Initial response officer assistant jobs
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Location: MSSC NSC, 200B Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7JY (Hybrid Working)
Contract: Full-time permeant
Salary: £39,000 gross, per annum
Closing Date: 1 March 2026
Face to Face Interviews: Either 25 or 26 March 2026
Application: CV & Covering Letter
Are you a Safeguarding professional looking for a new opportunity and challenge? We are currently looking for an exceptional Safeguarding Officer to join our expanding team.
The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.
About the role
We have an opportunity for a Safeguarding Officer to join our very busy team!
The organisation has a strong safeguarding ethos promoting the overall safety, safeguarding and welfare of all of our members. We are seeking individuals who have experience of the voluntary youth or community sector or other relevant professional field and have direct practice experience of working with children & young people in a safeguarding context. You will have excellent knowledge of the principles and practices of Early Help along with experience and knowledge of statutory requirements, and best practice guidance, relating to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk.
Our safeguarding team operates centrally in London where we are responsible for providing support, advice and guidance to our volunteers relating on all safeguarding matters across the UK. Our safeguarding Officers act as our lead professionals in managing safeguarding casework in line with our policy, procedures and statutory duty.
We aim high and strive for excellence in our practices to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk. We are continually evolving and seeking ways to improve and enhance our safeguarding practices as we move forward.
Whilst this is a Monday- Friday full time position, a flexible approach to work and working patterns is a must, as is the ability to work effectively and respond appropriately in challenging circumstances.
Requirements
- Support, guide and coach SCC volunteers to implement a local response to safeguarding concerns
- Effective and skilful management of an allocated caseload
- Lead professional – Allegation Management
- Action referrals to statutory agencies e.g. Local Authority Designated Officer, Police, Children’s Services, Social Care or equivalent across the UK (including DBS, PVGS)
For further information, please download the full Recruitment Pack.
For applications to be considered, it is essential that both a CV & Supporting Statement are submitted. Supporting statements should detail how a candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience meet the requirements of the Job Description and Person specification.
Without this, we sadly will be unable to progress your application for this role.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
- Hybrid working for many roles
- Life assurance (4x salary)
- Private medical insurance
- Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
- Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.
Additional Information
MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.
Safer Recruitment - We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire.
All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.
We help launch young people for life through adventure.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the Organisation
Ascension Trust (AT) is a Christian inter-denominational organisation with a passion to empower individuals to work together within their local community and nation, to contribute positively to society and to improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged and vulnerable. Established in 2003, our strapline is “Reaching Out to Where You Are”.
Established by Reverend Les Isaac OBE, Ascension Trust operates as an umbrella body for a range of initiatives, including Street Pastors, School & College Pastors, Prayer Pastors, Rail Pastors, Response Pastors, the 60/40 Youth Project, Synergy Network, Five2Medics, the AT Beacon Project, and Overseas Missions, alongside a range of training programmes.
Ascension Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (Charity No. 1127204/Company No. 06751712) and works in partnership with Ascension Trust Scotland.
About Bridge Watch
Bridge Watch is a suicide prevention and community safety programme that deploys trained volunteer patrols on London’s bridges to identify and support individuals at risk, helping to prevent tragic outcomes.
The programme forms part of wider suicide prevention efforts across the Square Mile and surrounding areas, with a focus on early intervention, compassionate engagement, and partnership working. Bridge Watch volunteers are supported by a comprehensive training framework that equips them to confidently and safely engage with people in crisis, raise public awareness, and signpost to appropriate support.
Bridge Watch continues to develop its coverage, volunteer base, and profile, working closely with statutory and community partners.
Job Summary
The Bridge Watch Assistant will provide administrative and operational support to the Bridge Watch Programme Lead, contributing to the effective day-to-day running, coordination, and development of the programme.
The role plays a key part in supporting volunteers, maintaining smooth operations, and helping to raise the profile and impact of Bridge Watch across London.
Hours: Part-time, three days a week.
Contract: Fixed term for three years.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Programme Administration & Coordination
- Support the coordination of the day-to-day operations of the Bridge Watch programme
- Manage incoming and outgoing correspondence and maintain accurate administrative records
- Assist with scheduling, rotas, and general programme organisation
Volunteer Support & Engagement
- Support the recruitment, onboarding, and initial engagement of Bridge Watch volunteers
- Assist with patrol rotas and arranging cover where necessary
- Support follow-up with volunteers to review early experiences and ongoing engagement
- Process volunteer expense claims in line with organisational procedures
Communications, Events & Engagement
- Support the development and delivery of programme communications and awareness-raising activities
- Assist with website and social media content preparation
- Liaise with volunteers, partners, and external organisations to support meetings and events
- Arrange meetings, including booking rooms, preparing agendas, and circulating notes where required
Operational & Practical Support
- Provide practical support at the Bridge Watch base, including assisting with equipment and uniforms
- Order uniforms and equipment and assist with stock management as required
- Attend meetings, events, and occasional patrols to support programme delivery and quality assurance
Monitoring, Development & Funding Support
- Assist with basic research, data collation, and reporting as directed
- Support the preparation of evidence and contributions toward funding applications
- Assist in the development of volunteer resources and support materials
General Responsibilities
- Liaise with members of the wider Ascension Trust staff team as required
- Undertake any other duties reasonably required in line with the role
Experience
- Experience of working in the third sector
- Experience in an administrative or coordination role
Essential Skills
- Good understanding of volunteering and the third sector
- Ability to engage with social media platforms and support basic content creation
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong organisational skills with attention to detail
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Willingness and ability to learn new skills
Desirable Skills
- Experience supporting projects or programmes
- Ability to collate and analyse basic data to support reporting and identify trends
To apply, please complete the application form. All CVs must be accompanied by a completed application form.
Closing date: Sunday, 28 February 2026.
Interview date: w/c 9 March 2026.
No contact from agencies or media sales.
In every part of our society, from classrooms to boardrooms and from football pitches to building sites, more people need support for their mental health. At Response, we are rising to the challenge and putting the person first. We need you to help us achieve that.
About Us:
For 60 years, RESPONSE has been pioneering mental health supported housing services for over 500 adults and hundreds of Young People across West Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Mental health and multiple disadvantage is the common thread through all our services. We deliver this through enabling individuals to live safely and well in communities, offering housing, psychologically informed care, life skills and support in developing social connections. We provide a sliding scale of support - from prevention interventions in local communities to intensive support for serious mental illness in our CQC registered care home. Our approach positions us as a support and care organisation first with housing as an enabler, not the product.
Our AMBITION is illustrated in our numerous NHS and Council contracts and turnover of around £18m, meaning we’re well-placed to deliver life changing services in the community, with our high quality support and stable homes.
Who we are looking for:
You would play a vital role in the leadership of our fantastic organisation ensuring effective delivery of our strategy. A genuine interest and commitment to the organisation's Mission, Values and Strategic Goals is essential along with an understanding of compliance, risk management and operational best practice.
We are seeking a few individuals with experience at a senior leadership level in at any of the following areas:
Housing, Accommodation and Tenancy Management
- Knowledge of supported housing operations
- Understanding of housing regulations, compliance and safeguarding
- Experience managing tenancies or accommodation services
Asset and Property Management
- Oversight of property portfolios or maintenance strategies
- Experience with capital projects, repairs, and long-term asset planning
- Understanding of health & safety and building compliance
IT and Digital Transformation
- Digital transfrmation, cloud systems, or data strategy
- Cybersecurity, infrmation governance, or digital service delivery
- Experience mdernising organisational infrastructure or digital tools
What you will do:
- Ensure legal, regulatory and constitutional compliance: including charity law, governing documents, relevant legislation, and integrity in decision-making.
- Provide strategic leadership oversight: setting mission, strategic goals, overseeing key organisational decisions and performance.
- Oversee governance structures and risk management: ensuring appropriate systems of control, risk frameworks and delegation arrangements are in place.
- Actively engage with the organisation: building relationships, visiting services, participating in committees, and contributing skills, ideas, and time.
As a large organisation, we need Trustees who can invest a suitable amount of time, on a flexible basis, each month. As a guide, a Trustee could be investing around 5 hours a month to RESPONSE (to include the formal board meetings, which take place bi-monthly). However, if you are unable to commit to this time, we would still like to speak to you about what you can offer!
How to Apply:
Response will continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees and individuals accessing our services. We are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants from under represented backgrounds. For further information and to find out how to apply please visit the RESPONSE website: . Alternatively, if you would like to arrange an initial informal conversation with Nicola Leavesley (CEO) please contact Claire Pouncey, Executive PA on
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are looking for a conscientious and skilled coordinator who understands how vital administrative tasks are to a well-functioning, smooth-running organisation. You are a big picture thinker with an eye for detail, someone who can support us in grounding our big ideas in reality, helping to ensure our work is clearly documented, replicable, compliant with relevant legislation, and that it contributes to making a big impact for the social sector.
You love to collaborate cross-functionally and have a knack for understanding and maintaining the ecosystem of a cohesive and impactful organisation. You’re looking to join a small, friendly, and respectful team with an outsized impact, where your ideas and contributions are valued and where you are trusted to work in a way that suits you.
About DataKind UK
DataKind UK is a small infrastructure charity with a vision of a strong, thriving third sector that embraces data science to become more impactful. Effective data use has the potential to transform an organisation's impact by improving decision-making, maximising operational efficiency, and ensuring service delivery is evidence-based. A lack of access to responsible data science skills and techniques in the third sector means it isn’t having the impact it could.
We provide a variety of free and contracted support services to help third sector organisations achieve their missions, encourage innovation, and improve decision making, problem solving, and practices.
Since 2013, more than 2,200 DataKind UK volunteers have supported over 300 charities—from large organisations like St John Ambulance and Action for Children to local food banks and campaigning charities—helping them better understand their users, evaluate what's working, streamline routine tasks, and ultimately better tackle society's biggest challenges.
You'll be part of a kind and collaborative five-person staff team that works closely with a talented community of volunteer data scientists. This is an exciting and unusual opportunity to shape how the third sector uses data. Join us!
Essential qualities
- Proactive, can-do attitude - if in doubt, we’ll figure it out!
- A highly organised, process-driven problem solver.
- You are aligned with DataKind UK’s core values: curious, responsible, collaborative.
- You are self-directed and goal-oriented, and like working independently or managing without direct authority.
- You thrive in an environment where every day is a bit different, and are happy working flexibly and adaptably. You can switch between big-picture and detail-oriented thinking.
- You are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- You are a collaborative team player, and happy to jump in and help out when and where needed. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit.
Essential skills
- Personable and skilled at relationship building and communicating with a variety of people - we work in a small, hybrid team, and with a wide variety of volunteers, charity partners, and other stakeholders.
- Skilled at collaborating with/managing people who are not your direct reports (e.g. colleagues, volunteers, trustees).
- Comfortable juggling multiple projects and priorities and making decisions about what to prioritise accordingly.
- Familiarity with digital software - currently we use Google suite for email, diary management and documents; Beacon CRM; Monday for project management; and Slack for team and volunteer communications. You may not have used those exact tools but you are comfortable with learning new tools and processes, to the point where you can clearly document processes and train others.
Desirable
- Experience of working and/or volunteering in the UK charity sector.
- Knowledge of charity governance / legislation.
- An interest in the use of data to support decision making in the third sector.
- Experience of working or collaborating with volunteers.
What we offer
- Working in a small, flexible, hybrid team where you are trusted to manage your time and your projects. If you need to switch your hours one week, or take time out of your working day to go to a dentist appointment, sit an exam, or for your child’s school play, go ahead! We are focused on outputs over time spent at your desk.
- 5% employer pension contribution.
- 11 days holiday (27 days pro rata).
- Employee Support plan including medical and dental assistance.
- We will provide you with a comprehensive onboarding plan, where we will identify any additional training needs to support you in your role and arrange for training at a time/place/pace that suits you.
Working hours and location
This is a part-time role (14 hours per week). You can do this across two or more days, depending on your preferred work pattern. Working hours are flexible, but we ask that at least 75% of your working time is within the hours of 10am and 6pm UK time, in order to facilitate team working and real-time collaboration.
This role will ideally be hybrid / London-based. We can currently provide London office space on Mondays (Victoria), Thursdays (Shoreditch) and Fridays (Victoria). (Please note we don’t currently have any other staff members in the office on a Friday.) We will occasionally hold team days in London - you will be given advance notice of these dates. We may be able to offer remote working for an exceptional candidate, but our preference would be for a hybrid schedule with at least one day in the office (Monday or Thursday) per week - please note this could be a shorter day, e.g. 9-3 to accommodate other commitments.
You must have the right to work in the UK.
How to apply
The deadline for receipt of your application is 9am, Monday 23 February. Applications received after this time will not be considered.
Please send us your CV and a cover letter of no more than two single-spaced pages to explain why this role appeals to you and how you meet the experience, skills, and qualities listed above using the STAR (Situation Task Action Result) approach. We would also like to know:
- What made you decide to apply for this role?
- How do you stay organised? Again, this can be an example from your work, study or personal life.
- Can you tell us about a time when you have had to step outside of your comfort zone or usual role, either in a job or an example from your life outside of work? What motivated you to get involved and what was the outcome?
All applications will be anonymised before shortlisting.
A note on use of generative AI
We know a lot of people use generative AI tools like Chat GPT to help them with job applications. We don’t encourage this, but if you do want to use it, we recommend asking it for suggestions on relevant things to include, get it to give you them in bullet points, then write the application yourself. We really want to hear from YOU, the human, in your authentic voice. It helps you to stand out, and helps us figure out if you're really and truly a good fit for the role. We do not use AI to assist us with reviewing and shortlisting applicants.
Equity & Diversity Monitoring
Please consider filling in the Equity & Diversity Monitoring Form linked in the Job Description attachment. This is entirely voluntary and anonymous and will not affect your application in any way.
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background, and welcome applications regardless of age, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion/belief, race, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, or disability.
The data you provide will be used to monitor whether we are receiving applications from quality candidates across the whole of society. If there are differences in application rates it will enable action to be taken to ensure that no group is treated unfairly.
We particularly encourage applications from groups which are underrepresented in data science, tech, and/or the third sector, including people of colour and people with disabilities. We can make reasonable adjustments throughout the application process (both with the application and interview) and on the job. If you have particular accessibility needs, please get in touch and let us know any requirements you may have at contact at datakind dot org dot uk.
We will treat the data you provide in your application in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please send us your CV and a cover letter of no more than two single-spaced pages to explain why this role appeals to you and how you meet the experience, skills, and qualities listed above using the STAR (Situation Task Action Result) approach. We would also like to know:
What made you decide to apply for this role?
How do you stay organised? Again, this can be an example from your work, study or personal life.
Can you tell us about a time when you have had to step outside of your comfort zone or usual role, either in a job or an example from your life outside of work? What motivated you to get involved and what was the outcome?
Supporting third sector organisations to achieve their missions through increased use of data science.


