Early years jobs

ABOUT BRIGHTPIP

BrightPIP (Brighton Parent/Infant Psychological Therapy) is a specialist infant mental health charity supporting babies aged 0–3 and their families across Brighton & Hove and Sussex. We provide early therapeutic intervention to strengthen relationships and prevent cycles of intergenerational trauma.

We are a small, friendly and growing charity, supported by a dedicated clinical team and Trustee Board. As we expand to support up to 250 families per year, we are strengthening our operational and coordination capacity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a warm, organised and proactive Project Coordinator to support the smooth running of BrightPIP’s services and internal operations. This role sits at the heart of the charity, ensuring families experience a clear and supportive journey, clinicians are well supported, and systems run calmly and efficiently.

You will coordinate key operational processes including referrals and triage, safeguarding documentation, audit and impact data, training administration, and NHS and Local Authority liaison. You will also provide project administrative support and work closely with clinicians, referrers, partner organisations and trustees.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity, supporting people, and keeping systems running well in a small, dynamic organisation. The role will evolve as the charity grows, offering opportunities to shape and improve processes and support new projects.

You will report to the Clinical Director and work closely with the clinical team, fundraiser and trustees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate referrals, triage processes and care pathways
• Induction of new members of staff and trainees
• Act as a first point of contact for families, referrers and partners
• Support clinicians with scheduling, safeguarding processes and documentation
• Maintain accurate records, data systems and audit processes
• Support delivery of training and consultation
• Liaise with NHS, local authority and community partners
• Support data collection and information gathering to inform reporting for trustees, commissioners and funders
• Provide project and administrative support across the charity

ABOUT YOU

Do you have the exceptional qualities and skills we are looking for? A key ingredient is that you are a ‘people’ person, able to communicate well and build rapport quickly. You will be seen by others as caring, trusted and reliable. 

You will have experience in coordination, administration or project support, ideally with experience of working within the charity or not-for-profit or healthcare sector.  You will be someone who is as passionate as we are about giving all babies the best start in life.  Whatever your work experiences, it is essential that you are able to learn quickly how best to support our small and dedicated team of clinicians.

You will work closely with and report to our clinical director but also be able to take the ball and run with it. The mission of this post is that it develops with our service and in time you would become the main point of liaison for the charity.

Do you….?

· Solve practical and logistical problems and make things work more efficiently

· Love a good process because it makes us consistently brilliant

· Delight in planning, organizing, and executing projects from beginning to end

· Get excited by new challenges, big or small – they are opportunities to learn, grow and contribute

· Have brilliant attention to detail, and also know when ‘good enough’ is good enough

· Say “I’ve got this” and mean it

If so, please apply, we would love to hear from you.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Being part of a pioneering, highly specialist team who are passionate about our mission and supportive of each other 
• Flexible, family-friendly working, with hybrid working
• Opportunity to shape and grow with the role as the charity expands
• CPD and development opportunities

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit:

· Your CV

· A short supporting statement explaining why you are interested in the role and how your experience meets the person specification

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Qualified Year End Accountant to join a large charity on a temporary basis, supporting the Finance team with the production of statutory accounts and the Annual Report. This role will involve working closely with senior finance colleagues and auditors to ensure a smooth and accurate year-end process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Produce statutory accounts across two finance systems and liaise with external auditors
• Post year-end adjustments for expenses and income
• Provide supporting schedules, documentation, and explanations
• Collaborate with financial accounts team and statutory accounts from draft to final signed accounts
• Review draft accounts, including cash flow statements, control account reconciliations, and supporting working papers
• Prepare accounting adjustments as requested by auditors
• Assist the Finance Team with financial data cleansing in line with data retention policies
• Undertake other duties as reasonably required to support the finance function

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or CIPFA)
• 3–5 years post-qualification experience in senior financial roles, preferably in the charity or housing sector
• Proven experience preparing statutory accounts and managing audit processes for large organisations
• Strong knowledge of FRS102 and Charity SORP
• Excellent ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial audiences
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other standard office tools
• Professional, collaborative, and methodical approach, with a commitment to continuous development

Location: Central London
Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 per annum  
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Contract: 6 months initial contract

This vacancy is being actively shortlisted, so early applications are encouraged. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Make a Real Difference to Local Families

Home-Start Barnet, Brent and Harrow is a dynamic local charity supporting families with young children through challenging times. Our volunteers and staff offer emotional and practical support to help parents build confidence, strengthen relationships and give their children the best start in life.

We’re looking for a Family Engagement Coordinator to join our School Readiness project in Grahame Park, Barnet. You’ll be part of a friendly team at Home-Start Barnet, working closely with colleagues and partners at Barnet Mencap to support families who are just starting their journey with the education system.

In this role, you’ll help us reach families who may be facing extra challenges or need more personalised support. You’ll spend time building strong, trusting relationships with local primary schools and become a familiar, welcoming presence within their school communities. Your work will help ensure that parents feel informed, supported and ready to help their children thrive as they start school.

The common thread throughout the project is the engagement of families and the parent volunteers, who widen the supportive “community” around the families, and connect the school to the home, and the partners to each other. Approximately 70% of this role will be based in local schools in Grahame Park.

As our Family Engagement Coordinator, you will:

• Build strong relationships with primary schools in Grahame Park, in Barnet.
• Promote Home-Start’s services through school and community events.
• Support communication between schools, families and partner agencies.
• Share updates through newsletters, WhatsApp, email and community channels.
• Signpost families to local services and activities that support wellbeing.
• Receive referrals and assess family needs.
• Deliver school-readiness workshops and parenting groups.
• Liaise with schools, health and community services

About You

We’re looking for someone compassionate, proactive and highly organised, with a genuine passion for supporting families.

You will have:

• Experience working or volunteering in schools, nurseries, family support or similar settings.
• Parenting experience or experience caring for young children.
• Understanding of early years development and primary school systems.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities.
• The ability to engage with families facing complex challenges.
• Experience of delivering workshops or groups.
• Understanding of neurodiversity and SEND support.
• Knowledge of legislation relating to children and families.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Opportunities for training and professional development
• A role where you can directly improve the lives of children and families
• Term-time only working arrangements can be considered

Note: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 due to the nature of our work.

ABOUT BRIGHTPIP

BrightPIP (Brighton Parent/Infant Psychological Therapy) is a specialist infant mental health charity supporting babies aged 0–3 and their families across Brighton & Hove and Sussex. We provide early therapeutic intervention to strengthen relationships and prevent cycles of intergenerational trauma.

We are a small, friendly and growing charity, supported by a dedicated clinical team and Trustee Board. As we expand to support up to 250 families per year, we are strengthening our operational and coordination capacity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative and highly organised Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator to grow BrightPIP’s visibility, income and community engagement. This role sits at the heart of BrightPIP’s external presence, working closely with clinicians, trustees and supporters to tell our story and build sustainable income.

This is a key role within the charity. You will lead our day-to-day marketing and communications, and support and deliver community fundraising campaigns and events. You will also build strong relationships with supporters, nurseries/schools, community groups and corporate partners.

This role is ideal for a confident self-starter who enjoys storytelling, connecting with people, and shaping a growing role within a values-driven organisation. The role will evolve as the charity grows, offering opportunities to develop new campaigns, partnerships and communications.

You will report to the Clinical Director and work closely with the clinical team, fundraiser and trustees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead BrightPIP’s marketing, communications and brand presence across digital and print channels
• Create and schedule social media content, newsletters, blogs and website updates
• Support and deliver community fundraising campaigns, events and challenge activities
• Steward supporters, families, nurseries/schools, community groups and corporate partners
• Write case studies, supporter stories and communications materials (with safeguarding oversight)
• Support press activity and media engagement
• Work closely with clinicians, the fundraiser and trustees to support BrightPIP’s growth

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone who is creative, confident and people-focused, with a passion for telling meaningful stories and connecting communities with a cause they believe in.

Do you…?

• Enjoy creating engaging content and campaigns that bring a charity’s work to life
• Feel confident managing social media, newsletters and digital communications
• Like building relationships with supporters, community groups and partners
• Enjoy planning and delivering fundraising activities and events
• Have a good eye for brand, tone and consistency
• Use insight and engagement trends to shape future activity
• Take initiative, enjoy variety, and like seeing the impact of your work

Experience in marketing, fundraising, communications or community engagement is essential.

Experience with tools such as Canva, Mailchimp or WordPress is desirable.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Being part of a pioneering, highly specialist team who are passionate about our mission and supportive of each other
• Flexible, family-friendly working, with hybrid working
• Opportunity to shape and grow with the role as the charity expands
• CPD and development opportunities

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit:

· Your CV

· A short supporting statement explaining why you are interested in the role and how your experience meets the person specification

SAFEGUARDING

BrightPIP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of babies, children and families. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

At TLG, we’re passionate about building an exceptional staff team that’s committed to making a real difference in the lives of struggling children across the UK. We’re always on the lookout for great people to journey with us towards our vision, and we’re excited to offer a unique opportunity for a motivated and passionate individual to join us as Therapeutic Hub Counsellor (School).

Building on the success of TLG Early Intervention Coaching, our new school-based TLG Therapeutic Hubs will bring life-changing support to the growing number of pupils struggling to cope due to emotional, relational, and mental health challenges. Working in partnership with local churches, this pioneering pilot programme not only addresses the underlying issues children are facing, but also offers vital support to parents, carers and school staff.

As the TLG Therapeutic Hub Counsellor, you will deliver specialist trauma-aware care through 1:1 counselling and group interventions for pupils. Working closely with a Family Champion from the partnering church, you will also lead Reflective Care groups for parents/carers and staff, promoting wellbeing and fostering wrap-around care for each young person supported through the hub. High standards of safeguarding and accurate record-keeping will be central to your work, and through regular collaboration with the pilot team, you will help to shape and refine this exciting new initiative.

We are looking for a Level 4 qualified Counsellor or Therapist who thrives in a school setting and is passionate about bringing fullness of life for young people and families, helping them overcome the challenges they face. You will be confident in building strong relationships and working collaboratively to design a weekly programme that meets both client and school needs. Creativity is highly valued, and we welcome applicants with creative specialisms that are particularly effective for engaging young people.

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Note: Candidates are encouraged to submit applications promptly as applications will be reviewed on application prior to the closing date. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date if a suitable applicant applies.

Hours: 2.5 days per week (18.75 hours, term-time only)

Closing Date: Sunday 11th January

Initial Interviews: Various – Online

Final Interviews: To be confirmed – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire

For further information, please see the job description attached to this page.

About the role 

We are looking for an experienced and conscientious Finance Officer to join the core team in delivering Exeter Community Initiatives's (ECI) day-to-day financial procedures.

ECI is a dynamic charity working in Exeter and across Devon to ensure that people are supported at an early stage to reduce the risk of crisis, promote empowerment and allow people to thrive in happy, strong and diverse families and communities. 

Responsibilities 

• Process sales and purchase invoices, obtain correct authorisation 

• Post transactions onto Xero using relevant department and fund 

• Set up supplier and salary payments through online banking 

• Raising customer invoices 

• Bank reconciliation, resolving any queries 

• Reconcile petty cash 

• Record, monitor and reconcile shop takings and other income 

• Assist with payroll data

• Process staff expenses via Xero 

• Banking 

• Monitor expected income and follow up on any overdue payments 

• General office support (answering the phone/helping visitors) 

• Any other duties as required 

Candidate Requirements 

Essential 

• AAT level 2 qualification or at least 2 years’ equivalent experience 

• Familiarity with Xero Accounts software 

• Confident using Excel spreadsheets

• Accuracy and attention to detail 

• Clear understanding of confidentiality and data privacy standards 

• Good standard of maths and English 

• Helpful and friendly attitude 

• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) 

• Able to identify problems and resolve discrepancies 

Desirable 

• Experience working in the charity sector 

• Familiarity with using AI and digital automation 

• Experience using a CRM database 

Location, Commitments and Terms & Conditions 

• Permanent, part time role (15 hours per week) 

• Hybrid working locations (home/office blend) 

• 26 days holiday plus bank holidays with 1 extra day for each full year of service, up to 31 days

• A Pension Scheme is available with a 5% contribution from the employer, provided it is matched by a minimum contribution of 3% from the employee 

• Subject to a six month probationary period with an initial review after three months 

Cambridge Science Centre (CSC) sits at the heart of a vibrant network of philanthropists, educators, community groups, visionary businesses and local government bodies across East Anglia. With over a decade of trusted STEM engagement behind us, a dedicated expert team and a loyal network of long-term supporters, CSC is uniquely positioned to drive lasting
change in communities across the region.

This role builds on that strong foundation. You will deepen existing relationships, identify and shape new opportunities, and help secure CSC’s long-term financial sustainability through innovative, high-impact partnerships.

As the primary contact for partnership development, you will play a central role in shaping and funding our multi-year programmes, while also leading on high-value, short-term opportunities connected to our Cambridge Science Park site and outreach hubs such as Inspire Wisbech. Your work will balance immediate income generation with the cultivation of long-term strategic
relationships that advance CSC’s mission and regional impact.

Senior Practice Tutor

Join our team as a Senior Practice Tutor and make a difference to children and young people’s lives

Anna Freud is seeking a Senior Practice Tutor – Autism Spectrum Conditions and Learning Disabilities to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

Our EDI commitment

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.

We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.

As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.

What we offer

We offer a range of staff benefits and you can view them all on our careers page.

Alongside our benefits, this role gives you the chance to shape the next generation of clinicians working with autistic children, young people and those with learning disabilities. You’ll contribute to a high-profile NHS England–funded training programme delivered with UCL, strengthening your expertise while influencing clinical practice at a system-wide level. You’ll have protected time for academic work, meaningful contact with trainees, and a flexible hybrid set-up that balances in-person teaching with remote preparation and supervision.

What you’ll do

In this role, you’ll support the delivery, supervision and academic quality of a specialist postgraduate programme training clinicians to work with autistic children, young people and those with learning disabilities.

• Delivering and developing teaching, particularly skills-based workshops, across the Pg Dip programme
• Marking assignments and taking part in calibration workshops to ensure fair, consistent assessment
• Facilitating small Practice Tutor Groups, supporting trainees’ clinical skill development and monitoring their progress
• Providing personal tutoring, responding to trainee queries and supporting an inclusive, positive trainee experience
• Contributing to programme operations, attending team meetings and maintaining high standards in safeguarding, EDI and professional practice

What you’ll bring

You’ll be a strong fit for this role if you’re an experienced clinician in ASC/LD who brings confidence in teaching, supervision and supporting trainees, and can work collaboratively within a busy academic and clinical training environment.

• A recognised core mental health qualification plus specialist training in ASC/LD evidence-based therapies for children and young people
• Extensive clinical experience with autistic children, young people, parents and families, including work within CYPMH or wellbeing services
• Significant experience providing ASC/LD-specific clinical supervision and managing or overseeing practitioners
• Knowledge and experience of delivering clinical training or university-level teaching
• Strong organisational skills, the ability to work flexibly, manage deadlines, and create an inclusive, reflective learning environment

Key details

Hours: Part-time (7 hours per week)

Whilst this will usually be worked on Mondays during term time, there may be occasions where you are requested, or you may request, to work flexibly and on a different day of the week to support peak points in the academic cycle, e.g. to meet marking deadlines.

Salary: £52,000 FTE per annum, plus 6% contributory pension scheme

Location: Hybrid (a mixture of home/onsite working): staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours at our London site (4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH). Flexibility will be required to attend in-person teaching days during term time.

Contract type: Permanent

Next steps

Closing date for applications: Morning (10am), Monday, 05 January 2026. Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Monday, 05 January 2026. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews: will be held in-person/remotely on Thursday, 08 January 2026.

How to apply: click on the 'apply now’ button to apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for someone who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our
centre in Oxford.

Location: IntoUniversity Oxford South East
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until April 2027
Applications close: 9am Tuesday 6th January 2026
Start date: January 2026

Salary

£28,250 per annum

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

Turn words into impact and help families and children thrive.

At invest in play, we believe every child deserves the best start in life.  Our training programmes are designed to help parents, teachers and communties build stronger relationships and brighter futures for children, in the UK and around the world.

We are looking for someone who loves language and learning and wants to use their skills to make a real difference.  This is not your typical L&D role.  It is creative, global and deeply meaningful.  You will be the person who makes sure every learning resource we have created is accurate, inspiring and consistent no matter what language it is in.

Cambridge Science Centre
For more than ten years, Cambridge Science Centre (CSC) has been sparking
curiosity and a love of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in
young people across the East of England.

Job Description
This role is central to positioning CSC as the leading small-to-medium-sized science
centre and STEM engagement organisation in the UK. Working with the CEO and
Directors, you will help identify opportunities, shape CSC’s marketing strategy, and
translate that into an objective-led plan of action. You will be responsible for all CSC
marketing campaigns and activity, owning the brand and its development across all
key audiences, including the public, community groups, teachers and school leaders,
corporate CSR teams, and educational grant providers.
You will lead CSC’s marketing partnerships and publicity channels, including the
website, social media, YouTube, and press contacts. You will set the strategic
direction that informs our creative approach, energising staff to push creative
boundaries across video, social media, digital platforms, and live engagements.
In addition, you will ensure the organisation is supported with up-to-date collateral
across all major functions and initiatives, while fostering a customer-focused approach
through media and marketing skills training across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
● Develop and manage all CSC marketing and advertising activity, strategically
prioritising initiatives to achieve annual targets within the marketing budget.
● Own all aspects of CSC’s brand and the development of CSC’s storytelling
framework, ensuring content consistently communicates impact, inclusivity,
scientific curiosity, and community value.
● Support the CEO in the development and revision of a multi-year marketing
strategy, identifying top-priority objectives for focused campaigns which you
will then own.
● Maintain a cross-organisation annual marketing plan and quarterly update
schedule with key staff members to help identify ongoing opportunities to
promote CSC activities, products, community engagements and programmes.
● Working with the broader CSC team, create and manage a marketing content
development plan, including case-studies, blogs and social-media threads, to
best seize publicity opportunities and achieve annual marketing objectives.
● Establish annual marketing targets, and own and track marketing metrics
across all key audiences, including the public, schools, community groups,
corporate partners, and the informal education sector, including quarterly
reports on progress.
● Identify and manage marketing risk for the organisation, including considered
fast-response on public platforms as appropriate.
● Develop and manage all CSC marketing relationships with partners and
press.
● Own all press and publicity channels, driving up quality engagement with CSC
through the CSC website, social media, YouTube, etc.
● Create and manage a CSC collateral database, ensuring responsiveness to
business development priorities.
● Empower and upskill CSC staff to actively support marketing campaigns and
storytelling efforts.

3
● Ensure that community and partner engagements are effectively supported
with marketing and awareness-raising initiatives.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
● Significant experience in a senior marketing role, including annual budget
planning, press engagement, and campaign management.
● Proven experience in brand development and stewardship of brand identity.
● Experience in managing publicity channels, including websites and social
media.
● Experience in setting marketing targets and measuring progress to achieve
specific business development objectives.
● Experience in business-to-consumer advertising, ideally within a family, youth,
or event-oriented organisation.
● A people person: you enjoy working with others to help bring their stories to life.
● Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
● Driven to deliver timely, high-quality outcomes in everything you do.
● Proven ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changing priorities.
● A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
● A collaborative work ethic, enabling you to work effectively with colleagues and
partners across a wide range of projects.
● Competent with digital tools, comfortable working with digital content and
analytical platforms.
Able to achieve a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.
Desirable Criteria
● Business-to-business marketing, and business partnership marketing
experience
● Relevant business, charity or educational press contact network
● Work with community- and value-based organisations
● Experience in developing and maintaining product and marketing collateral
● Experience in science communications or of working with families, adults and
children
● Customer service skills and experience
● Level 3 or equivalent qualifications in a STEM subject
● Full clean driving license

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a well-established children’s charity in London in their search for a Deputy Play Manager.

Full-time | £34,000 per annum

The charity has been supporting children, young people and families for over 25 years through a range of play, family support and youth programmes. Their Ofsted-registered after-school and holiday play schemes provide children aged 4–11 with safe, engaging and nurturing environments to explore, grow and thrive.

As Deputy Play Manager, you’ll play a key leadership role within the play service, helping to design, deliver and evaluate a high-quality programme of activities. You’ll support the Play Manager in day-to-day operations (including managing enquiries/collection of fees), team management and ensuring compliance with all safeguarding, health and safety, and Ofsted standards.

This is a hands-on role combining leadership, planning, and active delivery — you’ll work directly with children and families to create safe, inclusive, and stimulating play environments.

About You

Essential skills and experience:

• Level 3 qualification (or above) in Playwork, Early Years, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working directly with children aged 4–11.
• Strong understanding of EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate play activities.
• Confident leading active, outdoor or adventure-based play.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Strong organisational and IT skills.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting children with additional needs or from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience supervising others or managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of current issues affecting children and families.
• Relevant training such as paediatric first aid or food hygiene.

Play is at the heart of what they do — the organisation believes that every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a happy, fulfilling childhood through both free and guided play experiences.

If you’re passionate about play, child development and helping young people thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, please submit your CV to

 Please note, CVs are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and only successful applicants will be contacted with more information.

 As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

We're Hiring: Play & Youth Work Lead | Doorstep Homeless Families Project

Location: North London

Salary: £28,000 - £31,000 per annum.

Hours: 28 Hours per week - 20 hours face to face and 8 hours for admin

Benefits:

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 5% of gross salary
• 30 days paid holiday

The hours onsite will be worked over Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday, with normal working hours falling between 9.30am ( the earliest start) and 8pm (the latest finish).

Job Introduction

At Doorstep, we open more than just doors — we open possibilities.

Every day, we stand alongside families experiencing homelessness, providing a safe, welcoming space within a large family hostel where children can play, learn, and simply be themselves.

We are looking for a passionate and creative Lead Play and Youth Worker to guide and inspire our work with children and young people aged 0–18. This is a special role — one that blends leadership, imagination, and empathy. You will manage a small, dedicated team, shaping and delivering play and youth activities that bring light, laughter, and a sense of belonging to children whose early experiences have often been marked by instability.

At Doorstep, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We work with families over years, not weeks — building trust, celebrating progress, and helping each young person discover their strengths. Our unique model of support is widely respected and deeply valued, and this role offers the chance to make a genuine, lasting difference in young lives.

If you are someone who believes in the power of play, creativity, and care to transform childhoods — we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Lead Play and Youth Worker at Doorstep, you’ll be at the heart of our mission — creating moments of joy, stability, and growth for children and young people who are living through uncertain times. No two days are the same. One moment you might be leading an energetic after-school club session; the next, you’re supporting teens to express themselves through art, music, or discussion.

You’ll manage and inspire a small, talented team of play and youth workers, ensuring that every activity we offer — whether it’s creative play, learning support, or outdoor adventure — reflects Doorstep’s core values of respect, belonging, and hope. You’ll plan and deliver programmes across all age groups (0–18 years), adapting to the needs and interests of children and young people as they grow.

Collaboration is central to this role. You’ll work closely with families, colleagues, and partner organisations to provide continuity and care, helping to make Doorstep a place where children feel seen, valued, and free to thrive.

This is not just a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to build something lasting. Your creativity, empathy, and commitment will help shape the next chapter of Doorstep’s play and youth work, ensuring that every child who walks through our doors is met with warmth, opportunity, and care.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, supervise, and support a small team of play and youth workers and volunteers.
• Provide regular supervision, guidance, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment that reflects Doorstep’s values.

Programme Planning and Delivery

• Design, plan, and deliver a varied programme of play, creative, and youth activities for children and young people aged 0–18 years.
• Ensure all activities are engaging, developmentally appropriate, and responsive to the needs and interests of participants.
• Encourage children and young people to express themselves, build confidence, and develop positive relationships.
• Plan and oversee trips, events, and holiday programmes, ensuring safety and inclusivity at all times.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

• To fulfill the statutory responsibilities of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Take responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people involved in Doorstep’s services.
• Ensure staff and volunteers follow safeguarding procedures and receive appropriate training.
• Respond appropriately to any concerns, working in partnership with relevant agencies where necessary.

Partnership and Family Engagement

• Build positive, trusting relationships with parents, carers, and families, encouraging their involvement in children’s play and learning.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals and partner organisations to enhance support for families.
• Represent Doorstep at relevant meetings, forums, and networks to share best practice and strengthen partnerships.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Administration

• Maintain accurate records of attendance, participation, and outcomes in line with organisational requirements.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes to demonstrate impact and inform future development.
• Support funding applications and project reports by providing relevant data and case studies.

General Duties

• Uphold Doorstep’s ethos, values, and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Contribute to the overall running and development of Doorstep as a small, specialist organisation.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the effective delivery of Doorstep’s mission.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Relevant qualification in playwork, youth work, early years, or a related field (Level 3 or above) or equivalent.
• Significant experience of planning, delivering, and evaluating play and youth activities for children and young people aged 0–18 years.
• Experience of supervising or managing staff and/or volunteers within a play, youth, or community setting.
• Strong understanding of child development and the role of play in supporting wellbeing, resilience, and growth.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.
• Experience of working with families facing disadvantage, housing instability, or other complex challenges.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, parents, and professionals.
• Creative and resourceful approach to planning activities that engage children of different ages and abilities.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and support a small team to achieve shared goals.
• Confidence in managing behaviour in a positive, trauma-informed way.
• Competent IT skills for administration, reporting, and communication purposes.

Personal Qualities

• Warm, approachable, and empathetic, with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for families experiencing homelessness.
• Reliable, flexible, and resilient in the face of challenging circumstances.
• Reflective, open to learning, and committed to professional development.
• Enthusiastic about play and youth work as powerful tools for change and belonging

How to Apply

Please apply with your CV and a covering letter stating why you would like the job and what you believe you can bring to it.

Closing date for applications is Friday 16th January 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 2nd February 2026.

Clinician

Calling all Clinicians

Anna Freud is seeking a Clinician to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

Our EDI commitment

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.

We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.

As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.

What we offer

We offer a range of and you can view them all on our Careers page.

Alongside our standard benefits, this role offers protected CPD time, regular clinical supervision within a supportive multidisciplinary team, and opportunities to contribute to service development, innovation and trainee supervision, all within a values-led organisation committed to wellbeing, reflective practice and equity, diversity and inclusion.

What you’ll do

In this role, you’ll work directly with children, young people and families who have experienced trauma, delivering high-quality psychological interventions as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team. You’ll balance clinical work with supervision, collaboration and contributing to service development, helping ensure our work is effective, evidence-based and centred on the needs of those we support.

• Deliver trauma-informed clinical interventions (1:1, family and group work)
• Carry out assessments and develop agreed treatment plans
• Work closely with colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Collect and use outcomes data to inform and improve practice
• Supervise and support trainees and contribute to skill development
• Liaise with external professionals and agencies around the child or family
• Maintain high standards of clinical recording, safeguarding and professional practice

What you’ll bring

You’ll be a confident, compassionate clinician who enjoys working with complexity and values working collaboratively with others. You’ll bring strong trauma-informed experience, a commitment to inclusive practice, and the ability to balance high-quality clinical work with reflection, supervision and service development.

• A recognised clinical qualification with current professional registration (e.g. HCPC, UKCP, NMC, ACP or BACP)
• Experience delivering therapeutic interventions to children, young people and families affected by trauma
• Training in evidence-based approaches such as TF-CBT, MBT-CYP or parenting interventions
• Experience working within multidisciplinary and multi-agency systems
• Confidence in assessment, formulation and outcome-focused practice
• Experience of supervising or supporting trainees (or readiness to do so)
• A clear commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of clinical work

Key details

Hours: Part-time (22 Hours per week) Including Wednesday. Usual working hours are Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00. 

Salary: £50,835 FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme 

Location: Hybrid (a mixture of home/onsite working): Clinical staff need to offer clinical sessions onsite at our London site (4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH) for 60% ofworking hours.

Contract type: Permanent

Next steps

Closing date for applications: midday (12pm), Friday, 09 January 2026. Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Thursday, 22 January 2026. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews: will be held in-person/remotely in week commencing 02 February 2026.

How to apply: click on the 'apply now’ button to apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.