Health and wellbeing specialist jobs

We are recruiting for a compassionate Instructor to support the delivery of our specialist assistance dog programmes. This role is key to ensuring our clients and their dogs receive high-quality, tailored training, enabling strong partnerships that transform lives.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a passionate and growing organisation committed to supporting people with a range of disabilities. You will deliver one-to-one training for clients and their dogs, covering task work, obedience, and practical skills, as well as providing structured guidance to help build confident and successful partnerships. The role involves a mix of home visits, community-based training, and nationwide travel, including occasional overnight stays.

Working both independently and as part of a wider team, you will support clients throughout their journey, from initial training through to post-graduation follow-ups, ensuring ongoing progress and wellbeing. You will also respond to behavioural enquiries, deliver training classes and presentations, and contribute to the smooth running of the training department through administration and reporting.

To succeed, you will have strong experience in dog training and behaviour, alongside the ability to build supportive, professional relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds. You will be confident working alone in varied environments, adaptable in your approach, and comfortable delivering training to individuals and groups. A commitment to excellent communication, organisation, and compassionate support is essential.

Location: Lancashire

Interviews: 21st of April in-person

Let's make every day a chance to create a brighter future for the next generation!

Together, we'll ensure that our young people get onboarded and engaged in our programmes safely and with style. Dive deep to uncover any barriers that stand in their way, helping to remove those barriers to enable them to shine and propelling them on their journey towards amazing outcomes. Responsible for a group of young people, for one-on-one support and guidance or just gently pointing them in the right direction. You'll be on a mission to assist with travel expenses and find clever ways to handle their other commitments. You'll champion their support and learning needs with employers, and you'll be the ultimate liaison, working alongside partners like the job centre to ensure that nothing stands in the way of their success!

You’ll also be the guiding light for our delivery partners and service providers as we want them to deliver the best experience and outcomes for our young people. High-fives all around! Roll up your sleeves and deliver employability sessions directly to our incredible young people. You'll also help our Delivery Partners and volunteers do the same, both in person and virtually through our trusty MS Teams. When we're doing things face-to-face, you’ll need to hit the road and be there in person to help with programme delivery or programme visits to make sure all is running as smoothly as possible.

And if that’s not enough to keep you busy, you’ll also be keeping meticulous records of information and data on our young people, volunteers, and partners. It's all about making sure every step of their journey is accurately reflected in our systems so that it complies with our funding contracts.

We are a massive advocate of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion so it would be amazing if you could lead the charge in creating an environment where everyone feels seen, by implementing a local action plan that supports our big-picture EDI goals. Let's make positive change happen!

Be ready for anything and everything. Alongside all these fantastic responsibilities, you might find yourself wearing different hats and rocking them like a pro, this could even include deputising when the need arises.

Join the King's Trust Team and let’s make magic happen!

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferrable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Youth Development Leads? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with every three in four moving into a positive outcome for either work, education or training. Youth Development Leads play a crucial role in supporting young people, no matter the young person's background or current circumstances, to fulfil their full potential. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Youth Development Leads! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Unless the location of the role is remote, the Youth Development Lead role requires a combination of office days and working from home. 
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

This is a full‑time role supporting our specialist animal fostering service, which enables victim‑survivors of domestic abuse to leave abusive relationships by ensuring their much‑loved animals are safe and well cared for.

The focus of this role is to work as part of a dedicated team to maintain the highest standards of animal welfare across a wide range of species. Equally central is providing exceptional support to victim-survivors of domestic abuse, alongside volunteers and colleagues across human and animal health and welfare services.

Your work will directly help individuals and families in crisis, ensuring both they and their animals receive the safety, care, and compassion they deserve.

Applicants must have:

• An animal welfare qualification (minimum Level 3)
• Significant knowledge and proven competence in assessing and handling dogs, cats, and other species in a rescue or similar environment
• A commitment to high standards of animal welfare
• The ability to support victim‑survivors in a professional, empathetic, and trauma‑informed way
• Strong teamwork, communication, and record‑keeping skills

About Us

Bridges Outcomes Partnerships (BOP) is a not-for-profit social enterprise that works alongside Government, community groups and specialist Delivery partners to design and deliver vital services that support people to improve their lives, in areas ranging from housing and employment to education and health & wellbeing.

The role of BOP spans project development (working with Government and others to design and launch the service), project management (coordinating the delivery phase, managing performance, and liaising with the various stakeholders) and project finance (funding the project until it starts to earn outcomes payments). Our own funding comes from a group of pioneering social investors, including The Office for Civil Society, Big Society Capital, Pilotlight, Trust for London, who, like us, are motivated by improving lives and changing the system for the better.

GMBOP is a subsidiary of Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, a not-for-profit social enterprise established to develop and deliver outcomes-based contracts in partnership with public sector commissioners and impact-driven delivery organisations.

About GMBOP

Greater Manchester Better Outcomes Partnership (GMBOP) is a place-based partnership supporting people across Greater Manchester who are experiencing, or at risk of, housing insecurity and homelessness.

We bring together voluntary, community and public sector organisations to deliver joined-up, holistic and preventative support. Through our central hub and delivery partners, we ensure people can access the right support at the right time, without having to repeat their story.

Our work is grounded in a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. We focus on people’s assets, aspirations and choices — not just the challenges they face. We are committed to working collaboratively, promoting dignity, and improving long-term outcomes for individuals and communities.

We believe that people with lived experience and people who reflect the communities we serve bring essential insight, skills and leadership. We actively welcome applications from individuals with these experiences and from groups currently under-represented in the housing and homelessness workforce.

Role Outline

The role will work on the Pathfinder project which works across Greater Manchester to prevent young people from becoming homeless. The purpose of this role is to increase access to high-quality private rented sector accommodation in order to improve opportunities for participants to secure suitable and sustainable housing.

You will work across Greater Manchester to build and maintain strong relationships with private landlords, improving access to accommodation for frontline delivery teams and the young people they work alongside. You will also work collaboratively with colleagues across GMBOP and related programmes, such as Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership (KBOP), to share expertise, learning and best practice, helping to strengthen housing pathways and maximise impact across the wider partnership.

This role plays an important part in ensuring housing pathways are aligned with our strengths-based approach — supporting young people to move into accommodation that reflects their aspirations, promotes independence, and contributes to long-term stability.

What Will You Be Accountable For?

• Increasing the number and diversity of landlords engaged and wanting to work with the project

• Building positive, collaborative relationships with landlords to create seamless housing and support pathways

• Ensuring accommodation secured through the project meets appropriate housing standards

• Working in partnership with delivery teams so housing options reflect participants’ strengths, needs and goals

• Supporting delivery partners to understand private rented sector options available to participants

• Liaising with local authority private sector housing teams to strengthen partnership working

• Acting as a point of contact for staff accessing the GMBOP deposit or guarantor scheme

• Attending landlord networking events to promote the project and explain available incentives

• Maintaining ongoing, constructive communication with landlords during tenancies to support positive outcomes for both landlords and participants

• Contributing to marketing and promotional activity to widen the programme’s reach and impact

What Are We Looking For?

We are particularly interested in people who:

• Share our commitment to strengths-based, trauma-informed and person-centred ways of working

• Are motivated by preventing youth homelessness and improving long-term outcomes

• Build relationships based on trust, respect and collaboration

• Bring curiosity, creativity and a solution-focused mindset

We recognise that relevant experience can come from many different settings, including work, volunteering, community activity and lived experience.

Essential

• Commitment to strengths-based and trauma-informed practice

• Desire to contribute to an innovative, impact-led project

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with a wide range of stakeholders

• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities

• Problem-solving and analytical thinking

• Ability to plan and organise your work effectively

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively within a partnership environment

• Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced setting

Desirable

• Experience of building and maintaining relationships with landlords and lettings agents in the private rented sector

• Understanding of homelessness prevention, youth services, housing insecurity or related systems

• Ability to travel across Greater Manchester to meet the requirements of the role

(We are open to discussing how travel requirements can be met.)

Safeguarding Commitment: As part of Bridges, you will help create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for everyone we interact with. We believe safeguarding is a shared responsibility, where all colleagues play an active role in promoting wellbeing, identifying safeguarding concerns, and working together to ensure these are addressed promptly and respectfully. This includes maintaining professional boundaries, reporting concerns promptly in line with organisational policies, and completing all required safeguarding training.  All colleagues must remain vigilant, model safe practices, and contribute to a culture where people are valued, listened to and where safety, dignity, and wellbeing are prioritised at all times.

Data Protection Commitment

As part of Bridges, you will play an important role in protecting the privacy, rights, and personal information of the people we support, our colleagues, and our partners. We expect all team members to handle data with care, respect, and confidentiality, following our organisational policies and the requirements of data protection legislation. This includes using information appropriately, storing and sharing it securely, and reporting any concerns or breaches promptly. You will be supported with training and guidance to help you contribute to a culture where trust, transparency, and responsible data practices are embedded in our services and decision making.

What we will offer you

• We are a flexible employer and we will support you to ensure you achieve a healthy work life balance.

• You will be joining an incredibly dedicated, vibrant, dynamic and talented team of people who are deeply passionate about services which improve people’s lives and public sector reform.

• You will get 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 days for bank holidays plus a birthday leave day and 2 additional ‘gifted’ day/s between Christmas and New Year

• We offer a Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme

• We offer 4 x Life Insurance, Income Protection Insurance and wellbeing benefits & resources

• We also offer Private Medical Insurance on successful completion of your probation period

• You will be able to access Learning and development opportunities

Application process/next steps

When you click on the link to apply you will be directed to Applied, the platform that manages all our applications. You’ll answer some questions that are related to the day-to-day job and will be asked to upload your CV. Your answers will go through our sift process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers.

NB We value authenticity are looking for applications that genuinely reflect your own experience, skills, and motivation for the role. While we recognise that some candidates may use AI tools for light support (for example, to check grammar or structure), we ask that all answers and application content are predominantly your own work. This helps ensure a fair and meaningful assessment of every application.

If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next step, which will be first and second round interviews with the hiring team. First round interviews are anticipated to take place w/c 20th April.

Bridges Outcomes Partnerships is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process for candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Please note, for this particular role candidates will require Right to Work in the UK.

Location: London (flexible working - 2-3 days in the office)

Interviews: 15th and 16th April 2026, and second stage interviews the following week on the 22nd April 2026. 

Employer: King's Trust International (not The King's Trust)

Around the world, 65 million young people are unemployed. Many more face the challenge of unstable, unsafe and underpaid work. King’s Trust International was founded by His Majesty King Charles to tackle the global crisis in youth unemployment and ensure that every young person has the chance to succeed. Central to our new 10-year strategy is the need to articulate the challenges and opportunities faced by young people and help them shape a better future.  We are recruiting a Director of Marketing, Communications and External Affairs to shape and share this story.

In this exciting and varied strategic and operational role, you will lead KTI’s marketing, communications and external affairs team with the aim of promoting and protecting King’s Trust International and The King’s Group, increasing awareness of our brand and our work for young people around the world. You will spearhead the establishment of our advocacy function and play a key role in research commissioning, awareness raising and coalition creation.  This will involve attendance at key global events, the commissioning of proprietary research, and guiding the marketing and communication strategies that will bring these narratives into the public consciousness.

You will be an experienced and dynamic communicator with significant demonstrable experience in communications, marketing and external affairs at a senior level. This will be complemented by strong knowledge of the full range of media, marketing and communications tools, and how to deploy them effectively to maximise the reach, impact and value of our brand.

In addition, you will have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of people and stakeholders. Possessing strong management skills, you will have experience of managing small multi-disciplinary teams, providing direction and leadership to enable growth and development, and the ability to role-model a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Perks for working at The King’s Trust International:

• Great holiday package. 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus public holidays. Office closure the days between Christmas and New Year
• Fantastic Family leave. Receive 13 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay for maternity and adoption leave, and pro rata entitlement for shared parental leave. Receive 8 weeks' full pay for paternity leave.
• Flexible and agile working. Where operationally possible, you can work your hours that support a work-life balance, including compressed hours and hybrid-working (part office - part home-based) or working from home options.
• Benefits platform. Everything from health and financial wellbeing support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas
• A free employee assistance programme (EAP) to support your mental wellbeing.
• KTI will contribute 5% of your salary to the workplace Pension Scheme
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary)
• In-house and external training opportunities are available throughout the year

Employment & Progression Coach 

Capital City College Westminster Centre, 76 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PD, London

Permanent, full-time 

£31,500 &  34 days of annual leave

About Hotel School

Hotel School is an award-winning charity that empowers people who have experienced homelessness and other disadvantages to thrive in the hospitality industry. This dynamic 10-week programme combines theory, hands-on experience, and industry visits to provide the skills and confidence to land a job and excel in it. 

Hotel School provides a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive training environment where students are given the opportunity to build their confidence to learn and grow. Our holistic approach is how we succeed in finding and sustaining long-term employment and progression, even for those who have been unemployed for over 20 years. We support our graduates as they take their first steps into work through mentoring, employer education, and progression management and support our graduates for up to one year after graduation, and sometimes longer if needed. 

Hotel School operates as a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE), meaning our training programme is tailored to address the emotional and psychological needs of the individuals we work with. Within this framework, Hotel School adopts a Trauma-Informed approach when engaging with students and graduates, acknowledging that many may have encountered complex trauma.

About the Role

Join a small, passionate, and dynamic team committed to helping individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds complete their training and transition into sustainable, inclusive careers within the hospitality industry.

As an Employment & Progression Coach, you’ll work one-on-one with students and graduates, supporting them to overcome barriers, stay motivated, and achieve their goals, evoking meaningful change in their lives and futures.

You will also work closely with Hotel School hospitality employer partners to identify suitable job opportunities and collaborate to ensure our graduates are well-supported as they transition into and sustain meaningful employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one, trauma-informed and person-centred employment support to students and graduates

• Help graduates overcome barriers and prepare for sustainable hospitality careers

• Work closely with employer partners to secure and support job opportunities

• Coordinate work experience placements and deliver employability workshops

• Collaborate with mentors and support services to ensure holistic, person-centred support

• Monitor and record the progress of students and graduates

• Follow safeguarding procedures and respond appropriately

About you

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced working with people experiencing homelessness and/or other disadvantages or in

  employment services

• Compassionate, patient, and calm under pressure

• Passionate about empowering and motivating people to move forward

• Experienced in supporting people facing barriers

• Highly organised, proactive, adaptable, with great communication skills

• Able to build trust and communicate well with a wide range of people in person

• Experienced in admin and using systems (MS Office essential)

Bonus (but not essential):

• Hospitality experience

• Knowledge of trauma-informed or person-centred practice

Benefits 

Salary and Leave 

• Annual salary of £31,500. 

• Annual Leave: 34 days of annual leave, inclusive of all public and bank holidays. 

• Pension Scheme

Professional Development 

• 1:1 Coaching 

• Supervision 

• Group Reflective Practice 

• Ongoing Training 

Well-being and Support 

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Through Hospitality Action, the EAP provides confidential support and resources to employees, such as counseling, legal advice, and financial planning. 

• Wellbeing activities such as staff socials, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. 

Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and especially encourage people with lived experience of homelessness, disadvantage, or marginalisation to apply. We're committed to building an inclusive, supportive team that reflects the people we work with.

How to Apply

Please send:

• A CV (max 2 pages)
• A Supporting Statement (max 350 words per question) responding to the four questions below

Supporting Statement Questions
 You can draw on paid work, volunteering, or personal experience.

1. Why are you applying for this role?
    What excites you about The Hotel School and this opportunity?
2. Empowering people to achieve their goals                                                                                                         Tell us about a time you supported someone to identify and achieve their personal or professional goals. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
3. Supporting people through challenges                                                                                                             . Tell us about a time you supported someone facing barriers (e.g. housing, confidence, mental health).
4. How does your previous experience prepare you for this role?
    Refer to the job description and share examples that show you're a good fit.

Deadline: 15th April 2026
Informal chats are welcome — please contact Dana.

We understand AI tools can be helpful in preparing applications, but we really value responses that feel personal, reflective, and show us why this work matters to you.

Recruitment Process

If shortlisted, we’ll invite you to a short telephone screening call (20–30 minutes) to learn more about you, answer any questions, and explain the next stage.

Following that, selected candidates will be invited to an in-person interview at The Hotel School in central London. This includes a panel interview, a scenario task, and the opportunity to meet one of our graduates.

We want the process to feel welcoming and supportive, and we’ll share full details in advance so you can prepare.

Safeguarding

This role requires an enhanced DBS check. The Hotel School is committed to safeguarding and to creating inclusive, safe environments for all students, graduates, and staff.​

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Location: Crisis Skylight Oxford Skylight, Old Fire Station, OX1 2AQ. Please note this is an onsite role

Contract: Permanent

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We know that homelessness is not inevitable. We know that together we can end it. It is an exciting and important time to be joining Crisis. We work with thousands of people across the country so they can leave homelessness behind for good. We have recently adapted the way our services work to maximise our impact in ending homelessness. We have increased our capacity to work with people one to one and strengthened our ability to support those people facing the most barriers to preventing or ending their homelessness. 

About the role 

As an Engagement and Assessment Worker, you will be the first point of contact for someone who comes to Crisis for help to end their homelessness. The Engagement and Assessment team provide a dynamic, engaging, and welcoming response to people who may be struggling to cope with overwhelming emotional and psychological distress. You will be responding to the immediate presenting needs of new members, completing urgent assessment of need and care planning. The support you offer will be person centred and holistic and will draw on individuals’ strengths and resilience. You will identify presenting needs, and establish if they meet the criteria for Skylight, using your expertise on homelessness, housing and benefits, signpost to appropriate services, or offer on-going support and interventions. This role is based onsite with no option for homeworking.

About you 

To be successful in this role you will have experience of working within a relevant sector delivering support to vulnerable adults. You will have exceptional knowledge of relevant housing, homelessness, and welfare legislation. You will have an awareness of the barriers to engagement and participation experience by homeless and marginalised people and will understand how these barriers will be overcome. You will have the ability to make collaborative, consistent and persistent relationships with each person, and will have strong networking and partnership development skills to ensure the best outcomes for everyone, 

You may have experience in, Housing, homelessness, welfare, complex needs, mental health, social care, offender management, support work, or well-being.

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.  

Working at Crisis  

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:  

• A competitive salary. Please note, our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage
• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%  
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly and more! (Full list of benefits available on website)  

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.  

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply? 

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Sunday 12th April at 23:59

Interview process: Competency-based interview and interview task to Case Study sent to shortlisted candidates prior to the interview

Interview date and location: Thursday 23rd April (in-person) at Crisis Skylight Oxford, Old Fire Station, OX1 2AQ

AI in Job Applications

We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences

Accessibility 

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please contact our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help. 

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094 

Location: Bournemouth – Dorset Hub

Salary: £32,585 per annum

Hours: Full time – 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: Thursday 16th April 2026 at 11:30pm

Are you compassionate, proactive and collaborative with experience in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy? If you are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, then join Shelter as a Housing Rights Worker and you could soon be making a real difference to people affected by the housing emergency.

About the role

Your role will be delivering high quality housing advice and advocacy in line with the hub’s local community priorities and work alongside people who are experiencing housing problems to identify issues specific to Dorset.  You will plan and deliver casework to individuals and communities to help find resolutions and engage with community groups, local organisations and individuals to understand local housing issues and raise awareness of people’s rights.

Working within local community settings and alongside community groups to deliver advice and rights awareness workshops, you will ensure that people with lived experience of homelessness have opportunities to share their stories and views, participating in the design and delivery of Shelter services. Offering day to day support to volunteers, providing learning, shadowing and mentoring and being a consistent role model for our values are also key aspects of the role.

About you

You will be able to work with individuals and communities including people with lived experience of homelessness. You will have experience and knowledge of housing and homelessness advice and advocacy as well as the ability to carry out casework related interviews, maintain detailed case records, advise and support your clients to make informed decisions. You have a strong track record of delivering group workshops and presentations and collaborate with others to get the job done.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About the team

Our team in Dorset has been providing housing advice and support services within the area for over 20 years. We have office bases in Bournemouth and Weymouth as well as working in community venues and partner organisation sites. We deliver a wide range of housing rights, legal services, community and support work and advocate for change to fix the broken housing system.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing, and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement with responses to the following points in the ‘About you’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format:

• Knowledge and experience of housing and homelessness advice and advocacy and the ability to progress to specialist level knowledge
• Ability to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communities
• Experience of delivering and/or ability to deliver group workshops and presentations

 CVs without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Context

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a pioneering programme that could reshape how kinship families are supported across England.

Kinship is undertaking a pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of Kinship Connected, a Kinship Navigator programme designed to provide intensive, specialist support to kinship carers and help them navigate complex systems.

This is a multi-partner programme involving funders, independent evaluators, participating local authorities, internal delivery teams and kinship carers with lived experience.

Kinship Navigators are at the heart of delivery. You will work directly with kinship carers in the community and in their homes, providing intensive 1-to-1 support and facilitating local support groups, while working closely with local authority partners and other services.

Because the programme forms part of a pilot RCT, maintaining high-quality case records and accurate data collection is critical. Your work will contribute directly to the evidence base about what works for kinship families.

Each Navigator will support around 40 kinship carers over the delivery year, holding a caseload of approximately 20 families at any one time.

You will be part of a wider delivery team including the Programmes Manager, Mobilisation and Delivery Project Manager, research colleagues and other Kinship teams, working together to ensure the programme is delivered ethically, consistently and to a high standard

About the role:

The Kinship Navigator provides intensive, time-limited support to kinship carers through the Kinship Connected programme, a structured six-month intervention designed to help kinship families stabilise placements and access the support they need.

Working directly with kinship carers, you will build trusting relationships while completing structured assessments, goal setting and reviews to help families strengthen support networks and navigate services such as children’s social care, education, health and community support.

This is a community-facing role, working directly with kinship carers in homes, community spaces and through co-location with local authority teams and partner organisations.

The role requires a combination of high-quality relational practice and disciplined case recording. As part of the pilot RCT, accurate documentation of activity, progress and outcomes is essential to ensure the programme can be evaluated and improved.

You will work closely with the Programmes Manager, delivery team, researchers and local authority partners to ensure the programme is delivered consistently, ethically and to a high standard, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in supporting kinship families from all backgrounds.

The key deadlines and information:
We have really short timescales for this role as this role is part of a research project so do apply early. 

• Closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday 5 April 2026
• Interview date (in person, location TBC): Thursday 16 April 2026

Starting in post

If you are successful at recruitment, we will need you to be available to start in role asap and ideal candidates will have less than a month's notice period. This will mean all references, contracts and DBS checks are completed. If you do apply for the role, we will ask for some of these details up front. 

We will also ask you to attend an overnight in-person residential on Wednesday 29 April and Thursday 30 April (TBC) in our London office for induction into the role. A draft agenda will look like the below.

Wednesday 29 April

• 11am – induction morning session starts
• 12.30pm – lunch
• 1.15pm – induction afternoon session starts
• 5pm - induction afternoon session finishes
• 6.30pm – dinner with team

Thursday 30 April

• 9.30am – induction morning session starts
• 12.30pm – lunch
• 1.15pm – induction afternoon session starts
• 4pm - induction afternoon session finishes
• 4pm – finish and travel home

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing emotional and practical support to kinship carers.
• Advocating for kinship carers in meetings with professionals where appropriate.

• Establishing and facilitating a monthly support group for kinship carers in your area.

• Mapping local services and building relationships with organisations that can provide specialist support, training or activities for kinship families.

• Liaising with schools, local authorities and other professionals to coordinate support.

• Supporting kinship carers with challenges relating to the child(ren) in their kinship care.

• Signposting to relevant services, support organisations and Kinship training opportunities.

• Coordinating celebration and family events (including in Kinship Care Week).

• Supporting applications for grants for essential items or family breaks.

• Collaborate with the programme delivery team, researchers and evaluation partners, contributing insights and learning from practice to support programme improvement and evidence generation.
• Work closely with colleagues across Kinship, including Advice, Peer Support, Training, Communications and the Kinship Connected core team, to ensure joined-up support for kinship carers.
• Recognise, report, record, respond and refer safeguarding risks via our safeguarding process with the support for the safeguarding team.
• Follow and understand the organisational safeguarding policies.

• Maintain accurate, timely records of all activity, assessments, support plans, contacts and outcomes on Kinship’s CRM system (Salesforce) in line with organisational policy and programme protocols.

• Complete kinship carer needs assessments, SMART goal setting, reviews and outcome recording in accordance with the Kinship Navigator model and trial requirements.

• Follow all operational and data collection requirements of the pilot feasibility RCT, ensuring activity and outcomes are recorded consistently to support independent evaluation.

• Fully contribute to monitoring, reporting, quality assurance and learning processes, including collecting feedback and case studies that demonstrate impact.

Essential requirements include:

• Experience delivering direct support to vulnerable families or carers, including completing needs assessments and developing support plans.

• Experience providing structured one-to-one support, casework or family support over a defined period.

• Experience working directly in community settings or alongside local authority or partner organisations.

• Experience facilitating peer or support groups in community or online settings.

• Experience working with statutory, voluntary and community services, including liaising with professionals around the family.

• Experience recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

• Understanding of the challenges facing kinship carers and the children they care for, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.

• Understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches when working with families.

• Awareness of how children’s social care, education, health or welfare systems affect families.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with kinship carers and professionals.

• Ability to manage a caseload, prioritise work effectively and maintain clear professional boundaries.

• Excellent ability to maintain accurate case records and data using a CRM or case management system (e.g. Salesforce).

• Strong organisational and IT skills, including the ability to use digital systems for case management, communication and reporting.

• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative delivery team.

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts.

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Kinship Navigator (Oxfordshire) by sending a CV and answering the 5 questions below via Charity Job. The deadline is 11.59pm on Sunday 5 April 2026. Any applications arriving after the closing date will not be considered for shortlisting unless there are exceptional reasons. Please ensure you have read the application timelines.

1. Why do you want to work for Kinship as a Kinship Navigator, and how does this role align with your values and experience? 
2. Describe a time you supported a family or carer facing complex challenges. How did you assess their needs and decide what support was most important? Guidance for candidates: Please describe a real example from your work. Tell us what you did personally, the actions you took and what happened as a result.
3. Tell us about a situation where you had to work with professionals from different organisations (for example schools, social workers or community services) to support a family. Guidance: Explain how you built relationships, managed differences of opinion and ensured the family received appropriate support. 
4. Give an example of a time you had concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or their family member. What steps did you take and how did you decide what to do? Guidance: Describe your role in recognising and responding to the concern and any safeguarding processes you followed.
5. Tell us about how you have managed a caseload or multiple families at once. How did you keep accurate records and make sure important information was documented? Guidance: Please describe the systems or processes you used and why accurate recording was important.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work.   We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

Join our Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH) and make a meaningful difference in everyday life for adoptive, kinship and care-experienced families. We’re recruiting an Occupational Therapist with specialist expertise in sensory processing/sensory integration and attachment-informed practice to deliver practical, trauma-informed assessment and intervention that strengthens regulation, participation and connection. 

• Make a difference that families feel every day: co-produce practical strategies that support calmer routines, better sleep, smoother transitions and greater participation at home, school and in the community. 

• Bring specialist sensory expertise: assess sensory processing and regulation needs and translate findings into clear, realistic plans for parents/carers and partner professionals. 

• Work at the sensory–attachment interface: use a trauma- and attachment-informed lens to understand behaviour and build felt safety and co-regulation alongside sensory strategies. 

• Thrive in an MDT: contribute an OT perspective to formulation-led work within PATH, collaborating with psychology and therapy colleagues to create joined-up support. 

• Flexible, UK-wide reach: deliver support primarily online with occasional travel for team days, training or commissioned work (as required and agreed). 

You’ll need: 

• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist. 

• Strong experience supporting children/young people and their parents/carers (including complex presentations). 

• Proven skills in sensory processing assessment and intervention, including regulation strategies, activity adaptation and environmental modification. 

• Confidence working in an attachment- and trauma-informed way with adoptive/kinship/care-experienced families (or closely related work). 

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills, able to translate specialist thinking into practical, non-judgemental guidance that families can use. 

ROLE PROFILE

JOB TITLE:

Occupational Therapist

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Clinical Lead

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Clinical Director

HOURS OF WORK:

Full time / Part time

LOCATION:

Remote working with travel flexibility

DURATION:

Permanent

SALARY / GRADE:

Grade 8 - £43.471

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•      Clinical Director and PATH Clinical Lead
•      PATH team
•      AUK staff
•      Children and adults accessing our services
•      Referrers and external agencies as appropriate

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Occupational Therapist (Sensory & Attachment) will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed occupational therapy assessment and intervention to families with a history of adoption, kinship care and long-term fostering. The postholder will bring advanced expertise in sensory processing/sensory integration and the impact of early adversity, attachment disruption and developmental trauma on regulation, participation and family life. The role will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) within PATH, contributing to formulation-led support, practical strategies and therapeutic approaches that strengthen safety, connection, and everyday functioning at home, school and in the community.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·Provide specialist assessment and intervention where sensory processing differences interact with attachment needs, developmental trauma, neurodiversity and emotional/behavioural presentations.

·Co-produce practical, strengths-based support plans with parents/carers and, where appropriate, the child/young person; provide clear strategies that are realistic for family life.

·Deliver evidence-informed interventions (1:1 and group-based as appropriate) including sensory-based regulation strategies, activity adaptation, routine design, environmental modification and caregiver coaching.

·Integrate attachment- and trauma-informed principles (e.g., PACE/connection-based approaches) into OT recommendations, ensuring strategies support safety, relational connection and felt security.

·Contribute to MDT formulation and case discussions, offering an occupational therapy perspective on function, participation, sensory-motor development and regulation

·Prepare high-quality written outputs including assessment summaries, recommendations, letters and reports suitable for families and professionals; contribute to documentation required for commissioning/regulated service evidence as needed.

·Support families to understand the sensory, neurodevelopmental and trauma/attachment factors that may underpin behaviour and distress, and to implement strategies safely.

·Maintain accurate, timely records in line with organisational policies, data protection and confidentiality requirements.

·Contribute to the development of resources (e.g., guides, webinars, workshops) that translate specialist OT knowledge into accessible tools for families and professionals.

·Contribute to delivery of training in your specialist area (sensory processing, regulation, sensory-attachment interface) internally and externally.

·Actively manage a caseload, prioritising risk and complexity, and working within agreed service pathways, timescales and outcome measures.

CRITERIA

Knowledge and Experience

•  Significant experience working with children and young people and their parents/carers.

•  Experience delivering assessment and intervention for sensory processing differences and regulation needs.

•  Experience delivering remote/online OT interventions and caregiver coaching.

•  Experience of group work (parents/carers and/or young people).

•  Experience of working with adopted children, previously looked-after children, kinship or long-term foster families (or closely related settings).

•  Strong understanding of attachment, developmental trauma and the impact of early adversity on regulation, behaviour and participation.

•  Ability to integrate sensory strategies with relational/attachment-informed approaches.

•  Training/experience in DDP, PACE, NVR, therapeutic parenting or other attachment-informed models.

•  Expert knowledge of sensory processing and sensory-based regulation strategies.

•   Ability to differentiate sensory needs from (and understand overlap with) trauma responses, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental differences.

•  Sensory Integration training (e.g., postgraduate modules) and/or recognised competency frameworks.

•  Knowledge of neurodevelopmental profiles (e.g., autism, ADHD, DLD, FASD) and how these can interact with trauma/attachment and sensory processing.

•  Ability to provide accessible psychoeducation to families and partner professionals.

Qualifications and Education

   •Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy.

   •     Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist. Postgraduate       training/qualification relevant to sensory integration, sensory processing or advanced   paediatric OT practice.

•  Evidence of continuing professional development (Essential)

•  Training in a range of therapeutic modalities e.g. DDP, Theraplay, BUSS model, Sensory Attachment Intervention (Essential)

Skills and Abilities

   •         Experience of working within an MDT and contributing an OT perspective to shared          formulations and plans.

•Leadership and support skills

•Group work skills

•A reflective and empowering approach

•Strong application of theory

•Creativity and innovative approach to service delivery

•A commitment to the voice of children and families

Accountability

•Consultant Clinical Psychologist

•Responsible for maintaining own professional standards

•Responsible for delivering practice within the policies and standards of the charity

Behaviours

•Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at      all times.

•Contributes to an open and honest culture

•Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

•Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

•Leads by example.

•Values transparency and consistency.

•Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

•Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

•Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

•Shares skills and knowledge.

•Promotes Cross Functional team working.

•Offers outstanding service to members.

•Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

•Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

•Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

•Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

•Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

•Takes pride in own development.

•Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

•Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

Senior Engineer

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Senior Engineer 

Location UK Wide 

£37,904 per annum (pro rata for part time) plus a market supplement of £3993 

Ref: 147REC 

Full time 37.5 hours per week – we are happy to talk flexible working 

Base: Hybrid with the opportunity to work at your nearest Walk Wheel Cycle Hub 

Contract: Permanent 

Disclosure: Basic/Enhanced/ DBS is not required for this position as the post holder will not be working with school and community groups in the region. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Team: Delivery/ Infrastructure 

As the Senior Engineer, you will lead the production and technical review of project and programme outputs. 

You will manage typical projects and low risk programmes. Your work will make a strong contribution to the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s vision by delivering high impact and innovative solutions. 

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, including designers, engineers, technicians, and other technical specialists. 

 
Your role is to support the successful delivery of projects and programmes that align with the Trust’s strategic priorities. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Manage typical projects and low risk programmes from start to finish.
• Lead the creation and technical review of project and programme outputs, using your recognised technical expertise.
• Understand when existing technical guidance is not enough and know how to work effectively when guidance is limited or does not exist.
• Provide line management, supervision, or mentoring to colleagues in more junior roles.  

This role is ideal for someone with strong design skills who’s ready for a real challenge and wants to use their expertise to improve the world around them. As a Senior Engineer, you’ll take the lead on delivering innovative, high‑impact projects that make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more enjoyable for communities across the UK. You’ll work at the forefront of sustainable transport design — pushing boundaries where guidance is limited, shaping solutions that genuinely transform places, and mentoring others as you go. If you're driven by creativity, responsibility and the desire to leave a positive legacy, this is a role where your skills will truly make a difference. 

ABOUT YOU 

We’re looking for someone who has experience and understanding in the areas listed below. You don’t need to meet every requirement — if you feel you’d be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. 

• You have either a degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject such as Civil Engineering or another clearly relevant and demonstrable specialism, plus at least 2 years of relevant experience or 5 years of relevant work experience without a degree.
• You can use design software confidently and competently.
• You have up to date working knowledge of sustainable transport design and delivery. 
  This includes awareness of innovation, best practice, inclusive design, and the use of technology.
• You have thorough working knowledge of current health and safety legislation and practices, including how to correctly apply the CDM Regulations. 

LIVING OUR VALUES 

At the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, we’re a values‑driven organisation. We’re looking for people who are: 

Always Learning – curious, open‑minded and committed to continuous improvement. 

Championing Equity – inclusive, respectful and focused on ensuring everyone has a voice and fair opportunity to succeed. 

Taking Ownership – proactive, responsible and empowered to make things better. 

Delivering Together – collaborative, transparent and motivated by shared success. 

Through our values we make it possible for more people to walk, wheel and cycle safely, healthily and joyfully. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

We want you to feel supported, valued, and empowered in your role. That’s why we offer flexible working, a positive team environment, and benefits designed to support your wellbeing, finances, and family life. 

Wellbeing Support 

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time employees
• Option to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time employees) 
• Paid volunteer days to support causes you care about
• Free, confidential support service available 24/7
• Access to cycle-to-work schemes through Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme 

Financial Benefits 

• Up to two extra days of paid leave (pro rata for part‑time colleagues) when travelling sustainably for holidays.
• Group Personal Pension scheme with a 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust 
• Bike, computer and season ticket loans 
• Discount benefits 
• London Weighting Allowance of £4,530 per annum for all those living within a London Borough (32 local authority districts plus the City of London).
• Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary  

Family Friendly Policies 

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay 
• Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday)  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Application deadline: 23:59, 28 April 2026
• Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams over a two-week period commencing from 11May 2026. To apply, please complete our online application form.
• We are committed to being a truly inclusive employer. We welcome applications from everyone from all parts of the community.
• Adjustments are available throughout the application process. 

Have you got experience and a passion for working to support women? We are seeking a new team member to join our small team, in a well-established charity, to support and empower women who experience multiple disadvantages and want to make positive changes to their lives.

We are seeking a Women’s Support Worker to join our Door of Hope team in the East End of London. The role will involve working directly with women who sell sex in Tower Hamlets; supporting them to make goals and support the changes that they wish to make, through information sharing, advocacy, and practical support.  We offer this whilst also providing a non-judgemental, and confidential space to talk and be heard.

Who are we looking for…

• You will have the commitment and creativity to engage women who can often be isolated and have difficulty engaging with other services. 
• You will be able to think and work independently yet also be a supportive colleague to the wider team. 
• You will have frontline experience of working with vulnerable women/adults. This might be within the context of domestic/sexual abuse, substance misuse, mental health, or housing. Or it may be of direct experience of women in the sex industry.  You will thrive on supporting women to become empowered and to make positive change.
• You will possess energy, motivation, and professional resilience. 
• You hold a level of confidence in advocating on behalf of women and to other professionals and services, whilst ever mindful of ways to support and encourage the empowerment of women in the process.

About Beyond the Streets

Beyond the Streets is a UK charity with over 20 years’ experience of partnering with women in the sex industry to see them safe from coercion, violence and abuse. We deliver trauma-informed, person-centered support, provide training for the third sector and statutory professionals, and create resources and reports informed by research, lived experience, and practitioner experience. Our training and partnership work seeks to equip professionals to understand the sex industry, particularly survival sex, and to support them to engage with women selling sex in a trauma-informed way.

You’ll enjoy…

• Competitive pay – earn £30,600 rising to £31,407 FTE on successful completion of probation (this includes London weighting)
• Pension - 5% employer contribution, 3% employee contribution
• Generous annual leave - 33 days including bank holidays pro rata
• Flexible working – Our core hours are 10am to 3pm
• Family friendly policies – parental leave from day 1 of employment, an enhanced maternity pay policy and a flexi time policy as standard
• Career opportunities – develop yourself and your career in a reputable national organisation who are specialists in the VAWG sector
• Personal development allowance – to further your work-based skills and knowledge
• Cycle to work scheme – tax free allowance to buy
• Tech Buying Scheme – spread the cost of personal technology equipment and homeware across 12 months via payroll
• Travel season ticket loan scheme - an interest-free loan to enable team members to purchase a season ticket for travel between their usual place of residence and their usual place of work
• Clinical supervision – all staff are entitled to clinical supervision on request. A place to discuss work issues and challenges, and their emotional impact, on a regular basis.
• Blue light discount – a well recognized national discount card scheme. It will cost you £4.99 for two years’ membership but the discounts are large, and it’s widely accepted.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – a confidential and independent service designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home life, work life, health, and general wellbeing. EAP is available to you and to your immediate family.

All roles are subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, satisfactory references, and a DBS check.

Help tackle loneliness among older people in care homes

Thousands of older people living in care homes receive few or no visitors. Friends for Life Bedfordshire exists to change that.

Through our befriending and group activities, we bring companionship, connection and meaningful relationships to care home residents across Bedford and the surrounding area.

We are now looking for a Manager to lead the charity through a period of growth and transition – expanding our reach, strengthening our team, improving our delivery whilst building a sustainable future.

About Friends for Life Bedfordshire

We are a Bedford-based charity working to address the social isolation of older residents in Bedfordshire’s care homes.

Founded in 2007, we have grown from a small local initiative to a registered charity with c90 volunteers supporting more than 30 care homes across Bedford Borough. In the last year, over 1,100 care home residents received our services.

The Role

This is a leadership role responsible for the overall management, performance and development of the charity.

You will lead a small team which includes specialist leads responsible for fundraising, volunteer management, and marketing & partnerships.

Your role is to set direction for the team to deliver the charity’s strategy and business plan, aligning priorities and creating the conditions for the team to succeed.

You will also act as the public face of Friends for Life, working closely with the Board of Trustees. Whilst we are small charity and this is a hands-on leadership role, success will come from enabling others, not by doing everything yourself.

Key Responsibilities

Management of the Charity

• Lead the day-to-day running of the charity and the delivery of its business plan
• Work with Trustees to shape and implement plans for development, sustainability and impact
• As a member of the Board, contribute to the wider governance of the charity

Management of People

• Lead and develop a team of 5 part-time staff, including functional leads for fundraising, volunteer management, and marketing/partnerships
• Set clear priorities, objectives and accountability across the team
• Support and challenge team members to deliver against ambitious targets

· Rebuild and stabilise the team following a period of transition

Operational Management

• Ensure effective delivery of the befriending and activity programmes
• Drive growth in the number of residents supported by scaling volunteer recruitment and engagement
• Use digital tools and services to improve the quality and efficiency of service delivery
• Ensure services remain high-quality, safe and responsive to need, whilst complying with legislation and safeguarding requirements

Management of Fundraising

• Ensure effective delivery of fundraising strategy
• Support the development of new income streams including community fundraising, individual giving and partnerships
• Ensure income targets are met and funding relationships are effectively managed

Management of Partnerships & Profile

• Build and maintain relationships with care homes, other partners and stakeholders
• Raise the profile of the charity through external engagement, advocacy and partnerships

Financial Management & Governance

• Oversee budgets and ensure effective financial management
• Work with the Treasurer and Board on financial planning, risk and compliance
• Ensure safeguarding, governance and regulatory requirements are met

About You

We are looking for a strong people leader who can bring clarity, structure and momentum to a small but ambitious charity.

You will likely bring:

Experience

• Experience in a management role, ideally in a charity, community or care setting
• Experience leading and developing teams, including through change or growth
• Experience overseeing service delivery, process improvement and organisational performance
• Experience of fundraising, income generation or partnership development (at a strategic level)
• Financial and budget management experience

Skills & Attributes

• Strong people management skills—you know how to get the best out of both staff and volunteers
• Ability to set direction and hold others accountable for delivery
• Ability to work co-operatively with the Board of trustees, playing an active role in the governance of the charity, and ensuring alignment between strategy and operations
• Organised and outcome-focused, able to prioritise in a resource-constrained environment to maximise positive impacts for our beneficiaries
• Confident in the use of digital tools and technologies to improve performance
• Confident communicator, able to represent the charity externally and build strong relationships with partners and funders
• Resilient and comfortable in leading change and managing ambiguity
• Empathy and understanding of the challenges facing older people in care homes
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion

Experience working with trustees, knowledge of charity governance or experience in services for older people would be an advantage.

What We Offer

• £40, 930 per annum (£22,921 pro rata for 21 hours a week)
• Employer Pension
• Flexible and Hybrid working
• A supportive and passionate team of staff, volunteers and trustees
• The chance to transform the lives of care home residents every single week

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a short covering statement outlining how your experience aligns with the position.

Selection will be via an interview.

Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be able to evidence this prior to interview.

Finally, the role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Closing date is Friday 1 May 2026.

Context

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a pioneering programme that could reshape how kinship families are supported across England.

Kinship is undertaking a pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of Kinship Connected, a Kinship Navigator programme designed to provide intensive, specialist support to kinship carers and help them navigate complex systems.

This is a multi-partner programme involving funders, independent evaluators, participating local authorities, internal delivery teams and kinship carers with lived experience.

Kinship Navigators are at the heart of delivery. You will work directly with kinship carers in the community and in their homes, providing intensive 1-to-1 support and facilitating local support groups, while working closely with local authority partners and other services.

Because the programme forms part of a pilot RCT, maintaining high-quality case records and accurate data collection is critical. Your work will contribute directly to the evidence base about what works for kinship families.

Each Navigator will support around 40 kinship carers over the delivery year, holding a caseload of approximately 20 families at any one time.

You will be part of a wider delivery team including the Programmes Manager, Mobilisation and Delivery Project Manager, research colleagues and other Kinship teams, working together to ensure the programme is delivered ethically, consistently and to a high standard

About the role:

The Kinship Navigator provides intensive, time-limited support to kinship carers through the Kinship Connected programme, a structured six-month intervention designed to help kinship families stabilise placements and access the support they need.

Working directly with kinship carers, you will build trusting relationships while completing structured assessments, goal setting and reviews to help families strengthen support networks and navigate services such as children’s social care, education, health and community support.

This is a community-facing role, working directly with kinship carers in homes, community spaces and through co-location with local authority teams and partner organisations.

The role requires a combination of high-quality relational practice and disciplined case recording. As part of the pilot RCT, accurate documentation of activity, progress and outcomes is essential to ensure the programme can be evaluated and improved.

You will work closely with the Programmes Manager, delivery team, researchers and local authority partners to ensure the programme is delivered consistently, ethically and to a high standard, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in supporting kinship families from all backgrounds.

The key deadlines and information:
We have really short timescales for this role as this role is part of a research project. If you are interested, please read the information below and make sure you can be available for all the dates highlighted.

• Closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday 5 April 2026
• Interview date (in London and in person): Wednesday 15 April 2026

Starting in post

If you are successful at recruitment, we will need you to be available to start in role asap; ideal candidates will have less than one month's notice period. This will mean all references, contracts and DBS checks are completed quickly. If you do apply for the role, we will ask for some of these details up front.

We will also ask you to attend an overnight in-person residential on Wednesday 29 April and Thursday 30 April (TBC) in our London office for induction into the role. A draft agenda will look like the below.

Wednesday 29 April

• 11am – induction morning session starts
• 12.30pm – lunch
• 1.15pm – induction afternoon session starts
• 5pm - induction afternoon session finishes
• 6.30pm – dinner with team

Thursday 30 April

• 9.30am – induction morning session starts
• 12.30pm – lunch
• 1.15pm – induction afternoon session starts
• 4pm - induction afternoon session finishes
• 4pm – finish and travel home

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing emotional and practical support to kinship carers.
• Advocating for kinship carers in meetings with professionals where appropriate.

• Establishing and facilitating a monthly support group for kinship carers in your area.

• Mapping local services and building relationships with organisations that can provide specialist support, training or activities for kinship families.

• Liaising with schools, local authorities and other professionals to coordinate support.

• Supporting kinship carers with challenges relating to the child(ren) in their kinship care.

• Signposting to relevant services, support organisations and Kinship training opportunities.

• Coordinating celebration and family events (including in Kinship Care Week).

• Supporting applications for grants for essential items or family breaks.

• Collaborate with the programme delivery team, researchers and evaluation partners, contributing insights and learning from practice to support programme improvement and evidence generation.
• Work closely with colleagues across Kinship, including Advice, Peer Support, Training, Communications and the Kinship Connected core team, to ensure joined-up support for kinship carers.
• Recognise, report, record, respond and refer safeguarding risks via our safeguarding process with the support for the safeguarding team.
• Follow and understand the organisational safeguarding policies.

• Maintain accurate, timely records of all activity, assessments, support plans, contacts and outcomes on Kinship’s CRM system (Salesforce) in line with organisational policy and programme protocols.

• Complete kinship carer needs assessments, SMART goal setting, reviews and outcome recording in accordance with the Kinship Navigator model and trial requirements.

• Follow all operational and data collection requirements of the pilot feasibility RCT, ensuring activity and outcomes are recorded consistently to support independent evaluation.

• Fully contribute to monitoring, reporting, quality assurance and learning processes, including collecting feedback and case studies that demonstrate impact.

Essential requirements include:

• Experience delivering direct support to vulnerable families or carers, including completing needs assessments and developing support plans.

• Experience providing structured one-to-one support, casework or family support over a defined period.

• Experience working directly in community settings or alongside local authority or partner organisations.

• Experience facilitating peer or support groups in community or online settings.

• Experience working with statutory, voluntary and community services, including liaising with professionals around the family.

• Experience recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

• Understanding of the challenges facing kinship carers and the children they care for, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.

• Understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches when working with families.

• Awareness of how children’s social care, education, health or welfare systems affect families.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with kinship carers and professionals.

• Ability to manage a caseload, prioritise work effectively and maintain clear professional boundaries.

• Excellent ability to maintain accurate case records and data using a CRM or case management system (e.g. Salesforce).

• Strong organisational and IT skills, including the ability to use digital systems for case management, communication and reporting.

• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative delivery team.

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts.

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Kinship Navigator (Newham) by sending a CV and answering the 5 questions below via Charity Job. The deadline is 11.59pm on Monday 5 April 2026. Any applications arriving after the closing date will not be considered for shortlisting unless there are exceptional reasons. Please ensure you have read the application timelines.

1. Why do you want to work for Kinship as a Kinship Navigator, and how does this role align with your values and experience? 
2. Describe a time you supported a family or carer facing complex challenges. How did you assess their needs and decide what support was most important? Guidance for candidates: Please describe a real example from your work. Tell us what you did personally, the actions you took and what happened as a result.
3. Tell us about a situation where you had to work with professionals from different organisations (for example schools, social workers or community services) to support a family. Guidance: Explain how you built relationships, managed differences of opinion and ensured the family received appropriate support. 
4. Give an example of a time you had concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or their family member. What steps did you take and how did you decide what to do? Guidance: Describe your role in recognising and responding to the concern and any safeguarding processes you followed.
5. Tell us about how you have managed a caseload or multiple families at once. How did you keep accurate records and make sure important information was documented? Guidance: Please describe the systems or processes you used and why accurate recording was important.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work.   We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.