Children support worker volunteer jobs in Edinburgh
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Overview of Role:
Church Army is looking for an experienced ‘Apprenticeship Programme Lead’ to implement, support and develop our Youth Ministry Apprenticeship Programme, focusing on developing practitioners to inhabit the qualities outlined in the Ministerial Formation Framework.
Church Army has been awarded funding by the Church of England’s Resourcing Ministerial Formation Innovation Fund and the 30K Project to develop a three-year pilot project to develop Level 3 Apprenticeship Training for Church Based Youth Workers. This is part of the Church of England’s 30K Project, to raise up 30,000 new children and youth ministers (both voluntary and employed) by 2030.
The postholder will manage programme delivery, resources, quality assurance, assessment, and reporting, and will act as the main liaison with dioceses, training providers, and National Church Institutions, including using the Church of England grant management system. You will contribute to the design and review of training pathways, teach and assess apprentices, and oversee Ministerial Formation Tutors. You will ensure that training is aligned with emerging practice and national strategy.
Salary: £46,085 per annum
Hours:37.5 per week
Pension: Church Army is an auto enrolment pension employer. You will be assessed under pension auto enrolment criteria.
Annual Leave: 25 days, plus Bank Holidays (total 33 days)
Contract:Fixed-Term, 3 years.
DBS: A DBS check is not required for this post. However, all staff are expected to read and comply with Church Army’s Safer Ministry Policy.
Everyone in Church Army is responsible for making sure that Church Army has a safe and healthy safeguarding culture. We are committed to protecting the vulnerable and ensuring the highest possible safeguarding standards. We expect everyone in Church Army to be familiar and comply with our Safer Ministry Policy, undergo any safer recruitment processes, and report any concerns or behaviours they don’t think are right to a member of the safeguarding team or someone they trust.
Occupational Requirement: This post is subject to an Occupational Requirement under the provisions made in the Equality Act 2010 that the post holder has an active faith in Jesus. The successful candidate must be in agreement with the vision and values of Church Army.
Application Deadline:31st March 2026
Interview Date: 17th April 2026
Next Steps:
For more information on the role, you can find the job description and person specification for the post here.
To apply, please download and complete a Faith Based Application Form for this post. When you are ready to submit your application, please email your completed application form, in word format.
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVs
We want everyone everywhere to encounter God’s love and be empowered to transform their communities through faith shared in words and action.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the role
The Side-by-Side project supports children in care and care leavers to have the same opportunities as those who have not experienced care.
For many young people, navigating the care system and especially the transition to leaving care can be complex, isolating, and overwhelming. Too often, care-experienced young people are expected to face adulthood before they are ready, without the safety nets of family, friends, and community networks that many of us take for granted.
The project provides a mentoring and befriending service, offering consistent, trusted relationships that help young people feel less alone, build confidence and life skills, and navigate key life changes as they move towards independence.
Side-by-Side supports young people with a range of needs, including those who may be at risk of exploitation, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and young people living with identified mental health challenges. The project is guided by strong safeguarding practice, built on trust, and delivered through trauma-informed, person-centred approaches.
As a Community Engagement Worker, you will work directly with young people through engagement sessions, group activities and co-designed initiatives. You will also work alongside volunteers, supporting them to safely and effectively engage with young people. This role does not involve acting as a young person’s key worker or holding a caseload. Instead your focus is on enabling connections, strengthening community networks and creating opportunities for young people to thrive across Hertfordshire, Luton and Bedfordshire.
About you
We are looking for a compassionate and motivated individual, to work 21 hours per week that has strong local knowledge and a commitment to community-based support. You will be confident working directly with care-experienced young people, including those who may be at risk of exploitation, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and young people living with identified mental health challenges.
You will live in or have strong connections to Hertfordshire, Luton, or Bedfordshire, and be confident working across these communities.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Build community links: develop relationships with local venues, services, and partners to support young people and Side-by-Side activities.
- Support volunteers: recruit, train, and guide volunteers, helping them signpost young people to relevant services.
- Engage young people: deliver activities, gather feedback, and support co-designed initiatives to ensure young people shape the services they receive.
- Live our values: all work is guided by trust, reducing loneliness, providing practical and emotional support, and delivering person-centred approaches.
How to apply
In your application, you will need to evidence, using specific examples, how your skills and experience meet the criteria laid out in the person specification, within the job description attached.
For further information and to apply, please visit our website.
Employee benefits
We offer the following employee benefits:
- 26 days, increasing to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
- Occupational sick pay (subject to completion of qualifying period)
- Enhanced pay for family friendly leave
- Free parking at some of our offices
- Employee assistance programme
- Group stakeholder pension scheme
- Access to BHSF health cash plan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Support and supervision from your line manager
- Learning and Development opportunities
Safeguarding and Compliance
NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references and a Digital Risk Assessment.
In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.
We reserve the right to close the advert early should the right candidate be found before the closing date.
At NYAS, we listen to what children, young people and vulnerable adults want. We empower them to have their voices heard.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Operation Christmas Child UK (OCC) has implemented a strategic volunteer ministry, investing in teams of volunteers who will multiply themselves and hugely extend the reach of OCC’s mission.
OCC is the world’s largest shoebox appeal where Samaritan’s Purse, together with local churches here and overseas, distributes from the UK 1/4 million gift-filled shoeboxes annually to children in need overseas and in so doing demonstrates God’s love in a tangible way while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
A resourceful and energetic Regional Manager is needed to recruit, select, equip, and lead teams of volunteers throughout the greater West Midlands area and Wales. You will be passionate about developing others towards highly effective ministry, teamwork and increased personal competency. You will also directly engage churches to participate in OCC in areas not yet covered by Connect volunteers.
You will be confident to take initiative with people and projects and also have good administrative and organisational skills. You will also enjoy envisioning the numerous volunteers who participate in the OCC shoebox appeal each year.
You will enthusiastically support the Christian purposes of OCC and Samaritan’s Purse and be committed to the value of well-equipped volunteers and to developing them further. Candidates will have proven people and project management and administrative experience in the workplace and be educated to A levels or ideally Degree level.
This role is based in region and so prospective candidates should currently live in the region and provide their own transport for which defined expenses will be paid.
Occupational Requirement:
In accordance with the Equality Act of 2010 and due to both the nature and context of the role there is an ‘occupational requirement’ for the post holder to be a committed Christian. The job holder should be committed to the purpose of SPI and be able to demonstrate enthusiasm for the Christian purposes of the organisation and be able to live out, hold to, support and contribute to its Christian ethos.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our Time Charity is seeking an experienced Communications and Social Media Officer to strengthen our digital presence and amplify the voices of children affected by parental mental illness.
This role plays a central part in delivering our communications strategy by ensuring our message reaches families, professionals, funders and partners with clarity, creativity and purpose. You will manage our social media channels, develop engaging and accessible content, support campaign rollouts, and contribute to PR and stakeholder communications that challenge stigma and raise national awareness.
Working closely with the Communications Lead and the wider team, you’ll help shape and share stories that reflect lived experience, ensuring children feel seen, understood, and less alone, and that the wider system better understands the impact of parental mental health difficulties.
This role is ideal for someone with experience in communications, social media, or digital marketing within a charity or purpose-driven organisation who enjoys combining strategy with hands-on delivery, translating complex topics into compelling content, and using insights to grow reach and engagement.
To learn more about the role, responsibilities and how to apply, please download the full recruitment pack.
Our mission is for every child in the UK, who has a parent with a mental illness, will find the support they need, as early as possible.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Housing to lead our supported housing services nationally and help shape the next stage of our growth.
As Director of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all of Life’s supported housing services. This is a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring our housing provision is high‑quality, compliant, safe and truly centred around the needs of our clients.
You will lead our national Housing Strategy, drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, support organisational growth, and champion a culture of compassion, accountability and high performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Develop and deliver a national Housing Strategy aligned to Life’s vision and mission.
- Identify housing development and expansion opportunities, including partnerships with local authorities and commissioners.
- Support organisational business planning and future growth.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with housing legislation and regulatory requirements including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, HHSRS, safeguarding and Health & Safety.
- Lead regulatory audits, inspections and risk management.
- Provide assurance on compliance and viability to the CEO and Trustees.
Service Quality & Client Experience
- Embed a client-centred, compassionate approach aligned with Housing Ombudsman principles.
- Oversee effective complaints management, learning reviews and client feedback systems.
- Ensure properties and services meet high standards of safety, warmth and comfort.
Operational Leadership
- Lead housing management, income recovery, voids, repairs and maintenance, compliance and tenancy sustainment.
- Ensure effective escalation of tenancy breaches and safeguarding practices.
- Work closely with Life’s Helpline services around referral and allocations.
Financial & Asset Management
- Oversee rental income, arrears, void control and financial performance.
- Manage contracts, grants and local authority funding.
- Ensure major works, planned maintenance and statutory compliance are delivered effectively.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and support Housing Managers, support teams and frontline workers.
- Foster a positive culture of accountability, inclusion and high standards.
- Support staff development and performance.
Partnership Management
- Build strong relationships with local authorities, property professionals, contractors, funders and other key partners.
- Represent Life at external forums and sector networks.
About you:
Essential
- CIH Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification
- Senior leadership experience in supported housing, social housing, or homelessness services
- Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and regulatory compliance
- Understanding of Housing Ombudsman standards and consumer regulations
- Experience in strategic planning, service development and organisational growth
- Budget management and financial performance experience
- Experience with property maintenance, asset management and compliance
- Strong safeguarding knowledge
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
- UK driving licence and access to a car
Desirable
- Experience supporting vulnerable women or family services
- Charity/third sector leadership experience
- Experience securing funding or development partnerships
About Life:
Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.
Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values :
All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:
- Humanity – All people are special and equal
- Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
- Community – We’re better together
- Charity – Doing good for one another
- Common good – Building a better world
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Salary: £45,750 per annum
Hours: 32 hours per week
Location: Home based with extensive travel across the South of England
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.


