Policy leader jobs

Our amazing team at Alana House are looking for a Women’s Centre Team Leader to join the team. 

Would you like to make a lasting difference to women facing multiple disadvantages? Our award winning trauma recovery service empowers and enables women to access the support they need.  

Position: Women’s Community Project – Alana House Team Leader

Location: The role is based in our Reading office with hybrid flexible working arrangements to provide for working at home and in the office

Contract: Permanent full time – 37 hours per week Monday to Friday.  Working pattern to be agreed within the hours of: Monday to Tuesday 8.30am-5pm | Wednesday 8.30am-7pm | Thursday 8.30am-5pm | Friday 8.30am-4pm

Salary: Starting salary in the range of £35,502  to £43,389 per annum 

Alana House is PACT’s flagship community project that uses a holistic approach to support and empower women. We offer a confidential, women-only, non-judgemental space and our services are delivered for women by women to ensure a safe, comfortable and trauma informed environment for those accessing support.

About the role:

As the Women’s Centre Team Leader, you will be responsible for leading a team of Key Workers to achieve the positive engagement of service users which leads to positive outcomes.  Your responsibilities will include:

· manage a team of Key Workers: monitoring performance and progress to ensure KPIs and goals are met

· contribute to identifying, training and supporting service user representatives and peer mentors

· act as the first point of contact for women referred to our service and conduct structured assessments to understand needs

· regularly meet with women to provide dedicated emotional and practical support

About you:

As the Key Worker Team Leader, you’ll bring highly demonstrable people management skills to encourage, motivate, support and develop a team and monitor and manage performance, along with an in-depth knowledge of issues facing justice involved women and those at risk of entering the justice system.

If this sounds like you please visit our website and apply today to join a collaborative and dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful.

For an informal discussion about the role please visit the advert on our website for contact details for Sabina, Alana House Manager.

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 11 May 2026

All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK, and you must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Senior Family Support Worker, Family Key Work Leader, Senior Key Worker, Women’s Support Worker Leader, Women’s Key Worker Manger, Domestic Abuse Support Worker Manager, Domestic Abuse Key Worker Leader, IDVA, ISVA, Probation Services Manager, etc.

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.

We will be holding an online webinar to provide prospective applicants the chance to meet JRF staff and learn more about the role. 

Please register via our website if you are interested in finding out more about the role. 

About the role

We are seeking a visionary leader to join us as Principal Policy Adviser (Work and Care) to drive the design, development and delivery of programmes that generate influential arguments, policies and ideas addressing the social and economic challenges underpinning poverty and economic insecurity in the UK today. This role is central to charting a course toward a fairer and more prosperous future.

You will actively seek out and engage with individuals and organisations developing innovative ideas and strategies that align with our mission. You will take ownership of how our platform and resources can be best leveraged to support the development and diffusion.

In addition, you will lead the external projection of this work, shaping national conversations, influencing decision-making at the highest levels, building strategic alliances and partnerships and backing experimentation and real-world alternatives. Your leadership will help nurture longer term shifts in thinking and action, ensuring that our work resonates and drives meaningful change across society.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively across the wider organisation, drawing on different disciplines and perspectives to strengthen policy and ideas work and maximise potential for change. You will engage closely with colleagues in teams across devolved nations, considering the territorial implications of their work and exploring how to address issues where responsibilities are devolved.

About you

We are seeking a candidate with strong expertise in UK labour markets or systems of care and a clear understanding of how these relate to poverty and economic insecurity. You will have a sophisticated grasp of how policy making works across the UK including devolved and sub-national governments and be well engaged with current political and policy debates. You will also understand how a range of analytical approaches, both quantitative and experiential, can be applied to complex policy issues, alongside a commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture.

You will be skilled at navigating complex dilemmas, using evidence, research and lived experience to develop insightful and original ideas. You will think critically and creatively, communicate persuasively and identify and support new ideas and perspectives beyond JRF. You will also be an effective collaborator, able to build partnerships and work with a diverse range of stakeholders.

You will bring a track record of shaping influential ideas or policies and experience of engaging and influencing at senior levels. You will have led successful projects or programmes, supported others through coaching and development and contributed to building high-performing, positive teams.

How to apply

If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Please submit your CV and supporting information via our website.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 10th May 2026.

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 20th May 2026.

We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.

Additional Information

Applications are welcome from all, regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socioeconomic background.

We positively encourage applications from people from marginalised backgrounds, including but not limited to those with experience of living in poverty.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process.

In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.

At JRF we’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference – and hope others will do the same. So, for those roles which allow it, we’re developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home (with an expectation of two days a week in your home office).

We offer a supportive and flexible workplace. More information on JRF Benefits can be found on our online platform. 

We encourage you to read our EVP, which again is located on our online platform.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you have any additional needs and need reasonable adjustments to be made to the interview process, please let us know.

What you will be achieving

As a key member of the Academy’s Policy Team, the Senior Policy Officer will play an important role at a critical moment for the organisation. This role will help the Policy team to plan and deliver a new set of priorities for 2026/27. Relevant priorities for this role include, but are not limited to:

• Improving health outcomes in the UK and internationally.
• Mobilising the UK health research system to turn discovery into practice.
• Making the UK the best place in the world to have a career in medical sciences.

Within these overarching priorities, there are some distinct policy programmes the incoming Senior Policy Officer is likely to work on, which could include:

• Maximising the impact of medical sciences in prevention and early detection.
• Transforming the generation and application of clinical evidence to speed up translation from discovery to patient impact, ensuring equitable inclusion of underserved groups.
• Making the UK a global leader in responsible, effective and equitable AI and data use across the biomedical sciences.
• Conducting a foresight exercise to identify high-impact innovations that will be critical within the near future and ensure the health system is enabled to support them.

The Senior Policy Officer will be line managed by a Policy Manager.

What you will be doing

As Senior Policy Officer, you will lead on or support a range of policy projects and activities to inform and influence the policy landscape in accordance with Academy priorities. This work may include leading on or supporting the following:

• Major working group studies and corresponding outputs.
• Informing and responding to Government set pieces and announcements.
• Consultations and rapid responses, and shorter position papers.
• Roundtables, workshops, and other relevant policy events.
• Correspondence and briefings for senior stakeholders.
• Working closely with Fellows and other experts to identify and analyse key policy issues, gather data and expert opinion. Construct impactful conclusions and recommendations to advise internal and external stakeholders.
• Delivering implementation and follow-up activities on policy recommendations across external audiences and stakeholders.
• Maintaining an excellent understanding of the policy landscape by monitoring developments and key policy issues, including the use of animals in research (please see the Academy’s statement on the use of animals in research).
• Scoping potential new areas of policy work, and/or identify opportunities for the Policy Team.

External engagement

• Collaborating with organisations from academia, Government, healthcare, industry and the charity sector.
• Maintaining and developing an effective network of contacts across the sector (including our Fellows) to inform and increase the impact of policy work.
• Representing the Academy at external meetings, parliamentary engagements (such as the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Life Sciences) and political events (such as party conferences).

Supporting the Academy’s wider functions

• Supporting the Academy’s briefings and parliamentary monitoring functions.
• Coordinating across a wide range of Academy functions, including its Briefings, Impact, and Events capabilities, to maximise the effectiveness of policy work.
• Working with the Communications and Engagement teams to co-develop relevant outputs and activities.
• Briefing senior stakeholders for high-level meetings and events where necessary.
• Supporting the development of core scripts on priority policy topics across the Policy team.
• Supporting the Monitoring and Evaluation team with monitoring the policy team’s impact.

Budget and line management

• Occasionally managing policy budget lines.
• Occasionally supervising policy interns and placement students.

Benefits

We provide our staff with a comprehensive benefits package outlined as follows:

• Generous pension scheme with flexible contributions – we contribute between 8% - 13% of your gross salary (with employee contributions of 3% - 8%).
• Life assurance at three times your salary.
• Hybrid and agile working. 50% office attendance.
• 26 days annual leave, plus Christmas closure days and bank holidays.
• Buying and selling leave.
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to a qualifying period).
• Complimentary subscriptions to Headspace and Classpass to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Support through tailored learning and development.
• A range of enhanced benefits become available once you’ve completed your probation period.

For more information and to apply, please visit our careers portal.

Closing date: 9.00am on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.

Interview date: Thursday, 7 May 2026 (held online).

This is an exciting entry-level opportunity for someone with interest in or experience of health or social care services who is passionate about improving health and wellbeing in England and looking to begin a new career in policy or research.

The King’s Fund has an ambition to increase the diversity of our workforce and to create career opportunities in health and care policy for a broader range of people. The policy and research field is not yet reflective of the health and care workforce in terms of ethnicity. We believe that diversity of background and experience contributes to a broader collective perspective, and we want to improve the way we influence health and social care policy. This positive action trainee post is aimed at people from an ethnic minority background who are interested in pursuing a career in policy and/or research who have not previously worked or had an internship in this field and is advertised under Section 158 of the Equality Act 2010. 

About the role 

The Policy and Research Trainee post is a broad-ranging development role that will support the post-holder to gain knowledge and experience of various aspects of policy and research within a specialist health and care policy team.

You will contribute to projects across a wide range of issues relating to health and social care policy and practice (see our website for some examples of our recent projects). You will gain experience in creating a range of outputs for different audiences, publishing and presenting research findings in an accessible way. Training will be available both internally and externally to develop not only relevant research skills but also wider aspects such as writing and giving presentations.

About us 

The King’s Fund’s mission is to inspire hope and build confidence for positive change, by boldly reimagining a health and care system that is compassionate, equitable and fit for the future, with people at its heart.

We want our staff to feel like they can bring their whole selves to work. We have a range of staff networks, including a Black Staff Network and an Allyship group. You can read more about our work on diversity and inclusion on our website.

About you 

We are looking for someone who is passionate and curious about improving health and care in England and who wants to learn more about health and care policy. 

You will have a demonstrable interest in learning about English health and care policy and research. You will already have experience with health or care, whether as a carer, patient or staff member, and an interest in improving health and wellbeing, for example by reducing health inequalities and improving social determinants of health.

You will not have previously worked in research or policy, but you’ll be enthusiastic about gaining the new skills and experience needed to start a career in policy or research. We are particularly interested to hear from people who see this opportunity as unique and critical to their career development.  

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website and read our supplementary guidance documents, then download and fill in our application form and the equal opportunities form. If completing the application forms present any challenges, contact us by email so we can discussion options. 

We will also be running two informal online sessions on Zoom on 9 or 13 April where you can hear from existing colleagues about what it’s like to work in The King’s Fund policy team and have the opportunity to ask questions. Please visit this job advert on our website to register. You only need to attend one of the sessions. . 

Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK. Sadly, we are unable to sponsor work permit applications, extensions or transfers from an existing UK employer. 

CVs will not be accepted as applications. Applications must be submitted using The King’s Fund application form. 

Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 19 April.

Interviews will be held in person at The King’s Fund London office on 13 May (role available to commence in June but no later than September 2026).

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge? 

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard? 

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility. 

We are looking for a new Team Leader to join our team in.We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support. 

About us 

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.

About the role? 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Team Leader to join our team covering a variety of health boards.You will be a passionate supporter of quality driven, outcome centric, advocacy provision and in coaching others to achieve the exacting standards of excellence in advocacy required to support our clients. 

About you 

We are looking for a strong and resilient leader with experience of managing a team. Desirably you will have worked or volunteered in a welfare, supporting role, or caring for adults or young people who have support needs.

You will be committed to driving high performance and practice standards by actively engaging with our Practice Management team to interpret data. Thereby, making informed decisions and ensuring that the highest standards of advocacy are achieved. 

You will ensure a culture of learning and continuous development through a mix of team and supervision meetings, and reflective practice. 

You will be experienced in managing risks relating to the safety and wellbeing of staff members and the safeguarding of service users.

How will you make a difference? 

You will be responsible for ensuring your team delivery of the highest standards of advocacy, ensuring that all contact with clients is outcome driven. 

You will support your team and ensure that they have the necessary skills to make a difference in peoples lives on a daily basis.Assisting them to grow in confidence and empowering them to assist those in need of support. 

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with people across the organisation to assist you and your team, fostering a learning culture where all views are respected. 

Benefits  

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service  

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution  

Salary sacrifices pension scheme  

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)  

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc  

24/7 Employee Assistance programme  

Access to remote counselling service  

Paid Disability Leave  

Paid compassionate Leave  

Home Working Allowance   

Support with continuous professional development  

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development   

Personal Development Plans  

How are staff supported to work remotely?  

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.  

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).   

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.  

Equality and Diversity 

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. 

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact the People Team for further options. 

• Job title: Policy and External Affairs Manager
• Area of work: Policy, Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement
• Contract type: Permanent
• Employment type: Full-time (with part-time and Flexible working options considered)
• Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
• Location: Hybrid working (office base in Wales, with travel across the UK as required)
• Annual leave & benefits: Generous annual leave, employer pension contribution, flexible and hybrid working, wellbeing support, learning and development opportunities, and staff networks
• Closing date: Thursday 30th April 2026

Overview
This is an influentialopportunity for an experienced policy and external affairs professional to playa leading role in shaping relationships, policy engagement and public affairsactivity within a national healthcare and regulation environment.
AsPolicy and External Affairs Manager, you will lead a small specialist team andact as a central source of expertise on the political, policy and stakeholderlandscape in Wales, while also contributing to UK-wide external affairsactivity. You will work closely with senior leaders and colleagues acrosspolicy, communications and engagement functions to anticipate emerging issues,develop responses, and strengthen relationships with key decision-makersand stakeholders.
Thisrole is ideal for someone with a strong background in health policy or publicaffairs, who enjoys operating at senior levels, providing trusted advice, andinfluencing in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Key Responsibilities
Policy Leadership & Strategic Advice

• Provide authoritative advice on the policy, legislative and political landscape, with a focus on healthcare and regulation.
• Lead horizon scanning and political monitoring, ensuring senior colleagues are briefed on emerging risks and opportunities.
• Produce high-quality briefings, policy papers and consultation responses to support organisational priorities.
• Advise senior leaders on external developments, helping shape strategic positioning and engagement approaches.

External Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and manage strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including political, regulatory and sector bodies.
• Develop and deliver public affairs and stakeholder engagement plans, aligned to organisational strategy.
• Represent the organisation confidently at meetings, events, conferences and roundtables.
• Work collaboratively across UK-wide teams to ensure a coordinated approach to influencing and engagement.

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide inclusive and supportive leadership to a team of policy and external affairs professionals.
• Support team members' development, performance and wellbeing.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, high standards and continuous improvement.

Cross-Organisation Collaboration

• Work closely with colleagues across communications, engagement, policy and operational teams.
• Contribute to business planning, evaluation and continuous improvement activity.
• Play an active role in supporting high-profile engagement activity and events.

Skills & Experience Required
Essential

• Strong understanding of the political, public affairs and health policy landscape.
• Proven experience advising senior leaders and producing high-quality briefings and written advice.
• Demonstrable ability to build credibility and influence with senior external stakeholders.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information for varied audiences.
• Strong organisational skills and a track record of delivering complex work to deadlines.
• Experience working independently, using judgement and initiative.
• Leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, develop and support others.

Desirable

• Experience working within a UK-wide or multifunctionality organisation.
• Understanding of health or professional regulation.
• Experience presenting to a wide range of audiences.
• Welsh language skills.

The Team
You willjoin a collaborative, values-driven external affairs and engagement function thatworks closely with colleagues across policy, communications, stakeholderengagement and senior leadership.

The organisationoffers:

• Opportunities to influence nationally significant policy and external engagement.
• A supportive, inclusive working culture.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Strong commitment to learning, development and staff wellbeing.

A Welsh-language version of the job description is availableon request.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

Research Policy and Partnerships Officer

We’re looking for a Research Policy and Partnerships Officer to join the team.

Applications from individuals who are seeking flexible working options, including reduced hours or job shares are welcomed.

Position: CE402 Research Policy and Partnerships Officer

Location: Home-based, UK Nationwide. However, occasional travel will be required as part of this role (may include team meetings or other work related meetings)

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Salary: Circa £35,500 (inner London weighting £3,950 per annum or outer London weighting £2,457 per annum may be applied in accordance to where you live)

Contract: Permanent

Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (this will increase with service up to 30 days, full time equivalent) cashback and discount scheme, employee assistance programme, learning and development, pension scheme, Life Assurance, Eye Care vouchers, Long Service Award, Tax-free childcare, Health Cash Plan, Working Pattern Agreement, flexible working opportunities available.

Closing Date: 8 May 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Interview Date: 26 May 2026

The Role

The Research Policy and Partnerships Officer monitors UK research policy and governance developments, synthesises evidence and supports preparation of clear internal briefings, policy statements and consultation responses.

Reporting to the Research Policy and Partnerships Manager, the role helps ensure the Association’s research portfolio and the Research Academy remain well aligned to national frameworks and governance standards, and that lived experience is appropriately reflected in system facing outputs.

The role also supports the Research Policy and Partnerships Manager in building and maintain partnerships with research funders, medical research charities, academic institutions and health system leaders.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Conduct structured horizon scanning across NIHR, UKRI, REF, AMRC guidance and other charity funders to identify opportunities.
• Maintain a stakeholder and policy activity map; coordinate inputs for meetings with key partners, funders/sector bodies.
• Collate and integrate lived experience evidence in policy work (with Involvement colleagues).
• Support partnerships with research funders, medical research charities, academic institutions and health system leaders, coordinating meetings, shared resources and monitoring commitments and agreements

About You

You will:

• Be educated to degree level in a science, health, social science or related discipline
• Have experience of collaborative working with senior internal and external stakeholders, supporting partnership building in research, clinical and/or voluntary sectors

To fulfil the role, you must be a resident of the UK and have the right to work in the UK

Please state any preferences for flexible options in your covering letter.

Finding strength through support

The organisation is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. Providing tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. 

They are here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life.

It’s only thanks to the generosity of supporters and donors that they can provide vital support. 

The Association is driven by an ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means they’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference, and thrives on the diversity, of our people. Guided by an approach to solving inequity in stroke, the team are prioritising listening to, and learning from, lived experience across the charity.

The charity are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Association and are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how the organisation work.

A Disability Confident employer, the organisation is making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work.

You may also have experience in areas such as Research Officer, Research and Policy Officer, Partnerships Officer, Research Policy and Partnerships Officer, Research and Policy, Policy and Partnerships.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP

Team Leader - Housing

Location: Newcastle

Salary: Grade 5 - £38,724 per annum

Hours: Full time – 35 per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: Monday 4th May 2026 at 11.30 pm

Do you have proven experience of day-to-day staff and service management, including casework support and supervision? Then join Shelter as a Team Leader and you could soon be making a real difference to people affected by the housing emergency.

 About the role 

Your role will be essential to the day-to-day management of the Hub and in particular, the delivery of front-line services, contracts and projects. We will rely on you to lead and support the staff and volunteer team that delivers specialist advocacy, empowerment, advice and systems change within the local community. You will support the Hub’s Strategic Lead and management team to deliver our strategy locally, plan and supervise casework, monitor the effectiveness of our services as well as promoting them. You will ensure we provide an excellent quality service that meets the needs of those who need our help and that everyone has access to a safe and affordable home.

About you

You will need experience of staff and service management, including casework support, risk management, supervision and safeguarding. A good understanding of housing law is essential, along with demonstrable experience of working in the advice and/or support sectors and working with external agencies. You must also be proficient in the use of a range of IT tools including case management systems and Microsoft applications.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About the team

Shelter North East has been based in Newcastle, covering advice across 12 Local Authorities, for over 25 years and is made up of teams delivering housing advice and support, administration, legal casework and DIY Skills. We also have colleagues covering Community Fundraising and Organising, Client Involvement and Business Development.  

One of our main focuses is systemic change, which we achieve through offering direct advice to clients, as well as training to partners and volunteers to build capacity across the housing sector. We aim to positively influence procedural and policy changes that will improve the experience and outcomes for all those with housing needs in the North East. 

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

If you would like to discuss the role please contact Tracy Guy, Strategic Lead for the North East by email - see ad

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement with responses to the following points in the ‘About you’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format:

•       Experience of day-to-day staff and service management, including casework support safeguarding and supervision

•       Experience and knowledge of the relevant area of housing provision required for the local context

•       Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary context with partners, community groups and other agencies

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Senior Public Affairs and Policy Manager 

London 

£50,956 to £53,000

Working hours – full time (35 hours a week) - you’ll agree your working pattern with your manager (core working hours are 10:00 - 16:00).

Location – London and homeworking (minimum 6 days a month in the London office, anchor day in the office every Wednesday)

Purpose and scope

Are you looking for a policy role where you can make a difference? Our client is looking for a Senior Public Affairs and Policy Manager to grow their influence with government and in UK parliament to ensure the voice of physicians effectively influences the national policy agenda.

You’ll be part of the policy and campaigns team, responsible for ensuring they maintain its position as a credible, influential stakeholder in the eyes of government, NHS systems and their physician members.  

You’ll join the organisation just as it publishes a new strategy and decides new areas of policy focus. You’ll play a critical role in developing and delivering the public affairs strategy to ensure that the organisation is an effective advocate for its members.

You will lead and manage our public affairs work, designing and delivering influencing strategies and contributing your expertise to policy development and campaign planning for a range of policy issues. You’ll maintain a proactive awareness of issues within the UK health sector, politics and the media and identify opportunities for influencing and policy development. You will have demonstrable experience of developing and delivering successful influencing strategies, using a range of parliamentary influencing tactics to achieve policy change.

You will lead and manage the organisation’s stakeholder engagement. You will ensure we have the right relationships at the right level to achieve our influencing aims and maintain a network of contacts across the sector, in parliament, including political advisers, and the civil service.

You will be as comfortable speaking to parliamentarians and briefing senior leaders for meetings as you are writing consultation responses and policy briefings. You will be able to engage with the policy detail, while appreciating the bigger political picture and the organisation's place in it.

You’ll need a sharp eye for detail and be able to quickly and accurately interpret and communicate complex information. You will provide the president, senior officers and senior staff with public affairs advice, brief them for meetings and play an active role in engaging external stakeholders in NHS systems and the wider sector yourself.

The policy and campaigns team – which is part of the wider communications, policy and research directorate – is a fast paced, collaborative and innovative environment. You will help us shape our objectives and continuously improve how we work.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining a proactive awareness of issues within the UK health sector, politics and the media and identifying opportunities for influencing and policy development
• Working proactively to identify opportunities for parliamentary engagement to grow the profile of the organisation.
• Building and owning relationships with Ministers Parliamentarians, their staff and civil servants, arms-length bodies and other sector stakeholders organisations relevant to their policy and campaigns aims.
• Providing public affairs advice to senior officers and staff, as well as their boards, committees and other activities as appropriate
• Managing a robust horizon scanning and political intelligence monitoring service to the senior officers, senior staff and the organisation as a whole.
• Owning a policy portfolio and developing proactive and reactive policy positions, working in partnership with senior officers, their members, communications colleagues and other staff and organisations. 
• Working flexibly and proactively without close supervision, undertaking a range of work such as writing briefings, letters, policy positions and consultation responses.
• Working with the media team to develop our client's voice with communications approaches that ensure high impact for their influencing and campaigns work.
• Preparing senior officers and staff for stakeholder meetings, supporting them in those meetings and yourself representing the organisation at meetings and events.
• Managing an adviser and developing them to the best of their ability.
• Any other duties commensurate with your post, including deputising for the head of policy and campaigns and executive/deputy directors of communications, policy and research, and managing budgets.

Experience

You will

• a strong background in public affairs, policy development and effective influencing in Westminster and UK government
• significant experience of developing and delivering successful influencing campaigns and having used a range of public affairs tactics, including the media, to achieve policy change
• significant experience of the policy development process and understanding of how to influence national and/or arms-length body policy processes. 
• excellent writing skills and experience of producing briefings, consultation responses and other communications on behalf of an organisation and senior people
• strong experience of giving advice to senior people, getting buy-in for your ideas and influencing opinion internally
• strong experience of successfully managing competing views, priorities and interests to achieve your aims. 
• be able to quickly develop positive and effective working relationships with a diverse range of people, including those at senior level
• experience of successfully managing high profile issues, relationships and events
• acting on your own initiative to develop new work, proposing reasonable and realistic solutions
• understand the importance of and be committed to involving a diverse range of organisations and people in developing and delivering campaigns.

You may have experience of

• health and/or social care policy
• influencing the Senedd
• communications management
• working in a membership organisation and involving members in advocacy
• budget management

Closing date: 05 May 2026

Interviewing date: 18 May 2026

Our client positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. 

Our client is all about their people – their members, staff, volunteers and leaders. They educate, influence and collaborate to improve health and healthcare for everyone and know they can only do this by being inclusive, encouraging and celebrating diverse perspectives. Welcoming into their community people who represent the 21st-century medical workforce and the diverse population of patients they serve is a priority for us.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping 56,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for a high-calibre candidate who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a permanent role as Centre Leader at our IntoUniversity centre in Bridlington. You will have responsibility for running your IntoUniversity centre, including managing your team, planning and delivering the programme, liaising with external stakeholders and meeting  IntoUniversity’s targets for delivery.

A substantial element of this role is delivering our education programme to children and young people aged 7-18, so you will need to have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for working with young people, including leading a class of 30 from the front, working with small teams of children and providing one-to-one support.

The role at a glance

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Application deadline - 9am Monday 27th April 2026

Interview day (in-person) - Thursday 7th May 2026

Start date: July 2026

Working hours
Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00
Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30

(Some additional weekend & unsocial hours will be required)

Centre Leaders are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres

Location

IntoUniversity Bridlington

The role requires intermittent travel in your region (usually within the day). Periodic travel out of the area is also required e.g. to London, this may include occasional overnight stays. 

Salary

£36,400 per annum.

Annual leave
33 days (inc bank & public holidays) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days)

Staff benefits

• Employer pension contributions of 6% (and up to 8% after two years)
• Year round ‘early finish’ Fridays at 4.30pm
• Summer working hours (finish at 1pm on Fridays for six weeks in the summer), pro-rated for staff joining after January in the same year 
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to wellbeing and legal support 
• Life Assurance scheme with Aviva including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
• Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay and sick pay allowances
• Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year

About Us

The West Sussex Parent Carer Forum (WSPCF) is an independent organisation for the parent carers of children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). We support parent carers by providing information, signposting, and training that equips them in their lifelong caring role and empowers them to participate in shaping services for their children and young people.

About the job

This is a great opportunity for a proactive and passionate person who is committed to collaborating with education, health and care partners, to strengthen co production and drive service and system change in West Sussex. You will be an excellent, persuasive communicator and have had demonstrable success at partnership working. You will be confident in strategic leadership, skilled at amplifying parent carer voice and knowledgeable and organised in managing a wide brief which includes overseeing delivery. You will lead a dedicated team motivated by improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and be supported by Amaze who host and provide back-office support to WSPCF. This is a part time, flexible, hybrid role where lived experience really matters.

Our benefits

Some of the benefits of working for WSPCF, hosted by Amaze • Hybrid working out of WSPCF’s Pulborough office, with some homeworking • + 5% pension, pro-rata 26 days a year, + extra 3 days at Christmas + Public Holidays • Flexible, family and carer-friendly working • Support for staff health and wellbeing including an employee assistance programme • Commitment to learning and development • Access to charity worker discounts scheme • See full benefits policy

Skills and experience required

• Parent carer of a child or young person aged 0-25 years old, living in West Sussex with a special educational need or disability (SEND) • Strong understanding of the SEND landscape, including the needs and experiences of parent carers and children/young people with SEND • Experience of overseeing delivery of multiple projects or workstreams • Experience using monitoring, evaluation and feedback to shape priorities, demonstrate outcomes and assess impact • Experience in strategic leadership • Experience of partnership working with senior leaders across local authorities, health, education, VCSE sectors • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Strong organisational skills • Confidence in IT and financial oversight • Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to empowering parent carers • Ability to lead staff and volunteers, including providing supervision and support • Creative, innovative and reflective approach to problem solving

To support your application, please visit the Amaze website and read: West Sussex Parent Carer Forum Strategic Lead Job Description, Staff benefits policy, Terms and conditions. Please visit the West Sussex Parent Carer Forum website to read more about them.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 6th May 2026 and the provisional dates for interviews is w/c 18th May 2026. You are warmly encouraged to contact us for an information discussion about the role.

We are looking for a Director of Communications (External Relations)

We are looking for a communications leader to help us transform Nesta’s impact, reach and influence. We're already an ambitious, award-winning, multidisciplinary team, and now we're looking for someone to help us elevate our work to the next level.

The UK information environment is changing rapidly and our team is midway through a period of reform and transformation to adapt. We want to be industry-leading in the way we communicate - on the cutting edge of testing and experimenting with new formats and tactics, constantly iterating our practice in response to an information environment that is being constantly reshaped by AI, changing political communications and new technology. This is where you come in.

This role offers the mandate to experiment with a suite of high-impact products that are ready for their next stage of growth. You will play a central role in developing our new podcast, expanding our collection of data-driven stories, and testing long-form video as a way to translate deep research into compelling visual narratives. We care about micro communities as much as the traditional broadcast tools, and you’ll lead a stable of products designed to reach policy audiences. Alongside this, you will help to spearhead the advocacy and influencing activity that will deliver success in our three missions, and work more broadly to support BIT and all other parts of the Nesta Group.

You will blend exceptional political acumen with a proven track record of delivering policy and advocacy campaigns that have a tangible impact. You will be a trusted advisor, adept at providing strategic counsel across multidisciplinary teams while fostering an empowering, best-in-class culture. Beyond managing projects and campaigns, you will invest in our people, ensuring our talented team has the support and clarity to perform at their best.

We are looking for a leader who isn't satisfied with the status quo and is ready to take our collective impact to the next level. Five years into our strategy, Nesta’s ideas are gaining significant influence - now we need you to raise our reach and profile to the same level.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the design and delivery of integrated campaigns with policy and advocacy objectives, using the right mix of channels, the highest standards of creative execution and the most effective messaging. Support the team to navigate the UK political and news agenda, identifying and securing the most effective moments for our work to exert influence.
• Lead the full range of policy communications across Nesta (working with and beyond the communications team with missions, units, subject specialists and senior leaders to bring coherence to our content and activity). Lead on policy-facing products, from blogs to policy briefings, podcasts to newsletters.
• Oversee delivery of broader communications activity, working across the organisation to form project teams, set priorities and tactics. Elevate the quality of our external output so all of our communications meet a consistently high bar for excellence. Ensure that all of our activity is delivered with the right mix of creativity, professionalism and speed to maximise success.
• Distil complex policy and research into powerful narratives, ensuring our strategic messaging resonates and persuades target audiences and that is used consistently and coherently across all of our activity. Manage our suite of editorial products and ensure our content is sharp, timely, and directly aligned with our advocacy objectives.
• Provide authoritative communications strategic counsel across teams, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex communication challenges and reputational issues
• Provide functional (direct) leadership of our policy communications, media relations and data journalism functions.

You will also work across all of the Communications department to:

• Drive forward new approaches to advocacy and influencing that organisations like Nesta need to adopt in response to the changing information environment
• Look across all activity being conducted and identify and act on opportunities for new content streams, activities or partnerships that support our strategic communications goals
• Spot opportunities to do more with our existing channels and campaigns, finding ways to extend their value and impact
• Troubleshoot and support where a project or campaign is at risk of failure, either because of differing views on execution, changing objectives, or missed deadlines
• Mentor and evolve a talented communications team, providing the leadership and vision necessary to take our collective impact to the next level.

What we’re looking for:

• Significant leadership experience in external affairs, communications, or press, specifically within an advocacy-focused environment.
• Exceptional strategic skills, with a history of delivering multi-channel campaigns that build genuine profile and influence.
• A deep understanding of the UK political and news agenda and wider information environment, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex policy landscapes.
• The ability to provide high-level strategic counsel, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex communication challenges and reputational issues.
• A genuine love of communications, with experience of exploring new approaches to advocacy and influencing that organisations like Nesta need to adopt in response to the changing information environment
• The ability to craft and embed strategic messaging that distills complex ideas into clear, authoritative narratives for diverse audiences.
• An accomplished writer who has successfully managed high-level editorial functions and maintained a high bar for content.
• Sharp media instincts and creative flair, with a proven ability to spot and shape stories that capture media interest.
• A grounded leader and people manager who knows how to motivate teams and cultivate a high-performing culture.

As with all members of the Nesta Group communications team, the postholder will also be at their best working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, have a flexible approach and an appetite for taking on new tasks and challenges. They will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills and a proven ability to write for a range of different audiences.

What we offer:

Salary: £91,500 plus an array of benefits, including a generous pension scheme, private medical insurance, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, and more

Location: This role is based in Blackfriars, London, hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of two days in the office

Term: Permanent

Hours: This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do.

Reports to: Group Executive Director of Communications

Making an application

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and a cover letter that states three reasons why you are a great candidate for the role before 8:00am on the 27th of April 2026.

Interviews will take place w/c 4th of May 2026.

About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation that designs, tests and scales solutions for the biggest challenges of our time.

Driven by a vision to improve the lives of millions of people, our focus up to 2030 is on three missions: breaking the link between family background and life chances, halving obesity and cutting household carbon emissions.

We work with partners across the public, private and third sectors to develop high-potential solutions and test them as they evolve, drawing on deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, data science, behavioural science and design.

Once confident in the effectiveness of a solution, we are relentless in the pursuit of scale. We create and make the case for ambitious national policy proposals, develop consumer-facing products and services, spin out and support commercial ventures and harness the power of the arts to shape national narratives.

We extend our impact through two specialised units that help others to solve complex problems and achieve their missions. BIT applies a deep understanding of human behaviour to help clients achieve their goals. Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society.

Together, we are building a powerful ecosystem for innovation that delivers proven solutions to create lasting, positive change.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Head of Safeguarding 

Circa £55,000 pa 

Location: UK – flexible 

Flexible working arrangements considered 

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU? 

Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets. Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. 

With projects currently in the UK, India and Tanzania we work to ensure every child can thrive away from a life on the streets.

Safeguarding is pivotal to all that we do.We are proud of our safeguarding culture and the highest standards of practice that we have developed across the Railway Children Group.We are looking for a leader who is as passionate about the safety and well-being of children as we are to help us to sustain, but also to grow and develop our safeguarding culture and practice to even higher standards.

The role 
In this role you will provide strategic leadership and governance of a transparent safeguarding culture across all the Railway Children Group’s operations and support services. Overseeing all areas of safeguarding across our work, you will support colleagues to fully embed effective and robust safeguarding practice and compliance into our work.

About you 
With your extensive experience of leading on and working with safeguarding and child protection systems and a proven track-record of implementing safeguarding strategy, policy and practice you will recognise that your values-led management style will lead to the embedding of a safeguarding culture across all our work. 

For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience. 

Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed. 

Closing date: 27 April 2026. 

First interviews will take place on Thursday 7th May 2026, with second interviews scheduled for Thursday 14th May 2026. 

Location: Rotherham

Mentored by: Chief Operations Officer

Type of Employment:  Full-time

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Days of work: Monday-Friday

Pay Level: £58,000-£65,000

The Really NEET Project is seeking an exceptional, driven Regional Head to lead and inspire our work across Barnsley, Rotherham and the North.

This is a unique opportunity for a passionate leader to help develop our future of alternative education, champion young people, and empower dedicated teams to deliver life-changing outcomes.

As Regional Head, you will provide strategic leadership, operational excellence, and inspirational direction, ensuring our centres consistently deliver outstanding support to young people who need it most.

Some of the key areas include:

• Provide strong and supportive line management to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Coordinator, SENDCo and Change Leader.
• Lead the ongoing development and delivery of high standards across SEND, education, youth work and risk management, including safeguarding and health and safety.
• Advocate confidently for yourself, staff, young people, and their families within an inclusive practice.
• Foster a culture of psychological safety, vulnerability-based trust, and shared purpose within teams.
• Fulfil the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role and make effective safeguarding decisions at local, regional and national levels.

Our Benefits:

• 10 weeks paid holiday per year (during school holidays)
• Vitality Health package (with no employee excess to pay on claims)
• Royal London Pension Scheme
• Job valuations to ensure competitive salaries
• 45p per mile for any work related journeys
• Annual 2 night staff Getaway
• Christmas spending voucher
• Regular social activities
• Annual Employee Wellbeing budget
• Occupational Health Offer
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies
• Foster & Kinship Policy – time off for training
• Time of for fertility/IVF treatments & appointments
• Bespoke CDP Opportunities

What to expect from the recruitment process:

1. Application form submitted and reviewed by the panel
2. Shortlisted candidates invited to a first stage interview
3. Candidates who are successful at the first stage interview will be invited for a second stage assessment which may consist of an in tray task, scenario presentation or microteach along with time with the learners and a tour of the workplace.
4. Candidate selection – the panel will review any applications and a selection decision made
5. Recruitment Manager will make contact with applicants to let them know the outcome of their interviews

All applications must be submitted by 20th April 2026 with interviews being held the following 2 weeks. All candidates should be notified of the outcome of interviews within 3 working days. (subject to change)

For more information on this role and our organization please visit our website

Please note that we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our learners and expect all those who work with us to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undertake a DBS Enhanced Clearance check (Disclosure and Barring Service) and complete a Self Disclosure.