275 Safeguarding officers jobs
Youth Outreach and Community Worker (London - Waterloo)
Railway Children (UK Programme)
£32,000 per year plus 10% London weighting
Full-time – Permanent
WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU?
Looking for a rewarding role where you can make a difference? Do you have the drive to create positive change in children’s lives and inspire others to do the same?
If the answer is yes, then read on to hear about this exciting opportunity.
We’re Railway Children, an international charity working to create long-lasting change for street-connected children and young people in the UK, India and Tanzania. Founded in 1996, we’ve dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for vulnerable children and their families. As part of our current strategy to 2027, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work.
The role
We are looking to recruit a Youth Outreach and Community Worker in London as part of our UK Programme.
This role requires close working with partners, engaging and safeguarding young people in and around Waterloo Station, helping to identify and safeguard young people at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown. This role involves working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.
You will be working closely alongside key partners such as British Transport Police, security staff, Train Operators, Youth Services and other local stakeholders.
You’ll play a key role in the development of our UK Safeguarding on Transport Programme and part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s safeguarding programme in the UK.
About you
We are looking for someone who brings experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people as well as experience of working in an outreach or similar community setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.
Alongside this you will be able to work effectively with community and statutory partners to safeguard young people.
You will have completed relevant training, have experience in safeguarding and in the issues relevant to vulnerable young and families. Therefore, you will be an experienced practitioner with an excellent understanding of safeguarding processes and procedures, who is able to work creatively, independently and within professional boundaries.
Your base would be at Waterloo station with regular travel to other stations and some home working. This role involves working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.
A full job specification can be found in the job pack.
For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.
We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience.
Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed.
Closing Date: Wednesday 23rd September
Online Interviews: Wednesday 30th September/Thursday 1st October
In person interviews: Wednesday 7th October/Thursday 8th October
A world where every child can thrive away from a life on the streets.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Latymer Upper School is seeking to appoint a Philanthropy Officer (Individual Giving).
This role oversees the execution of all annual, capital, and project-based mass appeals across print, digital, and telephone channels. By driving these multi-channel campaigns, the position actively engages Upper and Prep school constituencies, including current and former parents, Prep families, and alumni (Latymerians).
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.
Salary: Circa £32,000 (There may be some flexibility for an outstanding candidate, dependent on experience).
To apply and find out more about the school and our attractive staff benefits package, please visit our dedicated recruitment website.
Closing date: 9am Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Interviews will be held on Thursday, 24 September 2026.
We will review applications as they are submitted; therefore, suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date. We reserve the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made; therefore, early applications are encouraged.
Diversity – The School is fully committed to the principles of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We have an established and representative staff Equality and Diversity Board to help drive forward positive change. A further Equality and Diversity Committee has recently been formed from our student population.
We are committed to attracting and retaining the very best staff, ensuring that our staff body reflects the diversity of our students and local community. Acknowledging a lack of ethnic diversity within our Support staff community, we particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates for this role. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the School may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS, online checks and receipt of two satisfactory references.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
For over 20 years, Village Water has been committed to transforming lives in Africa by delivering vital support in safe water, sanitation and hygiene education (WASH) to rural communities in Zambia and Mozambique. Collaborating with local partners, we reach the most marginalised populations in villages, schools, and health centres improving health and empowering communities with opportunities to thrive.
The Role
As the Monitoring & Data Officer, you’ll support the Monitoring & Data Manager and Coordinator to validate, clean, and manage programme data. You’ll review submissions for accuracy and completeness, resolve discrepancies, and help ensure the integrity of the data that underpins our impact. Your work will support evidence-based decision-making. Collaboration and attention to detail are key, as is a passion for improving lives in rural Zambia and Mozambique.
Your Responsibilities:
- Validate and clean incoming data from local partners, identifying and flagging any errors or inconsistencies using tools such as Excel and Salesforce.
- Conduct regular (weekly and monthly) checks on submitted data to ensure accuracy and assess progress against set targets.
- Maintain and update all impact data, ensuring all records are accurate and complete.
- Assist in testing and reviewing both new and existing data systems to ensure proper functionality, support the addition of new fields and adjustments as needed.
- Support data validation during data collection rounds by reviewing data collection tools.
- Liaise with local partners and internal teams to clarify discrepancies or follow up on incomplete submissions.
- Be proactive in helping strengthen the monitoring systems.
About You
We're looking for someone who is passionate about the cause and excited to make a meaningful impact. Your experience will include:
- Work collaboratively with staff & volunteers supporting them to achieve Village Water's goals.
- Support other fundraising initiatives, as required.
- Sharing skills and knowledge with colleagues
- All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding and must undergo the required training to ensure compliance with the organisation's safeguarding policies.
- Interest in and commitment to Village Water’s mission and the vital role of overseas aid.
- Comfortable managing a diverse workload with minimum supervision.
- Flexible and supportive
- Excellent Excel & IT skills
- Excellent attention to detail
Why Village Water:
We are a small, dynamic team that values our personal touch, collaborative approach, and unwavering commitment to driving positive change. You'll work alongside passionate individuals who are making a tangible difference in people's lives every day.
Equality and Diversity
Village Water is dedicated to promoting a workplace that embraces inclusivity, values diversity, and honours the unique contributions of its employees and partners. It ensures equal treatment for all individuals and encourages everyone to reach their full potential.
Village Water is an advocate for disability inclusion, so if you require alternative application methods, please get in touch with us for further assistance.
Closing date: 4th October 2026 17:00
Better health, education and opportunity for everyone, through safe water, sanitation and hygiene.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Worcester Community Trust (WCT) is looking for a Director of Services to provide strategic and operational leadership for our community-based services. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring services are high quality, responsive to local need, financially sustainable and delivered in line with contractual, legal and organisational requirements.
The role will provide leadership and oversight to relevant Contract Managers, Team Leads and service teams, ensuring effective performance management, contract delivery, budget control, risk management, partnership working and continuous improvement. The postholder will contribute to WCT-wide strategy and work closely with the CEO, fellow Senior Leadership Team members and the Board of Trustees.
About Worcester Community Trust
Worcester Community Trust (WCT) is a registered charity that runs six community centres across Worcester, providing facilities and services for people of all ages. We aim to be at the heart of thriving communities — connecting people, building confidence, and empowering positive change.
Our services aim to increase feelings of wellbeing, reduce loneliness and isolation, offer specialist support for survivors of domestic violence, support people into training, education and employment and work with people to deliver local services especially for young people, families and older people.
Vision: To work with residents to build communities where people feel connected, supported and empowered
Mission: Bringing Communities Together by enabling the provision of services and activities for all.
Our values:
- Collaborative – we acheive more together with local people and partners.
- Inclusive – we welcome diversity and value uniqueness.
- Ambitious – we drive progress through innovation and creativity.
- Delivering Excellence – we invest in our people and infrastructure to provide high-quality services.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Leadership and Service Development
- Contribute as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team to WCT’s organisational strategy, business planning and future development.
- Provide strategic leadership for the community-based services portfolio, ensuring services remain relevant, effective and aligned with WCT’s mission, values and strategic priorities.
- Use service data, community insight, evaluation and feedback to identify opportunities for improvement, innovation and growth.
- Work with the CEO and colleagues to identify funding and partnership opportunities that support the sustainability and development of services.
People Leadership and Management
- Lead, support and develop managers and team leads within the service area, setting clear expectations and ensuring effective supervision, performance management and communication.
- Promote a positive, accountable and inclusive culture that encourages teamwork, professional development, initiative and continuous improvement.
- Ensure staffing structures, deployment and resources are appropriate to contractual requirements, service demand and available budgets.
- Support recruitment, induction, development and, where required, formal peoplemanagement processes in line with WCT policy.
Contract, Performance and Quality Management
- Oversee the implementation and delivery of multiple contracts, grants and commissioned services across the community-based portfolio.
- Ensure clear systems are in place to monitor outputs, outcomes, quality, contractual milestones and service-user experience.
- Analyse quantitative and qualitative information and produce clear, accurate reports for funders, commissioners, the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
- Ensure subcontracted or partner-delivered activity is appropriately monitored and managed where applicable.
- Address underperformance promptly and support managers to implement effective improvement plans.
Financial Management and Sustainability
- Lead the development and management of service budgets, including budgets of significant value, ensuring expenditure remains within agreed funding and organisational parameters.
- Monitor income, expenditure, forecasts and variances in partnership with the Head of Finance & Resources and relevant managers.
- Ensure resources are used efficiently and that services demonstrate value for money and financial sustainability.
- Contribute to funding applications, tenders, business cases and service-costing activity where required.
Risk, Governance and Compliance
- Identify, assess and manage risks relating to service delivery and ensure significant risks are escalated through WCT’s organisational risk-management arrangements.
- Ensure services comply with contractual requirements, WCT policies, data protection requirements, safeguarding arrangements and relevant legislation and guidance.
- Contribute to the development and review of organisational policies and procedures within the postholder’s areas of responsibility.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality and information-governance standards.
Partnerships and Representation
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, funders, statutory agencies, VCSE organisations, local communities and other partners.
- Represent WCT professionally at strategic and operational partnership meetings, networks and forums.
- Promote collaboration across WCT services and with external partners to improve pathways, reduce duplication and strengthen outcomes for local people.
- Protect and enhance the reputation of WCT in all internal and external relationships.
Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Organisational Responsibilities
- Actively promote a culture in which safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and ensure
concerns within the service area are managed and escalated in accordance with WCT
procedures. - Adhere to WCT’s safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR, equality, professional boundaries, social media and Code of Conduct requirements.
- Complete mandatory training and maintain the knowledge required for the responsibilities of the role.
- Promote equality of opportunity, dignity and respect for employees, volunteers, partners and service users.
- Undertake other duties commensurate with the seniority and responsibilities of the post, as reasonably required by the CEO.
- Adhere to WCT’s safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR, equality, professional boundaries, social media and Code of Conduct requirements.
- Complete mandatory training and maintain the knowledge required for the responsibilities of the role.
- Promote equality of opportunity, dignity and respect for employees, volunteers, partners and service users.
- Undertake other duties commensurate with the seniority and responsibilities of the post, as reasonably required by the CEO.
For full details including a Person Specification, please download the Recruitment Pack here
What you get…
- Be part of an amazing, welcoming passionate community.
- Put your skills to use to create positive social impact.
- A voice and input into shaping and influence services and decisions.
What we offer…
- Holiday – 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for PT staff) plus an extra day of birthday leave and two additional self-care days
- Commitment to continued professional development
- Access to Westfield Health which provides a range of benefits towards health & wellbeing as well as support with essential healthcare (after completion of probationary period)
- Free Parking
- Life Assurance and a pension contribution of 3%
- Access to professional bereavement and probate support
- An annual celebration and investment review
- A blue light card scheme
Representing the City
WCT is committed to equality of opportunity, fairness and inclusion, and to being representative of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
To apply please visit our website.
Closing Date: Sunday 4th October 2026
To work with residents to build communities where people feel connected, supported and empowered
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Gendered Intelligence is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as its next Chief Executive. This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally respected, trans-led organisation with real influence on policy, professional practice and the lives of trans, non-binary and gender exploring people across the UK.
The next Chief Executive will inherit strong foundations: an experienced and committed team of just under 40 people, a distinctive and trusted public profile, and a range of services that reach communities, professionals and institutions across the country. With income of around £1.5–2m, the next Chief Executive will lead the organisation through its next phase of development at a time when that leadership matters enormously.
The role offers the chance to shape strategic direction, open new partnerships and income streams, and contribute to national conversations on trans equality and human rights, while working alongside people who are deeply committed to the mission and to each other.
We are looking for someone who combines strategic clarity with operational grounding, who leads with calm and consistency, and who understands both the privilege and the responsibility of this role. We will be honest with candidates about what the role involves, and we expect the same in return.
Full details of the role can be found on our website and in the attached recruitment pack.
We have an exciting opportunity for Helpline Advisors to join the growing National Contact Centre team in Cardiff, working 37.5 hours a week over a 24/7 rota. These positions are offered on a fixed term basis until 1 October 2027.
Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?
Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care? If yes, then we'd 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 progression.
About the role
This role is based at our National Contact Centre in Cardiff. There will be an initial induction period that will run Monday to Friday 9am-5pm for a 4 week period. After successfully completing your induction, you will move to your fixed rota hours.
As a Helpline Adviser you will:
- Able to respond to victims of and those affected by crime by providing emotional support, information and referrals on to Victim Support services and other agencies
- Providing immediate support, advice and trauma first aid referrals to victims of and those affected by major incidents and terrorism.
- Seamlessly working across multiple services with different processes, procedures and recording mechanisms.
- Managing and responding appropriately to competing priorities, services and needs.
- Responsible for taking disclosures and responding appropriately by either escalating the safeguarding concern to the 'Designated Safeguarding Officer' or to respond immediately to life threatening situations.
You will need:
- Experience of working in challenging and changing environments with the emphasis on excellence in service delivery.
- Experience of organising and prioritising a complex workload.
- The ability to deal sensitively with challenging and emotionally charged situations, demonstrate empathy and control own emotions.
- The ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in written form, including telephone skills
- Knowledge and understanding of:
- Relevant agencies and resources
- Importance of confidentiality and safe working practice
- Diversity issues and principles
- The impact of crime
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
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.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Head of Service – Reddo
Reddo is looking for an ambitious and entrepreneurial Head of Service to lead our next stage of growth.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced children’s services leader who can combine strong operational management with a commercial and entrepreneurial mindset.
You will work closely with the Managing Director and leadership team to:
-
Lead and strengthen day-to-day service delivery
-
Develop our team, systems and processes
-
Drive quality, safeguarding and performance
-
Build strong relationships with local authority commissioners
-
Support new business and the mobilisation of new contracts
-
Help shape Reddo’s future growth and development
We are looking for someone with experience in children’s social care and local authority commissioning, strong leadership and commercial awareness, and a genuine passion for building and improving services.
If you are ready to make a real impact and help shape the next chapter of Reddo, we would love to hear from you.
Please see the attached job description for full details.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Salary: £28,160 per annum (FTE)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire (On-site)
Join Our Team
Are you an organised, professional, and compassionate administrator looking to make a real difference in your community?
At Harrogate Homeless Project, we provide people experiencing homelessness with a safe place to stay and the support they need to rebuild their lives. Our values of Hope, Empowerment and Teamwork guide everything we do, and we’re looking for an Administration Officer who shares our commitment to supporting vulnerable people.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated charity and play a vital role in ensuring our services run efficiently, helping our frontline teams focus on delivering life-changing support.
About the Role
As our Administration Officer, you will provide efficient and reliable administrative and secretarial support across our offices, hostel, and support services. You will be the first point of contact for email enquiries and will help ensure our systems, records, and office procedures operate smoothly and effectively.
This varied role would suit someone who enjoys working in a busy environment, can manage competing priorities, and takes pride in maintaining excellent administrative standards.
Key Responsibilities
Office Administration
- Act as the first point of contact for email enquiries, directing communications appropriately.
- Manage incoming and outgoing post, deliveries, and general correspondence.
- Coordinate office supplies and stationery orders.
- Liaise with IT providers and other service contractors as required.
- Help maintain a welcoming and efficient office environment.
Data and Records Management
- Maintain accurate digital and paper filing systems in line with GDPR requirements.
- Support the upkeep of client databases and HR records.
- Assist with data entry, routine statistics, and management reports.
- Support fundraising administration, including maintaining donation records.
Meeting and Event Support
- Coordinate internal and external meetings.
- Prepare agendas, book venues, organise equipment, and take meeting notes where required.
- Assist with administrative support for fundraising and community awareness events.
Compliance and Executive Support
- Provide secretarial support to the Chief Executive.
- Assist with health and safety record keeping.
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold safeguarding procedures and organisational policies at all times.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is highly organised, approachable, and able to work effectively as part of a supportive team.
Why Work for Harrogate Homeless Project?
By joining HHP, you’ll become part of a passionate and dedicated team making a tangible difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness. Every day brings new opportunities to contribute to meaningful change within our community.
If you’re an organised administrator with a passion for helping others, we’d love to hear from you.
Benefits Include
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus birthday leave.
- Healthcare package.
- Travel benefits.
- Workplace pension scheme.
- The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of women experiencing homelessness.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a brief covering letter to Richard Cooper or call for an informal conversation about the role.
Closing Date: 4 October 2026
We will assess applications as they are received and interview suitable candidates on a rolling basis. Therefore, we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is appointed. Early applications are encouraged.
Harrogate Homeless Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the Holocaust Educational Trust
The Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) is a leading UK charity dedicated to promoting education and remembrance of the Holocaust through its educational programmes and advocacy efforts, challenging antisemitism and promoting tolerance and understanding to benefit future generations. Working across the UK, the Holocaust Educational Trust partners with schools, universities, communities and policy makers, to educate thousands of young people across the country. Our core educational activities include our flagship Lessons from Auschwitz Project, youth engagement activities and Testimony 360: People and Places of the Holocaust, a digital programme.
Job Description
Programme delivery
Once trained, Education Officers deliver classroom-facing and teacher-facing education across all of our core programmes – Lessons from Auschwitz; Testimony 360; Outreach and Teacher Training - drawing on their own teaching experience and understanding of effective pedagogy. Delivery of our programmes takes place both during and outside school term dates and hours. Training will be provided to deliver across all our programmes within the first six months in post.
Programme development, innovation and resource production
- Work with the Senior Education Officer to plan, develop and review programmes and resources.
- Train internal and external educators to deliver the Trust’s programmes.
Impact, Evaluation and Learning
- Understand and hold the Trust’s Theory of Change and, with the Education Team, support its delivery in practice.
- Work with the Senior Education Officer and wider Education Team to participate in impact evaluation, programme monitoring and feedback.
- Use evaluation findings to inform programme development and improvement.
Partnerships and External Relations
- Represent the Trust at national and international conferences and forums.
- Participate in collaboration with other Holocaust education organisations globally to share best practice in both Holocaust and antisemitism education pedagogy and innovation.
Safeguarding
Work with colleagues to play an active and effective role in ensuring that the Trust has the highest safeguarding standards across all programmes, adhering to legislation and best practice.
Travel requirements
The post requires regular travel within the UK and abroad, including a minimum of three one-day Poland visits per year as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz Project, attendance at the Trust’s central London office on agreed days, and occasional evening and weekend work. HET has a Time Off in Lieu policy, alongside additional systems of support to help ensure a realistic, sustainable and fair schedule of travel across the Education Officer team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About School of Hard Knocks
School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.
The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.
90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.
Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.
We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.
“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”
- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO
The Role
The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.
Strategy and Direction
● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador
● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team
● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals
● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan
Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact
● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people
● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention
● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement
Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations
● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events
● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy
● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile
Leading People, Culture and Operations
● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team
● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values
● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence
Governance and the Board
● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees
● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting
● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements
About You
Essential
● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees
● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative
● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams
● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors
● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level
● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery
● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders
Desirable
● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds
● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience
● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape
● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities
Personal Attributes
● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage
● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks
● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it
Terms of Appointment
Contract type
Full-time, permanent
Location
Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff
Salary
£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP
Reports to
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Direct reports
Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations
Travel
Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events
Trustee meetings
Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Who we are:
Muslim Aid is a UK faith-based international development organisation that provides support to communities around the world affected by disasters, conflict, or endemic poverty without regard to their social, religious, or ethnic background.
Established in 1985, Muslim Aid has facilitated the engagement of the British Muslim and non-Muslim community in support of its work in a variety of ways. Over the years, its humanitarian work has included responses to major crises around the world including famine in East Africa, earthquakes and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
We place strong emphasis on long-term development projects that build the capacity of local people to help themselves. In addition to our 5 country offices worldwide, we also work with multiple partner offices focusing on sustainable development programmes and providing humanitarian relief during times of crisis.
Summary of the role:
The Data, Risk and Compliance Officer will coordinate Muslim Aid’s organisational approach to data protection, risk management, compliance and assurance coordination. The role will provide oversight of key registers, trackers, records, reports and action plans, including the corporate risk register, compliance obligations register, policy review schedule, data protection records, information-rights requests, breach records, audit action trackers and assurance follow-up.
The postholder will work directly with the COO, leadership team and functional owners across the organisation to strengthen governance, ensure risks and compliance actions are actively managed, support timely escalation and drive continuous improvement in organisational controls and accountability.
The postholder will own coordination, tracking, records, follow-up and administrative support for these areas, while supporting senior colleagues with design, judgement, quality assurance and insight.
About the Role:
- Maintain the corporate risk register and ensure risks, controls, actions, owners and deadlines are kept up to date.
- Gather regular updates from functional owners and support teams to articulate and record risks clearly and consistently.
- Maintain the compliance obligations register, policy review schedule and evidence of compliance activity.
- Work with departments to record legal, regulatory, donor, funding agreement, data protection and internal policy requirements.
- Maintain data protection policies, procedures, templates, records of processing activities (ROPAs), data-flow records and information asset registers.
- Prepare regular reports, exception reports, committee updates, action summaries and briefing notes on risk, compliance, data protection, audit actions and overdue matters.
About You:
You must currently hold the right to work in the UK. Muslim Aid is not offering sponsorship for this role.
This role operates on a hybrid working basis, with a current requirement to work from the office for two/three days per week, and additional days where required to meet organisational needs.
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- Law degree, equivalent legal qualification or equivalent experience in legal, compliance or regulatory matters.
- Significant experience in data protection, risk, compliance, governance, assurance or a related area, including responsibility for improving organisational processes and controls.
- Experience managing risk registers, compliance trackers, policy schedules, action logs and organisational records, with responsibility for quality, timeliness and escalation.
- Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, oversee several trackers, manage deadlines and deliver high-quality reports.
- Ability to influence and follow up actions firmly and professionally, make sound judgements, identify issues requiring escalation and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Ability to write clear reports, updates, guidance, action summaries and recommendations for managers, the Leadership Team, committees and the Board..
Why you should apply:
Join Muslim Aid as our Data, Risk & Compliance Officer and play a key role in strengthening our approach to data protection, risk management, compliance and organisational assurance. Working closely with the COO, Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation, you’ll help ensure key risks, compliance obligations and data protection responsibilities are effectively monitored, managed and addressed. You’ll oversee essential registers, records and action plans, support audit and assurance activity, and help strengthen organisational controls and accountability. If you’re passionate about good governance, effective risk management and using robust processes to drive continuous improvement, we would love to hear from you.
Benefits you will enjoy working for us:
- 25 days annual leave + 4 Privilege days
- Hybrid working – 2/3 days per week in the office
- Paid time off for medical appointments
- 2 hours lunch break on Fridays
- Time Off in Lieu (TOIL)
- Pension scheme
How to apply:
To apply please submit your cover letter (no more than 1 page) and CV.
Pre-employment Checks:
Due to the nature of our work with children and vulnerable communities, Muslim Aid operates rigorous safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) procedures in our recruitment process. We are committed to the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and adopts a zero-tolerance approach to SEA, as a result, any employment with Muslim Aid is subject to the following checks prior to your start date:
- Satisfactory professional references, including safeguarding-specific enquiries.
- A Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and/or an International Criminal Record Check where applicable.
- A review of right-to-work documentation for the country in which the role is based.
We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable people are recruited to work for us.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, or age.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will be accepted until the closing date, however, Muslim Aid reserves the right to initiate interviews and the selection process on a rolling basis with the aim of identifying an appropriate candidate as quickly as possible
Job title: Engagement Officer
Department: External Relations
Responsible to: External Relations and Communications Manager
Location: London (UK) - Hybrid working
Salary: £32,500 gross per annum
Working pattern: Full-time, 38.5 hours per week
Duration of contract: Permanent
Start date: As soon as possible
Do you enjoy creating connections and turning them into opportunities?
Join our dynamic team as an Engagement Officer at UWC International, where you will play a crucial role in the External Relations team. With over 90,000 alumni worldwide, you'll collaborate with colleagues from our 18 schools across four continents and UWC International to connect alumni who are making a difference at local, national, and international levels.
We are seeking someone with experience in alumni engagement who is eager to grow and develop with us. This role is central to identifying and connecting with the alumni community, creating opportunities for collaboration, sharing impactful stories, and expanding our reach. With the support of senior colleagues your work will involve key areas, including the UWC hub and events such as our Impact Forums and UWC Day.
You will work closely with the External Relations and Communications Manager, the Head of External Relations, and the Chief of Staff, as well as colleagues in the Development, Funded Programmes, and Education teams.
The ideal candidate should be a people person who is passionate about helping talented young people access education, regardless of their background, and be committed to bringing together changemakers from around the world. You will also be a self-starter, innovative and curious who can support the growth and expansion of our engagement activities.
If this is you, please do not hesitate to apply.
About us
Changing the world takes passion and dedication
UWC is a global movement of 18 schools across four continents with a shared mission: to make education a force for peace and a sustainable future. Each year, we bring together young people from over 150 countries and diverse backgrounds to live and learn together in richly diverse, international settings – developing not only academic excellence, but cross-cultural understanding and a drive for social impact. UWC students don’t just prepare for exams, they prepare to lead change. Through real-world challenges, they build the skills, compassion and courage to make a difference.
Our students go on to become leaders in politics, NGOs, business, education and grassroots movements – people shaping a more just and sustainable world. Today, our global network includes more than 85,000 changemakers united by the values they lived at UWC.
About UWC International
UWC International is the operational arm of UWC, a UK-registered and Germany-registered charity at the heart of the global UWC movement. Based in London and Berlin, our team works closely with stakeholders across the UWC network and supports a global alumni community of over 85,000 changemakers.
Our work includes global fundraising, communications, promotion and support for the network of more than 150 UWC national committees. We also lead on global strategy and provide key services to UWC schools and colleges.
We are proud to reflect the diversity we champion. Our international team represents over 25 nationalities, bringing a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences. We are committed to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ARDEI) across all aspects of our work – ensuring our organisational culture reflects the values we promote across the UWC movement.
What we offer
As part of a commitment to our employees, we offer the following:
UWC International London
- Hybrid working - we operate hybrid working arrangements, with at least 20% of the week in the office and up to 80% working from home.
- Flexible working hours - our standard working hours are 38.5 per week. We support flexible working and are happy to discuss different working patterns.
- Generous annual leave allowance – we offer 28 days holiday per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata for part-time or fixed-term contracts).
- Paid leave for personal growth - up to 2 days per year for volunteering or up to 2 days per year for study leave.
- Learning & development opportunities – we have access to various learning and development platforms to support your professional growth, as well as a budget set aside for professional development.
- Enhanced sick pay
- In-person meetings: Yearly Staff Away Days, team retreats and travel to our international schools and international events as needed to create connected teams.
- Income Protection & well-being support - We offer income protection to all employees, an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with access to a legal support helpline, remote GP appointments, medical second opinions, mental health support, physiotherapy, lifestyle coaching, personal trainer and nutritionist sessions, and a well-being calendar featuring podcasts and webinars.
- Exclusive discounts & perks - with access to a range of discounts across shopping, dining, lifestyle and entertainment, with thousands of offers on hundreds of top retailers.
- Cycle scheme and eyecare vouchers
- Enhanced maternity and enhanced paternity leave
- Higher-than-standard pension contribution scheme - UWC International will contribute up to 8% of the employee’s gross salary toward their Pension scheme with NEST in the UK.
Visa requirements
Anyone who applies to work at UWC International in London must have a work visa before starting employment, in compliance with the relevant immigration rules. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship. Please provide confirmation of your eligibility to indefinitely work or reside in the UK in your application. If you are planning to be USA based, please make this known in your application. Any offers of employment made by UWC International will be subject to a right-to-work check on your immigration status.
Application Process
Do you want to be part of our team? To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV along with a cover letter in English (each a maximum of 2 pages):
Your cover letter must:
- Outline your experience, skills and competencies against the Person specification section in the attached Job Description.
- Explain why you want to join UWC International.
- Confirm your eligibility to work or reside in the UK.
- Provide the name and contact details of two professional referees, including their job title, email address and the capacity in which you are known to them. References are taken up prior to the second round interviews. We will not contact your referees without first letting you know.
Please note that CVs received without a cover letter, including the information requested above will not be considered.
Deadline for application: 10:00 AM UK time, Monday 5 October 2026
Interview and/or assessment dates:
- First round interviews week commencing 12 October (remote)
- Second round interviews week commencing 19 October (remote)
Safeguarding Statement
The job holder might have to travel to UWC schools and colleges. Therefore, a Basic DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) or international equivalent will be required before any job offer is made. We will also take up references before the second stage of the interview process. Referees will not be contacted without your consent.
Diversity Statement
UWC places deliberate diversity at the heart of our educational model because of its critical importance in our mission ‘to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future’.
At the UWC International Office, we believe this commitment to deliberate diversity must be reflected within our team, organisational practices, policies and culture. We recognise people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions, and we encourage and leverage these differences to make our work more relevant and accessible.
We will not discriminate or tolerate discriminatory behaviour on any grounds such as, but not limited to, race, gender, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age or socioeconomic background.
We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, has a voice, can raise concerns, and feels comfortable and confident. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment and to act accordingly as we aspire best to serve the UWC mission and our global community. It is an ongoing journey and we welcome all those ready to travel with us.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We’re looking for a Training Officer to help us develop and deliver high quality learning and professional development for people working with and for young people across the North West.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys creating and delivering engaging training and supporting others to learn and grow.
Working with our Learning, Workforce Development & Equality Manager, you’ll help shape our learning offer and support a skilled, confident and connected youth sector workforce.
What you’ll be doing
-
Design and deliver engaging training and workshops (online and in person)
-
Build relationships with learners, partners and organisations
-
Support learning events, networks and Communities of Practice
-
Use feedback and evaluation to improve what we do
We’re looking for someone who has:
-
experience of training, facilitation or learning and development
-
confidence delivering engaging sessions to different audiences
-
good communication and organisational skills
-
an understanding of youth work or the issues affecting young people
-
a commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding
More information in attached recruitment pack - closing date Monday 21 Sep 2026 @ 12 pm
Interviews will be held in person on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
To benefit the lives of young people in the North West of England by providing opportunities for them to engage and become active citizens.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Suicide Bereavement Specialist Manager leads and manages a team of approximately 10–12 Suicide Bereavement Specialists, providing strong and supportive management alongside clear professional accountability and oversight of practice.
The postholder will also maintain a small caseload of approximately 5–10 beneficiaries, enabling them to remain connected to frontline practice and the experiences of people accessing the service.
The postholder has operational responsibility for the beneficiary journey from the point a referral enters the service through assessment, triage and allocation to a Suicide Bereavement Specialist, and for ensuring that subsequent support is safe, timely, appropriate, person-centred and delivered to Pete’s Dragons’ expected standards.
Relationship with the Beneficiary Services Manager
The Beneficiary Services Manager holds overall strategic responsibility for Beneficiary Services, including the direction, development and performance of beneficiary-facing services across Pete’s Dragons.
The SBS Manager holds operational responsibility for the day-to-day delivery, management and quality of the Suicide Bereavement Specialist service.
The SBS Manager is expected to exercise appropriate professional and managerial autonomy in the daily operation of the SBS service, escalating significant safeguarding, workforce, performance, capacity, service-quality or organisational concerns to the Beneficiary Services Manager.
The two roles will work closely together to ensure that strategic decisions are translated into consistent, safe and effective practice.
Key Responsibilities
Referral, Triage and Allocation
The SBS Manager will:
- Take overall responsibility for all incoming referrals to the SBS service from the point of entry through to allocation.
- Review referrals to establish need, urgency, risk, suitability and any additional considerations affecting the provision of support.
- Ensure referrals are processed promptly and in accordance with Pete’s Dragons’ referral pathways, eligibility criteria and service standards.
- Identify and appropriately escalate safeguarding, suicide risk or other significant concerns arising during the referral process.
- Allocate beneficiaries to the most appropriate SBS, considering individual need, practitioner skills and experience, existing caseload, capacity, location and other relevant factors.
- Maintain oversight of referrals awaiting allocation and ensure that beneficiaries do not become lost or unnecessarily delayed within the system.
- Monitor demand, waiting times, caseloads and team capacity and raise emerging pressures with the Beneficiary Services Manager.
- Ensure referral and allocation decisions are clearly and appropriately recorded.
Management and Leadership of the SBS Team
The SBS Manager will:
- Provide day-to-day leadership and management to approximately 10–12 Suicide Bereavement Specialists.
- Lead regular individual management 1:1s with each SBS.
- Lead group supervision and reflective practice opportunities as required.
- Lead daily SBS team meetings and scheduled practice meetings.
- Create a team culture which combines compassion and psychological safety with professional accountability and consistently high standards.
- Maintain regular contact with staff working across different Pete’s Dragons locations.
- Ensure staff have appropriate opportunities to raise concerns, discuss difficult work and seek management guidance.
- Monitor individual workload, caseload and capacity and intervene where concerns arise.
- Support staff wellbeing while maintaining clear expectations regarding professional responsibilities and service delivery.
- Provide appropriate telephone management support for SBS staff working outside normal office hours as required.
Quality Assurance and Practice Standards
The SBS Manager will hold responsibility for the quality of SBS practice and will:
- Undertake formal case audits for each SBS on a quarterly basis.
- Regularly review the quality, accuracy and completeness of beneficiary records and case documentation.
- Monitor SBS practice against Pete’s Dragons’ policies, procedures, practice standards and expected professional boundaries.
- Arrange and review recorded beneficiary sessions at appropriate intervals as part of ongoing practice quality assurance and practitioner development.
- Provide constructive feedback following practice reviews and agree actions or development plans where required.
- Identify excellent practice and ensure learning is shared across the team.
- Identify practice which falls below the expected standard and take timely action to support improvement.
- Monitor beneficiary engagement, missed appointments, case progression, case duration and closure practices.
- Ensure concerns regarding practice, conduct, competence or beneficiary safety are appropriately documented, addressed and escalated.
- Promote reflective professional practice and continuous improvement throughout the SBS team.
Safeguarding and Risk
The SBS Manager will:
- Act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) for Pete’s Dragons. Appropriate DSO training can be provided where required.
- Share responsibility for the management and oversight of safeguarding cases within the organisation.
- Provide advice and support to SBSs where safeguarding concerns arise.
- Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, recorded, escalated and acted upon in accordance with Pete’s Dragons’ Safeguarding Policy and relevant statutory guidance.
- Work collaboratively with other safeguarding leads and senior managers where complex or significant concerns arise.
- Promote confident and consistent safeguarding practice throughout the SBS team.
- Ensure staff understand the distinction between safeguarding, suicide risk, clinical concern and other forms of beneficiary risk and follow the appropriate organisational pathway.
Beneficiary Casework
To remain connected to frontline practice, the SBS Manager will:
- Maintain a small caseload of approximately 5–10 beneficiaries.
- Provide high-quality suicide bereavement support in accordance with Pete’s Dragons’ practice model, policies and standards.
- Maintain timely, accurate and appropriate case records.
- Model excellent professional boundaries, beneficiary communication and case management.
- Participate in appropriate clinical supervision for their own beneficiary work.
- Ensure management responsibilities remain the priority of the role and that their personal caseload does not compromise their availability to manage the service or support the SBS team.
People Management and HR
The SBS Manager will be responsible for all routine HR management relating to their direct reports, including:
- Recruitment and selection of Suicide Bereavement Specialists.
- Induction and probation.
- Regular management supervision.
- Annual appraisal and performance review.
- Identifying individual and team development needs.
- Supporting professional development and CPD.
- Attendance and absence management.
- Managing annual leave and ensuring adequate service capacity.
- Addressing performance, capability, conduct or behavioural concerns promptly and appropriately.
- Supporting staff wellbeing and identifying when additional support may be required.
- Working with the Beneficiary Services Manager and other appropriate colleagues on formal HR matters where necessary.
- Maintaining appropriate and confidential management records.
Training and Development
The SBS Manager will:
- Identify individual and collective training and development needs across the SBS team.
- Ensure mandatory training remains current.
- Support SBSs to develop their knowledge, confidence and professional practice.
- Use case audits, recorded-session reviews, supervision, beneficiary feedback and other quality measures to identify areas for development.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of internal practice training and workshops.
- Support newly appointed SBSs through induction and their transition into independent practice.
Policy, Procedure and Service Development
The SBS Manager will:
- Ensure organisational policies, procedures and agreed ways of working are consistently implemented within the SBS team.
- Communicate changes in policy or practice clearly and ensure staff understand what is expected of them.
- Monitor compliance and address inconsistent practice.
- Contribute frontline operational knowledge to the review and development of policies, procedures, pathways and practice standards.
- Support the Beneficiary Services Manager in implementing service developments and organisational change.
- Identify opportunities to improve beneficiary experience, efficiency, quality and consistency.
Monitoring and Reporting
The SBS Manager will maintain an accurate operational picture of the SBS service, including:
- Referral volumes.
- Referral processing and allocation.
- Waiting times.
- Individual and team caseloads.
- Team capacity.
- Beneficiary engagement.
- Case progression and closures.
- Safeguarding and risk themes.
- Quality assurance findings.
- Staff performance and development.
- Emerging operational risks or pressures.
The postholder will provide appropriate information and reporting to the Beneficiary Services Manager and ensure significant concerns are escalated promptly rather than waiting for routine reporting arrangements.
General Responsibilities
The postholder will:
- Work across Pete’s Dragons Devon locations as required.
- Represent Pete’s Dragons professionally with beneficiaries, colleagues, partners and external agencies.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements.
- Work within Pete’s Dragons’ policies, procedures, values and professional standards.
- Attend relevant internal and external meetings.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
- Undertake relevant training and continuing professional development.
- Work flexibly where reasonably required by the needs of the service.
- Participate in a limited out-of-hours telephone support arrangement for SBS staff undertaking authorised out-of-hours work.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the seniority and purpose of the role.
Person Specification
Essential
Experience
The successful candidate will have:
- Significant experience of managing and leading staff.
- Experience of managing a team delivering services to people with complex emotional or mental health needs.
- Relevant experience within mental health, bereavement, psychological support, social care or a closely related field.
- Experience of managing staff performance, development, wellbeing and HR matters.
- Experience of quality assuring professional or support-based practice.
- Experience of managing risk and making sound professional decisions in complex situations.
- Experience of working with confidential and sensitive information.
- Experience of balancing competing demands and managing a busy operational service.
Knowledge and Skills
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and people-management skills.
- A sound understanding of mental health, emotional distress, grief and vulnerability.
- The ability to assess information and make proportionate decisions regarding risk, urgency and service response.
- Strong safeguarding awareness and a willingness to undertake DSO training where not already qualified.
- The ability to challenge poor or unsafe practice appropriately and constructively.
- The ability to provide clear feedback and support staff development.
- Excellent organisational and workload-management skills.
- The ability to monitor service capacity and allocate work fairly and effectively.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Confidence in managing difficult conversations.
- Good professional judgement and the ability to know when matters should be escalated.
- Strong IT skills and the ability to use electronic case-management systems effectively.
- The ability to analyse service information and identify trends, risks and areas requiring improvement.
Personal Approach
The successful candidate will:
- Combine compassion with professional accountability.
- Be calm and confident when managing complex or emotionally demanding situations.
- Be approachable without losing appropriate managerial boundaries.
- Be willing to make and stand behind difficult decisions.
- Be curious about practice and committed to continual learning and improvement.
- Understand the importance of reflective practice when working with suicide bereavement.
- Be comfortable working within a service where risk, grief, trauma and emotional distress are part of everyday practice.
- Demonstrate integrity, discretion and sound judgement.
- Share Pete’s Dragons’ commitment to providing timely, appropriate and professional support following suicide bereavement.
Practical Requirements
- Full UK driving licence.
- Access to a vehicle for work purposes.
- Ability and willingness to travel regularly between Pete’s Dragons locations and elsewhere across Devon.
- Ability to work flexibly according to service requirements.
- Ability to participate in limited out-of-hours telephone support for SBS staff.
Desirable
- Previous experience of suicide bereavement or postvention services.
- Previous experience of managing a geographically dispersed team.
- Safeguarding/DSO training.
- Experience of conducting case or practice audits.
- Experience of reviewing recorded professional practice sessions.
- Experience of delivering supervision, reflective practice or professional development sessions.
- Experience of recruitment within health, mental health, social care, bereavement or similar services.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed and person-centred approaches.
Scope and Accountability
This is a significant operational management role with responsibility for both people and practice.
The SBS Manager is accountable for ensuring that the SBS team is appropriately managed, beneficiaries are allocated safely and promptly, the quality of support is actively monitored, concerns are addressed rather than allowed to drift, and the Beneficiary Services Manager has an accurate understanding of the performance, capacity and risks within the service.
The postholder is expected to exercise professional judgement and autonomy within their delegated responsibilities while recognising when an issue requires escalation or strategic decision-making by the Beneficiary Services Manager.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Permanent | Full-time
Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Location: Home-based with regular national travel
Job reference number: 1766
Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services
Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people.
Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Service to join our senior management team.
This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation.
The role
Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers.
You will lead eight services with nine direct reports, spanning substance use and services for children and young people. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support.
You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early.
You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services.
What you will be accountable for
As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for:
- Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.
- Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.
- Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.
- Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.
- Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.
You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together.
You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams.
You will bring a strong track record of:
- leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;
- safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;
- contract and performance management;
- managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;
- building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;
- leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;
- developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and
- using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.
You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio.
Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities.
Specialist experience
For this role, significant senior leadership experience within substance use services is essential, including experience of leading CQC-regulated provision and maintaining high standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance.
You will also need a strong understanding of safeguarding and the governance required to deliver safe and effective services for children and young people. Direct operational experience of Children & Young People services would be valuable, but we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong safeguarding and CYP governance experience alongside substantial substance use leadership.
This permanent appointment offers the opportunity to provide long-term leadership to a significant portfolio and help shape the future development of Cranstoun’s services.
Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter
Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities.
As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services.
This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Find out more
Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.
Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
How to Apply:
For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.
Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.
Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.
Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.
We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work.
Registered Charity No: 1061582





