Program development manager jobs in Castleford, west yorkshire

Purpose of the role

This role will build and grow a sustainable Individual Giving programme from a small base, developing the strategy and activity needed to significantly increase public fundraising income. The role will strengthen supporter journeys, improve retention, and establish regular giving as a core income stream. It will also lead the development of in‑memory giving and deliver two key annual campaigns, helping to create a more reliable and resilient income base. This is a hands‑on role for a proactive self‑starter who can bring focus, structure and momentum to an under‑developed but high‑potential area of fundraising. 

Key responsibilites 

• Lead and grow our regular giving programme, developing a clear plan to increase supporter numbers, strengthen retention and build long‑term value. Ensure monthly giving becomes a visible and natural part of our campaigns, events and wider communications, helping to create a reliable foundation of recurring income. 

• Plan and deliver 2–3 integrated appeals each year, working closely with Marketing to shape warm, compelling messaging. Set achievable income targets, monitor performance and embed a test‑and‑learn approach so each appeal improves on the last. 

• Strengthen and expand our in‑memory giving, ensuring supporters feel supported and valued at what can be a deeply personal time. Introduce light‑touch legacy awareness in a sensitive, values‑led way to begin building longer‑term support. 

• Create clear, engaging supporter journeys that move people from a first gift to ongoing involvement. Use insight and data to understand behaviour, re‑engage lapsed donors where appropriate and identify opportunities to develop mid‑value giving. 

• Maintain oversight of individual giving performance, tracking income against target and identifying trends, risks and opportunities early. Contribute to forecasting and planning, bringing structure and confidence to this growing income stream. 

• Work closely with Relationship Fundraisers and the Partnerships Manager to ensure activity is joined up, supporting community donors to move into wider giving journeys and making the most of opportunities such as payroll giving. Play an active role in monthly income discussions and in shaping our wider growth plans. 

• Take a hands‑on approach to delivery, from drafting copy and shaping creative to managing data selections and supporter communications. As this is a developing income stream, you’ll be comfortable building processes, testing new ideas and driving activity forward with initiative and independence. 

• Work with our Engagement team to strengthen digital fundraising, ensuring donation pages, email journeys and social content support donor recruitment and retention. 

For full details, please refer to the attached recruitment pack.

How to apply 

Please upload your CV and supporting cover letter to Charity Jobs outlining why you’re interested in the role. Please take your time to explain how your experience is relevant to this post.

Closing date: Monday 29th June 2026 

Interviews:  

First stage, via Teams: Tuesday 7th July 2026 

Second stage, in-person, Leeds: Thursday 16th July 2026 

You’ll play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of our research grant programmes across the entire funding cycle, from application and peer review through to award management and post-award administration. You’ll work closely with the Head of Research, internal teams, external experts, and funded researchers to maintain high standards of governance, transparency, and impact across all our research funding activities.  

We’re looking for a confident communicator, with strong organisational skills, who’ll use their own initiative and ability to manage a varied workload. You’ll be motivated by ensuring our robust processes are followed to provide the best possible experience for CCLG-supported researchers, and ultimately that the highest quality research that will make an impact for children and young people with cancer is funded. You’ll be able to contribute to the continual development of our research programme to drive improvements. You’ll have a good understanding of research grants and funding processes, as well as an understanding of academic research environments in the UK, paired with a good understanding of a relevant biomedical science discipline through a degree or experience.

This role is offered on either a remote working basis, with occasional travel to our Leicester office, or on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of two days per week in the Leicester office.
Hours for this role can be flexible - while advertised as full time, we would be willing to explore part-time employment (minimum 0.6FTE).

About CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer Association

CCLG is a charity dedicated to creating a brighter future for children and young people with cancer. Powered by expertise, we unite the children and young people’s cancer community, driving collective action and progress.

Research is the key to better treatments, improved care, and potential cures. We fund and lead world-class research, fuelling groundbreaking work led by brilliant minds. Collaboration is at the heart of our approach—bringing together the right people and organisations to drive progress and deliver real impact.

We provide trusted information and guidance for children and young people with cancer, their families, and everyone supporting them. Our expertise helps them navigate the challenges of cancer and its impact, offering reassurance and clarity when it’s needed most.

Through our professional membership, we bring together the brightest minds in children and young people’s cancer, creating a national network that drives progress. Together, we shape better treatment and care - developing guidelines, sharing knowledge, offering expert advice, leading pioneering research, and creating essential resources and education for professionals. Our collective expertise sets the standard, advocating for excellence at every level—local, national, and global. 

Our work is only possible thanks to the generosity of fundraisers, donors, and supporters who share our mission. Every pound raised helps fund our research, provide trusted information for families, and brings together experts to improve treatment, care and outcomes.

Our Research Team is responsible for the delivery of our research strategy, which includes our programme of research grant-making as well as initiatives to support the children and young people’s cancer research community, ultimately improving outcomes for young cancer patients.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

CCLG is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that represents the communities we serve. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

Benefits of Working at CCLG

• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with 6 additional closure days per year (usually 2 at Easter, 4 at Christmas) (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Enhanced maternity pay 
• Enhanced sick pay
• Life insurance and employee assistance scheme
• Defined contribution pension scheme: 8% employer contribution / 5% employee contribution
• Hybrid working model
• Supportive and collaborative team culture

Application instructions

For your application, please upload a CV (which should include details of two referees, including your current/most recent employer - we will not contact references without your consent or prior to a provisional offer being made) along with a covering letter. Your covering letter should be bespoke to this job application, demonstrating how your experience makes you suitable for the role and showing how you meet the person specification. If you wish to include a small number of examples of relevant content you have created, please include links in your covering letter. 

We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value AI adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.

Regional Volunteer Team Lead- Midlands and Yorkshire

CSSC

Remote

£33,000.00

Full-time

Permanent

Membership Organisations

Job description

Pay: £33,000.00 per year

Job description:

Position: Volunteer Team Leader

Location: Remote in Midlands and Yorkshire

Full-time Salary: £33,000 + car

Job Title- Volunteer Team Leader

Department- Regional Hub

Reports to- Head of Change

Grade- Team Leader

Job Purpose

To provide regional team leadership to designated Regional and Area Associations and their volunteers that inspires the delivery of excellent member benefits, sports and leisure events at a local level.

Key accountabilities

• To support volunteers to deliver a regional and local programme that: o Aligns to the CSSC strategy, mission, vision and values o Adheres to operating processes, framework and legislation o Enhances volunteer skills and experiences, celebrates volunteering, and attracts new volunteers to CSSC
• To work collaboratively with the Regional Chair and volunteers to monitor progress in line with their annual plan, attend local meetings and evaluate the delivery of activities and events.
• To foster effective networking and collaboration across the team championing best practices, seeking out new ideas, new ways of doing things, and celebrating success.
• To attract, recruit and induct new volunteers in such a way that they feel confident and can provide an excellent service for our members.
• To help volunteers to meet personal development goals and aspirations, ensuring that key volunteering roles have potential successors, retaining and developing the services and commitment of volunteers with CSSC.

Dimensions

No. of direct reports

0

Total staff overseen

0

Internal contacts

Volunteer Support Team , Events Team, Sports and Physical Activity team, Marketing and  Communications Team

External contacts

Regional and Area Officers, Communications Officers, Event volunteers

1

Person Specification

Personal

effectiveness

Essential

Desirable

Ability to manage and organise time and workload effectively.

Resilient and flexible with the ability to work under pressure

Ability to build and manage strong working relationships.

Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Personal drive and enthusiasm with a positive attitude and a desire to succeed.

.

Committed to continuous improvement

Skills,

experience & qualifications

Essential

Desirable

• Minimum of 3 years relevant volunteer management experience either in the work place or attained through a relevant qualification.
• Intermediate to advanced level of MS word and Excel
• Ability to communicate both through written and verbal
• Full UK driving licence as travel will be required for this role
• A relevant degree or professional qualification in volunteer management

is not essential but may be advantageous.

• A working knowledge of CRM and digital Event Management Systems
• Experience with building and working with high performing teams

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company car
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme

Experience:

• Volunteer Management: 3 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: Remote

Evaluation and Research Officer

Salary: £32,000 - £36,000 per annum

STEM Learning is committed to understanding and improving the impact of its work. The Evaluation & Research Officer plays a key role in supporting this by designing and delivering high-quality evaluation and research activity that helps teams learn, improve and demonstrate impact across our programmes.

The Role

We are looking for an Evaluation & Research Officer to join our Data and Impact team at STEM Learning. This role plays a key part in ensuring that our programmes and projects are evaluated effectively, realistically, and in line with best practice, enabling us to demonstrate impact and continuously improve our offer.

Working closely with programme management colleagues, you will design and implement evaluations, ensuring relevant data is collected, analysed and interpreted. You will produce clear, high-quality outputs for both internal and external audiences, supporting learning, accountability, and impact reporting.

You will also contribute to external evaluations, liaising with external evaluators where required, and help embed evidence-informed practice across the organisation. A key part of the role is sourcing, reviewing and synthesising external research and sector evidence to strengthen STEM Learning’s evaluation approaches, findings and impact claims.

Our Ideal Candidate

Candidates will demonstrate our values: Sustainable – Innovative – Proactive

• Demonstrable experience in programme and project evaluation and/or social research, using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Experience of designing and delivering evaluations, from planning through to analysis and reporting.
• Experience of conducting literature reviews and evidence synthesis and translating research findings into practical insights for programme teams.
• Good knowledge of mixed methods approaches and experience of analysing and interpreting complex datasets.
• Experience of producing clear, well-structured written reports for a range of audiences.
• Experience of working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including contributing to externally commissioned research or evaluation.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• An understanding of, or strong interest in, STEM education, social impact, and evidence-informed practice.
• A commitment to ethical research practice and data protection standards.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing professional learning and development.

We welcome applicants who bring equivalent experience gained through different routes, and who can demonstrate the skills and behaviours needed for the role.

About Us

At STEM Learning, we work to improve lives through STEM education. We are a purpose-driven organisation, supporting teachers through high-impact professional development, inspiring young people to build confidence and curiosity in STEM, and connecting schools with employers to grow the UK’s future talent. Guided by our values, we focus our effort where it can make the greatest difference - helping all young people, whatever their background, to see themselves in STEM.

The Evaluation & Research Officer plays an important role in helping STEM Learning understand, evidence and strengthen the impact of this work, ensuring we meet the expectations of funders, partners and the communities we serve.

By joining us, you’ll:

Contribute to exciting, high-profile STEM initiatives that have a lasting impact on students and employers alike.

Work alongside passionate colleagues dedicated to shaping the future of STEM careers.

Be supported by a collaborative and dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and creativity.

Gain the opportunity to grow professionally.

Our Benefits

• 30 days holidays plus bank holidays

• An additional day off on your birthday

• Access to an attractive pension scheme

• Our full-time hours are 37 hours per week

• Up to 3 days paid volunteering leave per year

• A comprehensive employee assistance programme

Next Steps

Click apply and you will be directed to our website.

Please provide us with:

• Your up-to-date CV including the contact details of two referees (please note, references will not be approached without your permission and will not be taken up until the offer stage).

• A covering letter (no more than the equivalent of 2 sides of A4) explaining your interest in the role and why you think you would be the ideal candidate.

Closing date for applications: Friday 26th June 2026, 23:00

First Stage Interviews (online): Wednesday 1 July 2026

Second Stage Interviews (in person, York): Thursday 9 July 2026

STEM Learning strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to employing teams with diverse abilities, skills, and experiences.

We foster a culture where every employee’s voice is respected and valued.

Join Our Team as a Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Location: HMP Full Sutton, York.

Rethink Mental Illness work alongside Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to deliver an integrated stepped care mental health service within HMP Full Sutton.

The team compromises a range of highly skilled professionals who work collaboratively to provide the highest quality of care, for those with mental health needs within the prison and for Rethink Mental Illness employees, this is carried out between 0800 – 1600 Monday to Friday. 

As we work across both sites, there may be some travel involved, but this will be done in work time and expenses paid to support service delivery.

*The applicant must have a full UK Driving Licence with access to a vehicle.

What I will do and achieve:

In this role, you will make a real difference by supporting individuals with mental health needs within a prison setting. Your work will focus on empowering recovery, delivering evidence-based interventions, and ensuring high standards of care.

What you’ll be doing:

• Manage referrals – Assess suitability of new referrals, following agreed protocols, and ensure clients receive the right level of care, including stepping up treatment when needed.
• Support recovery – Help people with mental health challenges to self-manage their recovery through person-centred assessments and risk evaluations.
• Deliver interventions – Provide low-intensity, evidence-based interventions such as Guided Self-Help and psycho-educational support, drawing on CBT principles.
• Collaborate and coordinate – Work closely with multi-disciplinary teams to maintain a stepped care approach and attend relevant meetings.
• Maintain high standards – Protect client confidentiality, record outcome measures, and ensure accurate clinical data entry in line with best practice.
• Build partnerships – Liaise with statutory and non-statutory agencies to support continuity of care upon release from prison.
• Meet service goals – Adhere to agreed activity targets to minimise waiting times and ensure accessible treatment delivery.
• Communicate effectively – Engage with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders in a clear and professional manner.
• Champion our values – Uphold the values of Rethink Mental Illness and represent the organisation positively at all times.
• Be flexible – Provide contingency cover for other prison sites when required.

Key Responsibilities and Commitments:

• Work in line with Prison Service policies and procedures, supporting relevant programmes and contributing to risk management and public protection.
• Comply with all legal and regulatory requirements, including the Data Protection Act 1998 and Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Ensure accurate and secure management of all records in accordance with Data Management and Information Governance policies.
• Act in accordance with the charity’s Professional Boundaries, Safeguarding, and Health & Safety policies, reporting any concerns promptly to your line manager.
• Attend regular clinical and managerial supervision as agreed with your manager.
• Take responsibility for your own performance review, responding to agreed objectives and undertaking relevant training.
• Engage in personal development and supervision to enhance competencies and clinical practice.
• Maintain professional registration requirements and stay up to date with Department of Health guidelines and internal standards.
• Work within the charity’s national policies, local operating procedures, and those of external regulators or professional bodies.
• Promote Rethink Mental Illness by encouraging membership, donations, and activism.
• Undertake other reasonable duties and projects as required by your line manager, in line with the role and grade.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) through IAPT Low Intensity National Programme (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Therapies).
• Accredited with a recognised body (BACP or BPS).
• Experience delivering evidence-based low-intensity interventions at Step 2 within a stepped care model.
• Strong knowledge of assessment, screening, referral processes, record-keeping, and brief psychological interventions.
• Skilled in applying evidence-based psychological therapies and using clinical outcome measures.
• Ability to build inclusive, therapeutic relationships and respect diversity.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and confident with IT systems (Word, Excel, databases).
• Committed to professional development and constructive use of supervision.

If you’re passionate about empowering individuals, reducing stigma, and improving mental health outcomes, we’d love to hear from you!

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. Recruitment will take place mainly through schools. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

 The Procurement Lead is responsible for developing and delivering a robust procurement and commercial strategy that ensures value for money, compliance with Procurement Act 2023 regulations in line with AHS being primarily public funded and supports AHS study and operational objectives. The role will lead on sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and commercial governance, ensuring ethical, transparent, and efficient use of public funds.

Main responsibilities

Procurement Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a procurement and commercial strategy aligned with organisational goals and funding requirements.
• Lead procurement planning across research programmes, operations, and corporate services.
• Act as a subject matter expert on public procurement policy and best practice.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, systems, and capability.

Tendering and Contract Management

• Oversee end-to-end procurement processes including tendering, evaluation, and contract award.
• Ensure compliance with UK public procurement regulations (e.g., Procurement Act and associated guidance).
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts, including research, clinical, and grant-related agreements.
• Manage contract lifecycle including performance monitoring, renewals, and extensions.

Commercial Governance & Compliance

• Establish and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure all procurement activities meet audit, transparency, and reporting requirements for public funding.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks across supplier engagements.
• Support internal and external audit processes.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, ensuring high performance and innovation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (research teams, finance, legal) to understand needs and deliver value-driven procurement solutions.
• Work with external stakeholders including funders, partners and strategic advisors to develop optimum outcomes
• Provide commercial advice and guidance to senior leadership and project teams.
• Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Financial & Value Management

• Deliver value for money through effective sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• Monitor procurement spend and identify cost-saving or efficiency opportunities.
• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Ensure funding is used appropriately, ethically and in line with public funding requirements.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

1. Professional qualification in procurement or supply chain e.g., CIPS Level 5 or equivalent
2. Degree or comparable experience in business, finance, law, or related field.
3. Proven track record of managing complex procurement exercises and contracts.
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within regulated procurement environments, specifically those classed as a public authority
5. Strong understanding of UK public procurement regulations and best practice.
6. Commercial acumen with strong negotiation and contract management skills.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Knowledge of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
9. Strong experience in supplier and stakeholder management.
10. Excellent analytical, financial, and problem-solving abilities.
11. Strong communication and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.
12. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.

Desirable

1. CIPS Level 6 or equivalent
2. Membership of a professional body (e.g., MCIPS or FCIPS).
3. Experience managing high-value and complex contracts, including collaborative or partnership agreements
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within charity and/or research sectors
5. Detailed understanding of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
6. Detailed knowledge of the UK Procurement Act (or Public Contracts Regulations 2015 historically) and transitions between them.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Understanding of subsidy control, state aid, or funding compliance frameworks.
9. Ability to analyse procurement data and generate insights using tools such as Excel, Power BI, or similar.
10. Experience leading organisational change or transformation programmes in procurement.
11. Ability to build procurement capability across a non-procurement stakeholder base.

Dimensions

• This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, offered initially as an 18-month fixed-term contract with potential route to permanency.
• Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.

Application Process

All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job.

Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.

Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.

The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 12th July 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th August 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of:

• Gender, including gender reassignment
• Marital or civil partnership status
• Having or not having dependants
• Religion or belief
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Age

We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.  All job applicants and employees who work for us will be treated fairly and will not be unfairly discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination. 

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations)

£34,839 pa plus excellent benefits

Home-based

35 hours per week, full-time

Permanent

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a talented and motivated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our Devolved Nations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy development, advocacy and communications activity that helps improve child health outcomes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Working as part of the Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations) team, you will play an important role in supporting the College’s policy and public affairs priorities. You will help build relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, support advocacy campaigns, develop policy positions and create engaging communications content that raises the profile of child health issues across the devolved nations. 

This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including paediatricians, senior College Officers, politicians, government officials, charities and healthcare organisations. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the development of policy positions specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring they reflect the needs of RCPCH members and have influence across the wider UK policy landscape 

• Drafting consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and stakeholder communications on child health and paediatric issues

• Providing expertise and advice on the political, governmental and health service landscape within the devolved nations 

• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity, helping to build productive relationships with governments, policymakers and health sector organisations

• Producing content for websites, social media, newsletters and other digital communications channels to support advocacy and engagement objectives

• Drafting media content, including quotes, press releases and briefing materials, in collaboration with colleagues across the College

• Supporting senior College Officers and staff during meetings and engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders 

• Coordinating and supporting the work of Executive Committees across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Assisting with administrative and financial processes, including invoice processing and supplier registration 

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College to maximise the impact of policy, communications and public affairs activity 

Essential skills and experience include:

• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs, communications or a related field 

• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy and legislative processes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

• Experience producing high-quality policy and communications outputs, including consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and media content

• Experience creating engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications

• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills 

• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment

Desirable: 

• Experience working within healthcare, government, a membership organisation or the third sector 

• Knowledge of public health, health inequalities or wider health service issues

• Experience working on issues relating to children and young people

The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows worldwide and employs around 200 staff across the UK. Our devolved nations teams play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of children and young people are represented at every level of government and policy-making.

Our values – Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire – are central to everything we do. We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level of the organisation.

We operate a flexible and modern hybrid working policy. While this role is home-based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, travel across the devolved nations and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK will be required.

Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations)

£34,839 pa plus excellent benefits

Home-based

35 hours per week, full-time

Permanent

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a talented and motivated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our Devolved Nations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy development, advocacy and communications activity that helps improve child health outcomes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Working as part of the Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations) team, you will play an important role in supporting the College’s policy and public affairs priorities. You will help build relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, support advocacy campaigns, develop policy positions and create engaging communications content that raises the profile of child health issues across the devolved nations. 

This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including paediatricians, senior College Officers, politicians, government officials, charities and healthcare organisations. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the development of policy positions specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring they reflect the needs of RCPCH members and have influence across the wider UK policy landscape 

• Drafting consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and stakeholder communications on child health and paediatric issues

• Providing expertise and advice on the political, governmental and health service landscape within the devolved nations 

• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity, helping to build productive relationships with governments, policymakers and health sector organisations

• Producing content for websites, social media, newsletters and other digital communications channels to support advocacy and engagement objectives

• Drafting media content, including quotes, press releases and briefing materials, in collaboration with colleagues across the College

• Supporting senior College Officers and staff during meetings and engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders 

• Coordinating and supporting the work of Executive Committees across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Assisting with administrative and financial processes, including invoice processing and supplier registration 

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College to maximise the impact of policy, communications and public affairs activity 

Essential skills and experience include:

• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs, communications or a related field 

• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy and legislative processes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

• Experience producing high-quality policy and communications outputs, including consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and media content

• Experience creating engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications

• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills 

• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment

Desirable: 

• Experience working within healthcare, government, a membership organisation or the third sector 

• Knowledge of public health, health inequalities or wider health service issues

• Experience working on issues relating to children and young people

The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows worldwide and employs around 200 staff across the UK. Our devolved nations teams play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of children and young people are represented at every level of government and policy-making.

Our values – Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire – are central to everything we do. We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level of the organisation.

We operate a flexible and modern hybrid working policy. While this role is home-based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, travel across the devolved nations and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK will be required.

Closing date: 6 July 2026

This is an exciting new role that will provide leadership as Victim Support grows, ensuring excellent governance, risk management and assurance across the organisation.

The Director of Governance, Risk and Assurance is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, holding strategic accountability for governance, risk, assurance and quality across the organisation.

You will work closely with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure that systems, policies and frameworks are robust, evidence-based and aligned to the charity's mission. They will also provide independent assurance to the Board and its Committees that Victim Support is well governed, legally compliant and effectively managed.

If you are passionate about good governance and are looking to lead a team in an organisation that makes a real difference, then we would love to hear from you.

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career

About the Role

This newly established role offers a unique opportunity to shape and strengthen organisational governance, risk and assurance frameworks across a national charity delivering vital services to victims of crime.

As Director, you will provide strategic leadership across governance, risk management, compliance and quality assurance, ensuring that the organisation operates safely, effectively and in line with its statutory and regulatory responsibilities. You will act as a trusted adviser to the Executive Team and Board, providing independent and robust assurance, alongside constructive challenge to support strong decision-making.

We are looking for an individual with significant senior leadership experience in governance, compliance and risk within a complex organisation. You will bring expertise in developing and embedding effective frameworks, alongside the ability to lead cultural change, influence at senior level, and drive continuous improvement. This is a highly collaborative role, working across organisational boundaries to build capability and ensure Victim Support remains a high-performing, well-governed organisation.

About Us

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

QuarterFive are delighted to be supporting STEM Learning, a leading educational charity that believes every young person deserves access to high-quality education and career support, regardless of their background. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, and as a member of the Senior Management Team, you will lead the organisation's fundraising strategy and team to secure significant, multi-year income from major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates. You’ll be responsible for expanding their funding base, deepening key relationships, and ensuring the organisation has the partnerships and resources to achieve its mission.

Fundraising has developed rapidly in recent years, with investment, board-level commitment and a growing team driving success. With strong foundations in place and a portfolio of high-value partnerships, there is an exciting opportunity to scale their strategic influence and deepen their impact.

We’re looking for a relationship-driven leader who will take an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities for new funds and develop long-term, high-impact partnerships.

This is a hybrid but mostly home-based role, with monthly team meetings and occasional overnight stays at the N.England headquarters, and fortnightly attendance at the London office. All travel costs covered.

As Head of Fundraising, you will:

• Lead on fundraising strategy with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, focusing on driving  new funder engagement and developing long-term, high-impact partnerships
• Secure high-value, multi-year funding partnerships with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, achieving six-figure and above income targets
• Manage, develop and inspire a team of five, fostering a proactive, collaborative, innovative and high-performing culture
• Build and maintain a strong, diversified pipeline of new and repeat funders aligned to organisational priorities and ethical fundraising principles
• Engage senior stakeholders including the CEO, Chair, Trustees and senior partners to unlock networks and open opportunities
• Work closely with programme and delivery teams to create compelling funding propositions and ensure excellent stewardship and impactful reporting
• Represent the organisation at senior-level networking events, conferences and sector forums, influencing decision-makers and strengthening brand positioning

Essential skills and experience:

• Success in securing and growing income from a range of sources, including HNWIs and trusts and foundations — delivering six-figure and multi-year partnerships
• Skilled relationship builder with experience developing and stewarding complex, multifaceted partnerships that deliver mutual value and long-term impact
• Strong managerial skills to empower teams and support their professional development and enjoyment in their role
• Strategic business developer with the ability to build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities, identifying, cultivating, and converting prospects to meet fundraising targets
• Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and the confidence to identify, shape, and present compelling cases for support
• Collaborative and influential, experienced in working across matrix structures and with remote or cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals, ensuring alignment and effective delivery
• Highly skilled communicator, comfortable presenting to diverse audiences and tailoring messages to inspire and engage at all levels
• Strong networker, eager to represent the organisation at events and conferences, identifying new opportunities, and staying informed on market trends and developments in the philanthropic and corporate partnership landscape

Desirable, but not essential:

• An understanding and general knowledge of the education landscape in the UK
• Experience of establishing or maintaining a Fellowship programme

Employee benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 15% employer pension contributions 
• Private health care via Benenden Health plus Healthcare Cash Plan and Dental Plan
• Annual salary review
• Electric Car Benefit Scheme

We’re recruiting an Events Coordinator to help run our city-centre climate action hub, called Imagine Leeds. Imagine Leeds is an innovative venue where people come together to plan and take action on climate, nature and social justice. It is part of the Climate Action Leeds Network, which was established in 2020.

This post is part of a three-year funding package of £493,000 to support community climate action in Leeds. The funding comes from the National Lottery, Leeds Community Foundation, Bunzl, the University of Leeds and North Star Coffee Roasters. Climate Action Leeds is run by a partnership made up of Voluntary Action Leeds and Leeds Love It Share It CIC.

We are looking for a hard working person who is experienced in organising and delivering events, so we can run an engaging series of events on topics relating to sustainability and social justice.

The successful candidate will help coordinate the day to day activities at Imagine Leeds. The venue provides space for events, meetings, co-working, exhibitions and networking. The successful candidate will contribute to the effective running of this well-loved venue, ensuring that it can continue to serve Leeds’ vibrant community of changemakers and facilitate engagement with thousands of people across the city.

Key outcomes for this role are:

• Bringing together a range of people and organisations to contribute to our mission imagining (and then creating) a more sustainable Leeds, that is zero carbon, nature friendly and socially just. 

  • Organising a minimum of 1 event each month, attracting at least 20 attendees.

• Contributing to the smooth and professional running of Imagine Leeds to help build its reputation as a valuable institution for the city.

• Supporting the mission to find a permanent home for Imagine Leeds.

Duties and responsibilities

In the course of their duties, this post will require joint working with other members of the Imagine Leeds team. Duties may change as the post and programme progresses. Any changes will be discussed with the postholder. 

• Events organising

  • Organising regular events at Imagine Leeds to bring people together to discuss the future of the city.

  • Facilitating events in a way that encourages everyone to feel safe, welcome, and able to take part effectively.

  • Widening participation so that people from a variety of backgrounds are able to get involved in Imagine Leeds events.

• Communications and displays

  • Promoting Imagine Leeds and its events through a variety of communications channels including websites, mailing lists, social media, posters and leaflets.

  • Contributing to the design and production of displays that help people understand how the city works today, and imagine a more sustainable future.

• Venue support and evaluation

  • Supporting people using Imagine Leeds for their meetings and events, including tech setup, accessibility and inclusion, and opening and closing the venue.

  • Ensure ongoing monitoring and evaluation of Imagine Leeds and its users’ activities in the venue.

• Facilities and operations

  • Helping to take care of Imagine Leeds to ensure the venue has a professional look and feel, including tidying and cleaning, and offers a supportive environment for space users.

  • Sharing responsibility for the security of Imagine Leeds, including its equipment, stock and facilities.

  • Helping to improve the systems and processes used at Imagine Leeds, to ensure smooth operation and satisfaction of key stakeholders, regular users and visitors.

• General support and duties

  • Attending team meetings, Imagine Leeds Steering Group meetings and programme-wide meetings and events.

  • Providing information about Imagine Leeds for reports and funding bids.

  • All team members are expected to: 

    • work within and promote the aims and objectives of Leeds Love It Share It CIC, Imagine Leeds and Climate Action Leeds, and present a positive image to the public and other partners.

    • work within the Equal Opportunities framework and promote and support equality, diversity and inclusion within their work.

    • work within our environmental and other policies at all times.

    • take responsibility for their own safety, and ensure that colleagues and visitors are not exposed to danger.

  • Team members may be provided with training to support them in their work, to better deliver key tasks and to aid professional development.

  • Some evening and weekend working may be required.

Harris Hill are delighted to be working with a fantastic charity to recruit for the Fundraising Executive to become the local face of a well established charity within Worcestershire.

As Fundraising Executive, you will be responsible for growing income and awareness across Worcestershire by developing meaningful relationships with supporters, volunteers, community groups, schools, and local businesses.

Working closely with the Community Fundraising Manager and wider fundraising team, you will help deliver regional fundraising plans, identify new opportunities, and provide exceptional supporter stewardship to maximise engagement and long-term loyalty.

This is a varied and rewarding role that combines community engagement, relationship management, volunteer support, event attendance, and fundraising development.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with supporters, community groups, schools, and local businesses.
• Develop and manage a pipeline of fundraising opportunities, including identifying new prospects and re-engaging previous supporters.
• Deliver excellent supporter stewardship, ensuring individuals and groups feel valued and connected to the charity's impact.
• Support and grow a network of volunteers through training, guidance, and regular engagement meetings.
• Deliver presentations, talks, and fundraising pitches to a variety of audiences.
• Provide advice and support to community fundraisers, ensuring compliance with relevant fundraising regulations and best practice.
• Maintain accurate records using CRM systems and monitor fundraising performance against agreed targets.
• Support community awareness initiatives, including educational programmes and public engagement activities.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to maximise fundraising opportunities and supporter engagement.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• A confident communicator with excellent relationship building skills.
• Experienced in customer service, fundraising, sales, community engagement, or stakeholder management.
• Self-motivated, organised, and capable of managing a varied workload independently.
• Comfortable presenting to groups and acting as an ambassador for a charitable cause.
• Experienced in working towards targets and achieving measurable outcomes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and database/CRM systems.
• Flexible and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends to support events and community activities.

Essential Requirements

• Full UK driving licence.
• Access to a vehicle for business travel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities.

Desirable

• Experience in fundraising or the charity sector.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Institute of Fundraising qualification or equivalent.

Salary & Benefits

•Salary: £28,000 - £30,000 per annum

•Contract type: full time, permanent  

•Location: remote- you need to be based in Worcestershire (with travel across the region)

Recruitment process: Cv to

If this sounds like you, then please do get in touch ASAP!

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Location: Hybrid with travel required across the North of England. We are particularly hoping to recruit a Practice Tutor able to cover locations in North of the Midlands (Derbyshire), Yorkshire or the Northeast. 

Contract: Full Time, 12-month maternity cover

Salary: £53,747.68 per annum (Plus competitive pension)

To help us achieve our mission, we are recruiting a qualified social worker with direct experience of working with children and families, and knowledge and experience of supporting social work students.

A little bit about the role
Practice Tutors (PTs) play a key role within the development and delivery of our social work curriculum, contributing knowledge and expertise to create a culture that promotes outstanding social work education. PTs are responsible for teaching and developing participants at the Readiness to Practice stage, regional teaching days and, in participant hubs within local authorities. 

PTs support four practice hubs, based within statutory children’s social care services. Each practice hub is led by a Consultant Social Worker (CSW).  Core to the Practice Tutor role is the ability to provide support, challenge and guidance to participants and CSWs to ensure a high-quality practice learning experience

This role provides the opportunity to genuinely align practice and theory. In doing so you need to be committed to evidence informed practice models and have an appetite to exploring different and innovative approaches to teaching these models

A little bit about you

We are looking for someone who can contribute to the delivery of teaching across the year, support participants in their local authority hubs, support participants during the 2nd year of Approach Social Work and become their dissertation supervisor during the 3rd year of the programme.

We are looking for someone with:
- A good understanding of the social work role
- Excellent social work practice skills
- Experience of developing others and a commitment to educating a new generation of social workers. 

If this sounds like you, then we'd love to hear from you!

We welcome applications from individuals interested in undertaking this role on an external secondment basis and are open to discussing arrangements with applicants and their current employer.

Important information

We have increased the diversity of Frontline’s workforce in the last 12 months, but we need to do more to have greater global majority representation in our senior roles. We know the value global majority voices bring and therefore, we are strongly encouraging applicants from these backgrounds to apply. We are also a disability confident employer and welcome applicants with disabilities.

With so many people now using AI to apply for jobs, it is common for applications to be repetitive and nearly identical. There are tell-tale signs when AI has been used, the writing has the same structure, the same tone and the same language. Using AI to clarify your thoughts and sharpen your answers is one thing, but we strongly discourage you from using a tool to generate the substance of your answers. We want your application to demonstrate your skills, as well as show us your thought process, how you respond to problems, what you have learned from different experiences and how you communicate in your own voice. Please be reassured – we are not expecting perfection.

We are looking for a Weekenders Journey Guide to support prospective Weekend Foster Carers from their first conversations with Now Foster through to the next stages of the recruitment and assessment journey.

This is a highly relational, candidate-facing role. You will be one of the main people helping applicants understand what Weekenders is, explore whether it is right for them, stay motivated through the process, and feel supported to take the next step.

Introductory conversations (our ‘intro chats’) will be a core part of the role. You will speak with people who are curious about fostering, but who may also feel unsure, nervous or are still working out whether they can foster. Your role will be to bring warmth, clarity and momentum: helping people feel welcomed, informed and confident, while also making sure the right people progress at the right pace.

You will use Now Foster’s digital platform (a bespoke CRM system) to manage the candidate journey, track progress, record key information and help the team understand where applicants are getting stuck or moving forward. You will play an important role in making sure we are attracting the right leads, supporting them well, and learning how to improve the journey as we grow.

This role would particularly suit someone with experience of fostering or working in fostering. It could also suit someone from a related background who is deeply motivated by innovation in this area and excited by what fostering could look like if it were designed around children, carers and relationships.

You do not need to be a qualified social worker, but you do need to be emotionally mature, reflective, organised and comfortable working closely with a social work-led team. You will need to understand safeguarding, and be confident holding thoughtful conversations with prospective carers.

What You’ll Be Doing

Supporting candidates through the journey

• Acting as a consistent, warm and encouraging point of contact for prospective Weekend Foster Carers.

• Carrying out intro chats with people who have expressed interest in the Weekenders programme.

• Helping candidates understand the Weekenders programme, what the role involves, and what the journey looks like.

• Supporting candidates to reflect on whether Weekenders is right for them.

• Keeping candidates engaged, informed and motivated as they move through the process.

• Helping people overcome practical barriers where appropriate, while being honest and clear about expectations.

• Making sure candidate communication feels relational, timely and values-led.

Helping the right people progress

• Helping identify candidates who are ready to move forward, as well as those who may need more time, more information or a different route.

• Support candidates to progress, pause or close, as advised by our fostering service colleagues.

• Using strengths-based and motivational approaches to help candidates reflect on their motivations, support networks and capacity.

• Working closely with social work colleagues to escalate questions, concerns or safeguarding issues appropriately.

• Supporting candidates to prepare for training, home visits and assessment stages.

• Helping ensure the process is clear, efficient and supportive.

Supporting groups, events and community activity

• Supporting information events, training sessions and candidate-facing events.

• Co-delivering sessions with social workers and other colleagues.

• Helping create a welcoming community for people exploring Weekenders.

• Supporting socials and community-building activity for applicants and approved Weekend Foster Carers.

• Helping candidates connect with the mission and feel part of something meaningful.

Administration, data and follow-up

• Keeping candidate records, notes and next steps up to date on Now Foster’s digital platform.

• Using Google Workspace, Trello and other tools to access key documents and manage your workload. 

• Making sure no candidate falls through the cracks.

• Supporting data capture so the team can understand what is working and where candidates are getting stuck.

• Helping improve templates, messages, prompts and workflows for the candidate journey.

• Supporting home visit admin and logistics where needed.

Contributing to innovation and learning

• Gathering feedback from candidates to help improve the journey and bringing this insight from candidate conversations into team discussions.

• Helping the team understand what motivates people to become Weekend Foster Carers, what worries them, and what helps them move forward.

• Supporting testing and iteration of new candidate journey approaches.

• Helping us build a process that is warm, efficient, inclusive and effective.

• Contributing to a new model of fostering that is relational, ambitious and designed around children and young people.

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are

• Warm and relational – able to build trust quickly and make people feel welcome.

• Emotionally mature – able to have thoughtful conversations about motivation, care, family life and uncertainty.

• A strong communicator – clear, encouraging and confident across phone, video calls, emails and written updates.

• Motivational and strengths-based – skilled at helping people see their potential while also being honest about what fostering involves.

• Organised and proactive – able to manage a busy candidate journey, track next steps and keep people moving.

• Tech-savvy – comfortable using digital platforms, Google Workspace and Trello.

• Confident in your judgement – able to decide when someone should progress, pause or close, while knowing when to seek advice.

• Safeguarding-aware – able to recognise when something needs to be escalated and comfortable working within clear safeguarding processes.

• Reflective and curious – interested in learning what works and improving the candidate journey over time.

• Comfortable with ambiguity – happy working in a small, growing charity where things are evolving.

• Committed to better outcomes for children and young people – motivated by Now Foster’s mission and the potential of Weekenders.

Experience We’re Looking For

Fostering experience would be highly beneficial. For example, this could include experience as a foster carer, working in fostering, supporting foster carers, working with fostering services, or working in a closely related part of children’s social care.

We are also interested in people with experience in:

• Volunteer management

• Children’s social care or youth work

• Community work

• Social prescribing

• Mentoring or coaching

• Recruitment, onboarding or candidate support

• Relationship-based support roles

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who understands the importance of relationships, can guide people through a meaningful decision-making process, and is excited by the possibility of building a different kind of fostering journey.

Bonus Points For

• Lived experience of the care system or fostering.

• Experience working directly with prospective or approved foster carers.

• Experience using motivational interviewing, coaching or strengths-based approaches.

• Experience supporting people through an application, recruitment, assessment or onboarding journey.

• Experience delivering or supporting information sessions, preparation groups, training or community events.

• Experience working remotely or in a flexible, fast-moving team.

An interest in innovation, service design or changing how fostering works.
 

About Us

Now Foster is a team of innovative social workers, designers, and entrepreneurs on a mission to change fostering in the UK.

We bring together social work, service design, public sector transformation and lived experience to create better outcomes for children and young people. Our overarching vision is to transform the fostering system by bringing many more wonderful people into it as foster carers, so that children and young people have the relationships, stability and support they need to thrive.

You will be joining a small, ambitious and passionate team, alongside our trustees, freelancers and advisors, all of whom play an active part in shaping our work. We partner with local authorities and not-for-profits who share our values and are ready to embrace change. As a registered charity, everything we do is driven by purpose, not profit.

About Weekenders

Weekenders is Now Foster’s flagship programme. It pairs children and young people in foster care with inspiring adults who can offer guidance, stability and encouragement on a regular basis. It is about showing up, making a difference, and being that person a young person can count on.

The programme is growing quickly. We are scaling Weekenders across London and beyond, testing new ways to support applicants, local authorities and independent social workers, and building the operational foundations needed for long-term growth.

A core part of this growth is making sure that people who are interested in becoming Weekend Foster Carers receive the right balance of warmth, encouragement, information and challenge as they move through the journey. That is where the Journey Guide comes in.

Working Pattern and Location

This role is offered at 4 to 5 days per week, with a salary of £34,000 pro rata.

The role can be based anywhere in England, with occasional travel to our Weekender delivery areas. Our Weekenders team is currently based across London and Manchester, and our wider organisational team is based in Oxford. Most work will be home-based, but there will be some in-person meetings, events, training sessions or bi-monthly co-working days.

The role will involve some work outside standard office hours. This is likely to include:

• Around one weekend day per month, which you would take back as time off during the previous or following week.

• Some evening work, for example around one information event per month.

• Some evening intro chats with prospective foster carers, where this helps people engage with the process.

We work flexibly and will support the successful candidate to manage their time in a sustainable way.

Safeguarding

Now Foster is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

This role will involve contact with prospective carers, rather than direct work with children and young people. However, you will need to understand safeguarding, work within Now Foster’s safeguarding processes, and escalate any concerns appropriately.

This role will require an enhanced DBS check.

What’s In It For You

Joining Now Foster means being part of something different. We are small, ambitious and innovative, and you will play a key role in helping Weekenders grow.

You will be close to the people exploring whether they could become Weekend Foster Carers, and your work will directly shape whether they feel supported, confident and ready to take the next step.

You will join a supportive, collaborative and values-led team. We work hard, care deeply about what we do, and are building something bold and lasting: a new way of fostering that blends social work, design, technology and relational practice.

We will provide the tools and technology you need, cover agreed travel and expenses, and support you to work flexibly within the rhythm of the programme.

How to Apply

Please send us your CV and a short cover letter explaining:

1. Why you are interested in Now Foster and the Weekenders programme.

2. The experience you would bring in supporting, guiding or motivating people.

3. Any experience you have of fostering, working in fostering, children’s social care, community work, volunteer management or similar.

4. What excites you about innovation in fostering and what fostering could look like.

5. Your availability, including whether you are looking for 4 or 5 days per week and when you could start.

You must have the right to work in the UK.

We recognise that some candidates may use generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to support the preparation of their application. While this is acceptable, applications must remain an authentic reflection of your own experiences and motivations. We ask candidates to let us know if and how they used AI as part of the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Equality

Now Foster is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.

Recruitment and selection decisions are made on the basis of fair, objective and transparent criteria. We will also make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure accessibility for all candidates.

Please Note: We are hoping to appoint as soon as possible and will close recruitment once we find the right person so candidates are advised to submit an application as soon as they are able.

As Principal Policy Adviser (interim), you will collaborate with Uplift’s team and key partners to drive the design, development and delivery of work that generates influential policy and ideas addressing the challenges of a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

From proactively setting the agenda, to responding to policy announcements, to ensuring our team has a sound understanding of the future of the North Sea, this is a diverse role at the heart of our work pushing for a rapid and fair transition.

The successful candidate will have exceptional policy skills, an ability to think politically, and a keen interest in climate and energy-related policy and campaigns. A strong commitment to Uplift's mission and core values is also required.

This role is a 9 month long contract to cover a secondment within the team.

Core responsibilities will include:

• Policy: Lead Uplift’s policy work, spearhead the development and testing of innovative policy initiatives, and identify and work through knowledge gaps relevant to Uplift’s strategy.

• Coordination and Strategy Delivery: Work with teams to set and execute policy priorities, provide in-house policy support, contribute to the management of the Research Policy and LEgal Tea, and develop systems for quality assurance and knowledge management.

• Advocacy and Network Support: Build capacity amongst other Uplift teams to understand the intersection of their work with policy topics and represent Uplift to policymakers and partner organisations.

Please see the job description for the full core responsibilities.

About You

Our ideal candidate will have: 

• Experience in a similar or related role.

• Strong knowledge of UK climate and energy policy (direct expertise in just transition, fossil fuels or renewables would be a significant advantage).

• Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information quickly and accurately and a demonstrable ability to provide compelling and novel analysis.

• Exceptional writing and communication skills, with strong attention to detail and political nous.

• Motivation, initiative, exceptionally high standards, a collaborative approach, and associated qualities are needed to work in a dynamic organisation with an ambitious agenda.

• A strong commitment to Uplift’s mission and core values of equity and climate justice.