Head of people and culture jobs

Job title: Safeguarding Lead

Reports to: Head of Bereavement Services

Salary: £33,120

Location: Hybrid working with 2 days a week in the office depending on location.

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours, Monday-Friday.

Post No: 2WSFT01

Objective: 2wish exists to provide support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under.

Aims:

• Ensure every Emergency Department and Critical Care unit has a suitable bereavement suite
• Ensure that bereavement boxes are available at each of these hospitals
• Ensure that immediate bereavement support is available for all affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide a professional counselling service and other therapies for those affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide support to individuals who witness the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide support and training to professionals from any sector who may be affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• To advocate and campaign on behalf of suddenly bereaved families

2wish Cymru and 2wish:

2wish has been established since 2012 and has grown from strength to strength. During tis time, we have worked tirelessly to embed our service and ensure that the offer of support is made at the point of death.

We offer an immediate, consistent, high-quality and compassionate service to all individuals affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under in Wales and the bordering counties in England, including; Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset, with the plan to continue to roll out support to the whole of England. We work in partnership with professionals who refer int the charity on behalf of families, so they don’t have to trawl through the internet for an organisation who may, or may not, be able to support. We provide immediate, and ongoing, support and are here for as long as our families need us.

Context of role:

2wish support anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under. We provide immediate casework support, as well as ongoing aftercare services including counselling, alternative therapies, play therapy, support groups, support events and a respite cottage.

We are looking for a strong leader to manage the bereavement service including the operational delivery of immediate support and counselling and therapeutic support services, this includes the line management of the staff responsible for delivering this service.

We are proud of what we have achieved in Wales and the excellent service provided everyday by the support team. We are looking for a nurturer with experience of managing projects and service delivery with the ability and drive to motivate and support a varied and talented team.

Main duties:

Safeguarding Leadership & Case Management

• Act as the first point of contact for all safeguarding concerns raised internally or externally.
• Assess, triage, and respond to safeguarding concerns involving vulnerable bereaved parents, carers, siblings, or young people.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with GDPR and 2wish policies.
• Liaise with statutory agencies (Social Services, Police, Health, Education) to ensure appropriate information‑sharing and coordinated responses.
• Ensure timely escalation of high‑risk cases to the senior leadership team.

Support to Families & Vulnerable Individuals

• Provide trauma‑informed safeguarding guidance to staff supporting families in crisis or acute grief.
• Monitor risks associated with complex family dynamics (e.g., domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health crises, self‑harm, suicidal ideation).
• Offer safeguarding input into family support plans, therapeutic work, and follow‑up services.
• Contribute to safer engagement strategies for young people attending support sessions or activities.

Safeguarding at Events

• Work closely with the Events Team to ensure risk assessments for fundraising events account for vulnerable beneficiaries in attendance.
• Provide on‑the‑day safeguarding cover at key events when required.
• Support staff and volunteers in managing disclosures or concerns arising during events.

Policy, Procedure & Compliance

• Support the development, review, and implementation of safeguarding policies in line with national legislation, regulatory guidance, and best practice.
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission safeguarding expectations.
• Conduct audits and spot checks to assess safeguarding practice across 2wish services.
• Contribute to risk assessments, incident reviews, and continuous improvement processes.

Training & Capacity Building

• Deliver safeguarding training and briefings to staff, trustees, volunteers, and sessional workers.
• Promote a confident safeguarding culture where concerns are recognised early and raised promptly.
• Support onboarding processes to ensure all staff and volunteers understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

Partnership Working

• Build strong relationships with safeguarding boards, local authorities, health boards, schools, and referral partners.
• Represent 2wish multi‑agency meetings, strategy discussions, and case conferences.

General:

• To be responsible for organising own work agenda, time management and administration
• To show respect and sensitivity for the cultural and religious beliefs of families
• To undertake learning opportunities and seek them out for the team
• To adhere to all company policies and procedures including Safeguarding, Confidentiality,
• Health and Safety and Lone Working; and to be proactive in implementing new safe working practices as appropriate
• To attend weekend and evening community events in support of the charity as necessary
• Participate as and when required in team meetings and one-to-one meetings, and undertake, as appropriate, courses/training/other developmental activities, which is relevant to the role

It is the nature of the work that tasks and responsibilities are in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore expected to work in a flexible way and tasks, which are not specifically covered in their job description may have to be undertaken.

You will be subject to performance review, which will incorporate a review of the above duties and performance over the period.

The postholder must uphold 2wish values: Compassion, Boldness, Excellence and Community.

This role is subject to a DBS check.

What we do for you:

Contract type: Permanent and full-time

Hours: Normal office hours are 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, although alternative hours may be worked with line manager agreement. Work outside office hours may sometimes be necessary and will be compensated for by time off in lieu.

Annual leave: 28 days plus bank holidays. Annual leave steadily increases after five years of service. Annual leave and statutory holidays are calculated on a pro rata basis where applicable.

Pension: 2wish operate a contributory pension scheme. 2wish will auto-enrol you into the scheme in accordance with it’s auto-enrolment obligations. Full details of the scheme will be provided to you once you are enrolled, including the minimum level of contributions that you will be required to make during your membership (current contributions – employer 3% and employee 5%).

Mileage: A fixed rate allowance is payable for agreed mileage undertaken on 2wish business in a private vehicle, over and above your usual journey to your workplace/s.

Location: 2wish is currently working with staff to offer a form of hybrid working and this will continue for the foreseeable.

Additional benefits for our employees:

• An ‘Employee Assistance Programme, ‘ including wellbeing support
• Free parking on 2wish premises
• Free branded 2wish clothing
• An extra annual leave day on your birthday
• Incremental increase in holiday entitlement based on length of service
• Paid sick leave
• Discounts for personal purchases on 2wish Merchandise
• Free tickets to UK 2wish events, discounts for family
• Extra holiday entitlement when taking part in 2wish overseas events
• Company mobile phone for performance of duties
• Tools/equipment required for the performance of duties
• Reimbursement of work expenses
• Bright Exchange employee discounts

How to apply:

Please return a CV and covering letter, or a CV and two-minute video, by email.

Closing Date: 13 March 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Key information

Location: Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, or London

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)

Start date: ASAP (we are happy to work with notice periods)

Duration: Permanent

Salary: £36,340 - £41,065 per annum if based in London. £33,690 - £38,410 per annum if based in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle or Nottingham, plus a £312 yearly tax-free work from home allowance.

Application deadline: Wednesday 18th March, 12pm

This application process will consist of 3 stages: Application, 1st interview and Assessment Centre (presentation task & interview).

About upReach 

Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?

upReach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2. 

We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment. 

To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report.

Role Summary

As a University Partnership Manager at upReach, you will play a vital role in securing and growing high-impact partnerships with universities committed to social mobility.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships within the Income Generation and External Engagement team, you will be responsible for developing new strategic relationships, championing our partners' voices across upReach, and working closely with our Programmes Team to oversee a portfolio of university partners. You’ll lead stakeholder engagement, take ownership of partnership outcomes and work collaboratively across upReach with our marketing, impact and programme teams.

Core Responsibilities

You will play a critical role in advancing upReach’s mission by generating income and leading upReach’s University Partnerships strategy. Creating life-changing opportunities for our Associates through high-impact university partnerships. You will be directly supporting the organisation's strategic priorities: driving sustainable income growth, enhancing programme impact and expanding our reach as a national charity.

Given the expansive and dynamic nature of this role, the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, but provides a clear overview of your primary areas of responsibility, ownership and impact.

The core responsibilities include:

Develop and Secure New Strategic University Partnerships

• Proactively identify, cultivate, and convert a pipeline of four and five-figure prospective university partners aligned with upReach’s mission and strategic goals.

• Lead high-quality prospecting and relationship-building activity, targeting income-generating partnerships that also deliver high-impact opportunities for Associates.

• Build strong relationships with key contacts at potential partners, including senior stakeholders within widening participation, employability, and careers teams, through regular in-person and virtual meetings.

• Deliver compelling, insight-driven proposals and presentations tailored to organisational priorities and demonstrating mutual value.

Stakeholder Representation and Engagement

• Act as a visible representative of upReach at key partner events, conferences, and roundtables, building relationships, showcasing our impact, and raising our external profile.

• Leverage social media strategically to spotlight partnership activity, amplify success stories and demonstrate the value of our partnerships in real time.

• Respond swiftly and professionally to partner and prospective partner requests, ensuring timely, accurate information and follow-up.

• Capture, report and disseminate key themes and insights from partner feedback, helping to inform decision-making and continuously improve the partnership experience.

Monitor and Grow Existing University Partnerships

• Responsibility for a portfolio of upReach’s existing university partners, ensuring effective stewardship of the day-to-day relationship with high satisfaction, sustainable renewal and growth.

• Set and monitor partnership goals and OKRs, leading regular reviews and performance reporting.

• Identify opportunities to deepen and broaden engagement with existing partners, including expanding partnership activities.

• Collaborate with the Student Attraction and Programme teams to engage the university in identifying & promoting the programme.

• Working closely with upReach’s Programme teams to ensure partnerships and programmes are delivered to a high standard.

• Lead on university partnership health reviews and mid-year partner reviews to ensure any issues are dealt with effectively, promptly and collaboratively.

Partnership Visibility and Impact

• Collaborate closely with Marketing & Communications to co-create high-quality content and campaigns that showcase our strategic partnerships through university guides, case studies, thought leadership, social media, and joint events.

• Lead on impact reporting for your partnership portfolio, using both data and compelling stories to evidence the outcomes of the partnership and drive continued engagement.

• Proactively identify and deliver opportunities for partners to amplify the voice of upReach; through our external events, fundraising opportunities and sharing social-media collateral that promotes our work.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation

• Collaborate with the Finance team to ensure timely and accurate invoicing and contracting for all University partnerships, supporting effective financial management.

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of partnership activity using upReach’s internal CRM and systems, enabling effective reporting, forecasting and stewardship.

• Uphold the organisation’s legal and ethical obligations, including data protection, charity law, and compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.

• Manage and support a rotation of the Future Charity Leaders Programme, providing guidance, feedback, and development opportunities.

• Meet monthly with University Leads (the Programme Coordinator responsible for day-to-day university activities) to set partnership priorities, monitor stakeholder KPIs (onboarding, engagement), and deliver updates to universities.

• Contribute to the achievement of income targets aligned with upReach’s strategic goals, identifying and progressing opportunities to drive revenue growth.

• Engage fully in the annual appraisal process, setting ambitious, SMART objectives that align with organisational priorities and your personal development.

Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate for the University Partnerships Manager should display these behavioural skills:

• Strong track record of relationship-building, influencing, and delivering high-quality engagement with a range of stakeholders, ideally including senior university professionals.

• Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines autonomously.

• Confident and pragmatic decision maker in a fast-paced environment, with an understanding of when to escalate situations and seek input appropriately.

• Proven ability to develop and implement partnership or engagement strategies that strengthen collaboration and deliver shared goals.

• Collaborative team player with experience supporting and working across diverse teams to deliver shared objectives.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in preparing and delivering presentations and reports.

• Proficient in using CRM or data management systems to track engagement, manage pipelines, and generate actionable insights.

• Experience measuring and reporting on partnership impact, engagement, or value creation.

Desirable:

• Experience in university partnerships, fundraising, account management, or stakeholder engagement.

• Understanding of widening participation, employability, or student success strategies within a higher education setting.

• Experience collaborating with marketing or communications teams to create joint campaigns, content, or case studies that drive engagement.

Team Culture & Benefits: 

We offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working.

• Statutory Holiday Entitlement of 25 days and bank holidays. This increases to 2 additional days after 2.5 years and then to 3 additional days after 5 years of working with us. 

• Birthday leave and Volunteering leave

• Enhanced Parental Leave beyond statutory requirements for all team members. 

• 3% Pension Contribution, which increased to 5% after 5 years of working with us. 

• Cycle-to-work scheme.

• Monthly socials and annual wellbeing days

• Dedication to Staff Wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aid Training. 

• Personal Development Budget, activated after 6 months in the role.

• The opportunity to participate in our fantastic staff networks: 

  • Disability and Inclusion Network

  • Diverse Roots Network 

  • Green Network 

  • LGBTQ+ Network

  • Mindfulness Network

  • Parents and Carers Network

  • (Im)Migrants Network 

Ready to apply?

We are committed to making our recruitment process inclusive. All applications will be blind screened, and our job packs are available in Braille, large text or another format upon request. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment application process and on the job, and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible.

Applications close on Wednesday 18th March at 12pm.. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

At upReach, we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, social background or any other protected class. We celebrate and value the diverse perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our team. We are passionate about creating a workplace that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK. Diversity in the workplace creates dynamic and effective organisations and we are actively working to build a more inclusive workforce by continuously improving our recruitment, retention, and development practices. We  encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities , those who are care-experienced, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those who are LGBTQIA+.

Contract type

Permanent – ST Giles Hospice Shops

Location

Bloxwich

Hours

15 hours (2 days out of 7) 8:55am – 5:05pm trading over 7 days.

Annual salary

£9633 (Retail Band AA)

Review date

08/03/2026

As an Assistant Community Shop Manager (ACSM) for St Giles Hospice you will take lead when the Community Shop Manager is away, ensuring smooth operations and delivering excellent customer service. You’ll be empowered to make decisions locally whilst working within a supportive framework, working within and for your local community ensuring that engagement and support is understood and promoted. 

You’ll have excellent leadership skills and want to be part of a successful team. Ideally, you’ll have previous fashion retail experience with the ability to manage and lead the store in the absence of the Community Shop Manager (CSM).

Reporting into the CSM and working closely with the Retail Regional Manager you will aid in supporting your store to run efficiently and deliver a positive financial contribution to the Hospice.

The estate includes 26 shops and e-commerce operation with a turnover of approx. £3.5million which supports the overall income generation strategy. 

Do you want to work in a role that combines retail, community and purpose, St Giles Hospice is the place that will allow you to thrive.

Qualifications

Essential

·Qualifications in English and Maths

·Minimum Level 2 Key Skills or Grade 4 (A-D) GCSE

Knowledge and experience

Essential

·Ability to lead and motivate others

·Previous retail experience

·Understanding of health and safety regulations

·Ability to plan and priorities workloads and delegate accordingly

·Outstanding communications skills

·Excellent customer focus

·Knowledge and understanding of sales management, profit and loss

Desirable

·Local community knowledge

·Previous line management experience

·Experience in achieving goals and identifying opportunities

·Has the ability to implement and enforce policies

·A desire to work as part of a team to generate fresh and innovative community-based ideas

·Some experience of Gift Aid

·Some experience of working with volunteers

Values

·Exhibits our hospice values and behaviours

Skills

Essential

·Proven customer service skills

·Flexible and be able to adapt to change on a daily basis

·Able to complete physically demanding work in the form of standing for long periods and moving stock

·Ability to handle administrative task, such a cash handling

·Be a keen problem solver

·Ability to follow organisational policy and procedures

·IT and numeracy - understanding of Office 365 and the ability to complete IT based tasks

Desirable

·Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workload

·Team Management skills

·Experience in training and developing staff and/or volunteers

Personal Attributes

·Strong communicator 

·Customer focused

·Willingness to learn

·Flexible and adaptable to change

·Good interpersonal skills

·Goodtime keeping and strong work ethic 

·Conducts themselves’ in a professional manner

·Good organisational skills

·Inclusive and diverse in their approach

·Empathetic

·Team Player

·Able to work under pressure

·Collaborative

·Ambassador for St Giles Hospice

Other requirements

·Valid driving licence

·Eligibility to work in the UK

·Please note that St Giles Hospice does not hold a sponsorship licence and is therefore unable to accept sponsorship requests

Just so you know:

This post is subject to a Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We may review applications before the application review date, however, if you apply after the application review date, your application may not be considered. We will accept applications until we have successfully filled the role; this may be earlier than the closing date.

If you have not heard within 14 days of the application close date, then please consider that your application has been unsuccessful at this time.

As part of your application your data will be managed in line with St Giles Hospice Privacy Policy and kept for 6 months. If you would like to see this in full, please visit our website for our Privacy Policy. This is in extension to Charity Job Privacy Policy.