Specialist welfare benefits advisor jobs

Job Title: Helpline Advocacy Coordinator 

Location: Homeworking with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London)
Salary: £29,701.36 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an exciting opportunity to join Refuge as a Helpline Advocacy Co-ordinator.

The Helpline Advocacy Co-ordinator – London (HAC) provides short-term, targeted advocacy to victim/survivors of domestic abuse based in London, who present with complex or additional barriers to accessing safe accommodation and support services.

The role builds on initial helpline contact to deliver enhanced, focused support, including proactive follow-up and advocacy with statutory and voluntary agencies to secure safe outcomes. This includes working closely with housing departments across London boroughs, refuge providers, and specialist services to overcome barriers and facilitate access to accommodation and support.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 1 September 2026

Interview Date: 10 and 11 September 2026

The Talent Set is delighted to be partnering with the Henry Smith Foundation on the recruitment of a newly created Head of Digital Transformation role. This is a unique opportunity to lead a significant organisation-wide transformation programme and help shape how one of the UK's leading independent foundations uses digital, data and technology to maximise its impact.

As the Foundation continues to grow and evolve, it has recognised the need for a strategic leader who can bring together systems, data, technology and people into a clear and ambitious digital vision. This is an opportunity to build and lead a digital transformation agenda from the ground up, working closely with senior leaders, trustees, colleagues and external partners to create a more connected, data-informed and future-ready organisation.

The Opportunity

The Foundation has grown significantly over the last decade, with increasing organisational ambition and a more complex operating environment. Alongside core grant-making activities, the organisation has developed new programmes, partnerships and ways of working that require a more strategic approach to technology and data. While many systems and processes work well individually, the organisation is now seeking someone who can create a joined-up digital strategy that supports its long-term goals.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, Investments and Resources, you will lead the Foundation's digital, data and technology transformation programme. You will define and deliver a multi-year roadmap, oversee key technology and systems projects, and build digital capability across the organisation. Most importantly, you will help colleagues embrace change and ensure digital becomes part of how the organisation thinks and works every day.

This role offers a rare combination of strategic influence and practical delivery. The successful candidate will shape major decisions around systems, data, AI and organisational capability, whilst also working closely with colleagues to ensure solutions are adopted, embedded and delivering measurable benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the Foundation's digital, data and technology strategy and transformation roadmap.
• Drive organisation-wide improvements in systems, processes, data management and digital capability.
• Lead digital transformation projects from concept through to implementation and adoption.
• Champion effective use of technology, including Microsoft 365 tools, collaboration platforms and emerging AI opportunities.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation and act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Support colleagues through change by providing leadership, communication, training and coaching.
• Manage suppliers, consultants and implementation partners to ensure successful delivery of digital initiatives.
• Line manage the IT and Data Compliance Manager and provide strategic oversight of digital operations and governance.
• Create a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and digital confidence.

About You
We're keen to hear from candidates who have successfully led digital transformation programmes and understand that meaningful change is ultimately about people as much as technology.
You might currently be a Head of Digital, Head of Transformation, Digital Programme Lead, Technology Transformation Leader or similar, and will likely bring:

• A proven track record of leading organisation-wide digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience developing and delivering digital strategies and multi-year transformation roadmaps.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility at all levels.
• Experience leading change, improving adoption of technology and developing digital capability across teams.
• The confidence to operate strategically whilst remaining hands-on when required.
• Strong project, programme and supplier management experience.
• The ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical, engaging and accessible conversations.
• A collaborative and relationship-focused approach, combined with resilience, pragmatism and curiosity.

The Foundation is particularly interested in candidates who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery, and who understand how to introduce change at a pace that brings people with them rather than leaving them behind.

What's on Offer?
Salary: £67,000 - £70,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (Part Time considered)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid, Attendance is expected at least 1 day per week in the Kings Cross office, but with some variation.

Interviews
First Stage Interview: Thursday 10th September
Second Stage Interview: Monday 14th September PM

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the apply button. We aim to respond to all successful applicants within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Henry Smith Foundation are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

Requesting reasonable adjustments
We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the application or interview stages, please let us know. You can share your needs at any point in the process. Adjustments can be tailored to suit both physical and mental health needs. Our team will work with you to ensure you have what you need to perform at your best.

Our approach to candidates using AI in applications
We recognise that technology, including AI tools, can be helpful when preparing job applications, and we welcome the use of tools that support you in presenting your experience clearly. However, it’s important that your application genuinely reflects your own skills, experience, and voice. We therefore recommend reviewing any AI-generated content carefully to ensure accuracy and authenticity.

If you are invited to interview, we’ll want to hear directly from you about your skills and experiences. Any significant differences between your application and how you present yourself in person may negatively impact your application.

Employment Details: 

• Location: Haringey (N17), London, UK. (This is an In-Person role with optional one day working remotely) 
• Job Title:  Director of Operations 
• Reporting to: CEO, with accountability to the Board of Trustees 
• Line Manages: Operations Co-ordinator and Finance Officer
• Employment Type: Full-Time (40hrs Per Week)
• Start date: October 2026 (Ideally, or later if you have a notice period) 

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days (Exclusive of Bank Holiday)
• 1 x WFH/flexi working as per policy
• CPD Budget: £1000
• Group Life Insurance
• Discount on Food (Specific Restaurants)
• Free Brunch every Thursday
• Company Well-being Events
• Pension Contribution

Summary of the role:
The Director of Operations is a pivotal senior leadership role at Sister System, responsible for strengthening the people, culture, systems and organisational foundations that enable our mission to thrive. Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, the postholder will play a central role in delivering our current strategic priorities and shaping the next chapter of Sister System as we develop our future strategy beyond September 2027. 

This is a significant opportunity to help shape a growing, values-led organisation founded on co-curation, sisterhood, race & gender equity and the belief that girls and young women should be active architects of the services, systems and opportunities designed for them. With oversight of financial management, people and culture, compliance, risk and organisational infrastructure, the Director of Operations will lead on empowering & ensuring that our internal culture and ways of working reflect the same care, accountability, ambition and empowerment that sit at the heart of our model. 

The role will be instrumental in translating our founding vision into strong, sustainable practice, ensuring Sister System is equipped to grow its impact while remaining deeply connected to the voices, experiences and leadership of the girls and young women we exist to serve. 

Our Charity:
Sister System exists to ensure that care-affected girls and young women are not defined by the systems they have experienced, but are supported to recognise their strengths, shape their futures and access the same opportunities as their peers. 

Our culturally competent, co-curated model works alongside girls and young women aged 13–24 through a long-term journey of support, progression and leadership. Across three interconnected stages, we provide trusted relationships, mentoring, therapeutic support, education, leadership development and pathways into employment. Our approach recognises that meaningful change takes time, consistency and a community that continues to believe in her. 

Founded with girls and young women, not simply for them, Sister System places their voices, experiences and ambitions at the heart of everything we do. Through our growing hub-and-spoke model, we are expanding our reach while also influencing the wider systems, services and institutions that shape their lives. 

Our ambition is not only to improve individual outcomes, but to demonstrate a better way of working with care-affected girls and young women—one that is relational, culturally responsive, asset-based and built around what they tell us they need to thrive. 

As Sister System enters its next phase of growth and prepares to shape its future strategy, we are seeking an experienced and values-led Director of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the people, culture, systems and infrastructure that will enable our organisation—and the girls and young women alongside us—to achieve even more. 

Our Vision: 
A world where empowered girls reach their potential through equitable opportunities.

Our Mission: 
To bridge the gap between care-affected girls and young women within mainstream society by working alongside them to ensure they have the same opportunities that everyone else has – at home, school, work and within our communities. 

Our Values: 

• COLLABORATIVE 
  We co-curate programmes with our Sis-Stars. We seek powerful partnerships. 
• EVIDENCE-BASED 
  We build trust and respect within our sector. 
• MASTERFUL 
  We aim for excellence as standard and share our learning. 
• SOLUTION-FOCUSED 
  We innovate to overcome challenges with a long-term goal in mind. 
• TENACIOUS 
  We are not afraid to take a stand and push for change. 

 
Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Implementation 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to translate Sister System’s strategy, theory of change, operational model and financial plans into clear organisational priorities and coordinated action. 
• Play a central role in shaping Sister System’s next strategy ahead of the September 2027 refresh, ensuring it reflects our founding commitment to co-curation, the voices of girls and young women, our evolving three-stage model and our future growth ambitions. 
• Lead the development of proportionate planning, monitoring and review processes that enable the Senior Leadership Team to track progress, reflect on performance, identify barriers and remain accountable for delivery. 
• Monitor progress against agreed strategic goals and KPIs, ensuring that risks, dependencies and areas requiring leadership attention are clearly identified and addressed. 
• Support senior leaders to turn strategic priorities into realistic plans, with clear ownership, timescales and measurable outcomes. 
• Ensure that learning from delivery, impact data, staff experience and the voices of girls and young women inform strategic decision-making and organisational improvement. 
• Cultivate a strong shared sense of purpose across Sister System, helping colleagues understand how their roles contribute to our mission, values and long-term ambitions. 

Financial Strategy and Audit 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to shape, implement and regularly evaluate Sister System’s financial strategy, ensuring it supports our mission, strategic ambitions and long-term sustainability. 
• Provide clear, financial recommendations to the CEO, helping the organisation navigate the balance between delivering high-quality, meaningful impact for girls and young women, achieving value for money and maintaining financial resilience. 
• Translate Sister System’s strategic priorities, delivery model and growth ambitions into realistic financial plans, forecasts and scenarios that support timely and well-informed decision-making. 
• Lead financial scenario planning and ensure that the CEO and Board have a clear understanding of the financial implications, risks and trade-offs associated with key organisational decisions. 
• Lead and oversee the annual audit process, working effectively with external auditors, the finance team, senior leaders and the Board to ensure a robust, timely and transparent process. 
• Ensure that learning and recommendations arising from audits, financial reviews and assurance activity are translated into clear improvements and strengthened organisational practice. 

Financial Management 

• Lead the development, monitoring and management of annual budgets, reforecasts and longer-term financial plans, ensuring resources are aligned with Sister System’s strategic priorities. 
• Hold and actively manage the tension between quality, impact, affordability and value for money, ensuring financial decisions protect the integrity of Sister System’s model and the experience of the girls and young women we serve. 
• Provide the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board with clear, accessible and timely financial information, insight and recommendations to support effective leadership and governance. 
• Produce high-level financial reports and analysis covering budgets, cash flow, reserves, forecasts, strategic KPIs and other relevant performance indicators. 
• Maintain and continuously strengthen proportionate financial systems, controls and processes that reflect Sister System’s size, stage of growth and evolving operating model. 
• Ensure that robust financial and performance-reporting infrastructure is in place, with clear accountability, reliable data and appropriate oversight across the organisation. 
• Support Directors and budget holders to understand their financial responsibilities, manage resources effectively and make informed decisions within agreed parameters. 
• Identify emerging financial risks, pressures and opportunities for greater efficiency, advising the CEO on appropriate actions and ensuring these are monitored and addressed. 
• Oversee high quality bookkeeping practice to ensure reporting is accurate and up to date. 
• Work with the fundraising team to develop budgets for proposals and create timely financial reports for funders and donors 

Culture and Operational Effectiveness 

• Work closely with our People and Culture consultant, CEO and Senior Leadership Team to shape and embed a progressive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture aligned with Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• Champion a culture of regular, honest and constructive feedback, helping managers and colleagues to hold crucial conversations with clarity, care and accountability. 
• Ensure that Sister System’s internal culture reflects the relational, empowering and values-led approach that sits at the heart of our work with girls and young women. 
• Review existing organisational processes and workflows, identifying practical opportunities to improve clarity, consistency, collaboration and efficiency. 
• Develop and embed proportionate ways of working that support Sister System’s current size, evolving operating model and future growth. 

People Planning and Management 

• Lead the development of a clear and forward-looking people plan that ensures Sister System has the right structure, capacity, capabilities and leadership in place to deliver its strategic ambitions. 
• Support managers to build high-performing teams through effective objective-setting, regular feedback, performance management and professional development. 
• Foster an environment in which people are supported to grow, appropriately challenged and held accountable for delivering against agreed expectations. 
• Facilitate professional learning, career development and progression across the organisation, ensuring that opportunities are transparent, equitable and aligned with organisational need. 
• Oversee workforce and succession planning, ensuring that the organisational structure remains appropriate, affordable and responsive to Sister System’s development. 
• Work with the CEO and relevant advisers to ensure fair and appropriate pay, benefits and working conditions. 
• Oversee recruitment and the end-to-end employee experience, from attraction and onboarding through to development, retention and exit. 
• Ensure that people policies, practices and management approaches are legally compliant, consistently applied and reflective of Sister System’s values. 

Compliance and Risk Management 

• Ensure that Sister System meets its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities as a charity and employer. 
• Lead the development and maintenance of a proportionate organisational risk-management framework that protects Sister System’s people, assets, reputation and ability to deliver its mission. 
• Ensure that key organisational risks are clearly identified, owned, monitored and reported to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 
• Promote a culture in which risk is understood and actively managed without limiting thoughtful innovation, learning or ambition.

Governance, Communications and Facilities 

• Facilitate clear, timely and effective communication and cooperation between the Board of Trustees, CEO and Senior Leadership Team. 
• Support the development of strong governance systems, ensuring that trustees receive the information, insight and assurance required to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. 
• Work closely with trustees through the Finance and Audit committee 
• Oversee the organisation’s IT infrastructure and digital systems through external providers, ensuring that they remain secure, reliable and appropriate for Sister System’s needs. 
• Oversee the effective operation of Sister System’s physical workspace within a fully managed office environment, working with building management and relevant external providers where required. 
• Ensure that Sister System provides a safe, welcoming and accessible environment for girls and young women, staff, volunteers, visitors and partners across its hub, spoke locations and external activities. 
• Ensure that appropriate health and safety systems, procedures and responsibilities are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed. 

Person Specification 
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-led operational leader to join Sister System’s Senior Leadership Team. You will combine sound judgement and strong organisational skills with a warm, collaborative leadership style and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for care-affected girls and young women. 

You do not need to be a specialist in every area of the role. You will, however, need the confidence and experience to lead across a broad operational portfolio, work effectively with professional advisers and external providers, and provide clear, practical advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Significant experience in a senior operations, finance, people, governance or organisational leadership role within a charity, social enterprise or similarly values-led organisation. 
• Experience of translating organisational strategy into clear priorities, plans, systems and measurable outcomes. 
• Experience of developing and managing organisational budgets, forecasts and financial reporting, with the ability to balance quality, impact, affordability and value for money. 
• Experience of supervising or coordinating an external audit process, working effectively with auditors, finance colleagues and the Board. 
• Experience of people planning, performance management and supporting managers to build capable, accountable and high-performing teams. 
• Experience of developing or improving organisational systems, processes and ways of working during a period of growth or change. 
• A sound understanding of charity governance, organisational risk, compliance and the responsibilities of senior leaders and trustees. 
• Experience of working collaboratively with a CEO, senior leadership colleagues, trustees, consultants and external professional advisers. 
• A strong understanding of equity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice, and the ability to embed these principles within organisational culture and decision-making. 

Skills and Leadership Approach 

• An approachable, emotionally intelligent and credible leader who can build trust, motivate others and develop effective working relationships across an organisation. 
• The ability to lead with both care and accountability, supporting open feedback and helping colleagues to hold constructive and sometimes crucial conversations. 
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to understand the wider organisational picture while maintaining oversight of important operational detail. 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial, people or operational information clearly and accessibly. 
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, meet deadlines and maintain momentum. 
• Sound judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge, identify risks and offer clear recommendations to the CEO and Board. 
• A practical and solution-focused approach, with the ability to move from discussion and planning into coordinated action. 
• The ability to handle sensitive, confidential and personal information professionally and in accordance with Sister System’s policies, data-protection responsibilities and GDPR. 
• Energy, curiosity and enthusiasm for strengthening an ambitious organisation as it prepares to shape and deliver its next strategy. 

Values and Commitment 

• A demonstrable commitment to Sister System’s mission and to improving the opportunities, experiences and outcomes of care-affected girls and young women. 
• The ability to model and champion Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• A commitment to co-curation and to ensuring that the voices, experiences and leadership of girls and young women inform organisational planning and decision-making. 
• A commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and personal and professional development. 

Desirable 

• Lived experience of the care system, or a strong professional understanding of the experiences of care-affected girls and young women. 
• Experience of working within a founder-led organisation or alongside a founder CEO. 
• Experience of supporting an organisation through growth, restructuring or the development of a new strategy. 
• Knowledge of culturally competent, trauma-informed or relational approaches to working with young people. 
• A relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in operations, finance, human resources, governance or organisational leadership. 
• Experience working with social care and educational service providers (statutory and third sector). 
• Knowledge of the Charity SORP, Charity Commission reporting requirements, and other third-sector financial regulation. 

Sister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to two satisfactory reference checks and DBS enhanced disclosure.

How to apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Breathe by 31st August 2026. You will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

Values alignment 
Sister System's model is built on co-curation (working with girls and young women, not simply for them) and on being Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. Which of these values do you feel most aligned with, and which do you find hardest to live up to in practice?
 
People & Culture
Sister System is a founder-led organisation, underpinned by race and gender equity and a culturally competent, trauma-informed approach to working with girls and young women. Tell us about a time you strengthened internal culture of this nature within a team. What resistance did you meet, and what was different a year later?

Finance 
A key element of the role is monitoring income against budget for current and future years. Charity income can provide additional complexities, particularly with different types of grants. Please explain your understanding of these complexities, and how they impact on recording and reporting, including examples from your own experience if relevant. 

Timeline
Deadline for applications: End of day Monday 31st August 2026 
First round interviews: w/c 7th September 
Second round interviews: w/c 14th September
Decisions made: by 22nd September 

Thank you for your interest in joining Sister System in our mission to inspire and empower young women. 

We're looking for a proactive and approachable Registered Manager of 16-17 Supported Accommodation who will thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment, has high standards, enjoys delivering results and believes everyone should be treated with kindness, fairness and respect.Part-time applications are also welcome.

As Registered Manager, you will oversee YMCA's Supported Accommodation Service, ensuring young people aged 16–17 receive safe, high-quality, aspirational support that enables them to belong, contribute and thrive as they prepare for adulthood and independent living.

Initially, you will lead the successful mobilisation and Ofsted registration of our first service before overseeing multiple sites as the service grows.

About the Role & Key Responsibilities

Exceptional Service Delivery

• Lead on ensuring that the day to day operation of the service is in line with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and Supported Accommodation Quality Standards.
• Lead, supervise and develop a high-performing staff team - preparing every staff member for registration and future Ofsted inspections.
• Motivate, inspire and develop multiple supported housing teams including 4+ direct reports to successfully manage their own teams, including the delivery of recorded monthly supervision and case management.
• Complete a monthly case management review of each site with relevant manager, including an in-depth audit to ensure young people are receiving the best possible support including high quality case notes, interventions, goals, and a consistency of delivery and approach across all teams.
• Work to build effective staff teams that meet and exceed their set goals and targets and monitor their performance, pro-actively addressing any challenges with the support of HR colleagues.
• Empower your teams to meaningfully engage, involve, and devolve decision making power to young people wherever possible to enable them to highlight and design areas for service development and co-create possible solutions or opportunities for change.
• Model for your teams the use of coaching and motivational interviewing techniques to empower young people with complex needs to regularly set and achieve ambitious person-centred goals, praising them for their achievements, and celebrating where appropriate through the resident incentive scheme.
• Work with your teams to ensure all young people understand and meet the terms of their licence agreement, outlining the expectations we have of them and what they can expect in return from the team at YMCA.
• Ensure you and your teams follow our agreed policies and procedures, including our Positive Change procedure if young people do not meet the expectations shared with them in their licence agreement practicing ‘elastic tolerance’ giving them the opportunity to recognise and change their behaviour.
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with Local Authorities and ensure the team develop and maintain excellent working relationships with Social Workers, Personal Advisers, local education providers and other partner agencies.
• Be the primary organisational representative at Ofsted inspections, commissioning meetings and placement reviews.

Collaborate with the Head of Resident Services & Head of Housing Services

• Utilising the YMCA Emotional Needs framework, ensure that each young person has a person-centred support plan in place where they set themselves goals focused on independence, emotional wellbeing, education and employment.
• To ensure young people develop practical life skills needed for independent living – including cooking, budgeting, tenancy management, health and wellbeing and positive relationships.
• To ensure that young people are supported with challenges as they present in a curious, empathetic, and solution focused way, responding in a timely manner, as part of or in addition to any planned sessions.
• To deliver a person-centred, asset-based, and trauma-informed approach at all times, recognising that one of the stages of change is relapse which is an important part of the journey towards achieving long term success.
• To ensure smooth transitions between placements.
• Share opportunities to signpost young people for specialist internal and external support with your teams wherever possible i.e. ARC, MK ACT, Mental Wealth.
• Arrange and ensure your teams actively engage in all Reflective Practice sessions designed to allow space for practitioners to consider, reflect on, and improve their practice on an ongoing basis.

Compliance

• Lead on ensuring that all aspects of service delivery, including H&S, Facilities etc are compliant with the necessary regulations, to ensure smooth Ofsted registration, working with teams from across the organisation where necessary.
• Ensure you and your teams collect and record all data required for monitoring and evaluation purposes and write regular case studies to demonstrate the ongoing impact of your work.
• Complete audits, quality assurance processes and continuous improvement plans to ensure continued compliance and success.
• Monitor incidents, complaints and outcomes for young people.
• Ensure that all contract and funding reporting is completed on time and to a high standard to protect and grow our vital commissioning and funding relationships.
• Ensure you and your teams record all information and actions taken factually and as if written to the young person on In-Form (our housing management system) and MyConcern (our safeguarding record system) in a way that you would feel happy to share with the young person if requested.
• Ensure all teams record and complete any actions needed in terms of licence management following property checks, damage to property, or abandonment of property etc.
• Receive and record all compliments and complaints about the housing service on In-Form in line with all Housing Ombudsman requirements and respond to all complaints in writing in a timely manner in line with the appropriate policy and procedure.
• Ensure that all service areas are delivered within budget, reporting any concerns to SLT in a timely manner.
• Ensure service level risk assessments and other health and safety compliance documents are completed as and when necessary for all relevant housing support areas.
• Ensure all H&S and Facilities checks are completed to ensure compliance with Ofsted requirements, raising this promptly with the SLT if Ofsted registered properties are not compliant.

Safeguarding

• Ensure safeguarding lies at the heart of every aspect of the service.
• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensure all members of your team record any Safeguarding concerns immediately on MyConcern and make any referrals requested in line with the Safeguarding policy.
• Act as the first point of contact for on-call queries from your direct reports, escalating any significant incidents or safeguarding concerns to SLT, and ensuring adequate cover is in place where necessary.
• Ensure teams are regularly trained in Professional Boundaries to remind staff of their obligation to uphold & maintain them at all times.

About You

You're an experienced leader who enjoys raising standards and making things better. You naturally see opportunities to improve services, simplify processes and create environments that people are proud to be part of. You're equally comfortable developing long-term plans as you are supporting your team to resolve day-to-day operational challenges.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience of managing and motivating a large team providing 24/7 support across multiple sites.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or other qualification accepted by Ofsted (or willing to work towards).
• At least 2 years experience working in supported accommodation, residential childcare leaving care or other supported housing setting for young people.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and partnership working.
• Strong understanding of the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and Supported Accommodation Quality Standards.
• Experience of working in an asset-based, person-centred, trauma-informed Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE).
• Experience of effective reporting and data collection for the purposes of monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• The confidence to challenge poor performance, influence others and drive operational excellence.
• A proactive, customer-focused mindset with a genuine passion for raising standards.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine impact within a growing organisation that's ambitious about both its people and the communities it serves.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a real difference in a purpose-driven organisation.
• Build trusted relationships across the organisation.

Everyone is Welcome Here

At YMCA South Midlands, we believe everyone should feel they belong.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the people we serve and where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

As a charity with a Christian heritage, our faith inspires our values and our commitment to serving others. We welcome people of all faiths and none. All appointments are made on merit.

Reasonable Adjustments

We want every candidate to have the opportunity to perform at their best throughout our recruitment process.

If you have a disability, long-term health condition or are neurodivergent and would benefit from any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us at any stage. We'll be happy to discuss how we can support you.

Safer Recruitment

YMCA South Midlands is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all colleagues to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to complete pre-employment checks, which will include a DBS check, verification of identity and right to work in the UK, employment references, qualification checks (where applicable) and other relevant pre-employment screening in line with our Safer Recruitment Policy.

Ready to Apply?

If you're passionate about people, thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to help build a culture where people are supported, challenged and inspired to achieve their best, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

Carers UK is the leading national charity for unpaid carers. Our support, advice, information and campaigning work are needed now more than ever, with unpaid carers providing more hours of care than ever before, which is adversely impacting on their finances, health and wellbeing. We exist to make life better for carers and bring about lasting change.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, high performing team. This varied role sits at the heart of the policy and campaigns team, working in the policy detail to support key campaigns as well as media functions, including lots of interaction with supporters and carers. The role plays a vital part in delivering the charity’s core aims to make life better for carers by. Working closely with our communications team, this role spans across media, policy, public affairs and campaigns.

About you

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment? Do you have media or campaigns work experience? Do you want to make life better for unpaid carers? Then this could be the ideal role for you!

We’re looking for a diligent and organised individual, who has an eye for details and the ability to juggle a varied workload. Collaborative in approach, you’ll have exceptional written communication skills and an interest in media and policy.

Diversity and inclusion

Carers UK is committed to becoming a diverse and truly inclusive organisation; fostering an environment and working culture that celebrates and promotes diversity and inclusion.  We strive to create a workplace where our colleagues and volunteers can truly be themselves and feel like they belong and constantly seek to ensure all voices are heard.

To embrace this culture of diversity, our employee and volunteer recruitment should reflect our stakeholders and the society that we serve and support, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, disabilities or religious practices. We value individual diversity and are actively building diverse teams here at Carers UK and value our colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds.

As a membership charity for carers, we particularly seek employees and volunteers with a real understanding of the issues faced by carers. Reasonable adjustments can be made to the process and role, dependent on the needs of the applicant.

We are proud to be an Employers for Carers member. We have signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge and achieved the Disability Confident Employer accreditation. We aim to offer interviews to those who have a disability covered under the definition outlined in the Equality Act 2010 and who meet the minimum criteria for the role. The minimum criteria can be found under the Essential section of the Person Specification of the recruitment pack. Please let us know if your application is being made under the Disability Confident Scheme. You are not required to share the nature of your disability or long term health condition. You will need to state in your email application that you are making your application under the Disability Confident Scheme as you consider yourself to be disabled, or as having a disability. If you meet the minimum criteria then you will be offered an interview.

At Carers UK we want our application process to be as accessible as possible. If you need any adjustments to apply please contact us to discuss.  

The closing date for applications is 5pm, Tuesday 22 September.

.Carers UK anonymises all applications prior to shortlisting.

Carers UK reserves the right to appoint at any stage, should an outstanding candidate emerge.

Carers UK are actively interviewing as we receive applications.

Carers UK may carry out online and social media checks before a formal offer is made.

About us

Carers UK is the leading national charity for unpaid carers. The Finance Manager is responsible for the management of the financial accounting functions of the organisation, for the preparation of statutory accounts, regular management reports, the preparation of all tax returns, supporting budget holders and assisting them fulfil their responsibilities, and for compliance with statutory requirements including compliance with tax laws and regulations.
 

About the role

The Finance Manager will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, including the nation offices, supporting and advising, building excellence in standards within the finance office and injecting innovative solutions to the organisation’s financial strategy.
 

About you

We are looking for a proactive and visible finance professional who is able to engage and build relationships across the organisation as a pivotal member within a values led high performing organisation. You will be a qualified accountant with proven track record of financial management awareness and a solid understanding of charity audits and statutory accounts preparation. You will have the ability to work with staff across the organisation in supporting good financial governance and oversight of financial operational matters. You will have the ability to analyse financial information and present this in a suitable format for the audience. You will have good ability to meet deadlines, be IT literate with an emphasis on financial systems, spreadsheets, Quickbooks and Excel. You will be highly organised with excellent attention to detail and be able to work with minimum supervision.

The role will involve the management of the day-to-day financial activities, VAT, gift aid, payroll and the monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations and statutory accounts preparation. The job holder will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Finance Officer and volunteers within the team. There will be a requirement to work closely with the income generating staff, budget holders, auditors, banks and credit card providers on a regular basis. The Finance Manager will be responsible for managing the Finance Officer and Finance volunteer. 
 

Diversity and inclusion

Carers UK is committed to becoming a diverse and truly inclusive organisation. We strive to create a workplace where our colleagues and volunteers can truly be themselves and feel like they belong and constantly seek to ensure all voices are heard.

To embrace this culture of diversity, our employee and volunteer recruitment should reflect our stakeholders and the society that we serve and support, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, disabilities or religious practices. We value individual diversity and are actively building diverse teams here at Carers UK and value our colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds.

As a membership charity for carers, we particularly seek employees and volunteers with a real understanding of the issues faced by carers. Reasonable adjustments can be made to the process and role dependent on the needs of the applicant.

At Carers UK, we want our application process to be as accessible as possible. If you need any adjustments to apply please email the recruitment team to discuss.

The closing date for applications is Friday 24 July 2026, 5pm.

Carers UK anonymises all applications prior to shortlisting.

Carers UK are actively interviewing as we receive applications. 

Carers UK reserves the right to appoint at any stage, should an outstanding candidate emerge.

Carers UK may carry out online and social media checks before a formal offer is made.