Freelance educator jobs

Youth Programmes Officer 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Reporting to: Youth Programmes Manager 

About us 

The Ben Kinsella Trust is one of the UK’s leading anti-knife crime charities. We were set up following the tragic murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella in 2008, and everything we do is guided by his legacy. Our mission is to prevent knife crime through education and campaigning. 

Ben was a kind, creative young person who loved art, music, Arsenal FC, and making people laugh. He had big dreams of becoming a graphic designer. His death was a senseless act of violence, and the outpouring of grief and public support that followed marked the start of a movement. Ben’s own words, written shortly before his death, called for change, and his voice continues to inspire our work.  

Through immersive workshops in our Choices and Consequences Exhibitions and free online resources, we have reached over 50,000 young people so far. Our work challenges myths about knife crime, strengthens peer influence, and sparks meaningful conversations. As we grow, we remain committed to honouring Ben’s life by making a real, lasting difference to young people across the UK.  

We’re a small but growing team of 11 (rising to 14), working across Programmes, Fundraising, Communications, Finance and Operations, and Leadership. Our Programmes team is supported by a brilliant pool of freelance facilitators and actors who help bring our workshops to life. We’re now looking for an Youth Programmes Officer to join us at this exciting time. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about evidence-based interventions, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is confident working to establish and maintain relationships with external organisations. 

Ben’s legacy is our guide – we exist to stop knife crime 

About the Role 

We are looking for an education or youth work professional who can deliver our programmes to a very high standard. You will be a skilled facilitator and communicator who can engage with young people from a diverse range of backgrounds. Additionally, we are seeking someone who shares our values and is passionate about using education as a tool to support and empower young people and to stop knife crime. 

As Youth Programmes Officer you will be responsible for the delivery and coordination of our flagship knife crime prevention workshops to young people, to a high standard. You will work alongside the Programmes team to ensure workshops at our London exhibitions (currently Islington and Barking & Dagenham) operate smoothly and consistently to serve young people through the achievement of quality outcomes and maximised engagement. You will play a key part in the delivery of our Youth Ambassador Programme and contribute to the development of new programmes and opportunities during an exciting period of growth for the charity.  

Key Responsibilities 

Programme delivery

• Deliver workshops to a range of groups (primary, secondary, PRU/AP and adults), adapting to different needs
• Ensure sessions are engaging, high quality, and responsive to feedback

Programme development

• Gather and analyse feedback to improve programmes
• Support the development of new projects and resources

Workshop coordination

• Coordinate day-to-day delivery across two sites
• Manage bookings, enquiries and pre-visit information
• Maintain strong relationships with schools and partners
• Keep CRM and booking systems up to date
• Coordinate freelance facilitators and support their onboarding and training

General

• Carry out other duties as required

Person Specification 

Experience

• Delivering workshops or training to young people
• Adapting structured programmes to different needs
• Managing behaviour and supporting young people with additional needs
• Coordinating multiple tasks or stakeholders
• General admin and use of digital systems

(Desirable: programme design, training adults, relevant qualification in teaching/youth work)

Skills and knowledge

• Strong facilitation and communication skills
• Ability to build positive relationships
• Understanding of youth violence or knife crime
• Knowledge of inclusive teaching approaches

Personal qualities

• Passionate about supporting young people
• Reliable, organised and proactive
• Collaborative and professional
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Open to learning and continuous improvement

Benefits  

• Flexible working where possible
• 27 days’ annual leave (+ bank holidays), rising with service
• Enhanced sick pay
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Development opportunities

How to apply

Submit a CV and supporting statement outlining how you meet the person specification. Please also answer the two additional questions on the application form.

Deadline: Monday 24th August 09:30am.
Interviews:

• Stage 1: 27th / 28th August
• Stage 2: Week commencing 1st September (in person)

Speaking for Ourselves – The Living History of the Care Experienced Movement @ Coram

Job Title: Care Experienced Engagement Coordinator - Speaking for Ourselves 

Contract – Fixed-Term (Until the end of June 2029)

Hours - 28 hours per week (Monday to Friday with occasional evening/ weekend work)

Salary - £28,800 pro rata (£36,000 FTE)

Location – Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ. (with national travel as required)

Speaking for Ourselves is an exciting new programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that will collect and share the history of the care-experienced campaigning movement since the 1970s. It was conceived within the care-experienced community, emerging from long-standing discussions about how poorly the history of the care-experienced campaigning movement has been recorded—and how easily its achievements risk being forgotten.

This important programme puts the voice of people with lived experience of care at the centre. The Speaking for Ourselves programme delivered by Coram is guided by a majority care-experienced Programme Board and aims to work with the wider care experienced community. The Programme Board has an advisory and representative role, to guide the successful delivery of the programme and make key decisions that shape its impact.

Speaking for Ourselves will:

• Engage care-experienced communities through workshops, open submissions, commissions, partnerships, and outreach

• Collect, record, and digitise documents, photographs, letters, publications, and objects
• Conduct personal history interviews with people involved in campaigns and efforts for change
• Commission written pieces to fill gaps in the historical record
• Create a permanent digital archive
• Produce podcasts, a moveable display, a school’s module, and a toolkit for Children in Care Councils
• Deliver three national events (one per year)
• Build a lasting resource for policymakers, educators, researchers, and future campaigners

About the role

The Care Experienced Engagement Coordinator role presents a unique opportunity to work directly with the care experienced community to bring to life this untold history. The role will hold primary responsibility for the engagement with the community, and care experienced individuals and allies including outreach, liaison and ongoing relationship management. Along with the team they will need to ensure the programme is delivered sensitively and embed a trauma informed approach.

We are looking for a person who has direct experience of successfully working with diverse groups of people with lived experience of the care system – personally or professionally, along with experience of working with young people and adults to develop and deliver projects preferably in a heritage / creative context.

The post holder will report to the Programme Manager, and will be responsible for working with them, the team, the Programme Board and Coram to deliver the programme.

For more information about the main duties and responsibilities of this role please refer to the job description and person specification.

Coram understands that people with lived experience of the care system may face barriers to and in employment. Recognising that such experience could be an asset to this programme (and may bring valuable skills, knowledge, insights and approaches directly relevant to the programme’s success), we particularly welcome and encourage applications from care-experienced individuals.

We guarantee an interview for care experienced applicants who meet the person specification.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing date: 8th September 2026

Interview date: 15th September at the Coram Campus, London WC1

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Join BrainWaves at an exciting stage of growth and help build the sustainable income behind our ambitious plans to improve young people’s mental health.

This is a rare opportunity for a proactive fundraiser to take real ownership of a growing fundraising programme, working with experienced specialists while broadening your expertise across trusts, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving.

About BrainWaves Research

BrainWaves Research is a charity working to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing through research, education and collaboration.

We bring together scientists, educators, schools and young people to build a stronger understanding of adolescent mental health and translate evidence into practical support. Our work combines a major longitudinal research study with evidence-based educational resources for schools.

BrainWaves is a long-term collaboration involving the University of Oxford, Swansea University and The Day News & Media. We are entering an exciting stage of growth and are looking for a proactive and versatile Fundraising Manager to help secure the sustainable income needed to achieve our ambitions.

The opportunity

You will lead the day-to-day delivery of fundraising across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving, developing new opportunities as well as managing and growing existing relationships.

The role may particularly suit someone with strong experience in one area – most likely trusts and foundations or high-value giving – who is ready to broaden their expertise across a mixed portfolio.

You will work particularly closely with our fractional Fundraising Director, who will provide strategic direction and support, as well as experienced specialists in major gifts and events, senior volunteers and colleagues across BrainWaves.

This is a hands-on role with significant autonomy. We are looking for someone proactive, ambitious and organised who enjoys turning strategy into action, building relationships, improving systems and hitting targets. Above all, you will be passionate about our mission to improve young people’s mental health.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and income growth

• Work with the Fundraising Director and COO to deliver BrainWaves’ fundraising strategy and annual income plan.

• Manage and grow a pipeline across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates and individual giving.

• Research and develop new prospects, partnerships and sustainable income opportunities.

• Prepare compelling cases for support, grant applications, proposals, presentations and donor communications.

• Take ownership of agreed income targets, deadlines and activity plans, monitoring performance and forecasting income.

• Manage funder and supporter relationships from initial approach through to reporting and stewardship.

Major donors, corporates and supporters

• Work with the Fundraising Director, trustees, senior volunteers and specialist advisers to identify, cultivate and steward high-value prospects.

• Build relationships with companies whose values and interests align with BrainWaves and develop appropriate partnership opportunities.

• Help develop our individual-giving programme, including appeals, regular giving and supporter journeys.

• Manage and improve our use of JustGiving and other digital fundraising platforms.

• Support donor and cultivation events, including prospect identification, communications and follow-up.

CRM, data and fundraising operations

• Take day-to-day ownership of BrainWaves’ CRM, ensuring supporter, prospect, donation and relationship records are accurate and up to date.

• Improve how the CRM is used for pipeline management, reporting, segmentation, stewardship and task management.

• Establish clear and consistent processes for recording and using fundraising information.

• Produce regular pipeline, income and forecasting reports and use data to identify opportunities, gaps and risks.

• Ensure information from JustGiving and other platforms is captured and followed up appropriately.

• Maintain high standards of data protection, fundraising compliance and data quality.

Collaborative working

• Work closely with the Fundraising Director and experienced freelance specialists in fundraising strategy, major gifts and events.

• Collaborate with colleagues across communications, research and operations to develop strong fundraising propositions and materials.

• Support trustees and senior volunteers in their fundraising activity.

• Attend occasional meetings and events, primarily in Oxford and London.

About you

You will be a confident and proactive fundraiser with strong experience in at least one income stream and an appetite to broaden your expertise.

You will be a persuasive communicator and excellent relationship builder, comfortable managing multiple prospects, deadlines and priorities. You will enjoy working in a small, evolving organisation where initiative is valued and will be effective working independently from home while staying closely connected to the wider team.

Most importantly, you will be motivated by ambitious targets and genuinely excited by BrainWaves’ mission.

Essential experience and skills

• Experience of securing income within a charity, university, research institution or other purpose-led organisation.

• Strong experience in at least one fundraising stream, such as trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates or individual giving.

• Evidence of meeting fundraising targets or contributing significantly to income growth.

• Experience of managing prospects from research and qualification through to solicitation and stewardship.

• Excellent written skills, including producing persuasive applications, proposals and donor communications.

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.

• Ability to understand complex information and turn it into a clear and compelling case for support.

• Experience of using a fundraising CRM to manage pipelines, records and reporting.

• Excellent organisation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• A proactive, resourceful and collaborative approach.

• A genuine commitment to BrainWaves’ purpose.

Desirable experience

• Experience across more than one fundraising income stream.

• Trusts and foundations and/or major donor fundraising experience.

• Experience of corporate partnerships.

• Experience of using and improving a CRM, particularly Beacon or a similar system.

• Experience of JustGiving or similar digital fundraising platforms.

• Experience of fundraising for mental health, young people, education, science, health or research.

• Knowledge of fundraising regulation and data protection.

• Experience of donor cultivation or fundraising events.

What we offer

• The opportunity to shape and grow fundraising within an ambitious charity.

• Close working with an experienced Fundraising Director and senior fundraising specialists.

• Significant autonomy and the opportunity to broaden your fundraising experience.

• Meaningful work supporting research and education focused on adolescent mental health.

• A flexible, predominantly home-based role.

• 25 days’ annual leave pro rata.

• Auto-enrolment into our pension scheme after successful completion of a three-month probation period.

• Reasonable travel expenses for required meetings and events.

Prospectus is thrilled to be partnering with our client in their search for a Policy Adviser to join their Education and Skills Policy team, supporting high-profile programmes focused on educational reform, mathematical and data education, education research and skills development. This is an opportunity to work on influential projects that bring together leading experts, policymakers, educators and researchers to improve outcomes for young people across the UK. This is a permanent role, 2-3 days a week in the office and paying £35,000 - £38,500. 

Working closely with the Senior Policy Adviser, you will lead and coordinate policy projects from concept through to delivery. You'll help turn strategic recommendations into practical action, manage stakeholder relationships, lead research activity, develop policy briefings, and support the delivery of workshops, events and conferences.

You will bring demonstrable experience in policy, research, or a related field. You will be comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities. You’ll also have excellent stakeholder management and relationship building skills, with strong written communication, project management and influencing capabilities.

While previous education policy experience would be advantageous, we are particularly interested in candidates with strong policy expertise and a genuine interest in improving education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver education policy projects from planning through to implementation.
• Research emerging policy issues and develop evidence-based briefings and reports.
• Build and maintain relationships with Fellows, policymakers, researchers and education stakeholders.
• Organise stakeholder meetings, workshops, committees and events.
• Coordinate project plans, timelines and external contributors.
• Support the delivery of major education policy programmes and events.

Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation for the role. In your cover letter, please ensure to highlight your: 

• Experience working in a policy environment
• Experience managing projects from inception to delivery 

Recruitment Timeline:
Closing date: 31st August
Shortlisting: 7th-8th September
Interviews: 17th September

At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you require assistance with your application, please contact Shannon Sanderson, the lead consultant for this role. Please note that applications and CVs sent directly by email cannot be accepted and must be submitted through the application link to ensure they are properly recorded and considered.