Care Rights UK is recruiting for a Policy, Campaigns and Communications Lead to join their small, welcoming and dedicated team. A varied role, the postholder will be at the heart of the organisation's influential work to raise awareness of quality care, push for new rights, and call for reform of the sector.
Care Rights UK is the charity focused on promoting the rights of older people in care. The organisation wants the best quality of life for older people needing care and for people to know their rights, as well as how to use them. Offering information, advice and support to empower those using care services as well as their relatives and friends, the organisation challenges poor care, highlights good practice and demands a better care system.
Courageous, independent and empowering, this is a truly special organisation undertaking work with real impact.
Policy, Campaigns and Communications Lead
Contract: Permanent role offered on either a full or TP basis, 28 to 35 hours per week
Salary: £38,000 full time salary (£30,400 pro rata for 28 hours per week)
Location: Hybrid between home and the London office, or home based. If home based, travel will be necessary to office-based team meetings in London and training days as required.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 22nd June
Interviews: Interviews will be held on 9th July
As a member of the Care Rights UK team, you can expect:
- Friendly, welcoming, supportive colleagues in the staff team and on the Board of Trustees
- One-to-one support from an experienced, empathetic and friendly line manager
- Peer support from colleagues in the wider staff team
- Weekly team meetings to share advice insights, updates and impact
- A thorough induction to the charity, our work and mission
- Training to help you fulfil your role and to develop your knowledge of care issues across the UK
- Opportunities for sharing skills and knowledge with colleagues who are experts in their fields
- Being part of a dynamic team pushing for real change in the care sector
- Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme - access to counselling, adviceline and other wellbeing support
- Hybrid working - the role can be carried out from anywhere in the UK, although attendance at face-to-face team meetings and training days will be required
- Flexible working - the organisation welcomes applications from candidates wishing to work 28-35 hours per week and will consider job shares or other options such as compressed hours
As Policy, Campaign and Communications Lead you will work alongside the CEO and broader team to lead the charity's influencing and engagement output, and to ensure that policy, campaign and communications work align with the organisation's advice service, research and fundraising. A role that is both strategic and hands on, your core responsibilities will include:
- Lead the charity's communication and engagement work, including producing and coordinating communications outputs, managing the charity's social media accounts and implementing plans to increase supporter engagement
- Lead the charity's policy work, including monitoring and analysing relevant care policy in the UK to inform strategic development, drafting consultation responses, lobbying to achieve our strategic objectives
- Lead the charity's campaigns, including writing and implementing campaign plans, drafting campaign materials
- Develop relationships with politicians, Parliamentarians, policymakers and organisations, and act as a spokesperson for speaking and media requests
- Line manage the Operations Coordinator, including agreeing objectives and completing the annual appraisal process
- Work closely with team members to ensure policy, campaign and communication work aligns with advice service, research and fundraising, and assist with the delivery of marketing and fundraising strategies
We'd love to hear from individuals with the following core skills and experience:
- Experience in a policy, campaign or communication role (paid or unpaid)
- Knowledge and understanding of lobbying, campaigning, influencing techniques or supporter communications
- Knowledge or experience of the adult social care sector in the UK and policy areas, gained either within a professional capacity or via lived experience
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to translate complex information into accessible content
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, persuasion, and ability to build positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise competing tasks and deliver to tight deadlines
- Experience of working independently, working on own initiative and maintaining motivation
- Experience of working effectively as a member of a small team and a positive, problem-solving approach
- Commitment to Care Rights UK's vision, purpose and values
- Understanding of the value of involving people needing care and their families at all stages of the policy and campaigning process, to bring their voices to the heart of the debate
The following skills and experience are desirable, although not essential:
- Knowledge of the UK political landscape
- Experience of working with older people needing care or their relatives
- Experience of managing social media accounts on Facebook
- Experience of working for a small charity
If you're interested in hearing more about this opportunity, please click on the linked Job Description to find out more, including details of the application process which is a CV and answers to supporting questions. Applications for the role should be submitted to Alice at Charity People by 9am on Monday 22nd June.
Please click on 'Apply Now' button to access the job description with the application instructions.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
The Politics Project is looking for a collaborative, strategic and people-focused Partnerships and Advocacy Manager. You’ll lead our influencing and partnerships work with a focus on the Democracy Classroom network, strengthening relationships across the youth, education and democracy sectors. If you are energised by connecting organisations, building relationships, and mobilising a network to take up new opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.
About The Politics Project
The Politics Project supports young people to use their voice by giving them access to brilliant democratic education. They work with young people, teachers, youth practitioners and politicians to help them learn about, teach and actively participate in democracy. The Politics Project works across the UK with over 3,000 schools and youth groups and 400 politicians.
About Democracy Classroom
Democracy Classroom is a growing, non-partisan partnership of more than 100 civil society organisations committed to strengthening democratic engagement among young people across the UK.
The network is supported by the Democracy Classroom Platform, an online hub featuring hundreds of free resources for teachers and youth practitioners. Democracy Classroom reaches educators in 95% of UK parliamentary constituencies and plays a leading role in shaping the sector’s voice - coordinating joint submissions to government consultations and producing shared visions such as The Roadmap to Votes at 16.
This is a rare opportunity to drive collaboration at a national level and support the sector to prepare for major upcoming changes in democratic education, including the introduction of Votes at 16.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced Partnerships and Advocacy Manager to strengthen The Politics Project’s influencing and partnerships work, with a focus on Democracy Classroom - a non-partisan network of organisations across the youth, education and democracy sectors. You’ll lead the implementation of the new Democracy Classroom strategy, and grow the network’s impact and reach in the build up to the next general election and the implementation of votes at 16.
You will play a central role in expanding and activating the network - supporting over 100 partner organisations to collaborate effectively, share learning, build trust and increase their collective impact. You will be a key player in keeping the sector informed, connected and ready to respond to key moments in democratic engagement, from elections to policy changes.
You will take on a highly relational role, working closely with the team to manage and nurture a complex network blending multiple sectors. You will collaborate with the Director to manage shared relationships across the Democracy Classroom network, building more ownership over time. You’ll help position Democracy Classroom as an important conduit between the sector and major stakeholders like government departments and funders.
This is a dynamic, outward-facing role that blends strategic thinking with hands-on coordination. You’ll work closely with the Head of Communications and Networks, the Democracy Classroom Programme Coordinator and colleagues across The Politics Project to make sure partners feel supported, valued and part of a shared mission.
The Politics Project is based in London, and the post holder will be expected to work from the office at least two days a week. The role may require occasional UK travel and some evening/weekend work, for which time off in lieu will be given. The role has a six-month probation period. The hours of work are 37.5 hrs per week. This is a fast-paced role in a friendly, supportive and growing team.
Key responsibilities
Partnership management
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Build, nurture and deepen relationships with more than 100 civil society partners, helping each partner see themselves as part of a growing and collaborative sector.
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Identify and recruit new organisations into Democracy Classroom, leading our onboarding process and helping new partners make the best of Democracy Classroom.
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Facilitate partner input into planning, shared problem-solving and decision-making.
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Build understanding of partners’ diverse needs and perspectives, supporting and balancing between these with sensitivity.
Advocacy and influencing
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Spot and act on emerging opportunities for collaboration, policy influence and joint sector action.
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Work with government departments such as DfE, DCMS, and MHCLG on the implementation plan for Votes at 16, translating sector expertise and experience.
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Manage relationships with academics and engage confidently with research to be an effective advocate for democratic education.
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Organise and facilitate events and advocacy opportunities such as advocacy panels, funder roundtables.
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Draft reports, submit evidence to the government, and feed into policy consultations.
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Jump on quick opportunities for the network, bringing people together and turning things around fast (e.g., presenting sector needs to funders or submitting evidence to Government).
Engagement and representation
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Plan and deliver Democracy Classroom meetings, training and networking events.
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Represent The Politics Project and Democracy Classroom externally as a confident ambassador for our collaborative, non-partisan approach.
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Develop and deliver partner communications to ensure consistent, clear and timely updates.
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Act as the main point of contact for Democracy Classroom partner queries, support and collaboration.
Monitoring and reporting
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Track partner engagement and feedback to support continuous improvement.
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Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting to demonstrate the network’s impact.
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Work with The Politics Project team to most effectively document partner activity.
Benefits
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33 days’ annual leave including three days off between Christmas and New Year, in addition to Bank Holidays.
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4% employer pension contribution.
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2 working days / 15 hours of volunteer leave a year.
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Cycle to Work scheme.
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Professional development and training opportunities
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A warm, inclusive and values-led working environment
About you
You are passionate about democratic engagement and believe in the power of young people’s voices. You’re an enthusiastic relationship-builder who enjoys connecting organisations, spotting opportunities and turning ideas into action.
You’ll bring a strategic mindset, strong emotional intelligence and communication skills, and confidence working across sectors. You’re proactive, organised and comfortable balancing long-term partnership development with hands-on delivery.
Most of all, you’re motivated by the challenge and opportunity of supporting a high-profile national network that is shaping the future of democratic education.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this role (provided by The Politics Project).
Skills and experience
Essential
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Proven experience in partnership or stakeholder management, ideally in civil society, education or government.
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Strong strategic thinking, and a drive to identify and jump on opportunities for collaboration and growth.
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Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills.
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High emotional intelligence and ability to navigate complex relationships in a growing space.
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Strong project management and organisational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
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Confident working with the youth or education sectors (teaching/youth work not required).
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Experience of submitting evidence to Government, drafting quasi-academic reports or policy briefings, or responding to consultations. An academic background is not needed, but you must be comfortable engaging with policy and research.
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Knowledge of, and interest in, UK politics and democratic engagement.
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Self-motivated, resilient and solutions-focused.
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Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel within the UK.
Desirable
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IT literacy, including strong use of Google Workspace.
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Experience using CRMs or managing databases.
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Experience evaluating partnership impact and producing reports.
How to apply
Please apply via Charity Job with the following:
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Your CV (no more than two pages).
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A supporting statement of no more than one A4 page, setting out how your experience, skills and knowledge meet the person specification and why you are drawn to this role.
The closing date is 11:30pm, Saturday 20th June 2026.
Screening calls are planned for the week beginning Monday 29th June, with interviews to follow in early July.
Anticipated start date will be August or September, depending on notice period.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.