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This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.
The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
- Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
- Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
- Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
- Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
- Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
- Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network
About The Difference
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Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.
About You
Essential
- Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
- Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
- Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
- Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
- Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
- Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
- Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people
Desired
- Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
- Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
- Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
- Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
- Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
- Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations
Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Toynbee Hall
Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
Scope of role
The Head of Debt & Money Advice will oversee the delivery, performance, and development of all debt and money advice services delivered by Toynbee Hall, including debt advice, welfare benefits advice, and financial wellbeing services. This includes services delivered across community settings, prisons, hospitals, and mental health pathways.
The postholder will act as Toynbee Hall’s senior technical lead across financial advice, responsible for:
- Ensuring consistent technical standards across debt and welfare benefits advice
- Providing expert guidance on complex, high-risk, or escalated cases, including creditor challenges and complaints
- Supporting Advice Managers and Technical Supervisors in decision-making and case resolution
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Toynbee Hall’s integrated financial advice services, ensuring alignment between debt advice, welfare benefits advice, and financial wellbeing provision
- Lead and support Advice Managers, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional development across multiple delivery areas
- Ensure all services meet FCA regulatory requirements and funder standards, maintaining high levels of technical quality and consistency across programmes
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex casework, creditor challenges, complaints, and high-risk decisions
- Lead on relationships with key funders, regulators, and system partners, including MaPS, Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, Insolvency Service, Macmillan, NHS Trusts, and delivery partners such as We Are Group
- Work collaboratively with the Head of Partnerships to ensure consistency of delivery, standards, and performance across partner organisations
- Work with the Head of Impact & Data to analyse service performance data and implement continuous improvement actions based on insight and learning
- Work with the Research & Policy team to contribute to policy development, service design, and innovation across financial advice services
- Represent Toynbee Hall in regional and national forums, working groups, and partnerships
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, and equality legislation
Person Specification
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
Professional Experience and Expertise
- Significant experience (minimum 5 years) delivering and overseeing complex debt advice casework
- Strong working knowledge of welfare benefits advice and its integration with debt advice and financial wellbeing support
- Substantial experience in a senior leadership role within an advice service, managing multi-site or multi-programme delivery
- Strong understanding of FCA regulatory requirements, MaPS quality frameworks, and relevant legislation
- Experience of working within specialist delivery environments, such as criminal justice, health, or mental health settings
Stakeholder and Partnership Management
- Proven experience of leading relationships with, and reporting to, funders, regulators, and external stakeholders
- Experience working with organisations such as MaPS, Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, Insolvency Service, NHS partners, or equivalent
Strategic and Operational Skills
- Strong experience in service planning, performance management, and resource allocation within complex services
- Strong understanding of customer access models, including triage and referral pathways
- Technical Knowledge and Accreditation
- Level 4 accreditation in debt advice (e.g. CertMAP) or equivalent
- Up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of debt advice legislation, regulation, and best practice
- Strong working knowledge of welfare benefits advice at a specialist level, including experience of complex casework and the application of relevant legislation and guidance (e.g. CPAG Welfare Benefits Handbook)
- Understanding of the interaction between debt, welfare benefits, and income maximisation in supporting clients with complex financial needs
Communication and Leadership
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presenting to senior stakeholders
Personal Attributes
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability
- Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
Commitment
- Strong alignment with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategy, and values
- Commitment to safeguarding, professional development, and continuous learning
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working within or alongside the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) framework
- Experience of working within criminal justice, health, or mental health service environments
- Experience contributing to policy development or influencing systemic change
Our Benefits
Annual Leave
- 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays)
- After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave
- After 3 years: +1 additional day
- After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown
Pension
- Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%
Additional Perks & Support
- Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
- Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
- Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
- Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
- Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
- Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
- Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
- Westfield Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the Policy
- Perk Box
- Life Insurance
Please refer to the attached job description for more details.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Since 1884 Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice and inequality to build a fairer East London
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Details
- Salary: £36,565 FTE (£29,252 pro rata)
- Location: Brent, Northwest London
- Working Pattern: 32 hours across 4 days (Monday–Thursday)
- Working arrangements: Hybrid (2 days per week on site)
- Contract: Fixed term to 20th April 2027
About the Organisation
This is a frontline charity tackling poverty and food insecurity and supporting people to move from crisis towards longer-term stability. The organisation’s advice offer is a key part of that support, delivering timely, high-quality guidance to people navigating complex challenges.
About the Role
As Interim Advice Manager, you’ll manage an advice service across multiple sites, leading staff and volunteers who deliver advice on benefits, housing, debt and immigration. You’ll combine hands-on delivery (including a small caseload) with oversight of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement. You’ll work closely with senior colleagues, including the Head of Advice, to help implement new initiatives and strengthen the service’s impact
Key Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day delivery of the advice service, including setting objectives, managing performance, and providing supervision and feedback to staff and volunteers
- Hold a small caseload to stay connected to frontline delivery and community needs
- Maintain high-quality, compliant advice provision, ensuring delivery aligns with funder expectations and internal standards
- Use case management systems to report on cases and outcomes, supporting funding needs and future applications
- Drive service development, reviewing procedures, improving systems, and supporting expansion aligned to organisational strategy
- Undertake quality assurance activity (including case checking and advice audits) and keep colleagues informed of relevant policy/legislation changes
- Support effective volunteer management, including induction, support, supervision and retention activity
- Contribute to budgets, monitoring, evaluation, stakeholder feedback, and action planning to strengthen service effectiveness
- Work within the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) framework, ensuring policies and procedures remain current and audit-ready
Skills / Experience Required
- At least 3 years’ experience in welfare advice or casework within the charity sector
- Strong people management experience (including supporting and developing staff/volunteers)
- Strong project/service improvement experience, with confidence managing competing priorities
- Knowledge across welfare benefits, housing, debt and/or immigration, plus safeguarding understanding
- Confidence using case management systems and using data to inform reporting and improvements
- Experience of the Advice Quality Standard, work with refugees and asylum seekers, and/or community language skills (e.g., Arabic, Farsi, Somali) – desirable
To Apply
- If you’re ready to inspire others and be part of a team dedicated to saving lives, we’d love to see your CV!
Interview Process
- Stage 1: informal screening call (fit, motivation, and values alignment)
- Stage 2: formal in-person interview
Deadline for Applications
- Monday 1st June 2026, 9am
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
