Participation jobs

We are seeking a collaborative and creative Director who is rigorous, centres care and supports people to flourish, to lead our brand new Playhouse Ensembles strand within Playhouse Connect's exciting new chapter.

The Playhouse Ensembles Director will be responsible for leading 10 ensembles in total, including:​​

• 7 Youth Theatre cohorts, ​​
• Heydays (Creative Ageing) ensemble, ​​
• Theatre of Sanctuary ensemble. ​​

​The role holder will take a strategic oversight to the work of the various ensembles and work with freelancers to deliver the sessions. Within this role, you will direct two of the ensembles yourself and manage freelance artists to lead the other ensembles.​

​The work you enable to happen will respond to the Leeds Playhouse mission and programme, the priorities of our key partners and the emerging needs of the city. Therefore, you will work closely with our Artistic team to ensure the work of the ensembles are in line with the organisation’s overall artistic vision.​ ​

This is a full-time, permanent contract of 35 hours a week, with working pattern to be discussed with your manager. Pay for the role is £32,000 per year. Benefits at Leeds Playhouse include 5 weeks holiday entitlement (plus 1.6 weeks of bank holidays), that increases with length of continuous employment; 2 wellbeing days a year; discounts across our food and drinks, free show tickets and a local gym and swimming discount. Please see our job pack for more benefits we offer.

Before applying for the role, please read our job pack. This includes the full list of responsibilities, person specification and information about Leeds Playhouse.

To apply, please fill in both of the forms linked on our website listing by the deadline.

The closing date for applications is 5pm Sunday 16 August 2026.

Interviews are scheduled for the weeks commencing 17 August or 24 August.

Role Overview:
The Talent Set is delighted to assist with the recruitment of a Challenge and Virtual Events Manager. This vital role focuses on developing innovative, engaging events that generate sustainable income, fostering new partnerships, and enhancing supporter engagement within the charity sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to develop and implement strategic plans that maximise income from challenge and virtual events.
• Design and execute multi-channel marketing campaigns to boost participation and fundraising outcomes.
• Cultivate relationships with participants, supporters, and external partners through newsletters, online groups, and event coordination.
• Manage the delivery of existing events and conceptualise new ones to increase fundraising potential.
• Lead and supervise up to three team members, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and quality standards are met.
• Analyse processes and implement improvements to optimise event efficiency and effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate financial records, producing reports to support decision-making and target tracking.
• Ensure all activities comply with policies, legal requirements, and best practice standards, including data protection and fundraising regulations.
• Foster collaboration across teams to identify new fundraising opportunities and maximise income streams.
• Undertake additional duties supporting the organisation’s fundraising objectives and sustainable growth.

Person Specification:

• Proven experience in delivering and marketing large-scale events to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrable history of using insight to develop and evaluate new fundraising products and initiatives.
• Skilled in project planning, target setting, and achieving outcomes, both financial and non-financial.
• Strong relationship-building capabilities with internal teams and external partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with high attention to detail.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, charity law, GDPR, and supporter data management.
• Creative thinker with adaptability to changing priorities and environment.
• Effective leadership and team management abilities.
• Strong organisational skills, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary: £35,900
• Location: Remote (UK based)
• Contract: Until April 2027

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

Coram Family Lives is part of the Coram group.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced, passionate and motivated SEND Family Support Coordinator to join our Carers Support Service in Milton Keynes to play a vital role in supporting unpaid carers who look after children and adults with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and learning difficulties by reducing isolation, building resilience, and helping carers feel supported, connected, and empowered.

As a Family Support Coordinator, you will:

• Provide online and community based individual and group support to Carers supporting children and adults with SEND and learning difficulties
• Develop themed based peer support groups, workshops, and community-based activities
• Help reduce social isolation by building strong support networks among carers
• Work collaboratively with Carers to identify needs and provide practical and emotional support
• Recruit, train, and support a team of volunteers to deliver community-based support
• Encourage Carers’ engagement and participation within the local community
• Build partnerships with local services and stakeholders to strengthen support pathways

• Work alongside our partner TalkBack and the MK Carers Hub organisations to share

Educated to NVQ Level 3 or above in social work, health, education, or equivalent experience is essential. Experience of working with individuals and/or families with SEND and learning disabilities is desirable.

The salary for 21 hours per week is £15,910.49 per annum.

Closing Date: Sunday, 2nd August 2026 at 23:59pm

Interview Date: Monday, 10th August 2026

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Can you inspire and mobilise supporters to drive meaningful change for the Armed Forces community?

We are looking for a Campaigns Engagement and Mobilisation Officer to help grow and strengthen the Royal British Legion’s campaign supporter network, empowering people across the UK to advocate for the issues that matter most to serving personnel, veterans and their families.

This is an exciting opportunity to combine engagement, communications and campaigning expertise to deliver impactful policy campaigns, build lasting supporter relationships and help amplify the voice of the Armed Forces community.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

· Develop and deliver engaging supporter communication and mobilisation strategies that drive participation in national and local policy campaigns.

· Build, maintain and enhance campaign supporter journeys, working collaboratively with colleagues across Campaigns, Digital Marketing, Volunteering, Fundraising and Membership teams.

· Create compelling, accessible and high-quality content across a range of channels, including email, social media, websites and supporter communications.

· Coordinate campaign engagement activities, events and training opportunities that inform, inspire and empower supporters to take action.

· Identify, develop and support campaign champions and advocates across the UK, equipping them with the tools and briefings needed to influence decision-makers and raise awareness of Armed Forces issues.

· Lead on the management and development of campaign supporter databases and engagement platforms, ensuring excellent data governance, GDPR compliance and effective reporting on campaign impact.

Employee benefits include -

· 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days

· Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave

· Generous pension scheme with employer contributions ranging from 6% to 14%, depending on length of service

· Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role

· Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice

· Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives

· Opportunities to volunteer

· Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see the Job Description attached to our direct advert. Our teams take a personalised approach to shortlisting, which is carried out without the use of AI and is based on the evidence provided in your application against the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role.

Interview Dates: WC 10/08/2026

Location: Home-based, with monthly team meetings in London, access to workspace at King's College London, occasional travel for meetings, events and visits to University Maths Schools.

Salary: £44,000–£47,000

Hours: Full time or part time (0.8-1.0FTE)

Contract: Permanent

Sector: Education

Help young people with an affinity for mathematics thrive.

We're looking for a Data + Insights Manager to build shared data systems, analyse national data and help a network of schools make better decisions.

This is an opportunity to join a small, ambitious charity at an exciting stage of its development. You'll help schools collect and use data more effectively, develop shared systems that save time and improve practice, and build the insight that helps schools, funders and U-Maths make better decisions.

If you enjoy turning real-world data into practical insight and want your work to have a national impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Why U-Maths?

U-Maths is the national charity for University Maths Schools.

Our vision is that every young person with an affinity for mathematics can thrive and succeed.

Our mission is to advance excellence and equity in mathematics education by strengthening and growing the national network of University Maths Schools.

There are currently nine state-funded University Maths Schools, each established in partnership with a leading university and specialising in mathematics and the mathematical sciences for students aged 16–19. The network continues to grow, with two further schools in Nottingham and Durham due to open.

Together, these schools are helping more young people – particularly those from backgrounds currently under-represented in the mathematical sciences – to access an outstanding mathematics education and progress to ambitious futures.

Why this role?

Schools are stronger when they work together.

By developing shared data systems, high-quality analysis and robust evidence at national level, U-Maths helps every University Maths School understand its work, strengthen its impact and reduce unnecessary duplication.

As our Data + Insights Manager, you'll play a central role in making that happen.

About the role

You'll lead U-Maths' work on data and insight across the network.

You'll help schools collect, manage and use data more effectively, develop and support a shared outreach CRM, produce high-quality reporting for schools and funders, and strengthen the evidence that helps U-Maths understand and improve its impact.

You'll also work with partners such as the Observatory for Mathematical Education to support robust national analysis and benchmarking where specialist expertise is needed.

What you'll be doing

You'll:

• develop and support a shared outreach CRM used across the University Maths School network;
• analyse data from schools and U-Maths programmes, producing clear insight for different audiences;
• improve reporting for schools, funders, trustees and the Department for Education;
• strengthen evaluation and impact reporting;
• support schools to use shared data systems confidently and effectively;
• help ensure that U-Maths' data is accurate, secure and well managed.

About you

You'll enjoy this role if you like making sense of data, improving systems and helping other people use them well.

You might have developed your skills in education, the charity sector, widening participation, evaluation, operations, CRM implementation or another setting where careful use of data matters. We're more interested in the skills, judgement and approach you bring than in where you have gained them.

We're looking for someone who:

• enjoys turning data into practical insight;
• communicates clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences;
• works independently while building strong relationships with colleagues and schools;
• values accuracy, good systems and continuous improvement.

Why join us?

You'll be joining a small national team with the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to one of the UK's most successful educational innovations.

We offer:

• 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• 11% employer pension contribution
• Flexible home-based working with monthly London team days
• Workspace available at King's College London
• A collaborative, ambitious and supportive team

We're aiming for the successful candidate to start on 1 December 2026, with some flexibility.

Interested? Download the full application pack via the U-Maths website.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Fundraising and Marketing Assistant will play a pivotal part in advancing Off The Records (OTR) fundraising and marketing strategies. As OTR continues to grow, this position will be instrumental in expanding our online presence and ensuring we connect with a broad audience, including young people, families, professionals, and supporters of our mission. It’s an ideal opportunity for someone who is both creative and analytical, skilled in producing compelling content and using data to amplify digital impact. This role would suit someone who ideally has previous charity experience, can take initiative, think proactively, and confidently manage projects independently – qualities that are especially important in our small, dedicated team.

You’ll work on a wide range of projects, creating engaging content that aligns with OTR’s brand and values across our website, social media, and email campaigns. This includes developing multimedia content (including graphics, videos and blogs) to promote our work and highlight our impact in the local community.

From a fundraising perspective, you will support our fundraising activities and ensure efficient administration using the ‘Donorfy’ database. This includes leading on the stewardship of donors and community fundraisers, managing our fundraising CRM database, and working on small and medium-sized trust and grant applications. You’ll also support digital campaigns and new initiatives, to encourage sustained support for our work. You’ll directly help to secure the financial support needed to expand OTR’s services and reach more beneficiaries. In addition, you’ll analyse the performance of our digital channels – interpreting website analytics, social media metrics, and email campaign results – to provide recommendations that enhance our communications strategies and ensure ongoing impact.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a supportive and passionate team. If you’re a skilled communicator driven by purpose, enjoy creating compelling digital content, building strong relationships with individuals, and using data to inform creative strategies, this could be the role for you.

JOB PURPOSE

The Fundraising and Marketing Assistant will play a key role in implementing OTR’s fundraising and marketing strategies. The role involves planning, creating, curating and managing high-quality digital content across our website, social media platforms and email marketing campaigns. Furthermore, you will support key areas of our fundraising strategy, including trust and grant applications, horizon scanning and ensuring excellent fundraising administration across all areas of activity.

This position is instrumental in supporting the Head of Fundraising in developing and strengthening OTR’s income streams and increasing awareness of OTR’s services through effective communications. 

SPECIFIC ROLE DUTIES

Supporting the fundraising strategy

• Support OTR’s donor and community fundraiser stewardship, through excellent communication and effective relationship management.

• Support the implementation of fundraising communications across channels.

• Support with small to medium size trust and grant applications, including horizon scanning.

• Support the stewardship of small and medium-sized trusts and foundations including scoping, applications, reporting and funder management.

• Create engaging content and campaigns to drive income generation.

• Help build the small pool of regular donors.

Website and CRM maintenance

• Work with OTR’s Head of Fundraising, Administrative Team Leader and web developer to update and enhance the OTR website.

• Monitor website performance, user engagement and SEO trends, suggesting and

implementing improvements to enhance user experience and visibility.

• Ensure our CRM (Donorfy) is utilised effectively to record, monitor and report on fundraising activity and income.

Social media

• Work collaboratively with the team, to contribute to OTR’s social media presence, by creating and scheduling engaging, accessible, and informative content that resonates with our audience and supports OTR’s mission.

• Identify new opportunities to grow OTR’s social media reach, building awareness of our services, fundraising and outreach work.

• Regularly report on social media performance, using insights to inform future content and strategy.

• Utilise paid ads to support activity, where relevant.

Email marketing

• Manage the planning, creation, and delivery of OTR’s quaterly email marketing campaigns, including newsletters, fundraising initiatives and service information and signposting.

• Ensure all email communications are engaging, well-structured, and in line with OTR’s brand and tone of voice.

• Assist in the promotion of key OTR events.

• Manage and grow OTR’s email marketing lists, ensuring they are up to date and GDPR compliant.

• Track and analyse the performance of email campaigns, providing reports and insights to the Head of Fundraising.

Content creation

• With support from the Youth Participation Officer and Youth Board, create engaging, accessible, and informative content for OTR’s digital channels, including the website, social media and email marketing.

• Develop multimedia content (for example, videos and graphics) to enhance OTR’s

communication methods and increase engagement.

• Contribute to blogs, news articles and case studies that highlight OTR’s work, impact and achievements in the sector.

Brand and tone of voice

• Ensure that all digital content aligns with OTR’s brand, tone of voice and style,

maintaining a cohesive and recognisable identity across all platforms.

• Promote OTR as the leading place to turn to for support, ensuring that our content

reflects our professionalism, reputation and expertise.

Analytics and reporting

• Use analytics tools to track the performance of OTR’s digital communications, including website traffic, email engagement and social media reach.

• Provide regular reports on digital performance to the Head of Fundraising, including insights and recommendations for improvement.

• Provide regular reports from the CRM and other online fundraising platforms to the

Head of Fundraising.

Promote

• Promote OTR as an exceptional and specialist charity.

Equality and diversity

• Promote good equality practice and play a key role in ensuring equality of opportunity in the workplace.

• Observe all relevant law relating to equality of opportunities.

• Encourage a working atmosphere where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Any other duties

• The post-holder will work collaboratively with all OTR Trustees, staff and volunteers to provide a seamless service.

• Any other duties commensurate with the post.

Location: Northmead House, Creekmoor, Poole, Dorset – CAN operates hybrid working

Hours: 37 (flexible/alternative hours considered)

Salary £37,000–£42,000 per annum FT

Contract length: 12 months fixed-term contract

Closing date: 9 am, 14th June

Interview date: Friday 26th June

About CAN (Community Action Network)

CAN is a not-for-profit organisation that transforms how our local VCS operates. By providing business support and building sustainable systems, we remove the administrative burdens facing community services.

We multiply the effectiveness of local action, ensuring that community services can reach more people and change more lives. 

We are a membership-led organisation dedicated to building strong, healthy, diverse, and thriving communities. 

About the role

If you are a passionate and collaborative professional, this is a unique opportunity to act as a system-wide connector, bringing together partners across the voluntary, community, public, and private sectors to ensure that young people and families can access the right support at the right time.

You will play a central role in developing a more connected, responsive, and prevention-focused system that improves outcomes and life chances for young people across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas.

What You Bring

We’re looking for a values-driven leader who shares our passion for volunteering and community action. Someone who believes in the power of people helping people, and wants to serve the charities, groups and volunteers making that happen every day.

• Experience working across multi-agency partnerships
• Strong communicator.
• A passion for making a difference for young people and creating positive local impact
• A strategic mindset
• Relationship-building skills rooted in collaboration and respect
• Confident facilitation skills and an ability to share learning
• Experience of working in partnership or community-based work
• An organised, proactive approach with a drive to move work forward.

If you’re the kind of person who sees potential everywhere and wants to help others reach it, we want to meet you.

Why Join CAN?

At CAN, people tell us they stay because of our values-led culture: We are compassionate, collaborative, inspirational, respectful and grounded in integrity. When you join us, you will:

• Work in a supportive, flexible organisation that puts wellbeing first
• Be part of a team that cares about each other and about doing things the right way
• Have opportunities for professional development
• Benefits include a contributory pension, 25 days holiday (pro rata) plus all bank holidays, season train ticket loan, flexible autonomous working and much more.

Digital Skills and Learning Manager

Power to Connect is looking for an experienced, community-focused Digital Skills and Learning Manager to lead and strengthen our digital skills and digital inclusion offer in Wandsworth.

Salary: £18,000 per year (£30,000 full-time equivalent)
Hours: 0.6 FTE (3 days per week)
Contract: Fixed-term for 1 year
Location: Hybrid, with home working, one day per week in a shared co-working space in Wandsworth, and additional attendance at service delivery sessions and networking events across the borough

Power to Connect is dedicated to bridging the digital divide in Wandsworth. Since launching in 2020, we have supported more than 7,000 individuals and families through device redistribution, digital skills training and ongoing support.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in tackling digital exclusion locally. You will shape and deliver accessible, high-quality learning opportunities that help residents build digital confidence, access services, improve employability and participate more fully in everyday life.

Working closely with the CEO, you will lead our digital skills and learning offer, line manage two Digital Tutors, support a team of volunteer Digital Champions, and help strengthen partnerships and progression opportunities across the borough. You will also help ensure learners can build confidence in using emerging technologies, including AI, safely and practically in everyday life and work.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development and delivery of digital skills and digital inclusion programmes
• Develop engaging, accessible learning materials and progression pathways
• Deliver around four hours of teaching each week
• Support learner engagement and inclusive community outreach
• Build partnerships with local organisations, employers and other stakeholders
• Line manage two Digital Tutors and support volunteer Digital Champions
• Monitor outcomes, evaluate impact and use learning to improve services

We're looking for someone with

• Experience of designing and delivering digital skills, digital inclusion or community learning programmes for adults
• A strong understanding of digital exclusion and the barriers faced by underserved communities
• Experience of programme coordination, partnership working and learner engagement
• Experience of supporting or line managing staff, tutors, volunteers or community champions
• Strong communication, organisational and relationship-building skills
• Confidence using digital tools and awareness of emerging technologies, including AI
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to the power of learning to improve lives

Why join us?

• Make a real difference by helping residents build digital confidence, access essential services and improve employability
• Play a leading role in shaping and growing a trusted local digital inclusion programme
• Enjoy autonomy and the opportunity to influence strategy while staying connected to communities through hands-on delivery
• Join a supportive and collaborative team
• 28 days' annual leave including bank holidays, pro rata
• Workplace pension with a 5% employer contribution
• Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development

How to apply

Please see the full job description and person specification for full details of the role, key responsibilities, person requirements and application process.

Application deadline: Wednesday 29 July at 11.59pm

Passionate about democracy, education and young people? 

Young Citizens is a national citizenship education charity with nearly 40 years' experience inspiring active citizenship among children and young people. 

As curriculum and policy change accelerates, including Votes for 16 reshaping how young people engage in civic life – we're focused on ensuring active citizenship sits at the heart of how the next generation is prepared to participate in and protect a thriving democracy. 

About the role 

We're looking for a Programme Leader to join our Education Team as we embark on an ambitious new phase of growth. This is a unique opportunity to help deliver inspiring programmes to schools across the UK while developing the skills, experience and confidence to build a successful career in the social impact sector. 

Designed as a two-year development opportunity, this role is ideal for someone early in their career who is ready to take ownership, develop their leadership skills and make a tangible impact. You'll be trusted with responsibility from day one, encouraged to contribute ideas and supported to grow through hands-on experience. 

Over the two years, you will develop your skills and expertise: 

Within your first few months you'll be: 

• Leading delivery of one of our flagship programmes. 

• Running your own events and managing relationships with schools. 

• Confidently using Salesforce CRM to manage data and drive engagement. 

• Developing your project management skills through real responsibility. 

As you continue to grow you'll have opportunities to: 

• Manage your own budget. 

• Build strategic relationships with partners and schools. 

• Represent Young Citizens at external events. 

• Shadow our senior leadership team. 

• Contribute to organisational strategy and help shape how we grow our impact. 

• Develop specialist interests across areas such as communications, impact, partnerships or programme development. 

We're looking for someone who: 

• Is passionate about democracy, education and improving opportunities for young people. 

• Delivers high-quality work and enjoys taking ownership. 

• Can build strong relationships and manage multiple priorities. 

• Learns quickly and enjoys solving problems. 

• Wants to develop into a well-rounded professional in the social impact sector. 

If you're looking for a role where you can develop your career, take on real responsibility, and help strengthen democracy through education, we'd love to hear from you. 

Download the full recruitment pack for more information about the role, progression with Young Citizens and how to apply. 

A Few Useful Notes When Applying 

If you are excited by the opportunity to build a thriving network of schools that helps more young people become active citizens, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter addressing the application questions in the full job pack, which also contains further details on the application process. 

Additional Information 

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

• Offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and a DBS check. 

• We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. 

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

About KLS’ Future Foundations education team 

Future Foundations is an education programme of Katherine Low Settlement. Since 2004, KLS’ Future Foundations education team of 10 part-time staff and over 100 volunteers, have supported young refugees and their families in Battersea and the London Borough of Wandsworth to thrive in their education. Through mentoring, family support, casework and homework clubs, we provide the tailored support each young person and their family (if they have one) needs to overcome the barriers to education they face at home and school. 

Key Objectives for this Role 

Working closely with the Lead Youth Worker and Youth Worker you will help create safe, engaging and inclusive opportunities for children and young people to learn, build confidence and develop positive relationships. 

Homework Clubs 

• Support the running and planning of two weekly homework clubs for children age 5 - 14.

• Contribute to the development of engaging session plans and learning activities. 

• Research and source resources and materials to support activities and learning.

• Support to plan and run engaging and fun activities/ongoing projects for children attending the clubs.

• Use participatory approaches to ensure young people help shape activities and programme development.

• Encourage children and young people to take ownership of activities and contribute to decision-making within the clubs Implement our behaviour management policy and work from a trauma informed perspective. 

• Support the registration and onboarding of new participants, ensuring records and consent information are accurate and up to date Liaise with families/carers when necessary. 

• Maintain accurate records, registers, case studies, feedback, photographs and other monitoring information in line with organisational requirements and funding obligations.

• Maintain excellent safeguarding practices. 

• Support the wider Future Foundations team to identify support needs and make referrals to appropriate external services and partner organisations.

• Provide cover for youth, mentoring and homework club sessions when required.

Trips and activities  

• Support the planning and delivery of an annual programme of educational, recreational and enrichment activities, including trips during school holidays.

• Ensure that this is done in collaboration with children, young people, their families and other KLS projects. 

• Assist with the summer programme development, organisation and delivery.

Teamwork and reporting 

• Work with Future Foundations team members to coordinate work, refer young people and/or parents/carers to our casework and advice team. 

• Work with Community Learning Coordinator to refer and encourage parent participation in workshops and other activities at KLS. 

• Contribute information, case studies and impact data for reports to funders, trustees and other stakeholders.

• Communicate well with other teams within KLS to provide a high-quality service to our members 

Other Duties  

• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings and annual appraisals; help to identify your own job related development and training needs. 

• Always work with anti-discriminatory, empowering practice, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. 

• Adhere to Katherine Low Settlement’s code of confidentiality, safeguarding and equal opportunities policies.

• Undertake your role in a professional manner and maintain a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of KLS.

The above job description reflects the position at the time of writing; it is not intended to be a task list but indicates the general level of work involved. It is expected that duties will be reviewed and revised as required.   

Person Specification

The following skills and experience are required for this post:

Essential

• Experience of working with refugee communities and/or children/young people and/or vulnerable groups ensuring that clients’ needs are at the forefront of service planning and delivery
• Experience of planning, delivery and reporting in a similar voluntary sector project (preferably with refugee communities) 
• Excellent communicating skills (oral and written) with refugee young people, their families, staff and partner organisations
• Ability to motivate, support and encourage young people 
• Ability to work as part of small team, whilst also working independently
• Personal attributes: hard working, organised, takes initiative, reliable, patient, high professional standards
• Experience and sensitivity working with young people who are affected by mental health issues and past trauma.Empathetic, non-judgemental and able to form supportive but boundaried relationships with young people 
• Knowledge of up-to-date best practice as regards safeguarding the welfare of children
• Excellent IT skills including MS Office suite and ability to use Internet, email and social media 
• Committed to KLS’s mission, vision and values 
• Passionate about social justice, education and championing the value of families from refugee communities

Desirable

• Track record of managing volunteers
• A recognised teaching and/or youth work qualification 
• Experience of monitoring and evaluating projects effectively and ensuring that they are consistently meeting needs and being able to demonstrate value to funders

Help transform access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness in Islington 

Thank you for your interest in joining Groundswell. 

We're looking for someone who believes everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

As our new Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) Caseworker in Islington, you'll play a key role in establishing an exciting new service that helps people experiencing homelessness get the healthcare they need while bringing local health, housing and homelessness services together around the people who need them most. 

Every day you'll build trusted relationships, remove barriers to healthcare and support people to take greater control of their health and wellbeing. Whether you're accompanying someone to a health appointment, helping them understand their treatment, supporting a safe hospital discharge or working alongside local partners to coordinate care, you'll see the difference your work makes. 

At Groundswell, we believe lasting change happens through relationships. We work alongside people rather than doing things for them, building confidence, creating opportunities and supporting people to become active participants in their own health. 

This is an opportunity to help shape a new service from the beginning, working as part of an ambitious partnership that's committed to reducing health inequalities and creating a more joined-up, compassionate system for people experiencing homelessness in Islington. 

If you're passionate about tackling health inequalities, enjoy building relationships, and want to be part of a values-led organisation where lived experience is at the heart of everything we do, we'd love to hear from you. 

About Groundswell 

For 30 years we've worked alongside people with lived experience to develop practical solutions that improve health, reduce inequalities and create opportunities for lasting change. We believe that people who have experienced homelessness are experts in the barriers they face and should play a central role in designing services and shaping the systems that affect them.  

Today, Groundswell delivers peer-led services, helping thousands of people each year access healthcare, improve their wellbeing and influence the systems that affect their lives. As Islington HHPA Caseworker, you'll join a supportive organisation that believes lasting change happens through relationships, partnership and involving people with lived experience at all levels.  

Our Vision 

Our vision is for a society which is fair, inclusive and equal. 

We need equitable access to a healthier life and a better future for anyone with experience of homelessness. 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to bring people together to: 

• Amplify voices of people with lived experience to create solutions to homelessness and health inequalities. 

• Stand in solidarity and champion their rights, to create positive change. 

Our Strategy 

We co-produced our strategy with staff and volunteers with experience of homelessness. We’re proud to have remained true to our values of participation and co-production. 

Stronger Voices, Healthier Lives, Better Futures, Greater Together 

People with experience of homelessness must inform the solutions – because they understand the problems people face. 

At every stage, we will hear, unite and amplify more voices of people with lived experience to speak out. Through participation we will build a stronger, more inclusive community to create change – through our organisation, in services, our sectors and wider society, locally and nationally. 

Homelessness is a health emergency. 

We will work to end health inequalities for people who have or are experiencing homelessness through advocacy, practical support, information and by influencing people, policy and services. 

Everyone deserves a better, more hopeful life and future. 

Lived experience of homelessness can lead to barriers that impact people’s life chances. 

Recognising the potential in everyone, we will provide more opportunities and support for people with experience of homelessness to progress if, and when, they are ready. 

We can’t achieve our goals alone – we are more impactful when we pull together. 

We will become more effective and sustainable, building on our culture of relationships, compassion and transparency, and working closely with partners to learn, share and create change. 

How Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Works 

HHPA helps people experiencing homelessness overcome the barriers that prevent them accessing healthcare. 

Many people face significant challenges navigating health services. Appointments can be difficult to book and attend, treatment can be confusing, and previous experiences of stigma, trauma or exclusion can make healthcare feel inaccessible. Without the right support, people often delay seeking help until their health has deteriorated. 

"I need someone with me that I know that I can trust. I wouldn't do things like that on my own." 

HHPA Client 

HHPA provides practical, person-centred support that helps people access the care they need while building the confidence to manage their own health. Rather than providing one-off interventions, HHPA works alongside people over time, developing trusted relationships, responding flexibly to changing needs and supporting people to become more confident and independent. 

The service combines the expertise of skilled Caseworkers with the unique insight of trained volunteer Peer Advocates who have lived experience of homelessness. Together they provide one-to-one advocacy, practical support and health promotion to help people: 

• register with healthcare services 

• prepare for and attend appointments 

• understand treatment and care plans 

• navigate hospital admission and discharge 

• access wider health and wellbeing services 

• make informed decisions about their health 

• become increasingly confident in managing their own health. 

Alongside one-to-one support, HHPA delivers peer-led health promotion in hostels, day centres, outreach settings and other community spaces. Through informal conversations and group activities, Peer Advocates share accessible information about physical health, mental health and wellbeing, encourage preventative healthcare, identify unmet health needs and help people access support earlier. These conversations often provide the first step towards engaging with healthcare, creating trusted pathways into ongoing advocacy and reducing the need for crisis intervention. 

This relational, peer-led approach improves individual health outcomes while strengthening partnerships across health, housing and homelessness services, helping more people access coordinated, person-centred care.  

Delivering HHPA in Islington 

Groundswell has been commissioned by Islington Council to deliver a new borough-wide Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) service. 

The service supports people who are sleeping rough or living in hostels, supported accommodation and temporary housing to access healthcare earlier, stay engaged with treatment and receive coordinated support across local services. 

Working alongside Single Homelessness Project (SHP), Thames Reach, the Islington Health Outreach Team (IHOT), Whittington Health NHS Trust, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, Islington GP Federation, Change Grow Live, Islington Council and local accommodation providers, the service delivers outreach, in-reach, health advocacy, healthcare accompaniment, hospital discharge support and health promotion for people experiencing homelessness across Islington. Alongside supporting individuals, the service also strengthens local partnerships, improves referral pathways and identifies opportunities to make the health and homelessness system work better for people experiencing homelessness. 

"Groundswell are the stitches that keep homeless and health professionals working together." 

Partner organisation 

As the Islington HHPA Caseworker, you'll play a key role in establishing this new service and helping it become a trusted part of Islington's health and homelessness system. You'll manage a varied caseload, working alongside people experiencing homelessness to improve access to healthcare, coordinate support and help them achieve the health outcomes that matter to them. Every day is different, but throughout your work you'll work alongside people, collaborate with local partners and help create a service that enables people to access healthcare with dignity, confidence and choice. 

Role Description 

Through outreach, health advocacy and partnership working, you'll support people experiencing homelessness to access healthcare, stay engaged with treatment and build the confidence to manage their own health. Alongside direct support, you'll help strengthen partnerships and improve local pathways into care. 

Key Responsibilities 

Outreach and Engagement: 

• Undertake outreach with SHP, Thames Reach and the Islington Health Outreach Team (IHOT).

• Deliver in-reach sessions within hostels, supported accommodation and temporary housing.

• Respond to referrals and identify people who would benefit from the service.

• Build trusting relationships through persistent, compassionate engagement.

• Complete holistic assessments and develop person-centred support plans. 

Health Advocacy and Casework: 

Manage a caseload of people experiencing homelessness with multiple and complex health needs, providing practical, person-centred support to improve access to healthcare and long-term health outcomes. 

You will support people to: 

• Register with GP practices and other primary healthcare services.

• Access physical health, mental health, dental, sexual health, optometry and substance use services.

• Arrange, prepare for and attend healthcare appointments.

• Understand their treatment, care plans and available support.

• Communicate effectively with healthcare professionals and advocate where barriers arise.

• Build the confidence and skills to manage their own healthcare independently over time.

• Promote preventative healthcare, including screening, vaccinations and long-term condition management where appropriate.

• Deliver informal health promotion and accessible health information in hostels and community settings.

• Encourage people to seek support earlier and become active participants in managing their own health and wellbeing.

You'll tailor your support to each individual, recognising the impact of homelessness, trauma and social exclusion on health and wellbeing. 

Hospital Admission and Discharge 

• Support people before, during and after hospital admission.

• Advocate with hospital teams.

• Contribute to discharge planning.

• Help prevent discharge to rough sleeping.

• Provide follow-up support to maintain engagement with healthcare. 

Partnership Working 

Develop strong working relationships across Islington's health, housing and homelessness system to ensure people experiencing homelessness receive coordinated, person-centred support. 

You will: 

• Attend multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, case conferences and other partnership forums.

• Coordinate care for people with multiple and complex needs.

• Develop and maintain effective referral pathways with partner organisations.

• Share information appropriately to support safe, coordinated care.

• Promote collaborative, person-centred working across the partnership. 

• Champion the value of peer-led health advocacy and lived experience.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and improve access to healthcare across the borough. 

Safeguarding and Professional Practice 

• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

• Assess and manage risk.

• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

• Follow Groundswell's safeguarding, health and safety and lone working procedures.

• Participate in supervision, reflective practice and training.

Recording and Service Development 

• Maintain accurate records using Salesforce.

• Monitor outcomes and report on service activity.

• Contribute case studies and learning.

• Share insights to improve services and local partnership working.

• Support the development of the Islington HHPA service. 

General Responsibilities 

You will: 

• Work in line with Groundswell's values and policies.

• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

• Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred practice.

• Work flexibly across community settings in Islington.

• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role. 

What Success Looks Like 

In your first year you will have: 

• Built trusted relationships with people experiencing homelessness.

• Helped more people access and engage with healthcare.

• Worked effectively alongside Peer Advocates and local partners.

• Supported safer hospital admissions and discharges.

• Delivered high-quality, person-centred health advocacy.

• Helped establish Groundswell's HHPA service as a trusted part of Islington's health and homelessness system. 

Person Specification 

At Groundswell, we know that excellent Caseworkers come from many different backgrounds. You may have gained your experience through paid work, volunteering, community organising, supporting people experiencing homelessness or other forms of social exclusion, or through your own lived experience. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who are committed to improving people's lives. 

We're looking for someone who shares our values, enjoys building relationships and wants to help create a health and homelessness system that works better for everyone. 

What We're Looking For 

A) Core Requirements: 

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate the following: 

1. Experience of supporting people facing homelessness, multiple disadvantage or other forms of social exclusion through advocacy, casework, health navigation or other person-centred support.
2. The ability to build trusting relationships with people who may have experienced trauma, exclusion or negative experiences of services.
3. Excellent communication and partnership working skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across health, housing and voluntary sector organisations.
4. Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritise competing demands and maintain accurate records.
5. Sound judgement when managing risk, safeguarding concerns and complex situations.
6. A commitment to Groundswell's values, including lived experience leadership, equity, participation, compassion and collaboration.

B) Knowledge and Experience: 

The successful candidate is likely to have knowledge or experience of: 

Essential 

1. Health inequalities experienced by people facing homelessness and multiple disadvantage.
2. Trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.
3. Safeguarding, professional boundaries and confidentiality.
4. Working collaboratively with other organisations to support people with complex needs.
5. Microsoft Word and Outlook 

Desirable 

1. Health advocacy, care navigation or homelessness services.
2. Outreach or assertive engagement.
3. Hospital admission and discharge support.
4. NHS, housing or adult social care systems.
5. Coordinating volunteers or people with lived experience.
6. Salesforce or another case management system.

C) Personal Qualities: 

We're looking for someone who is: 

1. Compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental.
2. Calm and resilient when working in complex or challenging situations.
3. Curious, reflective and committed to continuous learning.
4. Flexible and adaptable, recognising that no two days—and no two people—are the same.
5. Passionate about improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

We'd Particularly Welcome Applications from People Who Have: 

• Lived experience of homelessness or another form of social exclusion. 

• Experience of working in partnership with local communities.  

• Experience of co-production or supporting people with lived experience to shape services.  

• A commitment to using lived experience to influence systems and improve outcomes.  

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment: 

Groundswell is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, migration, the criminal justice system, mental ill health, substance use or other forms of social exclusion. 

We recognise that no one candidate will meet every requirement. If you believe you have the skills, values and potential to succeed in this role, we'd encourage you to apply. 

Why Join Groundswell 

Meaningful Work 

"Without someone beside them, many of my clients simply wouldn't attend. It isn't just support—it's the difference between care happening or not happening at all." 

Groundswell Peer Advocate 

Working at Groundswell is about making a genuine difference.It's rewarding work where you'll see the impact of what you do, both in people's lives and in the way local services work together. 

A Supportive Team 

We're a values-led organisation where compassion, collaboration and lived experience shape everything we do. You'll be part of a friendly, supportive team that values reflection, learning and mutual support. Through regular supervision, reflective practice and close working with colleagues and partners, you'll have the support you need to do challenging work well. 

Learn and Grow 

We're committed to helping our people develop. You'll have opportunities to deepen your expertise in homelessness, health inequalities and trauma-informed practice, build your understanding of health, housing and social care systems, and contribute to the development of a new service. Whether you're looking to broaden your skills or progress your career, we'll support your learning every step of the way. 

Benefits 

We offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including: 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.  

• 5% employer pension contribution.  

• Flexible and hybrid working, where service delivery allows.  

• A compressed hours working pattern is available.  

• Regular reflective practice and high-quality supervision.  

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.  

• A supportive, inclusive and values-led working environment.  

Be Part of Something Bigger 

Every relationship you build, every barrier you help remove and every person you support to access healthcare has the potential to change a life. 

By joining Groundswell, you'll be helping to build a fairer health system—one where everyone, regardless of their housing situation, can access the care they need with dignity, confidence and hope. 

If you're looking for a role where your compassion, skills and commitment can make a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you. 

Application and Interview Process

Please let us know if you would like to request any accommodations or adjustments throughout the application and interview process. We will be very happy to support these wherever possible to give all applicants the best opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.

We encourage our candidates to draw from their personal and professional experiences, skills, knowledge and passion for our work in their applications, as we believe this will be the best representation of why you are the right fit for the role. While we acknowledge that Generative AI can be a useful tool when used selectively, we do not believe it can replace the authenticity each individual can bring to their application. Therefore, we ask you to consider carefully any use of Generative AI throughout the application process.  

1. Application 

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter using. The cover letter should explain:

• How you meet each of the areas outlined in the person specification above  

• Why you are interested in doing this job at Groundswell.

The deadline for applications is 10am on Friday 7th August. 

1. Interviews 

Interviews will be held online on Wednesday 12th August. 

If you do not have a computer or a suitable space to do an online interview, we can arrange for you to come into our office.

We are a small charity with limited resources and are unable to give individualised feedback on unsuccessful applications before the interview stage.

1. Pre-employment checks 

The job offer for the successful candidate will be subject to a reference and DBS check.

Many thanks for taking the time to look into this role – it is an exciting opportunity, and we hope you will consider applying. 

If you would like to discuss this role before applying then please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

We care about your privacy; read here how we manage your personal data. 

Two positions:

• 1 x Greater Manchester
• 1 x Barking & Dagenham

We have recently been awarded a transformative multi-year grant from The National Lottery Community Fund  as part of its Health Inequities: Structural Racism and Discrimination Partnership. We are one of ten national partners working alongside The National Lottery Community Fund and will take a leading role in shaping how the partnership operates, including building evidence, influencing policy and practice, supporting the design of new national funding programmes, and facilitating collective learning across the partnership.​

Alongside this, the centrepiece of our participation will be the delivery of three Anti-Racism Collaboratives (ARCs), each based in a specific locality and rooted in communities experiencing the sharpest health inequities. The initial locations are Greater Manchester, the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.. ARCs will bring together voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE), faith organisations, people with lived experience, primary and secondary care providers, local authorities, public health and social care partners. Each ARC will convene a Co-Production Panel (CPP) of people from minoritised ethnic communities to identify where structural racism produces inequitable health outcomes, and to co-produce evidence-led solutions that improve health and tackle the wider determinants of health.​

We are recruiting two Changemakers, one each for Greater Manchester and for Barking & Dagenham. As a Changemaker, you will establish and support an ARC within one of our pilot localities, bringing together stakeholders, providing strategic advice and knowledge of research methods and policy opportunities. You will support the design and implementation of health intervention programmes decided on by the ARC that have the power to influence policy, practice and systems.

Working as part of a national team of Changemakers, you will also contribute to the Foundation's evidence, influencing and systems change work, connecting learning from your locality to national policy, while bringing national developments back into local action. Together, the team will develop a replicable model for tackling racial health inequities.​

We are looking for an experienced systems change practitioner who is passionate about tackling structural racism and improving health equity. This highly collaborative leadership role requires someone equally comfortable working alongside people with lived experience, senior leaders across health and local government, and colleagues from the voluntary and community sector. Success will depend on your ability to build trusted partnerships, work strategically in complex environments, translate evidence into action, and create the conditions for lasting systems change.

Person Specification​

Essential​

• Demonstrable experience of leading complex, multi-agency change involving communities, VCSE organisations and statutory partners. ​

• Strong understanding of how systemic racism operates within health and wider public systems

• Experience of identifying opportunities to redesign policy, commissioning, organisational practice or partnerships to reduce racial inequities. ​

• Experience of leading or facilitating programmes that sought to tackle systemic racism through systems or organisational change. ​

• Ability to build trusted relationships across organisations with different priorities and levels of influence, exercising sound judgement in complex and politically sensitive environments. ​

• Significant experience of working alongside communities experiencing racial inequities to co-produce evidence-led solutions that influence policy, organisational practice or systems. ​

• A commitment to trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches that recognise community knowledge as equal to professional expertise. ​

• Experience of synthesising qualitative and quantitative evidence and translating it into practical recommendations that influence policy, commissioning, organisational practice or wider systems change.​

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience of using evidence and partnership working to shape policy, commissioning or organisational practice.​

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences. ​

• Ability to work strategically while maintaining oversight of programme delivery. ​

• Ability to work confidently in ambiguity, adapting approaches in response to evidence, community insight and changing organisational contexts. ​

• Commitment to equity, anti-racism and the values of the Race Equality Foundation. ​

Desirable​

• Experience of working within health and care systems. ​

• Experience of analysing ethnicity-disaggregated data or wider health inequalities evidence. ​

• Experience of Action Learning, organisational development or other systems change methodologies. ​

• Knowledge of the VCSE, statutory and community landscape within the locality. ​

• Experience of organisational improvement or quality frameworks such as REMI.

For the full job description see attachment.

Applications will only be accepted via application form on our portal. We will not accept any applications via CV.

Please note, we can only accept applications from those already eligible to work in the UK.

Drive quality, lead change and make a lasting difference! 

About Us

Carers Trust Heart of England exists to improve the lives of family carers and the people they care for. We provide information, advice, and a wide range of practical and emotional support to unpaid carers and people with care and support needs. Our work is rooted in compassion, partnership, and a commitment to high-quality, person-centred services.

Our Regulated Activities and Contract Scope

The Care Services Manager will have responsibility across our regulated and associated services, which currently include:

•  Domiciliary care (personal care in people's homes)

  •  Short Breaks and Emergency Respite (including sleep-in provision)

  •  Dementia Wraparound Support

  •  Day Break Day Services (currently unregulated)

We hold contracts and funding arrangements across several commissioners and funders. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that care and support is delivered in accordance with all relevant contractual and funding requirements.

The Role

The Care Services Manager will hold personal CQC accountability for the quality, safety, and compliance of our regulated services. While this is fundamentally a strategic leadership and governance role, our regulated services are currently at an important stage of development. As such, we are looking for someone who is equally comfortable providing visible, hands-on operational delivery when needed.

Initially, the successful candidate will spend time working closely with the day-to-day operation of the service, building strong relationships with Care Support Workers and the people we support, strengthening systems and processes, and ensuring consistently high standards of care.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in embedding best practice and supporting the continued growth and improvement of the service. As the service develops, the emphasis of the role will increasingly shift towards strategic leadership, quality assurance, governance, service improvement and future development.

The successful candidate will be able to recognise what the service needs at any given time and adapt their approach accordingly, remaining visible and involved operationally where appropriate, while driving long-term quality, compliance and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary

• Starting annual leave entitlement of 25 days, increasing with service to a maximum of 30 days (and Bank Holidays),             plus your 'birtholiday'

• Pension contribution scheme

• Benefits platform offering flexible high street savings and discounts on top brands

• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing platform

• Ongoing training and development opportunities

• A supportive, values-led organisation that makes a real difference to carers’ lives and the people they care for

Key Responsibilities

1. Leading and Managing the Service

• Hold CQC registration and personal accountability for the quality, safety and compliance of all regulated care activities delivered by the organisation.

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership of the care service(s), being genuinely present and accessible to care support workers, coordinators, and senior staff, particularly in the early period of the role.

• Line manages the coordination and care team, providing regular supervision, clear direction, and honest feedback.

• Be willing to get involved in operational problem-solving when needed, covering gaps in coordination, stepping in on complex cases, supporting the team through difficult periods, while also working to build the capacity that, over time, reduces the need for this.

• Build and sustain a team culture where staff feel supported, valued, and clear about what is expected of them.

• Manage performance and conduct fairly and consistently, with appropriate HR support.

2. Quality, Compliance and Safeguarding

• Ensure the service always operates in compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and CQC Fundamental Standards.

• Maintain continuous inspection readiness under the CQC Single Assessment Framework, understanding that ratings can be updated at any point, not just following a scheduled visit.

• Act as a named safeguarding lead, recognising, reporting, managing, and recording safeguarding concerns across all regulated services.

• Lead a meaningful quality assurance programme, involving audits, spot checks, care plan reviews, complaint analysis, and use findings to drive improvements.

• Submit CQC notifications accurately and on time and ensure the Statement of Purpose and all governance documentation accurately reflects what the service does.

• Monitor care quality through ECM data, visit records, staff feedback and regular engagement with service users and their families, remaining closely connected to the day-to-day service delivery to identify and address emerging issues before they escalate.

• Ensure care and support delivery across all services remains within the scope of relevant contractual and funding arrangements, and that any changes to the service scope, volume or specification are identified and escalated appropriately.

3. Care Planning and Service User Relationships

• Ensure every service user has a current, person-centred care plan that reflects their needs, preferences and risks.

• Oversee and contribute to care assessments and reviews, including involvement in complex cases, multi-agency reviews and situations where a senior presence is needed.

• Build and maintain positive relationships with service users, their families, and carers, being accessible, responsive, and honest whether managing concerns or recognising success.

• Ensure that the service user experience and what it actually feels like to be supported by our service is at the centre of how quality is assessed, monitored and improved.

4. Safe Recruitment, Staffing and Workforce

• Ensure all staff are recruited safely and in line with statutory and regulatory requirements, with appropriate DBS checks, references, right-to-work verification, and safer recruitment processes completed before delivering regulated care.

• Manage all aspects of the Skilled Worker visa sponsorship process, including sponsorship applications, compliance monitoring, record keeping, and reporting requirements in line with Home Office regulations.

• Lead on workforce development, identifying training needs, commissioning training, maintaining records, and ensuring all staff are competent for the care they deliver.

• Ensure a regular and effective programme of one-to-one meetings, supervision, probation reviews and annual appraisals is maintained across the service, addressing performance, development, wellbeing, and any concerns in a timely manner.

• Support, and where appropriate, lead HR processes, including investigations, disciplinary, performance management, grievance, and absence management meetings, working closely with HR to ensure a fair, consistent and legally compliant approach.

• Ensure the on-call and lone working frameworks are in place, understood by all staff and working in practice.

• Participate in the senior management on-call rota, providing advice, support and decision making in response to serious incidents, safeguarding concerns, deaths, and any other urgent operational matters requiring immediate senior attention.

• Participation in a shared on-call rota, including evenings/over-night and weekends, and bank holidays where scheduled.

5. Working with Senior Leadership

• Work closely with the Head of Operations (Deputy CEO) reporting on service performance, escalating concerns, contributing to strategic decisions, and supporting the organisation's broader development.

• Contribute to commissioner relationships and contract management, including monitoring reporting, quality submissions and attendance at review meetings.

• Play an active part in shaping how the service develops, bringing operational knowledge and professional judgement to decisions about what the service does, how it is structured and where it grows.

• Demonstrate the confidence to communicate honestly, raise difficult issues and challenge constructively in the best interests of the service and the people we support.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

· Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care or actively working toward it with a clear and realistic            completion plan.

· Enhanced DBS with adults' barred list or willingness to apply immediately.

· Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.

Knowledge

· Strong working knowledge of the CQC Single Assessment Framework how evidence is gathered, what quality                      statements are assessed against, and what continuous inspection readiness means in practice.

· Comprehensive knowledge of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and CQC Fundamental Standards.

· Knowledge of safeguarding adults' legislation and local procedures.

· Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how it applies in domiciliary and community care

· Working knowledge of Working Time Regulations and how this practically applies to care rotas and on-call                            arrangements.

· Understanding of contractual compliance in a multi-contract or multi-funder care environment, and the implications of            changes to service scope or volume.

Experience

· Proven experience as a Registered Manager (or equivalent senior care management role) in a CQC-regulated                      domiciliary or community care service.

· Experience of being hands-on in a care management role, understanding when direct operational involvement is                  needed.

· Experience of managing safeguarding, making referrals, managing investigations, recording outcomes, and learning            from them.

· Experience of directly supervising and developing a care team including coordinators, senior carers, and care                        support workers.

· Experience of managing quality across a regulated service, completing audits, spot checks, care plan reviews and                complaint handling.

· Experience of CQC compliance and notifications, including operating under the Single Assessment Framework.

· Experience of managing across multiple service lines or contracts simultaneously, ensuring compliance with each                  commissioner or funder’s specific requirements.

Skills & Abilities

· Able to assess service performance, recognise what is working well, identify challenges and confidently                                  communicate these in a clear and constructive way.

· Willingness and flexibility to be hands-on when required, and confident enough to step back appropriately as the                  service develops.

· Excellent written communication skills, being able to write clearly, accurately, and professionally for a variety of                      audiences (CQC, commissioners and families).

· Excellent verbal communication skills, being able to speak in a clear, honest, and approachable way with care                      workers, service users, families, CQC inspectors and senior colleagues.

· Strong decision-making skills when under pressure, including in safeguarding, serious incidents and out-of-hours                  situations.

· Competent in care management systems — including rostering, ECM, and digital care planning.

Personal Qualities

· Shows the self-awareness, honesty and professional courage to recognise what is working, what is not, and what                  needs to change.

· Demonstrates resilience and calm judgement, remaining focused and clear when faced with challenging or complex              situations or organisational difficulties.

· A caring and compassionate leader with a genuine commitment to making a positive difference to the people we                    support.

· Accountable and takes ownership of outcomes.

· Adaptable and confident working at different levels, recognising when to move between strategic thinking to                          operational problem-solving.

· Collaborative and approachable, with the ability to build positive working relationships and work effectively with                      people at all levels of the organisation.

· Curious and improvement-focused, with a willingness to ask questions, explore new approaches and learn from                    experience.

About the AOI

The Association of Illustrators is the UK's professional body for illustrators and a global leader in our field. For more than 50 years, we have championed illustration and helped illustrators build successful, sustainable creative careers through expert business advice, professional development, events and campaigning.

We are proud to support a community of more than 2,000 illustrators at every stage of their careers. As a small not-for-profit organisation with big ambitions, we are focused on growing our membership, making it more inclusive and accessible, and ensuring the AOI remains an indispensable source of support, inspiration and connection for illustrators.

About the role

The Membership team is at the heart of the AOI. It is where members come for advice, professional support and connection with the wider illustration community.

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Membership Manager to join us for fixed term maternity cover. You will lead a small, dedicated team, ensure members continue to receive an excellent service and take forward our three-year membership strategy.

This is a varied role combining leadership, planning and hands-on delivery. You will protect and grow membership income, oversee our events programme, support the team with member enquiries and develop new ways to make membership more welcoming and relevant to a wider range of illustrators.

Where possible, there will be a handover with the current postholder. You will also be supported by colleagues who share knowledge of the professional and business issues affecting illustrators.

What you will be doing

Leading the Membership team

You will lead and support a small, experienced team, ensuring priorities are clear and members receive a consistently high level of service.

You will:

• Lead, support and develop the Membership team through regular planning, one-to-ones and clear communication.
• Oversee the day-to-day work of the team, balancing immediate member needs with longer-term priorities.
• Create a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Work closely with the Membership Administrator, who is responsible for the membership database and day-to-day administration.
• Ensure membership reporting and processes support effective decision-making and excellent member service.
• Monitor renewals, retention, membership income and other key trends, reporting regularly to the CEO.
• Identify practical improvements to the experience members receive.

Growing and strengthening membership

You will play a central role in delivering the AOI's three-year membership strategy.

You will:

• Lead plans to grow membership and improve retention.
• Develop a membership offer that is increasingly accessible, inclusive and relevant to today's illustration community.
• Ensure the needs of illustrators at different stages of their careers are reflected in our services and communications.
• Use member feedback, enquiry trends and membership data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work with colleagues to communicate the value of AOI membership clearly and confidently.
• Develop campaigns and activities that encourage people to join, renew and make full use of their membership.

Leading the events programme

Events are one of the main ways we support, inform and bring together the illustration community.

You will:

• Shape and oversee the annual programme of talks, workshops, networking events and professional development activities.
• Manage the events budget and make effective use of available resources.
• Coordinate colleagues, guest speakers and external contributors.
• Ensure the programme offers a strong balance of business support, professional development, community and inspiration.
• Make events welcoming, accessible and relevant to a broad range of illustrators.
• Use events to support member engagement, retention and recruitment.
• Review attendance, feedback and impact to improve future programmes.

Supporting members

Our members come to us for trusted advice on the opportunities and challenges they face throughout their careers.

You will:

• Build a strong working understanding of the professional issues affecting illustrators, including business practice, licensing, contracts, pricing and professional standards.
• Support the team in responding to enquiries accurately, clearly and with empathy.
• Identify recurring issues and ensure they inform our events, resources and wider work.
• Build trusted relationships with members and act as an approachable and knowledgeable representative of the AOI.

You do not need to arrive with detailed knowledge of every issue affecting illustrators, but you will need to be curious, able to learn quickly and confident adapting your experience to a specialist creative community.

Working across the AOI

As a small organisation, we work closely across teams and support one another.

You will:

• Work with colleagues across communications, campaigning, awards and other areas of the AOI.
• Contribute ideas and insight to organisational planning and shared projects.
• Ensure membership priorities are understood across the organisation.
• Work closely with the CEO, who will lead strategic partnerships during the maternity-cover period.
• Act as an enthusiastic ambassador for the AOI, our members and the wider illustration community.

Person specification

Essential

• Experience leading a membership, community or engagement-based service.
• Experience working with a creative community or within the arts, cultural or creative industries, with an understanding of the needs of creative professionals.
• Experience managing, supporting and developing a small team.
• A track record of improving membership growth, retention, participation or engagement.
• Experience overseeing an events, learning or community programme.
• Experience delivering change, developing services or implementing strategic plans.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance several priorities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence using data and feedback to improve services and inform decisions.
• A collaborative approach and a clear commitment to inclusion, accessibility and excellent member service.

Desirable

• Experience within a membership body or professional association.
• Experience working with illustrators, agencies, publishers or commissioners.
• Experience supporting freelancers, self-employed people or creative professionals.
• Knowledge of copyright, licensing, contracts, pricing or professional practice affecting creatives.

We are particularly interested in candidates who understand the value of professional membership and share our commitment to supporting illustrators and helping creative people build sustainable careers.

You do not need to meet every desirable criterion to apply.

Why join the AOI?

This is an opportunity to make a real difference to one of the UK's most respected creative membership organisations. You will join a friendly and knowledgeable team who care deeply about illustration and the people who create it.

We offer:

• £40,000 per annum
• 33 days' annual leave, including bank holidays
• Flexible hybrid working, with approximately 50% of working time in the office
• Training and professional development
• A creative, supportive and inclusive working environment
• Somerset House resident benefits, including free entry to a range of London exhibitions and museums

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4 explaining:

• why you would like to join the AOI
• how your experience has prepared you for this role
• an example of how you have improved membership, participation or engagement.

We believe our team is strongest when it reflects the diversity of the creative community we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people who are under-represented within the illustration industry. If you require any adjustments during the application or interview process, we would be pleased to support you.

Application deadline: 16 August 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 24 August 2026