Education mentor volunteer jobs in Newcastle

Director of Community Services
£80,000 pa plus excellent benefits
Remote working
Permanent, 35 hours per week

This is a key senior leadership role, responsible for shaping and leading RNID’s community services so that we change lives one by one. The Director of Community Services will lead our flagship RNID Near You services and Contact RNID, with responsibility for business development, operational delivery, service quality, safeguarding, volunteer management and continuous improvement.

As Director of Community Services you will:

• Provide strategic leadership for RNID’s community services, setting a clear direction, maintaining strong delivery discipline and maximising impact for our service-users.  

• Set and maintain high standards for service quality and assurance, ensuring consistent practice, effective compliance arrangements and a culture of learning and continuous improvement.  

• Grow RNID’s community services by maximising opportunities to establish new RNID Near You services and maintaining a strong future services roadmap.  

• Strengthen safeguarding across RNID, ensuring systems and processes are proportionate, robust and effective in protecting service users, staff and volunteers.  

• Lead volunteer management across RNID, ensuring services have the volunteer capacity they need and that volunteers are well trained, supported and recognised.  

• Drive continuous improvement and further modernisation of services, ensuring they meet community needs. Improve the efficiency of services, helping RNID reach more people.  

• Foster a culture of strong performance management across all services, using insight into demand, quality, risk and impact to support effective decision-making and delivery.  

• Build and strengthen partnerships, particularly with NHS trusts, commissioners and other funders, to grow and improve services.  

• Play an active role in collective leadership and decision-making as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, modelling values-led, inclusive leadership and creating a culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.  

You are ready to work for a home-working organisation and have good IT skills, particularly with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel, Word.

We are RNID: the national charity supporting the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Together, we will end the discrimination faced by our communities, help people hear better now and fund world-class research to restore hearing and silence tinnitus. We work with our communities and partners across industry, government, charity, education and more to change life for the better. 

RNID has a proud history and big ambitions. We’re focused on making the greatest impact possible across the whole of the UK. We champion the latest technology and the opportunities it brings. We also know the value of a friendly face in local communities to support people where they need it most.

We champion the value of difference and equality and celebrate our diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from BAME backgrounds or who are deaf or hard of hearing. With almost 20% of our employees having a disability we proudly hold Disability Confident Leader status and guarantee an interview for disabled applicants meeting the minimum essential criteria.

Closing date: 12 July 2026

Interview dates as below:

1. Stakeholder sessions: 20th & 21st July 2026
2. Final panel interviews: 27th & 28th July 2026

The overall purpose of the role is to provide timely psychosocial assessment, psychoeducation and proactive pre- and post-bereavement support to children, young people and adults, using a range of supportive methods, approaches and techniques consistent with level 2 of the NICE (2004) psychological framework.

The post holder will form part of the On Demand Team and will be responsible for the effective day-to-day operation and delivery of the service (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm) across a range of On Demand digital platforms. The post holder will also complete comprehensive risk assessments with children, young people and adults, and will liaise with relevant external agencies—such as social care, the police and general practitioners—in accordance with organisational safeguarding policies and procedures.

In addition, the role involves conducting regular weekly referral callbacks, using clinical judgement to ensure that each person is supported to access the most appropriate service for their needs at that time. Working alongside the wider bereavement services team, the post holder may also co-facilitate therapeutic group sessions and deliver one-off psychosocial education groups or workshops, extending the reach of bereavement support beyond individual contacts.

Main Responsibilities

 Communication and Relationships

· Build compassionate, trusting and professional relationships with bereaved children, young people and adults, ensuring all contact is person-centered, trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate and sensitive to individual needs and circumstances

· Communicate complex and sometimes distressing information clearly and to supportively, maintaining professional boundaries at all times

· Adapt communication style and approach to suit the needs, preferences, and emotional states of children, young people and adults, including those with neurodiverse profiles or communication difficulties

· Work collaboratively with colleagues across bereavement services, ensuring continuity and consistency of support

· Engage effectively with parents, carers and professionals involved in a child or young person’s care to coordinate holistic support

· Liaise with external agencies – including social care, education, healthcare professionals, police and voluntary sector- to share information appropriately under safeguarding guidance

· Participate in regular clinical supervision to support safe, effective delivery of care

· Contribute to team meetings and service development discussions, offering insight from frontline practice

· Model the values and culture of the organisation in interactions and relationships at work

· Ensure accurate and timely documentation of communications and decisions in line with organisational policies and data protection regulations

Knowledge, training and experience

· Ability to conduct full psychosocial assessments and to lead support interventions with children, young people and/or adults in accordance with best practice

· Ability to complete comprehensive risk assessments and determine appropriate level of response/intervention

· Deliver targeted pre/post bereavement support and interventions utilising a range of supportive therapeutic and psychosocial techniques, working within level 2 of the NICE (2004) psychological framework

· Demonstrate a robust understanding of grief, loss, trauma, child development, and the psychological and social impact of bereavement on children, young people, families and adults

· Apply sound clinical judgment and maintain professional accountability for practice in line with national standards, organisational policies, and personal relevant professional Code of Conduct

· Maintain knowledge about current, evidence-based practice

· To maintain a personal profile of professional development in accordance with professional requirements/governing bodies

· Demonstrate knowledge of all relevant policies and procedures

· Adhere to legislation and statutory guidance related to Safeguarding Children and Young People, Safeguarding Adults, and the Mental Capacity Act, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and partner agencies where appropriate

· Participate actively in clinical supervision to ensure safe, ethical, and effective service delivery

· Contribute to the development and sharing of knowledge within the team by supporting training, mentoring, and peer learning opportunities

Analytical and judgment skills

· Exercise sound professional judgment in assessing the emotional, psychological, and social needs of children, young people, and adults following bereavement and in the delivery of immediate on demand support

· Analyse complex information gathered through assessment, observation, and communication to identify individual needs, risks, and strengths

· 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 clinical decision-making, ensuring sensitivity to cultural, social, and contextual factors influencing grief

· Assess risk and vulnerability using structured and professional judgement, making timely, evidence-based decisions about appropriate interventions and onward referrals

· Identify when more intensive clinical or safeguarding intervention is needed, escalating concerns to line manager and/or On Demand Shift Manager

· Contribute actively to meetings, clinical supervision, peer supervision, case discussions, and service reviews to plan, coordinate, and evaluate strategies of care and support

· Ensure accurate, timely, and meaningful data recording and reporting to inform clinical practice, service evaluation, and organisational performance monitoring

Planning and organisational skills

· Plan and organise work autonomously while engaging collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, and partner professionals to support coordinated care and seamless service delivery

· Provide cover and support for bereavement team members during periods of absence or high demand

· Contribute to the planning and delivery of workshops and groups run across bereavement services, as needed

· 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

· Contribute to the development of efficient, evidence-based practices by supporting team planning, service evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

· Relevant health, education, social care or counselling qualification

· Specialist training in bereavement, grief and trauma informed practice

· Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to continuous learning

Desirable

· Training in working with children and young people

· Training in working in mental health

Experience

Essential

· At least three year’s recent experience (in the past six years) of working with bereaved children, young people, families or adults on an individual or group basis

· Experience and knowledge of working with and providing services to children, young people, families and adults in a health, social care, youth, community or educational settings

· Experience of providing support to children, young people, and/or adults through digital channels/platforms

· Further professional training in working with children and young people and an understanding of developmental issues

· 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 across health, education, and social care

Desirable

· Experience of working within a bereavement, palliative care of mental health setting

Skills and Abilities

Essential

· Demonstrate in-depth understanding of bereavement, grief, loss, trauma, and their psychological and developmental impact on children, young people and families

· Knowledge of current research, theories, national frameworks, and NICE guidance related to bereavement and mental health

· Knowledge of evidence-based approaches to bereavement and trauma support

· Strong assessment, analytical, and formulation skills with the ability to make informed clinical decisions

· Empathetic, compassionate, and youth driven approach

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with children, families, and professionals while maintaining professional boundaries at all times

· 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

· Excellent organisational skills

Strong IT skills, including confidence in using multiple IT systems 

Benefits

· 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata if applicable) with increase for long service.

· TOIL for our hours work.

· Contributory pension scheme.

· Company sick pay.

· Employee Assistance Programme.

· Life assurance.

· Training loans.

· Enhanced family friendly policies.

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 6th July 2026 at midnight

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications for the role before the closing date.

Interviews

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.