Parliamentary officer jobs in Birmingham
How's your job search on our site?
Who we are
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.
What you’ll do
Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders)
We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.
Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.
You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.
This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.
Who are we looking for?
You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.
You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.
Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.
IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.
What we can offer you
- 5% employer pension contributions
- Healthcare cash plan
- Flexible working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).
To apply
Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.
Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.
First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
5Rights is seeking to recruit a Junior UK Affairs Officer on a six month fixed term contract, to support the Foundation's advocacy and policy work across the United Kingdom. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual interested in children's rights, politics and the tech industry. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to one of the most important policy challenges of our time - how we ensure the digital world is built with children in mind. They will gain practical experience across policy development, stakeholder engagement, legislative processes and campaigning, playing an active role in projects that are influencing how governments, regulators and industry protect and uphold children's rights online.
About 5Rights
5Rights Foundation exists to ensure a digital world that will serve children and young people today and for future generations.We are a small team of senior professionals and experts delivering change in how the digital world works. We have shifted the narrative and the agenda through provocative comms campaigns (e.g. Twisted Toys), pioneering research (e.g. Pathways) and award-winning tools (e.g. Child Online Safety Toolkit). We continue to drive real-life change thanks to an outstanding track-record of delivering legislation (e.g. Californian Age Appropriate Design Code), policy and regulatory frameworks (e.g. UNCRC General comment No.25), and industry standards (e.g. IEEE 2089).
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyse developments in UK digital policy, online safety, privacy, AI governance, and children's rights.
- Conduct research on parliamentary activity, government consultations, regulatory initiatives, and emerging technology issues.
- Prepare policy briefings, stakeholder summaries, background notes, and advocacy materials.
- Support the drafting of consultation responses, position papers, speeches, and external communications.
- Assist with stakeholder mapping and engagement activities involving policymakers, regulators, civil society organisations, academics, and industry representatives.
- Help coordinate meetings, events, roundtables, and workshops.
- Track media coverage and public discourse related to children's digital rights and online safety.
- Maintain advocacy databases, contact lists, and project documentation.
- Contribute to campaign planning and outreach activities where appropriate.
- Provide administrative and project support to the advocacy and policy team.
Person specification
This is an ideal opportunity for someone at the start of their career who is looking for meaningful work with real-world impact. We are looking for someone with the following attributes:
Essential skills and attributes
- A proactive, enthusiastic problem-solver with a positive, can-do attitude.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing tasks, meet deadlines and consistently follow through.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and engaging communications for different audiences.
- Sound judgement, professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive information.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Curious, adaptable and eager to learn, with the resilience to thrive in a changeable environment where priorities can change.
- A collaborative team player who can build positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Confident using Microsoft 365 (including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and comfortable learning new digital tools.
- A genuine commitment to the mission and values of 5Rights Foundation and an interest in improving children's experiences in the digital world.
Desirable skills and attributes
- A degree in a relevant discipline, such as public policy, politics, law, social sciences, international relations or communications.
- An interest in technology policy, children's rights, digital regulation or public affairs
- Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to synthesise complex information into clear, concise briefings.
- An interest in current affairs and confidence monitoring and summarising policy developments.
- Experience (through study, work experience or volunteering) of research, communications, campaigning or stakeholder engagement.
- An enthusiasm for learning and developing within a small, ambitious and collaborative team.
Practical details:
Location: Remote position in the UK. Ability to travel to London for regular meetings is an advantage. Occasional international travel required.
Salary: Starting salary of £27,040 per annum pro-rata, with some flexibility for candidates with exceptional skills and experience.
Contract: 6 months fixed term
Working hours: Full time (38h week), with occasional accommodation necessary for weekend-engagements and work across time-zones.
Statutory pension contribution.
Annual leave: 25 days per annum pro-rata
Work equipment including a laptop will be provided.
Starting data: ASAP, depending on notice period.
Reporting line: Head of UK Affairs, based in UK
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.