Children service manager jobs

About Starlight

No one enjoys medical procedures, least of all children. From facing everyday vaccinations to the most serious of surgeries and chronic conditions, all children experience varying degrees of apprehension and fear. Feeling scared, powerless, or anxious in healthcare settings doesn’t just trigger a child’s emotions; it can create traumas that impact treatment success and that can have a life-long impact. Starlight’s aim is to transform children’s health through better experiences, by putting play at the heart of every child’s healthcare.

Evidence shows that play in healthcare can reduce anxiety, fear and even pain; it helps children engage and prepare for their treatment and cope better with procedures; it minimises trauma and contributes to a better experience; and supports children to have some sense of agency and control in an environment where these opportunities are limited. Play can also reduce the number of attempts to deliver treatment, the need for sedation and the need for repeat appointments. Prioritising children’s right to play in healthcare results in healthier, happier children who are involved in their own healing and recovery as well as more efficient treatment and care.

We work in over 900 healthcare settings across the UK with an ultimate vision to ensure that no child endures trauma in healthcare.

Our Strategy and the Professional Training & Development Manager role

Over recent years, we have been re-positioning Starlight from a wish-granting charity to a charity that supports children to experience the power of play in healthcare settings to improve their mental health and wellbeing. These changes have made an exponential difference to the immediate impact that we can achieve for children, as well as the opportunity to create real social value in the efficiency of treatment; and to our ability to advocate for long-term systemic change in the way children experience healthcare.

Central to improving children’s experience is having access to experienced and properly equipped play professionals. Through our Champions network and collaborative working across the healthcare sector, we have developed strong networks; shared best practice, offered opportunities for training and connection and raised awareness of the importance of play professionals and a culture of play in healthcare settings. Our Taskforce work with NHS England has also clearly outlined the need for workforce accreditation and development.

While we continue to advocate at a systemic level for the recognition of the play workforce and their need for a strategy for their development, this role is vital in providing more immediate and tangible support to the professionals who make our work possible. 3 The Professional Training & Development Manager will be integral in sharing Starlight’s knowledge of Play by training and developing key roles within health play settings to ensure Play becomes a foundation of every child’s health care journey. They will support wider understanding of the importance of a culture of play in paediatric healthcare.

Main purpose of the role

The main purpose of this role is to develop and maintain effective and mutually supportive relationships with health professionals, creating communities of practice and resourcing knowledge exchange across the sector. Through these relationships, you will deepen our understanding of the training and workforce development needs of play professionals and identify and develop opportunities for training and sharing of best practice, Working closely across the Children’s Services your work will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of a culture of play for children’s mental health and wellbeing and for the health and efficiency of the NHS.

You will report directly to the Head of Professional Training & Development and will line manage a coordinator.

Ormside Mill Residential Centre Manager

Grade 7 Point 26 – 30, £34,795- £38,059. (Full Time 35 hours, Permanent)

Introduction

Greater Manchester Youth Federation (GMYF) is a long-established charity running vibrant youth centres across Greater Manchester. We’re dedicated to raising aspirations and creating opportunities for young people, especially those facing disadvantage, through exciting activities, outreach, and outdoor adventures. Our approach champions youth voice, inclusion, and building confidence and resilience. We offer outdoor education, including residentials at our own Ormside Mill site in Cumbria and other sites nationwide. Ormside Mill Residential Centre (ORC) is a unique and charming residential environment where children and young people can experience outdoor learning, personal development, and safe adventure. We aspire for ORC to be a centre of excellence in residential youth work.

Purpose of Role:

The Centre Manager is responsible for the effective leadership and management of Ormside Mill Residential Centre (ORC), including all Health and Safety, estate management, operations and bookings. The postholder will ensure high-quality, inclusive, and safe delivery of youth work activities, aligned with our organisational values and mission.

GMYF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to equality of opportunity. We will make reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities. All personal data will be processed in accordance with GDPR.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

• To support the CEO in the delivery of our mission, in line with our values and ambition.
• Oversee daily operations of Ormside Mill Residential Centre, ensuring high service standards and smooth handover/takeover procedures.
• Line manage staff associated with the centre, such as the grounds keeper, housekeeper and finance assistant.
• Manage and administer all bookings and reservations for the Ormside Mill Residential Centre, maintaining an organised and efficient system.
• Provide onsite ‘take over’ and ‘hand over’ arrangements for groups, including providing oversight of activities with freelance instructors etc.

Safety, Quality and Compliance

• To ensure they have up to date Safeguarding knowledge and to promote GMYF safeguarding culture.
• Responsible for safe, inclusive practice in all areas of ORC work, through supportive line management of key staff, user and contractor briefings and operations. Be responsible for compliance with health and safety regulations including Fire Safety, Legionella, Contractor Management, vehicle maintenance etc.
• Manage and complete documentation for inspections or quality marks such as AHOEC, Evolve, AALA Licence etc. ensuing readiness for audit and compliance, including supporting the Chief Instructor with kit management and storage.
• To be responsible for a detailed estates plan that sets out key compliance requirements and their successful management within a 12-month period and beyond.

Administration and Organisation

• Represent the organisation in external networks and partnerships related to residential and youth work, including building positive relationship with local residents.
• Collaborate with delivery teams to populate the forecast events and resource demand.
• To identify, submit and secure external funding to support our endeavours, via grants or individual benefactors.  
• To promote environmental sustainability, appropriate waste management and care for the environment.
• To be responsible for the production of regular and accurate reports such as the Annual Report, User Satisfaction reports, etc. 
• Responsible for the vetting, compliance and expectations for freelances staff, in line with GMYF values.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL

Qualifications & Technical Competence

• Current First Aid qualification or commitment to obtain within 3 months
• Relevant qualification in youth work, education, or a related field, with a focus on residential and youth centre management.
• Experience of working within AALA or similar regulatory frameworks.
• L3 Safeguarding qualification working with young people or commitment to obtain within 1 month

Experience

• Proven experience in developing and ensuring the quality of programmes and activities within residential centres.
• Excellent communication, IT, and interpersonal skills to effectively coordinate with staff, volunteers, and external partners.
• Proven ability to work independently and lead an effective team.
• Experience of risk management and developing safe systems of work in residential and youth settings.
• Experience of working with young people from diverse backgrounds, including those facing disadvantage or additional barriers.
• Experience using data systems to manage bookings, track maintenance, and monitor programme outcomes.
• Experience using data systems to manage bookings, track maintenance, and monitor programme outcomes.
• Experience to manage the centre budget, reporting on time and accurately on all financial matters. 

Skills and Attributes

• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• Ability to plan and deliver inclusive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate programmes.
• Confidence in decision-making, particularly in dynamic outdoor environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a youth work and multi-disciplinary team.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding, and youth-centred practice.

DESIRABLE

• Hold a NEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent, demonstrating a solid foundation in health and safety principles and practices.
• Completion of IOSH Managing Safely course or similar, equipping you with the essential skills to manage health and safety effectively within a residential centre and youth club environment.

Other Requirements

GMYF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An Enhanced DBS is required for this post. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

This is a UK-based post and applicants must be living in and have the right to work in the UK. If applicable, please detail your Visa status in your covering email. 

Please let us know if you need us to make any reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process and we’ll be happy to support you.

• Closing date for applications: 13th March 2026
• Interview date: 18th March 2026
• Start date: As soon as possible

The Youth Endowment Fund   

Programme Manager 

Reports to: Programme and Impact Lead  

Salary: £44,200  

Contract: 12-month fixed term (Full-Time), dependent on co-funding being secured. 

Location:  Central London or Hybrid*(see below) 

Closing date for applications: 12pm Friday 13th March 2026 

Interview dates: Week commencing 23rd March 2026 

About the Youth Endowment Fund 

We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice.  

Every child should grow up safe from harm. Yet far too many are drawn into violence or live with the fear of it. This robs them of opportunity and damages whole communities. Even when violence doesn’t strike directly, we know that the fear of violence has a terrible effect on children’s lives.   

The Youth Endowment Fund exists to try and permanently change things. To succeed, we must build an exceptional body of knowledge about violence affecting young people and how we reduce it. This knowledge has to be both rigorous and highly relevant to those making decisions about how to support vulnerable young people. We need to find out what works and what doesn’t through evidence synthesis, data analysis and qualitative research into children’s lives. We need to convert this into highly accessible content on what works, how delivery organisations need to change their practice and how the systems they operate in need to be reformed. We then need to work with the right people that can make change happen, across systems, policies and practice, to have a real impact on reducing violence affecting children’s lives.   

Key Responsibilities 

Deciding which projects, we should fund and evaluate is key, as is making sure we deliver our funding and evaluations to the highest standards. Our Programme Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, funding and supporting programmes designed to prevent youth violence.

Programme Managers at YEF come from all walks of life. We look for individuals who may have experience in the youth sector, children’s social care, policing, criminal justice, education or how to involve local residents in making decisions about their own neighbourhoods.

As a Programme Manager at YEF, you will work very closely with our evaluation team to make sure we learn from what’s being implemented and that the organisations we fund are prepared and excited to work with us to find what works.
 

To achieve this, you will: 

• Make sure we choose the best organisations to work with by assessing funding applications, critically appraising delivery plans and budgets and getting to know potential grantees. These assessments will help you form recommendations to our senior leadership team about which opportunities to pursue.

• Work closely with grantees, external evaluators and our own evaluation team to ensure that the activity we are funding will be evaluable to the highest standards. This requires you to support and advise grantees on how to work in the context of an evaluation – usually, a randomised controlled trial (you don’t have to have experience working on a randomised controlled trial in the past, but it helps!).

• Build strong relationships with our grantees and provide them with ongoing management and support through the life of their funding. You will also be responsible for monitoring the performance of grantees and ensuring targets are met and any project risks are effectively mitigated.

• Think carefully about how we find the best projects to fund and evaluate, ensuring we can best find what works to keep children safe. To do this you might need to work with colleagues to spot where there has previously been a lack of evidence about what works (we will help you with this!). You would project manage these projects so they are excellently delivered – on time, within budget, and to a high standard. You will help to determine what our commissioning and management processes aim to achieve and design grant application and management processes to achieve it.

• You’ll manage our engagement with potential grantees to make sure we are attracting a diverse and promising portfolio of organisations to apply.

• Report to our team and external stakeholders regularly on how well the projects we are funding are going, spotting where grantees need support and coming up with how we can best provide that support. 

• Represent the Youth Endowment Fund at external events, including reporting and presenting to our Grants and Evaluation Committee, who approve all our funding decisions. 

About You 

You are this sort of person: 

• You don't want your days to pass without making a difference. You want to play a significant part in a charity that is making a difference.

• You want to work in a job that makes young people safer. This issue matters to you. You don’t need extensive experience in grant making, you just have to be committed to learning it. You should be keen to learn about the sectors we work with, the challenges facing young people and what organisations face when implementing programmes.

• You have experience in one or more of the following areas: policing, education, criminal justice, social care or the youth sector. 

• You have a strong understanding of challenges that organisations face in delivering projects. You must also be a really good project manager, great at managing and developing people and external stakeholders, energised by tackling complex problems and really care about the YEF’s mission to build evidence of what works.  

• You have incredible judgement. You are able to reach sound and considered judgements about the viability and suitability of applicants based upon our given criteria, often using detailed written and financial information, and are able to deliver constructive feedback to organisations. You can also identify when things aren’t going to plan and be proactive with sharing observations and recommendations. 

• You are an optimiser. You look for solutions and think creatively to overcome challenges. You are curious, hungry to learn and always looking for ways to improve processes and increase efficiency and impact. 

• You love well-designed systems. You are committed to designing and maintaining the best systems to make sure we manage our commissioning processes well. You know this is critical to effectively managing multiple, large-scale funding programmes and competing priorities. 

• You are an excellent communicator. You have the ability to convey information clearly and effectively—both in writing and verbally. You understand the importance of strong communication in fast-paced decision-making and thrive in a busy, collaborative team environment. 

• You win people over. People tend to warm to you and respect you. You have built good relationships with people at every level inside and outside the organisation and have managed large networks of stakeholders with different interests and priorities. You are excellent at customer service and can professionally handle issues that come up within your grant portfolio. 

• You work very well in a team. You are not motivated by being the individual winner. You want the team as a whole to succeed. You don’t care who gets the credit as long as things get done. 

• You are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. You believe and act in a way that celebrates and encourages a range of experiences, backgrounds and values. 
   

While it’s not a criteria, we are especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.

We’re also keen to hear from applicants with a strong understanding of evaluation methodologies—particularly Randomised Control Trials (RCTs)—and experience either directly supporting or overseeing programme delivery within an evaluation context. 

It’s important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.

All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

This position will require a DBS check to be performed, but a record is not a block to performing this role. 

Funding and Start Date  

This role is subject to funding. We are currently in the process of securing the necessary funding for this work, which is expected to commence in April 2026. The successful candidate will need to be available to start within four weeks of receiving an offer. 

Hybrid Working Details  

The office is based in Central London, but you don’t have to be. Those living in London and within the 32 London Boroughs are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage.

To Apply  

To apply, please send a CV and a cover letter answering the specific questions below, along with the completed monitoring form, by clicking the "Apply for this" button by 12pm Friday 13th  March 2026. 

If you have specific expertise in any of our sectors, we want to hear about it in your examples, when answering the following questions as part of your cover letter to be considered. 

Application Questions   

1. Tell us about your experience and understanding of the challenges organisations face in delivering projects and any experience you’ve had of this in the context of evaluations? (max 400 words).

2. The Programme Manager role involves overseeing several projects at once and juggling many different tasks simultaneously. Tell us about when you’ve had several competing priorities and how you managed those? (max 400 words) 

3. Tell us about your experience of managing multiple partners and resolving conflicting positions? (max 400 words) 

Interview Process 

This is likely to be a one stage process, with interviews taking place on the week commencing 23rd March 2026 

PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.  

Benefits Include 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays 

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support 

• Volunteering days - 4 half days per year 

• Death in service - 4 times annual salary 

• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm 

• Financial support including travel and hardship loans 

• Employer contributed pension of 5%. 

Personal Data  

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful, and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area. 

You will play a key role in leading the day–to–day delivery of the service, providing effective management and leadership to a team of Early Help support workers and Early Help Development Workers. As the Service Manager, you will be required to work in partnership with the Operational Manager to support the strategic development of the integrated service offer for children and families living in the West of Birmingham. You will be required to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders and actively engage in local and district meetings and with Birmingham Childrens Trust. As the Service Manager, you will be working as a part of a management team and be accountable for the quality standards in the service, building and sustaining professional relationships with all stakeholders.You will play a key role in leading the day–to–day delivery of the service, providing effective management and leadership to a team of Early Help support workers and Early Help Development Workers. As the Service Manager, you will be required to work in partnership with the Operational Manager to support the strategic development of the integrated service offer for children and families living in the West of Birmingham. You will be required to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders and actively engage in local and district meetings and with Birmingham Childrens Trust. As the Service Manager, you will be working as a part of a management team and be accountable for the quality standards in the service, building and sustaining professional relationships with all stakeholders. 

The Alumni Engagement Manager is a key role dedicated to nurturing lifelong relationships between the School and its global alumni and parent(s) of alumni community. By leading meaningful engagement, communications, and events, the role supports strategic initiatives that build a strong sense of community and encourage ongoing philanthropic support.

To apply for this role, you must have the right to work in the UK currently. We are unable to offer a visa sponsorship for this position.

Summary of duties and responsibilities:

Engagement and events:

• Execute a successful series of annual alumni and parents of alumni events locally and in the US, ensuring robust attendance, and driving successful event-based fundraisers when applicable

• Plan and support annual milestone reunions

• Schedule and host alumni tours and visits to the campus

• Actively facilitate meaningful networking and connection opportunities among current students, employees, and alumni, including alumni-to-alumni engagement

• Oversee the alumni and Grade 12 mentor program with the Office of Student Advising

• Manage the onboarding of the graduating Grade 12 class into the alumni network throughout the students’ final year at ASL, with event engagement and a fundraising appeal, in partnership with the high school leadership team

• Coordinate with the Director of Development and Giving Manager to annually promote fundraising appeals and giving challenges at alumni events and in alumni communications

Communications:

• Execute alumni communications in coordination with the Director of Development and the Communications team

• Write, design, and publish a monthly alumni newsletter, London Calling

• Research, meet, and conduct interviews with alumni of note in order to write monthly in-depth feature stories in London Calling

• Serve as lead on alumni networking software (ASLConnects, a Graduway site)

• Develop alumni content for ASL social media and online alumni platforms.

• Partner with the Giving Manager to drive success and class engagement during Grade 12 class gift campaign drive each year

• Monitor and provide updates for alumni web pages 

• Assist with copywriting for alumni fundraising around the Annual Fund and other fundraising initiatives as requested by the Director of Development

• Work with the Web Editor to ensure that alumni pages of ASL website are up-to-date, relevant, and compelling

Additional responsibilities:

• Design and occasionally send mass broadcast emails and invitations related to alumni and/or parents of alumni, in coordination with the Director of Development

• In partnership with the Communications team, build monthly London Calling features on ASL (a Finalsite website), including news stories, in memoriam notes, and class notes

• Handle daily alumni inbox communications, including processing web login and alumni portal access requests

• Manage the Eagle mascot volunteers, and select student-facing events 

• Photograph alumni and parents of alumni groups and events

• As requested, provide occasional copywriting and copy editing support to the rest of the Development team, including non–alumni specific projects

• Perform any other duties within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the job, including occasional weekend and evening hours for event coverage 

Essential qualifications/experience:

• A proven track record of event planning experience with high attention to detail, time management, budget oversight, specific management knowledge of AV and decor, and handling multiple event projects simultaneously

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, highly organized and a problem-solver, positive and friendly, strong people management and interpersonal skills

• Collaborative team colleague and a self-starter

• Ability to adjust to dynamic event environments with ease

• A proven commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children

Desirable qualifications/experience:

• Demonstrable alumni relations experience, building and developing effective relationships

• Educated at degree level

• Independent and/or international school experience

• Knowledge proficiency in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge

• Knowledge proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud

• Experience working with volunteers 

• Fundraising experience as it relates to cultivation and stewardship

• Experience working with effective digital marketing and communication tools including web-editing, social media communications and bulk email marketing

The Alliance is looking to recruit a Children's Services Manager to join the Children's Services Department to lead our services in the South and South East of England. This role focusses on supporting our settings in this area however, you will need to be available to support settings nationally as required.

Main duties:

• To ensure that Early Years Alliance settings offer outstanding early years care and education and meet the charity’s mission to create better futures for children and families, particularly those of the most disadvantaged.
• Alongside the Children’s Services Director and Children’s Services Managers you will lead the development of our early years settings, championing high quality and creative early years practice.
• To provide skilled leadership to Setting Managers, enabling them to develop their skills and effectively deliver high quality early years. 
• Leading on complex issues including being lead contact for Ofsted, Safeguarding and Personnel Issues.

Benefits:

• 26 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, pro rata for part time employees
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Employer and employee contribution pension scheme
• Birthday leave so you can have a day off for your birthday dedicated to you and your well being
• Enhanced sickness pay and paid bereavement leave
• Regular access to internal and external learning and development opportunities
• A Recruitment Referral Payment Scheme, giving you an introductory payment of up to £300 if someone you have referred to the Alliance takes up a role in the charity.
• Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.
• Savings of up to 25% on O2 Refresh Airtime Plan on any new phone or tablets
• A dedicated mental health First Aider to support your mental well being

Essential criteria:

• Level 6 qualification in Early Years or Leadership and Management.
• Extensive experience in early years at a senior level.
• Full and relevant early years qualification.

Hours per week: 35

Weeks per year: 52

We are seeking a dedicated Site Manager to join our service based in Basildon, Essex. The service engages young people in learning through vocational teamwork and social development, focusing on KS3 and KS4, with a person-centred approach that celebrates individuality and uses humour, patience and support to get meaningful outcomes for our students. We work with we work with a wide range of young people, the majority with additional needs (SEN, SEMH, EBSA), helping them to achieve L1 BTEC qualifications in order to avoid NEET outcomes.

As the Circles Study and Salon Site Manager, you will be responsible for overall leadership of the service, day to day operations and development of the future provision. In this role you will lead the tutors, empowering and enabling them to deliver high quality support for our students by setting high standards for work and reflecting this to our external partners through effective communication, evidencing outcomes that are in line with, and exceed, contractual requirements. Additionally, you will complete all time critical evidencing for the site and monitor and feedback on the supporting documentation from tutors and students, while actively promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment in which all individuals feel valued and respected.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the daily running of the site
• Liaising with external organisations and stakeholders
• Recruitment of new members
• Management of staff, through regular appraisals and by setting SMART goals
• Maintain accurate records of performance, evidencing completion of contracted targets
• Manage and monitor site and project budgets,
• Develop the site and service, maintaining and improving our offer and standards
• Motivate & inspire staff and students
• Create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment

Person Specification 

• Strong leadership skills to motivate, support, and manage staff effectively
• Experience in an education/alternative provision setting, ideally as a DDSL
• Ability to set clear goals and support staff development
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong time-management and ability to prioritise
• Clear and confident verbal and written communicator with good attention to detail
• Financial and budgeting planning skills
• Current understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles
• Confidence in handling challenges calmly and professionally, with previous experience in conflict resolution
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and email

As part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check and some roles may require further vetting. Please make sure that the application form is completed along with a cover letter, to ensure that your application is reviewed.

Context:
Kinship provides direct support to, raises awareness of and campaigns for the rights of kinship carers across the UK. Kinship carers are navigating complex family relationships, trauma, poverty, discrimination. The children that they care for have frequently experienced abuse or are at risk of harm. Safeguarding concerns can be disclosed by kinship carers at all contact points with Kinship. 

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility and requires a safeguarding approach that is aligned to statutory frameworks, is professional, consistent, trauma-informed and proportionate to level of risk.

The designated safeguarding officer holds organisational responsibility for Kinship’s safeguarding framework and actions. The role works collaboratively with a team including a Safeguarding Trustee and a group of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads drawn from key service areas across the charity.

The role provides expertise, professional guidance and clear direction across the organisation, supporting staff and volunteers to make sound safeguarding decisions within a framework.

Purpose of the role:
The Designated Safeguarding Manager works closely with all teams across Kinship to embed proactive, person-centred, and partnership-driven safeguarding practice to protect children and adults at risk of harm.

The role provides professional oversight to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads through individual and group reflective practice and supports high-quality and defensible safeguarding decision-making. The role drives contextual safeguarding approaches, promote professional curiosity, continual professional development and ensures safeguarding responses are informed by lived experience and the realities of kinship care.

At Kinship safeguarding concerns come from risks of harm to adults and children often with risks of harm to multiple people in the same family context.

This requires careful, trauma-informed decision-making and support for staff responding to complex safeguarding situations.

How the role works:
Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Designated Safeguarding Manager holds responsibility for safeguarding practice across the organisation and provides expert oversight and organisational assurance ensuring safeguarding is embedded consistently, proportionately and in line with best practice.

This role will require flexibility for occasional travel in England and Wales.

Key responsibilities:

Organisational safeguarding accountability and assurance

• Act as Kinship’s Designated Safeguarding Officer, holding organisational authority for safeguarding decision-making and escalation.
• Hold organisational accountability for safeguarding practice, ensuring responsibilities are well defined, understood and embedded across the organisation.
• Maintain and assure a robust safeguarding framework, including defined roles, escalation routes, decision-making thresholds and accountability arrangements and balance safeguarding rigour with compassion and proportionality.
• Provide safeguarding oversight and assurance during service development, mobilisation and organisational change to ensure risks are identified, assessed and mitigated.

Trauma-informed safeguarding practice and oversight

• Embed trauma-informed safeguarding practice, ensuring all decisions, interventions, and organisational processes:
  • Recognise the impact of past and ongoing trauma on children, kinship carers, and families.
  • Prioritise emotional and psychological safety while balancing protection, autonomy, and empowerment.
  • Integrate trauma-awareness into risk assessments, safety planning, case management, policies, and service design.
• Support staff through reflective supervision, guidance, and training to respond effectively.
• Provide professional oversight and reflective practice support to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
• Provide expert safeguarding advice and consultation to staff and managers, supporting the assessment of concerns, threshold decisions, appropriate escalation, and proportionate, trauma-informed decision-making.
• Quality-assure safeguarding practice and decision-making to ensure actions are proportionate, person-centred, trauma-informed, and defensible.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of safeguarding records, risk assessments, and safety planning.

 Policy, compliance and organisational assurance

• Develop, review and maintain safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance in line with legislation, statutory guidance and Charity Commission expectations.
• Ensure safeguarding systems, processes and recording arrangements are robust, accessible and consistently applied.
• Provide regular safeguarding assurance, analysis and learning reports to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Culture, capability and continuous improvement

• Embed trauma-informed, contextual and culturally responsive safeguarding practice across the organisation.
• Promote professional curiosity and reflective practice, supporting staff to exercise sound professional judgement and avoid overly procedural responses.
• Design and deliver safeguarding training and guidance for staff and volunteers, building organisational capability and confidence.
• Lead learning reviews following safeguarding incidents or near misses, ensuring learning informs service and practice improvement.

Equity, inclusion and anti-racist safeguarding

• Ensure safeguarding practice actively considers how race, ethnicity, racism and intersecting inequalities shape risk, vulnerability and access to support.
• Support teams to identify and challenge bias and assumptions through reflective practice, supervision and learning.
• Embed equity, inclusion and anti-racist principles within safeguarding frameworks, policies, training and quality assurance processes.

Partnership working and external accountability

• Work collaboratively with statutory partners and external agencies to support effective safeguarding responses.
• Represent Kinship in multi-agency safeguarding forums, reviews or regulatory engagement as required.

Experience (Essential)

• Significant experience in adult and child safeguarding practice, including oversight of complex, high-risk, and multi-agency safeguarding situations.
• Experience providing professional oversight, reflective supervision, and structured learning support to safeguarding practitioners or leads, without direct line management responsibility.
• Experience embedding contextual safeguarding approaches and promoting professional curiosity in decision-making.
• Experience of working confidently with complexity, challenging constructively and supporting teams to do the right thing in difficult situations.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and embedding safeguarding policies, procedures, training, and learning frameworks.
• Substantial experience working with dispersed or multi-disciplinary teams, supporting wellbeing, professional development, and reflective practice.
• Experience working in voluntary sector, community-based, or service delivery organisations, particularly where safeguarding concerns arise through multiple routes.

Knowledge (Essential)

• Strong working knowledge of adult and child safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and recognised safeguarding frameworks, with the ability to apply them proportionately in practice.
• Up-to-date knowledge of children’s and adult social care systems.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based practice in work with adults, children, and families.
• Awareness of how racism, inequality, and structural disadvantage can increase risk and shape safeguarding experiences, particularly for Black and minoritised communities.
• Understanding of organisational safeguarding governance, including accountability, assurance, escalation, and risk management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities within the voluntary and community sector, including Charity Commission expectations, trustee duties, and regulatory requirements

Skills and abilities (Essential)

• Strong professional judgement, with confidence in making and defending complex safeguarding decisions.
• Calm, credible, and reflective approach in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to support and challenge colleagues constructively through reflective discussion, learning, and coaching rather than directive management.
• Clear, compassionate, and adaptable communicator, able to translate safeguarding complexity for diverse audiences, including operational and service delivery teams.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple safeguarding priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across wide-ranging professional teams and external partners.
• Values-led, with a demonstrable commitment to equity, inclusion, anti-racist practice, and culturally responsive safeguarding.

Qualifications (Essential)

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, health, or related field), or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in safeguarding children and adults.
• Permission to work in the UK.

Attributes and general characteristics (Essential)

• Commitment to the values, aims, and objectives of Kinship.
• Respectful, empathetic approach to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Flexible and willing to travel across England as required.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Lived experience of kinship care.
• Experience using Salesforce, Asana, Notion, and/or general AI tools for case management, project management, or documentation.
• Experience in innovation and continuous improvement within safeguarding practice or organisational culture.

How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Designated Safeguarding Manager by sending a tailored CV and responding to these 5 questions below in the online application process. Please read the guidance notes in the job pack. 

Closing date is 9am on Mon 2 March, with a first interview (30 mins online) that week and a second interview in person on Tues 10 March 2026. 

For all questions, please provide a maximum of 250 words per answer.

1.Alignment with Kinship: Why do you want to work for Kinship, and why does this Safeguarding Manager (Designated Safeguarding Lead) role matter to you at this point in your career?  Please refer to Kinship’s work and services in your answer, and explain what specifically about this role you are drawn to. 

2.Trauma informed practice: Describe a specific example where you have led or overseen a safeguarding concern using a trauma-informed approach.

3. Contextual safeguarding and professional curiosity: Tell us about a time you applied contextual safeguarding or professional curiosity to a situation where the initial concern did not tell the full story. What did you notice, what questions did you ask, and how did this change the safeguarding response? 

4. Reflective practice and supporting others: Give an example of how you have supported others to improve safeguarding decision-making through reflective practice (for example group reflection or one-to-one discussion). What was the issue and what changed? 

5. Equity, racism and safeguarding: Describe a situation where race, ethnicity or structural inequality affected safeguarding risk or decision-making. How did you recognise this and what did you do to ensure a fair and proportionate response? 

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts. 

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements 
• 40 days paid leave per year: 25 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 3 days between Christmas and New Year and 4 wellbeing days
• Strong commitment to professional development with a dedicated training budget
• Annual performance and pay progression reviews
• Up to 5% pension contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme offering access to free therapy
• Work phone and laptop
• A supportive and inclusive culture with regular team social events
• Scope to take real ownership in a fast-growing charity   

Personal development programme: 

• You will have a line manager dedicated to growing your strengths and supporting your professional skills development 
• You can work with your manager to set your own objectives within the scope of the job description 
• You will have a dedicated buddy within the team 
• You will take part in external and internal training to help grow your knowledge and skills

Please note that care-experienced applicants who meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our team and we encourage applications from people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds. We are dedicated to being a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and where diversity is celebrated. In our last staff survey, 95% said they feel a sense of belonging at Settle. Please see our website for more information on our approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

We’re on the hunt for a Programme Manager to join us at this exciting stage of Settle’s development. Over the next few years, we hope to grow the number of young people we are working with and develop new services to support young people with a range of support needs.

The Programme Manager will report to our COO. You’ll be managing a team of Settle Coaches working on the frontline, delivering one-to-one sessions with care-experienced young people across London. You’ll use your skills to ensure that the Settle Programme is the best it can be, coach our frontline teams and ensure high quality delivery is maintained for the young people we work with.

You will work with our COO and wider Programme Management team to deliver and develop our safeguarding practice and ensure that the frontline perspective and young people’s experiences are embedded across the organisation. You’ll manage existing referral partnerships and help develop new partnerships as and when needed, as well as share best practice with the partners you manage. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in strategic projects across the organisation.

Child Resource Worker Zero Hours

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Role - Zero Hours Children's Resource Worker

Hours - Variable and inconsistent including evenings and weekends

Salary - £12.77 per hour / time and a half on a Saturday and double time on a Sunday. Plus 15% Holiday Pay.

Location - Applicant must be based within Portsmouth, Southampton or Winchester area's to be able to cover carers and children support within Hampshire and Dorset.

TACT South Coast are looking for a children's resource worker to collaborate with them to support foster children and carers within Hampshire and Dorset. The ideal Children's Resource Worker will already have some experience in engagement and participation with vulnerable children, young people, care experienced children or have similar experience in child-facing settings.  Activities would include completing one-one work with children and young people, taking to activities, completing emotional literacy work. High level of flexibility required to cover weekends, evenings and bank holidays. Occasionally may be required to support with overnight residentials and night support within the foster home. Car driver and owning a car is essential. There will be opportunities for training and development for this role, as new workers join us at our organisation wide journey to become a fully trauma-informed organisation. The successful candidate will undertake essential  duties that will impact positively on the long-term outcomes for the young people and children in our care. This role is an essential part of the wider team, working in close partnership with parents, carers, young people, local authorities and their social workers. 

As a Zero Hours worker with TACT, you will be a part of our amazing team of professionals working with our organisational values at the heart of their everyday practice. You can review our values here.

Key duties and abilities for our Children's Resource Worker will include:

• Supporting interventions and activities to ensure stable placement arrangements
• Ability to transport children and young people to events, appointments and meetings (mileage reimbursed)
• Occasional participation in virtual and face to face events and occasional residential meet ups
• Ability to attend and assist with organising events and activities
• Understanding and maintaining knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures
• Use of IT for email and communication
• Willingness to work flexibly, according to deadlines and needs of our families

Please see the Job Description and Information Pack for full details of the role.

An enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role, which TACT will undertake on your behalf. 

Closing: Midnight on Monday, 9th March 2026
Interviews: Tuesday, 17th March 2026 (via Microsoft teams)

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believe that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children.  We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people.  All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies.

TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them. TACT reserves the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.

About the role

Working at equation means being part of a dynamic and passionate team, dedicated to creating a world free from domestic abuse, sexual violence and gender inequality.

Join Equation’s dedicated and highly skilled Children and Young People (CYP) team, a passionate and experienced group committed to creating safer futures for young people affected by domestic abuse. As CYP Service Manager, you will play a pivotal leadership role—guiding a motivated and enthusiastic team, driving service innovation, and ensuring our work continues to make a powerful and lasting impact across Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire. 

Working closely with the Head of Service, you will help shape strategic direction, develop high-quality practice, build strong partnerships and champion the voices of children and young people. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a well-established, impactful team and contribute to real, positive change in local communities. 

What we’re looking for

We are looking for someone who is confident, proactive and committed to delivering high-quality services for children and young people. The ideal candidate will be an inspiring leader who brings positivity, compassion and a solution-focused approach to everyday challenges. You will value collaboration, support others to achieve their best, and be able to make clear, child-centred decisions in a fast-paced environment. 

You will contribute: 

• Strong and confident leadership that motivates and supports an experienced and dedicated team 

• A calm, professional approach to managing complex and challenging situations 

• A commitment to equality, inclusion and amplifying the voices of young people
• A proactive mindset that drives improvement, innovation and excellent practice across the CYP workstream

How to apply

• Applications can be made via our recruitment portal. 
• CVs cannot be accepted. 

Closing date

• 9am on Monday 23rd February 2026.  Interviews will be held on Thursday 5th March 2026.

Location

• Hybrid working with 2 days in our Nottingham office

Salary

• £31,484.01 pa FTE, £25,527.58 actual salary for part time hours

Hours

• 30 hours per week, fixed term until 31 July 2027

Safeguarding

Equation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and to work in accordance with our safeguarding policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will be subject to safer recruitment checks including an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references covering the past five years, and completion of our safeguarding disclosure questionnaire.

This post involves regulated activity with children and vulnerable adults.

Equation operates a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse, discrimination, bullying, harassment or exploitation. We are dedicated to creating a safe environment where everyone we work with feels protected and able to speak up if they have concerns.

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate and organised Children and Families Worker to lead and grow our ministry with children and families in the parish. This role is perfect for someone who loves helping children explore faith, has experience working with different age groups, and enjoys building relationships in the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Run Children’s Church on Sundays during term-time — including leading sessions and coordinating a team of volunteers.

• Develop a new older children’s group, including volunteer recruitment and curriculum planning.

• Help lead monthly All-Age Services in collaboration with the Vicar.

• Run a monthly Bubble Church service and manage related outreach and admin.

• Co-lead Tufnell Tots (stay-and-play group) on Thursday mornings.

• Build relationships with local primary schools (Tufnell Park and Yerbury) through regular lunch clubs, assemblies, and visits.

• Support and co-run termly community events such as our Pancake Party, Fireworks Night, and Back to School Party.

• Develop creative, new initiatives — such as after-school activities or holiday clubs — to help children and families engage with faith.

• Ensure full compliance with our safeguarding policy and support safeguarding admin.

• Encourage sustainability in children’s events and teach the importance of caring for God’s creation.

• Support an inclusive approach to working with children with additional needs and disabilities, adapting content and approaches as needed.

About You

Essential:

• A living Christian faith and a desire to help children grow in their knowledge and experience of God.

• Good knowledge of the Bible and enthusiasm for sharing its stories.

• A strong understanding of safeguarding principles.

• Excellent team player who relates well to both children and adults.

• Experience in recruiting and supporting volunteers.

• Confident organisational and communication skills.

Desirable:

• A qualification in children’s ministry or a related field.

• Experience working with a range of age groups — from toddlers to pre-teens.

• First Aid certification.

Why Join Us?

• A caring, inclusive church committed to your growth and well-being.

• Flexibility, creativity, and scope to shape and develop this ministry.

• A part-time role that makes a full-hearted difference in the lives of local children and families.

Deadline for completed applications: 23 February 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Interviews: We expect to interview in late February to early March. 

It is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a committed Christian.

The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults through the use of the Safer Recruitment practice guidance.  This role is subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS.

Job Title – Senior Data and Performance Analyst (RAA)

Contract – 12 Months Fixed Term Contract

Hours -35 hours per week

Salary - £42,000 - £46,000 per annum FTE dependant on experience

Location – Coram Campus, Bloomsbury with hybrid working

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

About Coram Adoption

Coram’s Voluntary Adoption Agency is well established and Ofsted Outstanding in providing loving homes to children where adoption is the plan. In the regionalising of adoption services nationally it forms a regional partnership with nine London Boroughs, Harrow, Hillingdon, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Bromley, Westminster City Council and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Biborough), the City of London and the outer Slough Childrenfirst. The service provides all key aspects of the adoption services for the councils on a co-located model that enables a very close working partnership near to where families reside and local services.

About the role

The Senior Data and Performance Analyst role plays a vital part in supporting the work of the regional agency undertaking a range of responsibilities (local and national), undertaking data collection, cleansing and analysis contributing to robust reporting and new service developments to enhance the data function.

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

Closing Date: 10th March 2026

Interview Date: 13th March 2026

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

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

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Overview

CGL Buckinghamshire Children and Family Worker

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each person as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Buckinghamshire Service for you to join a dynamic team committed to supporting children and young people who have been affected by someone else’s drug and/or alcohol use. The role of a Children and family Worker will support children and young people under the age of 18 on a one-to-one basis in a confidential space. The role will deliver a wide range of interventions/ education though activities, such as games, arts and crafts and emotional wellbeing resources. The role will utilise a young person-centred approach, empowering them to explore situations which they feel they have little control over to support them to lead a safe, happy, and healthy life.

The role will work in partnership and liaise with other young people services throughout Buckinghamshire, to provide holistic support to young people accessing the service. We need to record information about what we do, so enjoying a bit of admin work and attention to detail is important, but most of the time you’ll be enjoying working with young people from all backgrounds, making a difference to their lives. You will be required to work flexibly across operational sites as required so must hold a full UK driving license and have access to a car. Don’t worry, there is a wide array of training and development opportunities to help support you in your work.

Where: This role will be based across Buckinghamshire County

When: We're looking for the right person to join our team ASAP on a permanent contract

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary: £27,861.26 - £32,002.35 per annum, pro rata

Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About the role: 

• To holistically support CYP affected by parental substance misuse, using a range of interventions including group work, 1:1 work, whole family interventions, safety planning and safeguarding working closely and proactively with the family unit to support positive and sustainable outcomes.
• Identify families in conjunction with other agencies, who will benefit from a Think Family / Whole family approach, negotiating participation and engagement with the programme of care.
• Identifying and responding effectively to potential safeguarding issues. 
• Reducing drug and alcohol related harm to young people and the wider community. 
• Working with young people to support positive, holistic outcomes in relation to their health and wellbeing, enabling them to lead safe, healthy, and purposeful lives: reducing risk and increasing resilience 
• Working flexibly across sites where required

About you: 

• Experience of working with young people and knowledge of the issues they face 
• Knowledge of safeguarding concerns in relation to children and young people and the Fraser Competence framework 
• Have an excellent understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience of working within a related field 
• Knowledge of working with evidence-based practice around young people’s substance misuse treatment services and methods, including relevant best practice guidance 
• An accomplished communicator, both verbal and written with a high degree of personal IT competency 
• Be able to accurately update and maintain records and to work to deadlines for the submission of information, e.g., reports 
• Have excellent team working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a highly cooperative approach to supporting colleagues in delivering service objectives 

What we will give to you: 

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days” 
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 
• A friendly and supportive team 
• Training, career development & progression opportunities 
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role. 

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions. 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Interview Date

2/3/2026

Closing Date

20/2/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.