Regional child and family support coordinator jobs

Are you passionate about building meaningful relationships, using creativity to solve problems, and delivering engaging experiences for our supporters and volunteers?

Here at Rainbows Children’s Hospice, we provide specialist palliative care and end-of-life support to over 750 Babies, Children, and Young People living with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions, as well as approximately 3,000 people, including families, siblings, and carers, across the East Midlands. Simply put, we’re here to brighten short lives and support families, wherever they are.

We are currently seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to join our dedicated Volunteering Team at Rainbows. Volunteers play a pivotal role in supporting every aspect of our vital work – from fundraising and events, to our retail shops and the hospice itself – with over 350 individuals generously volunteering their time, skills, and passion.

We are looking for a positive and enthusiastic individual who will help ensure volunteers feel welcomed, supported, and confident, enabling them to make a meaningful difference to children, young people and families across our services.

Location: Primarily an office-based role, at our hospice in Loughborough.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. Some flexibility is required, as occasional evening and weekend working and regional travel will be part of supporting volunteers.

About the role

As a Volunteer Coordinator, you will play a key role in shaping how people volunteer with Rainbows. You’ll lead on volunteer recruitment across the East Midlands, building relationships with communities and organisations, and supporting individuals to find opportunities that match their motivations, skills and strengths. Once volunteers are involved, you’ll help ensure they feel confident, informed and well supported, working closely with colleagues to create positive volunteering experiences.

Key Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

· Recruitment, Selection, and Induction: Be the first point of contact for volunteering enquiries and applications, ensuring a seamless onboarding process.

· Volunteer Support and Supervision: Act as the central point of contact for volunteers at Rainbows, offering guidance and support throughout their volunteering journey.

· Team Collaboration: Provide staff with proactive support and best practices for volunteer management, engagement, and stewardship.

· Operational Duties: Maintain accurate volunteer records, ensuring GDPR compliance, and provide KPI data as needed.

· Further responsibilities in the role of a Volunteer Coordinator at Rainbows, can be found by downloading the Job Description.

Requirements

While previous experience working with volunteers is ideal, it is not essential. What matters most is your ability to:

• Build connections with a diverse range of people through exceptional interpersonal skills and empathy.
• Approach tasks with positivity and enthusiasm, inspiring others to get involved.
• Confidently use databases and Microsoft Office packages, with strong administrative skills and a good understanding of GDPR processes.

Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification.

Our Benefits include:

· Free onsite parking at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.

· Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop.

· Simply Health Cashback plan.

· Life Assurance.

· 27 days holiday plus bank holidays.

· Contributory pension scheme or Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme

· Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.

· Free Tea, Coffee and Fruit whilst at the Hospice

· Free access to Health Assured employee assistance programme

· Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders

· Unofficial benefits: Fun events like Total Wipe Out, All staff away days, Guest visitors

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and barring Service Check) and pre-employment checks.

Schools Coordinator

We are seeking an organised and passionate Schools Coordinator to work with the UK’s leading children’s charity, working to prevent abuse, support young people and protect every child from harm.

Position: Schools Coordinator

Location: Home based, ideally in the central East Midlands areas of Leicestershire/Warwickshire, travel required.

Salary: £28,337 - £31,485 full time equivalent plus home working allowance

Hours: Part time, 28.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 13 June 2026

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a national children’s charity delivering impactful programmes and services through schools and education settings. The Schools Service plays a key role in helping children understand abuse, recognise unsafe situations and know where to turn for support.

Working within a regional team, you will coordinate and deliver the schools offer across a designated area, building strong relationships with schools, volunteers and local partners to maximise reach and impact.

The role is home based, with regular travel across the East Midlands. Access to your own car and home broadband is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and delivering the schools programme within a local area
• Building relationships with primary, secondary and non-mainstream schools
• Recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to deliver workshops and presentations
• Working towards agreed KPIs, targets and reach plans
• Acting as a key contact for schools and external stakeholders
• Ensuring safeguarding procedures and organisational standards are followed at all times
• Supporting quality assurance and continuous improvement activities
• Representing the organisation at meetings, events and community activities
• Working collaboratively with regional and national colleagues to maximise service impact

About You

We are keen to hear from candidates from a range of backgrounds, including education, safeguarding, project coordination, volunteer management, community engagement, sales, marketing or the charity sector.

You will ideally have:

• Experience delivering programmes or services within education, safeguarding or similar settings
• Experience working towards targets and objectives
• Experience recruiting, coordinating or supporting volunteers
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Good understanding of safeguarding procedures and child-centred practice
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Confidence working independently and remotely
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office systems
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• A passion for improving outcomes for children and young people

About the Organisation

This organisation works to prevent child abuse and neglect and supports children and families across the UK through education, campaigning, safeguarding and direct services. Their Schools Service helps children understand their rights, recognise abuse and know where to access support through engaging and impactful school-based programmes.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Education Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Community Engagement Officer, Schools Liaison Officer, Programme Coordinator, Safeguarding Officer, Education Outreach Officer, Youth Engagement Officer, Project Coordinator, Family Support Coordinator.

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

Youth Development Coordinator

Location: Hybrid – some time at our office in Chopwell, delivery at various regional woodland sites, and some home working

Working pattern: You will be required to work at least 3 evenings per week, and some weekends, to deliver the Youth Programme

Hours: 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE), including some evening and weekend work

Salary: £27,500 pro rata (£22,000 actual salary for 28 hours/week)

How to Apply

Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

To apply, please complete the full application pack and self-disclosure form available on our website.

About Us

At Stomping Grounds North East, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel confident, connected, and capable of shaping their own future.

Through our nature-based youth work, we support children and young people to thrive — building confidence, relationships, and leadership skills in woodland spaces. Our work is inclusive, trauma-informed, and rooted in the belief that young people should have a voice in shaping the opportunities available to them.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to be part of something meaningful with a lasting impact on society and nature.

You’ll be working directly with children and young people to create real change — supporting them to build confidence, develop skills, and feel a stronger sense of belonging.

We are committed to being an inclusive and supportive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those who are under-represented in the outdoor and environmental sector, and we aim to create a working environment where everyone can thrive.

We’re interested in hearing from applicants who have experience and understanding in the areas listed in the job description. You don’t need to meet every requirement — if you feel you would be a good fit for the role, we encourage you to apply.

Purpose of the role 

The Youth Development Coordinator will lead and expand our youth development programmes, supporting hundreds of children and young people across Gateshead, Newcastle, and Northumberland to build wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging through nature-based programmes.

You will lead the delivery and coordination of our youth programmes, creating meaningful, structured opportunities for young people aged 5–18 to grow, connect, and develop skills for life.

You will play a key role in:

• Supporting young people to feel safer, more confident, and better able to manage emotions
• Creating opportunities for peer connection, leadership, and progression
• Developing pathways into volunteering, accredited training, and leadership roles
• Working alongside communities to ensure our programmes are inclusive, accessible, and shaped by young people themselves

This is a hands-on role combining programme delivery, coordination, mentoring, and relationship-building — ideal for someone passionate about youth work, connecting with nature, and making a lasting difference.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Delivery & Coordination

• Lead and coordinate the delivery of weekly Forest School and youth development sessions across multiple sites
• Plan and deliver structured, engaging programmes with clear outcomes for young people
• Support the development of a joined-up youth pathway from early years through to leadership opportunities
• Ensure sessions are inclusive, creative, and responsive to young people’s needs
• Carry out risk assessments and ensure safe, high-quality delivery at all times

Youth Development & Mentoring

• Develop a unified youth development and leadership framework
• Build strong, trusting relationships with children and young people aged 5–18
• Mentor and support young people on Forest School pathways to develop confidence, resilience, and social skills
• Create opportunities for peer mentoring and youth leadership
• Support young people to access volunteering, peer mentoring, and progression pathways
• Recognise and celebrate achievements through events, showcases, and storytelling
• Conduct observations and write reports to inform EHCPs, funding requirements, and partner communications

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with schools, families, and local partners
• Work collaboratively with external partners to ensure a holistic approach to participant development
• Engage young people and families in shaping and co-designing programmes to reflect their needs, aspirations, and lived experiences
• Increase access for those facing barriers to participation

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Track and evaluate participant progress, programme outcomes, and impacts on social, emotional, and leadership skills
• Gather feedback, case studies, and evidence of impact
• Contribute to reporting for funders and organisational learning using qualitative and quantitative data
• Use insight to continuously improve delivery

Volunteer Coordination

• Coordinate a volunteer management process
• Contribute to creating a positive and inclusive volunteer experience
• Support volunteers to build confidence and skills alongside young people

Safeguarding, Inclusion & Wellbeing

• Ensure programmes are trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, culturally inclusive, and accessible
• Follow safeguarding, child protection, and risk management procedures
• Create environments where all young people feel safe, respected, and able to be themselves

Person Specification

Essential

• Previous experience in youth development work, outdoor learning, or similar settings
• Strong experience in project/programme coordination and delivery
• Experience delivering structured programmes with measurable outcomes
• Proven ability to mentor, motivate, and support young people, including those facing barriers or with additional needs
• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills
• A commitment to inclusivity, trauma-informed practice, and empowering young people
• A strong understanding of the challenges facing young people in the North East (particularly Gateshead, Newcastle, and Northumberland), or a willingness to develop this knowledge
• Knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment, and child protection procedures
• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and delivery partners

Desirable

• Forest School Level 3 qualification (or willingness to work towards)
• Experience in Forest School, outdoor education, or nature-based youth work
• Experience in co-designing programmes or participatory practice
• Knowledge of SEND, neurodivergence, and trauma-informed approaches
• Experience in evaluation and reporting for funders or statutory bodies

Impact

Through your work, you will support hundreds of children and young people each year. This role will directly influence the lives of over 400 children and young people across the North East, particularly those facing disadvantage, exclusion, or systemic barriers.

By embedding structured pathways from early engagement to accredited leadership, you will help create a lasting legacy of confident, skilled, and empowered young people, ready to thrive in their communities and beyond.

You will be part of a team creating lasting change — not just for individuals, but for communities across the North East.