Do you have a proven track record of leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams and a strong commitment to tackling housing injustice in Scotland? Then join Shelter Scotland as our new Head of Community and you could soon be at the forefront of driving transformational change across our Community and Training Teams. Our new strategic plan offers a unique opportunity to shape and deliver strategic initiatives that empower local communities, improve service delivery, and ensure that the voices of those impacted by the housing emergency are heard and acted upon.
About the role
This post is responsible for the management and development of the Community Function, comprising of three Community Teams (North, East and West) and the Training Team. The post shares joint responsibility with the Head of Services for the wider leadership and development of all functions and teams across Community & Services.
Flexibility is vital to effectively support the continuous development of our activities, aligned to the delivery of the Shelter Scotland Strategic Plan. This may necessitate changes to the teams or activities the role will manage.
Role specifics
We are seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to help drive the development and delivery of Shelter Scotland’s annual operational plan. This role plays a key part in managing internal projects, ensuring quality and compliance, and contributing to income generation through donor engagement and insight sharing. The successful candidate will manage teams and budgets, uphold high standards in service delivery, and support our campaigns by leveraging evidence and lived experience. A strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, and Shelter’s values is essential, as is the ability to lead by example.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
Shelter Scotland is a one of six Directorates of Shelter. Led by the Director of Shelter Scotland, the Directorate comprises two departments: Community & Services and Communications & Advocacy. Both of these departments are led by an Assistant Director (AD).
The services and community work we deliver responds to individuals and households directly affected by the housing emergency. We deliver these activities in pursuit of the changes we seek to practice, culture and policy.
About Shelter Scotland
Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
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Thank you!
Community Project Lead
- Two-year fixed term, full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (minimum 21 hours per week considered), £28,000 – £32,000 per annum depending on experience (pro rata if part-time)
- Remote or office-based. Occasional visits to IPSEA’s office in Takeley or a London venue required. This role will also include frequent travel to meet with community partners.
Do you have experience working with under-served communities and leading impactful outreach projects? Are you passionate about improving access to support for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)?
IPSEA is the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. We also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Community Project Lead to join our team and lead the development of our advice services for under-served communities. This two-year, fixed-term role is a key part of our strategy to reach groups who may not traditionally engage with IPSEA’s support - including children and families with English as an additional language, cared-for children (children in care), migrant children, detained children, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
The project builds on a detailed scoping exercise we’ve recently completed, which involved working closely with a wide range of charities and organisations that support these communities. The resulting report outlines the barriers they face, and will form the foundation for this project and directly inform the work you will lead.
What you’ll do
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Design and develop pilot advice services that are tailored to the needs of under-served communities, using findings from IPSEA’s research
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Build and maintain strong relationships with community groups, charities and service providers to co-produce accessible services
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Collaborate with IPSEA’s advice, legal and policy teams to address the barriers these communities face in accessing SEND legal advice
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Contribute to and share outreach materials, training resources and toolkits to support families of under-served communities and empower local advocates
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Plan and lead workshops, focus groups and community events to raise awareness, gather feedback and enhance service delivery
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Monitor and report on project outcomes and impact, providing regular updates to IPSEA staff and stakeholders
You can work remotely or from IPSEA’s office in Takeley, with frequent travel required for essential meetings and community engagement.
If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting, and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND, and would like to use your skills to improve access to vital advice and support, we would love to hear from you.
Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 16 June 2025
First-round interviews: Wednesday 25 June 2025 (London)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.