Community jobs

Job Title:Supporter Experience Coordinator

Salary: £28,860

Hours:Full Time,37.5

Contract Type: Permanent

Location:SSH / Hybrid,TW12 3RA

About Shooting Star Children's Hospices

We have an exciting opportunity for a Supporter Experience Coordinator to join our team at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we support families across Surrey, north-west London and south-west London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.

At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment and professionalism means every family has the opportunity to make every moment count.

About the role

Your key purpose will be to support the Supporter Experience Manager in delivering an excellent supporter experience for individuals across all fundraising activities. This includes projects related to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Individual Giving programme, supporter journeys and ensuring Shooting Star Children’s Hospices families who choose to fundraise are effectively supported in their activity. This role will support the charities appeal fundraising programme, working with the Head of Supporter Engagement and Supporter Experience Manager on supporter stewardship.

The Supporter Experience Coordinator will also provide efficient and effective key administrative support to the wider fundraising team, optimising income generation proactivity cross-team. They will support in maximising the potential of our fundraising data, ensuring accurate and effective fundraising finance processes, gift aid maximisation and utilising the fundraising database.

About you

If you are enthusiastic about fundraising and enjoy diverse responsibilities, this could be the perfect role for you.

We are looking for someone who feels confident working as part of a team as well as working independently. Previous experience in an administrative role is desired, with excellent knowledge of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in a sensitive and compassionate manner. 

Please see the attached job description for more information about this opportunity at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

What we offer

In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include:

Pension scheme

• NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions
  
  Annual leave

• 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
• 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service
  
  Contractual benefits

• Generous sick pay scheme
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
• Flexible working arrangements
• Death in service benefits
• Reimbursed professional membership fees
• Eye care
• Employee referral scheme
• Blue Light discount card
  
  Health and wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health
• Mindfulness sessions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Mental Health First Aiders

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Also, we are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.

We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for babies, children and young people who are life limited or life threatened. Supporting over 750 children and nearly 1,000 families annually, Acorns is a vital lifeline for families across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire during unimaginably difficult times.

Over the past three years, Acorns’ leadership has enhanced collaboration and innovation across the charity and embedded an organisation-wide fundraising culture. They are now seeking a senior corporate partnerships specialist to lead Acorns’ newly formed Partnerships Team, which combines corporate new business, account management and community income streams.

A member of the Fundraising Leadership Team, the role will be responsible for securing and managing high-value strategic partnerships with businesses while simultaneously driving engagement with local community groups, education partners, and faith groups, ensuring clear tiering, structured pipeline progression and robust income performance.

The role will also act as Partnerships lead for the upcoming £5m fundraising appeal, co-canvassing alongside the Head of Philanthropy and executive leadership, and mobilising corporate and community networks around key campaign moments.

As Head of Partnerships, you will:

• Report to the Associate Director of Fundraising and line manage a team of four (Senior Business Development Manager (Corporate), Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager Senior Community Partnerships Manager, Partnership Engagement Officer)
• Form part of the Fundraising Leadership Team, with shared accountability for strategic decision making, compliance and cross-directorate working
• Lead and integrate Corporate and Community fundraising into a cohesive partnerships strategy aligned to the wider Fundraising Strategy
• Design and implement a three-year corporate and community income plan, with full budget and forecasting responsibility
• Conduct an audit of current partnerships activity, pipeline and resource allocation to ensure effort aligns to regional and national potential
• Lead corporate new business acquisition, securing multi-year strategic partnerships, Charity of the Year agreements, cause-related marketing, sponsorship and stock generation partnership

Essential skills and experience:

• Strong corporate fundraising background within a charity setting
• Proven track record of securing six-figure corporate gifts
• Experience managing and motivating teams to deliver robust income targets
• Experience designing strategies, annual plans and budgets and adapting them as required
• Strong knowledge of the corporate landscape, regionally and ideally nationally
• Confidence leading high-value pitches, negotiations and senior stakeholder engagement
• Experience of forecasting, reporting and managing income performance
• Strong working knowledge of CRM systems and fundraising compliance

Desirable:

• Experience across both local AND national corporate partnerships
• Exposure to community fundraising or engagement programmes
• Experience working on appeal boards or high-value campaign activity

Employee benefits include: 

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 5 days holiday buyback scheme starting from April 2026
• 7.5% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance scheme (2 x annual salary)
• Retail discounts (including the Blue Light card)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Access to expert financial health and wellbeing support

Hybrid working with 2dpw at preferred location (Birmingham, Worcester or Walsall). 

Orchard Vale Trust is a Registered Charity founded over 40 years ago to support adults with learning disabilities; we currently provide Residential, Day and Community Services. This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated and well organised individual to join our vibrant central team and raise vital funds for the individuals we support. 

It is our vision that adults with learning disabilities are valued as leaders and peers and are supported to achieve their goals and live life to the full. The role of the Trust Fundraiser is essential in building our capacity to ensure the delivery of our vision.

The Trust Fundraiser will work with the CEO in developing a high quality fundraising strategy and raising funds against agreed targets that support the work of Orchard Vale Trust. They will use this to manage projects - from application of funding to delivery, including on-going evaluation and reporting.

They will work with the senior management team to ensure service users are supported in accordance with the ethos, policies and practices of Orchard Vale Trust and with current best practice as set out by Care Quality Commissions (CQC) regulations, the Charity Commission and other relevant legislation and guidance.

Main Duties

1. To develop and implement a fundraising strategy for the Trust

2. To develop and sustain partnership working with a range of external stakeholders

3. To work with the CEO in the delivery of the Trust’s communication strategy

4. To work with the CEO in the funding and promotion of the Trust’s Social Enterprise

5. To ensure fundraising activities are safe and compliant with regulations and Orchard Vale Trust’s Policies

Person Specification

Essential

Qualifications/ Experience

• A track record of successful fundraising in an organization or a relevant recent qualification

• An understanding of supporter acquisition and growth

• Understanding of developing existing and new fundraising opportunities

• Experience of working to tight deadlines and prioritization.

• Knowledge or experience in working with communications and media teams as required

Wellbeing Project Coordinator

Salary: £27,527 - £30,831 per annum + 6% pension (pro rata)

Hours: Full time (36 hours per week) or part time (flexible)

Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays per annum (pro rata)

Location: The Bridge Community Hut

Contract: 2 years Fixed term contract

Closing date: 16 March 2026, 12 noon

Interviews: w/c 23 March 2026

The Bridge Renewal Trust was established in 2009 to develop and deliver practical, community-led solutions that enable local people to live healthier, more connected lives and reduce health inequalities.

Do you have a proven track record of engaging people from diverse communities in inclusive, community-based programmes? Do you have the skills and confidence to lead a weekly community café (including cooking), recruit and support volunteers, and build trust so residents feel welcomed, valued and empowered?

We are recruiting a Health and Wellbeing Project Coordinator to lead the delivery of integrated community programmes at the Bridge Community Hut. This includes including coordinating and delivering the Community Café and weekly cooking sessions, the community belonging programme, and an inclusive physical activity programme for children, young people, adults and older residents.

A core requirement of the role is to coordinate and deliver weekly healthy cooking sessions for local residents, including personally planning menus and preparing and cooking culturally diverse meals. The postholder will ensure that cooking sessions and café activities operate as safe, inclusive and well-managed spaces that promote participation, skills development and social connection.

We are looking to recruit either one full-time Project Coordinator or two part-time Coordinators who are organised, proactive and confident in both frontline delivery and programme coordination. You will have experience working with diverse communities, delivering community-based activities, coordinating weekly healthy cooking sessions and running a community café, as well as recruiting, training and supporting volunteers. You must be able to undertake effective outreach, engage local residents, and support volunteers to develop their skills and confidence. You will also coordinate and deliver a weekly programme of wellbeing activities, ensuring sessions are inclusive, welcoming and responsive to community needs.

This is an in-person role based at the Bridge Community Hut, with delivery taking place across weekdays and Saturdays.

You should be passionate about reducing isolation, improving wellbeing and building stronger, more connected communities.

This is a unique opportunity to join a community-focused organisation committed to inclusion, collaboration and learning. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of the communities we serve.

To apply, please email your CV with contact details of two referees, a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the requirements set out in the Person Specification and completed equal opportunities monitoring form.

As part of our commitment to equal opportunities, we invite you to complete our Monitoring Form by clicking here. Please quote the Job ID 2026015. Thank you.

The Bridge Renewal Trust, Laurels Healthy Living Centre, 256 St Ann's Road, London, N15 5AZ.

Company registration No: 06949568, Registered Charity No: 1131941

As a compassionate Point of Entry Mental Health Practitioner, you’ll help provide advice, guidance and potentially urgent mental health support to those in need in our local communities. Your role will help support people find the most appropriate mental health service in Swindon, whether internally to S&G Mind or externally to our many key stakeholder partners/providers across the county.

What You'll Do:

- Compassionate Caller Support: You'll handle a variety of incoming calls, providing a compassionate ear to individuals seeking advice, guidance or urgent mental health support. Your person-centered approach will offer immediate and practical help, aligning with the principles of positive mental health and evidence based-interventions.

- Connecting People to the Right Care: You’ll play a vital role in guiding callers to the most appropriate mental health services in Swindon. Whether referring internally to S&G Mind or externally to key stakeholder partners, you’ll ensure each person is connected to the right support.

- Holistic Assessment & Planning: Using collaborative framework across the healthcare system, such as ‘Safety Planning’ and ‘Your Team, Your Conversation, Your Plan’ frameworks, you’ll assess and understand each caller’s unique needs, ensuring timely and appropriate responses that prioritise their mental health.

Why Join Us:

- Be A Vital Link in Local Mental Health Support: At S&G Mind, your role goes beyond answering calls—you’ll be a crucial connector, helping people access the right advice, guidance, and mental health services when they need it most. Your work will have a direct and lasting impact on local communities.

- Develop Expertise in Mental Health Navigation: A unique opportunity to strengthen your skills in mental health, collaborative care planning, and multi-agency referrals. With ongoing training and development, you’ll deepen your understanding of holistic mental health support and complex needs navigation.
 

- Thrive in Collaborative and Compassionate Teams: You’ll join a passionate team committed to improving mental health access in Swindon. Working closely with internal services and external partners, you’ll be supported in a positive, inclusive environment that values empathy, teamwork, and professional growth.

Do you seek to champion a culture where innovation, learning and cross-organisational collaboration become the norm? Connecting insight with action to reduce inequalities and strengthen community connection?

Involve believes that everyone, regardless of the challenges they face, should have the opportunity to thrive. Using both strategic influence and service leadership, as the Head of Adult Services you will lead the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of high-quality, evidence-driven adult adult services rooted in lived experience, community voice and meaningful partnership.

See the vacancies page on our website for full job and person specification. 

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Mental Health and Homelessness Outreach Workers
Reference: 330
Salary: £26,000 - £27,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience. In addition, this role will have a yearly staff retention bonus of up to £2106. This payment is allocated at the discretion of Herts Mind Network.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Contract: Fixed term 1 Year
Working base(s): Watford Wellbeing Centre

About the Service

The Complex Needs Housing Service works as a multi-disciplinary team with housing teams and Drug and Alcohol Services across District and Borough councils. These teams will be working with individuals who are presenting as homeless and have a number of Complex Needs.

The objectives of the Complex Needs Housing Service are to:

• Improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental ill health.
• Increase early access to help for people experiencing mental ill health in, by providing a clear and effective pathway to services provided by Herts Mind Network and other third sector and statutory providers.
• Contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.
• Remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Reduce the use of police, ASB, tenancy enforcement, housing needs and environmental health services by clients whose primary need is related to mental ill health.
• Reduce the use of crisis services by people experiencing mental ill health without positive outcomes for the individual.
• Provide an assertive outreach approach for clients who are in crisis and/ or those that may have complex or multiple needs.
• Work collaboratively within a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) consisting of Change Grow Live (CGL), District and Borough councils, housing teams and other professionals.

About the Role

The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Community Outreach Worker role is to:

• To provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients who are experiencing mental ill health or need support with their mental wellbeing. These will be clients who are presenting to District and Borough councils as homeless and need intervention and support with their mental health and housing.
• To ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Embed a person-centred recovery orientated and trauma informed approach in all aspects of the roles.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) - compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 23rd March at 5pm.
Interviews to be held on Monday 30th March at our Watford Wellbeing Centre.
N.B. Please quote reference number 330 when completing your application for this role.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please.

Join Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind and play a vital role in growing the support that makes life-changing mental health services possible. This is a unique opportunity to use your fundraising skills to make a genuine difference in local communities.

We are looking for a motivated and relationship-focused Fundraising Officer to join our team on a 12-month maternity cover contract. In this role, you will help generate sustainable income to support our mission of ensuring that nobody has to face a mental health problem alone. You will work closely with supporters, partners, and the wider community to develop and deliver engaging fundraising activities that inspire long-term support.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys building meaningful relationships, delivering creative campaigns, and seeing the tangible impact of their work.

What you will be doing:
You will plan and deliver a range of fundraising activities, including community fundraising, corporate partnerships, and trust and foundation applications. You will help develop campaigns, support fundraising events, and identify new income opportunities to help us grow and diversify our funding.

You will build strong relationships with donors, volunteers, and partners, ensuring they feel valued, informed, and inspired to continue supporting our work. You will also support fundraising events, maintain accurate records on our CRM system, and help track and report on fundraising performance.

Why join Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind?
You will be part of a supportive, values-driven organisation making a real difference to people experiencing mental health challenges. Your work will directly contribute to sustaining and expanding services that empower individuals and strengthen communities.

We offer a flexible, part-time role with the opportunity to shape fundraising activity, develop your skills, and work alongside a passionate and collaborative team.

Who we are looking for:
We are seeking someone who is proactive, organised, and confident in building relationships. You will have experience in fundraising or income generation and a genuine passion for supporting mental health and community wellbeing.

You will be a strong communicator, able to engage supporters and partners effectively, and motivated by the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, lasting impact.

Making The Leap seeks to appoint a dynamic Educational Partnerships Manager to play a pivotal role in securing, growing, and nurturing partnerships with schools across the UK. Reporting to the Head of Educational Partnerships, the successful candidate will drive engagement with schools, teachers, and senior leaders to expand the reach and impact of Making The Leap’s programmes. This role focuses on building strong, strategic relationships with education providers while maintaining links with community organisations, colleges, universities, and corporate partners to promote MTL’s services and mission.

Making The Leap is an innovative societal change charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The ethos of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing inequality.

The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast and The Social Mobility List.

The Diocese of Truro is home to 305 church buildings — extraordinary places of worship, history, community and culture. Each one tells a story about the people of Cornwall and the faith that shaped our landscape. We are committed to supporting the volunteers and clergy who care for these much‑loved spaces, ensuring they remain sustainable, welcoming and fit for mission.

As part of our ambitious Buildings Strategy, supported by the Church of England’s Buildings for Mission programme, we are expanding our capacity and seeking a Church Buildings Support Officer (CBSO) to join our Buildings, Environment and Land Team. A second CBSO will be recruited later in the year, and between the roles we aim to cover two specialist areas:

• Fundraising and grant support (particularly heritage and capital grants)
• Community engagement and enterprise development

We welcome applicants who bring strength in at least one of these areas. All CBSOs will also provide general fabric and funding advice.

As a CBSO, you will be an advisor, problem‑solver and encourager — working alongside parishes to help them repair, adapt and make the best possible use of their buildings. You’ll support everything from maintenance plans to major capital projects, helping churches access funding, specialist guidance and community partnerships.

You will play a key role in ensuring church buildings are well cared for, environmentally responsible, and equipped for worship, ministry and wider community life. The right person for this role will understand buildings in community settings and how they are used. They will be interested in heritage buildings and also know about, or want to learn about, churches and how to care for them. We need a strong communicator who can adjust to different audiences, engaging people in the cause rather than bulldoze them. The skills to bring people together to collaborate are key. Experience of developing and managing projects with community groups/faith groups and fundraising, as well as experience in budget management is important.

Ideally, we seek someone with a qualification and experience in a relevant area, but we are very happy to invest in the right person and can offer a range of training and support.

This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact as part of a unique organisation that prides itself on being a supportive employer. At the Diocese of Truro, we value work-life balance and employee wellbeing and are committed to supporting your development. We offer additional benefits such as flexible working, up to 26 days holiday plus bank holidays, a range of wellbeing activities and the Church of England Pension Scheme with 9-15% employer contributions. More information on this here.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 16 March 2026 with interviews being held on 25 March 2026 in Truro.

This role has been made possible with support from a grant from the Church of England.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, we would particularly welcome applications from those with a disability, or from a UK minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented in our staff.

Coach Core is an education and employment charity that improves the life-chances of under-represented young people across the UK, who experience barriers, discrimination and a lack of opportunities. We help people age 16-24 develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to unlock long-term employment opportunities through the power of sports apprenticeships. Since 2012, we’ve enabled over 1,100 young people to find meaningful employment across 21 UK locations.

Do you have exceptional skills in driving income through mass participation and special events? We are seeking an experienced, events fundraiser who organising events and stewarding supporters so that we can raise vital funds for under-represented young people.We are looking for someone who brings energy, creativity and exceptional organisation to help us deliver events that inspire, engage and raise vital funds for young people across the UK.

In this pivotal role, you’ll join our friendly Fundraising & Marketing team and take the lead on planning, promoting and delivering our challenge events programme – including the iconic TCS London Marathon and Coach Core’s own Sports Days, Golf Day and a 24hr National Three Peaks Challenge.

Your work will put you right at the heart of our mission. You’ll be the person who:

• empowers event participants to hit ambitious fundraising goals
• builds warm, lasting relationships with supporters, sponsors and partners
• ensures every Coach Core event (large or small) is well‑run, memorable and aligned with our values

Behind every successful fundraising event is someone who can hold all the moving parts together…and that’s where you come in. From recruitment and stewardship to logistics, on‑the‑day management and post‑event follow‑ups, you’ll make sure every participant feels supported and every event runs smoothly, safely and on budget.

If you love bringing people together, thrive in a collaborative environment and want to use your skills to help young people achieve things they never thought possible, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.

Salary: £37,332 (FTE) £31,110 actual for 30 hours per week

Hours:30 hours per week – ideally over 4 days (flexible working considered)

Location: London / Hybrid

Holiday:25 paid holiday days per year (plus bank holidays) pro rata plus discrertionary days over Christmas period

Application Closing Date:  5:00PM Friday 13 March

Application Details:  

Your application should include:

• A copy of your CV
• A cover letter outlining why you are a strong fit for this role
• Two examples of past work you are particularly proud of, submitted separately, with a short explanation of why you have chosen them and how they demonstrate the skills set out in the job description

At Coach Core, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives. If you come from a different industry or background and bring fresh insights, innovative thinking, and a commitment to our mission, we encourage you to apply, regardless of not meeting all the criteria.

In this dynamic role, you’ll be at the forefront of delivering agreed and dynamic plans to improve outcomes for people living with/at risk of diabetes.by working to reduce variation, and improve care, treatment and prevention via influencing and partnership working activity.

We’re looking for someone who can inspire and collaborate, building strong, positive relationships to increase understanding of diabetes. Your ability to influence and work together with others will help us support health system professionals and communities to improve diabetes care.

Join us and be a part of something truly transformative. Together, we can change the narrative around diabetes and create a more inclusive world.

Please note that we require that the successful postholder must be based in the East of England., United Kingdom

About us

Join our team at the MPS Society, one of the leading rare genetic disease charities in the UK aiming to transform the lives of individuals and their families affected by MPS, Fabry and other related lysosomal diseases.  This is a rare opportunity to join our Support & Communities teams who provide direct support, practical guidance and other patient focused activities to over 1500 members and their families, UK-wide. 

Our Support Team raise awareness both within the MPS community and external agencies, offering information, advice, support, and advocacy in a range of areas including clinical management, health and social care, housing, education, transition, independent living, palliative care, and bereavement.  

Ideal candidate

As a Senior Support Officer, you will primarily be responsible for raising awareness and providing a high-quality support and advocacy service to our members and their families.   You will be a relationship builder who cares about the community we serve and ensures that the individual (or family) remains at the centre of support.  You will have experience in multi-agency working and an in-depth understanding of the needs of those with disabilities, their families and carers.  Demonstrable experience and knowledge of health and social care, education and relevant assessment processes are essential. 

As deputy safeguarding lead officer for both shildren and vulnerable adults you will take the lead in the absence of the safeguarding leads and be confident sharing your knowledge with new recruits through mentoring.

You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to uphold best practice, challenge poor policy and inappropriate decisions.  Excellent IT skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to tight timescales are essential.  You will be self-motivated and highly organised, juggling many strands of work. 

As part of a small, dedicated team, you will have a positive attitude and a willingness to work collaboratively with your colleagues and external parties to raise awareness, advocate for our membership, as well as supporting the delivery and development of services for the MPS Society community.

Whilst a relevant qualification within health & social care, education or a related field is desirable, other knowledge and work experiences may be equally as valuable in this role. Prior knowledge of MPS and related conditions is not required however a special interest in neurology and working with individuals with neurological disabilities is advantageous.  In-depth support and training to develop expertise in MPS and related conditions, and the needs of those affected by these progressive, life-limiting conditions will be provided.   

What we can offer you

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time hours)
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

This is a full-time role (35 hrs per week) however part time hours, with a minimum of 28 hrs per week may be agreed for the right candidate.  Salary will be pro-rata for part-time.

The main duties, responsibilities and essential requirements of this role can be viewed on the attached job description.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham office each week. As part of the role, UK wide travel is necessary. This may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays.  You may also occasionally be required to attend evening or weekend conferences and events. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked are fairly compensated.

We encourage candidates to visit the MPS Society website to learn more about us and the community we serve.  Alternatively, if you would like an informal chat about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Bethanie Pentecost.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

The MPS Society is a charity that provides a range of care, support and activities for children and adults at risk throughout the UK. This is provided through our dedicated support and advocacy service, telephone helpline, clinical research, online activities and forums, annual events, patient expert meetings, focus groups and conferences.  MPS staff, trustees and volunteers may be asked to be involved in the delivery of its regulated services and activities. 

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Due to the sensitive nature of the duties undertaking, the post holder will be expected to undertake a DBS check as part of the recruitment process and for this to be reviewed on a regular basis. 

Next steps: 

Applications:  Please provide your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 750 words) outlining your understanding of how rare, complex and progressive conditions such as Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), including their neurological impacts, can affect individuals and families across the life course. In your response, please describe the experience, skills and approaches you have developed that would support you to carry out the Senior Support Officer role, including (where relevant) supporting people with complex needs, working across health, education and social care systems, and providing advice, advocacy or casework support.

Kindly note, applications received without a supporting statement will not be considered. 

Closing Date:   Whilst we have an initial closing date of 20th March, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview and assessment.

1st interviews:  Initial virtual interviews will be held end March/early April.

2nd interviews: Final face-to-face interviews and assessments will be held on 16th & 17th April at MPS House, Amersham.

Purpose and responsibilities of the post

Reporting to the DARE UK Director, the Deputy Director is a senior strategic leader responsible for shaping and delivering the programme’s next phase of impact.

The post-holder will provide intellectual and operational leadership across the programme, translating strategic ambition into executable plans while ensuring delivery at pace and scale. They will work across research communities, funders, infrastructure providers, technology partners and senior stakeholders across UKRI and government to embed community voice into the design of a UK-wide secure data research ecosystem.

This is a high-profile role requiring visible sector leadership, strong partnership-building capability and confidence operating at Board and executive level. The Deputy Director will deputise for the Director as required and play a central role in positioning DARE UK nationally and internationally.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

· Co-develop and evolve the DARE UK strategy, roadmap and future phases in response to emerging opportunities, policy developments and sector needs.

· Shape the long-term vision for a federated UK sensitive data research ecosystem, including shared standards for governance, ethics, metadata and interoperability.

· Identify strategic partnerships and funding opportunities to secure programme sustainability beyond the current phase.

· Represent DARE UK at senior forums, influencing policy, research and infrastructure agendas.

Programme Delivery and Oversight

· Lead end-to-end delivery of the programme, ensuring alignment between strategic objectives, commissioned work and measurable outcomes.

· Oversee commissioning, governance and performance management of programme activities and working groups.

· Ensure robust financial oversight, risk management and reporting in collaboration with HDR UK and UKRI partners.

· Maintain effective systems, governance structures and delivery frameworks across partner organisations.

Stakeholder and Community Leadership

· Build and sustain trusted relationships across UKRI councils, academia, government departments, devolved administrations, technical suppliers and public contributors.

· Convene and align diverse stakeholders to co-design standards, services and technical-social specifications.

· Lead strategic engagement and communications activity to secure sector-wide buy-in and adoption.

People and Organisational Leadership

· Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team spanning programme management, communications, public involvement and engagement, and community engagement.

· Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture aligned with HDR UK values.

· Provide clarity, direction and stability in a complex and evolving landscape.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

· Senior leadership experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments spanning research, government, infrastructure and/or technology.

· Proven track record of delivering large-scale, strategically significant programmes in fast-paced and ambiguous contexts.

· Experience working with executive teams, Boards and senior stakeholders, demonstrating sound judgement and political awareness.

· Strong strategic thinking capability, with the ability to translate vision into structured delivery plans.

· Demonstrable experience influencing, negotiating and building consensus across diverse communities.

· Strong programme governance, risk management and financial oversight experience.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent programmes at national level.

· Effective line management experience, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-impact outcomes.