Parents volunteer volunteer jobs in Liverpool

Lead a national charity at a pivotal moment of change and make a life‑changing impact for individuals and families affected by rare craniofacial conditions. 

Headlines Craniofacial Support is a UK-based charity providing information, advice and support to individuals and families affected by craniosynostosis and other rare craniofacial conditions.  The charity works closely with professional partners, including the 5 NHS Designated Specialist Craniofacial Units across the UK.

Craniosynostosis is a condition where two or more of the plates in the skull fuse prematurely, requiring medical support from a young age. Around 350 children are born with craniosynostosis each year in the UK.

Established by group of parents in 1993, Headlines now has over 2,500 members.  Within our charity offer we send out regular newsletters and an annual magazine, Headline News.  We also support families to connect through events such as an annual Family Weekend, conferences and Days Out, and provide information through our helpline and access to psychological support.  We have private social media groups and specific groups within our membership who meet regularly including Cranio Dads, Young Persons Network and a Teens Group.

After 8 successful years, our current Director will be retiring in 2026 and we are now seeking an enthusiastic, inspirational and proactive individual to take up the reins.This is a rare opportunity to lead a well-established, respected national charity at an important moment of transition.

Strategic priorities for us, moving forward, include increasing our fundraising activities to ensure sustainability of the charity alongside the smooth running of our core activities in providing support, facilitating research and raising awareness.

Key responsibilities

The Executive Director will hold day-to-day responsibilities, working closely with the Chair and Trustee Board to provide effective leadership and operational management of the charity. Specifically, they will:

• Act as an ambassador for the charity, liaising with members, health professionals and with wider community and provide day-to-day management of Headlines staff and activities, setting objectives in line with the operational plan.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection and other legal, statutory and regulatory requirements and responsibilities.
• Work on behalf of and with the Trustees to deliver the charity’s mission, goals, operational plans and long-term strategy,  and act as a positive leader and role model, managing and motivating Headlines staff,
• Ensure effective financial management of Headlines working closely with trustees and the treasurer to ensure financial security and appropriate allocation of funds.
• Manage and enhance the event programme to meet charity objectives, including identifying and meeting members’ priorities and raising awareness of craniofacial conditions.
• Develop opportunities for collaborative working and partnerships with other organisations for the benefit of people with craniosynostosis and rare craniofacial conditions.  This also includes work overseas, predominantly in Europe with our medical and charity partners.
• Oversee communications and marketing activities to raise the profile of Headlines, its work and the needs of its members.
• Identify opportunities for growth, developing projects and keeping policies relevant, to enhance and expand the work of Headlines.
• Be responsible for generating funds through innovative and cost-effective fundraising activities and grant applications to maintain the long-term success of the charity.

Person specification 

Essential criteria

• An understanding of the importance of the charity’s values and priorities.
• Evidence of inclusive, innovative and proactive leadership, with demonstrable experience of fundraising and income generation.
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with experience organising events and activities.
• Experience of successfully managing budgets and developing new and sustainable funding streams.
• Excellent organisational, presentation and communication skills and the ability to write reports for public consumption and for statutory obligations.
• A high level of digital literacy skills with an understanding of online technology and the application of social media.
• Proven track record in managing, leading and motivating staff and volunteers.
• Willingness to operate a hybrid model of working with most work taking place from home, working remotely with stakeholders and across the UK/ internationally for specific events.
• Experience of working within the charity sector, ideally at a management level and/or within  financial management of the charitable sector, with sound knowledge of the relevant legal requirements and regulations applicable to a charitable organisation.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working effectively with a Chair and Board of Trustees.
• Experience of working for a health-related organisation.
• An awareness of the principles of inclusivity, accessibility or experience of working with individuals with visible differences.
• Degree or equivalent.
• Experience of commissioning research and liaising with research bodies.

Other information

Headlines hosts events and fundraising activities throughout the whole of the UK. All Headlines staff are expected to work flexibly to support those activities as required, e.g. attendance at Annual Family Weekend, conferences, member events, supporter receptions and other related scientific meetings and conferences. This may occasionally require travel and overnight stays. In addition, all staff are expected to be self-servicing in terms of administration and basic digital skills. Please note that the list of duties is not exhaustive and additional responsibilities might occasionally arise and the workload can vary across the year

Job Title: New Business Manager
Reporting To: Head of Corporate Partnerships
Manages: New Business Officer
Location: Remote (Occasional travel to Leicester Office & other UK locations as necessary)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £37,286 - £43,466 (appointments are typically made at the lower end of the salary range)
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week, flexible).

About Home-Start UK

Home-Start is a federated charity consisting of a central national office – Home-Start UK - and over 170 geographically dispersed local Home-Start organisations, all working together under the same identity.

We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.

About The Role

We’re looking for a proactive and driven New Business Manager to grow our corporate partnerships and generate new income for Home-Start UK, helping us support more families across the UK. This role also includes line management responsibility for the New Business Officer.

Home-Start is a federated charity consisting of a central national office – Home-Start UK - and over 170 geographically dispersed local Home-Start organisations, all working together under the same identity.

While our impact is delivered locally through this network, this role focuses on securing and growing partnerships at a national level for Home-Start UK.

Every day, families face challenges that can feel overwhelming. By building strong partnerships with companies, we can reach more families, earlier, and make a lasting difference.

This is an exciting time to join as we grow our corporate partnerships and invest in new opportunities to increase our impact.

You’ll lead relationships from first contact through to securing agreements, working closely with colleagues across Home-Start UK. You’ll also draw on insight from our network of local services to shape compelling partnership opportunities and clearly demonstrate impact.

We’ve recently worked with a consultancy to develop a refreshed approach to corporate fundraising, and this role will play a key part in bringing that to life. You’ll have the opportunity to shape and lead our new business approach—helping to re-energise how we identify opportunities, engage partners, and grow income.

The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff.

Benefits of working for Home-Start

• Flexible working
• Family friendly policy
• PayCare health cash plan
• Enhanced employer contribution pension
• Learning and development
• DAS Employee Assistance

If this sounds like your kind of opportunity, then we want to hear from you!

The closing date for applications is Friday 19th June at 4pm.
First stage interviews will take place virtually on week commencing 29th June.
Second stage interviews will take place virtually on week commencing 6th July.

Interested?

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

Home-Start UK is committed to Equality of Opportunity and Diversity. We wish to encourage applications from all parts of the community irrespective of gender, race, colour, age, sexual orientation or disability.

No agencies please.

About the role

Our passionate Regional Casework Coordinators are SSAFA’s front line of support for members of the armed forces community in need. They are the first point of contact for all beneficiaries into the Regional Office, assessing needs and allocating the case to one of our volunteer caseworkers.

You will sometimes handle complex problems from individuals who may be distressed, identifying the presenting and potential underlying needs to determine the best way to support the beneficiary. You will have ownership of cases from beginning to end, coordinating the casework process in a timely manner and ensure that the beneficiary journey is at the centre of the Service. You will have the opportunity to shape processes and procedures within the office which will lead to improvements in the service offered to clients.

To help you establish yourself in this new post you will receive excellent training and induction to SSAFA.

Whilst the post is homebased, to be eligible for this role you are required to live in the North East England or Yorkshire region, which includes North, South, East and West Yorkshire, Teesside, County Durham, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. There will be occasional travel around these areas, and you may be required to travel at short notice for face-to-face meetings.

About the team

The team work remotely and pride themselves in maintaining a close working bond which ensures the smooth operation of the office. You will work closely with volunteers from the eight SSAFA branches in the Northeast and Yorkshire, supporting them to administer casework for SSAFA beneficiaries. The successful candidate will work as part of a team 8, which includes a Regional Casework Manager and a Regional Manager for Casework and Community Engagement.

About you

To carry out this role successfully you will have a track record of providing welfare advice in key areas such as housing, benefits, debt, disability, mobility or immigration issues. You will have knowledge of safeguarding and GDPR and experience in dealing with sensitive information and people in vulnerable situations. You will be able to provide excellent customer service by telephone, e-mail and face to face. You will have used Microsoft Office 365 to a high standard. It is important that you have experience of planning and managing your own workload, with minimal supervision.

It would be advantageous if you have an understanding of the way of life for today’s Armed Forces, veterans and their families and if you have experience of recruiting and supporting volunteers. An understanding of the voluntary sector and preferably the military charity sector landscape across the Northeast and Yorkshire would be valuable.

About SSAFA

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing practical, emotional, and financial support to our Forces and their families since 1885. SSAFA, is a trusted source of support for the Armed Forces community in their time of need; last year our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 53,000 people in need, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families.

SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. We are here for that person and their family – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us.

Diversity and Inclusion at SSAFA

SSAFA exists to support a diverse range of beneficiaries within the armed forces community, and we believe diversity within our teams is key to ensuring we can deliver our services effectively. We thrive on differences and believe it is critical to our success as a worldwide charity. SSAFA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.

SSAFA is committed to using the Disclosure & Barring Service to ensure we, as an employer, safeguard those we serve.

No agencies please. Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable.

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 09 June 2026

Interviews: TBC

The On Demand Shift Manager provides operational leadership, clinical oversight and shift coordination for the On Demand bereavement support services which operate Mondays through Fridays 8am to 8pm. The role ensures that children, young people, and adults receive timely, safe and compassionate responses to bereavement needs through digital and on-demand channels.

In addition to line managing the On Demand Bereavement Specialists, the post holder also works on shift as part of the delivery rota to support the team directly, provide real-time guidance, and covers frontline services gaps. This blended role combines hands-on leadership, active service participation, and quality assurance, promoting excellent clinical standards, safeguarding practice, and a culture of learning and care. The post holder will work closely with the Head of On Demand Services to ensure that On Demand Services remain responsive, trauma-informed and aligned with best practice and organisational priorities.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

· Lead and coordinate daily On Demand service operations to ensure timely and effective response to live support requests

· Working closely with the other On Demand Shift Managers, manage team rotas, shift allocations, and cover arrangements to maintain consistent staffing and service continuity

· Provide real-time oversight during active service hours, offering guidance on case complexity, prioritisation and risk management

· Work on shift as part of service delivery to provide direct bereavement support, model best practice and ensure adequate cover during periods of high demand or staff absence

· Ensure service efficiency through proactive communication, timely handovers, and smooth transitions between shifts

· Support the Head of On Demand Services in monitoring resourcing, workflows and performance metrics

·  Offer live, on-shift supervision and mentorship to On Demand Bereavement Specialists, ensuring quality and consistency of interventions

· Support staff in making safe, informed, and trauma-sensitive decisions in line with organisational safeguarding policies

· Provide clinical leadership for the On Demand Bereavement Specialists on shift, offering case consultation and decision-making support particularly in high-risk, ethically complex or emotionally intense presentations

· Hold clinical responsibility for the most complex service users on shift, supporting staff to formulate risk, decide on interventions, and coordinate onward referrals or emergency responses in line with organisational policies and processional codes of ethics

· Model high standards of clinical thinking, boundaries and self-care, supporting staff and volunteers to manage vicarious trauma, moral distress and the emotional impact of working on an On Demand service

· Facilitate reflective debriefing following challenging or traumatic cases to maintain staff wellbeing and service stability

· Ensure all support aligns with the NICE (2004) Level 2 psychological intervention framework and current evidence-based practice

· Foster a compassionate, psychologically safe team culture that prioritises practitioner wellbeing, resilience, vicarious trauma awareness and continuous learning from service delivery

· Collaborate with the Head of On Demand Services on workforce planning, recruitment, induction and succession to maintain service resilience and capacity

Communication and Relationships

· Communicate clearly and sensitively within the organisation and with external partners, including parents, carers and professionals across social care, education, health and mental health services (i.e. schools, social services, CAMHS, CMHTs and/or GPs)

· Provide clear, supportive and trauma-informed communication to bereaved children, young people and adults during live shifts, adapting approach to age, crisis level and digital medium

· Offer real-time guidance, debriefing and constructive feedback to On Demand Bereavement Specialists during shifts, promoting consistent standards and shared learning

· Build collaborative relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders to support integrated care pathways

· Communicate effectively with the Head of On Demand Services and senior leadership on shift incidents, risks, service pressures and quality improvements, escalating appropriately

· Handle sensitive feedback, complaints and critical incidents with empathy, transparency and solution focus, maintaining trust with internal and external stakeholders

· Adapt communication style and approach to suit the needs, preferences, and emotional states of children, young people and adults, including those with neurodiverse profiles or communication difficulties

· Provide clear, compassionate explanations of support options, safeguarding procedures, and next steps to children, young people, adults and families

· Maintain professional boundaries while fostering a safe and supportive environment for children, young people and adults

· Respond to challenging or emotionally charged situations with sensitivity, professionalism, and a focus on empathy and support

· Ensure accurate and timely documentation of communications and decisions in line with organisational policies and data protection regulations

Knowledge, training and experience

· Assess and engage in interventions with children, young people and/or adults in accordance with best practice

· Complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments which include assessments of risk and determining appropriate level of response/intervention

· Deliver targeted pre/post bereavement support and interventions utilising a range of therapeutic and psychosocial techniques, working within level 2 of the NICE (2004) psychological framework

· Advanced understanding of grief, loss, trauma, child development, and the psychological and social impact of bereavement on children, young people, families and adults

· Apply sound clinical judgment and maintain professional accountability for practice in line with national standards, organisational policies, and personal relevant professional Code of Conduct

· Maintain knowledge about current, evidence-based practice

· To maintain a personal profile of professional development in accordance with professional requirements/governing bodies

· Demonstrate knowledge of all relevant policies and procedures

· Adhere to legislation and statutory guidance related to Safeguarding Children and Young People, Safeguarding Adults, and the Mental Capacity Act, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and partner agencies where appropriate

· Participate actively in clinical supervision and reflective practice to ensure safe, ethical, and effective service delivery

· Contribute to the development and sharing of knowledge within the team by supporting training, mentoring, and peer learning opportunities

Analytical and judgment skills

· Strong ability to make rapid, sound clinical and safeguarding judgments during live shifts, assessing risk, prioritising cases and deciding on immediate interventions or escalations

· Analyse real-time service data to optimise shift deployment, identify trends and recommend operational improvements

· Alongside the Head of On Demand Services critically evaluate team performance, recordings, transcripts and audits to provide targeted service or staff development, mitigate practice drift and uphold clinical governance standards

· Exercise exceptional professional judgment in assessing the emotional, psychological, and social needs of children, young people, and adults pre and post bereavement and in the delivery of immediate on demand support

· Analyse complex information gathered through assessment, observation, and communication to identify individual needs, risks, and strengths

· Recognise and manage situations that involve ambiguity, uncertainty, or emotional intensity, drawing on supervision and established frameworks for professional support

· Apply a trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate lens to clinical decision-making, ensuring sensitivity to cultural, social, and contextual factors influencing grief

· Contribute actively to meetings, clinical supervision, peer supervision, case discussions, and service reviews to plan, coordinate, and evaluate strategies of care and support

· Ensure accurate, timely, and meaningful data recording and reporting to inform clinical practice, service evaluation, and organisational performance monitoring

· Planning and organisational skills

· Strong shift and staff coordination

· Plan and organise work autonomously while engaging collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers to support coordinated care and seamless service delivery

· Support in the organisation of comprehensive quality assurance processes including shift audits, case sampling, outcome tracking and compliance monitoring

· Plan and deliver team training, drills and simulations for crisis scenarios, digital tool proficiency and new protocols, ensuring readiness for peaks in bereavement demand

· Provide cover and support for On Demand Support Service staff during periods of absence or high demand

· Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation in accordance with confidentiality, data protection, and statutory requirements

· Demonstrate self-awareness and reflective capacity, using supervision and peer support to sustain personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness

· Contribute to the development of efficient, evidence-based practices by supporting team planning, service evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives

Person Specification

· Level 4 qualification (or above) in counselling, psychotherapy, clinical psychology, counselling psychology or arts psychotherapy Current registration with a professional body (ie. HCPC, BACP, UKCP, NCPS)

· Current registration with a professional body (ie. HCPC, BACP, UKCP, NCPS)

· Evidence of relevant continuing professional development

· Experience of leading a team, ideally in bereavement, palliative care, mental health or closely related fields

· Experience with digital platforms

· Proven track record of successfully managing multidisciplinary teams delivering services to complex service users and complex safeguarding and risk issues involving children and adults

· Proven skills in managing teams and change successfully

· Experience of working therapeutically with children and young people

· Experience of working therapeutically with adults

· Robust knowledge of the emotional and psychological impact of bereavement and the needs of bereaved children, young people, families and adults

· Strong understanding of grief, loss and trauma across the life course, and of evidence-based bereavement interventions for children, young people and adults

· Deep understanding and knowledge of psychological theories, therapeutic interventions and models of grief work for children, young people and adults, and their effective application in practice

· Able to make clear psychological assessments inclusive of risk, safeguarding and mental health needs for children, young people and adults

·  Expert knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures

· Strong leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels and work collaboratively across teams and organisations.

· Strong understanding of change management and how best to implement change

· Excellent communication skills both verbal and written

· Attention to detail and produces reports and information to a consistently high standard

· Ability to manage time effectively, meeting deadlines while maintaining quality and accuracy

· Ability to successfully work collaboratively with colleagues, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and engage others positively

· Ability to deliver effective support, supervision, and line management to staff and volunteers, fostering professional growth and accountability

· Model high levels of personal integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct

· Bring passion and enthusiasm for delivering high quality digital first bereavement services to children, young people, families and adults

Benefits

· 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata if applicable) with increase for long service.

· TOIL for our hours work.

· Contributory pension scheme.

· Company sick pay.

· Employee Assistance Programme.

· Life assurance.

· Training loans.

· Enhanced family friendly policies.

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 17th June 2026 at midnight

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications for the role before the closing date.

Please refer to our recruitment pack for further details on the interview process.