Head of programme impact jobs

Chief Operations Officer

Happy Days UK

Halifax, West Yorkshire (On-site)

£48,000 - £55,000 per year

Full-time

Permanent

Health ∙ Housing and Homelessness

Actively Interviewing

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Job description

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Organisation: Happy Days
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Calderdale

Role Purpose

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership across all frontline services, accommodation provision, organisational infrastructure, and compliance functions within the charity.

The COO is responsible for ensuring safe, trauma-informed, financially sustainable, and outcomes-focused delivery for individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, health exclusion, addiction, and crisis.

The role leads operations across the charity’s accommodation portfolio, including winter shelter provision, general needs accommodation, supported accommodation, and intensively supported housing. The COO also oversees the operational platform of the charity’s support programmes, including a community café, community supermarket, crisis drop-in provision, and integrated health clinics.

Working collaboratively with the CEO, Board, statutory agencies, housing provider partners, and wider stakeholders, the COO plays a key leadership role in shaping organisational strategy, strengthening operational systems, embedding trauma-informed practice, and developing innovative models of support that improve long-term outcomes for individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage.

The COO provides executive oversight of, operational risk, health and safety, HR, operational systems, and service compliance, ensuring the organisation maintains robust standards of governance, accountability, and person-centred care across all services.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

Provide executive operational leadership across services and organisational functions
Lead the delivery, development, and continuous operational improvement of:
- Supported and temporary accommodation services (68+ properties)
- Crisis and drop-in provision
- Food programme and social supermarket
- Winter shelter provision
Translate organisational strategy into effective operational delivery plans
Drive organisational improvement, innovation, and sustainable service growth
Lead operational responses to emerging community need, organisational risk, and system pressures
Support strategic planning, organisational development, and long-term sustainability
Lead operational capital development initiatives across the organisation

Housing, Property & Supported Accommodation Executive Oversight of:

Operational management, legal compliance, health and safety, quality assurance across all accommodation services
Lead strategic partnerships with housing providers
Manage delegated housing arrangements and supported housing pathways
Maximise occupancy, sustainment, and positive move-on outcomes
Oversee property-related risk management, maintenance coordination, and accommodation standards
Lead the transformation and redevelopment of The Gathering Place, including partnership working with architects, infrastructure planning, and service design
Oversee operational development planning for the Bramwell Booth building to support future service delivery and organisational growth

Safeguarding Operational Platform

Lead organisational safeguarding strategy and systems
Ensure SOP’s are in place to enable staff to respond effectively to complex needs including:
- addiction
- mental ill-health and physical health needs
- dual diagnosis
- homelessness
- domestic abuse
- offending histories
- health exclusion
Oversee serious incidents, risk management, and quality assurance processes
Promote reflective practice, professional accountability, and safe service delivery
Lead continuous safeguarding improvement and organisational assurance processes
Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised safeguarding quality and excellence standards

Health Inclusion & Community Services

Support development of innovative approaches addressing homelessness, substance use, poverty, and social exclusion
Contribute to wider system responses focused on prevention, health equity, and community resilience

Corporate Governance, Compliance & Organisational Infrastructure

Provide executive oversight of organisational governance, operational compliance, and corporate infrastructure
Lead organisational responsibility for:
- Human Resources
- Health & Safety
- Insurance and organisational risk
- Operational systems and digital infrastructure
Ensure robust organisational policies, procedures, and assurance frameworks are developed, implemented, and maintained
Oversee compliance with employment legislation, health & safety standards, and contractual obligations
Lead organisational risk management processes, incident oversight, and business continuity planning
Ensure effective management of organisational insurance provision, liability protection, and risk mitigation
Support governance reporting, operational assurance, and organisational accountability
Develop quarterly Trustee and governance reporting packs in conjunction with Heads of Department and the CEO

Systems Development & Digital Transformation

Lead the development and implementation of operational systems, reporting frameworks, and service infrastructure
Design and embed systems that improve operational efficiency, safeguarding oversight, housing management, and service coordination
Use data, insight, and performance analysis to improve outcomes and organisational effectiveness
Support digital transformation, service modernisation, and continuous improvement initiatives
Develop monitoring, evaluation, and impact reporting systems to support organisational learning and strategic decision-making

Leadership, Workforce & Organisational Culture

Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and values-led organisational culture
Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, supervision, and staff development
Promote staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and psychologically safe leadership
Provide leadership oversight and strategic direction for volunteer services and volunteer programme development
Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised volunteer quality standards, including the VSI Volunteer Excellence Award

Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

Represent the organisation within strategic partnerships and multi-agency forums
Work collaboratively with commissioners, funders, housing providers, and community partners

Financial Oversight & Sustainability

Budget development and financial planning in conjunction with the CEO and Finance Team
Support organisational sustainability through efficient service delivery
Monitor operational performance, quality standards, and service outcomes
Ensure effective governance, accountability, and operational compliance across all services

Person Specification

Essential

Significant senior leadership experience within homelessness, housing, health, social care, community, or voluntary sector services
Extensive operational leadership experience across complex, multi-service environments
Experience leading services supporting individuals with multiple disadvantage and complex needs
Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and organisational risk management
Experience managing accommodation-based and community support services
Experience overseeing HR, compliance, governance, and organisational systems
Experience leading quality assurance, risk, and compliance frameworks
Strong partnership and stakeholder engagement skills across statutory and voluntary sectors
Experience managing operational budgets, compliance frameworks, and performance systems

Desirable

Experience working within homelessness, substance use, or health inclusion services
Experience working within housing such as a registered housing provider
Understanding of public health approaches and health inequalities
Knowledge of housing legislation, supported housing models, and safeguarding frameworks
Experience with digital transformation, systems implementation, and organisational modernisation

Key Attributes

Values-driven and strongly committed to social justice and health equity
Strategic thinker with strong operational leadership capability
Calm, resilient, and decisive in complex and high-pressure environments
Compassionate and emotionally intelligent leader
Strong communicator with the ability to influence across systems and sectors
Innovative, solutions-focused, and collaborative
Committed to continuous improvement, accountability, and inclusive leadership

Organisation

Happy Days UK View profile

Registered Charity

11 - 20

View profile

Posted on: 02 June 2026

Closing date: 30 June 2026 at 16:12

Job ref: COO Hdays

Tags: Administration, Human Resources, Advocacy, Housing, Operations, Compliance / Quality, Delivery, Health / Medical, Homelessness, Information Management, Safeguarding, Strategy, Governance / Management

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Animal Care Tutor

Together Trust

Cheadle, Greater Manchester (On-site)

£36,040 per year

Full-time

Permanent

Education ∙ Health ∙ Mental Health ∙ Social Welfare ∙ Youth and Children

Actively Interviewing

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Job description

As one of the UK's best employers, we believe in putting people at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for an experienced and proactive Animal Care Tutor, to join Inscape House School

Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support - they are at the heart of everything we do. We stand by them and we work together for change.

We believe that everyone deserves a chance to learn and space to thrive and that the right education can change lives. You’ll help break down barriers to education for young people, helping them learn and grow at their own pace.

The Role

Inscape house school is recruiting for a tutor to to deliver Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) and teach animal care, welfare, and related work experience skills to students within our secondary provision. The Animal Assisted Intervention Tutor will design and deliver accessible, meaningful and aspirational animal-care and AAI-based learning opportunities, including accredited qualifications such as BTEC and/or ASDAN in Animal Care (or similar).

Inscape House School is a non-maintained ASC specialist day school for children and young people aged 5 to 19 years. It is part of the Together Trust, a charity that has been providing care, education and support in the Northwest of England since 1870. The post holder will be a member of Inscape House School on the Cheadle campus.

Hours: 37.5 Hours

Contract - Permanent

Location: Inscape House School, Cheadle, Stockport

Reports: Deputy Head Teacher

Responsibilities Include but are not exhaustive;

Teaching

Work flexibly and adapt teaching strategies to ensure animal care and AAI content is accessible, inclusive, and responsive to individual learner needs.
Embed Tier 1 universal support strategies within practical animal-care and AAI sessions to meet the diverse needs of learners with autism.
Deliver accredited qualifications, including BTEC and/or ASDAN programmes in Animal Care (or similar), and support learners to build evidence for assessment portfolios.

Management of Staff

Effectively deploy Education Assistants (EAs) to facilitate learning, ensuring that all support positively impacts on the development of every pupil’s independence.
Work with colleagues to support students to plan, carry out and reflect on animal care routines and structured AAI activities.

Curriculum Knowledge

Have a secure knowledge of animal care, animal welfare and husbandry practice, and associated curricula (e.g. BTEC/ASDAN Animal Care or similar).

Be able to foster and maintain pupils’ interest in your preferred key stage and subject, and address misunderstandings.
Demonstrate an understanding of and take responsibility for promoting high standards of functional literacy, articulacy, and the correct use of Standard English and Numeracy within the context of animal care (e.g. care plans, observations/record sheets, measuring feed, timetables and routines).

Accurate and productive use of assessment

Know and understand how to assess pupil progress, including appropriate statutory assessment requirements.
Make use of formative and summative assessment to secure pupils’ progress.
Use progress data to monitor progress, set targets and plan subsequent lessons.

Professional Communication

Attend and contribute to pupils’ review meetings and multi-disciplinary team meetings.
Work with pupils, families and the multi-disciplinary teams to identify pupil centred goals.
Demonstrate skill in communicating with pupils with autism and a range of physical, cognitive, and communication difficulties.

Training

Comply with the school’s mandatory training requirements.
Attend conferences and meetings including professional shows as required.
Attend external and internal training courses as agreed for continual professional development and meeting appraisal objectives.
Read current literature on autism and special educational needs and to disseminate information to the rest of the staff team.

About You

Experience in animal care/animal welfare (e.g. kennels, stables, farms, rescue, shelters, zoos, veterinary environments, or education-based animal provision)
A recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, CertEd) QTS/QTLS
Vocational Qualifications:
A Level 3 (or higher) qualification in Animal Care, Animal Management, Animal Science, Equine Management, or a related subject (or equivalent substantial industry experience).
Evidence of relevant training such as animal welfare, safe handling/restraint, infection control, risk assessment, and/or Animal Assisted Intervention practice.
Experience of successful work with pupils displaying challenging behaviour.
Ability to identify, clarify, prioritise and solve problems as they arise.
The ability to use information technology to communicate with others, track academic progress and share planning and resources.
Knowledge of Safeguarding and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Knowledge and understanding of strategies for inclusion and equal opportunities.
Knowledge of Health and Safety expectations affecting children and adults across the school

Benefits

Eligible for Teachers’ Pension Scheme and its associate Death In Service benefit
Occupational sick pay and family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
Reward and Discount platform offering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card
Proud to be a real living wage employer
Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us
Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications
Long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday.
Promotion of Wellbeing across the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga session in person or online
Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio-economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience.

If there is any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can to support you

This role will expire 31st May - Please do apply soon as we have the right to close the role early.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).

This role will involve regulated activity.

Organisation