Families who are at risk of; involved in or on the periphery of gangs and serious youth violence.

You will use your cultural competency and lived experience to engage young people involved in serious youth violence and exploitation. You will be one of 4 practitioners for this geographical area, providing a holistic approach to supporting young people and families in the community. Contributing towards the overarching aim of reducing harm, risk and exclusions (where relevant), you will work closely with social workers, youth offending agencies and schools/PRU’s, developing a relationship based on trust, which prioritises safeguarding.

You will play a central role in deterring young people from offending and safeguarding families who may be at risk. You will work with them for a set period, aiming to reduce key risk factors and behaviors. We will be relying on you to maintain the high standards of the service, ensuring the successful delivery of the outcomes, and compiling reports and recording data where necessary.

What we are looking for

• To have lived, personal experience of the Criminal Justice System and/or care system.
• Experience of working with socially excluded children, young people and adults and of providing advice and guidance and/or mentoring to them.
• Experience of successfully engaging with challenging families and young people, e.g. those who have complex needs, people who are reluctant to discuss their needs and people who are angry and confused.
• Understanding of the UK care system and the challenges faced by those who enter it.
• Knowledge of gangs, knife crime and patterns of offending in London.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and risk management practice
• Understanding of child criminal exploitation (CCE) and child sexual exploitation (CSE)
• Strong IT skills, including case recording systems and standard Microsoft applications

Please note: this role requires an Enhanced DBS check with child barred list.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, access to clinical supervision, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, season ticket loan and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

Closing date: 18 May 2026 at 9am. Interview date: w/c on 25 May 202

Job Description

 Job Title:

Parent Adviser – By Your Side Project, North East

 Responsible To:

Senior Parent Adviser/ London Family Support Projects Manager

Department and Location:

Family Support 

Salary Scale:

 Scale point 26  FTE £32,168  Actual salary £14,104.43 (Inclusive of annual leave)

Hours of Work

17.5 hours per week. Term time only.

Hybrid working - one day a week in hospital and home based.

Annual leave entitlement:

5 weeks a year plus one day for each additional year served up to a maximum of 6 weeks (pro rata for part-time employees) As this is a term time contract, annual leave is taken outside of term time. The annual leave entitlement pay is included in your salary and paid over 12 months.

 Main Duties

1. To work with families with disabled children using Great Northern Children’s Hospital, providing in-person information, advice and support around issues faced by families with children with disabilities.

2. To support parents to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make decisions which are right for their families.

3. To build strong relationships with hospital partners, funders, Contact volunteers and voluntary sector partners.

4. Focus on developing and enhancing our work with hospitals, aiming to reach more families early in their journey with their child’s disability.

Cross functional duties:

1. Work in partnership with health, local government, and voluntary agencies to ensure those families’ social, emotional, and practical needs are recognised and responded to wherever possible.

2. Work with the By Your Side team to seek ways to improve partnership working with other agencies and hospitals to provide a seamless and co-ordinated service to children and families.

1. Contribute to representing Contact’s work in the hospitals at a strategic level, where appropriate.
2. To work with colleagues to produce appropriate information and publicity materials for families and professionals.
3.  Participate in forums and meetings that operate within Contact, and Children’s Hospital’s to utilise resources available across the organisation as appropriate.
4. Keep up to date with relevant new developments, policies, and guidance.
5. To support and participate in events and activities as appropriate.

General duties

1. To work with parents of disabled children using Great Northern Children’s Hospital, to provide information advice and support to meet their need.
2. Provide in-person drop-in information services for parents of disabled children who attend Great Northern Children’s Hospital. nb the specific hospitals/locations may change as the project develops).
3. The service is in-person, with additional online support.
4. Ensure the provision of good quality information and support to parents and professionals working with families.
5. Respond to enquiries via phone, social media, email and through the drop-in service for information and advice from parents, signposting on to other organisations where appropriate.
6. Work in collaboration with hospital and hospices staff, and colleagues in other By Your Side services (e.g., Midlands, London and Scotland) to continuously promote and improve the By Your Side service for families, developing and growing a network of partners
7. Actively gather information on local services and explore the most effect ways to disseminate this across the designated location(s).
8. Deliver and contribute to the design of information workshops (delivered face to face or virtually) to parents and professionals.
9. Maintain accurate up to date records of work.
10. Participate in external family and information events to promote the work of Contact. 
11. Monitor and evaluate the impact of the service using the common outcomes framework and use this information to inform the development of the work.

Do you want to change the world for vulnerable children?

The Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies UK (CVAA) aims to improve adoption policy and practice across the UK for the benefit of children, challenging the adoption system to deliver for children and work in their best interests. Alongside advocating for system change, CVAA works to support our member voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) across the four nations of the UK, stimulating innovation and ensuring they stay at the leading edge of practice. The active engagement of members and the building of collaborative alliances with others who seek positive change for children are essential to the effectiveness of our work.

The Head of Policy is a vital member of the small CVAA team, working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to champion the voluntary adoption sector and put children at the heart of everything we do. Due to maternity leave we have an exceptional and unique opportunity for someone who shares our passion to change the world for children, to gain valuable experience working at national level with senior stakeholders to contribute to system change, advocating for the power of adoption to change lives.

You will need strong people skills, experience of developing policy in consultation with stakeholders and using data to transform services and strengthen lobbying work. Most of all you need a cast iron commitment to change the world for vulnerable children.

CVAA works to challenge discrimination and disadvantage and welcomes applications from all communities, particularly those who are underrepresented in our sector, which includes but is not limited to people from Global Majority backgrounds, adoptees, men and those who identify as LGBTQ.

Key information

• Maternity Cover 1 year from July 2026
• Location - remote contract with occasional travel
• £40 – 45K depending on experience
• An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

Applications

Please send a CV and letter of application, outlining your motivation for applying and the skills you offer, to Satwinder Sandhu (CEO) by 5pm on Friday 8th May 2026.

Both Satwinder (CEO) and Alice (Director of Strategy and Policy) are happy to have an informal chat about the role. Please email to arrange a convenient time to speak.

Initial online interviews via Microsoft Teams will be on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th May, with final in-person interviews scheduled for Thursday 28th May 2026 in London. Please let us know whether you cannot make any of these dates in your application.

YMCA Derbyshire - Chief Executive - £105k pa | Derby (travel across our operating areas is expected)

Founded in 1847, YMCA Derbyshire is a charity that supports children, young people and communities across Derby and Derbyshire through a wide range of integrated services. We provide housing and supported accommodation for around 270 people each night, alongside pathways that help individuals move toward independent living.

Our work spans lifelong learning provision including our vocational college, employability programmes, school based childcare, early years provision, youth and community programmes, health and wellbeing activities, and vital services through our poverty relief programmes.

Together, these services create the essential building blocks for a safe home, improved wellbeing, skills development and real opportunities for children, young people and adults to thrive. We are a strong, stable and well-led organisation with a clear sense of purpose, and an equally clear belief that we can do so much more for the young people and communities we serve. We’re now looking for a Chief Executive who can help us continue to unlock that potential.

This is a role for a leader with real drive. You’ll join an ambitious team that is ready for fresh thinking, new ideas and creativity as we think about how to best to serve our communities and deliver our services to an even greater number. We expect that you will bring senior experience in one of the core areas of our services - housing, education, or the charity sector. You may not have experience in every facet of our delivery, and we don’t expect you to, but you will need an appetite to learn quickly, ask the right questions, and embrace the breadth of this role, as well as a strategic mindset and the confidence to explore different opportunities and shape a future where YMCA Derbyshire can grow and deepen our impact.

YMCA Derbyshire is a Christian-founded charity, and while we are very clear that we welcome, serve and work with people of all religious faiths, and of none, the CE role includes a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) to be held by a practicing Christian, under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

This is a significant opportunity to lead an organisation with strong foundations, committed colleagues, an excellent reputation and excellent networks in Derby and Derbyshire. If you’re energised by possibility, motivated by purpose, and ready to help us take bold steps forward, we’d love to hear from you. Join us - and help lead the next chapter of YMCA Derbyshire’s story. 

Job Description

Job Title: Parent Adviser – SEND

Responsible To: Senior Parent Adviser - SEND

Team Membership: Helpline/IAS- (Information, Advice and Family Support Directorate)

Hours: 28 hours a week (4 days)

Salary:

Scale 26

£ 36,242.00 - FTE

£ 28,993.60 – actual salary including inner London weighting

Contract:

Fixed term  – until 31 March 2027

Location:

Central London – Office N1 7EU.

(Hybrid working, 1 day working in office). Another working day in the office, will be needed during the induction and training period.

Job Purpose:

The post’s primary focus is to provide specialist education advice primarily by telephone and email, to parent carers with disabled children in the UK. The post holder will be working on the Contact national helpline service. Service hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm.

Main Duties:

To respond professionally and with empathy to incoming calls, emails, web form and social media enquiries on SEND and related education issues.

To deal effectively with enquiries by offering specialist education advice, information and relevant signposting.

To provide, information and signposting on the wider concerns of families with disabled children including health and social care.

To build positive working relationships with colleagues, contributing to a culture of mutual respect, trust, and shared responsibility.

To work collaboratively as part of a team, sharing and supporting colleagues to deliver a reliable and responsive helpline service.

To respect diverse experiences and perspectives within the team and contribute constructively to problem‑solving and decision‑making.

To enter accurate enquiry data on the Contact database in a timely manner ensuring appropriate follow up actions to calls and accurate written notes.

To keep up to date on law and guidance relevant to education in England and to be aware of education law relating to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

To communicate, be flexible and responsive, with team members, to ensure coverage of the helpline rota.

To ensure the helpline operates in accordance with confidentiality, safeguarding, privacy and data-protection policies and procedures.

To provide a high-quality service, with commitment to ongoing service development, improvement and good practice.

 General duties

In common with all Contact staff, the post holder will be expected to work in accordance with the aims of Contact and to observe the policy and procedures set out by the directors of the charity.

The post holder will be expected to assist with any reasonable duty at the request of the line manager for the post.

Staff will be expected to attend and participate in Contact staff meetings and the staff annual conference.

Staff will be expected to attend training events relevant to their specific responsibilities.

Staff will be offered supervision, support and annual appraisal incorporating their training needs.