Peer support officer jobs in home based

The role

Working closely with the Project Manager and partner organisations, you will coordinate activities, support service delivery, manage communications and help ensure the project meets its objectives.

This role requires strong organisational skills, flexibility and an understanding of the sensitivities involved in bereavement and military life.

How to apply

Your application must consist of a CV and covering letter, which outlines your suitability for the role with reference to the Job Description and Person Specification and should be no longer than two pages.

The closing date for applications is Friday 5th December 2025. We reserve the right to close early, as interviews will be held on a rolling basis as candidates apply.

Please be advised that if you do not hear from us by 19 December, unfortunately on this occasion you have not been shortlisted.

Cruse welcomes and encourages applications from all protected groups as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Appointment will be made on merit.

Criminal Record Checks

All staff are required to complete a Criminal Record check. Staff working directly with clients will be required to complete an enhanced check. We comply with the relevant codes of practice and they can be viewed online: 

· Applicants in England and Wales: DBS Code of Practice

· Applicants in Northern Ireland: AccessNI Code of Practice

Previous convictions will not prevent full consideration of your application to work with Cruse. Our Recruitment of Ex-offenders' Policy & Handling Criminal Record Check Data Policy are available on request by email.

We comply with all relevant data protection legislation and process your data fairly.   

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team, who are primarily volunteers, all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

If you are interested in applying for this role, and would like to find out more, you are welcome to join our Chairman and outgoing Volunteer CEO in one of the following informal drop-in sessions. This will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the charity, its mission and how you may partner with the Chair to lead Youth4Youth through the next stages of its journey. Sign up is required:

• Wednesday 26th November - 12:00pm
• Wednesday 26th November - 6:00pm
• Friday 5th December - 12:00pm
• Friday 5th December - 6:00pm

Contact us directly to be added to one of these sessions, or sign up via our direct recruitment page.

About the role

We are seeking a transformational and visionary Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) to lead a national youth focused organisation, dedicated to promoting peer-led early intervention support for those in need. The successful candidate will be the first employed leader, propelling Youth4Youth from its robust foundations to the next stages of its development. The CEO will be responsible for turning our recently developed, yet ambitious, strategy into reality. This role provides an exceptional opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact from the outset.

Youth4Youth has secured funding to appoint a CEO for one year, with the expectation that the appointed leader will focus on securing long-term sustainable funding, thereby transitioning this position into a permanent role at the end of the fixed-term period. Additionally, the CEO will facilitate the appointment of further roles to support our mission as further funding becomes available.

Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with the Chair of the Board and Trustees to establish and execute organisational strategy in alignment with the charity’s vision, mission, and objectives. This includes ensuring effective governance and legal compliance, and providing sound, evidence-based recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
• Champion continuous improvement, ensuring Youth4Youth remains a leading provider of youth-led early intervention wellbeing services. Identify and develop opportunities to expand the charity's reach and impact across the UK.
• Oversee effective financial management, ensuring the organisation can continue delivering its services efficiently. Lead the development of sustainable funding streams, enhance fundraising strategies, foster partnerships, and drive growth in commercial activities.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships within and beyond our sector to maximise partnership opportunities. Explore the delivery and co-delivery of commissioned services and access broader funding sources previously untapped by the charity.
• Ensure that youth perspectives are central to decision-making processes about the charity's future. Establish systems to continuously gather input and feedback from our target beneficiaries.

This position offers the chance to advance an organisation with solid foundations, enhancing its reach and impact across the UK through a volunteer executive leadership team and a growing network of approximately 100 volunteers nationwide. The CEO will be instrumental in crafting a strategic vision that translates into operational success, building and strengthening partnerships across the four nations, developing sustainable funding streams, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.

Skills 

• Exhibit a profound passion for Youth4Youth's mission and demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing the impact of our services.
• Possess substantial experience in senior and/or strategic leadership roles, with proven abilities to both develop and implement organisational strategies.
• Have the capacity to influence effectively, both internally and externally.
• Are action-oriented and adaptable to the demands of a dynamic and growing organisation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently.
• Excel in a fast-paced and varied work environment.
• Show a strong commitment to good governance and compliance.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with exceptional interpersonal abilities.
• Embrace inclusivity in all aspects of their work, demonstrating approachability, active listening, and empathy towards others.

While prior experience in youth-led or youth-focused organisations is not mandatory, candidates must demonstrate passion for our mission and an understanding of our strategy. Experience working with young people is preferred but not required.

Benefits of working with Youth4Youth

• 28 days paid holiday, plus public holidays (pro-rata)
• Remote working, with flexibility allowed
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plan & Life Assurance
• Defined contribution pension with a 6% employer contribution
• Access to a range of discounts via charity partner platforms

The hiring process

1. Pre-application information sessions (Optional)
2. Application Deadline: 19th December 2025
3. First round interviews to be conducted in early January 2026
4. Second round interview (including a presentation)

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Role: Chief Executive Officer

Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Salary: £60,000 p.a. (pro-rata)

Hours of work: 20 hours per week (Part-time, 0.5FTE)

Location: Remote, with travel required

Contract type: 1 year fixed term contract, with potential to become permanent

Note: Right to work in the UK is required to be able to apply for this position

JOB PROFILE

JOB TITLE: Lead Trusts & Grants Officer

RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Trusts & Grants Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Full time 35 hours per week

LOCATION: Home working/ Hybrid

DURATION: Permanent

SALARY / GRADE: £32,330

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Senior Trusts & Grants Manager

• Trusts & Grants Officer

• Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

• Chief Operating Officer

• Senior Leadership & Service Managers

• Grant making trusts and foundations

• Major Donors

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Lead Trusts & Grants Officer is responsible for developing and delivering income from mid-value grant making funders, notably trusts and foundations. The role involves managing a dedicated pipeline of opportunities, writing and submitting compelling applications, and stewarding funder relationships. This position works closely with service teams to understand project needs and create accurate budgets and impactful funding proposals. This role will also provide direct line management to the Trusts & Grants Officer, supporting their professional development and ensuring the team's overall success in meeting fundraising targets.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and Grants Management

• Pipeline Management: Lead on prospecting, developing and managing the mid-value trusts and grants pipeline, focusing on bids around £20,000 - £70,000, including multiyear grants, ensuring a consistent flow of opportunities to meet team income targets. Developing the skills and ability to manage higher value and more complex strategic bids.

• Application Writing: Develop and submit compelling, high-quality grant applications and proposals for mid-value funders, working closely with service teams, ensuring accurate budgets and income against Adoption UK’s strategic priorities.

• Stewardship: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a portfolio of new and existing mid-value funders, providing timely and impactful reports to secure renewed funding, and developing relationships with key external contacts through excellent communication.

• Reporting: Oversee the accurate tracking of all applications, reports, and communications using team tracking methods, and the CRM database, providing regular progress updates to the Senior Trusts & Grants Manager.

• Collaboration: Work closely with the Senior Trusts & Grants Manager, the Trusts & Grants Officer, and service teams, to align fundraising activities with the organisation’s strategic priorities and annual income targets.

• Undertake other duties and projects as directed by the Senior Trusts & Grants Manager and Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications.

Team Management and Development

• Line Management: Provide line management and support to the Trusts & Grants Officer, including regular one-to-ones, appraisals, and professional development.

• Training and Mentoring: Guide the Trusts & Grants Officer on best practices for researching, writing, budgets, and stewarding of small-value grants.

Personal specification

Knowledge and experience

• Track record of successfully securing individual grant awards typically ranging between £10,000 and £50,000. (E)

• Knowledge of fundraising sector with specialist knowledge of grant making trusts and foundations, or similar grant/bid-writing experience (E)

• Experience in writing persuasive proposal documents and bids (E)

• Experience in developing and implementing fundraising policies and process to deliver strategic goals (E)

• Experience in supporting service teams to deliver complex projects on time and to budget (E)

• Experience in successfully stewarding multiple stakeholders including grant managers and major donors (D)

Qualifications and Education

• Graduate level or equivalent significant professional experience in fundraising/bid

Skills and abilities

• Ability to make decisions within area of responsibility, based on defined frameworks, policies, and procedures and/or based on knowledge of regulations and best practice (E)

• Shows good professional judgement (E)

• Can successfully operate matrix management of complex projects at a national level (E)

• Delivers high quality work with minimal supervision and direction (E)

• Able to communicate clearly and engage with stakeholders at all levels (E)

• Is successful in securing positive external relationships with stakeholders and supporters (E)

• Demonstrates personal credibility (E)

• Demonstrates experience and ability in impact reporting (D)

• Ability to research the sector to identify the best prospects (D)

• Has the capacity to deal with complex issues and is good at problem solving (D)

• An exceptional administrator with excellent organisational and writing skills (E)

• Self-starter, used to working to deadlines and delivering against KPIs (D)

Accountability

• Shows previous experience of achievement of income targets (E)

• Shows previous experience of excellent funder or similar relationship stewardship (E)

• Able to contribute to the development of income growth strategy and strategic goals (D)

Behaviours

• Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values and mission in all interactions with external stakeholders.

• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.

• Contributes to an open and honest culture

• Encourages challenge and creativity, transparency and consistency.

• Leads by example.

• Offers outstanding service to members.

• Promotes cross-functional team working, sharing skills and knowledge

• Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

• Values the opinion of others. Treating colleagues and other stakeholders with respect.

• Takes pride in own development, committed to achieving high standards and agreed objectives.

This is a key role in fulfilling CEASE’s aim to drive legislative reform that strengthens accountability, scrutiny and regulation of all parts of the commercial sex industry and other vested commercial interests, which are driving sexual violence, abuse and exploitation. It is about holding the UK government accountable in its duty to protect citizens from high-harm industries, appealing to robust evidence, survivor testimony and a careful critical analysis of the ideological justifications that uphold it. 

The work crosses multiple different areas, from policing, online safety and child protection to violence against women and girls (VAWG). It involves close collaboration with experts and partner organisations through strategic partnerships and coalitions, and the building of trusted relationships with MPs, Peers, civil servants and other decision-makers.

This role sits within the Activism strand of CEASE’s strategy, alongside media outreach and commercial advocacy, and works closely with the Chief Executive and Strategic Director 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

A. Strategic Leadership

• Work closely and effectively with the Chief Executive, Strategic Director and Trustees to advise on priorities and opportunities within this space.

• Develop both short- and long-term political strategies to engage key stakeholders with CEASE’s policy solutions.

• Identify and formulate strategies for gathering robust evidence on key issues where needed.

• Shape policy recommendations in line with CEASE’s strategic priorities and emerging trends.

• Ensure all external engagement reflects CEASE’s values and core messaging.

• Contribute political intelligence and insight to CEASE’s wider strategic planning and organisational development.

B. Policy

Goal: To ensure CEASE’s policy recommendations are robust, evidence-based, survivor-informed and coherent.

• Gather and present evidence on commercial and cultural drivers of sexual abuse and exploitation, and on systemic failures in regulation and enforcement.

• Identify evidence gaps and devise effective means for CEASE or partners within our networks to fill them.

• Produce policy briefings and consultation responses for parliamentarians and civil servants, often in collaboration with allies.

• Monitor parliamentary business in Westminster, analysing legislation and proposing amendments grounded in evidence and framed for maximum impact.

• Develop CEASE’s positions on new and emerging issues and technologies in line with our mission.

• Prepare speeches and statements for the Chief Executive or Strategic Director to deliver to parliamentarians, committees and inquiries.

• Integrate survivor insight and lived experience into policy and advocacy materials wherever appropriate.

• Analyse, distil and present research findings to provide credible, compelling evidence for policymakers and stakeholders.

• Track engagement outcomes and evaluate the impact of CEASE’s policy work, sharing learning internally.

C. Public Affairs

Goal: To ensure CEASE’s policy recommendations are seen, heard and acted upon.

• Create opportunities to promote CEASE’s policy solutions in Westminster through roundtables, drop-ins and parliamentary events.

• Engage directly with decision-makers, building trusted relationships across parties and with key officials.

• Identify and support parliamentarians who can champion CEASE’s issues through speeches, strategic questions, debate briefings and Private Members’ Bills.

• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, Peers, civil servants and officials in relevant government departments (Home Office, DCMS, DfE, etc.); participate in select committees and APPGs.

• Monitor the political landscape to identify alignment between CEASE’s goals and current government priorities, debates and legislative timetables.

• Collaborate with colleagues to nurture relationships with key stakeholders such as charities, public bodies, academic institutions, industry figures and experts.

• Lead or contribute to policy-focused coalitions and alliances aimed at influencing government and legislative reform.

• Support wider campaigns that leverage coalition backing (e.g. petitions, iParls or media initiatives), aligning messaging across CEASE’s team to amplify impact.

• Track and evaluate the reach and influence of CEASE’s public affairs activities to inform ongoing strategy.

D. Research

• Maintain awareness of political and legal developments in other countries and international bodies such as the UN.

• Commission or collaborate on research that strengthens CEASE’s evidence base and credibility.

• Distil complex research and policy information into accessible formats for internal and external audiences, in collaboration with the Chief Executive and Strategic Director.

• Work with the wider CEASE team to “demystify” the political process and support civic and grassroots engagement.

E. Fundraising

• Identify potential donors and funding opportunities through policy networks.

• Contribute to the development of compelling funding cases linked to CEASE’s policy impact and advocacy outcomes.

General Responsibilities

• Represent CEASE externally to promote its work and values.

• Uphold CEASE’s ethical and professional standards at all times.

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Chief Executive.

Please see Job Description for full details.

About the role

The Finance and Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the charity’s financial and operational functions. This includes managing day-to-day accounting, producing management reports, maintaining and improving processes, line-managing the administrator, and leading key projects across Finance, IT and HR. The role plays a central part in supporting the operational effectiveness and strategic growth of the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Finance

• Manage the charity’s day-to-day accounts, ensuring accurate and timely bookkeeping.
• Prepare financial reports for the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and management staff.
• Monitor budgets, forecasts, cash flow, and financial performance, highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Support annual audits and liaise with external accountants as required.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and charity reporting standards.

Operations

• Develop and implement operational processes to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Line manage the Administrator, ensuring they support both finance (bookkeeping) and wider administrative tasks across the organisation.
• Oversee HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding, and record-keeping, as part of operational projects.
• Manage IT and technology initiatives, including the implementation of systems to improve organisational efficiency.
• Project manage key organisational initiatives in finance, HR, and IT, ensuring they are delivered on time and within scope.

Collaboration

• Act as a key point of contact for operational matters across the organisation.
• Work closely with the SLT to provide insights and recommendations based on financial and operational data.
• Support the team in adopting and embedding new processes and technologies.

Person Specification

We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, skills and stories to join us and influence and develop our working practice. We recognise the value a diverse workforce brings to a small charity, and we are especially keen for people currently underrepresented in our charity and the wider sector to apply.

While we’re looking for candidates with the skills and experience listed, we know no one is perfect in every area. If you meet some of the criteria, we’d still really love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out for a friendly chat about the role and your application.

Qualifications

• Recognised financial qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CAI, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS, ICAEW, or equivalent)

Experience

• Proven experience in organisational finance and bookkeeping
• Experience in producing management accounts and reports for senior leadership
• Experience in project management, particularly in implementing finance, HR, or IT systems.

Skills and Knowledge

• Technically proficient, with experience using finance systems and digital tools.
• Organised and systematic, and the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Attention to detail, with an ability to handle various financial or administrative tasks with accuracy.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities, able to translate data into actionable insights.
• Ability to implement processes and systems that improve organisational efficiency.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with stakeholders at all levels within the organisation.

Key Attributes and Values

• Passionate about making a difference – committed to preventing knife crime and improving outcomes for young people
• Committed to equity and inclusion – values and actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and fairness in all aspects of work
• Reflective and open to learning – committed to personal growth, welcomes feedback, and continuously seeks to improve practice
• Resilient and adaptable – able to navigate challenges, manage multiple priorities, and maintain focus under pressure.
• Tech-minded and comfortable with adopting new systems and processes.
• Reliable, trustworthy, and capable of handling confidential information with discretion.

Benefits

• Flexible working opportunities where possible
• 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (rising to 30 days and 33 days after 5 and 10 years’ service, respectively)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme with the Green Commute Initiative
• Personal development opportunities