Early years jobs

Mind in Croydon is s recruiting a Rapid Responder Practitioner to support the delivery of Building Brighter Futures (BBF), an innovative partnership programme designed to improve access to early mental health support for young people in Croydon.

This role will provide timely, relational and trauma-informed support to young people aged 15–19 experiencing emotional distress, emerging mental health needs and complex disadvantage. Working as part of a multi-agency team, the postholder will act as a key point of early engagement, offering brief interventions and supporting young people to access the right pathway at the right time.

The post is hosted within the newly refurbished Mind in Croydon’s Counselling Service, with day-to-day work coordinated through the BBF partnership to ensure a consistent and joined-up response across organisations.

Rapid Response Practitioner

Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2029

Hours 28.8 Hours a week

Reports to: BBF Project Coordinator (Croydon Voluntary Action) / Mind in Croydon Counselling Service Mana

Based at: Mind in Croydon Orchard House, Counselling Office
15 Purley Road, South Croydon, CR2 6EZ.
with regular travel to Community-based projects across Croydon, working flexibly across partner sites 

Building Brighter Futures is a three-year programme (funded until 31 March 2029) focused on early intervention for young people aged 15–19 experiencing complex disadvantage. The programme brings together a partnership of voluntary sector organisations, including Croydon Voluntary Action, Reedham Children’s Trust, Mind in Croydon, Off The Record, Croydon Drop In, Palace for Life and Reaching Higher.

The programme aims to reduce waiting times, prevent escalation of need, and improve young people’s experience by providing rapid access to relational, non-clinical support and clear pathways into longer-term or specialist services, where required.

The Rapid Responder Practitioner role is central to the programme’s front-door and allocation model, ensuring young people receive timely contact, appropriate assessment and coordinated support, while minimising duplication and repetitions.

While the role is hosted within Mind in Croydon, it operates as part of a multi-agency delivery model, with close coordination, shared practice standards and collective accountability across the partnership.

Are you looking for a role where your leadership genuinely changes lives? If you thrive in a fast paced environment, care deeply about supporting adults facing multiple disadvantages, and want to make a real impact within the criminal justice system, this is the opportunity for you.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Team Manager to join our Futures Together Criminal Justice team in Essex. You will lead a dedicated team delivering high quality support to adults in the criminal justice system who face multiple disadvantages, including substance or alcohol use, learning difficulties, and mental or physical health challenges.

You will ensure the service delivers effective, person centred interventions that improve wellbeing and reduce reoffending. This includes managing a small staff team, overseeing safeguarding and risk processes, ensuring accurate data reporting, and maintaining excellent service standards.

You will also represent the service across the county, building strong partnerships with Essex Probation, local mental health services, and a wide range of commissioned and charitable organisations.

What We’re Looking For

You will need to demonstrate:

• A genuine passion for improving the lives of people facing multiple disadvantages

• Experience supervising or supporting staff within a team environment

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent organisational skills and experience managing a busy caseload

• Confidence using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and relevant database systems

• Experience in substance/alcohol treatment, mental health, justice services, or a comparable field

What We Offer

Joining us means becoming part of an organisation recognised as one of the Best 100 Not for Profit Companies to Work For. We will support you to grow, develop and thrive.

Benefits include:

• Starting salary £28,500 + £3,000 Market Supplement

• Annual increments (subject to appraisal) up to £34,750 over 5 years

• 25 days’ annual leave + Bank Holidays (rising to 30 days + BH with service)

• Season ticket loan, pension scheme and life assurance

• Occupational sick pay, eye care vouchers and regular wellbeing activities

• Continuous training and development via our PXL learning platform

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone organised, compassionate and driven to take the next step in their career.

Our Commitment to You

We believe in creating a workplace where everyone can be themselves and succeed. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience, and are committed to equity and inclusion at every stage of the recruitment process.

Our team will welcome you warmly, support you to settle in, and help you make a meaningful difference from day one.

How to Apply

If you’re ready for your next challenge and want to help shape the future of criminal justice support in Essex, we'd welcome you to apply.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face to face interview which will include a short presentation. Full details will be shared in advance, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the vacancy may close early once sufficient candidates have been shortlisted. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Role Purpose

The Education Trainer supports the Education Manager in the design and delivery of specialist, evidence-informed trainings programmes for education professionals equipping them to support bereaved children, young people, adults and communities.

Using trauma-informed, evidence-based content delivered through both digital platforms and in-person, the role ensures schools and educational staff have practical tools to identify, respond to, support and/or refer bereaved children, young people and adults.

We are recruiting for two Education Trainers, both to work full-time hours (35 per week). One term-time only and the other to work year-round.

Main Responsibilities

• Working collaboratively with the Education Team and the team’s administrator to co-ordinate training requests responses.
• Working with the Education Manager and colleagues, support the design of training programmes tailored to the needs of the training delegates.
• Deliver the organisation’s education training packages online and/or face-to-face as required.
• Work with the team to ensure efficient flow of processes and procedures.
• To research key areas in need of bereavement training packages.
• To be an ambassador for the ASK Me Training and Manifesto to early years, primary, secondary and higher education institutions and professionals.
• To form key relationships with individuals and organisations to promote off-the-shelf training as well as rapid response, ASK Me and bespoke education training.
• To work with the team to develop new education training programmes and content.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Team to promote education training programmes.
• Collaborate with the team to develop and review feedback framework to evaluate the training.
• Use feedback to improve the current training offer and identify gaps in education training offers.

 Communication and Relationships

• Build and maintain effective relationships with education professionals across early years, primary, secondary and higher education sector.
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation’s ASK Me Training and Manifesto and other key education programmes, promoting values of empathy, inclusion and best practice in bereavement support.
• Collaborate closely with the Education Manager, colleagues and the Education Administrator to co-ordinate training requests and ensure a seamless client experience.
• Engage with internal teams, including Marketing and Communications, to publicise training offers and strengthen audience reach.
• Work proactively to establish and nurture key relationships with external education networks, commissioners, and organisations to increase awareness and uptake of training programmes.
• Communicate sensitively and confidently when delivery content that may evoke emotional responses, ensuring a safe and supportive training environment.
• Demonstrate and promote the organisation’s values and culture through all forms of communication, behaviours and professional relationships.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Strong presentation, facilitation and communication skills, adaptable to a variety of audiences.
• Contribute to the creation of bespoke education programmes or training sessions as well as to the development of new education training packages.
• Develop and adapt training content for both in-person and digital delivery using a variety of digital platforms.
• Demonstrate a robust understanding of grief, loss, trauma, child development, and the psychological and social impact of bereavement on children, young people, and adults, including families.
• Demonstrate a high level of understanding of the organisation’s evidence-based tiered service model.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of current education frameworks and the wellbeing priorities for schools and colleges.
• Participate, and where appropriate, lead on consultations with individual education settings to formulate an assessment of their individual training needs.
• Use outcome measures and/or feedback tools to monitor progress, evaluate the impact of delivery, and reflect on own practice.
• Adhere to legislation and statutory guidance related to Safeguarding Children and Young People and Safeguarding Adults at all times.
• Participate actively in clinical supervision and reflective practice to ensure safe, ethical, and effective delivery.
• Contribute to the development and sharing of knowledge within the team by supporting training, mentoring, and peer learning opportunities.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Assess training needs of education settings through consultation, feedback and sector research to inform targeted content development with the support of the Education Manager.
• Evaluate participants’ feedback systematically to review the quality, relevance and impact of training’ identify areas for improvement and gaps in provision.
• Exercise sound judgement when responding to sensitive disclosures or emotionally charged discussions during training, ensuring appropriate support and signposting.
• Apply analytical thinking to review emerging issues in bereavement education – such as curriculum integration – to guide future training design.
• Recognise and manage situations that involve ambiguity, uncertainty, or emotional intensity, drawing on supervision and established frameworks for professional support.
• Apply a trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate lens to training development and delivery, ensuring sensitivity to cultural, social, and contextual factors influencing grief.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and meaningful data recording and reporting to inform service evaluation, and organisational performance monitoring.

Planning and organisational skills

• Prepare thoroughly for assigned training sessions, ensuring all materials, technology and resources are ready in advance.
• Deliver training sessions to time and quality standards, managing transitions between content, activities and Q&A smoothly.
• Deliver a suite of education training packages online and/or face-to-face as required, adapting content to meet specific delegate needs as needed.
• Contribute to the design and maintenance of robust systems and workflows that support the smooth flow of processes from enquiry to evaluation.
• Research new areas of bereavement education need and contribute ideas for the development of new programmes and resources.
• Collaborate with colleagues to maintain and refine the evaluation and feedback framework, drawing on insights to drive continuous improvement and suggesting improvements to the training offer.
• Manage time effectively across multiple projects and priorities, working flexibly to delivery high quality outcomes within deadlines.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation in accordance with confidentiality, data protection, and statutory requirements.
• Demonstrate self-awareness and reflective capacity, using supervision and peer support to sustain personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness.
• Provide cover and support for team members when needed.

All Staff

• Contribute to the vision and mission of Child Bereavement UK; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
• Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.
• Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
• Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
• Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.
• Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
• Take an active part in the Quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
• Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
• Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.

Person Specification

Education/Professional Qualification

Essential

• Relevant professional qualification in working in education, training or learning
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to continuous learning
• Training in bereavement, grief and trauma informed practice

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualification in working with children and young people

Skills and Experience

Essential

• At least three years’ recent experience (in the past six years) of delivering training to professionals
• At least three years’ recent experience of working with children, young people and families in a health, social care, youth, community or education setting
• For one of the two roles, a Welsh speaker is required
• Experience of planning and designing training programmes
• Experience of liaising with and working alongside organisations that support children and young people
• Experience of working with vulnerable communities
• Experience of delivering training using a digital platform
• Demonstrable experience of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and an ability to practise in a way that promotes this
• Experience of working collaboratively with multi-agency professionals

Desirable

• Experience of working within a bereavement, palliative care of mental health setting
• Experienced in using outcome measures to evaluate practice

Knowledge and Understanding

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of bereavement, grief, loss, trauma, and their psychological and developmental impact on children, young people, parents and families
• Knowledge of current research, theories, national frameworks, and NICE guidance related to bereavement and children’s mental health
• Empathetic, compassionate, and youth driven approach
• Proven ability to design, deliver and adapt bereavement training effectively through digital platforms, maintaining engagement, safety and impact
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with stakeholders while maintaining professional boundaries at all times
• Consulting mindset with the ability to quickly assimilate information and to translate this into potential solutions and ways of working
• Awareness of safeguarding legislation, policies, and procedures
• Understanding of information governance, confidentiality, and data protection requirements
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion within practice
• Emotional maturity, stability and resilience with a strong commitment to self-care and the ability to seek support and guidance when difficulties arise in the course of work

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 27th May 2026 at midnight

First Stage Screening Interviews

You may be asked to attend a 10-minute Screening Interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the vacancy, to assess your suitability for the role. During the interview, you will be asked two skills-based questions.

Second Stage Interviews

If you are progressed to a second stage interview, you will be invited to attend a 1-hour formal interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the role. It is our policy to share the role-specific interview questions with applicants ahead of the interview, to aid their preparation. You may also be asked to complete an interview task, which will also be shared with you in advance.

Youth Team Forum Discussion

For roles in our Bereavement Services Team, we will invite those applicants selected for interview along to a discussion forum with members of our Youth Team. This session is held remotely and lasts approximately 20 minutes. The discussion topic will be shared with you in advance of the session.

About Spear

Spear is a national youth employment charity. The award-winning Spear Programme was launched over 20 years ago, and is now running in 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in work and life. 

About the role

This is an exciting and varied, relationship-focused role within a successful corporate partnerships team. Working with the Head of Corporate and Employer Partnerships, you’ll help manage partner relationships, develop funding proposals, track income, and identify new business opportunities to support strategic growth.

You’ll also lead corporate volunteering initiatives, creating meaningful engagement opportunities with Spear trainees through workshops, mock interviews, and visits. From planning to follow-up, you’ll ensure a high-quality experience while supporting events and wider engagement. This role suits someone organised, proactive, and confident building relationships, who is motivated to make a tangible difference in a mission-driven, faith-based organisation.

Key information:

• Salary: £30,000
• Full-Time, One Year Fixed-Term Contract 
• Location: London Office 
• Closing date: Tuesday 2nd June (We interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, establish effective processes and structures, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport and engage effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and professional levels.
• Strong and effective project coordination skills, with the ability to bring together multiple stakeholders to deliver shared outcomes.
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Fundraising experience is desirable but not essential.
• IT literate, with a good working knowledge of MS Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Policy and Public Affairs Manager (England)

Reporting to: Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Line Management: 1 Policy and Public Affairs Officer England

Location of work: Remote but role holder will ideally be London-based to be able to frequently commute for meetings/ events at Westminster. The role may involve also some infrequent travel across the UK.

Contract type: Full-time, 35 hours per week, although flexible/ compressed hours will be considered. The role will require occasional evening and weekend work.

Contract Length: Permanent

Salary: £42,000

BACKGROUND

Magic Breakfast is the UK’s leading school breakfast charity and makes a difference to over 350,000 children and young people every day by offering breakfasts and expert advice to tackle child morning hunger in schools across England and Scotland.

This is an exciting time for Magic Breakfast as the benefits of school breakfast provision are increasingly recognised by policymakers, educators and the public. The Policy and Public Affairs (PPA) Team is central to this work. And through our new organisational strategy, Nourishing Futures, the work of the PPA Team is growing to meet our advocacy ambition to expand school breakfast provision and deliver our vision which would see every child in the UK nourished, empowered and thriving.

JOB PURPOSE

The role of the Policy and Public Affairs Manager is a high-impact role, central to designing and delivering Magic Breakfast’s national policy and public affairs strategy in England. The role holder will lead the development of evidence-based policy positions and work collaboratively to drive forward strategic, integrated and impactful advocacy campaigns to successfully influence decision-makers, policy change, and funding frameworks aligned with our key objectives. Specifically, you will also lead the design and implementation of our new workstream to expand school breakfast provision to secondary schools and early years settings, alongside our work to ensure the effective implementation of the Free Breakfast Club Programme.

More broadly, you will keep abreast of political developments relevant to Magic Breakfast - proactively identifying opportunities to respond, influence and shape the debate across the school food system and provide strategic, analytical and timely advice to the Senior Leadership Team.

Using your excellent communication skills, you will be able to translate complex policy into tailored and effective communications, policy briefings, positions and submissions, and will play a lead role in confidently engaging external stakeholders including UK Government Ministers, Parliamentarians, special advisers, officials and sector partners.

We are looking for someone who enjoys collaboration, who shares our passion for driving systematic change, and who can use their experience to navigate, respond to, and influence the fast-moving political environment to deliver lasting and meaningful change. You’ll be part of a collaborative and ambitious organisation, working at the intersection of policy, practice and impact – putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do and helping to ensure every child starts their day nourished, empowered and ready to thrive.

KEY RESPONSOBILITIES

• Lead the policy development process in consultation with cross-organisational teams and external organisations to develop clear, evidence-based policy recommendations and positions.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with UK Government Ministers, Parliamentarians, Special Advisers, officials and sector organisations, including conducting stakeholder mapping and power analysis to identify key routes to influence.

• Design, lead and implement integrated advocacy campaigns to deliver maximum impact in collaboration with cross-organisational teams.

• Work closely with colleagues to share expertise and intelligence, inform and shape research areas, support campaign activities aligned with advocacy objectives, and respond proactively to live developments across the organisation.

• Line manage and support the development of the Public Affairs Officer.

• Strong ability to translate complex policy into clear, persuasive communications tailored to specific audiences to deliver maximum impact.

Please read the full job description attached below. 

WHAT WE OFFER

At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to thrive.

Please see our job pack below

Please see our website

APPLICATION PROCCESS

Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, HR @ magicbreakfast .com

Shortlisting: w/c 25th and 26th May

Interview 1: w/c 1st and 2nd June

Interview 2: w/c 8th and 11th June

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research and Policy Manager
Contract: Fixed-term, 24-months
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £40,855 per annum
Location: Northern Ireland. (NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the Belfast BT15 office).

The Vacancy

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Research and Policy Manager to make a significant contribution to the design, delivery and management of research and evidence projects at NCB, and to ensure that this evidence is used to influence national policy development and decision making.

The postholder will work across a range of projects, bring research and policy development and influencing together on topics including social care and the transition to adulthood; education; mental health & wellbeing; child poverty; youth violence and early years.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 08:00am, Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Assessment and interviews to be conducted on 23rd and 24th June 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

No agencies please.

Youth Development Coordinator

Location: Hybrid – some time at our office in Chopwell, delivery at various regional woodland sites, and some home working

Working pattern: You will be required to work at least 3 evenings per week, and some weekends, to deliver the Youth Programme

Hours: 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE), including some evening and weekend work

Salary: £27,500 pro rata (£22,000 actual salary for 28 hours/week)

How to Apply

Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

To apply, please complete the full application pack and self-disclosure form available on our website.

About Us

At Stomping Grounds North East, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel confident, connected, and capable of shaping their own future.

Through our nature-based youth work, we support children and young people to thrive — building confidence, relationships, and leadership skills in woodland spaces. Our work is inclusive, trauma-informed, and rooted in the belief that young people should have a voice in shaping the opportunities available to them.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to be part of something meaningful with a lasting impact on society and nature.

You’ll be working directly with children and young people to create real change — supporting them to build confidence, develop skills, and feel a stronger sense of belonging.

We are committed to being an inclusive and supportive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those who are under-represented in the outdoor and environmental sector, and we aim to create a working environment where everyone can thrive.

We’re interested in hearing from applicants who have experience and understanding in the areas listed in the job description. You don’t need to meet every requirement — if you feel you would be a good fit for the role, we encourage you to apply.

Purpose of the role 

The Youth Development Coordinator will lead and expand our youth development programmes, supporting hundreds of children and young people across Gateshead, Newcastle, and Northumberland to build wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging through nature-based programmes.

You will lead the delivery and coordination of our youth programmes, creating meaningful, structured opportunities for young people aged 5–18 to grow, connect, and develop skills for life.

You will play a key role in:

• Supporting young people to feel safer, more confident, and better able to manage emotions
• Creating opportunities for peer connection, leadership, and progression
• Developing pathways into volunteering, accredited training, and leadership roles
• Working alongside communities to ensure our programmes are inclusive, accessible, and shaped by young people themselves

This is a hands-on role combining programme delivery, coordination, mentoring, and relationship-building — ideal for someone passionate about youth work, connecting with nature, and making a lasting difference.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Delivery & Coordination

• Lead and coordinate the delivery of weekly Forest School and youth development sessions across multiple sites
• Plan and deliver structured, engaging programmes with clear outcomes for young people
• Support the development of a joined-up youth pathway from early years through to leadership opportunities
• Ensure sessions are inclusive, creative, and responsive to young people’s needs
• Carry out risk assessments and ensure safe, high-quality delivery at all times

Youth Development & Mentoring

• Develop a unified youth development and leadership framework
• Build strong, trusting relationships with children and young people aged 5–18
• Mentor and support young people on Forest School pathways to develop confidence, resilience, and social skills
• Create opportunities for peer mentoring and youth leadership
• Support young people to access volunteering, peer mentoring, and progression pathways
• Recognise and celebrate achievements through events, showcases, and storytelling
• Conduct observations and write reports to inform EHCPs, funding requirements, and partner communications

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with schools, families, and local partners
• Work collaboratively with external partners to ensure a holistic approach to participant development
• Engage young people and families in shaping and co-designing programmes to reflect their needs, aspirations, and lived experiences
• Increase access for those facing barriers to participation

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Track and evaluate participant progress, programme outcomes, and impacts on social, emotional, and leadership skills
• Gather feedback, case studies, and evidence of impact
• Contribute to reporting for funders and organisational learning using qualitative and quantitative data
• Use insight to continuously improve delivery

Volunteer Coordination

• Coordinate a volunteer management process
• Contribute to creating a positive and inclusive volunteer experience
• Support volunteers to build confidence and skills alongside young people

Safeguarding, Inclusion & Wellbeing

• Ensure programmes are trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, culturally inclusive, and accessible
• Follow safeguarding, child protection, and risk management procedures
• Create environments where all young people feel safe, respected, and able to be themselves

Person Specification

Essential

• Previous experience in youth development work, outdoor learning, or similar settings
• Strong experience in project/programme coordination and delivery
• Experience delivering structured programmes with measurable outcomes
• Proven ability to mentor, motivate, and support young people, including those facing barriers or with additional needs
• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills
• A commitment to inclusivity, trauma-informed practice, and empowering young people
• A strong understanding of the challenges facing young people in the North East (particularly Gateshead, Newcastle, and Northumberland), or a willingness to develop this knowledge
• Knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment, and child protection procedures
• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and delivery partners

Desirable

• Forest School Level 3 qualification (or willingness to work towards)
• Experience in Forest School, outdoor education, or nature-based youth work
• Experience in co-designing programmes or participatory practice
• Knowledge of SEND, neurodivergence, and trauma-informed approaches
• Experience in evaluation and reporting for funders or statutory bodies

Impact

Through your work, you will support hundreds of children and young people each year. This role will directly influence the lives of over 400 children and young people across the North East, particularly those facing disadvantage, exclusion, or systemic barriers.

By embedding structured pathways from early engagement to accredited leadership, you will help create a lasting legacy of confident, skilled, and empowered young people, ready to thrive in their communities and beyond.

You will be part of a team creating lasting change — not just for individuals, but for communities across the North East.

About Chapter One 

Chapter One is a dynamic, growing charity with a vision of a world in which all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive. Our mission is to close the reading gap by providing children with one-to-one support at the time they need it most. We work in thirteen areas/regions of the UK and will support over 4,000 children in 2026-27.

Our unique Online Reading Volunteer programme pairs struggling five to seven-year old (Y1-3) readers with reading support volunteers who are working professionals. The volunteer ask is very focused: readers commit 30 minutes a week to read with a child using a bespoke digital platform for an entire academic year. The results are transformative, boosting children's reading confidence and ability. 

From a school perspective, online reading volunteers provide direct, meaningful literacy support for up to 10 pupils per class. The programme is particularly suitable for communities where it might be challenging to find parents and other volunteers who can commit to physically visiting schools to boost reading. For more information please visit our website and watch this short video!

About the Role

Chapter One is seeking a London Programme Manager who is an excellent communicator and is able both to motivate and support schools and teachers to implement our online reading volunteers programme, and also to ensure that the programme’s impact and benefit to disadvantaged communities is maximised throughout the academic year. 

The post is ideal for someone looking for part-time, flexible, term-time only work from a home base and who is able to travel frequently in and around North London. The postholder will be joining a team of established Programme Managers who work in different parts of the UK and will need to have some flexibility to work some additional hours during busy autumn weeks, and conversely to work fewer hours during quieter periods of the year. 

Please note, it’s likely that the hours and areas covered for this role may grow, over time.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Effectively explain Chapter One’s online reading volunteer programme and its benefits to school leaders and teachers.

• Install, setup and maintain Chapter One equipment in participating classrooms.

• Organise and conduct initial teacher training and follow-up.

• Ensure a smooth initial launch of Chapter One’s programme in every classroom.

• Fully understand the operation of the Chapter One platform and database and effectively communicate this to others as needed.

• Liaise with colleagues performing technical and volunteer support roles.

• Through regular visits to/contact with schools, provide on-going embedded professional learning and support to teachers throughout the year as needed.  

• Proactively monitor classroom adherence/fidelity to the Chapter One model, including systematic review of data reports and volunteer feedback, taking proactive action to resolve problems that arise.

• Analyse and manipulate data (largely in Google sheets) to produce reports and identify trends.

• Create regular data summaries for all participating classrooms.

• Lead annual review meetings for senior leadership at participating schools.

• Support programme monitoring, evaluation and research as required.

• Coordinate in person and virtual school ‘visits’ of volunteer teams to classrooms where necessary. This may include opportunities for Chapter One children to visit the office of the volunteers.

• Liaison with corporate partners as required.

• Weekly communication and status updates with Senior Programme Manager(s) and wider team.

• As a new school year approaches, secure commitments from returning schools and help find and target new schools to join Chapter One’s programme. 

We are looking for applicants with the following essential qualities:

• Highly motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills. 

• Proven track record of working at a senior level in education, project management or a related field. 

• Proven strength in both written and verbal communication. 

• Highly IT literate, with excellent computer skills, able to troubleshoot software and technical  hardware issues, adept with Google suite and Microsoft Teams.

• Ability to manipulate and analyse data to draw useful conclusions to improve programme delivery.

• Proven ability to work independently. 

• Self-starter and quick learner.

• Ability to adapt and embrace a changing environment. 

• Ability to drive and access to a car for work purposes.

Ideally, applicants will also have the following desirable qualities:

• Two years of teaching/education experience with primary age children.

• University degree.

Please note that this role covers North London, currently in Camden, Islington and Hackney.

How to Apply

Please send your CV (maximum 2 A4 sides) and a covering letter via Charity Jobs. Your covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4) should:

1) Explain your relevant experience and why you’re interested in this role at this point in your career.

2) Share your ability to be resilient when things are not going the way you thought, including clear examples of past experiences.

3) Explain how our organisational mission is in line with your values.

Applications that fail to meet these criteria will automatically be discounted. We understand that you may use AI to help craft your application, but do remember that we will be looking for individuals who write a letter that stands out. We want you to have every opportunity to shine and to show us your talents - please let us know if there is anything we can do to make sure the assessment process works for you.

Chapter One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of teams we are building. Literacy is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to maximise our innovation, creativity and impact. We especially welcome applications from persons who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. 

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.  Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.

N.B. Shortlisting is likely to take place week commencing Monday 1st June with phone screening from Monday 8th June.  For successful candidates, interviews are likely to begin week commencing Monday 15th June and potentially extend into week commencing Monday 22nd June.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barnardo's have a great opportunity for a friendly, organised, and enthusiastic Volunteer Co-ordinator to join the team at Rugby Children and Family Centres and help make a real difference in the community.

• This is a permanent, part-time position (18.5 hours per week), typically worked across three days between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. There may also be occasional opportunities to work additional hours on an ‘as and when' basis.

As Volunteer Co‑ordinator, you'll also have the opportunity to get out into the community—attending local events, promoting our services, and encouraging others to get involved. You'll work closely with the Early Years and Children's Lead, supporting the Family Voice forum and helping ensure families' voices are heard. As this role involves travelling across the local area, access to your own transport will be important.

• You'll be based at either Boughton Leigh or Claremont Children and Family Centre, with some flexibility to work from home when appropriate.

This post requires:

• Knowledge and understanding of good practice when working with volunteers
• good organisational skills
• experience of leading a team and line-management responsibilities for volunteers
• Working knowledge/ experience of word processing, spreadsheets, data bases and other commonly used software. Experience of using virtual platforms to facilitate virtual meetings/training is also desirable.
• an excellent understanding of child protection and safeguarding-  particularly with a view to vetting new volunteers.
• excellent communication skills especially with external agencies – delivering talks and presentations to promote volunteering opportunities.

Barnardo's is proud to deliver Children and Family Centre services across Warwickshire, working in partnership with a wide range of local organisations. Together, we offer a variety of activities and support for children, young people, and their families. Our aim is simple but powerful: to help families thrive, grow in confidence, and build the resilience they need for life.

If you're passionate about supporting families and enjoy working with people, this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a service that truly makes a difference in the community.

 Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date.  We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible

About the role

As Spear expands its reach, we are looking for a Development Coach who will focus on two things: equipping young people facing barriers to employment with the confidence, mindset and skills to move into sustainable work, and developing the coaches around you to do the same.

To do this, you will work across Spear Centres throughout the UK - delivering coaching sessions directly with 16–24-year-olds as well as supporting and upskilling Spear Centre teams.

You’ll move between Centres depending on where support is needed. Your location will be taken into consideration in the planning.

Key information:

• Salary: from £27,000 - £32,000 (dependent on location)
• Contract: Part-time or Full-time, 12-14 month Fixed Term Contract, with the possibility of extension; Term time only contracts would be considered
• Location: We’re looking for multiple roles to cover the UK. We welcome applications from across the UK and will discuss which regions you'd be able to practically travel to during the interview process. Applicants happy to travel to centres in North-West or North-East of England, or both, are particularly encouraged
• Closing date: Friday 29th May (we interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
• Demonstrable experience as a coach, or a background in youth work or teaching, and are keen to develop these skills further
• A heart for young people and releasing their potential, no matter what challenging circumstances they are facing
• Effective interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence with a sense of humour and fun
• Exercises initiative, highly self-motivated, flexible and a forward planner
• Good administrative and organisational skills, and prioritises workload effectively
• Works well under pressure with the ability to exercise initiative

Money & Energy Advice Service Lead

Pro rata salary: £39,825 (35 hour week)

Home-based, with travel as required

Up to 35 hours per week with occasional evenings and / or weekend work will be required

Permanent (subject to external funding)

Responsible for: 2.0 FTE Money & Energy Advisers

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced welfare benefits practitioner with a passion for sharing knowledge and enabling teams to deliver above and beyond.

With around 4 in 10 beneficiaries, we support seeking help with financial difficulties, this is a pivotal role for Kidney Care UK.

We are seeking a knowledgeable and confident specialist income maximisation activities for a role with three key parts: to lead a small team delivering benefits and energy advice and support directly to clients; to play a key role in upskilling and supporting our outstanding Patient Support team across the country; and to be the subject matter expert within Kidney Care UK.

Our external partners – British Gas Energy Trust have committed to fund our Money and Energy Service until March 2027. We are advertising this position as ‘permanent’ – we anticipate confirmation by December 2026 whether funding will be extended beyond March 2027.

This role is made possible thanks to the support of British Gas Energy Trust.

About Kidney Care UK

Around 3.5 million people in the UK live with chronic kidney disease, and one million of them don’t know that they do.

Since 1975, Kidney Care UK has been at the forefront of supporting people with kidney disease. From our early days when we campaigned to introduce donor cards in the UK, we have worked hard to support and represent the interests of everyone affected by kidney disease. 

About the Money & Energy Advice Service

The Money & Energy Advice Service (MEAS) provides information and support for welfare benefits and income maximisation and promotes awareness of efficient energy use. Working closely with Patient Support officers, MEAS provides specialist knowledge and directly supports clients to achieve sustainable financial outcomes. The service was established in 2023 with the support of British Gas Energy Trust and is embedded as a valued element of the many ways Kidney Care UK supports people affected by kidney failure.

What we offer

Working at Kidney Care UK is incredibly rewarding and you will see the life-changing impact that the charity has on kidney patients and their families:

• Flexi-time – we are flexible about start and finish times, and flexible about your location.
• Annual and Christmas leave – we offer 25 days annual leave for full time employees plus bank holidays. We also close for three days between Christmas and New Year, and you don’t need to take this from your annual leave allowance.
• Pension – you’ll be eligible for and auto-enrolled into a pension scheme where your employer will contribute 8% of your salary.
• Health cashback plan – ability to claim back a wide variety of routine medical treatments.
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to a wide variety of support including counselling, health resources and advice.
• Cycle2Work scheme

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research & Participation Programme Officer
Contract: Fixed-term, 24-months
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £34,408 per annum
Location: Northern Ireland. (NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the Belfast BT15 office).

The Vacancy

This role will work across NCB’s Research and Participation teams, ensuring children and young people’s voices and lived experiences are embedded in the organisation’s evidence generation and implementation work.

Working across these high-performing teams, this role brings together research skills involving designing and undertaking primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, combined with strong youth participation practice that supports seldom heard children and young people to be part of influencing systems change.

The successful candidate will work with senior colleagues in the Research and Participation teams to deliver a range of projects and programmes on topics including social care and the transition to adulthood; education; mental health & wellbeing; child poverty; youth violence and early years.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 8:00am on Wednesday 27th May 2026.
Assessment and interviews to be conducted on 4th and 5th June 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

N.B. Unlike other new roles posted during our period of organisation change, this role will be advertised both external and internally from the outset, rather than internal only for 1-2 weeks. This is due to the requirements of the funder and grant conditions. If you have any questions on this, you will be able to contact the NCB People Team.

No agencies please.

We’re looking for a creative and collaborative Head of Programme Design to lead the Programme Design Team at BookTrust, as part of our central Research and Design function.

The role will cover evidence-informed, human-centred programme design across the full spectrum from new opportunity definition to programme iteration and continuous improvement. It will hold overall programme design accountability for our products and experiences designed for impact with primary audiences - delivery partners and families. 

We have a skilled Design team, experience of applying human-centred design approaches in programme design and strong organisational support for a design-led approach. The post-holder will lead our Programme Design approach to the next level of maturity and help it become even more embedded within the organisation. The post-holder will deliver excellent stakeholder stewardship around our programme design ensuring our detailed product design (e.g. with our communications, partnerships and books teams) stay true to our overall programme intent (ie. against objectives that will include impact and supporting income generation). 

The role will have accountability for innovation in programmes - ensuring that we make rapid progress against our riskiest assumptions using design-thinking approaches to help us define and activate opportunities quickly. 

Please apply through our website and attach your CV and covering letter showing how you meet the person specification and your motivations for applying for the role in addition to answering one of the following questions: 

1. How would you go about setting and maintaining an organisational standard around co-design and inclusive design? How would you balance practical considerations and limitations with best-in-class approaches? 
2. What are the key features of a high performing Programme Design Team and what approaches would you take to help the team achieve excellence?

Your covering letter should not be longer than 2 pages.

For more information and the person specification, please download the full job description.

Closing date: Friday 22nd May

We may choose to close applications early if we have received sufficient numbers of quality applications, so please don’t wait until the closing date to apply.