Early years jobs
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Early Literacy Interventionist (North London)
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£16 per hour
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Working across two schools - 20 hours per week, over 5 days per week, so 4 hours per day
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Contract to July 2026 (with the possibility of extension, funding permitting)
Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you keen to work with children to support and develop their phonics and reading skills?
38% of children from disadvantaged backgrounds leave primary school in England each year unable to read to the expected standard. Chapter One is a fast-growing charity, with a vision of a world in which all children have the literacy skills they need to thrive. We work to ensure that all children have 1:1 reading support at the time they need it most.
Our Early Literacy Intervention (ELI) programme (based on a model that serves 20,000 children successfully in the USA) provides daily, 1:1, 7 minute phonics sessions for children who are behind in phonics. Using a bespoke technology tool, a trained Early Literacy Interventionist works individually with target children.
This ELI role, reporting to the Schools Development Manager, is a great opportunity for someone who wants to develop and grow their knowledge of phonics and/or their teaching skill set. It is ideal for someone with previous school experience who is looking for a new and exciting challenge.
You will conduct initial baseline assessments and then deliver differentiated, 1:1, targeted, 7 minute phonics sessions to pupils using a systematic, synthetic approach. Although you are employed by Chapter One, you will work closely with the school team to understand the progression of the school’s phonics teaching; establish tailored plans for each child and feedback on pupil progress. Using your knowledge and insight, you will also collaborate with colleagues at Chapter One to further improve the ELI model, the online tool and programme delivery.
Please read the full job description for details of the responsibilities of the role, and our employee recruitment pack to learn more about Chapter One.
This is a part-time role, based across two primary schools in North London. One school is Millbrook Park CE Primary School, NW7 1JF and the other is The Devonshire Hill Nursery and Primary School, N17 8LB. Our preference is for a candidate who will work across both schools, travelling between them in the middle of the day. However, if you are only interested in working 10 hours per week in one school then please state this in your application.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 21st September at 9pm
Interview date: Thursday 25th September
Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.
As a charity that values and celebrates people's diversity and champions opportunities for all young people, we are keen to receive applications from people who have experienced disadvantage and from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. We believe that a diverse organisation is one that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.
Please apply by sending a CV and covering letter (of no more than one page) outlining why you’re the right person for this role and how you meet the Required skills & experience section of the job description.
At Chapter One, we want to create a world where all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Donnington Doorstep Family Centre is an independent, community-based children’s centre, governed by a board of trustees, delivering a range of universal and specialist services. From our purpose-built centre in East Oxford, running for 40 years, our activities focus on play, learning, support, and youth and community development.
This is an exciting new post with responsibility for the management of Doorstep’s core service provision. We are looking for a manager to oversee both our Early Years and Youth Work service, however, we will also consider someone with expertise in one of these areas.
You will be committed to our vision and values and to making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families in OX4.
Closing date: 5pm Thursday 18 September 2025
Interview date: Thursday 25 September 2025
Doorstep provides holistic support that is co-created with children, young people and families through building relationships and creating safe spaces

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
HOME-START HILLINGDON (HSH)
Volunteer Lead Co-ordinator (Full-time)
Permanent Full-Time Contract:
Hours: 36 hours per week (full-time)
Salary: Circa. £37,704* (including OLW) NJC scale point 24-26
(Starting salary dependent on experience) *Based on SCP 24 (full-time)
Home-Start Hillingdon is dedicated to supporting our community to enable families to provide their children with the best possible start in life
We are looking for a non-judgmental, compassionate individual who would fit into our passionate team.
Purpose of the Role
To lead on the recruitment, development, training, and well-being of a team of volunteers who deliver vital Home-Start support to families. The role involves managing a caseload of volunteers and supporting families directly where appropriate. Over the course of the year, an average of one day per week will be dedicated to leading volunteering strategy and practice, with the remainder focused on family support delivery.
Key Responsibilities. As Volunteer Lead Co-ordinator you will:
- Carry out initial home-visits and support families to set and monitor goals
- Match volunteers with families according to need and capacity
- Supervise an appropriate caseload of volunteers and enable them to support families
- Monitor safeguarding concerns and liaise with the Operations Manager/Director as needed
- Lead volunteer recruitment to grow and sustain HSH’s diverse pool of volunteers
- Create marketing materials (flyers, social media, newsletter content) in collaboration with Communications and Campaigns Coordinator (CCC
- Oversee and co-ordinate the delivery of Volunteer Preparation Courses
- Organise / deliver a programme of training sessions for current volunteers
- Lead on annual volunteer social events and develop ongoing opportunities for volunteer recognition and reward
You will need to be a car owner/driver
To Apply:
Please send us your CV with a cover letter that gives clear evidence, with examples, of how you meet all the points listed in the Person Specification
CV’s without a cover letter addressing the points on the Person Spec will not be considered.
Closing Date: Monday 22nd September at 9am Interview Date: Friday 3rd October
(An appointment will be made subject to satisfactory reference and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check)
It’s important that our team represent the diversity of the borough. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian or Minoritised Ethnic people/PoC, and marginalised groups.
Home-Start is committed to safer recruitment practice as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults.
Company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales - No. 04612504 Registered Charity No: 1100534
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
In the UK, in areas of disadvantage, up to 40% of children do not reach a good level of development by the age of 5. Our client’s vision is of a society that cherishes children’s development in the early years, where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Using a collective impact approach, the organisation is driving and supporting collaboration between funders, the public, private and the voluntary sector to improve outcomes in the early years. Listening to the voice, and harnessing the power of parents, carers and families in local communities is central to the change that Thrive and Five seeks to make.
In just four years, our client’s work is making a difference, with positive progress of children who’ve had the benefit of the charity’s pilot programme. The impact of our work was recognised in Parliament as the Secretary for State delivered the Best Start in Life Strategy and the charity was invited to share our public/voluntary sector partnership model at the Government’ Summit to launch the Civil Society Covenant. The Department for Education is interested to see how our approach aligns with their mission to help 75% of children reach a Good Level of Development by 2028.
Director
North East, working in person in Teesside three days a week
Up to £85,000, dependent on experience
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader, with a passion for giving children the best possible start and with a strong belief in the power of communities. The role will work both locally and nationally, as part of the wider team.
The Director will manage our client’s existing programme in Redcar and Cleveland with a talented and committed team (10 staff). They will also develop and manage the new programme in Middlesbrough, currently in Discovery phase, and recruit a staff team of 8- 10 people, with support from the charity’s central team. Once set up, the Director will lead the following across both areas:
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Building relationships and networks in the areas, across the public, voluntary and private sector
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Leading the team to support delivery of the charity's local early years strategy in the areas
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Leading the delivery of a portfolio of complementary workstreams, continuously refining and strengthening the work so that we make the greatest possible positive difference to local children and families
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Working closely with local partners and the national team to ensure that data and learning is captured and fed into strategic thinking and our national model
Supported by our central team, the Director will enable local stakeholders to collectively support parents and children under 5, to improve outcomes in the early years and particularly improve levels of school readiness. Crucial to this work will be engaging with and empowering local parents who are the key to successful delivery of the initiative.
This is an exciting opportunity for an impact focussed leader, who brings:
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Experience of working at a senior level with public sector and/or voluntary organisations involved in the delivery of services and support to families with children under 5
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A track record of implementing concurrent and complex workstreams effectively, with proven project management and evaluation skills
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Experience at leading and developing staff teams
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Experience of building networks of solid relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
You will relish the opportunity to deliver a model that ensures strength in communities, achieves long term sustainability and aims to achieve long-term systemic improvements in early childhood development.
We are committed to inclusion in all aspects of our work and our new Director will have the ability to collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures and nurture differing views. They will work sensitively with the changing needs of our communities and be comfortable talking about the importance of inclusion to a range of audiences.
Recruitment Timetable
Closing date: Sunday 31st August 2025
Initial interviews with Prospectus: 5-12th September 2025
Panel interviews with our client: w/c 15th September 2025
Queries
If you have any queries or wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Erica Ritchie with a copy of your CV.
Location: Northmead House, Creekmoor – CAN operates hybrid working
Hours: 25 hours per week
Salary: £31,000 pro rata
Contract length: Fixed term 12-month contract
Closing date: 9am on Monday 8th September 2025
Interviews: Thursday 18th September 2025
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people and families? Do you thrive in partnership environments and want to help shape inclusive, community-led services?
Community Action Network (CAN) is looking for a dynamic and collaborative Transformation Lead – Children & Young People to lead the next phase of our work with the Early Help Partnership (EHP) and Families First Programme (FFP) across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
This is a unique opportunity to build on the strong foundations we’ve already laid, bringing together voluntary and community sector (VCS) partners, supporting the development of Family Hubs, and embedding co-production at the heart of local reform.
In this role, you will:
- Coordinate strategic VCS involvement in the Early Help and Families First transformation.
- Strengthen relationships between the VCS and Family/Youth Hubs.
- Ensure young people and families help shape the services that support them.
- Lead communications and engagement across the partnership.
- Champion inclusion, amplify community voice, and promote the vital role of the VCS.
You’ll work closely with BCP Council and other statutory partners, ensuring the VCS is a visible and valued part of this multi-agency transformation.
About you
You’re a natural connector with a passion for community-led change. You understand the value of the voluntary and community sector and how it works alongside public services to support children, young people and families.
You’ll be confident building strong, professional relationships with a wide range of partners, especially young people, community organisations, and statutory agencies. You’ll be experienced in coordinating projects, facilitating engagement, and making sure voices are heard at every level.
You’re organised, proactive, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. Most importantly, you bring energy, empathy, and a collaborative spirit to everything you do.
What we can offer in return
In return we offer a competitive salary and great benefits, including contributory pension scheme, 25 days holiday (pro-rata) plus all bank holidays, season train ticket loan, flexible working and much more.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Home-Start London is seeking a dynamic and driven Partnerships & Projects Coordinator to play a pivotal role in growing our impact across the capital. In this varied and rewarding role, you’ll work closely with our network of local Home-Starts, developing and managing partnerships and generating income to support and extend Home-Start services. Your work will directly help secure vital income and drive collaborative initiatives that ensure every child has the best possible start in life. If you’re a skilled relationship builder, confident fundraiser, and organised project manager with a passion for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
What you’ll do:
- Proactively seek out, develop and manage new partnerships, generating income to support and extend Home-Start services
- Support the Operations Coordinator to manage existing consortia projects, ensuring quality and meeting targets
- Deliver timely reporting for internal and external stakeholders
- Lead on planning and delivery of network events, showcasing Home-Start’s work and impact for children and families
- Regularly engage with local Home-Start teams, from co-designing new projects to providing training and support with local fundraising efforts
- Work with HSL’s Communications Lead and local Home-Start teams to develop external communications that showcase Home-Start’s work, including content for website and socials
- Ensure compliance with partnership governance procedures, funding agreements, and internal policy
- Maintain accurate record keeping for all partnerships and projects
- Provide administrative support to the team, supporting efficient operations
- Manage volunteers as required, ensuring that they are happy, effective and well supported
- Any other duties that may be reasonably requested of the postholder
What we’re looking for:
- An excellent relationship builder, skilled fundraiser and strong project manager
- Confidence in engaging and inspiring a diverse range of stakeholders
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong administrative skills, including maintaining accurate records and supporting operational processes
- Proactive, solution-focused and adaptable, able to embrace new challenges and changing priorities effectively
- Passionate about Home-Start’s mission to ensure every child has the best start in life
- Confident in using MS Office, including Excel
- Commitment to, and understanding of, safeguarding, equal opportunities and maintaining confidentiality
- An understanding of the small charity sector, including funding landscape (knowledge of and networks in London an advantage)
- Knowledge of /experience in early years and family support service
This job is home-based but will require regular travel in London.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £80,000–£90,000 WTE (4 days a week preferable)
Location: Hybrid (Central London office with flexible working)
Closing date: 7th September
Contact: Rosemary Pini, Allen Lane
An opportunity to shape a better future for children across the UK.
Thrive at Five is seeking a strategic and hands-on Finance Director to join the organisation at an exciting time of growth. With programmes now live in Stoke-on-Trent, Redcar and Cleveland, and Middlesbrough—and a new site expected to launch in Scotland later this year—this is a pivotal role supporting national expansion and long-term impact.
As a national charity, Thrive at Five helps children in their early years build strong foundations for life and learning. Working in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, the charity empowers parents and carers while enabling collaborative, place-based action across local systems of support. This work is already making a difference, with early progress recognised in Parliament and featured in recent government initiatives.
The Role
The Finance Director will provide strategic financial leadership across the charity, supporting its mission through robust financial management, long-term planning, and operational oversight. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will work closely with the CEO, trustees, and place-based programme teams to ensure the organisation remains sustainable, agile, and mission-driven.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading financial strategy, planning, and forecasting
- Overseeing financial operations, systems, and compliance
- Managing restricted and unrestricted funds, budgets, audits, and risk
- Providing high-quality financial reporting to the Board and Finance & Risk Committee
- Supporting fundraising through effective bid modelling and financial insight
- Line-managing and developing finance team members
This is a hybrid role based in Central London (currently Victoria), with flexibility and occasional travel to programme locations.
The Person
Thrive at Five is looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) with significant experience at Finance Director or senior finance leadership level—ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
The ideal candidate will bring:
- A strong understanding of charity finance, including SORP and fund accounting
- Experience of strategic financial planning and risk management
- A collaborative, solutions-focused mindset with excellent interpersonal skills
- The ability to influence at senior levels and build effective cross-functional relationships
- A commitment to Thrive at Five’s mission and values, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves in a growing, fast-paced organisation
Why Join Thrive at Five?
- Purpose-led work: Help give every child the best start in life
- Growth opportunity: Join a high-profile, ambitious charity on a national trajectory
- Flexible working: Hybrid model with supportive culture and work-life balance
- Influence and impact: Be part of a close-knit leadership team shaping strategy and systems
- Professional development: Thrive at Five supports continuous learning and personal growth
How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and supporting statement.
For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact:
Rosemary Pini, Business Managerfrom Allen Lane
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Permanent | Full-time - 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £77,744 - £83,546
After a remarkable 26-year journey with Caritas Care, including five years as CEO, our current Chief Executive will retire at the end of 2025. This creates a rare and exciting opportunity to lead this dynamic, well-established and vibrant organisation. The Trustees are looking for an exceptional leader to take forward and further develop one of the North West's most respected and impactful charities.
About Caritas Care
For 90 years, Caritas Care has been at the heart of communities across Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester. We are a values-driven charity committed to improving lives and creating opportunities for people across the North West. Our services include adoption and fostering, support for people with disabilities, rehabilitation programs and community projects, all designed to ensure that everyone has the chance to thrive.
About the Role
As CEO, you will provide strategic leadership and operational management, ensuring our services continue to make a meaningful impact. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading the organisation with passion and integrity, upholding our values in everything we do
- Developing and implementing strategic plans to enhance and expand our services
- Building strong relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, commissioners and partner organisations
- Ensuring financial sustainability, overseeing budgets and securing funding opportunities
- Maintaining governance and compliance standards, ensuring all activities meet legal, ethical and regulatory requirements
- Inspiring and supporting our dedicated staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence
About You
We are looking for an experienced and visionary leader who is passionate about making a difference. You will bring:
- Strong leadership and strategic planning skills with experience in a senior management role
- A deep understanding of the charity, social care or public sector, particularly in service delivery and safeguarding
- Excellent financial and operational management skills, ensuring sustainability and growth
- A collaborative approach, with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders
- A values-driven mind-set, committed to inclusion, equality and social justice
Why Join Us?
This is more than a leadership role – it is an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference. You will be joining a charity with deep community roots, a skilled team and a future full of possibility.
- Lead a well-respected and impactful charity
- Work with a passionate team dedicated to making a difference
- Shape the future of services that change lives
- 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Incremental salary scale progression
- Flexi-time and flexible working
- Opportunity to maintain a Social Work England registration
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Work based pension 5% employer contribution (LGPS transfer will be considered for the right applicant)
- Birthday leave after 10 years’ service
- Essential car user post with travel paid at 45p per mile
- Onsite free car parking
If you believe you have the skills, experience and passion to lead Caritas Care into its next chapter, we’d love to hear from you.
To find out more about this opportunity and to access the full candidate application information, please visit our vacancies page on our website
For an informal discussion, please contact Susan Swarbrick, Chief Executive.
Applicants who have previously applied for this position need not reapply.
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 24 September 2025
Provisional interview dates: Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 October 2025
Early applications are encouraged as we may close the recruitment process ahead of the deadline if a sufficient number of high quality applications are received
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Birmingham and Solihull Women’s aid have for over 40 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse?
The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.
Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have colleagues offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.
We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls.
This role will develop and delivery family support and play sessions to children and their mothers in refuge and the community, as well as leading on domestice violence awareness sessions.
BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you are experiencing another barrier to completing your application, please contact our recruitment team.
These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 8th September 2025 at 12 noon. Interviews will take place week commencing Monday 22nd September & 29th September 2025.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About KLS’ Future Foundations education team
Future Foundations is an education programme of Katherine Low Settlement. Since 2004, KLS’ Future Foundations education team of 10 part-time staff and over 100 volunteers, have supported young refugees and their families in Battersea and the London Borough of Wandsworth to thrive in their education. Through mentoring, family support, casework and homework clubs, we provide the tailored support each young person and their family (if they have one) needs to overcome the barriers to education they face at home and school.
Key Objectives for this Role
Working with the Lead Youth Worker you will:
Homework Clubs
•Collect up to date consent information for all young people joining Future Foundations
•Support with creating session plans for club nights
•Research and source necessary resources activities
•Support to plan and run engaging and fun activities/ongoing projects for the young people
•Use participatory methods to involve young people about Clubs
•Ensure children’s participation and encourage ownership of and responsibility for the Clubs
•Implement our behaviour management policy
•Liaise with families/carers to communicate information regarding Clubs and Mentoring
•Support with maintaining robust recording and monitoring systems (including registers) and ensure quotes, case studies and feedback are saved and stored
•Maintain, collect, edit and store documentation of activities, including photos, case studies and videos, for Newsletters, funding reports and other records
•Maintain excellent safeguarding practices
•Support whole team with making referrals to external partners and support agencies
•Support the Lead Youth Worker with running a weekly Youth Club for post-16 young people
•Support mentor coordinator with running early years mentoring sessions, when needed
•Work evenings and varied working hours
Trips and activities
•Work with the Lead Youth Worker and Community Learning Coordinator to develop an annual programme of activity and trips during school holidays
•Ensure that this is done in collaboration with our children, young people, their families and other KLS projects
•Assist with the summer programme development, organisation and delivery
Teamwork and reporting
•Work with Future Foundations team members to coordinate work, refer young people and/or parents/carers to our casework and advice team.
•Contribute to reports for trustees and funders and attend periodic meetings with funders
•Communicate well with other teams within KLS to provide a high-quality service to our members
Other Duties
•Participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals; help to identify your own job related development and training needs.
•Always work with anti-discriminatory, empowering practice, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity andrespect.
•Adhere to Katherine Low Settlement’s code of confidentiality, safeguarding and equal opportunities policies.
•Undertake your role in a professional manner and maintain a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of KLS.
The above job description reflects the position at the time of writing; it is not intended to be a task list but indicates the general level of work involved. It is expected that duties will be reviewed and revised as required.
Person Specification
The following skills and experience are required for this post:
Essential
·Experience of working with refugee communities and/or children/young people and/or vulnerable groups ensuring that clients’ needs are at the forefront of service planning and delivery
·Excellent communicating skills (oral and written) with refugee young people, their families, staff and partner organisations
·Ability to motivate, support and encourage young people
·Ability to work as part of small team, whilst also working independently
·Personal attributes: hard working, organised, takes initiative, reliable, patient, high professional standards
·Knowledge of up-to-date best practice as regards safeguarding the welfare of children
·Excellent IT skills including MS Office suite and ability to use Internet, email and social media
·Committed to KLS’s mission, vision and values
·Passionate about social justice, education and championing the value of families from refugee communities
Desirable
·Experience of planning, delivery and reporting in a similar voluntary sector project (preferably with refugee communities)
·Experience and sensitivity working with young people who are affected by mental health issues and past trauma. Empathetic, non-judgmental and able to form supportive but boundaried relationships with young people
·Track record of managing volunteers
·A recognised teaching and/or youth work qualification
·Experience of monitoring and evaluating projects effectively and ensuring that they are consistently meeting needs and being able to demonstrate value to funders
·Aptitude for communicating in another language, particularly Somali, Farsi and/or Tigrinya
·Knowledge of Battersea / Wandsworth
We work to reduce poverty and isolation and bring the community together.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
A fantastic opportunity to join a small but growing team of committed staff working to support children with brain tumours and their families.
Leading our T&F applications, you will have a deep-understanding of the trusts and foundations (as well as corporate foundations) landscape and you will have experience of working with Senior Management Teams to ensure successful applications for larger grants (£20k+). You will have proven success in securing multi-year funding and building healthy pipelines with the skills to write compelling and evidence-based applications and reports.
Remote role with travel to our Cambridge office at least quarterly.
Please note, we will interview as we receive applications and appoint to this role before the deadline should we find a suitable candidate. Therefore, please do submit your CV as early as possible.
We believe that every child with a brain tumour should have access to the mental health support that they need, as well as their loved ones.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Lead a Team. Create Change.
Groundwork Greater Manchester is looking for a Youth & Communities Programme Manager to take on a role focussed on development. This isn't just about managing projects; it's about fostering growth—in the young people we serve, the communities we partner with, and the talented team you will lead.
At Groundwork, we don't just manage programmes—we develop people. You'll lead a passionate team, build powerful partnerships, and give young people the tools and confidence to create lasting environmental change. If you're ready to lead a team and make a difference, this is your opportunity.
What You'll Be Doing
· Lead with Impact: You will have the autonomy to drive innovation, spot new opportunities, and build programmes that create lasting change across Greater Manchester.
· Manage a Talented Team: You'll lead a passionate and supportive team. Our culture is built on trust, and we invest in our people's development, giving you the chance to mentor future leaders.
· Empower Young People & Communities: Your work will directly empower young people and communities, giving them the tools and confidence to shape their own sustainable future.
Who We're Looking For
You have a strong background in youth and community work and are ready for a leadership role. You're a forward-thinking professional with a passion for people and a clear vision for growing services. You believe in the power of young people to drive environmental change.
We’re passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny and no-one is held back by their background or circumstances. We specialise in the following services and are committed to creating added social value through our delivery:
- Community engagement
- Landscape design & build
- Training & coaching for employment
- Early intervention to support health & wellbeing
- Safe & sustainable business support
As a Disability Confident employer we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role.
At Groundwork we ensure that we provide a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk.
Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and comprehensive process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all the people we appoint are suitable to work with our children, young people and adults.
If you want to work in a values driven team that makes a real difference to individuals and communities in Greater Manchester, read on.
OVERVIEW OF THE POST
The Youth & Communities Programme Manager provides leadership and management for the youth & communities team and their programme of work, driving quality delivery and growth.
Working closely with other programme managers, they ensure that delivery is focused on achieving the Groundwork GM vision, facilitate learning across programme areas, ensure consistency in programme delivery and explore improvements to the way we work.
Delivery
· Lead and effectively manage the youth & communities programme, including:
- Community youth work, detached and centre/park based
- Youth & community engagement in climate and nature projects
- Capacity building, including coaching, mentoring and skills development.
- Community outreach to support Groundwork’s services to reach their target audiences.
· Ensure appropriate allocation of team and financial resources, that deliverables and quality standards are met and impact and outcome data is collected and analysed for learning and reporting.
Business & Service Development
· Lead and manage the youth & communities team’s business development plan;
- implementing sustainability plans for core services
- identifying areas for growth and pro-actively identifying opportunities to achieve it.
· Manage and grow delivery partnerships and relationships to support programme development, delivery and growth.
· Champion GGM’s listening and learning culture with the team and use data and feedback from participants to inform programme improvement, development and growth.
· Work closely with Groundwork UK and other Groundwork Trusts where appropriate to develop services and share learning.
Financial & Resource Management
· Produce and manage the programme’s budgets and resources available.
· Develop and realise financial sustainability plans for core programmes and growth plans where agreed:
- Preparing funding bids and proposals
- Working with partners to develop and input to bids and proposals led by others
· Support strategic managers with larger income generating opportunities and longer term financial planning.
People Management & Development
· Provide line management for seniors and project leads and HR support for the team in relation to day-to-day HR issues and well-being.
· Be accountable for the team’s performance, development and wellbeing in the workplace.
· Drive the embedding of GGM’s culture and values within the team.
· Support the delivery of strategic workforce development plans.
· Be accountable for managing GGM and team level communication and maintaining consistent messaging as agreed with senior leadership.
Internal Management
· Embed GGM policies and procedures across programmes, champion delivery standards and ensure compliance.
· Champion key business priorities such as EDI and carbon reduction across the team, ensuring these are embedded across all team operations.
· Lead the development and delivery of business improvement plans.
· Collate, analyse and learn from data and feedback to influence policy and action.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Hybrid – 1 day per week in London Victoria office
Closing date: 22nd August
Benefits: 25 days annual leave, workplace pension scheme
We’re thrilled to be partnering with Thrive at Five to recruit a Communications Officer to join their growing team. Thrive at Five is on a mission to ensure every child can thrive and achieve their potential by supporting early childhood development in communities facing the greatest challenges.
In this role, you’ll help raise awareness of Thrive at Five’s work with national partners and stakeholders. You’ll play a key role in identifying and sharing compelling stories that demonstrate Thrive at Five’s impact. Working collaboratively with other internal stakeholders to identify story-telling opportunities, you’ll help shape how Thrive at Five communicates its mission and progress.
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- Demonstrable experience in a communications role, including copywriting and content creation
- Excellent editorial skills and the ability to produce high-quality, audience-appropriate content
- Experience working with websites and CMS
- A collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills
- A passion for early years development and alignment with Thrive at Five’s values
If you’re a creative communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ashby Jenkins Recruitment and ask to speak to Harry.
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment is a specialist charity recruitment agency. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the sector. You can read more about our commitment to diversity on our website.
If enough applications are received, we reserve the right to close the application period early.
Please quote reference 2678HW when applying.
We are looking for a compassionate, enthusiastic and creative individual with experience of working with children and families to join a small but highly motivated team. You will have the opportunity to see the impact that your role and that of the wider charity makes to the children and families we support.
Our mission as a charity is to create brighter todays and better tomorrow for the children and families of Noah’s Ark. The Sparkle Fund plays a vital role in the first part of that mission, creating brighter days for inpatient families by delivering our ‘over and above’ service on the wards. Due to the popularity and success of this project and following a very successful The Big Give campaign in December 2024, we are looking to expand the team.
There are many ways in which you will be providing joy, fun and moments of sparkle to the patients and families in the hospital. The role is very varied, and no two days are the same! In any given week you could be organising hospital wide activities for Easter, celebrating a birthday with a long-term patient, arranging for a massage therapist to provide a break for parents, and distributing essentials packs for a family arriving to hospital in an emergency.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We’re looking for a bold and caring professional to join us as a Wellbeing Coach for Children and Young People. If you have experience of supporting young people with their mental health and wellbeing, this could be the job for you!
You will deliver predominantly one to one wellbeing coaching with some group support to children and young people. Ideally you will have some experience of using coaching and CBT techniques such as guided self-help, psychoeducation and thought challenging.
You will have excellent communication skills and experience of working in partnership with other stakeholders to deliver projects. To excel in the role, you will be able to motivate, inspire and engage a wide range of people and be proactive in your approach. You will be calm, proactive and resilient.
We also offer a workplace pension scheme, paid emergency time off to care for dependents, regular supervision, and a commitment to supporting learning and development opportunities. We have also recently enhanced our annual leave offer with basic annual leave of 25 days, plus 3 days closure between Christmas and new year, long service leave, the option to buy or sell annual leave and a half-day wellbeing day for all staff.
Above all, we are a friendly and supportive place to work; ‘Great staff team, positive and supportive culture’ (Lancashire Mind wellbeing survey, March 2024)
Please note: Lancashire Mind follows Safer Recruitment practices and have a commitment to safeguarding children and young people and vulnerable adults who use our services. Therefore, this role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check so all applicants must be willing to undergo the check. If invited to interview, we will ask you to provide evidence of your qualifications and right to work in the UK.
Deadline for applications: 9am on Friday 12th September
Interviews will be held face-to-face: Wednesday 24th September
We're working towards a Lancashire where everyone can have the best mental health and wellbeing possible

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.