Public facing jobs for the Social Welfare sector

Historically, the organisation has delivered a grant giving programme but has evolved over the past ten years to provide a holistic service to clients that includes financial grants, advocacy,fmaily support,psychotherapy, volunteering opportunities and social events. 

Most of our clients have support need over and above financial assistance.  Many are socially excluded from society and face a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, discrimination, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, living in areas of high crime, bad health and family breakdown. These problems are linked and mutually reinforcing so that they can create a vicious cycle in people’s lives. 

For this role its expected you have experience working with families who need support with complex issues and engage with them to work out solutions and postive outcomes.

Historically, the organisation has delivered a grant giving programme but has evolved over the past ten years to provide a holistic service to clients that includes financial grants, advocacy, psychotherapy, volunteering opportunities and social events. 

Most of our clients have support need over and above financial assistance.  Many are socially excluded from society and face a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, discrimination, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, living in areas of high crime, bad health and family breakdown. These problems are linked and mutually reinforcing so that they can create a vicious cycle in people’s lives. 

For this role its expected you have expereince and either have a relevant Advocacy qualification or are working towards one. 

Abbey Community Centre is a vibrant, long-established community charity at the heart of Kilburn, North West London. Every day, we bring people together, reduce isolation and improve health and wellbeing through inclusive activities, services and community support.

We're now looking for an experienced Centre Operations Manager to play a key senior role in ensuring our busy community hub runs safely, smoothly and effectively for the thousands of people who use it each year.

About Abbey Community Centre

Abbey Community Centre works with people of all ages and backgrounds, with a particular focus on older residents and low-income families with young children. We deliver a wide range of activities, services and support including children’s stay-and-play sessions and drop-ins, fitness and wellbeing activities, befriending schemes, digital inclusion support, community meals, warm space provision, food support, volunteering opportunities and specialist outreach.

Alongside this community delivery, we manage a busy public building and a programme of room hire that helps generate income to sustain our work. With a small staff team, over 100 volunteers and many partner organisations, our operations need to be reliable, well-coordinated and people-centred.

The role and its impact

As Centre Operations Manager, you will be the organisation’s senior operational lead on the ground. Working closely with the CEO, you will hold delegated authority for the day-to-day running of the Centre — ensuring the building, people and systems all work together to support high-quality community activity.

This is a hands-on leadership role combining practical problem-solving with people management. You will line manage and help develop operational staff, oversee facilities and contractors, lead on health and safety and operational compliance, support volunteering, and ensure organisational systems and processes function reliably.

Your work will directly enable staff, volunteers and partners to deliver activities and services safely and confidently, and will help ensure Abbey remains a welcoming, accessible and well-run space for the local community.

What you’ll be working on

In this role, you will:

• Oversee daily building operations, maintenance and contractor management

• Lead on health & safety and related compliance, including risk assessments and training

• Line manage & develop operational staff and support a positive, consistent working culture

• Ensure operational policies and procedures are applied effectively in practice

• Support and coordinate volunteering within the centre

• Manage operational budgets and contracts within agreed limits

• Act as a senior member of the management team, deputising for the CEO on agreed matters

Key details

• Location: Abbey Community Centre, Kilburn (NW6 4BJ, London Borough of Camden)

• Hours: 24–28 hours per week (fixed hours agreed at appointment), worked over a minimum of four weekdays

• Core hours: 11.00am–4.00pm (flexibility outside these hours by agreement)

• Contract: Permanent, part-time

• Salary: £40,000–£42,000 per annum, pro rata (depending on experience)

• Annual leave: 30 days pro-rata, rising to 35 days after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays, pro-rata)

• Pension: NEST pension scheme (if eligible)

• Some evening and occasional weekend working is required

This role could be right for you if…

You are an experienced operational manager who enjoys combining leadership with practical delivery, thrives in a public-facing environment, and wants your work to make a visible difference to a local community. You don’t need to tick every box — we’re interested in your experience, judgement, approach and motivation.

Abbey Community Centre is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from candidates from a wide range of backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be offered throughout the recruitment process.

About The Job

Contract: Permanent, full time contract.

Hours: 35 hours per week (1 FTE)

Salary: £30,000 - £35,000

Location: This is a hybrid role, anchored to the London Carers Trust office 1-2 days a week. It will require travel across England and occasionally the UK.

The Policy and Practice Officer will help drive Carers Trust’s priority to improve support for young carers and young adult carers. You will strengthen our growing policy and parliamentary work, coordinate the ever-growing Young Carers Alliance, and act as the main contact for the Young Carers Covenant.

You will work with a wide range of stakeholders including civil servants, MPs, local carer services and other charity partners, local authorities, health organisations, senior colleagues, and most importantly, young carers and young adult carer services themselves. In this role, you will champion young carers’ voices through public campaigning and private influencing, becoming an expert in the issues they face and the support organisations that work with them.

As the postholder you will:

· Proactively support young carers, young adult carers and local carer organisations to become involved in policy and external affairs activity.

· Build strong links with other organisations across areas such as education, health and social care to ensure that young carers are proactively being considered within policy, research and practice.

· Produce engaging reports, briefings, digital copy and articles for external use outlining and evidencing the need for change and potential solutions.
 

Please download the attached recruitment pack to find out more. 

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and qualified immigration advisor to oversee the strategic direction of our casework and systemic work for the coming year.

The Unity Project (TUP) supports people who are facing poverty and homelessness because their immigration status allows them ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF).  We believe NRPF should not exist and we are working to end it. Until then, we seek to minimise its impact by supporting people to make the ‘change of conditions’ (CoC) application to access public funds. As part of this work, we continually develop new casework approaches to make CoCs more accessible to more people. By taking a strategic approach to our casework, we have opened up new routes for people to move through the process, and achieved greater recognition of groups with particular needs. We have also supported numerous strategic legal challenges which have prompted significant changes to the immigration rules and guidance related to CoCs. 

In this cover role, you will lead The Unity Project’s strategic work to improve the accessibility of the CoC process. You will be responsive to changes in the external context and identify strategic priorities to focus on in our casework. You will hold our strategic external relationships, in particular with law firms, advice agencies and Home Office representatives, and you will oversee our strategic litigation support.  You will share our expertise with the sector through second-tier advice, training workshops and peer support forums.  Our strategic work is rooted in direct casework, and so this will also be part of your role. You will be responsible for TUP’s casework provision for applicants who submit their own CoC applications independently, and you will support with other strategically significant cases as required.

About The Unity Project

Who we are

The Unity Project is a small charity that supports people with ‘Change of Conditions’ (CoC) applications required for access to public funds.

Why we exist

We want everyone living in the UK to have equal access to the welfare system. We exist to challenge the 'no recourse to public funds' (NRPF) policy in order to end it and, until then, minimise its impact.

Our values

We aim to be:

• Representative of and accountable to people who are navigating or have navigated the systems we want to change.
• Sustainable, so we can continue our work as long as it is needed.
• Trauma informed, recognising the impact of prior traumatic experiences and promoting an organisational culture which is safe, transparent, collaborative and responds empathically to each individual’s needs.
• Rooted in community, as we believe that strength comes from relationships of solidarity and mutual support.
• Equitable to all who give their time to the project.
• Tenacious, innovative, reflective and adaptable in our casework.

Benefits

• Salary - £46,849 pro rata
• Flexibility - We work together in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beyond that we can be flexible about how you meet your hours.
• Annual leave - 35 days inclusive of bank holidays, plus a regular Christmas closure period (subject to board approval)
• Pension - 5% employee contribution, 8% employer contribution
• Clinical supervision - All staff have access to monthly clinical supervision
• Wellbeing - All staff have a personal wellbeing budget to spend as they need 
• Professional development - We organise regular all-staff training sessions to address needs identified by the team, and every staff member has an individual training budget for their own professional development. We aim to support all staff to grow and shape their roles in line with their career aspirations.
• Immigration support - On a case by case basis, we may be able to offer legal assistance with the immigration applications necessary to sustain this employment in compliance with UK immigration law.
• Working environment - We are a small and friendly team of staff and volunteers. We believe that effective opposition to the hostile environment is rooted in our relationships with each other and our community.

Working within the Money Advice Team (Community Debt)

Casework – The post-holder will carry a specialist caseload, providing advice and casework covering the full range of debt issues and solutions. This includes but is not limited to, dealing with emergencies, making use of the Breathing Space scheme, making offers of repayment, drafting financial statements, advising on insolvency options and providing budgeting advice. They will ensure that income maximisation is carried out and refer to other in-house advisers or specialist agencies as appropriate.

They will be required to act for the client where necessary and communicate with third parties to progress a case.

Advice will be delivered through a variety of channels including face to face (drop-in and appointments), telephone or digital channels and must conform to the Citizens Advice Quality of Advice standards and funder requirements.

The post-holder will work to individual targets that must be met in order to contribute to team targets.

Working within the Potteries Moneywise Team

Casework – The post holder will conduct a full exploration of the client’s financial and holistic circumstances to provide robust advice specific to the client’s needs.

The advisor will be required to act for the client where necessary and communicate with third parties such as water providers, energy providers or the Local Authority to progress the client’s case.

 Advice will be delivered through a variety of channels including face-to-face (drop-in and appointments), telephone or digital channels and must conform to the Citizens Advice Quality of Advice standards and funder requirements.

The prospective advisor will be able to balance good quality alongside being able to achieve SLAs and KPIs in accordance with our contractual agreements.

Job Title: Chief Medical Advisor (SCS2)

Organisation: Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)

Salary: Circa £145,000

Locations: London, Leeds, Sheffield (hybrid, 60% in the office)

Key Benefits: Civil Service pension scheme (28.97% employer contribution), 25 days annual leave (+9 days of Bank Holiday leave)

Application Closing Date: Monday 2nd March, 10am

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking a permanent Chief Medical Advisor. This is an SCS2 grade role and an outstanding opportunity to work in the largest Civil Service Department that touches the lives of citizens the length and breadth of the UK.

This is a unique opportunity for a senior medical professional to provide expert advice to inform policy, legislation, and delivery decisions at the UK’s biggest public service department, where we administer the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers.

This role will be the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for Clinical Governance and Clinical Profession. The postholder will build strong relationships with senior leaders, including the Permanent Secretary, ministers, and external stakeholders, ensuring clinical advice is accurate and of the highest quality. The role requires strong team leadership, promoting an inclusive environment for clinicians to encourage development and growth while ensuring compliance with legislative requirements.

As the Department’s most senior medical professional, you will provide expert advice on clinical policy and clinical governance matters to DWP Ministers and senior leaders across DWP including the DWP Executive team. The role will also work closely with other clinical teams across government as well as external organisations such as regulatory bodies, external providers and charities.

The Department has an ambitious reform agenda including priorities set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper and the Pathways to Work Green Paper and a focus on tackling rising youth inactivity.

As Chief Medical Advisor you will bring professional expertise to complex problems, influencing right at the heart of decision making. You will be a strong relationship builder, able to work effectively across a large and complex organisation, and operate as an inspiring leader.

This role has four major components:

1. Leading a team of approximately 50 colleagues providing clinical advice across DWP, you will act as the Department’s expert on clinical policy matters and work with officials across the Department to ensure Ministers receive the highest quality advice on clinical policy.
2. Provide the in-house clinical advice relating to disability, work, and health within DWP for Ministers and the Executive team.
3. Operate as Head of Clinical Profession, where you will be responsible for training, appraisal, and revalidation of c.200 clinicians in DWP, ensuring they are in good standing with their regulatory body. There is also a dotted line of professional responsibility to 5,500 healthcare professionals within contracted provider organisations.
4. As SRO for Clinical Governance, you will oversee the DWP Caldicott Guardian and Clinical Safeguarding Lead, providing final sign-off for sanctions and waivers on behalf of the Secretary of State.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their knowledge, experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• Excellent strategic thinking skills, with the ability to understand both complex policy detail and high level, strategic connections across a broad portfolio and an outstanding eye for critical detail.
• Experience of delivering practical and innovative responses to complex issues and responding to unplanned circumstances.
• Strong technical skills relevant to clinical safeguarding with expertise in occupational health or functional medicine.
• Evidence of exceptional leadership and ability to lead multidisciplinary clinical education teams and / or programmes to ensure understanding of all roles across the 5,500 strong clinical profession, including the ability to motivate and inspire an experienced and diverse clinical team.
• Ability to demonstrate credibility to inspire the respect of both internal and external stakeholders at Director level and above.

Applicants must also meet the following qualification and membership requirements:

• A clinically active doctor with license to practise with GMC.
• Candidates must meet minimum ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) requirements (i.e. be up-to-date) in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate recognised professional body.
• Medical qualification MBChB or equivalent.

It is desirable that applicants hold a faculty of medical leadership recognition to ensure profession leadership is credible.

A detailed candidate pack is available for more information on the vacancy.

Prior Civil Service experience is not a pre-requisite, however, applicants must demonstrate the ability to operate at scale in a complex environment. DWP are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our organisation, we welcome applications to help us reflect the citizens we serve.

This role can be based in the following DWP Hub locations: London, Leeds, or Sheffield.

Hybrid working policy: The expectation is that that this role would require the successful candidate to be in the office more than 60% of the time. Travel to other DWP and official locations including London is required which may include overnight stays.

Alongside your salary, the Department for Work and Pensions contributes 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Applicants will be required to provide an up-to-date CV and supporting statement (up to 1,250 words) detailing how you meet the role’s requirements. You will also provide a completed online diversity monitoring form.

The closing date for applications is Monday 2nd March 2026 at 10:00am.

In addition to Security Check (SC) level clearance, this role will also be subject to an Enhanced Check. Candidates who do not already have this level of clearance can have this undertaken post-appointment. In all cases the appointment remains conditional on this level of security clearance.

DWP is recognised as a Disability Confident Leader, demonstrating the departmental commitment to attracting, recruiting and retaining disabled people and supporting them in achieving their full potential. We run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the advertised role. This vacancy is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Help on Your Doorstep

Social Prescribing Link Worker (Part time)

Hours: 3 days a week - one day to be worked on a Friday

Salary: 17,908 (pro rata)

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About Help on Your Doorstep

Help on Your Doorstep, is a pioneering charity working in the London Borough of Islington to improve the health and wellbeing of people and the communities that they live in. Through our Social Prescribing Service, ‘Connect’ outreach and referral service and Good Neighbour Schemes, we support people to thrive in healthier, happier and more connected communities.

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to build trusted, relationship-based support with individuals and communities.  We work closely with partners who share our vision of tackling the social and health inequalities that affect people across Islington.

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About the role

Our Social Prescribing service supports patients referred by GP practices across Central Islington.  Working within a fast, paced, person-centred environment, Social Prescribing Link Workers support individuals to identify what matters most to them and connects with community services, activities and support that improves their well-being and addresses the wider determinants of health.

The service benefits from close collaboration with our Connect service and access to over 120 referral partners, offering a diverse range of opportunities to support residents’ health, wellbeing and independence.

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What You’ll Be Doing

As part of a dedicated team of four Social Prescribing Link Workers, seven Connect service colleagues and external partners working in primary care teams, you will:

· Work with patients referred by GP practices to provide personalised, strengths based support

· Build trusted relationships and support individuals to overcome, social, practical and emotional barriers

· Support people to access community-based services, activities and networks

· Manage a varied caseload, maintaining accurate and timely records

· Work collaboratively with GP practices, primary care teams, colleagues and external partners

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About You

· Passionate about creating a fairer society and reducing health inequalities

· Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills

· Have experience of providing person-centred or personalised support (paid or unpaid)

· Can work at pace and work across different data-systems and maintain accurate records

· Can manage a caseload in an organised and methodical way

· Are comfortable balancing face to face work with administrative responsibilities

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For a full job description, person specification and details on how to apply, please go to our website 

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Our Team

You will be part of a supportive and collaborative team of 4 Social Prescribing Link Workers and 7 Connect Service colleagues, GP practices and external partners across Islington.  We value teamwork, reflective practice, and learning from one another to continually improve outcomes for residents.

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The deadline for completed applications is 9.00am on February 23rd 2026. In person interviews will be held on March 5th 2026.

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives.   

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our teams apply these daily offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.    

 We are looking for a passionate and experienced professional to lead the development of our Affected Others service, supporting children, young people (CYP), and families impacted by familial substance misuse. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow a service that makes a real difference in breaking cycles of harm and building resilience.

Where: Buckinghamshire (Countywide)

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary Range: £32,002.35- £34,214.20*

*Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours. 

Responsibilities

About the Role
As the lead for this specialist area, you will:

• Drive the design and delivery of innovative interventions for children, young people and families affected by substance misuse.
• Develop group programmes, resources, and training to strengthen whole-family approaches.
• Build strong partnerships with key stakeholder such as adult substance misuse services, schools, children’s services, and health professionals to ensure seamless referral pathways.
• Develop and deliver training and consultation to external partners and stakeholders on the issues facing young people affected by substance misuse of others. 
• Champion safeguarding and best practice across the service.
• Hold a caseload of complex and high-risk cases involving children, young people, and families, delivering whole-family support, including parenting programmes and harm reduction strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate service impact, ensuring continuous improvement.

About You
We’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in working with families facing multiple risk factors, including parental substance misuse.
• Skilled in delivering 1:1 and group interventions and developing new programmes.
• Knowledgeable about safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Qualified to Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• A strong communicator and collaborator, able to influence and lead within multi-agency settings.
• You will need to work flexibly countywide across Buckinghamshire so must hold a full UK driving license and have access to a car.

 What we Offer 

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days” 
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 
• Opportunity to lead and shape a vital service alongside a friendly and supportive team 
• Training, career development & progression opportunities 
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role. 

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 28 to 30 (£32,002.35 - £34,214.20)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Closing Date

19/2/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)

Salary£49,321.55 per annum

LocationLondon/Hybrid

Weekly Hours35

The Vacancy

Job Title: Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)

Location: London/Hybrid

Salary: £49,321.55 per annum

Weekly Hours: 35

Reference: YMC1095733

We seek a strategic and relationship-driven Philanthropy fundraising professional with a passion for making a difference to young people’s lives. If you thrive on securing transformational gifts and building meaningful connections with high-value donors,  then YMCA England & Wales has an incredible opportunity for you to shape and lead our Major Giving programme as our new Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving).

About YMCA England & Wales

YMCA England & Wales supports 83 local YMCAs, advocating for vulnerable young people by providing essential building blocks for a better life—like a safe home, guidance, friendship, and employment skills. We are committed to ensuring fairness and opportunity for all, and through our collective voice, we influence national policy and media to improve the lives of young people across the country.

Fundraising at YMCA England & Wales has three pillars:

• Fundraising for distribution through initiatives such as our RoomSponsor programme and national partnerships
• Fundraise to support YMCAs and fund our policy, campaign and research work, which changes the lives of young people
• Help YMCAs fundraise themselves by providing assets, propositions, and advice for local fundraisers.

The Role

As Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving), you will lead the development and implementation of an ambitious new Major Giving strategy to secure and maximise funds from high-net-worth individuals. Your focus will be on nurturing relationships with existing donors while identifying and engaging new prospects, driving initiatives including Giving Circles and Development Boards.

You will work closely with senior leadership, Trustees, and key stakeholders to craft compelling cases for support, aligning with YMCA’s ambitious new housing strategy and broader organisational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, developing tailored engagement strategies to inspire long-term support.
• Plan and execute donor stewardship activities, including bespoke events, face-to-face meetings, and personalised communications.
• Work with senior leadership and Trustees to build strong relationships with philanthropists and high-value supporters.
• Develop and deliver compelling proposals, impact reports, and updates to donors.
• Identify and research prospective major donors, developing strategies to engage them effectively.
• Implement YMCA’s ambitious Major Giving Strategy which projects an ever more important focus for this area.
• Oversee the Major Giving income and expenditure budget, providing accurate forecasts and performance reports.
• Collaborate with colleagues across fundraising teams to align strategies and maximise income opportunities.
• Ensure robust data management within the CRM database, adhering to GDPR and best practices.
• Work cross-functionally to develop new fundraising products and giving opportunities, ensuring high-value philanthropy is embedded across the organisation.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated, strategic, and personable fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts. You will be confident in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals and passionate about delivering exceptional donor experiences.

You will have:

• Significant experience in major donor fundraising, with a track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to engage and influence high-value supporters.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to create compelling cases for support.
• Budget management and forecasting experience, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, including Trustees and senior leadership teams.
• Knowledge of philanthropy trends, donor motivations, and fundraising best practices.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of an ambitious and growing fundraising team, with the opportunity to shape and lead YMCA’s major donor programme.
• Work for a charity that makes a real difference in the lives of young people and communities across England & Wales.
• Enjoy a collaborative and supportive work environment, where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, with opportunities for professional development.

If you are passionate about philanthropy and have the skills and experience to drive major donor fundraising at YMCA England & Wales, we would love to hear from you!

To apply: please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role

Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check.

Carers First is a charity that works directly with, and for unpaid carers, providing personalised information, advice and tailored support making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.

We have a committed, dedicated staff team and you could be just the person we are looking for to join us to make that valuable difference in carer’s lives. We live and work through our values in all that we achieve by being positive, collaborative and ambitious and we have clear plans to scale our reach, support and impact for carers.

About this role

• The Service Manager will provide strategic leadership in the development and delivery of an innovative, high-quality service for carers across Croydon. 

• Work collaboratively with carers and colleagues, the role will drive continuous learning, service improvements, and strong partnership engagement to ensure that carers receive meaningful and responsive support.

About you

• A dedicated and experienced leader with a passion for making a tangible difference in the lives of carers.
• Proven ability to manage and inspire teams, you thrive in a dynamic environment where innovation and collaboration are key.
• Strong communication skills enable you to build strategic partnerships and work effectively with stakeholders to drive positive change.
• A commitment to continuous learning and service excellence, you ensure that carers receive the support they need to lead fulfilling lives.

We are looking for passionate people who are committed to the overall aims and objectives of the Charity. Carers First is committed to providing a supportive, vibrant, diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Carers First Can Offer You  

In return for your contribution, we have an amazing package of staff benefits including 26 days annual leave entitlement which increases with length of service, flexible working options, paid carers leave, access to our work-place pension, staff discount scheme, employee assistance programme and a Benenden Healthcare package. 

Whatever you are aiming to achieve in your career, we are here to encourage, help and support you grow, through our excellent training and development programmes.

How to apply

To apply for our exciting opportunity and make a real difference to the lives of carers, please download our Candidate Pack and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.

Applications can only be assessed if they clearly state how you meet each of the requirements in the Personal Specification.

Appointments are subject to Carers First receiving an appropriate disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service that we consider acceptable.

Interview Process:

With a closing date of 15 February 2025 all successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face meeting with an interview panel, on 24 February 2026

During the interview, candidates will also be required to give a 15-minute presentation, and details will be provided in advance. 

Please allow one hour for the interview process.

Carers First is an Equal Opportunities Employer   

Positive      Collaborative      Ambitious

About the role

Our Welfare Officers provide direct and impactful welfare support to RAF personnel and their immediate family. As a trusted and confidential source of support, you will assist our service users with challenges they are facing, from mental ill-health, difficult relationships, domestic abuse, financial and cost-of-living concerns, resettlement, housing, childcare, equality issues, bereavement, military discharge or deployment and many more - no day will be the same, as such this is a great opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills within the Welfare sector.

Our intervention is provided with consent on a non-statutory basis, and you will work with and engage our service users to develop appropriate interventions for individual outcomes.

Our service is transitioning to become more accessible and inclusive, digital technology plays a key role in this, as such you will use digital technologies to complement and enhance processes and service user experience.

You will play an active role within the community, promoting the service through the delivery of presentations and representing the service at public engagement events. You will also work closely with RAF welfare teams, local authorities, health, education, civilian agencies, charities and other military organisations to ensure the best outcome for the service user.

About the Team

2024 marked 34 years since SSAFA began delivering an independent non-statutory, and confidential service, for the Royal Air Force community across the UK, and this is an exciting time to be joining as we were successful in our bid to continue delivering this service.

We are transforming our ways of working to be innovative, to ensure our service is even more inclusive and accessible to meet the needs of a modern RAF.

We are a hard-working team from diverse professional backgrounds.  Although we all have our own area of responsibility, we support each other in delivering the best possible service to our military community.

Find out more about the Personal Support & Social Work Service on our website.

About you

To thrive in this role you will have relevant experience of supporting adults, families and children/young people. You will be able to take a flexible and creative approach to problem solving. You will have excellent communication skills and be able to deliver presentations with confidence.

You will have used Microsoft Office 365 to a high standard. It is important that you have experience of planning and managing your own workload, with minimal supervision.

It would be advantageous if you have experience of carrying out assessments, preparing plans, monitoring and reviewing outcomes.

There will be some travel required and therefore you will need to be able to drive and have access to your own car.

About SSAFA 

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for the Armed Forces community in their time of need. In 2024 our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 53,000 people, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families.

SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person and their family, any time they need us and in any way they need us.

Diversity and Inclusion at SSAFA 

SSAFA exists to support a diverse range of beneficiaries within the armed forces community, and we believe diversity within our teams is key to ensuring we can deliver our services effectively. We thrive on differences and believe it is critical to our success as a worldwide charity. SSAFA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business. 

SSAFA is committed to using the Disclosure & Barring Service to ensure we, as an employer, safeguard those we serve.

No agencies please. Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable. 

Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 18 February 2026. SSAFA reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Interviews: Week commencing 02 March 2026

Citizens UK 

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Citizens UK has played a pioneering role in introducing and developing community sponsorship of refugees in the UK. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, we campaigned successfully for the introduction of community sponsorship in the UK. Citizens UK was then instrumental in proving the model can work in the UK and through training, advocacy, and coordination, we have helped hundreds of local groups welcome thousands of refugee families. In 2022, Citizens UK expanded its work by launching the Communities for Ukraine programme, matching Ukrainian refugees with UK hosts and most recently has run Communities for Afghans, resettling dozens of refugees. Throughout, it has combined grassroots organising with national advocacy to build a sustainable, community-led model of refugee resettlement. In 2025, we campaigned successfully to persuade the Government to introduce ‘named sponsorship’, giving communities greater choice in who they would sponsor. This creates a huge opportunity to grow community sponsorship and to enable UK civil society to step up and honour our proud tradition of offering sanctuary.

Head of Community Sponsorship Role 

This is a rare opportunity to lead Citizens UK’s community sponsorship campaign and help build the movement that will be at the heart of a community-led welcome.

This new role comes at an exciting and crucial time, as we seek to build and embed this new form of named community sponsorship in the UK. As Head of Community Sponsorship you will lead on our strategy to develop named sponsorship as a transformative part of the UK’s approach to refugee resettlement and community power. This will involve building a broad-base of civil society partners ready to sponsor refugees and to add their voice to the campaign. You will lead on the campaigning and advocacy strategy as we ensure quality in the Government policy and cross-Party political support. Citizens UK acts as the Lead Sponsor for local community sponsorship groups and you will oversee their ongoing support and further engagement.

The role foster collaboration with Citizens UK Organisers and alliances, develop sustainable funding strategies, and ensure alignment with Citizens UK’s broader migration and transformation goals. The role will work alongside Citizens UK’s Migrant and Refugee Organising Team and will contribute to the efforts to build the power to create a more welcoming country. You will lead on relationships with senior stakeholders, policy makers, and funders, and support the creation of campaigns and resources to expand public awareness and support for community sponsorship. With responsibilities spanning communications, and external representation, the role is key to shaping Citizens UK’s refugee resettlement strategy and building its national impact as a driver of cohesion. 

Working as the Head of Community Sponsorship for Citizens UK, reporting to the Assistant Director for Migrant and Refugee Organising (MARO), your main responsibilities will include: 

Career Pathway Headings 

Objectives 

Contribute to Citizens UK and Project Strategic Objectives 

• Build a broad and deep engagement across civil society in named sponsorship, demonstrating the potential for scale and the big tent of support.

• Develop and implement campaign approaches that secure policy goals and build cross-Party political support.

• Develop strategy that develops the leadership of local Citizens members and refugees, strengthens civic institutions and builds trust across difference.

Build and Manage Projects & Achieve Work Targets Effectively 

• Oversee multiple work strands, working in partnership. 

• Develop and manage project workplans, KPIs and budgets, ensuring delivery to time, standard, and impact goals. 

• Establish systems for performance tracking, evaluation, and continuous improvement across project streams. 

Learning, Expertise, Wellbeing & Inclusion 

• Act as a senior expert in sponsorship strategy; coach and mentor staff and partners, and facilitate learning across departments and projects. 

• Influence and lead the integration of equity, wellbeing and refugee voice into strategic decisions and delivery frameworks. 

Develop and Manage External Relationships 

• Lead high-level relationships with national and senior stakeholders, including government departments (e.g. Home Office), civil society institutions and funders. 

• Build and manage partnerships that advance sponsorship reform and position Citizens UK as a sector leader. 

• Ensure stakeholder experience is consistently excellent and take the lead on resolving reputational risks or tensions. 

Communications 

• Act as a senior spokesperson for Citizens UK’s sponsorship work in the media, at public events, and in government or civil society forums. 

• Lead the design and implementation of a high-profile communications strategy to influence narratives on refugee welcome and community leadership. 

• Ensure communications align with ethical storytelling principles and amplify sponsor and refugee voices responsibly. 

Develop and Manage Internal Relationships 

• Lead and develop high-performing cross-functional teams, with clear expectations, direction, and collaboration structures. 

• Effectively line manage senior staff and foster shared leadership culture across sponsorship and Citizens UK team 

• Ensure that the community sponsorship strategy is aligned with Citizens UK’s other campaigns and work closely with other members of Migrant and Refugee Organising team. 

• Contribute to senior leadership structures, including strategic planning processes and transformation initiatives. 

Generate Income and Resources 

• Initiate and grow significant and sustainable income streams to fund Citizens UK’s sponsorship work. 

• Develop and lead high-value funding partnerships with trusts, foundations and strategic donors. 

• Demonstrate strong budget oversight and ensure effective use of financial and human resources in sponsorship delivery. 

Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

Qualifications 

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as migration, social policy, international development, or community organising (D) 

• Management or leadership qualification, or relevant CPD in project or programme management, public policy, or team leadership (D) 

Experience 

• Proven experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes related to refugee resettlement, community organising, or social impact (E) 

• Demonstrable track record of strategic leadership in a charity or community-focused setting (E) 

• Experience of managing cross-functional teams to deliver against ambitious organisational goals (E) 

• Experience of developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, local authorities, or government departments (E) 

• Experience in leading campaigning and influencing strategies to secure changes in Government policy (E) 

• Experience of designing and implementing systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning to track progress and report to funders and or government stakeholders (D) 

• Demonstrable experience of driving collaborative campaigns or outreach efforts that engage diverse communities (E) 

Key skills and knowledge 

• Strong leadership and team coordination skills – able to motivate, direct, and support multidisciplinary teams across multiple workstreams (E) 

• Excellent project and performance management skills – able to set strategic priorities, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability (E) 

• In-depth knowledge of refugee resettlement systems, community sponsorship models, and UK migration policy, including recent developments affecting Afghan and Ukrainian pathways (E) 

• Knowledge and skills in community organising and an understanding of how community sponsorship and campaigning connect with and support the method and aims of organising (E) 

• Outstanding written and verbal communication – confident in producing compelling cases for support, policy communications, and public messaging (E) 

• Ability to design and deliver stakeholder engagement strategies, with a clear understanding of influencing policy and public opinion (E) 

• Skilled in developing and managing strategic partnerships with funders, policy-makers, and community groups (E) 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – able to assess complex challenges, identify risks, and implement effective solutions (E) 

Personal qualities & values 

• A mission-driven leader with a passion for refugee rights, community empowerment, and social justice (E) 

• Politically astute and able to navigate relationships with stakeholders from civil society, government, and grassroots communities (E) 

• Collaborative and people-centred, able to work constructively across teams and with volunteers, refugees, and community leaders (E) 

• Committed to embedding refugee leadership and lived experience into programme design and delivery (E) 

• Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving policy environment (E) 

• Comfortable working within an accountable team culture – open to feedback, reflective practice, and continuous improvement (E) 

• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when necessary to support programme delivery (E) 

Note: 

At Citizens UK, we work with communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.