Outreach officer jobs

Join a team that is changing places and changing lives.

Groundwork is the community charity with a green heart. We believe that big global issues – the economy, the environment – have a big local impact. Groundwork operates throughout the UK helping communities find practical solutions to the challenges they face.

Project Officer (Luton and Bedfordshire) 

Salary: £26,508 to £28,327 depending on experience

Location:  Luton and Bedfordshire area with some remote working available

Hours: Full time - 37 hours per week (part time hours can be considered 22.5 – 30 hours per week)

Groundwork has a range of exciting opportunities and we are seeking a highly motivated individual with a passion for engaging communities, supporting people to learn and improving the environment to help drive our programmes forward.

We are recruiting for a project officer role in Luton and Bedfordshire to join our Communities team. The successful candidate will help us deliver an exciting and wide range of community, education and youth projects across the county. 

The role will be delivering a variety of projects in group settings including gardening, outdoor play, river/wetlands, community engagement, climate awareness behaviour change projects and delivery of school and youth-based programmes.  These projects will support participants to improve their health, well-being, knowledge and skills. 

You will require strong communication and organising skills and will be leading practical tasks.  You will be working with different community groups particularly vulnerable adults and young people as well as co-ordinating with local partner organisations. 

There is ample scope for innovation and we’ll make sure you’re given all the support and guidance you need to really take your career forward.

Groundwork East is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of the community.

Appointment to this role is subject to an enhanced record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Closing date:  Wednesday 30 April 2025 at midday

Interviews: W/c Monday 5 May 2025

Would you like to make a difference to Bristol’s mental health?

Are you skilled at leading teams of mental health professionals? Can you foster an environment where colleagues can flourish? Can you approach challenges with energy and expertise, and steer a busy and specialist organisation with confidence?

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

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to...

• Steer an established, award-winning charity at an important moment in its evolution
• Lead a passionate and driven team of specialist psychodynamic professionals
• Engage in clinical work (where appropriate) alongside leadership duties

Sightsavers works to end avoidable blindness and fight for disability rights in more than 30 countries in Africa and South Asia. We are looking for a Campaign Social and Media Lead to manage social media communications and support media objectives for the Equal World campaign and our broader inclusion communications strategy. 

Contract: Two-year fixed-term contract (possibility of extension)

Hours:    Full time 

We are looking for a Campaign Social and Media Lead  to

• manage social media communications and support media objectives for the Equal World campaign
• grow, manage and engage a global community of active disability inclusion campaigners online
• support our broader inclusion communications strategy through social media and media work, making sure our channels’ campaign comms contribute to a broader awareness, understanding of, and engagement with our disability inclusion work
• provide occasional out-of-hours crisis communications support

This involved role will require the post holder to work closely with the social media lead for inclusion and together with the Campaigns team:

• Plan and deliver social media strategy for the Equal World campaign that fulfils wider communications and global campaigning objectives and integrates with wider digital user journeys.
• Manage and moderate the Equal World Facebook group, ensuring growth and stewardship of an active community of campaigners online.
• Identify opportunities to engage and recruit new campaigners, content creators and/or influencers with the Equal World campaign through organic and paid executions.
• Deliver reactive social media to support the campaign and bring it to the attention of new audiences by responding to external moments/trending conversations.
• Manage production of social media posts and identify opportunities for user-generated social to drive conversation around the campaign
• Support the media officer for inclusion to manage the media work for the Equal World campaign, tying it in with the social media work, and delivering a media strategy for the campaign that fulfils wider communications and global campaigning objectives.
• Work closely with the Content and Stories Team to project manage and deliver proactive (planned) media and social content to support key campaign moments

This is an exciting opportunity for a social media professional.  You’ll be passionate about using social media to make the world a more inclusive place and may be looking for the opportunity to develop your creative and strategic social media skills.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the  job description for full details. 

Campaign Social and Media Lead Jobholder Requirements 

Essential: 

• Experience of managing social media campaigns for a business or organisation and using social media to drive an audience to take action.
• Excellent digital campaigning, communication and creative skills.
• The ability to use your own initiative and work independently as well as in a team.
• Experience in writing for social/digital media and using Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro (or similar image/video editing tools).
• Experience of media outreach activities and monitoring the external media landscape for reporting purposes.
• Fluent in writing and communicating in English.

Other Skills: 

• Ability to assist project management effectively and deliver against agreed deadlines.
• Relationship building skills with internal and external audiences.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunities for people with disabilities.

Closing date: Friday 2 May 2025

Candidates are welcome to demonstrate their ability to match the person specification by expanding on how their experience, training and/or qualifications might have provided them with the knowledge or skills required for the role. Successful candidates will be appointed on merit.

About the Angelou Centre

The Angelou Centre is a Black-led women’s organisation committed to empowering Black and racially minoritised women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. Our centre provides trauma-informed, culturally appropriate, and holistic support to help survivors heal, recover, and rebuild their lives.

Role Overview

The Communications and Community Engagement Specialist will play a pivotal role in shaping the Angelou Centre’s voice and presence across digital and community platforms. This is a creative and strategic position responsible for managing communications, enhancing the organisation’s visibility, and deepening engagement with local communities. You will lead on digital content creation, website management, social media, campaigns, and outreach communications, while ensuring all messaging reflects the Centre’s anti-racist, feminist values and the lived experiences of the women we support. This role offers a unique opportunity to amplify underrepresented voices and support social justice through meaningful storytelling and connection-building.

As a team member, you will:

a) Work collaboratively with your teammates and actively support colleagues across teams and functions to deliver on The Angelou Centre’s (AC) mission

b) Champion a culture of mutual respect, accountability and excellence within your team and across the Angelou Centre

c) Embody and champion black-led feminist values, principles and ethos 

We are looking for an enthusiastic person to provide project support work in our InterAction service.  The successful candidate will provide support to asylum seekers and refugees in the Tyne and Wear region, empowering them to overcome immediate barriers, integrate with the community and build skills for the future.  

The aim of our InterAction project is to support asylum seekers, refugees and migrants to make informed decisions and overcome the difficulties they are facing and integrate successfully into their communities in the North East. The project does this through person-centred support and through building connections to services, organisations and peers.   

We provide support through trained caseworkers, many of whom are volunteers with lived experience of the immigration system and are fluent in multiple languages. We work out of drop-ins in Newcastle and South Tyneside, offering social spaces where people can enjoy talking to others, pick up free food and clothing or get a haircut.   

Action Foundation is an award-winning charity and an Equal Opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, particularly those who have lived experience of migration. We also have a strong focus on safeguarding in the organisation and a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check will be part of the recruitment process.  

We operate hybrid working and flexible hours to accommodate a healthy work-life balance. Our offices at the CastleGate are situated close to Newcastle’s vibrant Quayside.  

Essential Information

Hours: 28 hours per week

Location: Based at CastleGate, Newcastle with regular outreach across the North East. Occasional further regional or national travel for training, outreach or networking.

Salary: £24,681- £27,250 plus 6% pension contribution (pro rata)

Contract: Fixed term (12 months) 35 hours per week (Full Time)

Annual Leave: 28 days + English Bank Holidays (pro rata)

Application deadline: Thursday 1st May 2025 at 23:59

Interviews to be held: Wednesday 7th May at Action Foundation, CastleGate, Newcastle, NE1 2JQ

Please go to Action Foundation website for a link to the Job Description and Application Form.  If you are interested in applying and require more information about the job role, or if you would like any support in the application process, we would encourage you to contact the named person in the advert on the  Action Foundation website.

 Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive sufficient applications. 

Join one of the world’s greatest literary institutions and lead the strategic growth of our membership and engagement work as we continue to inspire and support readers, writers and thinkers from across the globe.

About us

Founded in 1841, The London Library is a thriving hub of inspiration, discovery and creativity. With a collection of over one million books and a proud history of nurturing literary talent, it remains a cornerstone of the UK’s cultural and intellectual life.

We are an independent, subscription-based library and registered charity that offers members access to an unparalleled collection, beautiful working spaces in central London, and an extensive programme of events and learning opportunities. Our members come from all walks of life and include readers, researchers, emerging and established writers, and anyone with a passion for the written word.

About the role

We are now seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Membership and Engagement to lead and deliver an ambitious membership strategy that will grow, diversify, and retain our membership base. Positioned on the Executive Team, and reporting to the Director of The London Library, you will oversee a talented team spanning membership, marketing and communications, and public engagement.

You will be responsible for developing and delivering strategies that strengthen our brand and visibility, grow income from membership, and deepen engagement with existing and prospective members. You will also oversee a rich programme of public and member events, our award-winning Emerging Writers Programme, and a growing portfolio of learning and outreach activity.

This role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring a blend of strong leadership, innovative thinking, and operational oversight. You will work closely with colleagues across the Library, Trustees, partners and ambassadors to champion the member experience and help drive the organisation forward.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a confident and experienced senior leader with a track record of driving audience growth, engagement, and income. You will bring substantial experience in membership, marketing, communications, and public engagement, ideally in a membership or cultural organisation. You will be a skilled team leader with a collaborative style, strong financial acumen, and the ability to use data insight to shape strategy.

Crucially, you will be inspired by The London Library’s mission and excited to play a leading role in helping us broaden our reach and impact. You will be a natural ambassador with a flair for building partnerships, leading through influence, and communicating compellingly with a wide range of audiences.

This is a rare opportunity to join a much-loved institution and help shape its future.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday 27th May 2025

As Support Officer (Afternoons) you will be an essential part of our team, working together to identify, create and deliver quality projects and activities to the community.

You will most likely be the first contact point for all visitors to the centre, so your enthusiasm, professionalism and welcoming approach is essential.

The SMCA is a small charity that runs the South Mitcham Community Centre.  We have big ambitions to be the heart of the community -the safe space for all, putting well-being and social cohesion at the core of all we do.  We have been growing and changing, and will continue to do so.  We are always looking at ways to do better, to provide more and make a positive impact in people’s lives.  We are a busy space with lots going on.  If you thrive in a lively, changeable environment and really want to make a difference then please apply to join us. 

As a community centre, we have regular contact with people from diverse backgrounds, of diverse ages and abilities.  We need people who can respond to individuals’ needs.  You will therefore need to be adaptable, and solution focused.

We are looking for someone who is flexible, able to multi-task, pay close attention to accuracy and detail and who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves to get things done.

It is likely that our projects/activities will grow, so we are seeking individuals who are able to work with change, who can adapt and be flexible and grow a sense of commitment and care for the community centre and the work we are trying to achieve. 

You will be a keyholder and be responsible for checking the building during your session, paying attention to Health and Safety, cleanliness and hygiene and supporting the groups/individuals using the centre during your shift.

Punctuality and reliability are essential requirements of this role.  Good communication skills (verbal and written) are key skills needed to carry out this role. 

You will be responsible for setting up rooms to meet the needs of projects, for stock taking and audits of equipment and resources. You will be involved in supporting the delivery of activities and projects.

The Education Officer will enthuse young people and local communities about their local seas and amazing marine life through unique boat-based education experiences and innovative co-design education approaches. 

Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is a marine conservation charity based on the Isle of Mull. This role is responsible for the development and delivery of HWDT’s new education project, Hebridean Marine Explorers - Connecting Scotland’s seas and communities.

The Education Officer will develop and deliver:

• a 12-week co-design project with schools resulting in a community exhibition

• a programme of digital school workshops

• boat-based floating classroom education workshops

• marine mammal research expeditions for young people

• community open boat events.

Educating young people on land and at sea is key to the role so we are seeking a confident, enthusiastic, organised self-motivator, familiar working with schools and young people, with outstanding communication skills. Experience of marine mammal surveys and the ability to identify cetacean species in the Scottish waters is also essential to the role.

We are looking for somebody experienced in teaching and delivering environmental education activities and training for young people, ideally with knowledge of co-design project delivery and its implementation within a primary school environment.

Our ideal candidate will have experience coordinating a funded project and the skills to provide effective communication, evaluation, and reporting against project targets.

The ability to work with external partners, the wider team of HWDT staff and boat crew to deliver project outcomes and a genuine interest in cetaceans and marine conservation is essential. An understanding of the workings of a charity/NGO would be an advantage.

A valid medical fitness certificate (i.e. ML5 or ENG1) and PVG check is required for the role.

This post has been generously funded by the Scottish Power Foundation.

Llanelli Foodbank, operated by Myrtle House, is far more than a place where people collect emergency food parcels—it is a vital community lifeline, offering hope, dignity, and practical support to individuals and families experiencing hardship. As part of the Trussell network, we work tirelessly to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.

Beyond food provision, Llanelli Foodbank connects people with essential services to help them move out of crisis. Through strong partnerships, dedicated volunteers, and a commitment to compassionate care, we support those in need by providing more than just meals—we offer a pathway to stability and hope for a better future.

About the Role

Llanelli Foodbank is seeking a Fundraising Officer—a passionate and motivated individual who can inspire local businesses, community groups, and individuals to contribute to the fight against food insecurity. Every pound raised means another meal on the table for a family in need, and this role is pivotal in securing the vital funding required to sustain and expand our services.

As our Fundraising Officer, you will:

• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with local businesses, donors, and sponsors.

• Develop creative fundraising campaigns that increase public donations by at least 50% within a year.

• Organise community initiatives and events that not only raise funds but also spread awareness of food poverty in Llanelli.

• Identify and apply for relevant grants and funding opportunities to support and grow the Foodbank’s impact.

• Track and report on fundraising efforts, ensuring transparency and continuous improvement.

This is a dynamic role that combines remote working with hands-on community engagement. Whether you’re networking with potential donors, running a fundraising event, or securing crucial grant funding, your efforts will directly contribute to the long-term fight against poverty in Llanelli.

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with a proven track record in fundraising. Strong communication skills, a talent for relationship-building, and an ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences are essential. You’ll need to be highly organised, proactive, and passionate about making a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Desirable qualifications and skills include:

• Experience in fundraising, community engagement, or business development.

• Knowledge of grant writing and reporting.

• Familiarity with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice.

• A valid driver’s license for travel across the community.

Why Join Us?

By joining Llanelli Foodbank, you become part of a dedicated team that changes lives daily. This role offers the opportunity to bring fresh ideas, make meaningful connections, and contribute to a movement that extends beyond food provision—we’re working towards long-term solutions to poverty and hardship in our community.

If you’re passionate about social justice and thrive on making connections, this is the perfect role for you.

Home-Start Essex is a leading family support organisation that provides high-quality family-led services for those with children under 8 years old. By mobilising professionally trained volunteers, we support families directly in the home and in group settings to overcome a range of issues such as isolation, domestic abuse, mental health, financial stress, school readiness.

Home-Start Essex is seeking a professional Volunteer Development Officer to recruit, train, manage and support our fantastic team of volunteers. We are looking for an enthusiastic, self motivated and well organised individual, able to motivate, develop and support a large team of volunteers and deliver programmes of training and support.  Knowledge of office systems, excellent communication skills and experience of training and working with volunteers are essential.

 Experience of delivering training is desirable.

Use of own car (expenses paid) is essential.

Flexible working from home and based in Maldon, Essex

An enhanced DBS check and suitable references are required.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU CONSULT THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE ROLE.

If you wish to apply, please complete an application form which can be found on our website in the recruitment section along with the Job Description and Person Specification.

Please note we DO NOT accept CVs – we can only accept applications on our application form. 

If you would like to arrange a confidential discussion with one of our team regarding your application please contact us.

This post is subject to a successful 6 month probationary period.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 2 May 2025
Interviews will be held:  w/c 12th May 2025.

Home-Start Essex is committed to equality of opportunity and works to ‘Safer Recruitment’ practices as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Our Home-Start Essex Values

Supportive - We will support families to address the challenges of bringing up children themselves. 
Non-judgmental - We do not judge families or measure them against others’ standards.
Approachable - We will be approachable and friendly at all times and develop good relationships with the families we support.
Professional - We will maintain the very highest professional standards.
Collaborative - We will work in partnership with any individual, group or agency who can help us achieve our goals.
Inclusive - We value and celebrate diversity and offer our services to all families, irrespective of their circumstances or backgrounds.
Family-led - We place children and families’ needs at the heart of our work.
Safe - The safety of the families and children we support, and the staff and volunteers we engage, is our highest priority.
Bringing up children can be hard work and all parents and carers will, from time to time, encounter problems which can often make the task even harder.

Participation and Stewardship Officer
Permanent appointment
Part time, 3 days per week (21 hours)
Location – Hybrid between home and our London, Glasgow or Shipley offices
Salary Range - £33,500 - £36,500 per annum, pro rata

About us

At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We're going all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.

About the role

Are you passionate about putting lived experience at the heart of an organisation’s work and decision-making? Do you excel in providing inclusive, high-quality stewardship to diverse communities and networks? Do you enjoy supporting high-performing teams and shaping effective tools and processes to maximise impact and efficiency? If so, this might be the perfect role for you!

As a Participation and Stewardship Officer, you will support the Communities and Participation team in embedding the participation of people with lived experience of cancer in Macmillan’s work and decision-making, aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives. You will provide inclusive stewardship to networks and communities, acting as a welcoming and supportive point of contact for people living with cancer who are engaged in Macmillan’s work. You will also act as an initial point of contact for internal Macmillan teams and external stakeholders, ensuring that all enquiries are managed in a timely and supportive manner.

Working alongside our other Participation and Stewardship Officers and the wider team, you will assist with the design and delivery of participation programmes with a focus on organising high-quality and accessible participation activities. You will deliver a well-administered and responsive participation experience for people living with cancer, ensuring GDPR-compliant data management. You will develop and maintain systems to manage Macmillan's external networks and ensure effective, accessible management of up-to-date documents, resources, tools, and templates for colleagues. You will work the Communities and Participation leadership team to shape and maintain effective team management tools and processes.

Above all else, you will embody Macmillan’s values by acting with heart, strength, and ambition as you provide exceptional stewardship and team support.

Please note: this is a part-time role, working 21 hours across 3 days per week. We are open to a conversation about how you work these hours flexibly, but for this role the post-holder will be required to work Wednesday and/or Thursday as part of their core working days. This role also requires some out of hours work to deliver core stewardship activities. This will typically involve no more than one evening each quarter and one Saturday each quarter, with each event requiring a few hours of work. The exact requirement for out of hours work may vary according to the evolving needs of our networks. All out of hours work can be taken back as TOIL (time off in lieu).

About you

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate empathy and develop professional working relationships, building trust quickly with internal and external stakeholders and particularly people living with cancer.
• Working knowledge of GDPR legislation.
• Experience of delivering involvement activity for people with access or other requirements.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office (word, outlook, excel, power point), web-based solutions and data bases.
• Ability to work well under pressure, adapting priorities with the flexibility to meet a variety of deadlines.
• Organisational and planning skills and strong attention to detail
• Practical experience of delivering excellent customer experience to internal and external stakeholders.

In return, we offer a range of benefits including:

• 25 days holiday plus flexible bank holiday options, increasing by 1 day every year of service up to 30 days 
• Pension matched up to 7.5%
• 120+ learning and development offers, with access to external professional qualifications
• Flexible working patterns, such as compressed hours, flexibility to work earlier or later around our core working hours of 10am-4pm
• Holiday buying and selling scheme, life insurance, free wills, retail discounts and much more

Recruitment Process

Application deadline: Monday 5 May 2025 at 23:59.

1st interviews w/c 19 May 2025
2nd  interviews w/c 26 May 2025

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all of our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed so that shortlisting is based solely upon the suitability of the candidate’s experience.

We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.

Could you bring the passion and leadership we need to drive forward a pioneering wellbeing and advocacy charity for BAME and refugee communities in Liverpool?

Salary | £50,000
Liverpool | Mostly onsite, with potential for some homeworking
Contract | Permanent, 37.5 hours full-time or reduced hours considered
Benefits | 28 days holiday (+bank), 8% pension contribution (3% from employer)
Culture | Flexible, life and family-friendly

We're looking for a new Chief Executive: a compassionate and visionary leader who values lived experience. It's a balancing act between honouring the organisation's deep foundations, whilst welcoming new and innovative ways of working.

Mary Seacole House is a small, but mighty charity that punches above its weight. Rooted in people, place and community, the organisation has a proud 30-year history serving the city's Black, Asian, racially minoritised and refugee communities with a clear mission: to tackle mental health inequalities through a culturally responsive lens. They serve people too often overlooked by traditional mental health services, offering a safe space and a strong voice.

Why this role matters

The need for culturally appropriate mental health support has never been more pressing. Against a backdrop of systemic inequality, social injustice and rising mental health challenges, Mary Seacole House offers a lifeline to hundreds of individuals each year.

Services range from 1-1 support and advocacy to wellbeing activities, outreach, and collaborative projects across the region. Respected and trusted because they listen and learn, the organisation prides itself on partnerships and creating spaces where people feel genuinely seen and understood.

About you

As Chief Executive, you'll help shape the future of Mary Seacole House - driving strategic ambition, empowering the team, and ensuring services continue to create lasting impact. This is more than a CEO job - it's a platform for someone who wants to shift the dial on mental health inequality.

We're looking for someone who is:

• A natural collaborator and communicator, confident presenting to diverse audiences, from local communities to commissioners and funders.
• A values-driven leader, with a deep understanding of the lived experience of racially minoritised communities.
• Skilled in strategic planning, service development and partnership building, with credibility to influence decision-makers and inspire teams.
• Aware of income generation, capable of fundraising, developing partnerships and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Passionate about equity, inclusion and culturally responsive care, with a proven commitment to antiracism and the resilience to lead through change and complexity.

We're open-minded about your background - whether you come from the charity sector, health, social care or beyond. What matters most is a demonstrable commitment to the core mission and your ability to lead with humility, integrity and vision.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Mary Seacole House values the power of lived experience to inform, shape and drive change. We encourage those without lived experience of racialisation or racial/ethnic oppression to spend time reflecting on how you would lead authentically and advocate effectively. If you choose to apply, you'll be given the opportunity to address this in your application.

Why join us?

At Mary Seacole House, you'll be part of something powerful, leading a dedicated and diverse team who are deeply connected and committed to their work. Together, you'll help shape services, influence change, and make a meaningful difference.

We're passionate about developing potential leaders, especially those who come from typically underrepresented backgrounds. As such, we are working to develop a programme of coaching, mentoring and training to upskill a new leader who may not have been in a CEO role before.

To apply, all you need to do is send a copy of your CV or brief overview of your career/profile to Amelia Lee at Charity People as the first step.

We'll be back in touch with details on the application process, providing your experience meets the brief.

Closing date: 9am on Thursday 8^th May
Interviews dates will be confirmed soon.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.

About Respect  

Respect is a pioneering UK membership organisation in the domestic abuse sector.  Founded in 2000, we have built our expertise over the last 23 years in what was then a fledgling sector and recently have seen significant and rapid growth.     

Respect supports frontline organisations across the UK, so that together we can end domestic abuse.  Our work is wide ranging: we offer accreditation of specialist services; we provide training for individuals and organisations working in the sector; we work in partnership with others to innovate and develop practice;  we provide two helplines to enable service users to get the help and advice they need; we lobby influencers to improve policy and practice; we support up-to-date research undertaken by specialists in the field; and we fundraise to ensure important work continues to happen. 

Respect has seen rapid growth over the last few years, and we now have 60+ staff running a range of projects and core activities and have ambitious plans for further growth and influence. 

Our vision   

We want a world where everyone is free from domestic abuse. Where it is never ok to control, harm or cause fear. Where those who perpetrate domestic abuse are stopped, held to account and given the chance to change.    

Our mission   

We work with our members, partners and allies to stop the harms done by those who perpetrate domestic abuse.  With innovative practice, robust research and quality data, we build evidence of what works, promote safe, effective practice and drive high standards.  We use our voice, in collaboration with others, to call for a response to domestic abuse that matches the scale of the problem.  We will not stop, until domestic abuse stops.    

Our Focus   

Respect was founded to focus on perpetrators of domestic abuse and this, including our vital work with young people who cause harm, will remain our key priority.  Our work with male victims will continue as an important, distinct, project.    

Our Values   

• Pioneering - We explore innovative ideas and develop new approaches with curiosity and rigour.   
   

• Collaborative - We work in partnership with our members, partners and allies to bring about individual, societal and systems change.   
   

• Accountable- We listen to survivors and centre their needs in our work.  We hold perpetrators to account for their behaviour and hold ourselves and our members accountable for ours.   
   

• Respectful - We live up to our name.  We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do.  We are honest, compassionate and boldly challenge injustice.    

Make a Change 

Make a Change is a community-wide, early response approach to people using abusive behaviours (or who are concerned that they might be) towards a current or ex-partner. The model has been developed by Respect in partnership with Women’s Aid Federation England, drawing inspiration from their Change that Lasts approach. It includes three strands: expert support programme for perpetrators with parallel support for survivors, workforce development and community outreach.

Improving the safety, freedom and wellbeing of adult and child survivors of domestic abuse is a key outcome for our work with perpetrators.  The Make a Change model is a multi-partner project offering local areas a framework for delivering perpetrator work. Where feasible, we aim to establish partnerships with local survivor domestic abuse service to deliver parallel support for survivors (referred to as Integrated Support Service) as part the expert support strand.

Purpose of the role: 

The Senior Communications and Policy Officer will work with the Make a Change team at Respect to advance the development of communication and policy activities for the Make a Change model in project sites and nationally to encourage uptake in new areas. They will also work with Respect’s Communications and Influence leads to ensure alignment with the organisation's broader messaging and advocacy efforts, maximising the impact of Make a Change initiatives. The postholder will lead on developing and implementing communication strategies and plans in partnership with our delivery partners across the sites.

We would particularly welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and across all protected characteristics1, particularly from people from the following under-represented groups: 

• Black and minoritised people 

• Disabled people 

We always welcome and support applications from those who have personal experience of domestic abuse. 

Please follow the link to find out more. 

Start date:  Mid-August 2025 (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £36,411 - £38,261 per annum, pro rata.

Hours: 35 hours a week, with some flexibility possible.

Contract: This is a 9 month maternity cover contract, with possibility of extension to 12 months

Place of work: To work flexibly at CARA premises across mid and north Essex, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harwich and Dunmow, with some remote home working.

Holiday: 25 days per year pro-rata, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.

To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification. 

Applications must specifically address each essential and desirable criteria, giving evidence from previous experience or qualifications.

Application deadline:  10am, Monday 2nd June 2025 

Interviews:  Monday 9th June 2025 

Start date: Mid-August, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

Mandatory Training Dates: To be confirmed.

This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Job Description

The role of CARA’s Child and Young Person’s Practice Manager is to lead CARA’s teams of Young Person’s Practitioners and Child and Family Practitioners and manage the provision of specialist sexual violence counselling for young people, play therapy and support for parents and carers.  The post holder may hold a small caseload of clients and undertake some assessments, but the main emphasis of this role will be on the management, support and coordination of the team.

This is a varied and interesting role, giving the post holder opportunity to lead a talented and committed team of practitioners.   As well as overseeing day-to-day operations of the team, the post holder will be part of CARA’s management team and will have the opportunity to play a key role in CARA’s wider development, working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO.   The post holder will work with our sister centres, SERICC and SOS Rape Crisis to gain an understanding of Child and Young Person’s services across Essex and coordinate these as appropriate.   

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• To manage all operational aspects of CARA’s Child and Young Person’s Practice, including overseeing the delivery of our specialist young person’s counselling service, play therapy and support for parents and carers.    This may also include managing any new Child and Young Person’s Practice projects that CARA develops.

• To work in accordance with CARA’s policies and procedures and embed a feminist approach in CARA activities.

• To co-ordinate, review and develop effective processes within the Child and Young Person’s Practice, working closely with the Deputy CEO, the Young Person’s Practitioners and the Child and Family Practitioners.

• To line-manage a team of Young Person’s and Child and Family Practitioners, providing day-to-day support, monitoring performance and identifying training and development needs.   This will include keeping up to date notes of line management meetings and conducting and recording annual staff appraisals.

• Work with our Adult Practice Manager to oversee the work of a wider team of sessional counsellors, including supporting Practitioners in line managing sessional and volunteer counsellors and identifying training needs. This will include helping to co-ordinate a monthly sessional and volunteer counsellor meeting. 

• To support practitioners and sessional counsellors in maintaining up-to-date client records and ensure that gaps in data are proactively addressed, as required.

• To work with CARA’s Deputy CEO to recruit and train new staff and sessional and volunteer counsellors, as required.

• To lead regular Young Person’s Practice and Child and Family Practice meetings, producing notes to share with team members and with senior management.

• To maintain an overview of waiting lists, working closely with practitioners and with the Deputy CEO and CEO to ensure that staff and resources are deployed effectively.

• To keep up to date with relevant legislation, policy and practice issues, including BACP and child safeguarding guidance and ensure the practitioners are aware of changes.

• To liaise with CARA’s other teams and more widely with Synergy Essex teams, resolving problems and ensuring good communication and mutual understanding of respective roles and ways of operating.

• To liaise with external agencies, including children’s mental health and social care, ensuring CARA is represented at meetings as required and developing effective relationships to ensure our services co-ordinate with statutory and voluntary services.

• To be part of the CARA management team and attend regular management team meetings, contributing to CARA’s ongoing development.

Counselling and client support

• To oversee client work within the teams, working closely with all team members to resolve client issues and ensure high quality service provision.

• To undertake client assessments and make appropriate arrangements for support.

• To provide specialist counselling for young people and/or play therapy for children and support for their parents, holding a small caseload of clients.

• To keep client records up to date. 

• To work flexibly at CARA centres across mid and north Essex, providing face-to-face and remote sessions, as required.

General

• To work flexible hours, including some evening work and occasional weekends.

• To participate in CARA team meetings, supervision, training and development.

• To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in delivery of training sessions.

• To raise awareness of sexual violence and its impact in the community and within other agencies.

• To keep appropriate records in accordance with CARA policies and procedures.

• To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.

• To be administratively self-servicing.

• To report to the Deputy CEO, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports and verbal reports.

• To undertake any other related activities as required by the Deputy CEO, CEO or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

About CARA 

CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.

CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex.  We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich. We also provide remote services.

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.

You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion here.   We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy East

CARA is part of Synergy East and we work closely with South Essex-based SERICC and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.