Volunteer quality health specialist volunteer jobs in Manchester

Location: Any UK Trust office

Assessment: 17th - 21st June. If shortlisted, you will be asked to complete two tasks.

1st-stage interviews: 8th July at our Birmingham Centre. You must be available to attend face-to-face.

Join The King's Trust and help shape high-quality qualifications and apprenticeship assessments that support young people across the UK to build confidence, skills and progress into work, education or training.

We're looking for a specialist with a proven track record and experience of designing and developing regulated qualifications and/or end-point assessments. This is a technical role for someone who understands how to create qualifications and assessment products that are compliant, inclusive, fit for purpose and workable in practice.

In this role, you'll lead the development and review of qualifications and apprenticeship assessments, including specifications, assessment strategies, sample assessments and test banks. You'll manage work through development, regulatory submission, implementation and ongoing review, helping to ensure our products meet regulatory requirements and maintain standards for all learners.

We're particularly looking for someone with experience in:

• designing and developing regulated qualifications and EPAs
• working within Ofqual, Skills England and other relevant regulatory frameworks
• embedding accessibility, inclusion and reasonable adjustment considerations into assessment design
• working with providers, funders, regulators and sector partners.

This is an opportunity to use your technical expertise to create high-quality, fair and meaningful assessment products that make a real difference to young people across the UK. If you bring strong regulated assessment experience and want to apply it in a role with purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferrable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Qualifications & Apprenticeship Development Managers? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Qualifications & Apprenticeship Development Managers! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

The On Demand Shift Manager provides operational leadership, clinical oversight and shift coordination for the On Demand bereavement support services which operate Mondays through Fridays 8am to 8pm. The role ensures that children, young people, and adults receive timely, safe and compassionate responses to bereavement needs through digital and on-demand channels.

In addition to line managing the On Demand Bereavement Specialists, the post holder also works on shift as part of the delivery rota to support the team directly, provide real-time guidance, and covers frontline services gaps. This blended role combines hands-on leadership, active service participation, and quality assurance, promoting excellent clinical standards, safeguarding practice, and a culture of learning and care. The post holder will work closely with the Head of On Demand Services to ensure that On Demand Services remain responsive, trauma-informed and aligned with best practice and organisational priorities.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

· Lead and coordinate daily On Demand service operations to ensure timely and effective response to live support requests

· Working closely with the other On Demand Shift Managers, manage team rotas, shift allocations, and cover arrangements to maintain consistent staffing and service continuity

· Provide real-time oversight during active service hours, offering guidance on case complexity, prioritisation and risk management

· Work on shift as part of service delivery to provide direct bereavement support, model best practice and ensure adequate cover during periods of high demand or staff absence

· Ensure service efficiency through proactive communication, timely handovers, and smooth transitions between shifts

· Support the Head of On Demand Services in monitoring resourcing, workflows and performance metrics

·  Offer live, on-shift supervision and mentorship to On Demand Bereavement Specialists, ensuring quality and consistency of interventions

· Support staff in making safe, informed, and trauma-sensitive decisions in line with organisational safeguarding policies

· Provide clinical leadership for the On Demand Bereavement Specialists on shift, offering case consultation and decision-making support particularly in high-risk, ethically complex or emotionally intense presentations

· Hold clinical responsibility for the most complex service users on shift, supporting staff to formulate risk, decide on interventions, and coordinate onward referrals or emergency responses in line with organisational policies and processional codes of ethics

· Model high standards of clinical thinking, boundaries and self-care, supporting staff and volunteers to manage vicarious trauma, moral distress and the emotional impact of working on an On Demand service

· Facilitate reflective debriefing following challenging or traumatic cases to maintain staff wellbeing and service stability

· Ensure all support aligns with the NICE (2004) Level 2 psychological intervention framework and current evidence-based practice

· Foster a compassionate, psychologically safe team culture that prioritises practitioner wellbeing, resilience, vicarious trauma awareness and continuous learning from service delivery

· Collaborate with the Head of On Demand Services on workforce planning, recruitment, induction and succession to maintain service resilience and capacity

Communication and Relationships

· Communicate clearly and sensitively within the organisation and with external partners, including parents, carers and professionals across social care, education, health and mental health services (i.e. schools, social services, CAMHS, CMHTs and/or GPs)

· Provide clear, supportive and trauma-informed communication to bereaved children, young people and adults during live shifts, adapting approach to age, crisis level and digital medium

· Offer real-time guidance, debriefing and constructive feedback to On Demand Bereavement Specialists during shifts, promoting consistent standards and shared learning

· Build collaborative relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders to support integrated care pathways

· Communicate effectively with the Head of On Demand Services and senior leadership on shift incidents, risks, service pressures and quality improvements, escalating appropriately

· Handle sensitive feedback, complaints and critical incidents with empathy, transparency and solution focus, maintaining trust with internal and external stakeholders

· 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

· Provide clear, compassionate explanations of support options, safeguarding procedures, and next steps to children, young people, adults and families

· Maintain professional boundaries while fostering a safe and supportive environment for children, young people and adults

· Respond to challenging or emotionally charged situations with sensitivity, professionalism, and a focus on empathy and support

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

Knowledge, training and experience

· Assess and engage in interventions with children, young people and/or adults in accordance with best practice

· Complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments which include assessments of risk and determining appropriate level of response/intervention

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

· Advanced 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 and reflective practice 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

· Strong ability to make rapid, sound clinical and safeguarding judgments during live shifts, assessing risk, prioritising cases and deciding on immediate interventions or escalations

· Analyse real-time service data to optimise shift deployment, identify trends and recommend operational improvements

· Alongside the Head of On Demand Services critically evaluate team performance, recordings, transcripts and audits to provide targeted service or staff development, mitigate practice drift and uphold clinical governance standards

· Exercise exceptional professional judgment in assessing the emotional, psychological, and social needs of children, young people, and adults pre and post 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

· 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

· Strong shift and staff coordination

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

· Support in the organisation of comprehensive quality assurance processes including shift audits, case sampling, outcome tracking and compliance monitoring

· Plan and deliver team training, drills and simulations for crisis scenarios, digital tool proficiency and new protocols, ensuring readiness for peaks in bereavement demand

· Provide cover and support for On Demand Support Service staff during periods of absence or high demand

· 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

· Level 4 qualification (or above) in counselling, psychotherapy, clinical psychology, counselling psychology or arts psychotherapy Current registration with a professional body (ie. HCPC, BACP, UKCP, NCPS)

· Current registration with a professional body (ie. HCPC, BACP, UKCP, NCPS)

· Evidence of relevant continuing professional development

· Experience of leading a team, ideally in bereavement, palliative care, mental health or closely related fields

· Experience with digital platforms

· Proven track record of successfully managing multidisciplinary teams delivering services to complex service users and complex safeguarding and risk issues involving children and adults

· Proven skills in managing teams and change successfully

· Experience of working therapeutically with children and young people

· Experience of working therapeutically with adults

· Robust knowledge of the emotional and psychological impact of bereavement and the needs of bereaved children, young people, families and adults

· Strong understanding of grief, loss and trauma across the life course, and of evidence-based bereavement interventions for children, young people and adults

· Deep understanding and knowledge of psychological theories, therapeutic interventions and models of grief work for children, young people and adults, and their effective application in practice

· Able to make clear psychological assessments inclusive of risk, safeguarding and mental health needs for children, young people and adults

·  Expert knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures

· Strong leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels and work collaboratively across teams and organisations.

· Strong understanding of change management and how best to implement change

· Excellent communication skills both verbal and written

· Attention to detail and produces reports and information to a consistently high standard

· Ability to manage time effectively, meeting deadlines while maintaining quality and accuracy

· Ability to successfully work collaboratively with colleagues, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and engage others positively

· Ability to deliver effective support, supervision, and line management to staff and volunteers, fostering professional growth and accountability

· Model high levels of personal integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct

· Bring passion and enthusiasm for delivering high quality digital first bereavement services to children, young people, families and adults

Benefits

· 25 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: 17th June 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.

Please refer to our recruitment pack for further details on the interview process.

This is an exciting time for Parkinson’s UK, we want to reach as many people as possible so we can improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s. We are looking for people to join our network, make genuine connections, and be part of a larger team that works together to support the Parkinson’s community. 

People living with Parkinson's value the services and opportunities Parkinson’s UK provides, delivered by committed and skilled colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations. Following an investment of 1.5 million we have the opportunity to build on the quality and reach of our community services. 

About the role 

You’ll provide information and direct support to people with Parkinson’s and their families on welfare benefits and employment issues through specific case work and advice.

You’ll support Parkinson’s UK Advisers with issues relating to welfare benefits and employment and you’ll take a lead role in ensuring knowledge and resources in this area are up to date and relevant.

What you’ll do:

• Provide accurate information on all aspects relating to welfare benefits and employment issues.

• Work as part of a specialist team, take a lead role in keeping abreast of developments in the field.

• Provide direct support to people affected with Parkinson’s and their families on welfare benefits and employment issues in line with service guidelines.

• Provide information, support and training on welfare benefits and employment issues relating to those with Parkinson’s to Parkinson’s UK colleagues.

• Ensure that the responses made to enquiries and referrals are delivered within agreed protocols and procedures and provide a professional service at all times. Including maintaining accurate and timely records in line with service procedures.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven experience in an information and advisory setting benefits and employment related 

• Substantial proven experience in working with people on resolving benefits and employment related issues (at least 1 year of experience within the last three years) 

• Experience of supporting people within a tribunal setting 

• Excellent knowledge of welfare benefits, universal credit and current welfare reforms and experience of carrying out benefit calculations 

• Ability to cope with challenging or emotional enquiries and clients and to work in an empathetic way with a strong customer-orientated approach 

• Experience of operating in a modern digital workplace with experience of online case management systems and an understanding of the importance of data quality 

This is an exciting time for Parkinson’s UK and we would love you to join us!

Please apply by sending us your CV, together with a detailed supporting statement which will fully demonstrate how you meet all the criteria of the role, as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description.

The successful candidate will be required to 

• provide their own broadband service with a minimum download speed of 2Mb 

• have a confidential space in which to work

• provide occasional cover on Saturdays and/or Bank holidays

This role will require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. You’ll be required to apply for one; refusal to do so will result in the offer being withdrawn. 

Anyone can get Parkinson’s. It’s vital that the people who work for Parkinson’s UK are representative of our diverse community. We actively encourage people from all sections of the community to apply, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

ABOUT MUSTARD TREE

At Mustard Tree, we believe everyone deserves dignity, opportunity, and hope.

We work alongside people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and financial hardship, providing practical support, life-changing opportunities, and pathways towards greater stability and independence.

Our work addresses both the causes and consequences of poverty. We support people not only in crisis, but as they rebuild confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing, and take meaningful steps towards a more secure future.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role provides person-centred employment and progression support to individuals facing barriers to financial wellbeing, including homelessness or risk of homelessness. Working with a managed caseload, this role will support participants to build confidence and employability skills, and progress towards meaningful, sustained employment, further education, or accredited training.

The role includes a blend of structured employability support, responsive frontline 121 work combined with corporate partnership skills.  This role will work directly with Freedom Trainees and Mustard Tree clients, supporting walk-ins, referrals, and longer-term participants. This role will represent our values through high-quality, compassionate, and professional service delivery.

This role combines direct participant support, employability delivery, employer engagement working with the Salford Area Manager. You will work across our Eccles and Little Hulton sites, helping create meaningful opportunities that enable participants’ progression.

Key Competencies

1. World Class Welcome and Customer Service

· Deliver Work Placement and Employment service across Salford appropriate to participants’ needs, through a welcoming, inclusive, and professional service that reflects a world-class customer experience.

· Networking and building relationships in Salford with new and existing corporate partners to deliver work placement opportunities to Freedom Project trainees, attendees to structured courses/clubs, and referrals from partner organisations (JCP and Elevate partners)

· Provide tailored, 1:1 employment and skills support, including caseload management, action planning, CV development, job search, and interview preparation.

· Adapt support to meet the diverse and complex needs of participants, demonstrating empathy and resilience.

· Manage referrals and signposting effectively, ensuring participants access appropriate internal and external services.

 

2. Proactive in Living and Sharing our Culture, Values and Behaviours

· Consistently model Mustard Tree’s values, culture and expected behaviours in all interactions with participants, colleagues and partners.

· Promote equality, diversity and inclusion by creating safe, welcoming and respectful environments for everyone by building positive relationships, challenge inappropriate behaviour appropriately, and reflect on feedback to continuously improve practice.

· Communicate in an inclusive, accessible and person-centred way, adapting approaches to meet participants needs.

· Demonstrate professionalism, integrity and accountability while maintaining boundaries and delivering on commitments.

3. Courage in Problem Solving and Embracing Change to Meet Needs

· Identify barriers affecting participant progression and respond to reduce/remove the barriers

· Adapt quickly and positively to changing priorities, service demands and participant needs while maintaining high-quality support.

· Demonstrate resilience when managing complex situations, setbacks or competing pressures, whilst taking ownership of actions and outcomes

· Embrace learning, feedback and change to continuously improve ways of working and support positive participant outcomes

4. Confident in Safeguarding and Incident Management

· Manage situations calmly and professionally, maintaining dignity and safety for all.

· Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and incident management procedures, escalating concerns appropriately.

· Work collaboratively with colleagues, contributing to case discussions and team meetings

• Complete and maintain accurate documentation, incident forms, and risk records.
• Attend required training, supervision, and reflective practice sessions and keep up to date with relevant legislation and local statutory and voluntary-sector provision.

5. Skilled in Reporting

· Monitor progress, record outcomes, and adapt support in response to individual needs, using TreeSalt, case notes, and case studies to evidence impact.

• Signpost and refer trainees and participants to appropriate internal services and external agencies, including housing, mental health, benefits, and specialist support.
• Track participant outcomes including engagement, training completion, volunteering, work placements, and employment progression to support internal reporting requirements and funder monitoring.

6. Positive Management of Stakeholders, Partners and Supporters

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local employers, job centres, statutory services, charities, and third-sector organisations.

• Coordinate referrals and progression pathways into and out of the programme. Establish and maintain pathways into employment, education, training, and volunteering.

• Identify, develop, and maintain work placement and progression opportunities with employers and partner organisations.
• Match participants to placements aligned with their interests, goals, and support needs.

• Ensure placements are structured, safe, and provide meaningful learning and development. Escalate any placement-related issues promptly and collaboratively.

General Duties

• Work in line with organisational policies, procedures, and values.
• Support colleagues and provide cover across services and sites when required.
• Take responsibility for professional development and ongoing learning.
• Act as a positive ambassador for the organisation internally and externally.
• Contribute to environmental responsibility through day-to-day working practices.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as required.

What we are looking for.

Person Specification 

Minimum of two years’ frontline experience supporting adults, including vulnerable individuals. - Essential

Experience supporting people facing multiple barriers such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment, or housing instability. - Essential

Experience of managing varied caseloads and achieving measurable outcomes with participants. - Essential

Experience of and/or ability to build and maintain partnerships with external organisations, local businesses or employers. - Essential

Understanding of employability pathways, training provision, and labour market opportunities. - Essential

Resilient, adaptable, with flexible enthusiastic approach. Able to work on their own initiative as well as contributing effectively as part of a team. - Essential

Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, and risk management. - Essential

Good interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication skills. - Essential

Degree-level qualification and/or equivalent experience in responsible roles. - Desirable

Strong time management and administration skills, with the ability to multitask - Essential

Experienced in using IT systems including Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, and Word - Desirable 

Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle and willingness and ability to travel regularly across our Salford hubs - Desirable

Why Work for Mustard Tree

Working at Mustard Tree is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to be part of a community that is changing lives every day.

Our Culture

• A values-led organisation where compassion, dignity, and respect guide everything we do
• A supportive and collaborative team environment where your voice matters
• A place where lived experience is valued and people are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work
• A strong sense of purpose, with the opportunity to see the real impact of your work

 

What We Offer

• A meaningful role where you can make a tangible difference in people’s lives
• Opportunities for learning, development, and progression, including access to training and mentoring
• A flexible and supportive approach to working, with consideration for work-life balance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service), with additional bank holidays and a day off for your birthday
• Employer pension contribution
• Access to wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Perkbox

We are committed to investing in our people and creating an environment where you can grow, feel supported, and do your best work.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement - telling us about your experience and why this role matters to you.

This job description is intended as a guide and may evolve as our work continues to grow and respond to the needs of our community.

About The Role
At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Every partnership, donation and gift helps make that possible. As Impact Communications Manager (12-month fixed term contract), you’ll bring that impact to life in a way that inspires major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners to support our work.
You’ll turn complex information into clear, compelling communications that build trust, strengthen relationships and support fundraising growth. Working across Philanthropy, Corporate Partnerships and Legacies, you’ll shape proposals, reports and engagement materials that show both the human impact and the value of supporting Alzheimer’s Society.
This is a role that blends creativity with delivery. You’ll need to think strategically, write persuasively and manage multiple priorities in a fast moving environment where quality and deadlines matter.
You’ll also lead and develop an Impact Communications Officer, working closely with another Impact Communications Manager within our High Value Operations team to shape and strengthen this specialist function.
This role is a 12-month fixed term contract.
What you'll do
You'll help our high value fundraising teams secure support, grow income and build long term partnerships. You’ll combine creative thinking with strong delivery, making sure communications are engaging, clear and effective.
You’ll lead on writing proposals, pitches, reports and stewardship materials for high value audiences, shaping messaging and turning complex information into persuasive content that drives action.
You’ll also work across the organisation to gather insight, identify opportunities and bring together stories, evidence and data that demonstrate impact. Alongside this, you’ll support donor meetings, presentations and events with high quality communications that build trust and confidence.
Key responsibilities include:

- Leading high value fundraising communications from brief to delivery
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines, making decisions to keep work on track and to standard
- Building strong relationships across teams to gather insight and identify opportunities
- Improving engagement, messaging and fundraising effectiveness through better communications
- Managing and developing an Impact Communications Officer, providing clear guidance and support
- Contributing to improvements across High Value Operations

About you
You're a skilled communicator who combines creative thinking with strong delivery. You enjoy shaping ideas, solving problems and producing work that makes a real difference.
You’re confident working with different teams and stakeholders, able to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality and focus.
You’ll bring:

- Copywriting skills, with experience of creating clear and persuasive communications tailored to different audiences
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high quality work to agreed deadlines
- Understanding of high value audiences such as major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners, or transferable experience that helps you build this understanding
- Experience of building relationships and working with stakeholders, with the ability to collaborate and work towards shared outcomes
- Experience of supporting or developing others, with a commitment to helping people grow and succeed

If you’re excited by this role but don’t meet every requirement, we’d still really like to hear from you. We value potential as much as experience.
Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place week commencing the 29th June via MS Teams.

About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.  

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.  Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.  ​

• Directorate: Innovation, Policy & Systems Change
• Reporting into: Associate Director of Research, Learning and Systems Change
• Colleagues reporting into role: No direct reports at present. However, coaching and managing of volunteers and/or consultants is expected. 
• Location: You can be home-based anywhere in the UK, with travel for meetings. You can also choose to work from our Bristol or London offices.
• Closing date: Monday 8 June at 12 midday
• Interview dates: Monday 15 June and Tuesday 16 June (please tell us in your application if you cannot attend interview on one of these days)

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.

We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise well-being. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.

About the role

We’re looking for a Head of Research & Evidence to join our ambitious Research, Learning & Systems Change Team. 

Young Lives vs Cancer has a strong and growing commitment to changing the system for children and young people with cancer, and their loved ones. Our North Star vision and Time is Now Strategy focus on influencing how the wider system works – from services and policy to practice on the ground – so that families get the support they need.

The Head of Research and Evidence sits in the Research, Learning & Systems Change team, within our Innovation, Policy & Systems Change Directorate. The role is responsible for ensuring our work is grounded in strong, credible and useful evidence, and that learning is actively used to shape decisions, practice and change across the system.

This is a leadership role within a small but ambitious team. You will set direction and provide thought leadership, but you will also be hands on – designing, commissioning, managing and using research alongside colleagues and partners.

Building trusted relationships and using evidence to influence thinking and action are central. You will work with colleagues, children and young people, families, and partner organisations (such as the North Star Cancer Collective) to learn, strengthen credibility and create change.

This role is subject to a Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application, a Basic Criminal Record Check will be completed. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. You’ll work as part of a strong internal team, collaborating closely with colleagues across the organisation and with key external partners to generate, use and apply evidence that supports learning, influence and system change. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description and pack:

• You’ll be setting the direction for research and learning, leading a clear and purposeful research programme focused on the psychosocial experiences of children and young people with cancer. You’ll ensure research is high‑quality, ethical and impactful, including commissioning work with partners and contributing to research funding bids.

• You’ll be understanding needs and experiences to grow a strong, credible evidence base, building and using robust evidence on need, inequality, impact and progress to inform strategy, services, policy and system change. You’ll ensure children, young people and families meaningfully shape research and that insight is shared in clear, practical ways.

• You’ll be providing system insight and leadership, analysing how the system works, identifying trends and pressures, and using evidence to guide where change is most needed. You’ll build trusted relationships across the voluntary sector, NHS and research community, sharing learning and strengthening our credibility and influence.

• You’ll be turning learning into action and influence, helping teams apply research to real‑world practice and supporting testing, learning and improvement over time. You’ll put feedback and learning loops in place and assess how research‑informed change is affecting practice and outcomes.

What do I need? 

Diverse perspectives and unique skill sets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• Experience leading and delivering research, including setting direction, choosing methods, commissioning or carrying out research, analysing data, and ensuring high quality and ethical practice.

• Strong research and analytical skills, with confidence working with both qualitative and quantitative data and evidence, and turning insight into practical action.

• Experience using evidence to support change, such as shaping strategy, influencing policy, improving services or supporting system change.

• Experience working across organisations, building trusted relationships with colleagues, partners, and where appropriate, children, young people and families.

• Ability to communicate complex research clearly and accessibly to different audiences, in writing and in conversation.

• A collaborative way of working, with strong people skills, curiosity and a learning mindset, and a clear commitment to equity, inclusion and anti‑oppressive practice.

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Well-being, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value AI adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

To hear more about this role, please sign up to one of our informal drop in sessions taking place at 12:30pm on Tuesday 26th May and 17:30pm on Monday 01st June.

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