324 Policy research jobs

About us

New Local has a mission to transform public services and unlock community power. We publish research, lead peer learning, influence government and work with public sector organisations on some of today’s most pressing issues, informed by our network of 50-plus local authority members. 

All of our work is guided by a belief in community power – the principle that communities themselves have the best insight into their own circumstances and should be able to participate in shaping their places and services. We believe that active, empowered communities should be at the heart of a wider shift towards place-based public services and a system focused on prevention, which can lead to better outcomes and a more sustainable system for all.

Purpose

This role sits within our Practice and Programmes team and will contribute to the development and delivery of New Local’s practice and policy work, supporting community-powered public sector reform in partnership with communities, individual councils, strategic authorities, central government, the NHS and other public and voluntary sector bodies. 

In our practice work, you will confidently lead and contribute to projects alongside public sector partners and communities, using a range of innovation and practice approaches to address complex challenges and support change. This could include programme and service design, facilitation, strategy development, user-centred design, adaptive and collaborative learning, and approaches that help partners test, learn and adapt in practice. You will work with delivery partners where needed and collaborate closely with other New Local colleagues to deliver high-quality work and impact for our local authority members, wider clients and partners. Crucially, you will help partners not only to develop and test new approaches, but to understand what the learning means for wider strategy, systems and ways of working. 

A key part of the role is connecting our practice work to wider strategy, policy and thought leadership. Our thought leadership and policy approach is deeply rooted in the practice we see in places and through our member and peer-learning networks. You will help draw out and communicate learning from pioneering work, developing practical insights and narratives that challenge thinking and inform wider strategy and policy. This could include contributing to blogs and thought pieces, shaping events and member sessions, sharing learning with wider audiences or supporting engagement with key stakeholders. You will identify connections between emerging local practice and national policy agendas and contribute to relationships and opportunities that advance New Local’s work on community power and public service reform. 

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of New Local practice projects, working closely with senior members of the New Local team and using a range of innovation and practice approaches including design, facilitation, strategy development, user-centred design, adaptive and collaborative learning, and approaches that enable partners to test, learn and adapt.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with partners across local government, the wider public sector and communities, placing an emphasis on collaborative working, co-design and building the relationships needed to support meaningful change.
• Design and facilitate engaging processes and workshops that help partners explore complex challenges, develop new approaches, test ideas and build shared understanding and action.
• Help connect practice, strategy and policy, drawing out learning from innovation and working with partners to translate this into changes in policy, strategy, systems and services, while contributing to wider thinking about the conditions needed to enable and scale change.
• Ensure effective project management of our activities, working with colleagues and partners to deliver high-quality work and impact within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Support the development and growth of our practice work, including contributing to proposals, project scoping and budgets, and identifying opportunities to develop our work with existing and new partners.
• Communicate the process, findings and learning from our work, producing clear and compelling outputs for different audiences and helping to draw out wider insights that can inform strategy, practice and policy.
• Contribute to New Local’s thought leadership and policy work, identifying connections between emerging local practice and wider policy agendas, and contributing to blogs, thought pieces, events, member sessions and stakeholder engagement.
• Work collaboratively across New Local, including with our network and communications teams, using your practice expertise and learning from projects to strengthen the wider impact of our work on community power and public service reform.

How to apply

For the full job description, person specification and details on how to apply, please visit New Local's website.

To identify new prospects (trusts, foundations, philanthropists, corporates) to support the development and strategic objectives of The Christie Charity.

To manage post-award impact and reporting requirements of The Christie Charity and work closely with the Grants Manager, who will focus primarily on the pre-award stage of the grant life cycle.

To source and share industry information across the Charity.

The role will be instrumental in both developing and expanding our prospect pipeline, identifying new opportunities and providing high-quality research materials to support our fundraising efforts.

WHY THE CHRISTIE CHARITY?

If you want to make a real difference to cancer patients and are ready to rise to the challenge of working for one of the most successful charities in the Northwest, this role could be for you.

The Christie Charity is a vibrant, fast moving, energetic organisation with a passionate team and a fantastic reputation. This is an exciting time to join The Christie Charity as we embark on a period of transformational growth with the launch of key capital appeals enabling us to see a real step change in our income. We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our successful fundraising team at this exciting time.

We are an independent charity and everything we do is geared to supporting the renowned Christie hospital to ensure that cancer patients receive the highest level of treatment and care and have access to world leading research and technology. We provide enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds.

The Christie Charity operates from the same campus as The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an ambitious Head of Community Research & Impact to join our senior management team and lead one of our core service areas.

Community-led research sits at the heart of how High Trees works. Our approach aims to rebalance the role and power that communities have in deciding how research is informed, delivered and used to improve lives for Lambeth residents. Over recent years we have built a strong foundation for this work and developed two flagship community research partnerships — the Lambeth Peer Action Collective and the Lambeth Community Research Network. We are now looking for someone to significantly expand this work: building local evidence of community need, working with communities to identify solutions and appropriate responses to local challenges, and advocating for change to policy and practice where needed.

This is a broad and varied leadership role. Alongside our direct research programmes, you will lead the development of infrastructure around community-led research in Lambeth, so that voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations can access the training, resources and networks they need to design and deliver their own research. You will also lead our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Communications functions, ensuring the impact of everything we do is understood, evidenced and communicated well.

As part of High Trees’ senior management team, the Head of Community Research & Impact will not only oversee delivery in their service area, but also help shape organisational strategy, grow partnerships and income, and ensure we work as one High Trees — keeping our practice responsive, collaborative and always led by community need.

About High Trees

Based in Tulse Hill, High Trees has been rooted in the local community for nearly 30 years. We deliver community action, employment, education, youth services and community research, working in partnership with local people and local organisations to build stronger communities and create meaningful change. We are recognised for our collaborative, long-term approach and our ability to adapt and respond to the issues that matter most to local people.

About the role

As Head of Community Research & Impact, you will:

• Lead and inspire our Research & Impact team to deliver high-quality, community-led research that drives change.
• Shape and deliver High Trees’ strategic vision for community-led research, championing collaborative research practice across Lambeth.
• Take the lead on designing new research programmes, support with sourcing the funding to run them, and ensuring projects are completed to a high standard with high-quality outputs.
• Grow the infrastructure for community-led research locally, including through the Lambeth Community Research Network and the Lambeth Peer Action Collective.
• Support VCS organisations with community research training, resources and capacity building support.
• Lead and embed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Communications across High Trees and our partnership work.
• Contribute as a member of High Trees’ senior management team, ensuring a joined-up approach across all our services.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Significant professional experience in research and/or community settings, with a track record of leading research projects.
• Experience of qualitative and mixed methods research and a working knowledge of participatory research approaches.
• A proven track record of leading teams and managing multiple projects and programmes at once.
• The ability to build trust and long-lasting relationships across community, academic, public sector and voluntary sector organisations.
• A strategic mindset, balancing day-to-day delivery with long-term vision.
• A solid understanding of the context in which High Trees delivers its work

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role in a values-led organisation at a time of growth and ambition. You will help set the standard for community-led research and system change, creating tools, resources and practices that benefit the wider sector — and be part of a collaborative team dedicated to creating lasting change.

About us

New Local has a mission to transform public services and unlock community power. We publish research, lead peer learning, influence government and work with public sector organisations on some of today’s most pressing issues, informed by our network of 50-plus local authority members.

All of our work is guided by a belief in community power - the principle that communities themselves have the best insight into their own circumstances and should be able to participate in shaping their places and services. We believe that active, empowered communities should be at the heart of a wider shift towards place-based public services and a system focused on prevention, which can lead to better outcomes and a more sustainable system for all.

Purpose

Our Head of Practice role sits within our Practice and Programmes team. You will lead the development and delivery of a portfolio of practice work whilst also contributing to New Local's policy and thought leadership work. We are committed to strengthening the feedback loops between practice and policy locally, regionally and nationally and this role is key to this.

In our practice work you will solve challenges alongside councils, other public sector partners and communities, supporting them to deepen the impact of innovative place-based approaches and to understand the conditions needed for them to grow. You will be leading projects, working alongside delivery partners where needed, managing other New Local team members, to deliver high-quality work and impact for our partners.

Our thought leadership and policy approach is deeply rooted in our practice and peer-learning networks.You will draw on the pioneering work we see in places, and with our members, to support New Local's work to inform the national policy conversation about the conditions and enablers needed for places to accelerate and grow innovation in place-based, preventative and relational working.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of practice projects, ensuring effective project management so that practice work is delivered within budget and to agreed timelines.
• Lead the delivery of projects within our practice portfolio, using a range of innovation and practice approaches including design, facilitation, strategy development, user-centred design, adaptive and collaborative learning, and approaches that enable partners to test, learn and adapt.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with partners and clients for our practice work, across local government, the wider public sector and communities, placing an emphasis on collaborative working, co-design and building the relationships needed to support meaningful change.
• Develop and grow our practice work and generate revenues through deepening client relationships, creatively developing and responding to new partnership and business opportunities, including writing proposals and devising project budgets, aligned to our organisational purpose and vision.
• Lead effective project management of our activities, working with colleagues and partners to deliver high-quality work and impact within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Work with clients and the wider New Local team to connect practice, strategy and policy, drawing out learning from innovation and working with partners to translate this into changes in policy, strategy, systems and services, while contributing to wider thinking about the conditions needed to enable and scale change. 
• Model and promote the integration of practice and policy, through testing and iterating New Local's integrated policy and practice model and proactively contributing to our thought leadership and policy work.
• Model and promote collaborative working across New Local, including with our network and communications teams, using your practice expertise and learning from projects to strengthen the wider impact of our work on community power and public service reform.

How to apply

For the full job description, person specification and details on how to apply, please visit New Local's website.

Salary: £34,000 FTE (£20,400 actual salary) 
Contract: Permanent, part-time, 0.6 FTE 
Hours: 21 hours per week with flexibility as to how these are worked subject to business need and prior agreement 
Location: Hybrid, with regular attendance at our central London office (40%) 
Reporting to: Head of Policy and Advocacy 

Help shape public understanding of data and evidence 

We are looking for an experienced and proactive Press and Communications Officer to help raise the profile of the RSS, secure media coverage for our work, and ensure our expertise reaches policymakers, journalists and the wider public.

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who enjoys translating complex topics into compelling stories and wants to contribute to evidence-informed public debate. 

About the role 

As Press and Communications Officer, you will lead and coordinate media and communications activity across the Society's policy, advocacy and public engagement work. You will build relationships with journalists, identify opportunities to showcase RSS expertise, support media-facing spokespeople, and deliver communications campaigns that enhance our influence and reputation.

You'll work across a wide range of issues, helping to explain the role of data, statistics and evidence in public life while ensuring the RSS is recognised as a trusted and authoritative voice. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Developing and delivering communications campaigns and media plans.
• Generating positive media coverage and building strong relationships with journalists. 
• Drafting press releases, statements, briefings and opinion pieces. 
• Managing media enquiries and supporting RSS spokespeople.
• Creating and scheduling social media content.
• Identifying opportunities to contribute RSS expertise to current public debates.
• Monitoring and evaluating media coverage and communications impact.
• Supporting the development of a diverse network of expert ambassadors and spokespeople.

About you 

We're looking for someone who combines excellent communications skills with a strong news sense and a passion for making complex information accessible. 

You will have: 

• At least two years' experience in communications, press, public affairs or media relations.
• A strong track record of securing media coverage and building media relationships.
• Experience creating high-quality communications content, including press releases and social media content. 
• Experience planning and delivering communications campaigns.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Strong organisational and project management abilities.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts.
• The ability to explain complex issues clearly to non-specialist audiences.

Experience in a membership organisation, charity, professional body, learned society, or policy-focused organisation would be advantageous, as would an interest in research, evidence, data or public policy.

Why join us? 

At the RSS, you'll be part of a friendly and collaborative team committed to improving the use of data and evidence across society. We offer: 

• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 10%.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (pro rata).
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

Apply now 

If you're an enthusiastic communications professional looking to make a meaningful impact through evidence, data and public engagement, we'd love to hear from you. 

Join us in helping ensure that statistics and evidence are at the heart of understanding and decision-making.

We are seeking to recruit a Parliamentary and Policy Assistant to support our legislative and policy programme. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to develop a career in environmental policy while gaining first-hand experience of how Parliament and the legislative process work, and insight into the nuts and bolts of the operations of a small not-for-profit environmental organisation.

Working as part of a collaborative team, you will monitor parliamentary activity; research environmental policy; help prepare briefings and updates; support engagement with parliamentarians and stakeholders; contribute to communications; and help deliver events. No two days will be the same and you will gain broad exposure to the work of a busy policy team.

Role profile

• Monitor parliamentary activity including questions, debates, select committees, and legislation.
• Support with preparation of written briefings and other outputs, such as weekly summaries and updates.
• Undertake research on climate change, nature and other related environmental policy areas to inform legislative work, briefings and regular policy updates.
• Provide support to the legislative and policy team including through research, reviewing Hansard and logging and tracking updates 
•  Assist with data capture and entry into organisational databases.
• Support senior colleagues in preparing for meetings with parliamentarians and external stakeholders. 
• Support the delivery of the organisation's communications activity as required, including assisting with drafting website content, blogs and social media posts.
• Support the team with the delivery of parliamentary and external events and visits including venue booking, coordinating invitations, assisting with preparation of event materials and providing administration and logistical support.
• Provide day-to-day administrative support to policy and legislative colleagues, including document filing, note taking in meetings and coordination of meetings.  
• Attend parliamentary and external events to support policy research, insights and stakeholder outreach.
• Undertake ad hoc projects and tasks as required. 

Skills/experience

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds who are interested in politics and parliamentary process. More important than any particular qualifications or experience is your ability to communicate effectively; express ideas clearly and precisely in writing; manage competing priorities with a can-do attitude; and work with accuracy and attention to detail. If you are intellectually curious, proactive, and eager to develop your skills and knowledge while contributing to meaningful policy change, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Key knowledge and skills for the role include:

• Knowledge of or an interest in legislation and parliamentary processes.
• Good judgement and eagerness to develop strong political instinct
• Persuasive and clear communicator (oral and written).
• Happy to work in a fast-paced environment with a willingness to work in a flexible and agile way. 
• Team-oriented and collaborative: able to build great relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Good IT and social media skills.
• A personal commitment to climate change and environmental issues. 

Job Title: Interim Research and Policy Lead

Contract: Temporary contract - Maternity cover (13 months)

Hours: 21 hours per week

Salary: £21,600 per annum (£36,000 FTE)

Location: Hybrid (Home Based/London)

About Coram

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

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

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

About Coram PACEY

Coram PACEY (previously the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) was formed in 1977, we are a professional association dedicated to supporting home-based childcare professionals including childminders and nannies to provide high quality services, information and advice to children, their families and carers. We want all children to experience high quality childcare and early education, helping them to have a bright future.

About the role

The purpose of this role is to lead Coram PACEY’s programme of policy and campaigning activity planned during an important year for Coram PACEY as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. This will include a landmark piece of research into the future of childminding, this is an exciting time to join the organisation.

As Maternity Cover Policy and Research Lead, this role will be key in developing and delivering Coram PACEY’s policy priorities and campaigns providing expertise across key policy areas, support the Head of Coram PACEY to represent members’ concerns, and work with decision-makers, campaigners and partners to influence meaningful change for childminders, home-based childcare professionals and the wider early years sector.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing Date: 13th September 2026 at 23:59

Interview Date: 21st September 2026

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

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

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

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Job Title - Policy Officer

Contract - 12 months Fixed-Term

Hours - Part Time, 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE)

Salary Range - £15,000 to £19,200 per annum (£25,000 to £32,000 FTE)

Location - Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ

About Coram

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

Part of the Coram Group, Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) is the UK’s specialist centre for children’s rights in education, immigration, community care and family law, and provides significant international legal systems consultancy. The centre is located on the Coram Campus in central London with a base in Colchester. We champion access to justice through information and advice, legal practice and representation, policy and strategic litigation. Our Legal Practice Unit provides advice and representation primarily under legal aid contract. Our Policy and Practice Change team promotes practice change through training and capacity building to professionals and secures systems change through research, policy and advocacy.

About the role

This role will contribute to delivering Coram Children’s Legal Centre’s agreed programme of policy work, which focuses on immigration policy, education policy and children’s rights. The post-holder will play an important part in creating policy impact to promote the rights of children in the areas of immigration and education policy. Working with the Head of Policy and Practice Change, the Policy Managers and teams across Coram, the key objective of the role is to deliver policy work that has impact for children and centres the views and experiences of children and young people. The post-holder will work with CCLC’s lawyers, young people, sector colleagues, Government officials, Parliamentarians, the media and wider stakeholders to achieve change for children towards CCLC’s aim of promoting children’s rights in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The role would suit a passionate individual who cares about children’s rights and young people informing policy. The ideal candidate will have experience of volunteering or working at a charity or of advocating for change. We are looking for someone who is interested in policy work in the children’s sector, with a specific interest in our core areas of immigration and education policy and children’s rights. Some knowledge of UK immigration, asylum and nationality law is important and we would welcome candidates with lived experience of the asylum or immigration systems.

This is an office-based role with some remote working after the initial settling in period. There will be some flexibility over working days.

For further information on CCLC please visit our website.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing date: Sunday 6th September 2026 at 23:55

Test and Interview date: Tuesday 22nd September 2026

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

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

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

Registered Charity No. 312278.

About the role

The policy officer is based in our policy, evidence and influencing team. They support our vital work to create change for people with breast cancer across the UK.

The policy officer supports our policy development work by building knowledge of key policy issues, drafting policy materials and helping with the generation of evidence and insight to shape our work. They work closely with public affairs and campaigns colleagues to develop and deliver influencing strategies to support our policy calls.

They work with others across Breast Cancer Now to inform our policy development, provide advice on key areas of policy and keep everyone informed about our work. They also work with other organisations to influence on shared priorities.

About you

You’ll have experience of policy development work, including developing written briefings, working with supporters and analysing evidence and insight to support policy development.

You’ll be an excellent communicator, who can translate complex information into accessible language. And you’ll have great interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with others including people with breast cancer and the public.

You’ll be organised, able to coordinate projects, and able to prioritise work effectively under pressure. You’ll need to work effectively as a member of a team.

We’re particularly interested in candidates with experience of the charity sector and a good understanding of the current health policy landscape.

Job description and benefits

The job description and our attractive benefits are available for you to download.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

This role is primarily based in our London office. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home.

The salary range is: £30,757 to £31,000

When applying

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who
we support.

We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.

Closing date Tuesday 8 September 2026 11:59 pm

Interview date Thursday 17 September 2026

Salary: £17,046.54 per annum (This is equivalent to a full-time effective salary of £28,410.90). We are an accredited member of the Living Wage Foundation.

Location: Unseen’s head office in Bristol with ad hoc UK travel (Hybrid approach with some working from home days. A degree of flexibility will be required). Please note this role requires the postholder to attend the Bristol office at least once a week.

Contract type: Permanent – This role is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund (funding secured until 2029).

Hours: Part-time – 22.5 hours per week (based on a full-time week of 37.5 hours). Hours to be worked Mon-Friday 9am-5pm, with a requirement to work on Wednesdays.

Kindly note, you must have lived experience of modern slavery to apply for this role. We also welcome applicants who have not been formally recognised as survivors by the Home Office.

Unseen is working towards a world without slavery. We provide safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. We also run the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and work with individuals, communities, businesses, governments, other charities, and statutory agencies to stamp out slavery for good. 

We draw on our expertise as a frontline organisation to produce evidenced strategies to protect survivors and eradicate exploitation. The Policy & Research team collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to identify good practice that informs our work and wider responses to modern slavery. Central to our work is the Unseen Survivor Consultants; lived experience experts who volunteer their time and insights to incorporate survivor voice into research design and policy recommendations.

Purpose of the role:

The Survivor Involvement Coordinator will support the continuous improvement of Unseen’s service delivery and support our research and policy influence work through the facilitation of the Unseen Survivor Consultant group.

You will work closely with Unseen’s Policy & Research team and have regular interactions with staff across Unseen’s wider teams including Business Services, Helpline Services, Support Services, Fundraising, Communications, and Operations. You will also support external researchers and stakeholders to collaborate with the Unseen Survivor Consultants.

To apply: 

• Please complete the application form attached. This includes a personal statement of 500 words outlining your suitability for the role, and;
• Please send a copy of your anonymised CV to jobs @ unseenuk. org with reference to the job title.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 20th September 2026.

Interviews will likely be held around the week of 28th September 2026.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive the requisite number of applications. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply early.

As an organisation focused on equality and diversity, we welcome applications from all sections of the community and all backgrounds, including those with a lived experience of modern slavery, those from ethnic minority groups, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community. 

 Any questions, please contact jobs @ unseenuk. org. 

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Are you passionate about using research and evidence to influence climate policy and support local and strategic authorities to deliver their climate targets? Do you enjoy working across research, policy and stakeholder engagement in a collaborative, mission-driven organisation? Are you interested in data and impact? Then you could be UK100's new Research and Insights Officer!

You will support the delivery of UK100's research programme, helping to design and deliver projects that generate practical insights for local government. From conducting desk research and stakeholder interviews to producing reports, you'll help turn evidence into actionable recommendations that support ambitious climate action.

You'll also play a key role in translating research into policy and advocacy, through monitoring policy developments and helping to coordinate member networks and working groups. You'll lead on tracking the impact of our programmes by gathering evidence and maintaining organisational knowledge and data systems.

Research programme delivery:

• Support the Research Manager across UK100’s research, policy and member engagement workstreams, contributing to the development and delivery of projects and outputs aligned with organisational priorities and strategic objectives.
• Support the delivery of a research project focused on improving energy performance in the private rented sector. This will include stakeholder and policy mapping, coordination of qualitative fieldwork with local authorities and key stakeholders, and contributing to the development of outputs such as reports.
• Support the broader research programme through activities such as stakeholder interviews, desk-based research, and the development of research tools including surveys, questionnaires, discussion guides and workshop materials.

Policy, advocacy and parliamentary engagement:

• Translate research insights and evidence into policy and advocacy outputs.This includes monitoring relevant legislation, inquiries and policy developments; contributing to consultation responses and policy briefings; and identifying opportunities for engagement.
• Support engagement with parliamentarians and government departments, helping to organise roundtables and meetings that enable members to share evidence and insights with decision-makers.

Impact tracking:

• Lead the tracking and demonstration of UK100's impact, including gathering qualitative and quantitative evidence of our work's outcomes, speaking with member councils about the difference our support has made, and developing case studies that capture and communicate this impact.
• Support the development and maintenance of UK100’s CRM database, website and Knowledge Hub, using data and insights to help track, and demonstrate organisational impact.

Member engagement:

• Support member engagement networks and working groups, including agenda setting, meeting coordination, development of materials, and ongoing administrative support to ensure effective delivery against timelines and objectives.

Communications and dissemination:

• Support the dissemination of research and policy outputs across UK100's network and wider stakeholder base through social media, events, email communications, and contributions to the newsletter.
• Organise and support UK100’s presence at internal/external events, and positively contribute to raising UK100's profile in line with our guidance on branding, tone of voice and key messages.

Job Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Understanding of research methods
• Knowledge of UK public policy and policymaking processes.
• Experience supporting research projects from planning to delivery and producing written outputs such as reports or briefings.
• Experience coordinating meetings or workshops
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent organisational and project coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders.
• Committed to the vision, mission and values of UK100

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of the structures and functions of local government in the UK
• Awareness of climate, energy efficiency, or sustainability policy issues.
• Familiarity with communications and public affairs.
• Experience working in a policy, research, think tank, charity, or local government environment.
• Experience collecting and analysing impact or evaluation data.

First interviews will take place online across the 22nd and 23rd of September.

For more information, please read the attached recruitment pack.

The Bevan Foundation is seeking a Head of Policy (Poverty) to lead its high impact team and to deputise for the CEO whilst the current post holder is on maternity leave.

Could you lead the Bevan Foundation in its mission to end poverty in Wales?

About the Bevan Foundation

The Bevan Foundation is Wales’s most influential think tank. We create insights, ideas and impact that help to end poverty and inequality. Over recent years the Foundation has helped secure real and lasting change for people across Wales, from universal free school meals for primary pupils to increases in Education Maintenance Allowance. We’ve built a reputation for trusted, evidence-based insights and ideas that influence decision-makers and improve lives.

About the role

The Bevan Foundation has an exciting opportunity within its high impact policy and research team. This is a unique opportunity to make a contribution to our programme of work and to develop ideas to solve poverty. The post holder will also deputise for the CEO providing an opportunity to contribute to the development of the organisation’s strategic direction.

About you

You will have expertise in Welsh policy and politics, as well as an excellent research and analytical skills, superb communications skills and an ability to develop innovative solutions.

Key terms

This is a fixed-term maternity cover position for an anticipated period of 12 months.

The current post holder works four days a week. The Foundation may consider appointing someone for a full working week and this is something that could be discussed at interview.

The full time equivalent salary for this post is £51,519 – £57,980. The expectation is that the candidate would normally be appointed at the bottom of the scale.

We work in a hybrid way, with staff expected be office-based for two to three days a week and to attend monthly in-person team meetings. The Foundation’s offices are in Merthyr Tydfil. We are also open to discussing remote working within Wales for the right candidate.

We would also welcome applications from individuals seeking a secondment opportunity, subject to agreement from their current employer.

Application information can be found in the Job Specification added below.

Policy has the power to change lives – do you have the engine to drive meaningful change forward?

Bring your policy expertise, political insight and energy to help MCR Pathways transform opportunities for young people across the UK.

We’re looking for a highly driven Senior UK Policy & Public Affairs Officer to help advance our mission to bridge the education, skills and opportunity gap through the transformative power of mentoring. You’ll monitor the political landscape, turn evidence and impact into compelling policy arguments, build influential relationships and identify opportunities to put mentoring at the heart of national and regional agendas.

From Westminster and Holyrood to local and combined authorities, you’ll help build the case for change, champion the Trusted Adult Guarantee and support MCR Pathways’ continued expansion across the UK.

The Role Experience

This is a hands-on policy and public affairs role that goes well beyond monitoring what’s happening in government. You’ll be immersed in the UK political and policy landscape, identifying opportunities to influence, developing policy briefings and submissions, mapping stakeholders and cultivating relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, civil servants and strategic partners.

You’ll also be the operational engine behind senior leadership engagement. You’ll identify and progress opportunities, coordinate preparation, develop briefings, arrange meetings and drive follow-up – enabling our CEO, Development Director and other senior leaders to lead high-level engagement and representation with key policymakers and stakeholders.

Turn insight and lived experience into influence. Help make the power of mentoring a national priority.

What You’ll Bring:

• Policy & Public Affairs: Proven experience in policy, public affairs or parliamentary work, with a strong understanding of UK political systems and policy-making.

• Influencing & Relationships: The ability to map political landscapes, build strategic relationships and identify opportunities to influence policymakers and decision-makers.

• Evidence & Advocacy: Exceptional written and analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex evidence, impact data and operational experience into compelling policy arguments.

• Strategic & Operational Drive: A proactive approach, able to spot opportunities, coordinate activity and ensure high-quality preparation and follow-through for senior engagement.

• Collaboration & Purpose: A highly collaborative approach and genuine commitment to improving outcomes and opportunities for young people facing barriers to reaching their potential.

Safeguarding

MCR Pathways is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and we expect you to share this commitment. This post is subject to appropriate vetting, including a criminal record check and PVG / DBS Scheme membership.

About MCR Pathways

MCR Pathways is an award-winning mentoring programme delivered in schools, further education settings and communities. We connect young people with trusted adult volunteer mentors, providing consistent guidance to help build confidence, self-belief and ambition. Through this support, young people can overcome barriers and progress towards positive destinations such as further education, apprenticeships and employment.