Social care development jobs

Make a real difference in people's lives - and let us make a real difference to your life and career.City of Chelmsford Mencap is an independent charity that supports people affected by learning disability across mid-Essex.  It provides lifelong learning, social opportunities, work experience, advocacy and information.

Summary of the Role

The Support Lead plays a key hands-on role in delivering high-quality, person-centred support within the Outreach Academy, CCM’s lifelong learning service. They help coordinate daily activities, promote independence and wellbeing, and ensure service users experience meaningful learning in a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment.

The Support Lead works closely with the Senior Support Leads to implement care plans, support learning sessions, uphold safeguarding responsibilities, and model best practice based on key social care values. They guide and assist specialist support workers, tutors, volunteers, and work placement students during sessions, helping to create a positive and enriched learning experience for all participants.

Key Social Care Values and Approaches Required

The Support Lead must demonstrate understanding and use of:

• Person-centred thinking, planning and co-production
• Strengths-based and outcomes-focused practice
• Active Support approaches
• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
• Making Safeguarding Personal
• Supported decision-making and the relevant legislation
• Trauma-informed approaches
• Accessible communication methods (e.g., visual supports, Makaton, easy-read)
• Dignity in Care and principles of respect, choice, independence and inclusion

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting Daily Operations
• Direct Support and Person-Centred Practice
• Guiding and Supporting Staff, Students & Volunteers
• Communication and Partnership Working
• ​Safeguarding, Safety and Risk Management
• Record-Keeping and Administration
• ​Quality, Reflection and Development​

Bid Manager & Writer

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

Job Title: Bid Manager & Writer

Location: Highbury & Islington. Unfortunately, this premises does not have step free access.  

Salary: £42,000

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00. Hybrid role based in our central office with regular travel to our services, market engagement events and days working from home

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Bid Manager and Writer to join our dynamic Business Development Team. This is a pivotal, hands-on role that will play a key part in driving organisational growth, securing new opportunities, and retaining existing contracts. Working closely with senior colleagues and internal stakeholders, you will develop strong, persuasive bids and proposals that meet financial targets and organisational objectives. While you will work independently on bids, you will also be an integral part of the wider Bid and Business Development teams, supporting colleagues and collaborating with subject matter experts as required.

SIG is a complex and growing organisation, delivering a wide range of health, social care and criminal justice funded services. In this role, you will lead competitive tendering processes end to end, crafting compelling, compliant submissions that align with our mission and values. You will take ownership of the full bid lifecycle, from early market engagement through to final submission ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance at every stage.

Many procurement processes screen submissions for AI‑generated content, and our bids must meet strict originality requirements. Applicants must be able to write independently and produce original bid content without reliance on AI writing tools

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the development and submission of competitive bids, ensuring all are delivered on time and to the highest standard.
• Collaborate with senior colleagues and internal teams to secure necessary approvals and sign-off for bids and budgets.
• Produce high-quality, engaging proposals that clearly articulate SIG’s vision, services, and value to commissioners and funders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders and commissioners.
• Conduct market research and stay informed on trends across social care, criminal justice, healthcare, and procurement to inform bid strategy.
• Work closely with Bid Team colleagues to draft, review, and finalise submissions.
• Attend market engagement events and undertake service visits to gain insight and represent SIG effectively.

About You

We're looking for a self-starter, someone who can hit the ground running and form effective purposeful relationships within the organisation and externally, someone innovative, creative, and able solve problems to support our growth! Someone with previous experience writing bids and/or proposals, securing new or existing contracts. We're looking for an effective communicator, with a high attention to detail and quality. You will be passionate about what we do, supporting vulnerable people and understand the complexities of their backgrounds. .

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience in bid writing and bid management, with a track record of securing new contracts and retaining existing ones.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with strong attention to detail.
• The ability to produce clear, compelling, and engaging content.
• Ideally, experience securing bids and proposals within the voluntary, social care, criminal justice, or healthcare sectors.
• A strong understanding of the sector.
• Confidence in engaging with senior stakeholders, including directors and commissioners, and leading bid-related meetings.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and experience using tender portals.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach, with the ability to take ownership of bids through to successful completion.
• Alignment with SIG’s values of Ambition, Empowerment, Transparency, and Inclusivity.

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. 

Please note that this will take you through to our Central Administration team, who will then communicate your enquiry with us and we will arrange to call you back. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

As Helpline Care Navigator (HCN), you will act as the first point of contact for individuals, families and health professionals across the North and North East region.

You will deliver compassionate, person-centred support and clear, practical information via telephone and email, ensuring people affected by PSP & CBD feel heard, informed and supported at every stage of their journey. Alongside direct support, you will actively engage with health and social care professionals, neurology clinics and wider partners to strengthen local awareness of PSP & CBD and enhance referral pathways across the region.

This is a key role in maintaining continuity, quality and momentum within our Helpline service during a period of maternity leave and you will be reporting to the Helpline and Support Services Manager.

Hours of Work & Annual Leave

• 35 hours per week -  this may include working some unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends.
• 28 days plus bank holidays. Pro-rated for part time role.

The main office is in Milton Keynes, and we have a hybrid working policy with most staff spending one day a week in the office and the remainder working from home. There is flexibility in the arrangements that need to be agreed upon with the line manager.

Key Responsibilities

• To be ‘first point of call’ for people with PSP & CBD and their families living in North and Northeast region including, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Tyne & Wear & Northumberland. Providing people with support and information over the phone and via email.
• To raise awareness of PSP & CBD across all health and social care disciplines in the region by engaging with HSCP’s and neurology clinics.
• To provide accurate information in all aspects of PSP & CBD in response to enquiries and signpost onto other organisations where appropriate.
• Ensure a maximum response to all helpline calls, emails and enquires.
• To keep clear and accurate records and statistics of enquires received and actions taken.
• To carry out a maximum number of proactive calls to people affected by PSP & CBD within the region as directed by the Helpline Manager.
• Develop and maintain the existing database of key health and social care professionals and regional services.
• Attend outreach events to build the profile of PSPA services amongst health and social care professionals.
• Work with the Director of Policy and Influencing to identify ways in which services and care can be improved for families affected by PSP & CBD in the region.
• To signpost to PSPA Support Groups and services.
• Liaise with external services to signpost to local support.
• Take an active part in the delivery and planning of information and support events, which may include the possibility of overnight stays and weekends.
• Liaise with the fundraising team to signpost to fundraising activities.
• Liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator to maintain and build volunteering in the region.
• To attend and contribute constructively to team and other meetings as required.
• To ensure the implementation of policies, procedures and quality standards as defined by PSPA.
• Contribute to the development of literature and articles for PSPA Matters.
• To undertake any other tasks, by agreement as required, in support of the work of PSPA.

The duties may be changed and/or varied to meet changing circumstances at the discretion of the CEO and Board of Trustees.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience in delivering helpline and/or information and support services
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to listen actively understanding different points of view
• Ability to keep accurate records
• Willingness to undertake training and continuing personal development
• Experience of and sensitivity to communicating with audiences from a range of backgrounds
• Strong IT skills, with experience in MS Office products and customer relationship management software
• Flexible and reliable attitude and the ability to self-organise and to work without direct supervision
• Good communication skills, both oral and written and excellent telephone manner
• Ability to manage difficulty questions, emotions and situations in a calm and confident way.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of PSP & CBD or other neurodegenerative diseases and/or experience of working in the NHS
• An understanding of Safeguarding and an ability to follow relevant policies and procedures
• Knowledge of healthcare or social care systems.

For more information about this role, please visit our website.

Benefits

• Pension Scheme
• Employment Assistance Programme

Tameside Neurodiversity Hub

Navigator Role

Are you passionate about neurodivergent children and young people and their families having the right support, at the earliest point?  We are proud to be developing and delivering the Tameside Neurodiversity Hub and are seeking a skilled and experienced practitioner to be the navigator. This part time opportunity will be over 3 days.

To be successful, you will need to have the following:

• Experience in supporting children with neurodiversity.
• The ability to ensure the 'voice' of the child and family is central, enabling lived experience to create change.
• Excellent team working skills. You will work as part of a service that covers the whole of Greater Manchester.
• The ability to collaborate with and confidently present information to a range of people including the delivery of workshops.
• Excellent communication skills, enabling communication with children, young people, families and professionals.
• Robust safeguarding knowledge and good recording skills.
• A car available for work with business insurance.

There are lots of opportunities to develop your skill set, knowledge and career progression going forward. 

This service is dynamic, no two days are the same, we work flexibly to meet the needs of the children and families so whilst there is a Monday to Friday working pattern you will be working some evenings and if required occasional weekends. In return you will manage your hours so may benefit from later starts or earlier finishes.

Barnardo's has a generic job description/person specification. When completing your application please provide examples in your application in the context of the advert and additional information sheet as to how you meet the requirements of the role.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Funders In Good is looking for a Programme Officer to join our programmes team and help deliver initiatives that support and grow social ventures.

Funders In Good provides capacity-building support, including training, diagnostics, tailored grants, and strategic support, to help social ventures enhance their growth and impact. By 2035, our goal is to help build 10 best-in-class community organisations serving Islam and Muslims in the UK. We back ventures and leaders who are contributing to our vision of a society in which commitment to God is flourishing.

As a Programme Officer, you will work closely with the existing team to develop and deliver high-quality interventions. You will support key areas of work within our programme framework, contribute to the delivery of ongoing projects, and assist in other important areas of the organisation, such as our Funder Community and core operations.

We are looking for an organised, experienced, and confident Programme Officer who is committed to our vision.

To apply for the role, please submit your CV and prepare a supporting statement (maximum 200 words per question), answering the following questions:

1. What resonates with you about Funders In Good’s God-centred mission and long-term approach?

2. How you would plan, deliver, and evaluate a cohort-based capacity-building programme.

3. How you would handle a disengaged venture leader while managing competing programme priorities.

Please read the Job Description for full details or to arrange an informal chat with the team. Please note the applicant should be UK based, as the role will require travel to London.

Family Support Worker

£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)

This role covers London & South East. You must be able to work across London boroughs

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker, on a full time basis (35 hours per week), to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our London & South East Care Team.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the London & South East Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

Location:

This role covers London & South East. You must be able to work across London boroughs

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

· We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· Company car for front line care posts

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Time off in Lieu

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes

· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our website.

As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, introduction to play.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

Please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Closing date: 26 February 2026

Interview Date to be confirmed

Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.

Interviews will take place at our Essex Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation.

Young People Support Worker

We are seeking a Young People Support Worker to join a very tight-knit and supportive team that works tirelessly to ensure some of the most vulnerable individuals in the borough are well-cared for.

Location: Durham

Salary: £24,136

Closing Date: 08 March, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

You’ll play a vital part in delivering our mission: tackling homelessness, widening opportunity and championing fairness. Whatever your specialism, you’ll help create a safe, inclusive and empowering environment where people can thrive and move forward with confidence. 

As a Young People Support Worker at our service in Durham, you’ll empower residents in supported accommodation to develop key life skills, strengthen resilience, and move forward with confidence in education, training, employment, and wellbeing. Using an assets‑based, psychologically informed approach, you’ll create SMART support plans, complete risk and needs assessments, and ensure every young person receives personalised, meaningful support. 

As part of the team, you’ll respond to incidents, safeguard vulnerable clients and help new residents settle into the service. Working proactively with colleagues and external agencies, you’ll use clear communication, strong boundaries and steady problem‑solving to maintain safety and wellbeing throughout the night.

Please note that access to transport is essential due to location of the projects and lack of public transport links.

 In this role, you will:

• Provide safe, supportive accommodation and champion the wellbeing of every client.

• Deliver personalised support plans that empower individuals to achieve independence.

• Build positive, respectful relationships with colleagues, partners and the people we support.

• Encourage participation in education, training, employment, and volunteering opportunities.

• Contribute to a positive team culture and maintain a safe, welcoming environment.

• Commit to continuous learning and uphold Depaul’s values of respect, inclusion, and action.

About You

You believe in people — their strengths, their rights and their potential. You bring empathy, energy and a solution‑focused mindset to your work. You communicate clearly, stay organised and adapt well in a fast‑moving environment. You’re committed to inclusion, fairness and continuous learning, and you turn values into meaningful action, whatever your role.

What You’ll Receive

• Tailored training and development

• Flexible working options where suitable

• 26 days annual leave, rising with service

• Family‑friendly leave policies

• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more

• Cash health plan for you and your family

• Death‑in‑service benefit

• Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.

Family Support Worker - Greater Manchester

£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)

Greater Manchester region

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker on a full-time basis (35 hours per week), to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Greater Manchester Care Team.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Greater Manchester Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

We are a Best Companies Two-Star rated organisation, an outstanding place to work! We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· Company car for front line care posts

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Time off in Lieu

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes

· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, introduction to play, drawing and talking training.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

Please visit our website and apply online.

Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.

Interviews will take place at our Greater Manchester Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Policy and Public Affairs Officer

Are you ready to influence national policy and improve foster care for children and young people across Scotland?

Position: Policy and Public Affairs Officer
Salary: £27,953 to £33,130 per annum
Location: Hybrid, with travel to Glasgow office at least one day per week
Hours: 35 hours per week, full time
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 15th March
Interview Date: 24th March TBC

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to shape policy and influence decision makers at a pivotal time for children’s social care in Scotland.

Working within a UK wide Policy and Campaigns team, you will lead work in Scotland to influence legislation, policy and practice. You will ensure policy positions and campaigns are evidence based, drawing on research, stakeholder engagement and lived experience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing evidence based policy positions and solutions to influence national and local decision making
• Drafting high quality briefings, consultation responses and reports
• Leading research projects and analysing data to inform policy and campaigning prioritie
• Building and maintaining relationships with MSPs, government officials, regulators and sector partners
• Planning and delivering events such as roundtables, focus groups and parliamentary engagement activity
• Producing written content for websites, social media and member communications
• Supporting participation activity, including engagement with young people to inform influencing work

You will also play a central role in major research initiatives, including large scale surveys, ensuring outputs are robust, credible and impactful.

About You

You will bring strong experience in policy development, research and influencing, ideally within children’s social care or a related field.

You will have:

• Experience of developing policy and drafting reports and consultation responses
• Experience of campaigning, lobbying or working with parliamentary processes
• Strong research and analytical skills, including working with quantitative and qualitative data
• An understanding of Scottish Government and parliamentary structures
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to translate complex issues clearly
• Experience of building effective stakeholder relationships at senior levels
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Knowledge of foster care or children’s social care issues would be highly beneficial.

About the Organisation

This leading UK charity and membership body works to empower, enrich and support relationships at the heart of fostering. Through research, campaigning and collaboration, it seeks to improve foster care policy and practice so that children and young people can thrive.

The organisation offers flexible and hybrid working, generous annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies and a strong commitment to inclusive recruitment and support for care experienced applicants.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Policy Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Campaigns Officer, Research Officer, Parliamentary Officer, Policy and Research Officer, External Affairs Officer, Advocacy Officer, Children’s Policy Adviser.

If you are driven by evidence, confident in influencing decision makers and passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people, we would welcome your application.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Contract Type: Full-time / 6 Month Fixed-Term Contract

Salary Band:£29,900, plus £2,200 London weighting if applicable

Location: Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Manchester or Newcastle 

Hours: 5 days per week; 9AM-5.30PM (flexible working hours available). 

Start date: 6th April 2026 or ASAP, as agreed with candidate 

The Opportunity   

As a key team member within our Partnerships and Income Development team, you will play a vital role in creating, developing and delivering the Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Programme and Social Mobility Employer Index - how we inform, influence and positively impact employer-led social mobility, and a source of income generation. 
 

1. Delivery of the Social Mobility Employer Index 

• Deliver the SMEI 2026, including but not limited to: marking entries, creating individual feedback reports for each entrant, creating sector reports for key industries, and gathering feedback to review and update the survey for 2027 

• Maintain accurate and up to date information and process documentation, including the mark scheme used to mark entries, and the process followed to create feedback reports 

• Support with the ongoing development of the digital platform, employer resources and online content, ensuring it is updated in line with the survey and delivers a smooth user journey

• Support with the annual monitoring and evaluation of the SMEI and its impact on employer-led social mobility 

2. Stakeholder management and customer service 

• Provide excellent customer service and stewardship to organisations entering the SMEI throughout the whole customer journey, e.g. preparing and sending regular communications and updates to prospective and live entrants, answering questions received into the SMEI inbox and troubleshooting independently 

• Prepare and deliver feedback calls and presentations for organisations, including Lunch & Learns on social mobility, introductory calls on the SMEI, presentations and webinars about the SMEI, and providing detailed feedback calls on entrants’ performance in the SMEI 

• Support with creating and developing assets and activities to market the SMEI and other products and services including webinars and social media assets 

• Engage with external stakeholders, such as employers, policy experts and social mobility practitioners, to understand key issues and trends relevant to workplace social mobility 

3. Quality standards 

• Stay up to date with the latest research, evidence and on workplace and employer-led social mobility, communicating changes or updates with colleagues, as well as maintaining and updating the evidence base for the SMEI

• Support the annual evaluation of the SMEI and its impact on employer-led social mobility

4. Systems and processes 

• Maintain accurate and up to date records, using SharePoint and our Salesforce CRM to support pipeline management, income tracking and partner records, namely for the SMEI 

• Comply with internal policies such as data protection and our ethical fundraising policy, as well as external fundraising regulations and legal requirements 

5. Team support and collaboration 

• Collaborate across the team to ensure opportunities are aligned across all income streams 

• Champion a collaborative and creative fundraising culture, building internal understanding, support and excitement in fundraising and partnership activities 

Please see full job description attached for more details. 

Benefits

• 36/37 days (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank holidays) calculated on a pro rata basis with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure.
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please head over to our website and answer the following questions:

1)   Why would you like to work at the Social Mobility Foundation? (250 words max.)

2)   What makes you a suitable candidate for this role? Please include specific examples of your experience and skills, with reference to the key responsibilities and person specification for this role. (500 words max.)

3)   The Social Mobility Employer Index involves marking detailed employer submissions and producing high-quality feedback reports. Describe a time when you had to assess complex written information against a set of criteria and produce clear, constructive feedback for an external audience. What was your approach, how did you ensure accuracy and fairness, and what was the outcome? (400 words max.)

Residential Support Worker 

Do you have the ambition to make a meaningful impact on the lives of autistic children and young people?

At St. John's, we've been making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people for nearly 140 years. We are now looking for incredible Residential Support Workers to help us continue making that difference!

As a Residential Support Worker, you will work under the supervision and guidance of the Care Management Team, Senior Residential Support Workers, and Therapy Teams. You will support learners in all residential houses and the community, assisting with social and academic activities.

Our aim is to ensure all learners have equal opportunities to develop their independence and social skills, preparing them for adult life.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting learners with self-care and independence skills such as eating, drinking, washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence, dressing, mobility, and medication administration.
   
• Ensuring learners' care files are kept up to date and accurate.
   
• At the start of each shift, reviewing communication and log books, and liaising with staff at handover to ensure learners' needs are well documented and addressed.
   
• Establish supportive relationships with learners and encourage the development of stable relationships.
   
• Promote the emotional health and self-esteem of learners and support them through changes in their living situation and personal circumstances.

• Accompanying learners into the community to take part in social and recreational activities such as bowling, cinema trips, and dining out, helping them build confidence and enjoy meaningful experiences beyond the college setting. 
   

We are recruiting for our Ashington Gardens, College View, and Pier View homes. Residential Support Workers will primarily be based at one location but may be required to work flexibly across all homes as operational needs require. 

In return, we offer a fantastic working environment, generous holidays, career development opportunities, and more!

Please note that sponsorship for this role is not available at this time.

Do you want to work in a role where you can support people to rebuild their lives?

About the role

This is a fixed term contract for 12 months

We are looking for a proactive and compassionate HoPE Worker to join our Homelessness Prevention Service in Kensington & Chelsea. This is a rewarding role where you will work directly with people at risk of rough sleeping to prevent homelessness and secure safe, sustainable accommodation.

In this role you will:

• Work closely with Housing Options teams to prevent rough sleeping.
• Carry out assessments and deliver housing‑focused casework.
• Support clients to retain their current accommodation or move into safe, affordable housing.
• Build relationships with landlords and develop opportunities within the private rented sector.
• Advocate for clients to ensure they access the support and services they need.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.

 About you

We’re looking for someone who is person‑centred, motivated, and able to work in a fast‑paced environment. You will use strong assessment and problem‑solving skills to support clients to achieve housing outcomes.

You will bring:

• Experience delivering housing outcomes and working towards KPIs
• Strong case management skills and confidence working independently
• Understanding of homelessness, welfare benefits and housing options
• A trauma‑informed and empathetic approach to supporting clients

Above all, we are looking for inspirational, committed individuals who have a genuine desire to support people to transform their lives.

St Mungo's are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from all under-represented groups.

How to apply

To view the job description and guidance on completing your application form, please click on the ‘document’ tab on the advert page on our website.

To find out more and apply please go to the St Mungo’s careers page on our website. 

Closing date: 10am on 4 March 2026

Interview and assessments on: 12 March 2026

Kentown Family Support Worker

£24,000 annual salary plus Company Car (additional benefit of approx. £5K), 5% employers pension contribution and 25 days annual leave.

To Cover East Lancashire

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Kentown Team.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Kentown Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care.

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly.

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines.

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator, you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people, and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, this includes.

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· Company car for front line care posts

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes, as well as a recommend a friend recruitment bonus

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees. If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our website.

We also have a fantastic learning and development programme - the Anne Harris skills development programme - in which we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be the best they can be, and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Workers are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, and Introduction to Play.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs, with all family support workers having a foundation level of skills within their first year.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of their time together, providing expert practical and emotional support where they need, it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Interviews will take place via Teams or in person with a date to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate the team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation.

Youth Worker – Team Lead (Inters Club)

Oasis@Knights (Streatham/Brixton Hill, South London)

Hours: 5 hours per week (0.14FTE) (Monday 17:30-20:30 and 2 additional hours of admin)

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £4,215 per annum (£29,508 for 1 FTE)

Want to join a Youth Centre offering a diverse range of activities for the local community?

Want to enable young people to thrive?

Want to be lead a dynamic, passionate and impactful team?

Knights Youth Centre (KYC) was established in 1936 as an independent Christian Charity. The centre provides a range of universal and targeted youth work programmes in partnership with a number of statutory and voluntary organisations and is located on the boundary of the Clapham Park Estate (the largest estate in the Borough of Lambeth). In 2025 KYC is joining the Oasis family of charities and will be known as Oasis@Knights. Oasis’ vision is for community, a place where everyone is included, making a contribution and reaching their God-given potential.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Team Lead to run our Inters Group Session (ages11-14) at Oasis@Knights. This is an opportunity to run engaging and informative activities for 20-40 young people aged 11-14 in the Lambeth area, inspiring them to reach their potential and to make a real difference to their community. The successful candidate will be responsible for running these sessions weekly, managing session staff, delivering engaging activities, attending occasional day trips, as well as responding to and reporting any safeguarding concerns. 

Key responsibilities will include: 

1. To lead the delivery of youth sessions at Knights Youth Centre (KYC) and facilitate youth provision in line with the ethos, values and vision of Oasis. 

1. To work and engage with young people (aged 11-14), by delivering planned sessions, activities and occasional trips for 20-40 individuals.   

1. Deliver informal education opportunities and small group mentoring within the identified sessions and the wider community. 
2. To manage and coordinate KYC staff members whilst leading sessions.

1. Record all activity on our data management system. 

1. Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people you come into contact with. 

1. Actively engage in the learning and professional development courses provided as part of this employment.

The successful post holder must have:

· Proven experience in leading youth work provision for young people aged 11-14.

· Experience of managing staff in a youth provision setting.

· An understanding of the challenges impacting young people in Lambeth – in particular education, employment, mental health and criminal exploitation.

· Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships.

· Knowledge of safeguarding practices and experience working with young people in challenging environments.

· A commitment to the Oasis ethos and values, including inclusion, equality, and perseverance.

As part of the package, Oasis offers:

· A pension scheme, offering 7% employer contribution.

· A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays).

· Policies which promote well-being and are family friendly.

To apply, please send your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than two A4 pages) 

Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualification you have, that relate to the job description and person specification.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and underrepresented groups. If you require assistance or adjustments to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Completed CV and Cover Letter should be returned by 9 am Friday 6th March 2026.

Interviews will take place online: Wednesday 11th March 2026.

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. 

The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889