Police Care UK is the national, independent charity supporting serving and veteran members of the police community, and their families, when they’ve been physically or psychologically harmed through policing.
Demand for our services has grown by more than 400% in the last decade. This reflects the increasing impact of trauma in modern policing – from major incidents and serious violence to cumulative and vicarious trauma. We understand that harm doesn’t end with a shift, and that families are often affected too.
We’ve evolved from a traditional benevolent fund into a sector-leading organisation delivering evidence-informed support, trauma-focused recovery services and practical prevention programmes across UK policing. Our work is grounded in compassion, clarity and evidence, and we’re fiercely independent so we can focus on what people really need.
Our vision is simple: a future where every member of the police community has access to the care and support they need, and nobody faces the impact of harm alone. Based in Woking and working nationally, we’re committed to strengthening the people behind the force – and we’re looking for those who want to be a part of that work.
Role Purpose
Reporting to the Director of Development and working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, the Head of Insight and Innovation will lead the Charity’s research, data, evaluation and innovation functions. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for embedding a culture of evidence-informed practice, continuous improvement and sector-leading innovation across the Charity.
The postholder will ensure that our insight drives decision-making, strengthens fundraising, informs service design and positions Police Care UK as a thought leader within the policing and blue light sectors. This will involve leading a multi-disciplinary team, with responsibility for future growth of the Insight and Innovation function as organisational needs evolve.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the development of our long-term insight and innovation strategy.
- Ensure data, evidence and evaluation meaningfully influence strategic planning and resource allocation.
- Drive horizon scanning across policing, mental health and the charity sector to inform organisational priorities.
Research and Academic Development
- Oversee our research portfolio, including academic collaborations and commissioned studies.
- Translate research findings into actionable recommendations that strengthen our services, policy influence and fundraising.
- Ensure our understanding of unmet need across the policing family remains current and robust.
Data, CRM and Impact Intelligence
- Lead the strategic development of our CRM and data systems.
- Embed strong KPI frameworks, dashboards and impact reporting across the charity.
- Ensure high standards of data governance, integrity and compliance.
Innovation and Service Development
- Lead our innovation pipeline, from discovery and prototyping to pilot evaluation and scaling.
- Embed co-production with beneficiaries and policing partners.
- Develop business cases and secure funding for new initiatives.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact
- Oversee our success measurement framework and ensure outcomes are evidenced and clearly articulated.
- Produce high-value insight for funders, trustees and external stakeholders.
Governance and External Representation
- Provide high-quality insight and reporting to the Board of Trustees.
- Represent the charity externally across academic, sector and policy forums.
- Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding, ethics and data protection.
Person Specification
Essential
- Degree-level education and ongoing professional development.
- Significant senior experience in research, insight, evaluation or organisational development.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insight.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and driving data-informed decision-making.
- Excellent communication skills, including presenting to senior stakeholders and Boards.
- Strong understanding of mental health, trauma or wellbeing in a public-sector or charity context.
- Knowledge of evaluation methodologies, data governance and ethical research standards.
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field.
- Experience within policing, emergency services or the wider blue-light sector.
- Experience securing research or innovation funding.
- Knowledge of innovation methodologies (e.g. design thinking, co-production, agile).
Why work with us
You’ll be joining a forward-thinking, committed and values driven team making a real difference to the people who keep our communities safe. We offer:
- Enhanced wellbeing support
- Pension scheme with up to 8% employer contributions
- Development opportunities
- A 35-hour working week
- A supportive, collaborative culture
- The chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of police officers, staff, volunteers, and their families
How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a detailed cover letter explaining why you’re the right fit for this role. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as you are able.
Limitations: This job description is neither exclusive nor exhaustive. The duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time in the light of changing circumstances in consultation with the jobholder. The jobholder will be required to work within the rules and regulations of the Charity and accept the authority of the Chief Executive, who has the discretion to delegate authority to the jobholder and to withdraw it.
Equal Opportunities Policy: The Charity is committed to eliminating any discrimination and promoting diversity and equality of opportunity in all it does.
The Charity is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and we will not unlawfully discriminate against job applicants, employees of the Charity, volunteers, workers, or contract workers on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins) religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
REF-228 334
IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation – is the regulator of most newspapers, magazines, and digital news in the UK. We are a small but influential and high-profile organisation with a clear and important purpose. We place a strong emphasis on personal development for staff and provide excellent training opportunities and a supportive work culture.
We are recruiting a Complaints Officer to join our committed, friendly, and dynamic Complaints team.
Reporting to the Heads of Complaints and working closely with the Systems department, the purpose of the Complaints Officer position is to handle complaints made to IPSO in a personal, authoritative and efficient manner and to assist in the operation of IPSO’s pre-publication and privacy notice services.
About the role
This is a role for someone who is articulate and efficient, with excellent communication and analytical skills, and an interest in news and how it is regulated.
IPSO has a strong commitment to staff development, and the role benefits from a well-structured and stimulating programme of progression. Starting with drafting responses to complainants whose complaints are not being taken forward, the successful candidate will progress to investigating complaints, drafting rulings for external publication, and mediating between complainants and publications.
You will also be trained to staff, on a rota basis, IPSO’s pre-publication and privacy notice services, which provide 24-hour confidential advice to editors and journalists on matters relating to the Editors’ Code and protect members of the public and public figures from potential intrusion and unwanted press attention.
The key role responsibilities include:
- Reviewing and investigating complaints to IPSO to determine whether they fall within its remit and raise a potential breach of the Editors’ Code of Practice;
- Drafting recommendations for the consideration of the Complaints Committee;
- Providing efficient, compassionate and effective pre-publication and privacy notice services.
You can see a full job description on our website.
Skills and experience
Efficient, effective and empathetic, the right candidate will have a strong analytical ability that they can convey both verbally and in writing. You will have excellent writing skills, and experience of drafting important documents to a high level. You will also have experience of dealing sensitively and professionally with people from a range of backgrounds. Complaints Officers are trusted with a high level of autonomy in their work – so demonstrable time management and organisational skills are required.
A personal interest in current affairs and the news industry is a must, but there is no need for a degree or qualification in this area.
At IPSO, we want to create a culture which recognises, values, and respects that people are different. We believe that representing the diversity of the society in which we work is fundamental to our goals of protecting people and promoting freedom of expression.
We are committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our people can flourish and reach their full potential. We know diverse teams allow for a more creative and productive environment and we strongly encourage applications from a wide range of people regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender (identity, expression or reassignment), marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief and socio-economic background.
What we can offer you
This role is highly engaging and interesting – with no two days being the same. It offers great development opportunities, alongside the opportunity to raise press standards by dealing with complaints made against a variety of newspapers and magazines.
There is a competitive starting salary of £41k, plus another £2k after 24 months of service. You’ll also receive an additional £1,145 on-call allowance after the relevant training has taken place, 25 days of paid annual leave plus a holiday buy and sell scheme, and excellent additional benefits including season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, private GP service, and (once probation is completed) free fitness membership.
The role is full-time, and IPSO offers hybrid working to all staff. All staff work two core days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) in our Central London office. New staff may be asked to come in for more days while they familiarise themselves with the organisation.
How to apply
Candidates are required to attach a Diversity Monitoring form, which can be found on our website. Please note that although this form is required for applications to be considered, candidates are free to opt out of any questions.
To apply, please read the full job description and forward your CV with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the role and how you are suitable, along with the diversity monitoring form by 11.59 p.m. on 24 May 2026.
IPSO will reimburse reasonable travel costs for attending interviews. If you require a reasonable adjustment, please include that information with your application. In-person interviews are preferred but IPSO conducts interviews by video call where needed and candidates choosing this option will not be disadvantaged. The job description for the position can be found on our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.