Policy jobs in west byfleet, surrey

About The Advocacy Project

We help people speak up and make decisions about their health, wellbeing and social care. We’re here to make sure people who are vulnerable because of their circumstance can understand their rights, make effective choices about their lives and voice their concerns.

Some of the ways we do this include:

· advocacy services that make sure people can express their wishes when decisions are being made about their care or  wellbeing

· user involvement projects that help organisations improve what they offer by listening to people who use their services

· local Healthwatch services, which act as health and social care champions for the areas they serve and give people a  direct channel to share their feedback

· innovative Personal Health Budget projects that allow people to access items and services to improve their wellbeing.

Our services are independent, confidential, and free to those receiving them. Together, our teams are standing up for essential rights and supporting people to have a say on the issues that matter to them.

About the role

The post-holder will lead a team of advocates working with adults and young people across NHS and private hospitals and the local community.

You will be required to provide line management support, be the point of contact for our stakeholders and ensure high quality delivery of our advocacy contracts.

Key responsibilities

î  Lead the delivery of assigned advocacy services actively encouraging your team to contribute to service planning, quality improvement and development.

î  Ensure the team provides instructed and non-instructed advocacy and signposting, working to the advocacy empowerment cycle and actively promoting self-advocacy throughout all work with service users where practicable.

î  Ensure the team capture high quality advocacy notes, outcomes information and other evidence into the Case Management System in a timely manner.

î  Maintain up-to-date knowledge of new legislation and reports and current trends and issues in mental health, mental capacity, care act, and health and social care legislation, local and national policy relating to people with mental health issues and disseminate across your team.

î  Ensure quality standards are achieved by implementing operational policies and procedures to maintain professional and consistent advocacy services.

î  Ensure contracts are delivered within budget, to agreed key performance indicators, case work standards and monitoring requirements, eg producing reports including quarterly monitoring reports.

î  Lead on raising awareness of the advocacy service to service users and potential referrers.

î  Ensure referrals are allocated efficiently, appropriately and within the requirements of the contract.

î  Provide support and supervision to your staff team including professional development, appraisals, team meetings and work review meetings, and organisational activities such as CPD lectures and staff briefings.

General responsibilities

î  Participate in team meetings and training (and make sure your staff to attend).

î  Keep to our policies, including health & safety, and risk regulations.

î  Work to our mission, vision, and values.

î  Carry out other projects and tasks as needed.

î  Participate in personal, team and organisational development.

î  Contribute to monitoring reports.

Person specification

Essential

î  Experience of delivering advocacy.

î  Achieved qualification in advocacy.

î  Proven leadership ability and strong people management skills.

î  Experience of managing contracts and delivering advocacy services.

î  Understanding of statutory and non-statutory advocacy.

î  Sound knowledge of current issues in health and social care policy, practice and legislation.

î  Exceptional stakeholder management abilities with experience of building effective relationships with ranging commissioners, partners, service users and colleagues.

î  Excellent communications (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills. Effective in working with a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from trustees to service users and employees.

î  Commitment to working within The Advocacy Project code of conduct, equalities and safeguarding policies.

î  Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative, to plan and prioritise your own workload.

î  Willingness to promote The Advocacy Project and the mental health service in line with our mission, vision and values.

Desirable knowledge, experience and qualifications:

î  Achieved qualification in advocacy management Advocacy qualification.

Benefits of working for us

We’re committed to providing an empowering, flexible and supportive working environment for all our staff.

Our employee benefits include 30 days annual leave (including up to 3 days between Christmas and New Year), participation in a pension scheme with 6% employer contribution, access to a free confidential counselling service, and an interest-free travel/bike loan.

All our staff are supported to learn and develop in a variety of ways, including a monthly lecture series where we invite sector experts to talk to our staff on topical issues.

We are a Disability Confident and Mindful Employer.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Payroll Supervisor to join our dynamic team. Reporting directly to the Payroll Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing. Your responsibilities will include maintaining payroll data, updating employee records, verifying timesheets, logging staff absences, and addressing payroll queries swiftly and effectively. You will also support payroll reconciliations for SSP, SMP, SPP, and pension accounts, as well as assist with year-end tasks such as audits, PSA, and P11D submissions. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated professional looking to make an impact within a fast-paced payroll department. If you thrive on accuracy and enjoy working in a collaborative environment, we want to hear from you!

Your expertise will contribute to the seamless management of payroll systems, data accuracy, and resolution of queries, directly impacting the organisation's ability to support its vital mission of improving the lives of children with brain injuries and their families.

This role is not open to sponsorship.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Payroll Manager to ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll, including inputting and reconciling timesheets, calculating holiday pay, and updating payroll records.
• Support year-end activities such as PSA and P11D calculations and submissions, ensuring full compliance with HMRC regulations and internal policies.
• Manage pension contributions and submissions, ensuring accurate data uploads to pension portals and compliance with scheme rules and statutory requirements.
• Administer statutory and occupational sick pay in line with current legislation and company policies, with a strong understanding of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules and accurate processing of sickness absences.
• Maintain payroll data integrity through regular system updates, data cleansing, and the implementation of necessary adjustments to ensure accuracy.
• Deliver a high level of service by responding promptly and professionally to payroll-related queries from employees and stakeholders.
• Partner with the Payroll Manager and Finance team on ad hoc projects, reconciliations, and process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
• Foster strong working relationships across departments to support seamless payroll operations and effective communication.
• Commit to working one additional day per month during payroll processing periods to meet operational demands.
• Provide cover for the Payroll Manager during periods of absence, contributing to the continuity of critical payroll cycles and strategic projects.

Education & Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent with good results in Maths & English

Experience

• 3 years minimum experience in a similar role

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent Excel skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines for own self and the Finance team
• Ability to prioritise own workload and those with the team
• Work constructively as part of a team, understanding the team’s roles and responsibilities
• Ability to maintain own motivation and drive, in order to achieve the task at hand

Knowledge

• Understanding of finance and payroll systems
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) & Microsoft Outlook

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the vision and values of The Children’s Trust.
• Flexible and ‘can do’ attitude to competing commitments in workload.
• Highly motivated and reliable.
• Ability to cope working in a demanding environment.

About Us

The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing expert rehabilitation, education, therapy, and care at our national specialist centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK, via our Brain Injury Community Service.

Boasting a beautiful 24-acre site in Surrey, we are located just outside of London, close to the M25 (accessible via Junction 8, A217 to Tadworth) and easily accessible via National Rail, by way of: Clapham Junction, Sutton, and Epsom.

Staff Benefits

The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits on our staff flexible benefits platform, on-site nursery, free eye tests, enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay, time out days for those experiencing menopause symptoms and time off for gender reassignment.

We also offer additional annual leave days for those with long service, with entitlements ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on your length of service.

Other benefits include free on-site parking; a staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train stations to Tadworth Court, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability), the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable), Teacher’s pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme, and the opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

Many roles at The Children’s Trust are exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020) and as such, are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.  Successful applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, which will disclose all unspent convictions and adult cautions and any spent convictions or adult cautions that would not be protected.  The exceptions to this are our retail roles within The Children’s Trust shops, which are subject to Basic DBS checks which will disclose unspent convictions or adult cautions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To help us achieve our ambition to give children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability the opportunity to live the best life possible, we want to accurately reflect the UK’s diverse population. We want equity, diversity, and inclusion to be at the heart of everything we do, and our people, services, and culture to reflect the diverse needs of all. Through our diversity and inclusion strategy, we have made a commitment to increase the diversity of our charity and create an inclusive culture. We have networks across the organisation working to ensure that these aims are met - including an LGBTQIA2S+ group, Ethnic Diversity Group, and Spark – our broad EDI group. Read more about our EDI work here. We welcome applications from all who share our ambition regardless of background. We will strive to ensure that any reasonable adjustments are made in respect of interview and working arrangements.

Online Searches

In accordance with statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance, online searches will be conducted for shortlisted candidates before interview. The online searches will be conducted by a person who is independent of the interview and selection process and will focus on relevant information returned via searches of the candidate’s name (and variations thereof). Social media searches will be limited to professional platforms such as LinkedIn. Any concerns relating to suitability for work with children and young people will be forwarded to the interview panel, for discussion during the interview.

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.

About the Council

The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services.  The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians).  At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders. 

Remuneration and time commitment

Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).  The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.

The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

How to apply:

Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org

· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;

· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and

· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.

Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.

The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that builds the capacity of developing countries to evaluate solar radiation modification (SRM), a controversial proposal for reducing some impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. Degrees is neutral on whether SRM should ever be used, but we believe that developing countries should be empowered to conduct their own research and to play a central role in SRM discussions.

This is a unique opportunity to shape global conversations on climate science by empowering researchers in developing countries to publish and communicate their work, collaborating with some of the world’s leading SRM experts.

We are looking for a candidate with strong digital skills and social media experience. The ideal candidate will have experience creating content for social and web, managing website content and systems, and working with digital media (photos and video). 

The Digital Communications Officer will report to the Communications Manager and collaborate with teams across the organisation (Policy Engagement, Programmes, Fundraising) and with our researcher teams across the Global South. 

Responsibilities will include:  

Social media 

• Manage day-to-day social media posting across current channels (LinkedIn, X, Bluesky), posting content that aligns with our tone of voice and brand guidelines  

• Monitor social media and traditional media for mentions of Degrees and the wider topic of SRM, identifying trends and opportunities 

• Evaluate social media performance and recommend potential new strategies and platforms, driven by data as well as awareness of Degrees’ position

Content creation 

• Edit short videos of our researchers for social media and the website 

• Design graphics for social media, reports, presentations and events, using tools such as Canva or InDesign 

• Write news, profiles, and announcements for the website 

Website 

• Act as primary website administrator, keeping the website up to date by editing and adding new pages as required 

• Maintain content consistency across the website, especially as we redevelop our site and move to a new platform (WordPress, with Gutenberg editor) 

• Assist with website content migration using a good understanding of website database management systems (e.g. Jet Engine, ACF) 

• Use analytics to monitor website performance and suggest SEO improvements (Google Analytics) 

Team support 

• Create and maintain templates for documents, presentations, etc., to ensure consistency across visual products 

• Compile and deliver the quarterly newsletter (using MailChimp) 

• Organise and maintain media asset folders (photos, videos, recordings) with clear tagging 

• Support other teams (policy engagement, programmes, fundraising) with communications products as required 

About the role

This exciting role is all about creating meaningful and transformative experiences!
 
As a Field Experience Specialist, you will inspire and deepen supporter engagement through well-executed and impactful in-person and virtual trips to the field. From planning and communication to trip leadership and post-travel engagement, your work will help connect supporters more deeply to our mission.

You will collaborate across departments, coordinate group and individual sponsor visits, and ensure every journey runs smoothly, safely, and with excellence. You will also help supporters understand the heart of Compassion’s ministry, encouraging greater connection, activism, and long-term commitment.
 

If you are passionate about crafting life-changing experiences, have a heart for service, and thrive in organisation and communication, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively maintain and promote Compassion UK's Christian ethos and values.
• Coordinate and administrate in person and virtual group trips and individual sponsor visits to the field as well as leading group trips.
• Inspire, educate, guide and advise supporters regarding travel to the field in line with Compassion procedures and policies.

To flourish in the role, you should:

*You’re organised, proactive and detail-focused. You manage your time well, prioritise effectively, and stay calm under pressure. You take pride in delivering accurate, high-quality work, even when juggling multiple tasks.

*You’re confident with systems and communication. You’re fluent in written and spoken English, comfortable with numbers, and experienced using Microsoft Office and similar tools. You communicate clearly and adapt your tone to suit different audiences.

*You’re a thoughtful project manager. You’ve led projects from start to finish, breaking them into manageable steps, coordinating with others, and ensuring timely, effective delivery.

*You offer excellent service and support. You understand the needs of our supporters and respond with empathy and care. Whether by phone, email, text or social media, you create positive experiences that reflect our values.

*You’re a collaborative team player. You build strong, respectful relationships and contribute to shared goals with humility and kindness. You know when to lead, when to support, and how to work well with others.

*You’re adaptable and solutions-focused. You bring fresh ideas, embrace change, and approach challenges with creativity and a positive attitude. You’re confident working independently and know when to seek support.

*You’re aligned with our mission. You’re passionate about Compassion UK’s ministry and committed to engaging supporters as partners in this life-changing work.

*Personally committed to the Christian faith. There’s an occupational requirement for the holder of this role to be a practising Christian, in order to promote Compassion’s ethos and help others to experience, explore and express the faith-based motivation of our work.  You can read more about this in our Policy on Posts to be Held by Christians.

Location, hours and benefits

Office-based
*Hybrid working is offered as a benefit. You will work a minimum of 40% of your hours from Compassion House in Fleet, Hampshire, and the office is closed on Fridays.  However, we reserve the right to vary those arrangements in future.

Hours: 35 Hours per week (we are NOT able to offer part-time hours)

Apply by

• 10am on 5 August 2025
• Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 11 August.
• We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences

Join Samaritans as a Caller Support Officer

Do you have experience working with vulnerable callers within a helpline setting? Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable individuals and making a real difference?

Samaritans is looking for a dedicated Caller Support Officer to join our dynamic Caller Support Team. This is a unique opportunity to play a vital role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our most complex and vulnerable callers.

• £30,000 - £33,000 per annum
• 12-month fixed term contract, covering maternity leave
• Full time (35 hours per week) with flexible working
• Hybrid working: Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office
• You will need to be able to work flexibly to support volunteers which may involve occasional travel or evening/weekend meetings. 

About the Role

As a Caller Support Officer, you will:

• Provide expert advice and guidance on caller support policies and procedures to volunteers and staff.
• Work closely with branches, the Caller Support & Safeguarding Hub, and Central Office to ensure consistent, high-quality support.
• Help manage support for callers with complex mental health needs, ensuring appropriate boundaries and reducing dependency on the service.
• Be a key point of contact for police, coroners, court officials, and other external agencies.
• Support the triaging of caller concern forms and work closely with callers to create safe effective support plans that meet their needs within the boundaries of the service.
• Uphold Samaritans’ zero-tolerance approach to any abuse of threatening behaviours towards volunteers and staff

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who:

• Has experience with working in a helpline setting, to support volunteers to deliver safe and effective emotional support to individuals in distress or with complex emotional/mental health needs, ideally in a helpline setting.
• Understands safeguarding legislation and has experience applying it in practice.
• Is confident managing sensitive and sometimes confrontational situations.
• Can work independently and manage a varied workload effectively.
• Has experience working with external agencies such as police and court officials.
• Is emotionally resilient and able to handle distressing information with professionalism and care.

Criminal record check (DBS):  

We take safeguarding seriously at Samaritans and follow safe recruitment practices. As this role has direct contact with children and adults at risk, this role will require an Enhanced DBS check with Adults and Children’s Barred Lists. 

At offer stage, as part of the conditional job offer, we will require the candidate to disclose in full, spent and unspent convictions by completing a declaration form. The declaration form will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process. 

Why Join Us?

At Samaritans, we believe fewer lives should be lost to suicide. You'll be part of a supportive and inclusive workplace that values innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Enjoy a hybrid working environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.

Working at Samaritans:

​​For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure on our careers page.

​Being Inclusive:

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.

​Application: 

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please upload your CV and a cover letter (one page), outlining your motivations for applying and why you think you would be a great fit for the role. Applications close at 9 am on Monday 28th July. Video interviews taking place on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of August.  

Whilst we appreciate that the use of generative AI functions like ChatGPT is quickly becoming part of working life for many people, through our recruitment process we want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths. Therefore, we kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, cover letter or to generate interview answers. 

Job Title: Food Education Network Director

Position Type: Paid/Part time

Reports to: Food Education Network Steering Group

Salary: £44,000 FTE equating to £26,400 pro rated

Location: School Food Matters, London TW9 2RD (minimum one day a week in office)

Working Hours: Three days per week

Holiday: 19 days including bank holidays that fall on working days

Pension: School Food Matters matches pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings

Contract: Fixed term for one year to be extended with successful fundraising

Background

The Food Education Network (FEN) began in 2020 as a coalition of organisations passionate about improving food education in schools and other settings to influence recommendations for the National Food Strategy.

School Food Matters is now looking for an experienced and passionate leader with skills in advocacy and communications to lead the future development of the Food Education Network and its next stage of influencing government policy around food education from early years into the secondary phase.

Main Responsibilities

The Director will build on the foundations already laid to establish the Food Education Network as a new member organisation to bring the sector together. This role will involve building close relationships with a wide range of external partners to ensure the Network is a credible voice on food education policy and is campaigning with its members to make change happen. The role will be split between governance of the network (40%) and influencing government policy (60%). 

Principle Duties:

· Define and clearly present the top policy priorities around food education and take these to politicians, the media and wider world

· Build close relationships with key decision-makers to influence food education policy

· Raise awareness of food education within the educational community

· Support the steering committee to raise funds

· Grow and solidify the Food Education Network, setting out a one-year plan with clear objectives, purpose, operations and governance

· Continue to build the membership of the Network, reaching out to organisations in the food education sector who can help add to the Network’s voice and evidence

Ideal Candidate

· Can work confidently in a start-up role to grow an organisation almost from scratch

· Solid understanding of public affairs, policymaking, and communications

· Significant experience of working in advocacy at a senior level

· Proven ability to effectively influence a range of political stakeholders and communicate complex policy positions verbally and in writing

· Ability to bring together a range of stakeholders behind a shared strategy, matrix managing multi-disciplinary teams across organisations and managing differences of position and views

· Comfortable with managing multiple workstream, rapidly assessing the changing political environment and adapting strategies accordingly

· Genuine interest in championing food education.

At Citizens Advice Westminster, we do not just offer advice, we offer hope, solutions, and advocacy for those most in need. Whether it is navigating the housing crisis or finding stability in uncertain times, our mission is clear: put people first, always.

As we launch our new Homelessness Prevention team, we invite you to bring your skills, empathy, and drive to a role where your work changes lives. Based in Westminster you will join an organisation where your values align with your vocation.

The Advice Manager/Caseworker will play a key role in providing essential support to individuals facing homelessness, ensuring they receive the right advice, advocacy, and guidance exactly when they need it most. You will collaborate directly with Westminster City Council and other key stakeholders to design and deliver prevention strategies that have a real, measurable impact across the city.

The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator, with strong project management skills and a good understanding of issues facing communities in the current cost of living crisis. The right candidate will have excellent organisation and time management skills as well as strong IT skills.

We offer more than a competitive salary and a fulfilling career in a values-led organisation. Our benefits include annual season ticket loans, career breaks, and a deep commitment to your ongoing development. Whether you are honing your expertise in casework or growing into a leadership role in policy and campaigning, you will find room to stretch and thrive. You will be part of a warm, inclusive team culture where collaboration is encouraged, opinions are respected, and every voice matters. We also offer flexible working arrangements, including the opportunity to work from home several days a week.

If you are ready to be a part of this community organisation offering a vital service to people who need our help, then click Apply and complete the application process, demonstrating how you meet the competencies in the Person Specification in your supporting statement. Please note we expect employees to spend 50% to 60% of their working time at the office or in outreach location.

Citizens Advice Westminster value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We strongly encourage applicants from all parts of society and believe that diversity is what makes us the leaders in what we do. Please help us by completing the Diversity Monitoring Form.

If you need further information or to discuss this role, please email us.

Closing Date: 31st July 5pm

Assessments and Interviews may be booked before closing date if we find the right candidates with the skills and experience we are looking for in the person specifications, so apply now!

The ILC is looking for an organised Events and Communications Officer to help engage the right people to deliver its mission of addressing the challenges and opportunities of longevity and ageing. You’ll lead the coordination of ILC’s events programme, including our flagship annual Future of Ageing conference, while supporting external affairs and stakeholder engagement across the UK and internationally.

Working closely with colleagues and project leads, you’ll ensure the smooth running of our events from planning to evaluation, deliver impactful content and communications, and help strengthen our influence through targeted engagement with policymakers, industry leaders and funders. You’ll also play a key role in improving our internal processes and digital presence, including overseeing website content and supporting ILC’s place in global policy influence and convenorship.

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional with experience in event delivery, stakeholder engagement and content creation to make a real impact.

We want you to help us provoke conversations and discussions about the impact of longevity on society, and what happens next.

About Us

We’re Learning and Work Institute, an independent policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work.

We're focused on the big questions. How do we help more people find work and build careers in a changing jobs market? How do we help people to be active and engaged citizens? How can more adults develop their skills over their lifetime?

About the role

This role within our external affairs team focuses on securing impact for our work through the management and delivery of effective communications, events, campaigns and public affairs work.

This varied role involves management of L&W’s digital communications, press and media work, stakeholder relations and events throughout the year. The role also involves supporting the delivery of L&W’s flagship campaign, Get the Nation Learning, and supporting L&W’s public affairs work. The postholder will work closely with the senior management and research and development teams to develop and deliver effective communications and influencing strategies, and to support fundraising through sponsorship of our events and other communications activities. The role involves working with our team in Wales who lead on campaigns and activities in Wales.

The ideal candidate will need experience of working in a busy communications role; experience of developing and delivering in person and online events; a track record of building relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels; flexibility and adaptability; excellent project management skills; and an interest in adult learning, employment and skills policy. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Communications

• Secure press and media coverage for L&W’s work, including proactively identifying opportunities to promote our work, responding to press and media enquiries, and working with colleagues to launch research reports and other outputs.
•  Lead the development of regular and ad-hoc external communications, including press releases, newsletters and marketing communications.
•  Manage our social media channels and website, producing regular, high-quality content.
•  Ensure all activities are monitored and evaluated to assess impact and to inform future work.

Events

• Manage the planning and delivery of L&W’s in-person and online events, including our annual Employment and Skills Convention.
• Work with internal and external colleagues to develop content for L&W’s events, including securing high-profile speakers.
• Secure sponsorship for L&W’s events.
• Ensure all activities are monitored and evaluated to assess impact and to inform future work.

Campaigns

• Support the delivery of Get the Nation Learning, including national awards, Get the Nation Learning Week, and regional adult learning awards.
• Work with colleagues to secure sponsorship for Get the Nation Learning.

Policy and public affairs

• Support the planning and delivery of L&W’s public affairs activities, with a focus on UK Parliament, UK Government, Mayoral Combined Authorities, and local government in England, in order to raise our profile and deliver impact.
• Undertake regular public affairs activities, including: horizon scanning and planning for upcoming parliamentary activity; writing to Ministers and MPs; coordinating parliamentary briefings, parliamentary questions and consultation responses; and other policy influencing opportunities.
• Ensure all activities are monitored and evaluated to assess impact and to inform future work.

Other duties

• Line manage staff according to organisational need.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility for this post.

About you

Essential criteria:

• Excellent communication (oral and written), good copywriting, with the ability to tailor communications to a range of audiences.
• Proficient in MS Office.
•  Strong social media skills including the use of platforms such as Bluesky and LinkedIn, with proficiency in the use of web and social media analytics tools, such as Google Analytics.
• Basic design skills and familiarity with design software, such as Canva.
• Proficient in the use of CRM, email marketing and website editing software.
• Strong project management skills.
• Knowledge of the press and media, and how to secure coverage.
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose.
• Proven experience in a communications role.
• Experience of designing and managing events.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, prioritise workloads, negotiate and meet deadlines.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of the policy-making process and how to influence it. 
• Knowledge of current policy and practice in education, skills, and employment, and associated areas of public policy.
• Experience of managing successful influencing campaigns.
• Experience of fundraising, marketing and securing sponsorship to support activities.
• People management.

A full job description and person specification is available on our website.

Benefits

Salary of £35,450 - £44,115, depending on experience and location

- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays.

- Generous company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

- Group Life Assurance 3*salary

- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time in the office)

- Flexible working practices

- Employee Development Scheme

- Retailer Discounts

- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay

- Enhanced occupational sick pay

- Eye care scheme

- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme

- Gold award in Investors in People

Safe to Learn is a newly established network of teachers, parents, researchers, policymakers, young people and child safeguarding practitioners, working together to end antisemitism in UK schools. We co-produce evidence-based child safeguarding resources, tools and standards to address antisemitism and improve the school environment for all children, educators and support staff.

Safe to Learn is seeking a committed dynamic, and entrepreneurial Director to lead strategy development and implementation in collaboration with the Safe to Learn Independent Advisory Panel. Candidates with the following experience and commitment are encouraged to apply:

1. A demonstrable alignment with our mission and values.
2. A clear commitment to ending antisemitism and understanding of antisemitism, child rights and child safeguarding and their underlying principles.
3. A team-player, with a positive, dynamic and entrepreneurial approach to achieving our mission.
4. Significant experience and understanding of the UK education sector at a senior level.
5. A track-record of delivering high-impact advocacy and communications campaigns to achieve policy objectives.
6. Preferably related to non-discrimination, equality, anti-racism or child rights.
7. Experience of undertaking high-quality research and knowledge production in a related area.
8. High-level relationship management and network-building skills, including significant experience of engaging with policymakers.
9. Experience of developing high-quality resources and educational materials for children and educators.
10. A flexible, participatory and consultative approach with a proven ability to work in collaboration with a high-level advisory panel.
11. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to engage audiences at all levels.
12. Advocacy, consensus-building and facilitation skills, including diplomacy, tact, non-discrimination and respect for all.

This is a key role within Learning and Work Institute, with responsibility for delivering high quality research, analysis and evaluation across learning, skills and employment.

Day to day duties:

• Design and deliver high quality research, analysis and evaluation, to time and budget. Researchers will work on a wide range of mixed methods research and evaluation projects across the learning, skills and employment sector.
• Manage small projects and lead on elements of large projects.
• Develop and implement appropriate research methodologies and methods, evaluation strategies and research tools. Projects generally include a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods, such as semi-structured interviews, focus groups, evidence reviews, surveys, analysis of management information and secondary data analysis.
•  Develop and manage systems for gathering, recording, analysing and presenting data from a range of projects for maximum impact.
• Contribute to the production of high-quality research, policy and evaluation reports, interpreting evidence in a way that is accessible to a wide range of audiences.
• Disseminate research findings through written reports, media articles, blogs and presentations. Communicate the work of L&W through print and broadcast media. Represent L&W at events and external meetings. 
• Support income generation by contributing to the preparation of funding proposals and responses to tenders.
• Undertake project administration and coordination tasks related to research activity.
• Supervise interns, associates and temporary staff, as required, including possible line management responsibility for research interns.

About you

The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge and experience of a range of social research methods and an interest in the policy context for learning, skills and employment.

Essential criteria:

• Relevant degree, equivalent qualification(s) or evidence of equivalent experience.
• Understanding and application of a range of research, analysis and evaluation methodologies and methods.
• Ability to develop and use appropriate methods and tools to support high quality research.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, that ensure work is effectively prioritised to meet deadlines.
• Strong track record of organising, co-ordinating and managing a range of activities against competing deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to work, unsupervised, under own initiative with a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a range of audiences, stakeholders, funders and partners.
• Ability to write for and speak to a range of audiences to ensure impact.

Desirable Criteria:

• Ability to use a range of quantitative research methods with minimal guidance, such as survey design and analysis, data management, summary and descriptive statistics and the use of software for data analysis and visualisation (e.g. Excel, SPSS, Stata, R.
• Understanding of learning, skills and/or employment policy and/or practice across England and/or Wales.

A full job description and person specification is available on our website.

Benefits

Salary of £25,780 - £34,910, depending on experience and location

- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays.

- Generous company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

- Group Life Assurance 3*salary

- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time in the office)

- Flexible working practices

- Employee Development Scheme

- Retailer Discounts

- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay

- Enhanced occupational sick pay

- Eye care scheme

- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme

- Silver award in Investors in People

How to apply

To apply, please upload your CV and a short supporting statement answering the 4 questions below (no more than 250 words per question please) and a cover letter.

1. Please tell us what attracted you to the researcher role at Learning and Work Institute. When answering this question, explain why you are interested in L&W in particular, and the attributes you bring to this specific role and the organisation.
2. Please outline your key research and analytical skills and capabilities, providing examples of how you have used them. When answering this question, explain how your skills and capabilities meet the job description and person specification. Examples should be detailed and include key considerations that you took into account when applying your skills and capabilities.
3. Please describe a time that you had to work as part of a team to deliver a project, and your role in delivering the project. When answering this question, explain the aspects of the project that you had responsibility for, how this related to the wider project and the steps you took to ensure there was effective teamwork and the project was successfully completed. Consider the key aspects to effective teamwork, and how these are demonstrated by your example.
4. Please tell us about a time you managed/coordinated a project or piece of work. How did you ensure that it was completed to time and quality expectations? When answering this question, explain the steps you took when managing/coordinating the project or piece of work, how you planned and prioritised tasks and the time required to complete them, and the outcome you achieved by doing this successfully.

Applications will only be considered when submitted with a CV and Cover letter

The closing date for applications is: 25th July 2025

Should you require any adjustments to participate in this recruitment process, please make this clear when you apply.

L&W is passionate about equality and diversity, it drives our organisational values and mission, and we are particularly keen to receive applications from all under-represented groups in society.

Job title: Service Manager - Night Shelters

Location: On site at our office – Argon House, Argon Mews, London, SW6 1BJ

Contract type: Permanent

Reporting to: Head of Operations & Service Development

Hours of work: 35 hours per week (5 days per week)

About you

As the Service Manager for our night shelter service, you’ll be at the heart of Glass Door’s mission, delivering the largest network of night shelters in the UK.  This pivotal role offers you the chance to make a real difference by managing a dedicated team across multiple sites, ensuring high-quality, consistent service that supports our guests to build a route out of homelessness.  We’re looking for a dynamic, proactive leader with a passion for problem-solving and a compassionate service delivery.

What you will do as part of our team

The Service Manager is responsible for the following:

Service delivery 

· Lead all aspects of the planning, preparation, and delivery of the night shelter service. 

· Oversee the day-to-day operations of the service, directly engaging with staff and guests to ensure high-quality service delivery. 

· Ensure operational policies are consistently followed, providing guests with a reliable and uniform service experience. 

· Manage the rota across three night shelters to maintain adequate staffing at all times. 

· Manage a fleet of three vehicles used for the night shelters, ensuring their availability and maintenance. 

· Ensure all staff are fully aware of service provisions, requirements, and expectations. 

· Lead the continuous improvement of the shelter service to better meet guest needs. 

· Ensure due diligence is performed, and that reporting and records are accurately maintained. 

· Collaborate with the Head of Operations & Service Development to keep expenditures and income within agreed budget limits. 

· Liaise with casework colleagues to ensure seamless collaboration between night shelter and casework staff. 

· Ensure the night shelters are aligned with other statutory and charity services to best meet the needs of our guests. 

· Conduct and maintain annual general and fire risk assessments for each shelter venue; actively maintain the service-level risk register and contribute to organisational risk register. 

· Promptly raise concerns and safeguarding issues in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.

· Ensure policies and procedures are up-to-date with annual reviews, and provide staff with training and guidance on compliance and best practices. 

Management 

· Manage and supervise a seasonal staff team of approximately 40 individuals. 

· Oversee the full employee lifecycle management, including: recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management. 

· Lead the recruitment and training of seasonal shelter staff. 

· Provide high-quality support and line management to night shelter staff, delivering clear guidance, support, and effective leadership. 

· Ensure excellent performance management, support, and supervision of Night Shelter Managers and staff, including monitoring annual leave and addressing performance issues in line with Glass Door’s policies. 

· Empower seasonal managers to deliver high-quality, safe support and effective guest management in accordance with Glass Door policies and procedures. 

· Regularly monitor the quality of support and service by conducting site visits to the night shelters. 

· Organise and deliver a comprehensive training programme for shelter staff. 

· Facilitate regular supervision and team meetings to promote effective teamwork and communication. 

· Ensure the In-form system is utilised efficiently by shelter staff, with timely updates to reports, and prompt, accurate record-keeping. 

· Provide timely support, advice, and guidance to staff as needed. 

Service Development and Planning  

· Play a lead role in the annual planning of the night shelter service and contribute to the annual services business plan. 

· Drive the achievement of organisational targets and objectives as outlined in Glass Door’s business plan. 

Additional  

· Cultivate positive relationships with guests, staff, professionals, partners, suppliers, and the local community.

· To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Glass Door.

· Carry out the functions of the post with proper regard to Glass Door’s Equal Opportunities Policy. 

Person Specification 

Essential: 

· Proven experience working with and understanding the needs of people experiencing homelessness or similar disadvantaged groups. 

· Experience in leading a service and managing frontline teams. 

· Demonstrated problem-solving abilities through proactive learning. 

· Understanding and appreciation of trauma-informed care. 

· Valid driving license for manual transmission with the willingness to drive the Glass Door vehicles. 

· Ability to work independently, with strong decision-making skills and initiative. 

· Highly organised with excellent time-management abilities. 

· Exceptional communication skills, adaptable to various styles and approaches. 

· Strong IT proficiency, including advanced Microsoft Office skills. 

· Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, with the flexibility to cover shifts in emergencies. Time off in lieu provided. 

· Proactive approach in resolving challenging situations and achieving desired outcomes. 

· Empathetic and professional in handling challenging circumstances. 

· Ability to implement and adhere to health and safety, HR, and operational policies. 

· Strong commitment to equal opportunities and diversity. 

Desirable: 

· Advanced IT proficiency, particularly in AI tools and technologies, with a proven ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software or web applications. 

· Relevant training or certifications (e.g., project management, trauma-informed care, IOSH Managing Safely). 

· A lived experience of homelessness. 

We value diversity, promote equality and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness. 

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good.    

Last year alone, 14,000 professionals received our training. Over 80,000 adults at risk of serious harm or murder and more than 100,000 children received support through dedicated multi-agency support designed by us and delivered with partners. In the last six years, over 4,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change by interventions we created with partners, and that’s just the start. 

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

About the role

The Drive Training Coordinator plays a central role in coordinating the planning and delivery of training activities across The Drive Partnership. The Training Coordinator will provide efficient logistical, administrative, and learner support across all Drive workforce trainings. This includes managing training schedules, resources, communication, and data in support of high-quality training outcomes.

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.

Contract: Fixed term until March 2026 with potential for 12-month extension to March 2027 - pending funding confirmation.

About Drive

The Drive Partnership, formed by Respect, SafeLives and Social Finance, is working to transform the national response to perpetrators of domestic abuse. We work to end domestic abuse and protect victims by disrupting, challenging, and changing the behaviour of those who are causing harm. Together we have developed the Drive Project to address a gap in work with high-harm, high-risk perpetrators of domestic abuse. We also work to advocate for systems and policy change to develop sustainable, national systems that respond more effectively to all perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Benefits

• 34 days' holiday incl. public holidays
• Flexible working e.g. compressed hours
• Cycle to work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
• Childcare vouchers
• Employee assistance programme
• Clinical supervision
• Holiday purchase scheme to buy up to an additional 5 days
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Enhanced sick pay
• Professional development fund
• Individual learning budget
• Restorative practice training
• Time off in lieu 

If this challenge sounds as exciting to you as it does to us and you believe you have the qualities we have described, please take a look over the job description and submit a 500-word cover letter and CV.

Closing date: 9am on Tuesday, 5th August 2025. 

SafeLives is a committed provider of equal opportunities for all; please see our job description for full details.

No agencies, please.