418 Quality and practice development lead jobs

YEF Detached Youth Work Project Lead

Relationships change lives.

At M13 Youth Project, we believe every young person deserves trusted adults who believe in them, walk alongside them and help them discover who they are, what they have to offer and the difference they can make. For over 30 years, we've built those relationships through detached youth work - meeting young people where they choose to be, listening deeply and creating opportunities for belonging, belief and hope.

We're now looking for an experienced Detached Youth Work Project Lead to join our team and play a central role in one of the UK's most ambitious detached youth work research pilots.

M13 is leading the Greater Manchester consortium delivering the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) Detached Youth Work Pilot. The Pilot aims to build a strong evidence base for researching detached youth work, combining outstanding frontline practice with rigorous evaluation to shape the future of youth work nationally.

Reporting to the Founding Director, you'll provide the day-to-day leadership of M13's delivery of the pilot. You'll lead a small team of detached youth workers, coordinate operational delivery across intervention neighbourhoods and ensure the project is delivered safely, consistently and in line with the YEF Shared Practice Model and research requirements.

This is first and foremost a practice leadership role. You'll spend much of your week out in parks, streets and neighbourhoods, building trusted relationships with young people through high-quality detached youth work. Alongside this, you'll supervise and support colleagues, oversee monitoring and reporting, build positive relationships with community members and partner organisations, and, together with the Founding Director, work closely with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) and consortium partners to ensure the successful delivery of the project.

We're looking for someone who is an experienced detached youth worker, confident leading others and passionate about relational practice. You'll be organised, reflective and proactive, with experience of supervising staff, coordinating projects, maintaining high-quality records and working collaboratively with partners. Most importantly, you'll share our belief that relationships are the foundation for meaningful change.

This is a 35-hour per week, office- and community-based role. (M13's full-time week is 37.5 hours). Your week will include six detached youth work sessions (three afternoons and three evenings), alongside team leadership, partnership working, supervision, monitoring and project coordination. Some flexibility can be offered around when office-based work is undertaken, where operationally possible.

In return, we offer a supportive, reflective and values-led working environment, regular supervision, ongoing professional development, a generous employer pension contribution, TOIL for out-of-hours working, additional Christmas gift leave and the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant research that could shape the future of detached youth work.

If you're an experienced detached youth worker ready to combine excellent frontline practice with leadership, learning and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.

Base of Work: Hybrid, minimum 1 day per week at the Community Impact Bucks Office in Aylesbury

Hours: 16 hours per week

Salary: £32,000 FTE (£14,629 actual salary)

Contract: Permanent 

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how data and insight is used at Community Impact Bucks. You will strengthen our data practices, lead our monitoring analysis to ensure data is used effectively to support continuous improvement, planning and shape future projects and priorities. You will work closely with team members and project leads to understand how they collect and use data and insight across the organisation, being proactive in identifying and driving improvement.

The role will report to the Head of Programmes and Business Development.

About the charity  

Community Impact Bucks is a charity that uses its expertise to deliver, support and empower positive change for local charities, communities and people. Our mission is to enable and develop strong and vibrant communities in Buckinghamshire. 

We support charities, communities and volunteers to be the best they can be by:

• Building capacity empowering sustainable not-for-profit organisations and communities through practical support and development. 

• Enabling volunteering through Volunteer Bucks. 

• Developing partnerships and collaborations to influence change. 

• Delivering community-based services and projects to help people stay connected and independent. 

• Providing leadership and advocacy strengthening our sector’s voice and influence. 

At the heart of Buckinghamshire’s communities, Community Impact Bucks is a locally rooted charity committed to helping communities and charities thrive. Our impact is made possible by a passionate and committed team who believe in the power of local action and understand the places and people they serve. 

The role  

The Data, Insight and Impact Lead will help us understand, demonstrate and increase the difference we make. Working across our programmes and services, you will turn data into clear insights, reports, dashboards and impact stories that improve services, support decision-making and shape future priorities. 

Working alongside the Head of Programmes and Business Development and colleagues across the charity, you will bring together information from different programmes and systems. With strong analytical and reporting skills, experience of monitoring and evaluation, and confidence working with complex datasets, you will support colleagues to improve data quality, meet reporting requirements and use evidence to improve services and identify future opportunities. 

A key element of the role will be building a strong understanding of all areas of our work and collaborating with colleagues across the organisation. This will include regular in-person activity and collaboration with team members and the Senior Leadership Team. 

The role will be responsible for  

• Developing and improving data, insight and impact reporting across the charity.

• Analysing monitoring and evaluation data to demonstrate impact and support service improvement.

• Producing clear reports, dashboards, visualisations and impact stories for different audiences.

• Supporting project teams to collect accurate and useful data that meets operational and funder requirements.

• Improving data quality, consistency and validation across systems and supporting GDPR-compliant practice.

• Helping colleagues build their confidence and skills in using data and producing reports.

• Identifying effective digital tools and new approaches to data collection, analysis and reporting.

• Leading the preparation of data and insight for annual impact reporting.

• Promoting learning, reflection and evidence-informed decision-making across the charity. 

What we offer: 

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and an additional 3 days between Christmas and New Year) 

• Onsite parking and lovely office setting 

• Wide range of free training courses, plus personal development opportunities 

• Supportive and inclusive environment with lots of positivity 

• Company pension scheme with 5% employer contribution 

Diversity and inclusion 

Community Impact Bucks is committed to challenging inequality and values the diversity of our communities in Buckinghamshire. We recognise that reflecting that diversity will only ever make our organisation better. We work to ensure an inclusive culture where colleagues feel welcomed and supported to succeed and thrive. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those from under-represented communities. 

How to apply  

To apply, please send a CV with a cover letter explaining how your skills, experience and interests meet the Job Description and Person Specification by 4 October at 10pm. 

For more information, please download the Job Description and Person Specification located at the bottom of this ad, or visit our website - Community Impact Bucks. 

Interviews will take place in person at our office in Aylesbury. Interviews will take place week commencing 12 October.

Scope and senior accountability

Hold delegated senior responsibility for the performance, quality, workforce, safeguarding and development of the children and family services portfolio.

Lead EHWP+ as a key commissioned programme, ensuring that delivery remains aligned with contract requirements, local need, agreed outcomes and Spring North’s values.

Hold senior accountability for the effective management and delivery of counselling and therapeutic services within the portfolio, including service quality, practitioner practice, professional standards, supervision arrangements and continuous improvement.

Balance strategic direction with strong operational grip, intervening early where delivery, safety, quality, finance or partnership performance is at risk.

Contribute to whole-organisation leadership, growth, resilience and culture as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team.

4. Key accountabilities

4.1 Strategic leadership of children and family services

• Develop and implement a clear strategic direction for EHWP+ and the wider children and family services portfolio, aligned with Spring North’s organisational strategy and local commissioning priorities.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the changing needs of children, young people, parents and carers, using data, lived experience, professional insight and community intelligence to shape priorities.
• Create a more connected portfolio by linking existing services, clarifying pathways and reducing gaps, duplication and avoidable hand-offs for families.
• Promote early help, prevention, relationship-based and strengths-based approaches that improve emotional health, wellbeing, resilience and family outcomes.
• Keep abreast of policy, legislation, evidence and emerging practice affecting children, young people and families, translating these into proportionate action.

4.2 EHWP+ programme leadership and delivery

• Provide senior leadership and direction to the EHWP+ team, creating a shared focus on access, quality, outcomes, partnership delivery and continuous improvement.
• Lead the operational delivery of counselling and therapeutic provision, ensuring clear service models, referral and allocation arrangements, appropriate caseload management, safe thresholds, effective practitioner deployment and consistent therapeutic practice across employed teams and delivery partners.
• Ensure counselling and therapeutic interventions are delivered by appropriately qualified and competent practitioners, with suitable induction, supervision, continuing professional development and access to specialist or clinical advice where required.
•  Ensure that service plans, capacity, resources and delivery arrangements are sufficient to meet contractual commitments and respond appropriately to local need.
• Establish clear management arrangements, decision-making routes and performance expectations across employed teams and delivery partners.
•  Review delivery data, caseload or activity information, outcomes, waiting times, feedback and emerging risks; agree and monitor corrective action where required.
• Ensure that the voice of children, young people, parents and carers is visible in-service design, review and improvement.
• Support effective mobilisation, change and service redesign when contracts, need or evidence require a different delivery response.

Independent Age is the national charity working towards ending financial hardship in later life. 

Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free information and advice to older people without enough money to live on, while our external training equips professionals with the information they need to support older people on low incomes. Through our grants programme, we fund and support hundreds of local charities working with older people across the UK.  We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change. 

We believe no one should face financial hardship in later life. We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

As Head of Services Development, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Independent Age’s services and maximising our impact for older people facing financial hardship. Reporting to the Director of Services, you will lead service development, innovation, quality, evaluation and strategic change across our service provision (information, advice and external training) ensuring they remain effective, evidence-led and responsive to changing needs. Working closely with colleagues across the charity and external partners, you will translate strategy into practical improvements, develop new opportunities for impact and collaboration, and embed a culture of continuous learning, improvement and innovation.

We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change.

We're looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with experience of leading complex projects, organisational change and service improvement programmes. 

You will be skilled at turning strategy into delivery, bringing together people from different teams and disciplines to develop practical solutions that improve outcomes. You will be comfortable using data, insight and evidence to drive decision-making and have a track record of stakeholder engagement and identifying opportunities for innovation and growth. 

You will also bring experience of impact measurement, evaluation, quality assurance or performance frameworks, with the ability to use evidence to demonstrate value and improve services. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, alongside the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and work across organisational boundaries. An understanding of the needs of older people, the wider ageing sector and the role that data, learning and collaboration play in delivering social impact would be advantageous.

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification.  If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9 day fortnight. 

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working. 

With an employee engagement score of 98%, colleagues say Independent Age is a great place to work. You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age on the careers page of our website.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification, by visiting our jobs website.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you require any specific arrangements or adjustments to enable you to fully participate in the recruitment process, such as having the job description in a larger text format or to apply in an alternative format, please get in touch with us via the email address on the ‘Contact Us’ page on our jobs site. 

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Please don’t include your name, photo, or any information that could indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement, and don’t include your name in the title of any documents that you upload. However, please do include all dates of employment.  

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require a minimum of two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A BASIC DBS check will be carried out for the successful candidate.

Closing Date: Friday 25 September at 11:59pm

Interview Dates: Monday 12 October at our London office, 18 Avonmore Road W14 8RR

Assistant Headteacher – Inclusion, Safeguarding and DSL

• Location: TreeHouse School, Woodside Ave, London, N10 3JA
• Hours: Permanent, full time (37.3 hours per week)
• Salary: £62,541 to £66,744 per annum
• Start date: January 2027

About TreeHouse School:

TreeHouse School, part of Ambitious about Autism, is an Ofsted outstanding specialist school supporting children and young people aged 4–19 with autism and complex learning needs. We are committed to providing an exceptional learning environment where every pupil can thrive and achieve their full potential.

About the role:

We are looking for a resilient and values led Assistant Headteacher of Inclusion, Safeguarding and DSL to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This is a pivotal role with responsibility for safeguarding, inclusion and pupil welfare for autistic children and young people with complex needs.

You will lead on child protection and safeguarding, working closely with our team of deputy and assistant DSLs and with external partners including Social Care, Health, Police, LADO and Prevent.

You will also provide strategic oversight of inclusion, behaviour, wellbeing, healthcare, therapeutic support, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and least restrictive practice, working collaboratively with education, nursing and wider multidisciplinary teams.

This is not an office based role. You will need to have a strong presence across the school, supporting pupils, families and staff, providing visible leadership and responding calmly and effectively when complex situations arise.

What we are looking for:

• Has strong safeguarding experience and ideally experience as a DSL or Deputy DSL.
• Has a good understanding of autism, SEND and complex needs, with experience in an education or specialist setting preferred.
• Could be an experienced education professional, SEN specialist or social worker with substantial relevant experience and a strong understanding of education.
• Is confident making difficult safeguarding decisions, managing referrals and escalating concerns when necessary.
• Is resilient, persistent and able to manage complex cases involving vulnerable children.
• Can build strong relationships with pupils, families, staff and external agencies.
• Can lead and develop staff, ensuring safeguarding training, recording and procedures are consistently followed.

What we offer:

You will be well supported by an experienced safeguarding team, Senior Leadership Team and receive regular supervision and mentoring. There will also be opportunities to develop your expertise through DSL, trauma informed, autism and CALM training.

This is an opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of autistic children and young people, while leading a team and helping shape excellent safeguarding and inclusive practice across the school.

If you are a confident safeguarding professional who combines expertise with compassion, resilience and determination, we would love to hear from you.

Shortlisting date: Friday 2nd of October

Outcome of application: Friday 2nd/Monday 5th of October

Interview date: Friday 9th and Tuesday 13th of October

Ambitious About Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious About Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are as per the job description and person specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance

About the role

West London Mind is looking for an experienced and compassionate Lead MHST Supervisor to join our long-standing Mental Health Support Team (MHST).

You will provide senior clinical supervision and line management to a team of Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs), Child Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs), Schools Mental Health Practitioners (SMHPs) and trainee/newly qualified supervisors. You will facilitate group supervision of supervisors as well as the wider MHST team.

Working closely with schools across Hammersmith & Fulham, you will help ensure our service is safe, effective and responsive to the needs of children and young people. Alongside your leadership and supervision responsibilities, you will maintain a small caseload and deliver evidence-based CBT interventions, including group and 1:1 work.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in developing our MHST, supporting practitioners to deliver high-quality interventions and helping us reach children and young people who may face additional barriers to accessing mental health support.

What you’ll be doing

You will:

• Work directly with the Clinical Lead to provide clinical supervision, case management and line management to practitioners and supervisors.
• Act as the senior supervisor within the MHST, overseeing a group of supervisors, working closely with the Clinical Lead and Head of Mental Health Support and Inclusion.
• Support high-quality, evidence-based delivery of CBT interventions within schools.
• Monitor clinical quality, safeguarding, risk and outcomes across the team.
• Hold a small caseload, including more complex cases, deliver 1:1 and group interventions and oversee the delivery of team projects.
• Support the development of workshops, resources and interventions for children, young people, families and school staff.
• Work collaboratively with schools and colleagues to develop and expand the service.
• Take part in the Duty Manager rota and support staff to manage clinical risk effectively.
• Contribute to training, reflective practice and continuous professional development.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced children and young people’s mental health professional who is passionate about developing others and improving outcomes for young people.

You will have:

• A relevant professional qualification and registration, such as EMHP, CWP, SWP
• A PG Certificate in Supervision for Children and Young People’s Mental Health, or equivalent supervisory qualification.
• At least 3 years’ experience working in children and young people’s mental health.
• At least 2 years’ experience supervising and case-managing practitioners, including line management experience.
• At least two years’ experience of delivering evidence-based CBT interventions to children and young people, in line with CYP psychological training supervision.
• Knowledge and experience of the MHST model and CBT manualised approach.
• Experience of managing clinical risk and safeguarding within a child and young people’s setting.
• Excellent communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and delivering culturally appropriate support.

You must be registered with the relevant UK professional body, such as BPS, BABCP, HCPC, UKCP, NMC or BACP, as appropriate to your profession.

Why join West London Mind?

At West London Mind, we believe every young person should have access to the mental health support they need. As one of a small number of third-sector providers of MHSTs, we are proud to work closely with schools and communities to make a meaningful difference.

You’ll join a supportive and experienced team where your clinical expertise, leadership and ideas will be valued. You’ll also have opportunities for supervision, training and ongoing professional development.

If you are an experienced mental health professional who enjoys supporting and developing others, working collaboratively with schools and delivering high-quality interventions, we’d love to hear from you.

Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Active Essex Foundation is a successful and growing charity dedicated to creating the conditions for young people and communities across Essex to thrive. Our work focuses on three core areas: improving young people’s mental health, reducing vulnerabilities to youth crime and exploitation, and strengthening communities through trusted relationships and positive engagement.

A defining feature of our approach is our network of more than 100 Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) across Essex. These community-based organisations are at the heart of our delivery model, providing trusted relationships, local insight and direct support within the communities they serve. Working closely with our LTO network enables us to reach those who may be least likely to engage with traditional services and ensure support is tailored to local needs.

Through partnerships with our LTOs, we deliver programmes that use physical activity, mentoring and community support to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities. This role will play a key part in developing and strengthening these relationships, helping our LTO network to maximise its impact and deliver positive outcomes for young people and communities across Essex.

Everything we do is shaped by the real experiences of the people we serve, ensuring our interventions are meaningful, accessible and rooted in what communities tell us they need.

Active Essex Foundation works to improve life chances for young people and communities across Essex by focusing on three core areas: mental health, youth crime prevention, and strengthening communities. Through our programme structure, we co-design community-led initiatives that use physical activity and positive engagement as tools to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities.

The Sport for Development Officer will play a key role in supporting the delivery and growth of these programmes. Working closely with our programme leads, locally trusted organisations (LTOs), and community stakeholders, the postholder will help strengthen organisational capability, and ensure high-quality delivery across our mental health, youth crime prevention and community strengthening work. The role will also contribute to the leadership of workstreams aligned with our strategic Outcomes, supporting the Foundation’s mission.

The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills and experience of working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders. They should demonstrate a track record of delivering impactful projects or initiatives at local or county level, applying a systems approach to complex community issues, and using strengths-based methods to build resilience and capacity within local organisations.

The post holder will work with AEF staff across the business to deliver the duties and responsibilities set out below.

BeSpace is seeking an innovative and faith-filled leader to pioneer a new national initiative that reimagines Christian pilgrimage for children and young people in schools.

As our Pilgrimage Development Lead, you will design, test and grow creative pilgrimage models that help children explore faith, encounter God and develop spiritually through contemplative Christian practice. Working with churches, schools, dioceses and Christian organisations, you will develop resources, create training, build partnerships and identify opportunities to scale successful models across the UK.

This is a unique opportunity to shape an emerging area of ministry from the ground up. We are looking for someone with experience in children's spirituality, Christian faith development and project leadership who is excited by innovation and motivated by impact. You will be comfortable developing new ideas, building strong relationships and creating practical tools that equip others to deliver high-quality experiences.

BeSpace is a growing Christian charity with a vision to see every child joyful, resilient and growing spiritually for life. Having supported over 69,000 children through prayer and reflection spaces in schools, we are now expanding our work nationally and developing new ways for churches to engage children through contemplative Christian practices.

If you're passionate about helping children encounter God, equipping churches and developing innovative approaches to spiritual formation, we'd love to hear from you.

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.

REPORTING TO: Director of Front-line Services

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Quality Assurance Manager is a blended leadership role combining strategic quality assurance, performance oversight, service management and practice development.

The role is split broadly between focused on quality assurance, data-led improvement and performance oversight, and two days focused on service management, practice leadership and frontline improvement activity.

The postholder will lead the development and delivery of a strong quality assurance framework across support services, ensuring that practice, performance and service delivery are safe, effective, person-centred and aligned with contractual, regulatory and organisational standards.

Alongside this, the postholder will remain closely connected to frontline delivery through service management responsibilities and practice development leadership, particularly within Housing First and complex-needs services. This makes the role ideal for someone who enjoys combining strategic oversight, data insight, operational leadership and the development of high-quality, trauma-informed support practice.

What makes this role different

A distinctive role for someone who wants strategic influence while staying close to frontline practice. You will help shape quality, use evidence, support staff, strengthen resident outcomes and join an organisation committed to compassion, collaboration, inclusion, growth, learning and resident voice.

• Make a visible impact: use quality assurance, data and learning to drive practical improvements that strengthen services for residents and staff.

• Enjoy variety and influence work across performance oversight, service management and practice development, with scope to shape systems, standards and ways of working.

• Stay close to practice: remain connected to frontline delivery while helping embed trauma-informed, person-centred and psychologically informed approaches.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Responsibilities

• Quality assurance and improvement: Lead the quality assurance function across support services, coordinating audits, quality checks, case file reviews, service reviews and improvement plans. Turn findings into practical actions that strengthen safety, consistency, resident experience, safeguarding, support planning and trauma-informed practice. Work with managers to embed learning, monitor progress and evidence improvement against internal and external standards.

• Performance oversight and reporting: Monitor performance against contractual, regulatory and organisational standards, including service outcomes, compliance requirements, safeguarding expectations and commissioner reporting. Identify risks, gaps, trends and good practice, escalating concerns and supporting corrective action where needed. Produce clear, evidence-based reports and briefings for senior leaders, governance meetings, commissioners and external stakeholders.

• Data, insight and systems: Use performance, safeguarding, complaints, incidents, resident feedback, outcomes and quality data to identify service strengths, pressures and improvement priorities. Maintain and improve reporting systems, including InForm, so information is accurate, consistent and useful. Analyse patterns, support decision-making and make practical recommendations that improve quality, accountability and resident outcomes.

• Information retrieval and STAIRs requests: Act as QA Manager lead for information retrieval relating to STAIRs requests, including triaging scope, gathering internal and contractor records, coordinating redaction and drafting responses within regulatory timeframes.

• Service and support management: Provide hands-on support management across frontline services, including Housing First improvement activity, Hope Street and St Mungo’s contracts, team rota management and the Support Manager on-call rota. Support managers and teams to manage risk, strengthen case accountability and recording, and deliver consistent, high-quality support to residents with complex needs.

• Practice development: Embed person-centred, trauma-informed and psychologically informed practice across support services. Develop practical tools, guidance, quality forums, workshops and reflective learning that help staff apply policy, improve support planning, strengthen safeguarding and promote consistent resident-centred practice.

• Resident voice and accountability: Strengthen resident engagement, feedback and involvement so resident experience informs service design, quality assurance, learning and improvement.

• People management and collaboration: Line manage agreed roles, including the Impact Specialist and Resident Engagement Specialist, supporting clear objectives, accountability, development and collaborative working across services.

• General duties: Attend key directorate, management, planning, quality and performance meetings; work flexibly across organisational priorities; and undertake other reasonable duties within the scope of the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Assessment will be through application, interview and, where relevant, a practical assessment

Quality assurance: Experience delivering quality frameworks, audits, case file reviews, standards and improvement plans that strengthen safe, consistent, person-centred and trauma-informed practice. Able to lead improvement activity, influence managers and turn findings into sustained service change.

Performance and reporting: Able to monitor contractual, regulatory and organisational standards; identify risks, gaps, trends and good practice; and produce clear reports for leaders, governance forums and commissioners.

Data, insight and systems: Strong analytical skills and confidence using performance, safeguarding, complaints, incidents, outcomes and resident feedback data to identify patterns, support decisions and improve services. Experience using resident feedback, consultation or involvement activity to inform quality assurance, service design and improvement, including through InForm or similar systems.

Information governance: Understands confidentiality, record handling and information governance. Able to triage STAIRs requests, gather internal/contractor records, support redaction and draft timely responses.

Support management and practice: Experience supporting people experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping with complex needs. Able to support managers, manage risk, strengthen recording and embed person-centred, trauma-informed, psychologically informed and anti-discriminatory practice.

Safeguarding and risk: Sound knowledge of adult safeguarding, risk assessment, MARAC processes and safe information sharing with vulnerable adults.

Communication and values: Strong written, verbal and facilitation skills; collaborative, organised, accurate and resilient, with commitment to compassion, collaboration, inclusion and growth.

Appointment is subject to DBS check and right to work in the UK

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced and values-led Head of Practice to provide strategic and professional leadership for practice across Hft.

This is a key national leadership role, responsible for shaping our approach to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), restrictive practice reduction, PROACT-SCIPr-UK, practice standards, workforce capability and coaching, and rights-based and trauma-informed practice.

A key priority will be leading Hft’s transition to PROACT-SCIPr-UK, ensuring this is embedded within our wider PBS and restrictive practice reduction approach and translates into meaningful improvements in frontline practice and the quality of life of the people we support.

You’ll lead our PBS / Practice Team, provide expert oversight of complex situations and act as a trusted professional adviser to senior leaders on practice quality, risk, outcomes and improvement.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll:

• Develop and lead an organisation-wide Practice Strategy and Practice Standards Framework.
• Provide professional leadership, advice and constructive challenge to senior and operational leaders.
• Lead and develop the PBS / Practice Team and build sustainable specialist capability.
• Lead the implementation of PROACT-SCIPr-UK across the organisation.
• Drive our restrictive practice reduction strategy, using data and evidence to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide specialist leadership around complex and high-risk practice situations.
• Develop workforce capability through training, coaching, observation, modelling and reflective practice.
• Embed rights-based, person-centred and trauma-informed approaches across Hft.
• Lead or contribute to practice-related policies and professional guidance.
• Provide senior leadership with clear evidence of practice quality, risk, outcomes and improvement.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone with:

• Significant senior experience within learning disability and/or autism services.
• Strong professional expertise in Positive Behaviour Support.
• Significant knowledge and practical experience of PROACT-SCIPr-UK, with the ability to lead organisational implementation.
• Experience of restrictive practice reduction and least restrictive approaches.
• Experience leading specialist practice or PBS teams.
• A strong track record of developing practice standards, frameworks and guidance.
• Experience building workforce capability through coaching, training and practice leadership.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act principles and relevant health and social care requirements.
• The confidence to influence, advise and constructively challenge senior leaders.
• A relevant professional qualification and evidence of continued specialist development.

A postgraduate qualification in PBS, Applied Behaviour Analysis, Psychology or a related discipline, relevant professional registration and PROACT-SCIPr-UK instructor or advanced implementation experience would be desirable.

What success looks like

Success in this role will mean better outcomes and quality of life for the people we support.

You’ll help ensure that PBS is embedded in everyday practice, restrictive practices are reduced wherever safely possible, PROACT-SCIPr-UK is successfully implemented, and managers and frontline teams have the confidence and capability to deliver consistently excellent, rights-based support.

Working arrangements

This is a national hybrid role with regular travel to Hft services and other locations across the organisation.

Why Hft?

At Hft, our mission is simple: the best life possible.

We believe people with learning disabilities should be able to live within their communities, with all the choice and support they need to live the best life possible.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence practice at a national level and make a genuine difference to the lives of the people we support.

Recruitment process

Applications close on 11 October 2026.

Interviews will take place on 27 October 2026 and will be held via Microsoft Teams.

Do you believe that all children should receive consistently high-quality care in environments that strive to improve outcomes for each child?  Do you have experience in social work, education, inspection, advocacy or residential childcare management?

Then we have an exciting opportunity for a professional like you.

The Vacancy

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Independent Visitor & Quality Assurance Officer to join NYAS Independent Monitoring Service.

This is a full-time permanent role, working 35 hours in the North West and/or North East region. 

As an Independent Visitor & Quality Assurance Officer you will be required to complete statutory and non-statutory independent allocated visits within prescribed timescales and to quality assure reports submitted by other members of the team.

The purpose of this role is to ensure that judgements are consistent with evidence provided and that the feedback given is an element of continuous improvement.

While the role is home-based, there will be occasions where travel is required, including working on public transport.

About You

We are looking for a self-starter who prides themselves in professionalism and accuracy. You must have a relevant professional qualification and proven extensive experience in working with children and young people or adults at risk in a social care setting.

For more information, please view the attached job description.

In your application, you will need to evidence, using specific examples, how your skills and experience meet the criteria laid out in the person specification, within the job description attached. Requirements include:

• Professional qualification in a relevant field.
• Proven extensive experience in working with children and young people or adults at risk in a social care setting.
• Experience and an understanding of child and adult safeguarding procedures.
• Experience of quality assuring reports for regulatory bodies.
• Ability to analyse a range of information to assess effective evidence-based judgements of reports.
• Proven experience of using QA to improve report writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to a high standard both orally and in writing to a wide range of people.

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references, Digital Risk Assessment and Right to Work check.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early once we receive a high number of applications.

In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

 NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.

The Chartered College of Teaching is currently working on a number of exciting projects, and is recruiting a Professional Learning Quality Lead to support this work. This is a fixed term position which will focus on supporting the delivery of a key strand of our work relating to teacher development, helping to embed high quality professional development across the sector. By joining our team as a Professional Learning Quality Lead, you’ll be helping us to support teachers, champion great teaching and raise the status of the profession.

The role will run until the end of December 2027 in the first instance.

Job Title: Professional Learning Quality Lead

Reports to: Associate Director, Professional Learning and Accreditation

Direct reports: Project Officer (TBC)

Salary: £40,000-£45,000 per annum dependent on experience

Contract: Fixed term until 31st December 2027

Hours: A full working week is 35 hours and we offer flexible working options. We are open to full-time or part-time candidates (min. 3.5 days/0.7 FTE)

Benefits: Flexible working, generous annual leave, 8.5% employer pension contribution, Paycare, individual and team professional development/learning budget. A full list of our benefits can be found here. 

Based: Home based or office based, with hybrid-working options.

Start date: ASAP (by November 2026)

Deadline and interview: Applications will close on Sunday 4th October 2026.

The interview will consist of a task and competency-based questions.

Interviews are currently planned to take place w/c 12th October 2026 but we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may interview and close the role earlier if a suitable applicant is identified.

Application: Please apply by uploading your CV and cover letter. Please use the guidance when writing your cover letter. We encourage you to apply promptly as we will be reviewing applications as they are received.

The Organisation

The Chartered College of Teaching is a charity and the professional body for teachers. We are working to empower a knowledgeable and respected teaching profession through membership and accreditation.

We are dedicated to bridging the gap between practice and research and equipping teachers from the moment they enter the classroom with the knowledge and confidence to make the best decisions for their pupils.

Our activities mainly focus on four key areas:

• membership
• teacher CPD and accreditation
• research, policy and events
• online and print resources

Since opening membership in 2017, we have grown rapidly. In total our work reaches ~40,000 teachers and more than 3.6 million young people. We are a growing and multi-skilled team of 35 people, supported by a Board with a significant track record and experience in a range of fields. Our business plan focuses on growing membership and Chartered Status, strategic positioning of the College in the education sector, and providing meaningful professional learning opportunities for the teaching profession.

The Opportunity

The Professional Learning Quality Lead will play a key role in supporting our work around teacher development, helping to embed high quality standards for teacher professional learning across the education sector.

Drawing on their deep understanding of teacher development, the Professional Learning Quality Lead will lead on a number of internal and external projects, working with colleagues and sector stakeholders to develop and launch a CPD quality framework. They will deliver training, develop resources and carry out quality assurance activities to support the successful implementation of the framework in schools, colleges and sector organisations. Alongside this, they will support the delivery of the Chartered College of Teaching’s wider professional development offer, developing and reviewing materials and delivering training that is aligned to agreed quality standards, helping to support teacher and school development and career progression. 

This would be an ideal opportunity for anyone who is passionate about teacher development and who wants to use their knowledge to build expertise and shape quality standards across the sector.

Role description

Establishing CPD quality standards and quality assurance processes

You will lead on the development and implementation of a new CPD quality framework, which will include:

• Initial development and testing of an evidence-informed framework for CPD quality
• Seeking input from experts and key stakeholders via a range of consultation activities (e.g. advisory groups, focus groups, surveys)
• Developing effective processes to quality assure CPD in line with the newly developed framework, underpinned by robust policies and governance processes
• Developing and delivering training and implementation resources to support the rollout of the framework, helping to ensure the framework is understood and applied consistently
• Working with partner organisations to quality assure their professional development offer in line with agreed standards

Developing training materials

You will spend some of your time working on developing and reviewing CPD materials to support the College’s wider CPD offer. This might include:

• Designing and delivering CPD sessions for teachers and school leaders
• Designing or contributing to the development of new and existing online courses and content
• Reviewing and evaluating existing provision, identifying opportunities for further improvement

Wider responsibilities

You will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the organisation, and will champion the framework and the high standards it sets for teacher CPD, within and beyond the College.

You will also be expected to:

• Plan and coordinate work activities for the projects you are responsible for, ensuring that work is completed on time and within budget
• Provide direct line management for a Project Officer who will support day to day administration of project activity during the project mobilisation period (up to the first 6 months)
• Engage in CPD, learning activities and training to maintain and develop your knowledge and skills
• Arrange and participate in meetings, as required
• Perform other activities as and when required in order to fulfil the purpose and requirements of the role
• Represent the College at external events (occasional travel may be required)

About You

We’re looking for someone who is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about teacher and school development; who is motivated by our mission and who is truly passionate about supporting the education sector.

The person specification below outlines the essential and desirable knowledge, skills and experience we are looking for in this role. You will need to meet the essential knowledge and experience as a minimum, and at least two of those indicated as being ‘desirable’. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourage you to apply.

Essential knowledge and experience

• Educated to at least degree standard, with QTS and experience of teaching in schools in the UK
• Proven knowledge and understanding of effective professional development methodologies
• Critical understanding of research and evidence relating to teacher professional development and implementation
• Experience of designing and/or delivering teacher professional development
• Able to engage and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including educators, sector leaders, funders and partners
• Able to organise information and communicate complex ideas in a systematic and coherent way

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Experience leading and/or quality assuring teacher professional development across a school, trust or in a relevant education sector organisation
• Experience of developing frameworks and/or standards (e.g. quality assurance frameworks, CPD frameworks, assessment frameworks, professional standards, qualifications frameworks)
• Understanding and/or experience of governance, including developing and monitoring policies and processes
• Experience of leading or managing projects, including understanding how to manage timelines and budget
• Have undertaken further study relevant to the role e.g. Masters, Chartered Teacher Status, relevant NPQs, other relevant courses or qualifications

As well as the requirements outlined above, we are looking for people who: 

• Believe in the transformative power of education, see teachers as key drivers in achieving improved educational outcomes for all and are motivated to contribute to this change
• Communicate clearly and effectively, understanding the importance of conveying complex ideas in an easy to understand way and respecting the work schedules and patterns of colleagues
• Learning and feedback oriented, intellectually curious, and keen to develop their skillset
• Are committed to equality and diversity, demonstrating these through their work and daily interactions with colleagues, members and other stakeholders.

Why Us?

As an organisation we care deeply about creating a working environment that supports our people to grow personally and professionally. These are reflected in our organisational values which outline the distinctive working culture we are looking to create. In particular, these values are reflected in our commitment to:

• Flexible working: responsive management, flexible hours, hybrid or fully remote working
• Professional development, including formal and informal training and support
• Transparency and ownership: we have an open culture that ensures all staff guide our strategic direction
• Mental health and wellbeing: access to health and wellbeing advice and health cash plan. 

Diversity and inclusion at the Chartered College 

As a growing organisation we are committed to:

• Becoming increasingly representative of the sector and geographies that we operate in
• Providing a positive experience of work as part of an inclusive culture led by our organisational values 
• Maintaining an annual EDI action plan - led by the internal team. 

What to expect from the recruitment process

• All applications are anonymised until the point of interview
• Line Managers trained in recognising bias
• We implement a standardised interview template and competencies matrix for a fair and transparent process
• All interviews are conducted via Zoom and the use of camera is optional.

If you require any adjustments in order to proceed with an application please make a request (details are in the application pack).

Your Personal Data

As part of the recruitment process, the Chartered College of Teaching collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. The organisation is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.

Pre-employment checks

All conditional offers of employment are subject to:

• Two satisfactory references
• Proof of qualifications
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

We are an employer committed to the safeguarding of children and young people.

You will have autonomy and will need to help guide the team, shape priorities, and will be working closely with Foundation colleagues delivery partners, funders and communities, the postholder will lead on the collection, analysis and communication of evidence to demonstrate impact, improve delivery and inform future investment decisions. This role will work closely with the Impact Manager and Sport for Development Officer. 

The role will support a range of programmes including: 

• Sport and Life Skills 

• Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing 

• Youth Crime Prevention

• Community Development and Strengthening Communities 

• Other Foundation-funded programmes and initiatives 

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that learning and evidence are translated into action, helping Active Essex Foundation maximise its impact and continuously improve its programmes. You will be a self starter with strong motivation to drive the work.

Active Essex Foundation is a successful and growing charity dedicated to creating the conditions for young people and communities across Essex to thrive. Our work focuses on three core areas: improving young people’s mental health, reducing vulnerabilities to youth crime and exploitation, and strengthening communities through trusted relationships and positive engagement. We collaborate with a network of over 100 community organisations and local partners to design and deliver programmes that use physical activity, mentoring and community support as tools to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities. Everything we do is shaped by the real experiences of the people we serve, ensuring our interventions are meaningful, accessible and rooted in what communities tell us they need.

The AEF Impact Leadwill operate within a matrix management structure.Professional line management, technical supervision and quality assurance will be provided by the Impact Manager and Intelligence Manager within the Insight & Evaluation Team.

Operational direction and programme priorities will be provided by the AEF Operations & Development Manager and the 3 AEF Project Managers ensuring the role is fully embedded within Foundation activity. The post holder will require relationship building and negotiation skills to work with AEF team to scope the priorities and the work required whilst maintaining consistent research and evaluation standards across Active Essex.