Jobs for the Social Welfare sector

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.

After visiting Smart Works, 68% of clients secure a job, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading, Bristol and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 50,000 women, and last year alone we reached 10,600 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.

In 2025 we launched our new 5-year strategy- we are aiming to build a future where every woman, at any stage of her career, can access trusted, personalised support to secure employment. We aspire to be local in feel, national in reach, shaped by the voices of women, valuing every story and every success.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly organised, proactive and detail‑driven Executive Support & Project Manager who will provide exceptional support to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This role combines high‑quality executive assistance, governance support, and confident project coordination to ensure the smooth running of organisational priorities.

The Executive Support & Project Manager will manage key administrative, governance and operational processes, support organisation‑wide planning cycles, and coordinate projects and workstreams across the Charity.

How to Apply

Please head to your website to read the full job profile and then submit your CV and cover letter through our recruitment system by 9am on 11th May 2026. 

Interviews will take place on 20th May 2026 and will be in person in our North London centre.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or alterations for the application and recruitment

processes, please contact us.

Smart Works is committed to best practice employment practices, including reducing the burden for those seeking work. Smart Works will therefore reimburse reasonable costs of travel to interviews if required.

We are opening a new detox centre and are looking for Support Workers to provide safe, compassionate, and practical support to individuals undergoing detoxification in a structured, trauma-informed environment.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day support to clients during detox, ensuring safety, dignity, and wellbeing
• Recognise and respond to signs of withdrawal, deterioration, or crisis, escalating concerns appropriately in line with protocol
• Act as a keyworker for allocated clients, offering consistent support and engagement
• Carry out regular welfare checks and monitor clients’ physical and emotional presentation
• Support safeguarding practices and report concerns in line with policy
• Assist with drug and alcohol testing in line with training and procedures
• Support safe medication administration in line with policy and competency assessment, and report any side effects or concerns.
• Follow health & safety, infection control, and lone working procedures at all times.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary professionals (e.g. nurses, clinicians, therapists) to ensure safe and effective care.
• Liaise with community services and professionals (e.g. housing, probation, recovery services) to support move-on following detox
• Maintain accurate electronic records and contribute to handovers and team communication
• Support with practical tasks as required, including maintaining clean and safe communal environments

Essential criteria:

• Experience in a support, care, or people-focused role
• Strong verbal and communication skills
• Understanding of safeguarding and willingness to follow safeguarding procedures
• Ability to recognise risk and respond appropriately, including escalation of safeguarding or medical concerns.
• Ability to build professional and supportive relationships with vulnerable individuals
• Willingness to complete mandatory training (e.g. safeguarding, first aid, de-escalation, substance misuse).
• Basic computer literacy and confidence using electronic systems
• Calm, reliable, and compassionate approach, including in challenging situations
• Willingness and ability to work across different shift patterns, including some weekends, as required by the service

Desirable:

• Experience in mental health, substance use, recovery, or related services
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches
• Experience of key-working or supporting individuals with complex needs
• Knowledge of detox or recovery pathways
• Experience liaising with community or statutory services
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team

We offer:

• Full training and ongoing development with scope for progression
• Supportive team environment
• Regular supervision and reflective practice
• Opportunity to be part of a new and developing detox service

This role requires working shifts, including evenings, weekends, and potentially nights.

Enhanced DBS required.

Job Purpose

The Area Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership for Treasures Foundation’s new ambulatory detox facility and first-stage supported housing service. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed support for women experiencing multiple disadvantage, including addiction, abuse, coercive control, poverty, mental health challenges, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

The postholder will lead teams, oversee service delivery, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive positive outcomes for women on their recovery journeys.

Key Responsibilities

Service Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the ambulatory detox service and supported housing provision.
• Ensure services are safe, effective, person-centred, and trauma-informed.
• Embed a strengths-based approach that promotes recovery, independence, and long-term stability.
• Develop and implement service models, policies, and procedures in line with best practice.
• Work alongside the drug and alcohol teams who will hold the clinical risk (Our team will provide the support element)

Staff Management & Development

• Recruit, supervise, and support a multidisciplinary team.
• Provide regular supervision, appraisal, and professional development opportunities.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and reflective team culture.
• Manage performance, absence, and wellbeing of staff.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Act as the safeguarding lead for the services.
• Ensure robust safeguarding practices are implemented and maintained.
• Oversee risk assessments and risk management processes for residents and service users.
• Respond effectively to incidents and ensure learning is embedded.

Partnership Working

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners including health services, substance misuse services, criminal justice agencies, and local authorities.
• Represent Treasures Foundation in multi-agency meetings and forums.
• Support pathways into and out of services to ensure continuity of care.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure services meet all regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Monitor service performance, outcomes, and quality standards.
• Lead inspections, audits, and reporting processes.
• Maintain accurate records and data in line with GDPR and organisational policies.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage service budgets effectively, ensuring value for money.
• Oversee staffing rotas and resource allocation.
• Contribute to funding reports and support future funding opportunities.

Service Development

• Contribute to the growth and development of Treasures Foundation services.
• Identify gaps and opportunities to enhance provision.
• Support the development of innovative approaches to supporting women with complex needs.

Person Specification

Essential

• Significant experience managing services in substance misuse, housing, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and working with women experiencing multiple disadvantage.
• Experience of leading and developing teams.
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and risk management.
• Experience working with multi-agency partners.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, health, housing, or management).
• Experience managing detox or residential services.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and pathways.
• Lived experience (or strong understanding) of the challenges faced by the client group.

Core Values & Expectations

• Commitment to empowering women and promoting dignity, respect, and equality.
• Ability to work in a compassionate, non-judgmental, and strengths-based way.
• Alignment with the mission and values of Treasures Foundation.

Additional Information

• The role may require occasional evening or weekend work in emergency situations
• An enhanced DBS check will be required.

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled line manager with experience in general welfare advice to join Sufra NW London. In this highly rewarding role, you will oversee the delivery of services that can measurably change lives by providing quality advice and support to those most in need. 

You will manage our team of advice staff and volunteers to deliver high quality advice, information and welfare support to guests on a range of topics including benefits, housing, debt and immigration issues. An additional focus will be on establishing clear pathways for referring guests to external services, and managing volunteers to triage, signpost and refer guests to other forms of welfare support.

The advice team consists of paid staff and support volunteers.  This year will be dedicated to consolidation of the service, ensuring that we are fulfilling our core mission to the highest standards.  We are also hoping to launch our immigration advice service, providing guests with a first point of contact for their immigration needs and smooth referral pathways to specialist advice.  Finally, our OpenARMs programme will be launching workshops for our refugee and asylum-seeker communities. 

You will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, especially Head of Advice at Sufra to support the implementation of new initiatives, and the expansion of our information and advice services to enhance our efficiency and impact.

The post holder will be a highly articulate and proactive individual with good welfare advice knowledge, 3+ years delivery experience in managing a charity team, strong service management skills, as well as experience managing staff and volunteers. The ideal candidate will have up-to-date knowledge of the welfare system, immigration and safeguarding protocols. They must also have demonstrable experience using a case management system, adhering to advice standards and be able to manage a diverse workload and work under pressure. 

This is an immensely rewarding role working in a dynamic charity built on an ethos of sharing, hospitality and inclusivity. We are looking for an exceptionally committed individual who is willing to go the extra mile and has flexibility to work during evenings and weekends if necessary. As this is a frontline role, you will be required to work on site at least 2 days per week. 

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including:

Excellent annual leave entitlement 
Pension scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Death in Service benefit 
Flexible working
Opportunities for training and professional development

Key Responsibilities

Advice Services

• Manage the advice service by overseeing and supporting volunteers and advice staff at our Community Wellbeing Service and Foodbank including setting objectives, managing performance and providing feedback during supervisions.
• Hold a small case load of advice guests, supporting them to achieve their aims
• Maintain a high quality service by ensuring that the advice team and volunteers are working to agreed standards and delivering against realistic grant agreements from funders.
• Use our case management software to report on cases and outcomes to support funding applications and remain compliant with funding needs.

Service Development

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to develop, expand and improve Sufra’s information and advice services in alignment with our 2030 strategy.
• Carry out ongoing review of existing service delivery procedures.
• Undertake quality assurance including case checking and quality of advice audit.
• Identify the training needs of advice staff and volunteers through support, mentoring and supervisions.
• Ensure colleagues and relevant stakeholders are informed of changing legislation and social policy updates.
• Improve the case management systems to ensure it is fit for purpose.
• Work within the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) framework, ensuring that all policies and procedures are up to date for future assessments

Volunteer Management

• Develop, review and implement key policies and procedures to better equip Advice Volunteers to fulfil their role.
• Provide induction, support and supervision to enhance the quality standard of the service and contribute to the personal development of volunteers.
• Foster a positive working environment that maintains high morale and supports Advice Volunteer retention and regular participation.

Budgets, Monitoring & Evaluation

• Support the Senior Leadership Team in setting service budgets, updating policies, and monitoring spending in line with reporting and budgetary requirements.
• Ensure appropriate systems are maintained for recording statistics and outcomes.
• Provide regular and timely monitoring reports on service outputs, outcomes and expenditure.
• Collect regular feedback and conduct surveys from relevant stakeholders to inform ongoing improvements to the Advice Service.
• Contribute to strategic development by setting action plans in line with agreed Business Plans and keeping teams accountable to Action Plan goals.

Other

• Ensure the advice team are working in adherence to organisational policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties to support the operations of the charity. 

Are you committed to supporting rough sleepers in finding their way back to stability? As a Reconnection Worker, you will play a vital role in helping individuals temporarily placed in the South-East London sub-region reconnect with their local area and access the services they need to resettle successfully. 

We're growing our amazing team and looking to recruit another fabulous person staff who wants to work alongside people as they reconnect with their pathway out of homelessness.

The Organisation

The 999 Club is a dynamic local charity in Deptford working to end homelessness, one person at a time. If you share our desire to encourage and support people to take personal responsibility for making positive changes in their lives and you want to be part of a service providing opportunities, developing talents and helping to build confidence and self-esteem then come and work with us.

The Reconnection Team

Working alongside the Sub Regional Rough Sleeping Team as part of an evolving pilot scheme the Reconnection Team work with people who are rough sleeping or placed in temporary ‘off the street’ accommodation by Outreach Workers across six London boroughs. Providing information, advocacy and practical, person-centred support they empower clients to take the necessary steps toward resettlement, enabling them to reconnect with their local area and access the services they need to resettle successfully.

The Role

The role involves working both independently and collaboratively as part of a team, ensuring the effective delivery of services tailored to each individual’s circumstances. Based at the 999 Club but travelling throughout Southeast London, you’ll work with a dynamic team dedicated to ending homelessness and making a tangible difference in people’s lives

This role is part of a pilot scheme being run by the Southeast London Sub-Regional Rough Sleeping Coordinator and provides the opportunity to work in different settings alongside teams from several other organisations from the third sector as well as voluntary and statutory services.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for people who like people, who care about doing a good job and want to be part of a dynamic team, providing the best service possible. We want team members with common sense, who are assertive, compassionate, have a sense of humour, a no- nonsense, positive attitude and are looking to make a difference in their community.

Why You Should Apply

This is a really exciting opportunity to join the team as we evolve service delivery, creating clear pathways for people who have different journeys to travel out of homelessness.  If you’re passionate about empowering individuals and have the skills to navigate complex situations with compassion and professionalism, we want to hear from you.

In return we can offer the opportunity to work with a fantastic, inclusive, empowering and respectful team, making a difference to people’s lives.

The post is for an initial period of 12 months working full time, 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday. Start and finish times are flexible, 08:00h-18:00h with core hours between 10:00h-16:00h.

Closing Date 18th May 2026

Interview Date Tuesday 02nd June 2026 - interviews will be in person, on site.

Who we are

Safe and Sound is a well-established Derby-based charity supporting vulnerable children and young people affected by exploitation and risk across the city and county. For over two decades, we have worked to prevent, support and help rebuild lives to a point where we are no longer needed, no matter how long that takes. We do this work by working in engaging local communities to deliver education, intervention and recovery services that change lives.

Following a period of significant development, including the successful merger with another local charity and investment in our facilities, we are now entering a period of consolidation. This is a moment to build on strong foundations and ensure long-term sustainability.

About the role

We are seeking a Chief Executive who can lead Safe and Sound through its next phase with confidence, creativity and purpose.

This is a broad and visible leadership role, combining strategic oversight with hands-on engagement. You will:

• Provide overall leadership to the organisation, ensuring high-quality delivery and strong outcomes for young people.
• Lead on income generation, developing sustainable funding streams and building relationships with key funders.
• Act as the public face of the charity, representing Safe and Sound across Derby’s business, public and voluntary sectors.
• Support and develop a committed staff team, fostering a positive and high-performing culture.
• Ensure the organisation remains responsive to emerging risks, including evolving challenges facing young people

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a values-led leader who can combine strong operational leadership with a confident and credible external presence.

You may be an existing CEO or a senior leader ready to step into your first chief executive role.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• The ability to lead and inspire teams in complex, people-focused environments.
• Experience of securing income and building sustainable funding models.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the confidence to represent an organisation publicly.
• Sound understanding of governance, safeguarding and organisational risk.

A strong connection to Derby or the ability to quickly build credibility and networks locally will be important. This is not a remote role; you will need to be visible, present and embedded in the community.

Why join Safe and Sound

This is an opportunity to lead a respected and impactful organisation at a genuinely positive moment.

As our Chief Executive, you can expect:

• A financially stable charity with strong governance.
• A committed and experienced team of staff and volunteers.
• Established partnerships and a recognised local profile.
• The space to shape the next chapter while building on existing success.

Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable young people across Derby.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 22nd May.

For further information about the role and to register your interest, please visit the Peridot Partners page and contact our advising consultants.

The role
The Domestic Abuse Prevention All Risk Perpetrator Worker will strive to make contact and work on a one-to-one basis with perpetrators whose victims have been identified through all levels of risk. 

The purpose of this role is to move the perpetrator along the spectrum of awareness; acceptance of impact; desire to change; to voluntary engagement in behavioural change to end the cycle of abuse for children who are victims of domestic abuse. 

The Domestic Abuse Prevention Worker will work with people on: awareness raising and developing motivation to change with people who recognise they are at risk of or are harming their partner (low risk), individual case management and group behavioural change programmes (standard and medium risk), intensive case management aimed at high harm and/or significant recidivist perpetrators. To do this, the Domestic Abuse Prevention worker will work closely with existing agencies as part of a co located multi agency approach. 

The Domestic Abuse Prevention worker will work closely with the victim/survivor IDVA service to review risk, develop safety plans, and improve outcomes for all parties involved. 

The Prevention, Action and Support Team (PAST) provides an intensive case management service for individuals (all genders, 18+) identified by the police as high risk, high harm perpetrators of domestic abuse.  The intervention lasts 8 – 16 weeks, (with potential extensions based on the duration of the perpetrators inclusion in the perpetrator panel cohort).  Cases are referred through a police-led perpetrator panel (e.g., MATAC or DATAC).

PAST’s intensive case management approach balances support, accountability, and disruption to deliver tailored interventions that enhance victim safety, provide perpetrators with opportunity for change – while ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.

About you

You’ll have a deep understanding of the nature of domestic abuse and its effects on clients and children, as well as the reasons behind abusive behaviours towards intimate partners.

Your knowledge extends to the range of statutory and voluntary agencies that clients and their children may encounter, and you are aware of the impact of domestic abuse on children and parenting, including the additional needs of clients from BMER communities. 

You will have experience in working with clients on issues of domestic abuse, providing one-to-one and group support and advice, managing your own workload and administration, and assessing the risk and safety of your clients and those connected to your client.  You will have handled safeguarding disclosures and referrals, and you communicate clearly with a range of people both over the telephone and in person. 

You will be organised, able to use your initiative, and work effectively as part of a multi-service team. Your administrative skills are strong, and you are adept at using a computer to maintain effective systems. 

Flexible and willing to work evenings, you can travel independently. Additionally, you will have an understanding of trauma-informed practices, risk mitigation, and safeguarding. Experience liaising with social workers and other professionals, and in related areas such as substance misuse, child protection, or family support, is desirable. 

Fluency in an additional language and skills in group work are also advantageous. You stay updated with best practices and new initiatives. 

We want you to feel empowered to bring your authentic self to this role, so we encourage flexible working around core hours. We offer an annual continuous Professional Development allowance, generous annual leave entitlement and Birthday leave.

About us

We want to make working at TLC an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
It takes a dedicated, passionate, and flexible team to deliver the range of services we provide. We’re lucky to have over 150 people on our teams and 12 Trustees who believe in what we do. We are looking for enthusiastic, experienced, engaged and highly motivated people to join our team.

We aim to encourage a culture where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths. We seek to attract and employ the best people from the widest pool, reflecting the diverse range of people we support.

We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to be the best you can be, please contact us. 

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is seeking an experienced and compassionate ESOL Coordinator to support our Community Hub Project. You will coordinate ESOL volunteers and resources, manage referrals and assessments to place users in classes, and administer registrations using RAK systems. Working closely with the Community Hub Manager, you will help deliver a blended ESOL programme that supports community integration, confidence and language development for refugees and people seeking asylum.

Key responsibilities 

• Coordinate ESOL referrals, assessments, attendance and class allocations. 

• Welcome service users and communicate class information and reminders. 

• Induct, support and coordinate ESOL volunteers. 

• Support lesson planning and learner engagement in ESOL and wider community opportunities. 

• Maintain accurate, confidential records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation. 

• Ensure Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and safeguarding policies are followed. 

Person specification 

Essential 

• Recognised ESOL/EFL qualification or equivalent. 

• Experience working with refugees, people seeking asylum or vulnerable adults. 

• Strong communication, organisation and digital skills. 

• Understanding of Equality and Diversity. 

• Commitment to RAK’s aims and values. 

Desirable 

• Additional community language skills 

• Lived experience of migration or ESOL systems 

Equality & inclusion 

RAK is an equal opportunities employer and actively welcomes applications from under‑represented groups. We are committed to accessible recruitment and will make reasonable adjustments where required. 

Appointments subject to right‑to‑work checks and Enhanced DBS. 

Closing date:8th May 2026 

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and interviews may take place before the closing date. 

Position: Community Voice Officer

Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Hours: 25 hours to be taken between Mon – Fri, one day working from home, other days expected to be in the community or office

Salary: £30,000 pro rata; 5% pension contribution, 33 days of annual leave entitlement (inclusive of bank holidays) pro rata

 Reportable to: Healthwatch Manager

Direct reports: None

Job Purpose

Healthwatch Barnsley (hosted by Barnsley CVS), is going through an exciting redesign to enable community voices to have even greater impact on the current strategies and developments in Barnsley.  The Community Engagement Officer role is an impactful and rewarding opportunity to join the Healthwatch Barnsley Team as we navigate upcoming changes introduced through the new NHS 10 Year Plan and the forthcoming Health Bill.  This role will ensure that the voices of Barnsley residents remain central as we work towards building a health and social care system that is fit for the future.

You will use your excellent interpersonal skills and creativity to gather feedback on Barnsley priorities, ensuring residents’ views shape local projects and developments contributing to Barnsley’s vision as the “Place of Possibilities”.

Working with Barnsley CVS and other established third-sector organisations you will identify new ways to reach under-represented or seldom-heard communities and strengthen how their voices inform local decision-making. You will collaborate with the wider Healthwatch team to support a strong, credible and independent voice within Barnsley’s strategic boards, helping to create a genuinely “Listening Borough”.

By capturing residents’ experiences and feeding them back to services you will contribute to a continuous feedback loop that empowers communities, builds trust and encourages ongoing participation in future engagement activities.

Key focus areas you could be working on include topics such as system-wide shifts

· Hospital to Community

· Analogue to Digital

· Sickness to Prevention

· Health on the high street

· The Barnsley 2040 vision

As part of the redesign, you will work as a team to design new ways to create dynamic feedback loops to the public using tools such as magazine creation, blogs or vlogs, podcasts, social media.  Your work will ensure that the communities in Barnsley know that their voice can have a genuine impact on the shaping of their town.

Employee benefits

- 33 days of annual leave (including bank holiday) which increases with longevity

- all staff given time off between Christmas and New Year without it impacting your leave entitlement

- enhanced sick pay during probation and increased entitlement with longevity

- 5% pension contribution

- discounts at local gym

- Enhanced maternity pay

Prospectus is delighted to be partnering withour client, the UK’s largest and most effective people‑powered alliance, to appoint a Head of People & Culture. The organisation brings communities and institutions together to win change on the issues that matter most, from the Living Wage to safer streets and fairer systems. Their impact is built on people, relationships and strong local leadership.

This is a senior business leadership role with a strong HR foundation, rather than a traditional HR post. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of People & Culture will play a central role in strengthening leadership capability across the organisation, ensuring the organisation is a great place to work and lead as it continues to deliver national impact.

The core focus of the role is enabling managers to lead with confidence. This includes supporting leaders to excel at induction and onboarding, engage and retain new starters, and manage performance clearly, fairly and constructively. Through coaching, practical tools and aligned people practices, the role empowers managers to take ownership of people leadership in a way that reflects the organisation's values.

The successful candidate will have worked at a Head of, or equivalent level within a medium to large sized organisation previously.  We are keen to hear from credible organisational leaders with strong people and culture experience, who enjoy working in mission‑driven environments and building leadership capability at scale. Sector background and formal qualifications are not barriers,  what matters most is sound judgement, the ability to influence senior stakeholders, and a commitment to helping people and organisations do their best work.

To apply please submit your CV only in the first instance. You may also be asked to complete a supporting statement if you do progress further in the recruitment process.
 
As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

We’re looking for an organised, proactive and community-minded Project Officer to join our small and supportive team. This is a genuinely varied role, spanning project delivery and network development as well as operational support for our growing OxFarmToFork food hub. It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working across different kinds of tasks and wants to contribute to real change in the Oxfordshire food system. 

The role is 0.8 FTE and can be worked flexibly across the week. Full-time is available if preferred. We encourage interested candidates to discuss working arrangements that suit their needs. The successful candidate will ideally be based within Oxfordshire and able to work from our Oxford office on a Wednesday, our team day.

What You’ll Be Doing 

Project Support (approx. 1.5 days/week) 

Working closely with the Project and Comms Leads, you’ll support the delivery of GFO’s local projects and public-facing campaigns. This includes contributing to initiatives such as the Great Big Green Lunch, and the WISH initiative with our partners at Cherwell Collective, a groundbreaking project that empowers the community to build more sustainable daily habits, including reducing food waste. You’ll help coordinate activity, track progress, and make sure things run smoothly from planning through to delivery. 

Organisational Development (approx. 1.5 days/week) 

You’ll steward GFO’s member network, nurturing robust community and connections. This means attending events, visiting network members and community food groups, and making sure GFO remains well-connected and able to support the people and organisations it works with. 

You’ll also work with the CEO on opportunity horizon scanning: helping to identify income prospects, partnerships, and strategic developments relevant to GFO’s mission, and keeping track of these in a structured and accessible way. 

OxFarmToFork Operations (approx. 1 day/week) 

GFO hosts OxFarmToFork, an exciting local food project and the UK’s first regenerative B2B online marketplace, connecting agroecological growers with buyers in local institutions such as Oxford University colleges. You’ll provide the weekly operational backbone that keeps it running: managing the online marketplace platform (Tream), coordinating with producers and buyers around weekly market cycles and deliveries and supporting the onboarding of new producers and buyers. It’s hands-on work that sits at the heart of a genuinely innovative local food project. 

What You’ll Bring 

• Experience of project coordination or support, in any sector – non-profit, community, food, or otherwise. 

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to juggle a range of tasks. 

• Confidence engaging with a wide variety of people, from community food groups to institutional procurement teams. 

• A methodical approach to admin and data – comfortable with spreadsheets, invoicing processes, and keeping accurate records. 

• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to share updates clearly and promptly. 

• A proactive mindset: you spot what needs doing and get on with it. 

• Genuine interest in food sustainability, community development, or the local food economy. 

We’re a small team and we value warmth, reliability, and a willingness to muck in. If you don’t tick every box above but feel the role is a good fit for your skills and experience, we’d still love to hear from you – particularly from candidates with a range of lived experiences. 

The Communications Lead will own GFO’s communications across both the organisation and OxFarmToFork, with a clear brief: to grow our reach, amplify the work of our network, and help translate what we do into income and impact. That means building and delivering a coherent annual comms plan, maintaining a consistent presence across our channels, and actively spotting the connections between GFO projects and OxFarmToFork that make for the strongest stories. 

You’ll shape how GFO presents itself externally and make sure our communications work hard for the organisation. 

The role is 0.4–0.5 FTE and can be worked flexibly across the week. We encourage interested candidates to discuss arrangements that suit their needs. The successful candidate will ideally be based within Oxfordshire and able to work from our Oxford office on Wednesdays, our team day. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

Communications Strategy and Planning 

• Develop and own GFO’s annual communications plan, covering both GFO and OxFarmToFork, with clear goals, audiences, channels, and success measures. 

• Advise the CEO and project leads on communications priorities and timing throughout the year. 

• Track and report on communications performance, using data to inform decisions about content, channels, and audience engagement. 

• Ensure comms plans meet funding requirements/deliverables for projects. 

Content and Channel Management 

• Write and publish content across GFO’s digital channels: social media (primarily Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook), the website, email newsletters, and blogs. 

• Manage the social media presence for both GFO and OxFarmToFork: planning content calendars, writing copy, scheduling posts, and responding to engagement. 

• Monitor and actively work to grow engagement metrics across key platforms, using platform analytics to understand what’s working and adjust accordingly. 

• Maintain and update GFO’s website, including campaign pages, news, and project updates. Basic CMS work; more significant design or development can be contracted out. 

• Write and distribute press releases and support media relations when opportunities arise. 

Project and Campaign Communications 

• Provide communications support for GFO campaigns across their full lifecycle, from initial promotion through to impact reporting – including the Great Big Green Lunch, the Pumpkin Festival, and the WISH initiative. 

• Develop audience-appropriate messaging for OxFarmToFork, aimed at potential producers, institutional buyers, and the wider public. 

• Support the production of funder reports and stakeholder updates by providing communications evidence and impact content. 

• Brief and manage external contractors for specialist design work as needed. 

Network and Stakeholder Communications 

• Support GFO’s member network communications, keeping network members informed, engaged, and connected to GFO’s work. 

• Help develop and maintain a CRM approach to stakeholder communications, ensuring key audiences receive timely and relevant updates. 

• Contribute to event communications, including invitations, programmes, and follow-up content for events such as the Food Summit and Annual Celebration. 

What You’ll Bring 

• Demonstrable experience in a communications role, with responsibility for content creation and channel management. 

• Strong writing skills across different formats and audiences: social media copy, newsletters, web content, and longer-form pieces. 

• A solid understanding of social media platforms and how to grow and sustain audience engagement, including use of platform analytics. 

• The ability to develop and deliver a communications plan, not just execute individual tasks. 

• Confidence with basic website maintenance using a standard CMS (e.g. WordPress or similar). 

• An organised, self-directed working style – comfortable managing a varied workload with limited day-to-day oversight. 

• Genuine interest in food sustainability, community development, or the social/environmental sector. 

Design skills aren’t essential – we can bring in contractors for specialist work. Experience with email marketing platforms, CRM systems, or SEO would be a bonus, as would a background in the charity or non-profit sector. 

We’re a small team and we value warmth, curiosity, and a collaborative approach. If you don’t tick every box but feel the role is a good fit, we’d still love to hear from you – particularly from candidates with a range of lived experiences.

What will you be doing?

Manage caseload efficiently and effectively in line with The FA policies, procedures, regulations, protocols and thresholds:

• Undertake investigations in respect of allegations or concerns made against individuals within, or seeking to enter, football.
• Complete risk assessments and, where appropriate, recommend a risk management plan to the Safeguarding Case Manager, Professional Game Safeguarding Manager, Safeguarding Quality Assurance Manager or Head of Safeguarding Case Management.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and paperwork for consideration by the Safeguarding Review Panel for cases which require an order in accordance with The FA's Safeguarding Regulations.
• Progress cases to their full conclusion within the timescales stipulated by The FA and in adherence to The FA Safeguarding Case Management Team's Practice Standards.
• Keep all case files up to date by accurately and consistently recording actions taken on cases using The FA's Case Management system, in line with FA Data Protection Policies and protocols and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Code of Practice.
• Liaise with County FAs, Clubs, Leagues and other FA departments as well as statutory agencies throughout safeguarding investigations to ensure timely information sharing and inform The FA's assessment of risk.
• Liaise regularly with Individuals subject to safeguarding investigations to support their understanding of and engagement with the process.
• Ensure the FA fulfils its legal duties under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, including referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Other:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues within The FA Group and external agencies, e.g. County FAs, the professional game, statutory agencies, Local Authority Designated Officers and other statutory agencies.
• Work with and support the network of Designated Safeguarding Officers in football and contribute to regional County FA meetings, and assist in the delivery of training, where required, at a regional or national level.
• Self-reflect on performance, ask for feedback, identify relevant learning needs, attend and effectively prepare for regular supervision and relevant management meetings.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding practice, taking accountability for ongoing professional development.
• Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure that the highest standards of health, safety, and well-being can be maintained.
• As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

• BA/MA in Social Work, Police Officer (with relevant Child Protection experience), Youth Offending Officer or Probation Officer with a relevant degree or a lawyer experienced in child & family law.
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in front-line child protection intervention and/or risk assessment of adult perpetrators, and application of risk assessment tools.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and best practice.
• Evidence of a child-centred approach and an understanding of children's rights, needs and best interests.
• Excellent report writing skills, including risk assessments, risk management report writing and analysis of risk.
• Experience in handling sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Flexible approach to hours and travel.
• Evidence of continuous training and development.
• Emotional resilience.
• Knowledge of relevant child protection legislation and statutory guidance.

For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page,

Carers First is a charity that works directly with, and for unpaid carers, providing personalised information, advice and tailored support making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.

We have a committed, dedicated staff team and you could be just the person we are looking for to join us to make that valuable difference in carer’s lives. We live and work through our values in all that we achieve by being positive, collaborative and ambitious and we have clear plans to scale our reach, support and impact for carers.

About this role

As a Team Lead your responsibilities would include:

• Provide day-to-day leadership, motivating and empowering the team to thrive.
• Recruit, develop, and support staff in line with Carers First policies.
• Foster a positive culture of continuous learning, role-modelling best practice.
• Ensure quality through record checks, accurate database input, KPI monitoring, and effective workflow allocation.
• Work in co-production with carers to identify needs, develop solutions, and shape services.
• Identify service gaps, create new initiatives, and seek additional funding where possible.
• Manage a small caseload of complex cases, providing personalised advice and support.
• Contribute to budget monitoring and updates.

About you

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Experience of leading and managing remote teams, empowering and developing individuals.
• Strong track record of building partnerships across health and social care.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in service delivery.
• Experience of person-centred assessments, co-produced support plans, and safeguarding.
• Ability to work in co-production, developing innovative approaches to meet carers’ needs.
• Skilled in building positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Confident in using Microsoft Office, mobile technology, and social media platforms.
• Experience of using databases to record interventions and manage workflows.
• Personal integrity, emotional resilience, and alignment with the charity’s values.
• Self-motivated, flexible, collaborative, and able to maintain a healthy work/life balance.

We are looking for passionate people who are committed to the overall aims and objectives of the Charity. Carers First is committed to providing a supportive, vibrant, diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Carers First Can Offer You

In return for your contribution, we have an amazing package of staff benefits including 26 days annual leave entitlement which increases with length of service, flexible working options, paid carers leave, access to our work-place pension, staff discount scheme, employee assistance programme and a Benenden Healthcare package. 

Whatever you are aiming to achieve in your career, we are here to encourage, help and support you grow, through our excellent training and development programmes.

How to apply

To apply for our exciting opportunity and make a real difference to the lives of carers, please download our Candidate Pack and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.

Applications can only be assessed if they clearly state how you meet each of the requirements in the Personal Specification.

Appointments are subject to Carers First receiving an appropriate disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service that we consider acceptable.

Interview Process

Following shortlisting, successful candidates will be contacted directly and invited to interview - Date to be confirmed.

Carers First is an Equal Opportunities Employer   

Positive      Collaborative      Ambitious