Jobs

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for graduates who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a permanent role as an Education Worker on IntoUniversity’s Graduate Scheme, helping to change the lives of young people. 

We believe that our Graduate Scheme is one of the most exciting in the charity sector, an excellent career opportunity with exceptional training and hands-on experience, opportunities for promotion, and the chance to work with young people and colleagues who will challenge and inspire you.

Locations: Leicester
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Salary: £28,250 per annum

Applications close: 9am Thursday 25th September 2025

Start date: October 2025 (or as otherwise agreed)

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

Job Title: Trainee or Qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) with an interest in working with children and young people (aged 16 - 25) who are at high risk of serious harm from domestic abuse

Locality: Oxfordshire

Salary: £27,000 - £29,000 depending on experience

Hours of work: 37 hrs per week

Notice: 2 calendar months 1 month during the Probationary period. Probationary 6 months

Accountable to: Service Manager of Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse, CEO ultimately the Board of Trustees

Context of post

Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse is a company and charity set up to:

• provide inclusive services that reduce the risk of domestic abuse and promote the safety, choices and welfare of those affected
• enhance awareness of the nature and prevalence of domestic violence and help to foster good practice and an integrated multi integrated approach.
• This post holder will be in the high-risk team and be managed by the Service Manager with support from the Senior IDVA.
• A structured training and induction programme is in place to ensure new staff members are knowledgeable, confident and comfortable with the role.
• After 6 months of experience, the applicant will attend the Safelives IDVA training.
• Workload will be adjusted and study time will be given for attendance at training.
• Salary will be uplifted on successful completion of the course.

Function

The first priority of the charity is to provide an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor Service for the county. The post holder will be a member of the IDVA team and provide a pro-active service to victims of domestic violence to keep them safe and promote their wellbeing. They will use their skills to assess the risk a client is in, deliver a service appropriate to the level of risk and have a particular focus on providing an intensive service to those at high risk. The post holder will have the skills to act as lead professional, working to ensure an integrated service and co-ordinating multi agency work to keep people safe, in addition to working with victims and signposting to other services.

Responsibilities:

• Work as part of the Oxfordshire IDVA team to provide pro-active service and advice to victims at high risk of harm from domestic abuse to keep them and their children safe
• Risk assess and deliver service in keeping with the result
• Undertake safety planning with clients
• Develop individual service plans to meet the specific risks clients face
• Where relevant also support victims in their role as primary carers for their children
• Manage a caseload
• Maintain and update records of all cases
• Keep other relevant services informed about important changes in client’s situation
• Support clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system
• Ensure that clients are immediately informed of any CJS developments and advised on any aspect affecting their safety
• Explain housing, civil and criminal legal options to clients
• Ensure that clients access the services to which they are entitled
• Refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary e.g. solicitors, benefit agencies, etc.
• Note and feedback to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing their service
• Help clients develop their own support network
• Follow procedures and protocols so that the safety of the clients is kept central to any process
• Ensure Reducing the Risk fulfils its responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children
• Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children, and the policy and procedures of Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board – including specific guidelines applied to the voluntary sector
• Participate in supervision and support systems for the service, and in training and professional development
• Bring casework issues and regular difficulties clients are having to the attention of the manager; contribute to efforts to improve Reducing the Risk practice and procedures and/or to work through multi agency partnerships to improve multi agency practice
• Any additional responsibilities as reasonably requested by the manager or trustees

The nature of this post will require flexibility to meet work needs as they arise. This may occassionally entail some work outside normal office hours. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to their duties. These may have to be varied after discussion, subject to the needs of the service and in keeping with the general profile of the post. There will also sometimes be a necessity to work effectively under pressure.

Appointment to the post will be subject to full enhanced DSB checks.

Full drivers licence with the use of a car for work

Ability to travel around the county

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

About Compassion

Compassion is a Christian child development charity that sees beyond poverty to the incredible potential God has placed in every child and family. Partnering with more than 8,900 local churches in 29 countries, we work to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

About the role

We are looking for a Head of Strategic Partnerships (Church of England) to join our Church Partnerships Team at Compassion UK. In this pivotal role, you will shape and lead our strategy to engage with Church of England leaders, events, and networks across the UK.

Your work will help us achieve ambitious growth targets in child sponsorship and transformational giving.

 Home-based, within a commutable distance to central London
⏰ Hours  Full-time, 35 hours per week with flexible working pattern 

You need to have

• Strong knowledge and experience of the Church of England including leadership structures, networks, theology, and mission culture
• Proven success in building strategic relationships, ideally within a church, ministry, or mission organisation
• Confidence and clarity as a public communicator with experience preaching or speaking at events
• Demonstrated ability to lead growth strategies and manage complex partnerships
• Experience in sales or fundraising, with the ability to manage full partnership development cycles
• Excellent self-motivation and organisation, with the ability to work independently in a dispersed team
• Personally committed to the Christian faith.  You can read more about this in our Policy on Posts to be Held by Christians.

This is a unique opportunity to use your gifts and play a vital role in strengthening Compassion UK’s mission. By cultivating meaningful partnerships within the Church of England, you will help release more children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

If you’re passionate about the Church of England and want to see children released from poverty in Jesus’ name, this could be your calling.

In return, you will get

• Flexible and sociable working environment
• Time in Lieu offered
• Pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
• Income Protection & Group Life cover
• Private Medical & Dental cover
• Celebrating life milestones such as, birthdays, newcomers, weddings, babies etc
• Weekly team prayers and devotionals
• Compassion updates and worship events

We encourage you to read the full job description to see if this role aligns with your skills and aspirations!

BeSpace is a small but growing Christian charity with a big vision to see a future where every child has the opportunity to access creative reflective spaces to develop personal tools to pray, reflect and grow spiritually throughout their lives, helping churches, schools and communities to flourish.

We have seen incredible impact through developing prayer spaces in schools across Oxfordshire. Since 2010, over 65,000 children have experienced prayer spaces led by local churches, trained and resourced by us. Currently 60 schools a year have prayer and reflection spaces. Now, we’re building on this momentum to reach over 115 schools in the next three years and are preparing to grow nationally with developing contemplative retreats for schools.

About the Role

In this role, you will:

• Inspire and equip churches to run prayer and reflection spaces in schools
• Pilot school retreats and embed contemplative practices into school engagement
• Recruit and coach volunteer area networkers to grow local networks of volunteers
• Gather stories and evidence of impact, ensuring quality and consistency
• Help position Oxfordshire as a model in developing contemplative retreats nationally. 

You will work closely with our CEO and Operations Coordinator, playing a vital part in both local transformation and BeSpace’s journey towards national growth.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A practising Christian, personally committed to BeSpaces’s vision, with a passion for children’s spiritual development.
• A natural communicator and encourager, able to train, coach and inspire others
• Organised and proactive, with a pioneering attitude to grow new opportunities
• Flexible and adaptable, willing to work some evenings and weekends.

Role Details

• Position: Oxfordshire Development Lead
• Location: Oxfordshire (Remote, travel across the county required)
• Hours: Full time (part-time considered for the right candidate)
• Salary: £26,000 – £30,000 (depending on experience)
• Start date: From Autumn 2025

How to Apply

Please send your CV (maximum 2 pages) with a covering letter (maximum 2 pages) ensuring you explain how you meet the person specification and Job Description, outlining why you would be suitable for this job by demonstrating the skills and abilities you have gained through your education, work experiences and volunteering opportunities. Please include why you would like to work for BeSpace.

• Closing date: 4pm Monday 29th September
• Interviews: Week commencing 6th of October

Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) is looking to engage the services of a results-oriented consultant with great people skills to set up CAP projects in high harm areas.

About Us

CAP sets up and supports local partnerships that aim to reduce alcohol harm in children and young people, improve their health and well-being and enhance their communities. Our mission is to create an alcohol-free childhood for all children and young people.

Role Overview

The successful applicant will have a track record of building effective partnerships, the people and communication skills to involve and engage a wide range of local stakeholders and the leadership and project management skills to support projects through each phase of their lifecycle including baseline evaluation, action plan delivery, post intervention evaluation and maintenance/sustainment. After a short familiarisation period the successful applicant will be expected to oversee fast-track development of new CAPs in priority areas and take responsibility for all aspects of their management with minimal supervision.

A key requisite of the role will be the ability to forge effective public/private sector partnerships between statutory agencies, schools, youth charities and retailers following the CAP model and evaluation framework. The successful applicant may come from a police, public health, education, local authority or other relevant background.

Key Responsibilities

· Proactively identify opportunities for new CAPs and facilitate set up of new CAPs in priority areas.

· Ensure that all new CAP projects carry out appropriate and timely interventions and evaluate all activity in line with the CAP evaluation toolkit – including a baseline and post intervention evaluation.

· Raise the profile of CAPs in the North East of England and ensure that their impact is recognised by key stakeholders.

Specific duties to include the following:

o Represent CAP at all operational meetings.

o Ensure that Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) member companies play a full delivery role in each CAP where they operate as businesses.

o Liaise as appropriate with strategic leads within local enforcement authorities and other partner organisations to initiate and complete agreed actions.

o Encourage all projects to achieve positive local media coverage including via social media and regional news/broadcast media.

o Ensure that all projects carry out as a minimum a baseline (pre-CAP) evaluation and post intervention evaluation following the CAP evaluation framework and project management survey tools.

o Produce a monthly progress report on all schemes and pipeline activity.

o Attend and participate in regular CAP update meetings on Microsoft teams (x12 pa).

o Assist with event planning and profile-raising opportunities such as MP visits to CAP projects.

Skills, attributes and experience

• Essential to the role will be the ability to persuade key stakeholders at local and national level of the need to address underage drinking problems and to facilitate effective and dynamic local partnerships involving any/all of the following sectors: local authorities, education, child protection, social services, public health, police, retailers and licensing.
• Excellent organisational and sound project management skills.
• Great people skills with the ability to build consensus and motivate partners to play a role in timely delivery of an agreed action plan.
• Act as an ambassador for CAP at meetings and events including parliamentary events.
• Excellent presentation and all-round communication skills.
• Capable administrator with the ability to keep accurate records including data collection around outputs and impact evaluation.

Remuneration: Consultancy fee of £320 per day depending on experience. Work will depend on ability to generate interest in setting up new CAPs but we anticipate as a guideline engaging a minimum of 3 days of consultancy per week. All reasonable and agreed travel expenses will be paid in line with invoice arrangements.

The Baobab Centre is a non-residential therapeutic community supporting unaccompanied minors who have experienced human rights abuses and are seeking asylum, refugee status and settlement in the United Kingdom.

As an ‘advocate’ caseworkers support young people to express their views and wishes, to stand up for their rights, make choices and access opportunities.

As a Casework Advocate you will understand the impact of specific human rights abuses on the development of children and young people in exile and their individual experiences of loss, trauma and grief on their mental health and well-being. 

As a Casework Advocate you will be out and about with young people - accompanying to appointments and encouraging their involvement and access to their community and support networks. You must be prepared to challenge certain decisions and practices where required for the welfare of the young person. The role can involve supporting young people to initiate legal challenges when necessary and advocating on young person’s behalf where required.

Want to play your part in transforming society?

You're in the right place.

Many of our Spear trainees have faced significant barriers to finding work, including family breakdown, growing up in care, disability or mental health difficulties, having been involved in crime, or really struggling at school. We believe that being out of work can lead to isolation and proliferate these challenges, meaningful work is key in helping young people find a sense of purpose and community. We're proud that the coaching and community that the Spear Programme provides makes such a difference that 75% of those who take part find work, and are still in work a year later.

Not only will you be part of bringing about powerful change in people's lives, but throughout this paid, dynamic opportunity, you'll be supported and challenged. We'll invest in you, developing expert coaching and leadership skills to set you on a great career path.

Please feel free to let us know if you may require any reasonable adjustments to participate fully in our recruitment process, or if you have any enquiries regarding accessibility such as wheelchair access. 

The important stuff

Location: Bristol

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm (With some out-of-hours work needed for events such as our Spear Celebrations)

Salary: from £22,300

Closing date: Monday 22nd September, 09.00am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate).

Upcoming Assessment Days: Thursday 25th September

Application pack: Have a look at our application pack for more information about the role and Resurgo

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave (including Christmas Gift Days) plus bank holidays
• Excellent personal development and training opportunities, including our iLM-accredited 5-day Coaching for Leadership programme (worth £3,000)
• Regular staff prayer meetings, conferences and retreats (one residential)

What will you do?

• Coach 16-24 year olds, bringing about powerful change in their lives 
• Build great relationships with relevant professionals 
• Form part of an intentional church community 

What will you gain?

• Management skills and career progression 
• Excellent coaching capability 
• Social Impact Experience
• Christian Leadership Skills 

The new role, Corporate Partnerships and Grants Officer is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys combining focused bid writing and research with building strong, lasting corporate relationships.

As a key member of the PLANETS Cancer Charity team, you will identify and secure new funding opportunities from corporate donors, foundations, and grant-making bodies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Corporate Fundraising and Engagement: Establish and maintain strong relationships with corporate partners and key stakeholders with regular contact, to foster long-term support for PLANETS.  Develop and deliver impactful presentations, attend events, and secure donations through engagement activities.
• Grant Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with charitable trusts and foundations, and their key stakeholders with regular contact, to foster long-term support for PLANETS.  Manage the grant application process from start to finish, including creating high-quality, persuasive and tailored proposals and applications, tracking deadlines, ensuring compliance with requirements, and delivering progress reports.
• New Business Development: Proactively seek out and secure new corporate partnerships and funding opportunities to expand PLANETS' income streams.
• Stewardship & Reporting: Develop stewardship plans and contact strategies for corporate supporters, ensuring timely updates on project impact and outcomes.
• Celebrating our partners by making sure that they are thanked for any support and receive updates and reports on the charity’s work.
• CRM Management: Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, applications, and reporting timelines in the charity’s CRM system to ensure that we develop longer term relationships and can report fully on corporate and activity.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the Director of Strategy & Finance and wider charity team to ensure fundraising initiatives align with PLANETS' strategic goals.

About the role

Newnham College is seeking to recruit a dynamic and pro-active person to take on the role of Deputy Development Director to support the Development Director in the management and running of the College’s Development Office.  This role will focus on developing productive relationships with College alumnae and donors, provide oversight of all aspects of gift processing, data  management and prospect research and regular giving and provide line management and leadership for the Development team. Specific responsibilities for this role include the College’s donor stewardship and legacy fundraising programmes, and working with the Development Director supporting and developing relationships with existing and potential donors.

This is a permanent, full-time post, working 37.5 hours a week. The salary is paid at point 51 on the University’s single salary spine, the current value for which is £50,253 per annum. Flexibility is a requirement as a large number of events are in the evenings and at the weekend and some travel involving over-night stays may be required occasionally. The College offers a generous contributory membership of the USS pension scheme with an employer contribution rate of 14.5%, holiday entitlement of 33 days pro rata (inclusive of bank holidays), and there is a range of benefits, including free meals when on duty, free car parking where available and free use of the College’s gym facilities

About you

You will be educated to degree level (or equivalent) and have substantial and demonstrable experience of working in fundraising or in a similar capacity and certainly in a complex, fast-moving environment.  Employing a professional and positive approach, you will be adept at building strong working relationships with College alumnae and dealing with a broad range of constituencies effectively and efficiently. You will be an experienced office manager and know how to get the best out of a team of keen professionals and possess the gravitas to deputise for the Development Director in her absence. You will be an experienced events organiser and manager, have an understanding of the Collegiate University and have a strong commitment to the ethos of the College.

About Newnham College

Founded in 1871, Newnham College has been at the forefront of promoting academic excellence for women in the University of Cambridge for 150 years. The College has an all-women Fellowship and student body, and its thriving community of staff includes both women and men with a range of responsibilities and key roles. Newnham currently has around 400 undergraduates, 225 postgraduates, a Fellowship of about 70, and 120 non-academic staff. Newnham’s academics and students maintain outstanding research profiles and achievements.

How to apply

A job description with person specification is available by navigating to Newnham College vacancy page, details above - and clicking Deputy Development Director. An application form and equal opportunities form can be found on the main vacancy page. Please demonstrate in your application, how you meet the essential requirements of the role.

Completed applications should be submitted by the closing deadline of noon on Monday 22 September 2025. The intention is to hold interviews during week commencing Monday 29 September 2025.

Newnham College is an equal opportunities employer.

Job title: Head of Finance and Data
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer
Key relationships: Trustee Treasurer and Bookkeeper
Hours of work: 22.5 per week - schedule flexible, upon discussion

Salary: £45,0000 pro-rata (subject to skills and experience)

Location: Stowmarket, Suffolk

Contract term: Permanent (with a probationary review at 3 months)

We are seeking an experienced finance professional to join a new Chief Executive Officer and an ambitious team of staff and volunteers. 

Job purpose

To lead on financial strategy and planning, budgeting, reporting, and analysis for The Mix and its trading subsidiary, 127 Trading Ltd.

To lead on data strategy and management, (financial and non-financial), across the whole organisation ensuring data quality, and promoting data-driven decision-making.

We are looking for a experienced finance professional to join a new CEO and an ambitious team of staff and volunteers and to lead and manage our finance and data activities, enabling exciting, impactful projects and supporting the community to thrive.

Background

The Mix Stowmarket Ltd. is an established youth charity working with young people across Mid Suffolk. Through mentoring, youth work, education programmes and social enterprise, we support young people young people aged 9–25 across Mid Suffolk. The Mix has a committed team, a flagship youth centre, and a trading arm, 127 Trading Ltd, which operates two cafés. We are rooted in community impact and innovation.

Our vibrant and ambitious youth charity serves. We exist to inspire, empower, and support young people to build resilience, thrive, and unlock their full potential. Working from our centre in Stowmarket and a second base in Needham Market, we deliver a diverse range of programmes including youth mentoring, alternative education, school-based support, and open-access youth sessions. Our work is shaped by strong values, a solution-focused approach, and a deep belief in the potential of every young person.

Alongside our charitable work, we operate a social enterprise trading arm, 127 Trading Ltd, which runs two cafés that provide training and employment opportunities for young people, while generating vital income for our work. With a committed team of staff and volunteers and a passion for partnership, The Mix is a trusted and innovative force for positive youth development in Suffolk.

We have recently appointed our new CEO, who takes up post in October 2025.  We now seek an experienced Head of Finance and Data to support the senior team as they lead The Mix into its next chapter, with prime responsibility to provide sound and rigorous financial and data leadership across The Mix and 127 Trading Ltd.

Overview of the role

As the organisation’s Head of Finance and Data, you will be an experienced, and trusted professional, who can bring strong financial and data disciplines to the organisation.

Working closely with our new CEO and committed trustees and staff, you will develop and implement The Mix’s financial and data strategies that are aligned to our vision to expand the reach of our crucial support of young people in Suffolk.

You will have a thorough understanding of financial accounting and planning relevant to the charity and social-enterprise sectors, with a strong attention to detail.

You will be passionate about the use of financial and non-financial data to inform business decisions and be an effective analyst and communicator of business performance.
 
You may come from the youth, charity, health, education, or social enterprise sectors — but above all we welcome candidates who can bring the vision, leadership and heart to shape the future of fundraising and marketing at The Mix.

Main Responsibilities

1. Financial leadership

· Develop and implement financial strategies, policies, and practices.

· Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting.

· Lead the Finance sub-committee

· Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting and relevant analysis of performance, at a project, site, and business level.

· Manage financial risk and ensure regulatory compliance.

· Provide strategic financial advice to senior management and the board.

· Monitor financial performance and identify areas for improvement.
 

2. Data Strategy and Management
 

· Develop and implement a comprehensive data strategy.

· Ensure data quality, security, and governance.

· Drive data-driven decision-making across the organisation.

· Chair the Data, Impact and Evidence Action Group.

· Oversee data analysis, reporting, and visualization.

· Collaborate with other departments on data-related initiatives.
 

3. Stakeholder Engagement
 

· Communicate financial and data insights to senior management, the CEO, the Board, and stakeholders.

· Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

· Function as a point of contact for audit and regulatory inquiries.
 

4. Team leadership and development
 

· Lead and mentor the finance and data team.

· Foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment.

·Ensure effective communication and knowledge sharing within the team.

For further details please also refer to the job description.

The Mix Stowmarket Ltd. is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any job offers are subject to the completion of satisfactory pre-employment checks and role-specific DBS (criminal records) checks

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all recruitment decisions are based on merit. We do not discriminate against individuals based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race (ethnicity) including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The Missional Youth Church Network (MYCN) was established out of a desire to see churches grow their ministry to young people and equip, develop and encourage them to be leaders in mission.  The bold and exciting vision of the Network is to pioneer and establish missional youth churches, enabling 11-18 year olds to build community and discover faith in Christ.

This role is for a Development Officer – South, for MYCN within Church Army UK. It has come out of a desire to see churches grow their ministry to young people and equip, develop and encourage them to be leaders in mission. As Development Officer, you’ll be a catalyst for developing the network in the southern province.

The National Youth Orchestra is the UK’s leading organisation championing orchestral music as a powerful agent for teenage development.

We activate teenagers’ confidence, optimism and skills to play their part in the world today, through performing and sharing extraordinary music.

We are looking for a Youth Support Manager to deliver outstanding pastoral support and safeguarding across NYO’s national programme. This role is central to ensuring that young people feel happy, listened to and secure while participating in NYO activities. It combines practical management, team leadership and youth-centred insight to embed NYO’s ethos into every aspect of delivery.

Working closely with the Head of Youth Development, you will manage the freelance Support Team and lead the Youth Support Co-ordinator, ensuring that safeguarding, welfare and inclusion are implemented consistently. You’ll be confident handling conversations with teenagers and their parents/carers, managing sensitive information, and coordinating logistics in a busy residential environment. You’ll also deputise for the Head of Youth Development when required, leading operational briefings and representing the team in cross-programme conversations.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting young people’s wellbeing and development through music. You’ll work closely with colleagues across planning, programmes and operations, and be a visible and responsive point of contact for young people and staff on the ground.

At the National Youth Orchestra, you'll work as part of a supportive, friendly, and adventurous staff team. Learning and personal growth are intrinsic to every role.

Our offices near Holborn in central London are a hive of activity, a space for collaboration and ideas. Hybrid working is standard for most roles, with a flexible and supportive culture. NYO offers a season ticket loan scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, health cash plan, retail and entertainment discounts, and a 24/7 counselling and support helpline.

Visit our website to find out more and apply

Deadline for applications: 10am, Monday 29 September 2025

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Head of Change – Children’s Services  

Reports to: Assistant Director for Change – Children’s Services, Neighbourhoods & the Youth Sector

Salary: £67,900

Contract: 2 year fixed-term – potential to extend. Open to 0.8FTE for the right candidate

Location: Central London, Hybrid*  

Closing date:12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025

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. 

Last year, 244 people in England and Wales tragically died after being assaulted with a knife. Of these, 32 were children. Every child captured in these numbers is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them. 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 

We build demand and interest in evidence across the Children’s Services sector 

This will include: 

• Running events, speaking at conferences and curating webinars to bring evidence to life for practitioners 
• We have great relationships with the people who can make change happen.  

This will include:

• Developing great relationships with senior policy makers, sector leaders and experts, including representing YEF in external meetings and speaking at events.
• Managing a Strategic Advisory Board of leading experts across the children’s services sector and keep members onside and excited about our work.

We deliver our children’s services system recommendations. 

This will include:

• Helping to identify the right recommendations at a system level (such as changes in policy, regulation, inspection, funding, or guidance) that make it more likely highly vulnerable children get access to the right support at the right time. 
• Work out the best way to make our system recommendations happen (due for publication in December 2026) and then do it – persuading the key people to make changes that make a difference.
• Tracking progress carefully, being thoughtful and creative about when and how to change the plan.

We work out the most effective ways to connect people with the evidence, then make those things happen. 

This will include:

• Helping children’s services leaders change how they plan or provide services to better protect children from violence, based on the YEF Children’s Services Practice Guidance – due for publication in May 2026. 
• Creating a plan to get people to follow our guidance, using what we know about how they think and behave. 
• Creating practical tools and resources that help leaders put evidence into action 
• Continuously testing and improving our approach to get better results. 

As a senior member of staff in the organisation you also: 

• Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.
• Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results, and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.

About You

You are this sort of person: 

• You know how to make change happen. You combine analytical sharpness with emotional intelligence and real-world experience. You understand why people resist change – and how to move them through it. You’re curious about human behaviour and what drives decision-making. 

• You bring deep experience of the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services – potentially commissioning support for young people at risk of or involved in violence. You understand how Directors of Children’s Services and other senior leaders think and know how to navigate and influence within the system. 

• You communicate complex ideas clearly. Whether speaking or writing, you break down complicated concepts in ways that make sense to different audiences – without oversimplifying. You bring clarity where others bring jargon. 

• You get things done. You’re organised, delivery-focused, and produce high-quality work, even under pressure. You work independently and to a high standard. 

• You build trust and connect with people. From government ministers to social workers, CEOs to 15-year-olds – you know how to listen, build rapport, and make people feel heard. You’ve led meetings, made strong introductions, and bring people with you. 

• You think big and adapt fast. You’re a strategic thinker who can see the big picture without losing sight of the detail. You’re logical, creative, and open to challenge – always testing and refining your ideas.  

• You understand young people. You get what life can be like for vulnerable young people and you understand the systems and organisations around them. Ideally, you’ve seen this first-hand, whether professionally or personally. 

• You’re committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Not just in theory – but in how you work, who you listen to, and what you prioritise. 

You must have this sort of experience. 

• Delivering concrete change in practice or systems that improved children’s lives. You have significant experience in leading behaviour, practice or policy changes within a children’s services setting. You can show how these have been effective in delivering tangible change.  
• Leadership experience in the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services - especially local authority children's services, commissioning and/or children's social care policy, and you understand how to navigate and influence within these complex systems.

• Firsthand knowledge of the system that supports highly vulnerable children, particularly those at risk of or involved in violence. You understand the barriers these children face and what it takes to get them the right support.

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

It’s also 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.   

Hybrid Working Details 

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office for 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, your answers to the three questions below and complete the monitoring form by clicking on "Apply for this" button by 12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025.

When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:   

Improving practice or systems 
1. Can you describe a time when you successfully supported children’s services leaders to improve practice or systems? Please include the scale and context of your experience. (maximum 500 words) 

 Developing strategy 
2. Please provide an example of a strategy you developed from scratch and implemented independently. What did you do, what was the impact, what did you learn? (maximum 500 words) 

 Personal and professional experiences in violence prevention 
3. What personal and professional experiences have shaped your understanding of the children’s services sector’s role in preventing violence? (maximum 500 words) 

Interview Process 

This will be a 2-stage interview process. The first stage interview will take place on 9 and 10 October 2025

The second stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week commencing 13 October 2025. 

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.   

Exciting opportunity to join our Harrow community wellbeing team - make an impact today!

Anna Freud is seeking a Child and Family Specialist to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

Our EDI commitment

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.

We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.

As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.

What we offer

You will join a big thriving team who are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the field of clinical services. The Harrow community wellbeing team is a newly commissioned service and deliver interventions for young people and their families. The work takes place on an outreach basis in schools, family homes and other community venues as well as being conducted virtually.

We offer a range of staff benefits, including an all-in-one rewards and recognition platform called Perkbox and wellbeing offers such as finishing early on Fridays and free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. We are proud to have staff-led Diversity Networks offering unique opportunities for learning, connection and impact.

What you’ll do

You will play a vital role within an innovative, community-based mental health service jointly commissioned by the London Borough of Harrow and NW London NHS, in partnership with Anna Freud. You will deliver brief, evidence-based interventions - primarily CBT, trauma-informed, and Mentalization approaches - to children and families experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. Working across schools, homes, and community venues, you will conduct psychological assessments, offer individual and group therapy, and collaborate with professionals to support complex cases. You will also provide consultation, training, and supervision to school staff and Wellbeing Practitioners, ensuring a trauma-informed and neurodiversity-aware approach.

What you’ll bring

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled mental health professional with a strong foundation in therapeutic interventions and a commitment to supporting children, young people, and families within a community-based setting. Essential qualification, experience and skills:

• Proven experience delivering evidence-based psychological interventions such as CBT, including a recognised qualification in a core profession of Clinical/Counselling Psychology, Family Therapy or other recognised background in child and adolescent mental health.
• Strong assessment and formulation skills, with the ability to manage complex cases and tailor support to individual needs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, particularly when working across schools, families, and multi-agency teams.
• Experience providing consultation, supervision, or training to professionals, ideally within educational or mental health settings.
• Cultural competence and a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-aware approach to working with diverse communities and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

Key details

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week): usual working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Flexible working is possible, subject to discussion and operational needs.

Salary: £46,800 per annum FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme.

Location: Hybrid working (a mixture of onsite and home/remote working). 60-80% in-person working to deliver intervention therapy sessions across Harrow Community sites (Cedars Children’s Centre, 127 Whittlesea Road, Harrow HA3 6ND) and occasionally at Anna Freud, 4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH).

Contract type: Permanent.

Next steps

Closing date for applications: midday (12pm), Tuesday 23 September 2025. Please note: this vacancy will close early once we receive 50 applications, therefore we encourage you to apply promptly and keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Friday 26 September 2025. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews: will be held remotely on Wednesday 1 October 2025.

How to apply: please visit our careers website to submit an application online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

Questions?

Please email Recruitment with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor license therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.