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About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. 

Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.

About the role

We are the leading kinship care charity supporting more than 15,000 kinship carers across England and Wales each year. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. They care for more than 141,000 children in England and Wales, double the number in foster care, but feel isolated and need help. By supporting, advising and informing kinship carers, and campaigning together for fairer services, we are changing lives and changing the system. 

Kinship’s peer support and community work, supported by Department for Education funding, helps kinship carers feel connected, less isolated and better supported by building local, carer-led peer support groups and strengthening wider community networks. 

Our delivery model prioritises proactive outreach and sustainable growth through a volunteer model. 

The team works in communities to bring kinship carers together, support and train volunteer group leaders, and grow groups to a point where they are sustainable and independent (ideally within 6 months). Sustainable means able to thrive without direct staff involvement or attendance. A central ‘Hub’ team then provides ongoing remote support, training and connection. 

This role provides the operational grip to plan, deliver and continuously improve this work, while evidencing impact through robust data monitoring, reporting and clear storytelling.

Key responsibilities include:

• Accountable for the set-up, growth and transition of peer support groups to independence supported by the Hub, using clear milestones and support plans. 

• Responsible for ensuring volunteer group leaders have high-quality training, guidance and ongoing coaching to deliver safe, supportive peer spaces. 

• Responsible for embedding strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches and clear boundaries across all peer support activity. 
• Responsible for managing external delivery partners or commissioned provision to support growth in specific communities, ensuring quality and delivery to agreed standards. 
• Accountable for the identification and nurture of new group leaders and volunteers, ensuring groups are welcoming, accessible and inclusive. 
• Accountable for ensuring a proactive outreach approach that builds relationships with kinship carers and local partners, prioritising under-served areas and communities, ensuring that learning is captured and shared across the team to build further confidence and competence in supporting under-served communities (minoritised ethnic kinship carers).

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts.

Essential requirements include:

• Experience leading peer support, community development, volunteering or relational support services at scale. 
• Experience of project management.
• Experience of evaluating the impact of services and projects. 
• Proven track record of growing and sustaining community-based groups or networks, including supporting leaders and volunteers to independence. 
• Experience embedding strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches, with clear boundaries, risk management and inclusive practice. 

Key dates:

• Application deadline: Monday 20 April 2026, 9am
• First interview: Wednesday 29 or Thursday 30 April 2026 (online)

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Planning and Delivery Manager by sending a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages). The deadline is 9am on Monday 20 April 2026. Any applications arriving after the closing date will not be considered for shortlisting unless there are exceptional reasons.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work.   We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. 

Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.

About the role

The Research Officer supports Kinship in building a strong and coordinated evidence base about kinship families, and ensures our influencing work is grounded in real experience.

The role supports the design, delivery and communication of high-quality research, insights and evaluation that shapes policy, practice and service development. It also supports the coordination and operational delivery of research and practice activity, helping ensure projects, networks and events run effectively and that insights are shared across the organisation and the wider sector.

They will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, including Policy, Programmes, Peer Support and Communications. It will ensure that research and insight are gathered and used consistently and that the experiences of kinship carers, particularly those from underserved communities, are central to our work. This role could be hybrid or remote.

Key responsibilities include:

• Design and deliver qualitative and quantitative research that improves understanding of kinship families’ needs, experiences and outcomes.

• Lead data collection through surveys, interviews, focus groups and desk research.

• Carry out analysis using suitable methods to produce accurate and meaningful insight.

• Ensure research reflects the diversity of kinship carers, including carers from ethnic minority communities, mixed heritage families, informal kinship carers and carers experiencing additional barriers.

• Maintain strong ethical standards and follow GDPR requirements.

• Developing and supporting participatory research methods with carers, children and young people.

• Support evaluation of Kinship services including peer support, training and digital programmes.

• Develop tools and approaches that help gather feedback and evidence of outcomes.

• Analyse programme data to highlight trends, gaps and opportunities.

• Provide evidence that strengthens Kinship policy positions and external influencing activity.

• Contribute data and insight to briefings, consultation responses and reports.

• Support opportunities for kinship carers to participate in research in a respectful and inclusive way.

• Manage the Kinship Professionals’ Network and the Kinship Care Researchers’ Network, working with the Practice Lead to plan and schedule meetings, coordinate agendas, record and minute meetings and share insights across the organisation. 

• Support the planning and delivery of research and practice events, from consultations to knowledge exchange events.

Essential requirements include:

• Experience completing mixed methods research including design, fieldwork, analysis and reporting.

• Experience working in a research, evaluation or insight role in a charity, academic or public sector setting.

• Experience producing accessible research outputs for different audiences.

• Experience engaging with underrepresented communities and understanding barriers to participation.

• Experience of kinship care or social care research in the UK or comparable settings

• Excellent project management skills with an ability to manage multiple projects and tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with experience of R or equivalent statistical languages.

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts.

Key dates:

• Application deadline: 11.59pm on Sunday 19 April 2026
• First interview: w/c 27 April 2026 (online)
• Second interview: w/c 4 May 2026 (if required)

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Research Officer by sending a CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter (max 1 page). The deadline is 11.59pm on Sunday 19 April 2026. Any applications arriving after the closing date will not be considered for shortlisting unless there are exceptional reasons. Please ensure you have read the application timelines.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work.   We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Community Wellbeing Navigator
Post no: 657
Salary: £24,454.04 FTE (£16,523 per annum actual for 25 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part-Time, 25 hours per week.
Work Pattern: Monday to Friday (10:00 - 15:00 and Online evening group (every other week) Monday 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Covering: Central Bedfordshire – Ampthill/Flitwick, Biggleswade, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.
Working base(s): HQ The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick MK45 1AH (Wednesday – admin base) and 2 days per week onsite in: Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join our Central Bedfordshire Mental Health Recovery and Prevention Service which covers Ampthill/Flitwick, Biggleswade, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.

Key Duties and Service Delivery

As a Community Wellbeing Navigator you will be at the heart of the Recovery Service, delivering all aspects of the service, building positive relationships with those using the service and strong links into the wider community services within Central Bedfordshire.

You will offer focussed 1-2-1 support where needed, to assist people to navigate through the range of other services within the community. You will offer guidance and information that reduces the chance that people will fall through gaps or continue to be isolated and disconnected from their communities, ensuring the right support and the right time that manages a range of needs.

You will also deliver group wellbeing sessions and facilitate drop-in sessions that provide a safe environment for service users to talk openly and develop practical tools, techniques and coping strategies in order to manage their own wellbeing.

In addition, you will assess individuals’ suitability for the service and signpost where necessary. There will also be opportunity to support events in the community to raise awareness of our services and build links with local organisations.

You will need to be empathetic and deliver a person-centred approach in a non-judgemental way, collaborating with people to empower and engage them.

Entitlements/benefits:

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Optional Health Plan
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: 5pm on Friday 1st May 2026
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply.
Start date: ASAP

Interested?

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

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.

About us
Providence Row believes that no one should have to sleep rough and that everyone should have access to the support they need to find a safe place to call home.

We work with those affected by homelessness and those vulnerably housed in Tower Hamlets, offering an integrated service of housing advice & support, access to substance use, physical & mental health services, as well as, training & progression programmes. We ensure that people often excluded from mainstream services gain the support and opportunities they need to create a safe, healthy and sustainable life.

The ideal candidate

• Holding a caseload of people who are sleeping rough where their substance and/or alcohol use
• Ability to conduct street outreach at sleepsites and known hotspots within the Borough
• To actively promote and work in a way which encourages harm reduction
• To work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure positive outcomes are achieved, safeguarding is shared and to increase the persons access to support services.
• Increase the total number of people accessing structured treatment & recovery through a bespoke pathway for rough sleepers as well as sustain treatment for these individuals, reduce harm, and support bespoke planned treatment exits or transitions into community-based services (continuity of care).
•  Reducing barriers of accessing Primary Healthcare services, such as GP registration, attending hospital appointments and specialist health services by advocating for and supporting clients.
• Attending and coordinating client related MDT’s and attendance at meetings relating to the rough sleeping community
• You will promote and deliver Naloxone training & distribution to those on your caseload 
• You have excellent communication skills and can create positive working relationships with a wide range of people, including external services.
• You will support the development of the service and ensure that you are delivering a solution-focussed and strength-based approach.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Employee assistance programme
• Access to shopping discounts
• Learning & development opportunities
• Monthly reflective practice 

To apply:  Please upload your CV with a covering letter detailing how you meet the job specification by 24 April 2026 at 23:30.

Interviews
Please note that we may interview on a rolling basis and therefore encourage early applications.

Providence Row is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales; company number 07452798 registered charity number 1140192.

The Information & Advice Service is highly regarded within the London Borough of Merton and accredited with the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and Age UK Quality Advice Standard (QAS). We have developed the service over the last five years to provide high quality advice for older people to enable them to live more healthily, happily and independently in later life.

In April 2025 – March 2026 the service worked with over 1,500 older adults across a range of issues including money and benefits, health, housing and care. During this time, we assisted older adults to generate over £820,535 of previously unclaimed benefits and make informed choices about their lives.

The role involves providing initial information and guidance, primarily over the phone, assessing need and urgency, and ensuring clients are directed to the most appropriate support.

Team Leader - Carer Peer Support (Adult Mental Health)

£34,101 FTE, pro rata 28 hours per week, great benefits!

We are looking for someone to join our local, independent Carer-led charity, someone who has their own personal story of caring, able to use that lived experience as well as their professional skills and knowledge to help others. The postholder will collaborate extensively with our funding partner, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, as well as other charity delivery partners to improve the identification of, and support for, unpaid family and friend Carers of adults with mental health needs. The work may also involve identifying children and young people in caring roles and brokering access to our Young Carers Support team.

As well as leading a small, part-time team of Carer Peer Support Workers, you will work alongside them, providing front-line, individual and group dedicated support (practical, social and clinical interventions). As well as coordinating services to assist Carers with their own wellbeing needs, you will enable Carers to provide well-informed care for their friends and family. You also will be our representative for the MH Trusts’ Triangle of Care Steering Group.