Lead workers jobs in Birmingham

About Us 

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid have for over 45 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse? 

The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.

Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have staff offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.

We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls. 

Key Responsibilities - 

To assist the refuge manager in the day-to-day running of the refuge, developing and delivering a front line service offering support, advice and guidance to women and their children living in the refuge.

Experience Required -

Providing practical and emotional support to women and children affected by domestic violence 

Offering advice and information and advocating for service users on a range of issues including homelessness, benefits, legal, social welfare issues etc. 

Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies 

Working within safeguarding guidelines to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults 

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays) 

• Up to 6% matched pension contribution 

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme 

• Life Assurance scheme while in employment (a lump sum of 4 times salary) 

• Cycle to Work scheme 

• Health Cash Plan scheme available to all employees from day one 

• Successful candidates may have the opportunity to work under hybrid working arrangements, subject to the role and to the terms of our Hybrid Working Policy 

BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you are experiencing another barrier to completing your application, please contact us via our website.

These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September.

There are many benefits to becoming a Peer Support Worker, including access to a wide range of training and development opportunities, 28 days’ pro rata annual leave, and wellbeing support such as our Employee Voice group, Wellbeing Wednesdays, and access to in-app support and benefits. You will receive regular check-ins with your line manager to ensure you feel supported as you develop within the role.

We welcome applications from people with lived experience of some of the issues our clients face, including homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, or involvement with the criminal justice system.

SIFA Fireside’s Support Centre, based in Digbeth, delivers a range of services to people experiencing homelessness or who are vulnerably housed. The Peer Support Worker Service (PSWS) is a team of individuals who work with rough sleepers across the city of Birmingham, aiming to facilitate connection, motivate and inspire, and provide a non-judgemental listening ear. The service supports individuals facing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness (MEH), empowering them to make informed choices about their lives.

The Peer Support Worker role includes street outreach across Birmingham, building trust and rapport with the rough sleeping community. Many individuals have had negative experiences with services, leading to a lack of trust and reluctance to engage. Some may also have limited experience of managing accommodation or navigating support services. The role therefore centres on developing supportive, persistent, and compassionate relationships.

Using a trauma-informed approach, the Peer Support Worker Service provides relational, collaborative, assertive, and personalised support to individuals facing complex and multiple disadvantages. At the heart of this work lies the relationship between the Peer Support Worker and the service user – characterised by non-judgemental support at the individual’s pace and by advocacy where needed.

Key Tasks

 1. Support people through street outreach, building trust and rapport with rough sleepers in Birmingham.

2. Build and maintain trust with individuals facing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness through social and community-based activities.

3. Support individuals in their positive behavioural change journeys using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches that build confidence and wellbeing.

4. Work collaboratively with other frontline services across the city, engaging in day-to-day liaison to ensure a multi-disciplinary response.

5. Assist in crisis intervention and provide support in challenging situations, connecting individuals with appropriate professional help when required.

6. Participate in training and development, contributing to discussions on multiple disadvantage, trauma-informed practice, and homelessness.

7. Prioritise safety for yourself, colleagues, and clients by completing thorough risk assessments and applying dynamic risk-assessment skills.

8. Participate in effective safeguarding practice, including identifying and responding to adult safeguarding concerns and self-neglect.

9. Recognise the emotional demands of the role and prioritise self-care to maintain personal wellbeing and effectiveness.

10.  Engage in supervision, reflective practice, and wider wellbeing support opportunities.

11.  Record and monitor client interactions and support sessions accurately to contribute to service impact reporting.

12.  Undertake any other duties as required and appropriate to the post.

Working conditions:

· Working hours are between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.

· Travel expenses will be paid for all work-related journeys.

· There may be occasions when flexible working outside of core hours is required to meet client needs.

· The role requires participation in street outreach activities conducted on foot, sometimes in challenging weather or environmental conditions.

Residential Support Worker (Mental Health)

Salary: £26,229 per annum

Location: Hockley, Birmingham

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full time working flexible shifts Monday to Sunday)

Post holders must be able to work flexible shifts Monday to Sunday. There is also a requirement for the post holders to be available to work sleep-in duties (for which there is a separate allowance paid).

Are you enthusiastic, able to facilitate recovery activities, fun loving, passionate about mental health, a good negotiator and motivator and able to work on a rota basis?

Our clients Residents are looking for someone who is “pleasant, respectful, approachable, easy to speak to, willing to listen and someone who thinks on their feet.”

Do you have an interest in working with those who experience mental health distress who are living in a Residential Care Home?

Our client is a leading provider of mental health services in Birmingham and the West Midlands. As a Residential Support Worker, you will work in partnership with people who are experiencing mental health difficulties using a person-centred recovery approach that focuses on maintaining and strengthening their presence in the community.

You will have at least 12 months’ experience of working in an adult social care environment or health and social care setting and be able to demonstrate our cleints values.

Please see the Residential Support Worker Job Description for full details of all the skills and experience required for this role.

Benefits include an attractive defined contribution pension scheme, PayCare which offers employees affordable cover for a range of healthcare treatments, an Employee Assistance Programme which includes free counselling and a comprehensive training programme.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK for a minimum of 12 months. They are not a registered sponsor and therefore are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Their people are key to the success of the organisation and they are recognised as both a Mindful Employer as well as achieving Gold standard success in Investors in People. They welcome applications from people who have experienced mental health difficulties.

Closing date for applications is Monday 7th September 2026

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 23rd September 2026

Remote (Surrey and surrounding areas) | 18 – 24 hours

£27,500 pro rata | Flexible working | Real impact

Are you kind, caring and professional – the sort of person who listens deeply, holds space for others, and wants to make a real difference?

At Jigsaw South East, we support children and young people who are facing or coping with the death of a loved one. We’re looking for a compassionate and confident Grief Support Worker to join our small, dedicated team.

In this role, you’ll:

• Support families one-to-one and in groups, both pre- and post-bereavement
• Hold meaningful (and sometimes tough) conversations with warmth and sensitivity
• Help children feel less alone in their grief, and families feel more connected
• Contribute to our PIECES group programme, helpline, and referral process

This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to walk alongside people at one of the hardest points in their lives and offer light, steadiness and support.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• A warm, person-centred approach
• Experience working with children and families
• Emotional resilience and a strong sense of purpose
• The ability to travel across Surrey and attend some evening/weekend sessions

We offer:

• Flexible working
• TOIL and supervision
• Ongoing training and personal growth
• A supportive, values-led team who genuinely care

If you believe in the power of kindness and want to help children feel seen, safe and supported, we’d love to hear from you.

View our recruitment pack for more information including a full job description and person specification:

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s aid have for over 45 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse? 

The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.  

Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have staff offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.  

We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls. 

To assist the refuge manager in the day-to-day running of the refuge, developing and delivering a front line service offering support, advice and guidance to women and their children living in the refuge.

*BSWA provides safe secure accommodation to some of the most vulnerable women and children therefore in order to ensure we provide maximum support and safety it is essential that our service is available to them 24/7. We do this through operating an on-site rota that covers weekends, evenings and bank holidays as well as a 24 hour call out system.

seeking a refuge project worker to join our emergency accommodation refuge housing team. 

 - Providing practical and emotional support to women and children affected by domestic violence
- Offering advice and information and advocating for service users on a range of issues including homelessness, benefits, legal, social welfare issues etc.
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies
- Working within safeguarding guidelines to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults

Benefits  

• 31 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays) 

• Up to 6% matched pension contribution 

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme 

• Life Assurance scheme while in employment (a lump sum of 4 times salary) 

• Cycle to Work scheme 

• Health Cash Plan scheme available to all employees from day one 

• Successful candidates may have the opportunity to work under hybrid working arrangements, subject to the role and to the terms of our Hybrid Working Policy 

BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you are experiencing another barrier to completing your application, please contact our recruitment.

These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.  

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September.

About Us 

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid have for over 45 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse? 

The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.

Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have staff offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.

We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls. 

Key Responsibilities -

To develop and deliver family support and play sessions to children, young people and their mothers in refuge and the community. To lead on domestic violence awareness raising sessions with children/young people and professionals.

Experience Required -

Working within a children and family setting with women and children affected by domestic violence 

Assessing and working to meet children’s needs in a holistic way 

Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies 

Delivering play activities for children 

Delivering training and awareness sessions

Working within safeguarding guidelines and legislation to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays) 

• Up to 6% matched pension contribution 

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme 

• Life Assurance scheme while in employment (a lump sum of 4 times salary) 

• Cycle to Work scheme 

• Health Cash Plan scheme available to all employees from day one 

• Successful candidates may have the opportunity to work under hybrid working arrangements, subject to the role and to the terms of our Hybrid Working Policy 

BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you are experiencing another barrier to completing your application, please contact us via our website. 

These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September.

Role: Dads’/Partners’ Peer Support Worker
Location: Birmingham wide / Hybrid working
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (with some occasional evening and weekend work)
Salary: £25,363 – £26,419 per annum, subject to experience
Contract: Fixed-term for 12 months
Benefits: Flexible working, 36 days leave (including bank/public holidays), 5% matched pension contribution, ongoing support and supervision sessions

Reports to: Operations Director

Please note: To allow Acacia to provide specialist, relatable peer support, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for this role to be filled by a male, who is a dad or partner and has relevant lived experience of perinatal mental health and/or other mental health difficulties.

What will the role involve?

The Dads’/Partners’ Peer Support Worker will play an important role in helping us reach and support more fathers and partners across Birmingham. The role will be community-based and will involve regular travel across the city, working closely with Family Hubs, community organisations and other local partners.

A key part of the role will be establishing and facilitating dads’ stay-and-play groups across Birmingham’s Family Hub areas. These groups will provide opportunities for dads to spend quality time with their children, meet other fathers, build supportive relationships and access support in a welcoming and informal environment.

The postholder will also provide one-to-one peer support, drawing appropriately on their own lived experience to build trust, offer encouragement and help fathers and partners feel less alone. They will support individuals to access relevant mental health, wellbeing, family and community services where needed.

The role will also help to raise awareness of fathers’ and partners’ perinatal mental health through community events, online resources and social media. Working alongside Family Hubs and other local services, the postholder will help dads and partners develop coping strategies, strengthen their support networks and feel more confident about moving forward.

Travel expenses incurred as part of the role will be reimbursed in line with Acacia’s Expenses Policy.Due to the post requiring regular travel across Birmingham, the applicant should ideally have access to a car for work purposes.

Please note the role will be subject to criminal record, right to work and reference checks.

Interested in applying?

If you are interested in being considered for the role, please read the attached job pack and complete the attached application form, explaining how you meet the points in the person specification. Your application should outline your relevant skills and experience, along with the qualities you feel you would bring to the role.

Please return completed application forms by Sunday 06 September 2026.

If you have any specific questions or would like to talk through any aspect of the role, please contact the recruiting manager for further information. 

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s aid have for over 40 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse? 

The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.

Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have colleagues offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.

We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls. 

Key Responsibilities:

· To assist the refuge manager in the day-to-day running of the young women’s refuge

· To ensure a high-quality standard of service in the refuge

· To develop and deliver a front-line service offering support, advice and guidance to young women, and their children, living in the refuge

Experience Required

Of providing practical and emotional support to young women and children affected by domestic violence

Of offering advice and information and advocating for service users on a range of issues including homelessness, benefits, legal, social welfare issues etc

Of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies

Of working within safeguarding guidelines to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults

BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. 

These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.  

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September

This role leads the development of evidence-based, equity-driven research, policy and legal interventions that advance a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

About us

Uplift supports efforts to create a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK. We urgently need to phase out oil and gas drilling to stay within safe climate limits. Yet, despite having renewable resources in abundance, the UK remains Europe’s second largest oil and gas producer. We can and must be ambitious about moving past oil and gas production, while empowering and supporting workers and communities who rely on the industry for their livelihoods. Working with everyone from policy-makers and Parliamentarians, to academics and campaigners, Uplift undertakes research, analysis and campaigning to support a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

Advice & Information Helpline Worker (Mental Health)

Erdington, Birmingham

£26,229 per annum (full time equivalent), £13,115 to £20,983 pro rata for 18.75 to 30 hours per week

37.5 (full time) and 18.75 to 30 HPW (part time) - to cover rota’d activity between 9am–11pm

The Helpline is open 7 days per week with a rolling rota consisting of shifts from 9am to 5pm and 3pm to 11pm, including weekends. Please note that this is an on-site role at the specified location. Remote working is not available for this position.

Our client is a leading provider of mental health services in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

As a Helpline Worker, you will be providing support for those experiencing mental health difficulties through our clients helpline service. The helpline supports people living in the Birmingham and Solihull area.

The support offered will include (but is not exclusive to), receiving calls, emails and webchat from people who may be experiencing crisis, people looking for more general assistance and information about services, carers looking for advice and services, and other community support services. You will provide appropriate referrals and signposting information about our clients services and external partner agencies.

You will be working in a community focused way to ensure that statutory and local organisations are aware of the provision, ensuring that you retain close and effective links with them as well as keeping up to date with any pertinent changes to local provision.

The helpline is a 7 day a week service from 9am -5pm and 3pm -11pm. Under the direction of the service manager, you will support the running of the service in line with contractual requirements, our clients Vision and Values, its operating Policy and Procedures, and any relevant legal requirements.

You will have at least 6 months’ experience in the mental health field, with experience of supporting people to be in control of their lives. You will also be able to demonstrate the ability to work with strong values and work within a recovery approach. Please see the Job Description for full details required for this role. If you feel that you meet the requirements of this position, they would like to hear from you.

Benefits include an attractive defined contribution pension scheme, PayCare which offers employees affordable cover for a range of healthcare treatments, an Employee Assistance Programme which includes free counselling and a comprehensive training programme.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK for a minimum of 12 months. We are not a registered sponsor and therefore are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Their people are key to the success of the organisation, and they are recognised as both a Mindful Employer as well as achieving Gold standard success in Investors in People. They welcome applications from people who have experienced mental health difficulties.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 26th August 2026

Interviews will take place on Monday 14th September 2026

About Us 

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid have for over 45 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse? 

The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.

Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have staff offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.

We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls. 

Key Responsibilities -

To support and engage young women (and their children) in refuge and in the 
community, who have experienced abuse, through group and individual activities, 
involving them in the evaluation and development of the service. 

Experience Required -

Of developing and delivering creative ways of engaging with young women

Of organising and running one to one and group activities with young women and children.

Of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies

Of working within safeguarding guidelines to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults.

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays) 

• Up to 6% matched pension contribution 

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme 

• Life Assurance scheme while in employment (a lump sum of 4 times salary) 

• Cycle to Work scheme 

• Health Cash Plan scheme available to all employees from day one 

• Successful candidates may have the opportunity to work under hybrid working arrangements, subject to the role and to the terms of our Hybrid Working Policy 

BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you are experiencing another barrier to completing your application, please contact our recruitment team via our website.

These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September.

Crisis Intervention Worker - Talking Spaces Service (Mental Health)

£26,229 (full time equivalent) £20,983 pro rata for 30 hours

Birmingham - Various Sites

Working at multiple sites across Birmingham - Beechcroft Centre, Erdington, Grounded, Selly Oak and Grounded St Paul’s, Jewellery Quarter

Hours: 30 hours per week – various shift patterns between 1pm-11.00pm, over 5 days, including weekends

DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY IN BIRMINGHAM?

About the role:

The Crisis Intervention Worker will be working closely with individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis and/or episodes of psychological/emotional distress. The main purpose of the role is to assist individuals through appropriate person-centred interventions to be able to address and help de-escalate their immediate crisis experience.

Listening to individuals in a crisis will be a key aspect of your role and involves focusing, observing, understanding, and responding with empathy, genuineness, respect, acceptance, non-judgment, and sensitivity.

About you:

We are looking for a candidate with the following skills and experience:

● Previous experience working in the mental health field, with experience of supporting people to be in control of their lives either in a paid or voluntary capacity.

● Knowledge and understanding of the social determinants that can lead to poor mental health.

● A good working knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding legislation.

● Extensive knowledge of the local community within which you are working.

● Excellent communication and team working skills and the ability to effectively utilise the technology available.

● Good knowledge of both Microsoft Word and Outlook.

● The ability to work flexibly including evenings and weekend shift patterns.

The Talking Space Service operates from 5pm to 11pm seven days a week throughout the year. Employees will work on a rota basis in their Erdington location.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK for a minimum of 12 months. They are not a registered sponsor and therefore are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Benefits include an attractive defined contribution pension scheme, PayCare which offers employees affordable cover for a range of healthcare treatments; Employee Assistance Programme which includes free counselling and a comprehensive training programme.

Their  people are key to the success of the organisation, and they are recognised as both Mindful Employer as well as achieving gold standard success in Investors in People.

They welcome applications from people who have experienced mental health difficulties.

Closing date for applications is Monday 31st August 2026

Interviews to take place on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th September 2026

We are looking to recruit a full time Team Manager at 37 hours per week, usually working Monday to Friday.  The post is permanent (fixed term funded) with funding agreed until 30.06.2028.

The post will be home based, however there will be the need for face-to-face presence in the Warwickshire area for meetings and staff support as the service operates across the whole of the county. 

Warwickshire SENDIASS is the Special Education Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (known as SENDIASS) as specified in the 2014 Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice.

Warwickshire SENDIASS plays a crucial role in ensuring that children, young people and families understand their rights, participate in decisions and are empowered to achieve positive outcomes. The Team Manager will lead a service that sits at the heart of the local SEND system, balancing constructive partnership working with a strong commitment to independence and advocacy for families.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the delivery and development of Warwickshire SENDIASS in line with the SEND Code of Practice, SEND Regulations and National SENDIASS Minimum Standards.
• Providing effective leadership, supervision, support and professional development to SENDIASS Project Workers.
• Promoting a culture of co-production, ensuring the voices of children, young people and families influence service design, delivery and evaluation.
• Overseeing complex casework, mediation processes and SEND Tribunal support to ensure families receive high-quality, rights-based advice and support.

• Ensuring the service maintains its independence, impartiality and confidentiality in line with the SEND Code of Practice and SENDIASS Minimum Standards.

• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with education, health, social care and voluntary sector partners while maintaining the independence of SENDIASS.
• Ensuring robust referral processes, triage systems and caseload management arrangements are in place.
• Leading quality assurance activity and ensuring compliance with SENDIASS Minimum Standards and Barnardo's quality frameworks.
• Monitoring service performance and outcomes, analysing data and producing reports for commissioners and partner agencies.
• Ensuring safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded throughout service delivery.
• Promoting awareness of SENDIASS through training, outreach, digital communications and engagement activities.

Please note: If the successful candidate has not already completed the IPSEA legal training, Barnardo's will ensure the candidate can complete this as soon as possible after appointment.

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

Citizens UK 

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Living Wage Foundation 

The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.

Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting over 475,000 people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most.

Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty.  As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions in order to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies.

Purpose 

At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training. 

Main Responsibilities 

We are looking for highly motivated and organised individual to coordinate our accreditation scheme. The role will work with our network of employers, and support new organisations through the accreditation process. 

The Programme Officer will lead our work across the South West and support our managers to grow and deepen engagement with Living Wage Employers through our associated schemes. You will help to ensure our resources and publicity materials are well written and up-to-date, and to coordinate events to grow our employer network. 

Working as the Programme Officer for Citizens UK, reporting to a Programme Manager, your main responsibilities will include: 

Contribute towards the achievement of CUK and LWF’s strategic objectives

Understand how the role contributes to LWF’s purpose and the core mission of CUK

Reliably implement CUK’s and LWF’s policies, procedures, and values in own work

Work with CUK community organisers and leaders to promote civic engagement with and ownership of the Living Wage campaign 

Feed into the LWF strategy and objectives development 

Living Wage Accreditation 

• Support key contacts at potential LW Employers through the accreditation process, from dealing with initial enquiries to guiding them through the employer journey, to checking and processing their accreditation 

• Develop rewarding relationships with key employers, industry, and campaign partners within our networks to build interest in the Living Wage and deliver a high-quality experience to our accredited employers 

• With support from the wider team, develop plans and strategies to grow the number of accreditations in specific regions or industries 

• Collate and disseminate Living Wage criteria and policy issues through both internal and external facing guidance, whilst reviewing and monitoring its suitability 

• Support the development and implementation of projects to promote and grow Living Wage accreditations and develop the quality of service offered 

Build and manage projects and achieve work targets effectively

Successfully progress projects and tasks incl. tracking performance and expenditure 

Deliver agreed areas of the LWF’s work plan and leading on agenda items to report into team meetings.

Support the growth and development of new and existing Living Wage schemes incl.  Recognised Service Providers, LW Funders, LW Places, Living Hours, Global Living Wage and Living Work Consultancy 

Deliver personal work targets on time and to standard: 

• Respond to telephone and web-based enquiries by providing advice and support to employers and supporters 

• Provide administrative support for all aspects of the accreditation journey, incl. processing accreditations, recognitions, and renewals 

• Maintain LWF data on systems, incl. Salesforce employer database

• Support the maintenance of our systems to ensure efficient processes and develop reporting mechanisms for effective monitoring and evaluation of our impact and progress against plans 

• Coordinate and administrate Steering, Advisory or Leadership Groups as required, incl. coordinating agendas, sending out timely papers, taking minutes and following up on actions 

Learning & expertise

Keep abreast of new developments in the accreditation space

Apply new learning to work and respond effectively to feedback 

Work collaboratively with the LWF and franchise teams to share learnings and experience and ensure that we are meeting the expectations of our network and stakeholders 

Develop and manage external relationships 

Effectively develop and support a range of external relationships 

Respond effectively to queries or requests from stakeholders 

Engage with a diverse range of external stakeholders to support and develop projects as required 

Communications 

Communicate effectively within the LWF; ensuring that messages are reliably passed to those who need to know 

Represent the LWF coherently in writing and verbally 

Events and Communications 

• Plan and organise events to celebrate and grow our network of LW Employers, incl. playing an active role in the delivery of LW Week and assisting colleagues with event logistics 

• Represent and speak on behalf of the LWF at internal and external meetings and events 

• Develop or feed into employer resources incl. marketing materials, blogs, reports, templates, and guides 

Develop and manage internal relationships 

Work effectively with colleagues across Citizens UK 

Work collaboratively within the LWF team and actively participate in the team to ensure we meet the expectations of our network and stakeholders 

Generate income and resources

Contribute to plans and proposals to grow sources of income/resource.

Take personal responsibility for the careful stewardship of LWF’s resources 

Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in any subject (D) 

Subject of relevance to community work or community organising (D) 

Experience 

• Comprehensive experience in an administrative role (E) 

• Experience of building positive relationships (E) 

• Experience of managing and updating Salesforce or similar databases (D) 

• Experience of delivering a range of high quality communications materials, including websites, reports, newsletters (D) 

Key skills and knowledge 

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle a wide range of competing demands (E) 

• Understanding of database and systems management (E) 

• Ability to take in and interpret information and present in a succinct manner(E) 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, combined with the ability to liaise with senior stakeholders, both online and in-person (E) 

• Ability to act on own initiative to introduce and develop new systems as appropriate (E) 

• Strong attention to detail (E) 

• Strong IT skills to include MS Office and database software (E) 

• Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK (D) 

Personal qualities & values 

• A proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude and a flexible approach to work demands (E) 

• A strong commitment to the Living Wage campaign and principles of Citizens UK (E) 

About the application process 

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role. 

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interviews will be in person in the South West region, week commencing 28th September 2026.