Regional services manager jobs

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact voluntary sector charity at the heart of the Bexley community. You’ll be supported by a passionate and dedicated staff team committed to inclusion, collaboration and strengthening the local VCS. If you are a resilient, adaptable and empathetic leader with a strategic mindset and a deep belief in the power of communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

As the Chief Executive Officer, you will: 

• Lead strategy, vision, and organisational direction.
• Represent BVSC across local, regional, and national partnerships.
• Ensure governance, compliance, and financial oversight.
• Lead staff and senior leadership team; fostering an inclusive and supportive culture.
• Promote continuous improvement, service quality, and impact.
• Strengthen relationships with statutory partners, funders, VCS organisations, and communities.
  
  About you

We’d love to hear from you if you are:

• Experienced voluntary/public sector leader with strategic, operational, and financial expertise.
• Collaborative, resilient, inclusive, and adaptable.
• Skilled in partnership working, stakeholder engagement, and system leadership.
• Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and organisational values.
  
  Why join BVSC?

BVSC is a supportive, friendly team committed to strengthening the voluntary and community sector in Bexley. We offer:

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• An extra day off for your birthday.
• 6% employer pension contribution.
• Flexible working: one day working from home each week, with flexible start and finish times (8am–6pm, core hours 10am–4pm).
• Access to the Blue Light Card.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• A positive, inclusive team culture where your ideas are valued.

Senior Social Worker

Reports to: Service Manager (Social Work)

Responsible for: Yorkshire and North East personal welfare team

Location: Office based in Pontefract with regular travel

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: £40,787 per annum

Our client is a national charity whose mission is to improve the lives of individuals and communities facing disadvantage due to the impact of the coal mining industry.

They are currently recruiting for a Senior Social Worker to be based in their office in Pontefract to lead the service delivery within the Yorkshire and North East region, managing a team of office based and home-based Social Work Assistants providing advice and support to former Miners and their dependents.

Role Purpose

Responsibility for the professional leadership and management of service delivery within the regional personal welfare team. The role also involves promoting the service locally and developing partnerships with other agencies for the benefit of the client group.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the personal welfare team for the Yorkshire and North East region to provide a high quality, professional, outcomes focused service for former Miners and their dependents.
• Ensure the effective management of casework across the team including case allocation and management.
• Manage a small caseload of clients, when necessary, with a variety of needs, by carrying out high quality assessments and providing a range of appropriate interventions in response to assessed needs of the clients e.g. welfare benefits advice, advocacy, emotional support and practical advice.
• Drive service performance and improvement, monitoring efficiency and effectiveness and taking action to address performance or practice issues should they arise.
• Support the team through supervision, appraisal, case reviews and observations.
• Act as safeguarding lead for the region, advising and supporting team members to take appropriate action, ensuring adherence to the organisations safeguarding policy.
• Manage the delivery of a range of interventions predominantly through a home visiting service, including welfare benefits advice, support with mobility, social isolation and financial issues etc.
• Keep updated with relevant legislation and good practice and share such information across the team and wider organisation.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with other professionals and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach.
• Represent the organisation at events and meetings as required and co-ordinate publicity and marketing of services in the region in co-operation with head office to promote and advertise the service.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Degree in social work or equivalent social work qualification and current professional registration.
• Experience of leading / managing a team in a social care setting with the ability to manage and effectively prioritise caseloads, work with integrity and professionalism and work under pressure.
• Experience of community based social care services with experience of delivery with older people and / or disability services.
• Experience of implementing systems and processes and facilitating change.
• Experience of contributing to the development and updating of policies and practice in line with legislative changes and good practice.
• Good working knowledge of welfare benefits system.
• Knowledge and understanding of the values and principles underpinning working with vulnerable adults and their Carers within the community setting.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and good practice, particularly in relation to older people, mental health and disability.
• A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Flexibility to travel across a wide geographic area with occasional overnight stays.

Desirable:

• Experience of social work practice teaching and/or practice teacher status or working towards.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues facing former mineworkers and mining communities.

This role will require a satisfactory DBS check.

High Value Officer
Home based, remote working 
£28,000 pa plus excellent benefits
35 hours per week

The High Value Officer for our Fundraising team will focus and lead on supporting the Trusts and Major Donor teams with postal and electronic mailings; keeping the CRM up to date; supporting the Prospects Research Manager with initial research, identifying new opportunities and sources of funding; streamlining administrative systems and processes; creating purchase orders and invoices; supporting the Major Donor Manager with administration of the Mid Value pool.

This is a great junior role, offering opportunities in several High Value fundraising teams. You will get to use your administrative skills across a range of activities and also develop your research skills when looking at prospects and supporting the Corporate team in their due diligence work.

You will: 

1. With support from the MD Manager, lead on the day-to-day running of our Mid Value programme including administration and delivery of a calendar of activity

2. Support the team with various CRM system processes, and ensure records are accurately updated

3. Support the Prospect Research Manager to identify new opportunities and sources of funding

4. Streamline and manage electronic folders

5. Create purchase orders and invoices

6. Support the Trust and Major Donor teams with mailings (postal and electronic)

7. Carry out day-to-day Corporate Partnership activities and monitor incoming requests.

You will have good organisation and administrative skills. Having good time managements skills and being able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously will be key to making a success of this role. You will also have excellent IT skills, ideally with experience of using a CRM (we use Microsoft Dynamics).

We are RNID: the national charity supporting the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Together, we will end the discrimination faced by our communities, help people hear better now and fund world-class research to restore hearing and silence tinnitus.

We work with our communities and partners across industry, government, charity, education and more to change life for the better.

RNID has a proud history and big ambitions. We’re focused on making the greatest impact possible across the whole of the UK. We champion the latest technology and the opportunities it brings. We also know the value of a friendly face in local communities to support people where they need it most.

We champion the value of difference and equality and celebrate our diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from BAME backgrounds or who are deaf or hard of hearing. With almost 20% of our employees having a disability we proudly hold Disability Confident Leader status and guarantee an interview for disabled applicants meeting the minimum essential criteria.

Closing date: Sunday 21 December 2025
Interviews: w/c 12 January 2026

AFRIL is recruiting for an experienced, dynamic Senior Caseworker to join our growing Casework Team. The successful candidate will provide advice and casework to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in South East London on matters relating to housing and homelessness, welfare benefits, NRPF support, community care and asylum support. The candidate has the exciting opportunity to lead on the delivery of AFRIL's Casework Drop-in for asylum seekers and recently granted refugees, supported by a Caseworker and Outreach Volunteers. The post holder, if not already Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) accredited, will also be supported to obtain IAA Level 2 accreditation, to embed some immigration legal advice into their broader caseload. 

AFRIL’s Casework Service also uses casework trends and data to work with community members in order to engage in policy and systemic change. Utilising casework and community co-production, the service has created sector wide resources on asylum support, engaged in strategic litigation and successfully influenced local, pan-London and national policy outcomes. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to feed into AFRIL's broader policy work, and develop local partnerships.

This is an exciting and integral role within a supportive and dynamic team, with strong opportunity for career development within AFRIL.

Reading Support Specialist - HMP Full Sutton

Location: HMP Full Sutton

Department: Prison delivery

Salary: £28,274 per annum

Hours: 35 hours (5 days a week)

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Full Sutton. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.  

Ideally, you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. 

This role is a fixed-term role until 31st December 2026, with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.

The role will be prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

‍We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Please note this role is subject to contract award.

‍Interviews are planned for the week commencing 14th January 2026.

Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.

REF-225 477

You’ll be responsible for forging meaningful partnerships with local businesses, hosting engaging events that inspire generosity, and nurturing long-term relationships with corporate sponsors. This role requires someone who can express gratitude, maintain strong relationships, and show supporters the real impact of their contributions.

You will be part of our vibrant Business & Events team — a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same

This is a brand-new role with big potential. We’re looking for an experienced community fundraiser who’s excited to build something meaningful for Possability People.

You’ll lead local community and corporate fundraising, spark supporter engagement, and drive income through events, partnerships, and donor initiatives. You’ll also coordinate trust and foundation applications, support individual giving, and play a part in major donor work.

Working closely with teams across the charity, you’ll help shape fundraising that truly reflects our values and fuels our future growth.

Why we’re recruiting

We’re creating our first dedicated Fundraising Officer role to boost community fundraising, grow local partnerships, and coordinate income from trusts, foundations, individual donors, and corporate supporters. You’ll be the go-to person for bids, working with project leads and the CEO to spot opportunities and move applications forward.

With strong local relationships and a respected reputation already in place, we’re ready for someone who can turn that potential into a steady, sustainable pipeline of support. This is a hands-on role with real autonomy, perfect for a fundraiser who enjoys building structure, nurturing supporters, and driving results while helping shape the charity’s wider fundraising direction.

Day-to-Day Overview

You’ll spend your time out and about in the community, planning and running fundraising events like fun runs, afternoon teas, and seasonal campaigns, while being the face of Possability People. You’ll also act as the central point for coordinating bids and grant applications, working closely with Project Leads and the CEO to ensure opportunities are identified, tracked, and progressed. Alongside this, you’ll manage local corporate partnerships and sponsorships, building relationships that support our events and wider fundraising activity. This is a hands-on, mid-level role where your experience and initiative will shape how our fundraising operates and grow our income locally.

Why work for us?

Working for Possability People means being part of something bigger than just a job. You’ll help improve the lives of disabled people while enjoying a supportive, inclusive workplace that values your wellbeing and development. We offer generous holidays, flexible working, a pension scheme, and excellent learning opportunities. You’ll be supported through regular supervision, wellbeing initiatives, and access to free counselling and mental health support. As a Disability Confident employer with strong quality standards and a genuine commitment to inclusion, we’re proud to create a place where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a real difference every day.

Salary:  £35,000 (pro-rata: £21,000 for 21 hours, £28,000 for 28 hours)

Department:Core

Line Managed by: Chief Executive Officer

Holidays: 28 days plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time staff: 21 hrs = 17 days, to 28 hrs = 22.5 days)

Working Hours: 21 hrs (0.6 FTE) to 28 hrs per week (0.8 FTE) (to be agreed)

We’re open to the role being between 21 and 28 hours a week because finding the right person matters most. We’re very happy to chat about how those hours could work for you while still meeting the needs of the role. Whether you’d prefer to spread your hours across five days, start a bit later, or work longer days over fewer days, we’re open to a range of options. The role includes attending events and travelling around the local area, and there are also opportunities to work from home for part of the week.

About Possability People 

Possability People is a pan-impairment disability charity based in Brighton. We work with people with a number of health conditions, including mental health and neurodivergent conditions, as well as with older people.

Location: HMP New Hall
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £16,964 per annum
Hours: 21 hours (3 days a week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing illiteracy amongst people in prison?
 
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) and G4S to provide peer-led literacy and numeracy programmes across a number of prisons. We now have the opportunity to provide a service at HMP New Hall. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust Team Members, this is an exciting role leading on the delivery and development of creative and exciting literacy initiatives and an ambitious Reading Strategy at HMP New Hall, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.
 
Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach.
 
This role will be prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday (when full time) plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.
 
?We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
 
This is a fixed term contract until 5th June 2026
Interviews are planned for the 22nd January 2026.
 
Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.
 
REF-225 665

Location: HMP Brixton
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £24,219
Hours: 28 hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
 
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Brixton. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.
 
Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach.
 
This role is a fixed-term role until 2nd June 2026, with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract award.
 
The role will be prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.
 
?We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
 
?Interviews are planned for 14th January 2026
 
Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.
 
REF-225 666

Are you a strategic, results-driven fundraiser ready to make a real impact?

Join the Orpheus Centre, a vibrant charity that transforms lives through the performing arts. We’re on an exciting journey, launching a £25m capital appeal to expand our facilities and grow our reach. To achieve this, we need an exceptional Deputy Head of Fundraising to help lead our income generation efforts and drive sustainable growth.

About the role

As Deputy Head of Fundraising, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering innovative fundraising strategies across multiple streams—corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, individual giving, and community fundraising. You’ll oversee donor acquisition and stewardship, inspire your team, and ensure we meet ambitious targets. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence the future of a charity that champions creativity, inclusion, and resilience.

Location: The Orpheus Centre, Surrey
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working considered) / 52 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent

What you’ll do

• Lead revenue fundraising strategies and secure income through personal efforts.
• Manage and develop a talented fundraising team.
• Build strong relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Design compelling campaigns and optimise performance using data insights.
• Deputise for the Head of Income and Growth when required.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in managing multiple fundraising streams and meeting income targets.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of delivering results.
• Knowledge of fundraising compliance and best practices.

Why join us?

• Be part of a passionate team that celebrates creativity and makes a tangible impact on people’s lives.
• Work on a high-profile capital appeal and exciting projects.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace where your ideas matter.
• Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of young disabled people through the power of the arts.

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.

The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for interview.

 As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:

• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration

No agencies please.

We’re looking for an organised and person centred leader who can join our leadership team to support the quality, growth and sustainability of Stomping Grounds North East CIO.

The Deputy CEO will support the CEO by planning, overseeing, monitoring, reporting and taking appropriate action to deliver the service, business and financial strategies ofStomping Grounds North East CIO, with a focus on developing people, business and safeguarding and ensuring management capability across the organisation. It is key that the successful candidate can work at least some of the school holidays. 

Reports to: CEO

Hours of work :35 hours per week (1 FTE)

Remuneration: TBD

Main responsibilities 

• To ensure projects and delivery adheres to the Company’s vision, mission and values. 

• To oversee the development and implementation of new projects and sessions to meet the Company’s aims and objectives. Specifically, to ensure that:

  • Appropriate risk assessments are undertaken and documented in line with Stomping Grounds Risk Assessment procedure

  • Appropriate communications to and involvement of communities, parents and schools are delivered effectively

  • High quality Forest School provision is delivered, in line with the Stomping Grounds NE vision

• To proactively manage the financial performance of projects and the business overall, including overseeing the planning and delivery of fundraising and donations

• To oversee, monitor and report on all aspects of business governance including health and safety, safeguarding and employee wellbeing.

• To work with line managers to develop their managerial capabilities and performance, with a focus on team development. As part of this, to ensure that:

  • Regular meetings of the team leaders are organised to share information on business performance, plans and issues and to create action plans as appropriate

  • Appropriate observations are conducted, documented and shared

  • PDRs are completed in line with company policy

  • To ensure training is up to date and relevant

  • To ensure that company policies are up to date and relevant and are reviewed as required

• To be proactive and maintain requirements for governing bodies, associations and memberships

• To develop and support the implementation of effective evaluation and impact monitoring processes, including annual reporting of the impact of Stomping Grounds work. 

• To attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and report progress against the business plan

• To carry out other duties compatible with the role purpose as reasonably required or as directed by the CEO.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Proven exceptional leadership skills

• Experience of leading and developing a diverse staff team

• Excellent communication skills 

• Excellent organisational skills 

• Extensive project management experience

• Excellent understanding of neurodivergence 

• Excellent business management skills 

• Flexibility to work during school holidays 

• Ability to travel to our multi region sites including but not restricted to: Prudhoe, Haltwhistle, Chopwell, Leadgate, Benwell and Gateshead Riverside Park

• Commitment to Stomping Grounds Mission and Values

Desirable 

• Experience with Ofsted

• Experience of working in the charity sector

• Experience of working with children and young people, particularly those with neurodivergence and/or who are not currently thriving in mainstream schools

• Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead

• Experience of leading teams through change and growth

We abide by Safer Recruitment guidelines and therefore we only accept application forms.

About the opportunity
Working closely with the Corporate Partnerships Manager and wider Philanthropy Department, the Corporate Partnerships Coordinator will identify and cultivate fruitful partnerships with a range of small, medium and large businesses.
They will help maximise the potential of corporate and other organisations for funding, volunteer recruitment, and other philanthropic opportunities, to enable growth and sustainability for Action Tutoring. This will be achieved by securing and nurturing small to medium sized organisations to provide financial support for programmes. Additionally, the Corporate Partnerships Coordinator will engage with business to generate volunteers from across the country to deliver both online and face to face tutoring.

Deadline: Sunday, 4th January 2026
Interviews: The first interview round is scheduled online for 14th and 15th January 2026. A second in‑person round may follow, with the location based on the applicant’s address.
Start date: Ideally February 2026

Place of work: This is a flexible/hybrid role, and while you can be based anywhere in England, a willingness to travel to our London office is essential. The office address is 8-10 Fivefields, Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH.
Contract and hours: Full-time fixed-term contract of 12 months. We offer flexible hours with 9.30-4 as core hours. A full working week is 37.5 hours.

Duties and responsibilities

• Identify and persuade small to medium sized businesses to fund specific schools in Action Tutoring regions as part of a pilot of a ‘local champions’ scheme.
• Drive new applications from potential corporate volunteer tutors, ensuring a strong supply of high quality applications to meet growth targets in each region, for both face to face and online delivery.
• Generate regular reports and communicate updates to volunteer partners to demonstrate the value and impact of their volunteers and financial support.
• Support programme staff to develop local partnerships, through businesses and public sector links.
• Maintain accurate records of recruitment channels and relationships; use data to analyse the effectiveness of different recruitment channels, using this information to inform future work.
• Any other ad hoc responsibilities as deemed relevant by the CEO.

Person specification 
Qualification criteria:
The right to work in the UK.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:

• Excellent relationship building and networking skills with the ability to communicate with and manage a range of different stakeholders.
• Ability to manage a varied workload and work on your own initiative.
• Highly organised, able to multitask and prioritise, and complete activities to a high standard; excellent time management skills.
• Enjoy using data and creativity to suggest improvements and inform your approach to work and partnerships.
• Able to demonstrate resilience when challenges arise.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, able to effectively adapt communication depending on the audience.
• Confident public speaker; able to present well, both in-person and online, to a range of audiences, able to be persistent and persuasive when required.
• Is able to collaborate effectively with team members and external stakeholders.
• Open to new ideas and learning. You will be willing to adapt and grow with the development of the organisation and the Philanthropy team.
• Have high computer literacy; familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (desirable).
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Committed to the mission and values of Action Tutoring.
• Committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children.

You will likely be more successful in this role if you have: 

• Experience in managing or building partnerships/relationships with corporations (or other institutions/sectors e.g. Civil Service, universities or schools)
• Experience in corporate (or other) fundraising.
• Experience in a sales-based role.
• Experience in using databases.
• Evidence of an interest in education and/or the third sector.

Join a movement transforming how communities create lasting change. This isn't a typical charity role—it's a chance to shape the future of place-based working across the UK and help lead a growing organisation.

Place Matters is a small, entrepreneurial charity punching above its weight. We work at the intersection of communities, public services, funders, and policymakers to tackle the root causes of inequality and create changes that communities want to see. Our approach? Empower communities to lead change in their own places, learn from what works, and influence the systems that hold them back.

Why this role matters

This is a senior position on our Executive team, reporting directly to a co-CEO. You'll play a leadership role in developing our organisation—shaping strategy, building our team, and deepening partnerships. We're looking for someone colleagues and Trustees trust to make sound decisions on behalf of our mission.

Learning and practice development is at the heart of everything we do. You'll design and lead learning partnerships that build the capabilities of communities and organisations to work differently. You'll capture insights from the ground and turn them into accessible tools, frameworks, and resources that make place-based working more effective for everyone.

You need to be a team player, confident and with strong opinions, but low ego and collegiate

What you'll do

• Lead the development and delivery of Learning and Practice Development Partnerships
• Initiate, convene and participate in ‘field-building’ efforts that aim to influence the broader place-based change sector, bringing together community organisations, public sector organisations, policy makers, foundations and businesses to build broader support for community centred place-based change
• Develop Place Matters thought and practice leadership
• Draw together the themes and patterns from learning into regular blogs and publications to make the learning as widely accessible as possible and influence key policy makers and funders
• Initiate and convene field-building efforts to influence the broader place-based change sector
• Build a wide network of place-based practitioners from all sectors
• Play a key role in business development, securing new partnerships, fundraising, and improving organisational efficiency

See job description (JD) for full details

What makes this role special

• Executive leadership: Part of the leadership team shaping organisational direction
• Real autonomy: Lead your own projects, design new partnerships, represent Place Matters externally
• Learning culture: We practice what we preach—continuous learning and innovation are built in
• Flexible working: Hybrid arrangement, negotiable location, with UK travel (up to 50 days annually)
• Competitive salary: £65,000-£75,000 (negotiable based on experience)

Practical details

Ideally 37.5 hours per week (flexible) but we'll consider part-time. UK travel required, including occasional overnight stays and some evening/weekend work.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from disabled people and people from diverse backgrounds.

We'll conduct interviews on 19th and 21st January.

36 hours per week / £36,530 per annum pro rata / permanent / working two days onsite and three days from home, working pattern to be discussed at interview

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

Brighton & Hove Wellbeing service is delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with YMCA DownsLink Group. We offer a variety of support including counselling and psychological therapies to children and young people within Brighton and Hove.

We are looking for a compassionate and experienced Wellbeing Children & Young People's (CYP) Lead to support and shape our therapeutic services for young people in Brighton and Hove.

Overview of key areas of responsibility:

Leadership

• Provide line management support and supervision to wellbeing workers (e.g. counsellors, practitioners, therapists, link workers and trainees).
• Work alongside a team of leads to support the running, development and management of the service.
• Lead induction, mentoring, and training of new staff, trainees, and volunteers.
• Foster a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement across the team.

Core Clinical

• Carry out individual counselling assessments of children and young people and make appropriate referrals.
• Provide guidance and oversight for complex or high-risk cases.
• Ensure all interventions are evidence-based, child-centred, and trauma-informed.
• Develop and oversee counselling protocols, therapeutic pathways, and risk assessment frameworks.

Safeguarding and Risk

• Lead and give oversight for safeguarding concerns, embedding a safeguarding-first culture across the service.
• Work to ensure all counsellors, staff, and volunteers are trained, confident, and compliant in safeguarding practice.
• Implement robust risk assessment and management processes.
• Monitor safeguarding incidents, identify themes, and strengthen safeguarding practice.
• Liaise with schools, health, social care, police, and other agencies in safeguarding matters.

Service Development

• Work with the Service Manager, Leads and Clinical Leads to strengthen and expand counselling provision, including group work.
• Triage referrals and represent the service in multi-agency triage meetings.
• Promote and develop opportunities for community participation and youth voice in service design.
• Build strong relationships with schools, health services, local authorities, commissioners, and community partners.
• Represent the service at local and regional forums, influencing CYP wellbeing strategies.

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• More than 2 years post-qualified at graduate or post graduate level Counselling Diploma or equivalent [of two years minimum duration including personal counselling or psychotherapy].
• BACP Registration or Accreditation and/or eligible for other Professional Accreditation e.g. UKCP/HPC.
• Strong team-management and line-management experience is required, including demonstrated experience in supervising, developing, and supporting staff.
• An in depth understanding of counselling theory and practice and working to short-term models.
• A sound understanding of child developmental processes, Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding issues and procedures, along with proven experience in safeguarding young children.
• Solid experience in delivering counselling and assessment, along with experience with high-risk/complex cases.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working, with the ability to work within time-limited frameworks.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 11 January 2026 at midnight. Proposed interview date Thursday 15 January.

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.