Inclusive & Blind Recruitment Statement:
In line with Caudwell Youth’s recruitment policy, we operate a blind recruitment process to help ensure a fair and unbiased selection. At the initial application stage, we ask all candidates to submit only a CV and a covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4)
Please use your covering letter to explain why you are interested in this position and to explain how your experience, skills, or achievements enable you to meet the person specification and support your application.
Your anonymised cover letter to this question will be the only information shared with the interview panel for the blind shortlisting process, so we encourage you to make it clear and impactful.
Should you be shortlisted for an interview, you will then be invited to fill in our full application form.
We value equity, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.
ABOUT US
Not all young people have the same opportunities in life. Caudwell Youth exists to level the playing field for young people at risk. We support young people up to 25 years, who face real challenges in their lives. They may experience mental health challenges, be leaving care or be at risk of exploitation or offending.
We provide person centred support through volunteer-led mentoring for up to 18-months, alongside a targeted intervention programme called Shaping Futures for high-risk young people. Founded by the philanthropist John Caudwell in 2022, we now support young people across Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, Slough, Buckinghamshire, and Luton.
Over our first 3 years as a charity, our work has consistently achieved exceptional outcomes for at-risk young people. 95% reduced offending behaviour, 64% reduced their exploitation risk, 83% reported improvements in their mental health and 45% had moved into education, employment or training. When a young person makes progress, families and communities benefit too. In fact, economic analysis shows that for every £1 invested in our programme, we save the public purse £6.05.
Unfortunately, demand for our service far outstrips supply, meaning we have often had to close our waiting lists. Whilst the risks and challenges young people face continue to grow. We currently support around 400 young people. The driving ambition behind our forthcoming strategy is to reach more.
To achieve this we are setting out to develop and expand our programmes. To become a national charity. We will do this working with at-risk young people, empowering them in everything we do. Our ambition to support more at-risk young people is shared with them.
OUR VISION: A brighter future for at-risk young people.
OUR MISSION: Empowering at-risk young people to shape their own future through mentoring and youth-led support.
Purpose of Role:
Provide strategic leadership on all Caudwell Youth’s external communications, ensuring they are effective in driving engagement and delivering our strategic goals.
Responsible as part of the Senior Leadership Team for the overall leadership of Caudwell Youth. Promoting the mission, vision and values of the charity, and the development and implementation of our strategic plan.
Key Duties:
Corporate leadership
- As part of the Senior Leadership Team work with the Board of Trustees to: develop and progress the organisation’s strategy, set and manage the organisation’s budget and ensure risks are managed effectively
- Lead by example, instilling a values-led and inclusive culture, with strong youth involvement
Commnications
- Lead on brand strategy, developing the brand to become more youth-led, reviewing our visual identity, core messaging, content and channels.
- Be responsible for digital strategy, leading development of our website and social media channels.
- Be responsible for our CRM, maintaining good data practices and delivering timely, integrated communications to our key audiences.
- Lead the development of communication plans, storytelling, assets and content; increasing the proportion of content created and delivered by young people.
- Provide the framework and support for youth participation in communications activities, working effectively with the Operations teams.
- Work with young people to identify influencers and celebrity/ambassador support to raise awareness and support our brand values.
- Lead proactive and reactive media engagement; including crisis communications with support from the CEO and John Caudwell’s PR team.
- Ensure our brand and communications convey a powerful case for support; working with the Fundraising team to create compelling donor communications to recruit and engage challenge participants and donors.
- Develop and deliver marketing strategies for volunteer recruitment to enable our mentoring programmes to grow.
- Gather and share the views and experiences of young people to influence change, building policy and campaigns activity as resources allow.
- Oversee the production of digital, printed and physical assets as required.
- Lead and manage the Communications team effectively, supporting development to maximise performance.
- Ensure effective processes and analytics are in place, reporting to SLT and the Board of Trustees on KPIs
Administration
- Manage the Communications budget
- Be responsible for our marketing software, including CRM, and adhere to data retention schedules.
- Act as Data Protection Officer for Caudwell Youth
- Undertake and identify training as required and take a positive approach to personal development.
- Undertake any other reasonable tasks deemed necessary.
Experience:
Essential
- Proven experience in senior communications roles.
- Sound leadership and team management experience, with the ability to manage and motivate teams to achieve targets.
- A minimum of five years’ experience in communications, media relations/PR, advocacy and/or marketing.
- Experience of involving beneficiaries in communications activities, preferably young people
- An good understanding of GDPR.
Desirable
- Experience of working on charity communications
- Knowledge or experience of fundraising practices
- Experience of policy and campaigns
- Experience of working with young people
- Lived experience that aligns with the young people we support
Skills:
- Ability to work strategically and collaboratively as part of a senior leadership team.
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for storytelling.
- An understanding of developing support journeys to promote engagement
- Proficiency in digital marketing and social media management.
We are an experienced team that are dedicated to improving the lives of the young people we support.
Benefits:
- Flexible working
- Hybrid – working from home with travel as required
- WPA Healthcare (including Employee Assistance Programme and extended counselling sessions)
- Group Personal Pension with a 5% employer contribution and Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- 25 days annual leave (FTE) plus bank holidays, plus charity closure between Christmas and New Year
- Extra paid day off on your birthday
- Paid day off for volunteering in your community
- Training opportunities to support your personal development
- Employee discounts on everyday goods and services
- Being part of a passionate and dedicated team
Caudwell Youth is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment, we undertake disclosure checks in accordance with the Codes of Practice for all. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants.
As an organisation supporting young people with care experience, with mental health and those at risk of criminal exploitation and offending, we are keen to receive applications from those with lived experience. For those who are care experienced, we will guarantee an interview.
We actively seek to bring diverse perspectives and experience, and especially welcome applications from disabled people and those from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ+.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Overview
We’re looking for an Assistant Business Development Officer (Bid Writer) to join our national Business Development Team. This is a great opportunity for an excellent writer to start or grow your bid writing career in a successful team with progression opportunities.
Location: London, Brighton, Manchester or Leeds.
Salary: £27,861.26 − £32,002.35 per year. If you’re based in London, you’ll receive an additional £4,133.14 per year as Inner London Weighing.
Contract: 12 months fixed term.
Responsibilities
About the role
Change Grow Live is a health and social care charity. Across the country, we support people to make positive changes in their lives, including around drug and alcohol use, smoking, homelessness and criminal justice.
As an Assistant Business Development Officer, you’ll play a key part in helping us secure new contracts and deliver high quality services for adults, children and young people. You’ll support the development of bids and proposals by writing, researching and collaborating with colleagues across the organisation.
Your day-to-day will include:
- Writing and editing bid responses
- Working with colleagues across the organisation and our partner agencies
- Completing online research, analysing data and collating evidence
- Creating presentations, diagrams and reports
- Helping improve how we do things.
This is a developmental role, and you’ll receive ongoing support, guidance and training to help you progress.
About you
We’re looking for excellent writers who share our passion for supporting people to make positive changes in their lives. You don’t need previous experience in business development, but experience in health and social care, writing, sales, research, or data is beneficial.
You are:
- A clear, concise and engaging writer
- Motivated to learn and develop, welcoming feedback
- Collaborative and contribute to a positive culture team
- Curious and analytical
- Solution-focused, creative and proactive
- Ready to work hard to deliver on CGL’s values and mission.
What we offer
You’ll be able to access structured training, development and mentoring as part of a supportive team. There’s a clear progression pathway within the team. We have a great record of people quickly progressing to Business Development Officer and Senior Business Development Officer roles as they take on increased volume, complexity, and leadership across proposals.
We also offer:
- The option to work from home for some of the week
- Wellbeing support, including an employee assistance programme and an hour each week for wellbeing activities of your choice (find out more here).
We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we work with. We pride ourselves on an inclusive and supportive workplace, evidenced through our Investors in People silver status.
We’re happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that you need to be successful. Please let us know in your application or at any stage of the process if you would like to discuss this.
Before you apply
In the application portal, there’s a section called ‘how you meet the criteria for the role’. This is your chance to tell us about why you’re a good fit for this job – we won’t be able to consider your application unless it’s filled in. Please explain how you meet each of the person specification criteria (listed at the end of the job description). Use clear examples of your experience (this link contains some useful guidance). As guidance, written statements should not exceed 1,000 words. You can address multiple criteria together where you think it makes sense.
Interviews will be held 16th – 23rd February 2026 via MS Teams. We’ll also ask shortlisted candidates to complete a written task online during this timeframe, at a time of your choice. We may hold a pre-qualification stage task (e.g. presentation) depending on the number of applicants.
We encourage applications from individuals who may not meet every requirement but are excited about the role. We value lived experience of substance use, homelessness, and/or multiple disadvantages.
We’re a Disability Confident Committed employer. Under our Disability Confident interview scheme, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates where they meet our selection criteria in their application. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances where it is not practicable or appropriate, we may limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. Please confirm in the ‘how you meet the criteria for the role’ part of the application if you are applying under this scheme. We will provide reasonable adjustments as needed.
Check the job description and team explainer for more information. You can contact Yasmin Gilders to discuss this role further.
What our people say
George, who progressed from Assistant Business Development Officer to Business Development Officer last year:
“What was your route into the team? I came into Business Development after starting out in frontline roles in local authorities and then a housing charity, where I realised I wanted to continue having an impact on people’s lives, but on a bigger scale. The Assistant Business Development Officer role was a perfect progression, and after about a year I successfully applied for a Business Development Officer role. This felt really manageable given the space for development as an Assistant Business Development Officer.
What are your favourite parts of the job? Winning contracts is a really great feeling, especially when I know they’ve been shaped with service users and colleague to make sure we’re designing services that offer the best support to the most people. I also value the constant opportunities to learn, feeling supported in my development, and seeing the decisions I’m involved in having a real impact on people’s lives.
What were your highlights from last year? Our team away day in Liverpool, which was great fun as well as chance to hear from the managers of our new Liverpool service. It was one of the first bids I worked on as an Assistant Business Development Officer, and it was amazing to see our bid come to life, being delivered by a passionate group of people.
What would you say to someone thinking of applying? I’d definitely say go for it, and once you start, embrace how much there is to learn! Make the most of a really knowledgeable and supportive team, of managers who genuinely want you to succeed, and of all the opportunities to try new things and develop new skills.”
Holly, who has progressed from Assistant Business Development Officer to Senior Business Development Officer:
“What was your route into the team? I was a psychology graduate and teacher training drop out! With my experience of working in schools and academic research into young people’s substance use, I started working as an Education Lead for one of CGL’s young person’s services. After a year I applied to join the Business Development Team, wanting to utilise my experience of working frontline and my love of research and writing. I’ve progressed from Assistant to Officer and then Senior Officer since joining the team in 2022.
How would you describe the team? Helpful, real and full of knowledge. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and is happy to share their skills, knowledge and learning. I’ve never felt like I’ve asked a silly question, and I don’t feel like I must put a on ‘work mask’.
What would you say to someone thinking of applying? Not to think they can’t do it just because they don’t have experience in bid writing or business development. It’s more important to be able to demonstrate that they’re a confident professional writer and are really passionate about working in the drug and alcohol support sector.”
Salary Range (pro rata if part time)
CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)
Interview Date
16/2/2026
Closing Date
8/2/2026
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
Our mission is to help people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.
Thank you!
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!
Primary Teacher with Therapeutic Experience - Oasis Nurture – Oasis St Martin’s Village
Part Time – 2 or 3 days a week – Permanent Term Time Contract
Working Pattern: Either Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - two or three of those days: 8-4pm
Salary: £55,184 including London Weighting and pro-rated for term-time.
Oasis St Martin’s Village
Oasis St Martins Village is part of Oasis which is a group of organisations, committed to building stronger communities. Oasis St Martin’s Village, based in Tulse Hill, is a new and exciting project, working in partnership with other organisations in an integrated way, to provide opportunity and pathways for children and young people.
The vision of the Village is to transform the life-chances of children, who are struggling in or not coping with mainstream education, by offering them and their families support and opportunity.
Our work is based around the principle that “it takes a village to raise a child”.
Oasis Nurture
Oasis Nurture is a project that is carried out on the Village. It is a therapeutic intervention designed specifically for those children who might be described as the missing middle – those who do not meet the threshold for an ECHP but who nevertheless struggle to engage with the curriculum for a variety of reasons.
Oasis Nurture is in its pilot phase, working with four local schools, offering a two day a week intervention to a small group of children.
As a Teacher, you will be working with a maximum of six children supported by a key worker and a therapeutic practitioner. You will work alongside a therapeutic lead and a clinical lead.
In this role you will be:
· Working with the home school and parents/carers to understand the children’s needs and developing agreed goals for learning and emotional and social development
· Developing a basic curriculum for Key Stage 2 children for numeracy and literacy, related to their stage learning at their home school, so that they don’t fall behind.
· Providing a personalised, bespoke and restorative approach for each individual child to help address their challenges and fulfil their potential.
· Maintaining clear and accurate records for individual children on the designated online systems and reporting back to the home school and parents/carers on the agreed goals
· You will also be working with the Therapeutic Lead to provide opportunities for mindful therapeutic care to remove barriers to learning and provide emotional support to access the curriculum. While this role requires primary teaching experience it also requires someone who has experience of working in trauma responsive ways and understands the therapeutic needs of children who struggle to engage.
Oasis Nurture is not an Alternative Provision; it is a part time intervention designed to support local schools and children and their families. Oasis Nurture is not a statutory provision and does not therefore follow teachers’ pay and conditions. Oasis offers all the usual employment benefits including sick pay and pension.
As this is a newly created role, you will expect some evolution of the role as a result of the development of the project, your insightful input and our combined learning. At the same time, the role provides incredible opportunities for the right person.
To apply, please send your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than two A4 pages) via Charity Jobs or see our website for details.
Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualifications you have that relate to the job description.
We will review applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert if we identify suitable candidates. To avoid disappointment, please submit your application as soon as possible.
If successful you will be invited to a formal interview. We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and underrepresented groups. If you require any assistance to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.
Oasis supports Equal Opportunities. Registered Charity No. 1026487
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.