41 Senior support worker team leader jobs

Gendered Intelligence is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as its next Chief Executive. This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally respected, trans-led organisation with real influence on policy, professional practice and the lives of trans, non-binary and gender exploring people across the UK.

The next Chief Executive will inherit strong foundations: an experienced and committed team of just under 40 people, a distinctive and trusted public profile, and a range of services that reach communities, professionals and institutions across the country. With income of around £1.5–2m, the next Chief Executive will lead the organisation through its next phase of development at a time when that leadership matters enormously.

The role offers the chance to shape strategic direction, open new partnerships and income streams, and contribute to national conversations on trans equality and human rights, while working alongside people who are deeply committed to the mission and to each other.

We are looking for someone who combines strategic clarity with operational grounding, who leads with calm and consistency, and who understands both the privilege and the responsibility of this role. We will be honest with candidates about what the role involves, and we expect the same in return.

Full details of the role can be found on our website and in the attached recruitment pack. 

In this role you are responsible for day-to-day operational activity across both finance and 
HR functions, working closely with the Finance Officer and reporting to the Head of Finance 
(with ‘dotted line’ reporting to Director of Finance and Operations in respect of HR activity). 
The role requires effective use of systems to enable efficient processes, with responsibility 
for data held on the HR system and management of routine employee related processes 
including recruitment and onboarding. The role also shares responsibility for processing 
invoices and payments on the finance system, responding to queries from colleagues and 
3rd party partners. You will provide support for Head of Finance and Director Finance and 
Operations where required, including data analysis, reporting and preparation of returns 
across both finance and HR remits.

How to apply
To apply for this role please send your CV and cover letter (maximum two pages)
including responses to the three questions below:
1. Tell us about a time when you identified a process that could be improved or made 
more efficient. How did you approach making the change, and what did you do to 
ensure the process was accurate, consistent and effective?
2. Describe a situation where you had to handle sensitive financial or employee 
information while also resolving a difficult or confidential issue. What approach did you 
take?
3. Give an example of when you have had to manage competing priorities. How did you 
decide what to do first, and how did you ensure important deadlines were met?

HR and Recruitment
• Maintain accurate data on our HR system including starters, 
leavers, holiday and other absences
• Report on key employee metrics including sickness absence, 
holiday, TOIL, diversity
• Support line managers with recruitment activity including 
making effective use of the Applicant Tracking System to 
ensure a good candidate experience and to report recruitment 
metrics to enable continuous improvement
• Manage onboarding for new starters including reference 
requests, pre-employment checks, induction processes
• Coordinate arrangements for training sessions for staff
• Support Head of Finance with monthly payroll processes
• Support Director of Finance and Operations in maintaining and 
publicising HR policies, keeping the Employee Handbook 
current
• Maintain up to date employee guides and templates for key HR 
processes including appraisals, mid year reviews, recruitment, 
induction, flexible leave

Finance Administration
• Maintain appropriate employee access to Finance Systems, 
including being able to claim staff expenses and raise sales 
invoice requests, and support employees in using these 
systems. 
• Respond to queries in the central accounts mailbox, liaising 
with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support Head of Finance and Finance Officer with Purchase 
Ledger, including posting and payment of supplier invoices in a 
timely manner, ensuring accurate coding and authorisation in 
line with limits, maintenance of supplier accounts, 
reconciliations and remittances.
• Support Head of Finance and Finance Officer with management 
of company credit cards and virtual cards, including reconciling 
statements and accurate posting to the ledger. 
• Assist in raising sales invoices and accurately recording income. 
• Assist with Credit Control, chasing overdue debts and reporting 
to the Head of Finance.
• Support Head of Finance with analysis of financial data from 
the finance system (Xero) for reporting and other ad-hoc 
purposes
• Assist in maintaining up to date procedures. 
There is an opportunity to attend theatre press nights where 
appropriate and to take advantage of trade tickets when offered

This role sits within the Finance and Operations team whose focus 
is to ensure the organisations operate as effectively and efficiently 
as possible. Our team operates across Finance, HR, Technology, 
Facilities and Compliance, to ensure that systems and processes 
are set up which promote smooth delivery and support the work 
of the organisations. This includes adherence to regulatory 
requirements and best practice standards

Who we are

Camphill Village Trust is a national charity that has been supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health support needs for more than 70 years. Across our communities in England, we enable people to lead meaningful, independent and connected lives through high-quality, person-centred support, underpinned by a strong commitment to inclusion, community and opportunity.

Our communities are distinctive places. Alongside high-quality care and support, people have opportunities to develop skills, build relationships and participate in meaningful activities through our farms, gardens, workshops, cafés, shops and wider community partnerships. Our connection with nature, land and community remains an important part of who we are and our ambition for the future.

Camphill Village Trust has been through a significant period of organisational change and is now entering an important next chapter. We are building greater stability across the organisation while continuing to develop the culture, leadership and organisational capability needed to deliver our ambitions.

As part of this next phase, we are creating the role of Director of Culture & People to provide Executive leadership for our culture and people agenda and help create an organisation where our colleagues can thrive, and the people we support continue to receive outstanding, person-centred support.

About the role

As Director of Culture & People, you will lead the strategic development of our organisational culture, leadership capability and employee experience, working across a diverse and geographically dispersed organisation of around 800 colleagues.

We already have an experienced Head of People & Talent and an established People team responsible for operational HR and professional people practice. Your role will be to work alongside, and through that team, while providing the strategic leadership, organisational development expertise and Executive influence required to take our culture and people agenda to its next stage.

We have already started this journey.

Colleagues across Camphill Village Trust have contributed to conversations about our culture and what they want the organisation to become. We are developing a three-year People Strategy focused around culture, capability, capacity, communication and change.

Our next Director will turn that insight and ambition into meaningful and sustained action.

You will help us strengthen leadership and management capability, develop our approach to organisational development, talent and succession, improve employee experience and engagement and ensure our structures and workforce remain fit for the future.

Central to this will be building trust.

Our colleagues have experienced considerable organisational change, and we recognise that meaningful culture change cannot simply be announced or imposed. People need to see that their contribution matters and that when we listen, something happens.

You will therefore work with colleagues and communities rather than doing change to them, creating meaningful opportunities for people to contribute and helping leaders across the organisation build the confidence and capability to lead change well.

Communication will be fundamental. Our workforce is exceptionally diverse, from support workers, farmers and colleagues working in our shops and cafés to professional and central teams. Colleagues are spread across communities throughout England, with many working remotely. You will help us find better ways to connect people, strengthen our shared identity and values while respecting the individuality of our communities, and ensure colleagues feel part of the wider Trust.

This is also a highly visible leadership role. We want our Executive leaders to spend meaningful time within our communities, listening to colleagues and the people we support and understanding first-hand how organisational decisions and changes are experienced.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in organisational culture, organisational development and complex change.

You will have led significant culture or organisational transformation and understand how to move beyond strategies and frameworks to create sustainable change in behaviours, leadership and everyday experience.

You may come from social care, another large charity or a different values-led and people-intensive environment. What matters is that you understand the realities of leading culture change across a complex, geographically dispersed workforce and can adapt your approach to very different people, communities and professional groups.

You will bring strong strategic People expertise and a sound understanding of contemporary people practice and employment law, but your experience and interests will extend considerably beyond operational HR.

You will be an engaging and credible Executive leader, able to influence and constructively challenge colleagues, Trustees and senior leaders while also being comfortable spending time with frontline colleagues and the people we support.

We are looking for someone who listens before acting; is curious about why things are as they are; and can recognise and build on the considerable commitment and capability already within the organisation.

You will combine compassion and empathy with clear expectations and accountability. You will be comfortable with complexity and resistance and understand that lasting culture change requires patience, consistency and sustained leadership.

Above all, you will believe that organisational culture should ultimately enable better lives for the people we support. You will be excited by the opportunity to make a long-term contribution, helping Camphill Village Trust become an organisation where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to do their best work.

At One YMCA, we work alongside young people to help them develop confidence, skills, resilience, and positive futures. We are looking for an inspiring, experienced and motivated Youth Work Manager to lead and develop our local youth work provision, ensuring that high-quality, impactful services reach young people across our communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering our Youth Work Strategy, managing a dedicated team, driving quality and developing services that make a real difference in the lives of young people.

About the role:

Reporting to the Head of Youth Work, you will take operational responsibility for the delivery, development, monitoring, and quality assurance of our youth work services. You will lead and support Youth Work Coordinators and wider youth work staff, ensuring services are safe, effective, youth-centred, and aligned with One YMCA's strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of youth work programmes, specialist support services, mentoring initiatives, life skills courses, and large-scale youth events.
• Managing and supporting staff through recruitment, induction, supervision, training, and performance development.
• Monitoring contract performance, outcomes, impact data, and key performance indicators to demonstrate the difference our services make.
• Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities, partner agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Leading quality assurance, compliance, safeguarding, and continuous improvement across the service.
• Acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead and participating in the safeguarding on-call rota.
• Working with young people and teams to ensure youth voice is at the heart of everything we do.

We're looking for someone who combines strong operational leadership, experience in managing contractual compliance, with a genuine commitment to young people.

You will bring:

• Significant experience delivering and managing youth work programmes, projects, or contracts.
• A strong understanding of issues affecting young people's lives and a passion for helping them achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience leading, motivating, and developing staff teams.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and partnership-working skills.
• The ability to analyse data, monitor impact, and use insight to improve services.
• A youth work or related community-focused qualification at degree level, or significant equivalent experience.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Location: Home-based role but with regular travel to YMCA youth work delivery sites across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, as well as to support the broader youth work within One YMCA. 

Driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.

If you are an experienced youth work leader ready for your next challenge, we would love to hear from you! 

Important: Please include a supporting statement with your application/CV.

We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence.

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

At One YMCA we are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage/Civil Partnership, Pregnancy/Maternity, Race, Religion/Belief, Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities.

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, generally Monday to Friday but with flexibility of working pattern to support both the ideal candidate and business need. Some evening work expected, and occasional weekend, overnight stays or residential work.

The Housing First Worker will be responsible for coordinating and providing a person centred, strength based support service to create long term sustainable tenancies by empowering customers, increasing independence, and maximising connectivity with the local community.

All activity will be underpinned by the following Housing First Principles:

1. People have the right to a home

2. Flexible support is provided for as long as it is needed

3. Housing and support are separate

4. People have choice and control over all aspects of their lives

5. The service is based upon individual’s strengths, goals, and aspirations

6. An active engagement approach is used

7. A harm reduction approach is used.

Reporting to the Housing First Team Leader, the Housing First Worker is responsible for coordinating and providing a personalised, trauma informed support service to people with complex needs facing multiple exclusion in line with Housing First Principles.

Organisation Context:

Oasis Community Housing (OCH) is a Christian response to homelessness and disadvantage providing housing, support and other specialised services. The support provided aims to develop life skills that will enable people to live successful independent lives.

Oasis Community Housing is part of the Oasis group of charities. The group includes national charities dedicated to education, housing, and campaigning against human trafficking and we work to a common vision of creating communities in which everyone can thrive and reach their God-given potential.

We welcome applicants from all faiths or none, but it is important that all employees understand and sympathise with the Christian vision, ethos, and culture of the organization. However, it will be an 1 occupational requirement that a practising Christian be needed for some specified roles. This will be highlighted in the qualifications section of the job description and will be clearly stated in the job advert.

Oasis Community Housing is a growing charity, with its Central Office in Gateshead. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• To assist the Project Team Leader/senior worker in ensuring holistic (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual) support is provided to people in accordance with the ethos and values of Oasis Community Housing. 

• Work with Housing First individuals to help them articulate their goals and aspirations offering personal, therapeutic, and emotional support. The work will be informed by core Housing First principles.

• Undertake comprehensive needs and risk assessments with each allocated resident. 

• Develop and maintain relationships with Housing First individuals to enable person centred support, promoting personal choice and wellbeing. This will be done through regular contact, including visits to individuals’ homes and appropriate community settings.

• Be adaptive and flexible, resilient to challenges and rejections, to support the stability and progression of Housing First individuals to achieve personalised outcomes. 

• Liaise with accommodation providers and actively encourage Housing First individuals to move into appropriate Housing First accommodation of their choice. 

• Identify barriers to acquiring and maintaining accommodation and provide support, including practical help with furniture, benefits advice, budgeting, neighbour relations and liaising with landlords.

• Offer advice, guidance, and support on ways in which substance misuse and other harmful activities can be practiced more safely. This includes anticipating and supporting the reduction of harmful challenges while maximising opportunities.

• Support individuals in attending AA/NA and taking first steps to address their substance misuse issues.

• Be empowered and persistent in advocating for individuals to access all services, including reconciliation work with agencies, if required. 

• Develop, maintain and coordinate effective working relationships with external agencies, promoting effective communication for and about individuals ensuring the Housing First project is widely known and promoted.

• Identify cases requiring further help (specialist advice, alternative support) referring and supporting engagement as appropriate.

• Support individuals to access community resources to develop positive peer networks and meaningful leisure opportunities, including social, recreational, sport, faith, learning and arts.

• Regularly review individuals support plans to update, maintain accurate monitoring and evaluation records using InForm, including detailed information on people worked with.

• Actively participate in achieving targets as set by the Housing First senior/Manager. 

• Actively engage with supervision with line manager, including review of training needs. 

• To be responsible and accountable for the delivery of high-quality support.

• Undertake any other duties consistent with the role. 

• To assist in the recording of access to, participation in and evaluation of services; to encourage and facilitate consultation and participation at all levels of service development. 

• Supporting in the active participation of people resident in Housing First project design, delivery, and evaluation 

• Providing support in the process surrounding the refusal of applicants and move on decisions for Housing First referrals. 

• To be involved with, and facilitate, group work activities e.g. Life and Employability Skills Workshops, Social Events, Personal Development Programme activities and keep records of such activities. 

• To ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are adhered to in your practices, and that concerns are reported appropriately and expediently.

• To signpost and support people to access other professional services.

Personal Specification/Key Competencies:

Qualifications:

• Relevant qualification to NVQ Level 2 (Desirable)

• Professional qualification in a related field (housing management, social work etc.) (Desirable)

Work Experience:

• At least 2 years’ experience as a support worker (Essential) 

• Good understanding of housing first principles. 

• Experience of using person centred support plans (Essential) 

• An awareness of the impact of worklessness on homeless people (Desirable) 

• Knowledge of drug and alcohol misuse (Essential) 

• Knowledge of mental health issues (Desirable) 

Join our dedicated Step Provision team and make a real difference to people rebuilding their lives after hospital discharge or preventing unnecessary admissions. You will provide compassionate, person-centred support to individuals with complex needs, creating tailored support and move-on plans while working closely with healthcare, housing and community partners. In this varied role, you'll manage risk, safeguard clients, maintain accurate records, support housing benefit claims and help deliver a safe, welcoming environment. If you're proactive, resilient, collaborative and passionate about empowering people to achieve independence, we'd love to hear from you.

Main Purpose Of The Job:

Our Step provision service provides two differing support models that offer accommodation-based support and assessment This is for people who are being discharged from the hospital using the discharge to assess model. The Step-Down provision in Oxfordshire is run in partnership between Homeless Oxfordshire and Connection Support. The Step-Up service provides accommodation-based support which acts on a model to prevent people having the need to go into hospital. Working as part of a small dynamic and enthusiastic team to deliver a safe and supportive service to all residents, identifying need and delivering the case management of clients with complex needs working in partnership with other agencies to create holistic, individualized support and move on plans for clients who are temporarily housed due to their health needs.

Main Areas of Responsibility:

• To be part of a team running a new and dynamic service assessing and managing risk for individuals and in the service.
• Ensure the effective delivery of high-quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire policies and procedures.
• To work in partnership with other agencies to ensure the delivery of holistic wrap around support.
• To work in partnership with Connection Support Step provision and Out of Hospital Team.
• To work with other agencies to provide client centered support & risk management plans for clients with complex needs to identify work towards a suitable move on option within 6 weeks.
• To be a supportive and effective part of the team working as part of a rota including evenings and weekends.
• Report any safeguarding concerns without delay in line with procedures.
• To make and maintain Housing Benefit claims.
• Manage challenging situations in line with procedures and ensure the safety of yourself and others.
• Ensure that IT systems are updated as required and concise record keeping is completed promptly.
• Maintain positive relationships with clients, relatives, carers, professionals, commissioners, contractors and the local community.
• To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Homeless Oxfordshire.
• Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures.
• Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.
• Contribute to the work of the broader team.

Safeguarding Statement:

Homeless Oxfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults, children and young people who are at risk of harm and that come into contact with our services. We believe that all adults, children and young people have an equal right to protection from abuse, regardless of their age, race, religion, ability, gender, language, background or sexual identity and consider the wellbeing of the vulnerable adult, child or young person is paramount. As a result, we have a robust safeguarding policy to ensure everyone is treated fairly and a whistleblowing policy to enable people raise any concerns confidentially. We expect everyone (staff, trustees, associates, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of the Company) to share this commitment and read, understand and adhere to this policy and related procedures.

Equal Opportunities:

We employ people on the basis of their abilities. We strive to attract and develop talent that is representative of our residents and all sections of the society, and do not discriminate based on of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional or cultural background. If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.

About Us:

We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most. We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control of their own lives. We are an accredited Oxford Living Wage employer, and benefits to the role include: annual leave starting at 26 days (excluding bank holidays), flexible working, enhanced benefits with qualifying service, retail discounts with our Homeless Oxfordshire Benefits Hub, and life assurance up to four times your salary and a £250 bonus if you successfully refer a someone as a new colleague through our Employee Referral Scheme as a thanks from us!

What’s Next: Have a look at the job description to find out more about the role and apply on our website. Please be aware that this role is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check and will be undertaken for the successful candidate .

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we identify a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.

This is a varied, rewarding role for someone who wants to make a real difference in the community while helping to shape high-quality welfare benefits advice services. As a key member of the senior management team, you will lead a team of welfare benefits caseworkers, supporting colleagues with complex welfare benefits issues, offering regular supervision, and bringing the team together through advice meetings that encourage learning, collaboration and consistent good practice. You will also work with the senior management team to review data, identify trends and contribute to the development of our services. 

Working with our Head of Service, you will help recruit, train and supervise a small team of advice support volunteers. You will also have opportunities to share your expertise by delivering occasional welfare benefits training to volunteers and external partners.

Alongside your management responsibilities, you will provide specialist welfare benefits advice casework. The role includes flexibility in appointment scheduling, allowing you to respond to changing workflows and emerging needs across the service.

We are looking for someone with up-to-date welfare benefits knowledge, strong casework skills, and the confidence to support and develop others. You will bring excellent communication and organisational skills, sound judgement, emotional intelligence and a collaborative approach to leadership. Ideally, we are looking for someone with strong management experience, but we will also consider highly skilled caseworkers with the right aptitude, who are ready to take the next step in their career.

North Bristol Advice Centre is an innovative and forward-thinking charity that has been delivering advice support in communities since 1984. We are inclusive, values-driven, and prioritise excellence and quality, as well as providing caring and person-centred support. We actively support the wellbeing of our staff with flexible/hybrid working, relaxed dress-code and an active Wellbeing Group, and provide ongoing training and opportunities for professional development. 

The role is full-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Hours: 35 per week. Occasional evening/weekend work may be required

Salary: £35,292 – £37,037 (pro rata) (+ 4% employer contribution to contributory pension scheme – after qualifying period)

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young
people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 60,000 young people each year at its 46 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for graduates who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a permanent role as an Education Worker on IntoUniversity’s Graduate Scheme, helping to change the lives of young people.

We believe that our Graduate Scheme is one of the most exciting in the charity sector, an excellent career opportunity with exceptional training and hands-on experience, opportunities for promotion, and the chance to work with young people and colleagues who will challenge and inspire you.

The role at a glance

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Start date: As soon as possible

Application deadline : 9am Friday 11th September 2026

Interview day (online): Friday 18th September 2026

Please ensure you are available on these dates

Working hours
Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00
Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30

(Some additional weekend & unsocial hours will be required)

Education Workers are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres

Location

IntoUniversity Craigmillar

The role requires intermittent travel in your region (usually within the day). Periodic travel out of the area is also required e.g. to London, this may include occasional overnight stays. 

Salary

£29,050 per annum.

Annual leave
33 days (inc bank & public holidays) (pro rata for part-time staff) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days)

Overview

Looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference?

Join our team at HMP Channings Wood as a Recovery Coordinator and help people overcome challenges, reduce the impact of drug and alcohol use, and take positive steps towards recovery.

You'll work closely with individuals throughout their recovery journey, providing tailored support, delivering interventions, facilitating group sessions, and helping people access the services they need to achieve lasting change.

Experience in substance misuse, criminal justice, mental health, social care, or a related field is beneficial, but we're equally interested in people with strong transferable skills, a passion for supporting others, and a commitment to making a difference.

This is an exciting time to join us. HMP Channings Wood is preparing for a significant prison expansion, creating opportunities for development, progression, and future career growth within a growing service.

If you're looking for a role with purpose, where you can empower people to build healthier, more positive futures, we'd love to hear from you.

Where: HMP Channings Wood 

Hours: 37.5 per week 

Contract Type: Permanent 

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

This is a rolling recruitment campaign and applications will be reviewed as they are received. The vacancy will close once a suitable candidate has been appointed, so early applications are encouraged.

Responsibilities

Looking for a Rewarding Career Where You Can Make a Real Difference?

As a Recovery Coordinator at HMP Channings Wood, you'll support people to overcome challenges, reduce the impact of drug and alcohol use, and take positive steps towards recovery.

You'll work closely with individuals throughout their recovery journey, helping them identify goals, access support, build resilience, and make sustainable changes that improve their health and wellbeing.

Experience in substance misuse, criminal justice, mental health, social care, or a related field can be beneficial, but we're equally interested in people with strong transferable skills, a passion for supporting others, and a commitment to making a difference.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting time to join our team. HMP Channings Wood is preparing for a significant prison expansion, and our service will grow alongside it to support an increasing prison population.

Joining us now means becoming part of a growing team with exciting opportunities for development, progression, and future career growth.

What You'll Do

• Carry out assessments and develop personalised recovery plans.
• Support individuals throughout their recovery journey.
• Deliver one-to-one interventions and facilitate group sessions.
• Help reduce drug and alcohol-related harm and promote healthier lifestyles.
• Signpost and refer individuals to appropriate support services.
• Advocate on behalf of service users to improve access to support.
• Work collaboratively with prison staff, healthcare teams, and partner organisations.
• Support people to build confidence, resilience, and independence.
• Monitor progress and review outcomes to support positive change.

What We're Looking For

You might be a great fit if you:

• Enjoy helping and supporting others.
• Communicate effectively and build positive relationships.
• Can motivate and engage people who may be reluctant to access support.
• Are organised and able to manage competing priorities.
• Work well independently and as part of a team.
• Have a proactive, solution-focused approach.
• Are committed to learning and developing your skills.

Experience in substance misuse, criminal justice, mental health, social care, healthcare, community work, counselling, coaching, mentoring, or related services is welcomed but not essential. We value attitude, motivation, and transferable skills and will provide support to help you develop in the role.

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave capped at 30 days. 
• Paid weekly Wellbeing Hour.
• Pension scheme and employee wellbeing support.
• Discounts on shopping, travel, and entertainment.
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities.

Join Us

At Change Grow Live, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to change, grow, and live life to its full potential.

Apply today and help people take positive steps towards recovery, wellbeing, and a brighter future.

This is a rolling recruitment campaign and applications will be reviewed as they are received. The vacancy will close once a suitable candidate has been appointed, so early applications are encouraged.

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

A note about using AI in your application

AI can be a really helpful tool when putting together your application, and we're happy for you to use it. However, what we're most interested in is you.

We want to understand your experiences, achievements and strengths, so please make sure your application reflects your own story and clearly shows how you meet the essential criteria and the impact you've made in previous roles.

There's no need to write in a particular style. The strongest applications are those that are authentic, specific and clearly demonstrate your skills, experience and potential. We look forward to learning more about you.

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy. 

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

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

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 23 to 28 (£28,557.79 - £32,802.41)

Closing Date

25/11/2026

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

Citizens UK 

Location Hybrid · UK Hybrid · Home-based with some travel around the South East region and to London for team meetings.

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

Living Wage Foundation 

The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.

Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting over 475,000 people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most.

Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty.  As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions in order to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies.

Purpose 

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

Main Responsibilities 

We are looking for a highly motivated and organised individual to coordinate our accreditation scheme. The role will work with our network of employers, and support new organisations through the accreditation process. 

The Programme Officer will support our work across the South East and support our managers to grow and deepen engagement with Living Wage Employers through our associated schemes. You will help to ensure our resources and publicity materials are well written and up-to-date, and to coordinate events to grow our employer network. 

Working as the Programme Officer for Citizens UK, reporting to a Programme Manager, your main responsibilities will include: 

Contribute towards the achievement of CUK and LWF’s strategic objectives

Understand how the role contributes to LWF’s purpose and the core mission of CUK

Reliably implement CUK’s and LWF’s policies, procedures, and values in own work

Work with CUK community organisers and leaders to promote civic engagement with and ownership of the Living Wage campaign 

Feed into the LWF strategy and objectives development 

Living Wage Accreditation 

• Support key contacts at potential LW Employers through the accreditation process, from dealing with initial enquiries to guiding them through the employer journey, to checking and processing their accreditation 

• Develop rewarding relationships with key employers, industry, and campaign partners within our networks to build interest in the Living Wage and deliver a high-quality experience to our accredited employers 

• With support from the wider team, develop plans and strategies to grow the number of accreditations in specific regions or industries 

• Collate and disseminate Living Wage criteria and policy issues through both internal and external facing guidance, whilst reviewing and monitoring its suitability 

• Support the development and implementation of projects to promote and grow Living Wage accreditations and develop the quality of service offered 

Build and manage projects and achieve work targets effectively

Successfully progress projects and tasks incl. tracking performance and expenditure 

Deliver agreed areas of the LWF’s work plan and leading on agenda items to report into team meetings.

Support the growth and development of new and existing Living Wage schemes incl.  Recognised Service Providers, LW Funders, LW Places, Living Hours, Global Living Wage and Living Work Consultancy 

Deliver personal work targets on time and to standard: 

• Respond to telephone and web-based enquiries by providing advice and support to employers and supporters 

• Provide administrative support for all aspects of the accreditation journey, incl. processing accreditations, recognitions, and renewals 

• Maintain LWF data on systems, incl. Salesforce employer database

• Support the maintenance of our systems to ensure efficient processes and develop reporting mechanisms for effective monitoring and evaluation of our impact and progress against plans 

• Coordinate and administrate Steering, Advisory or Leadership Groups as required, incl. coordinating agendas, sending out timely papers, taking minutes and following up on actions 

Learning &expertise

Keep abreast of new developments in the accreditation space

Apply new learning to work and respond effectively to feedback 

Work collaboratively with the LWF and franchise teams to share learnings and experience and ensure that we are meeting the expectations of our network and stakeholders 

Develop and manage external relationships 

Effectively develop and support a range of external relationships 

Respond effectively to queries or requests from stakeholders 

Engage with a diverse range of external stakeholders to support and develop projects as required 

Communications 

Communicate effectively within the LWF; ensuring that messages are reliably passed to those who need to know 

Represent the LWF coherently in writing and verbally 

Events and Communications 

• Plan and organise events to celebrate and grow our network of LW Employers, incl. playing an active role in the delivery of LW Week and assisting colleagues with event logistics 

• Represent and speak on behalf of the LWF at internal and external meetings and events 

• Develop or feed into employer resources incl. marketing materials, blogs, reports, templates, and guides 

Develop and manage internal relationships 

Work effectively with colleagues across Citizens UK 

Work collaboratively within the LWF team and actively participate in the team to ensure we meet the expectations of our network and stakeholders 

Generate income and resources

Contribute to plans and proposals to grow sources of income/resource.

Take personal responsibility for the careful stewardship of LWF’s resources 

 Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

 Experience 

• Comprehensive experience in an administrative role (E) 

• Experience of building positive relationships (E) 

• Experience of learning, managing and updating Salesforce or similar databases (D) 

 Key skills and knowledge 

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle a wide range of competing demands (E) 

• Understanding of database and systems management (E) 

• Ability to take in and interpret information and present in a succinct manner(E) 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, combined with the ability to liaise with senior stakeholders, both online and in-person (E) 

• Ability to act on own initiative to introduce and develop new systems as appropriate (E) 

• Strong attention to detail (E) 

• Strong IT skills to include MS Office and database software (E) 

• Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK (D) 

Personal qualities & values 

• A strong commitment to social justice and alignment with the Living Wage Foundation’s mission and Citizens UK’s values (E). 

• A proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude and a flexible approach to work demands (E) 

About the application process 

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role. 

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interviews will be in person in the South of England region, week commencing 5th October – in person most likely at Head Office in Whitechapel.

Team Leader

Rough Sleeping Support Service, Portsmouth

37 Hours per week (Mon – Fri 8 am-4 pm)

Permanent

Salary Scale: 28 – 32 (£32,606 - £37,204 per annum)

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Charity and Housing Association. The Society of St James (SSJ) has been working in Hampshire for over 50 years, delivering high impact, person-centred, accommodation services to adults and young people experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use and/or poor mental ill health. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most at risk and socially excluded members of society.

Come join SSJ and lead the way in making a lasting impact as a Team Leader in the Rough Sleeping Support Service.

The Impact You'll Make:

As the Team Leader for the Rough Sleeping Support Service, you won't just manage a team—you will be the driving force behind creating a safe, empowering, and recovery-focused environment for vulnerable people.

You will be crucial in supporting people to build confidence, access opportunities for positive change, and sustain their journey toward recovery. This is a role for a dynamic, creative, and enthusiastic leader ready to translate vision into action on the front line.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Development: Provide direct line management, regular supervision, and comprehensive coaching and mentoring to Senior and Project Workers. Identify and coordinate team training needs.
• Operational Excellence: Support the Service Manager in ensuring all staff duties are executed safely, correctly, and according to best practice.
• Client & Staff Support: Act as a reliable point of escalation for complex service user and staff issues, ensuring smooth, professional resolution.
• Service Quality: Promote and embody a person-centred and trauma-informed approach in all service delivery.

Essential Qualities and Skills

We are looking for a candidate who is highly motivated, professionally astute, and brings both compassion and structure to the role.

• Exceptional Communication: Really strong verbal and written skills, enabling professional, approachable communication across the entire organisation, from front-line staff to senior management.
• Leadership & Support: Previous experience in a supervisory or line management role (highly beneficial) with a demonstrable ability to mentor and coach staff effectively.
• Person-Centred Practice: A proven ability to work using a person-centred and trauma-informed approach, supporting individuals to meet their unique needs.
• Professional Standards: Excellent understanding of professional boundaries, safeguarding procedures, GDPR, confidentiality, and general IT systems.
• Initiative & Teamwork: The ability to work seamlessly as part of a team while also using high levels of initiative when necessary.

Who We're Looking For:

The ideal candidate possesses deep, practical knowledge of the complexities facing those who experience homelessness.

• Sector Experience: Substantial knowledge and hands-on experience working directly with people who are, or have been, homeless, including rough sleepers, those with complex social needs, and people at risk of homelessness.
• Complex Needs Awareness: Good knowledge of the issues surrounding problematic substance use, poor mental ill health, and the relationship between these factors and homelessness. (Training will be provided, but prior knowledge is a distinct advantage.)

What we can offer you

We value and recognise our staff, offering some generous benefits, as well as the satisfaction of helping people at risk:

• A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays
• Flexible working options
• Buying additional annual leave
• Comprehensive induction and training
• Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme
• Company cycle to work scheme
• Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers
• Electric Car Scheme

SSJ are an equal opportunities employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life

At SSJ, we recognise the benefits of a supported workplace. SSJ is affiliated with Unite the Union. To learn more about their membership benefits or to sign up, you can visit their official website.

Application closing date: 09:00am on Monday 21^st September 2026

Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier. Should you not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £32,606 – £37,204 per year

Benefits:

• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme

We are looking for a person with an understanding of working with a values-driven team of people, in the charity or not-for-profit sector.

The person appointed will have an appreciation of the aims and values of the Sustain alliance and be excited by supporting our organisation in effective ways of working, whilst freeing up senior leaders and spokespeople to undertake influencing, communication, partnership development and fundraising activities.

The Operations and People Manager will help Sustain function effectively as an organisation and be a great place to work. This is a senior, trusted role working closely with the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Senior Management Team (SMT), line managers and Trustees to strengthen our people, operational and governance systems.

The post-holder will lead practical improvements in HR, people processes, line management standards, staff development, onboarding, offboarding, organisational culture and compliance. They will combine sound judgement, strong systems thinking and a people-centred approach, helping Sustain keep processes clear, proportionate and well-managed, while supporting colleagues to focus on effective delivery.

The mission of the Sustain alliance is to catalyse systemic change in the UK’s food and farming system – securing a healthy, fair, and sustainable future for all people, nature and a stable climate. Working in collaboration with our alliance members and others, we run a range of advocacy work, projects and campaigns to achieve permanent changes in policy and practice; and to engage more people, organisations and communities in being food system change-makers.

As with all senior roles at Sustain, the person appointed to this role will work mainly at the Sustain office in London during their probationary period, and thereafter at least half of working hours at our office, whilst benefiting from the flexibility offered to all colleagues. This is part of senior role-modelling of the creativity, support, engagement and well-being benefits that in-person working cultivates between colleagues. This will be managed in coordination with other senior colleagues to enable good in-person coverage and connectivity across the week and across common holiday periods.

Role and responsibilities
•Strengthen Sustain’s people, HR, operational and governance systems so that the charity works effectively, fairly and well.
•Help Sustain be a great place to work, with clear standards, supportive line management, good staff development and a positive, inclusive culture.
•Lead on high standards and practical improvements in recruitment; induction; probation; appraisals; people and HR processes; line management skills, knowledge and tools; staff consultation; and organisational policies and practices.
•Support senior leaders, line managers and Trustees with clear advice, reliable processes, good records and proportionate and effective risk management.
•Develop and maintain systems that are simple, useful and appropriate for Sustain’s size, values, resources and legal responsibilities
 

Tasks and responsibilities:

Organisational operations and systems
•Lead on managing and developing the charity’s operational activities.
•Ensure that senior management actions that support operational effectiveness are managed and carried out in a timely way, via an accessible and accountable process.
•Lead and/or participate in a range of internal groups that support operational effectiveness.
•Support the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and other relevant staff with governance matters, including:
oReporting to the Council of Trustees on operational and people matters;
oPerformance of the ‘Company Secretary’ role on behalf of Trustees;
oTrustee recruitment, induction and management of necessary information and processes;
oAppropriate compliance with the Charity Governance Code.
•Working with the Chief Executive and Chair of the Council of Trustees, help prepare and coordinate the agendas and the running of the quarterly board meeting and occasional (at least annual) staff and Trustees strategy day, as well as the Sustain AGM, Annual Report and Trustee elections (annual), as one of the key links in communication with and between Sustain’s Council of Trustees.
•Lead on development and implementation of one or more relevant chapter of Sustain’s Organisation Development Plan (ODP).

•Support the planning and running of events, working with Sustain team leads, partners, venues and contributors.
•Work with the Head of Finance, Head of Digital and Design and external suppliers to help ensure office, IT and operational arrangements are appropriate and support effective working.
 

People, HR and employment processes
•Lead development and implementation of HR processes, practical actions and transactions, using external HR and/or legal advisors for authoritative support and advice where needed.
•Lead on full lifecycle support for Sustain staff including:
oEffective and inclusive recruitment, onboarding and offboarding – implementing Sustain’s commitment to recruitment for diversity – working with SMT, finance and admin leads;
oCreating, grading, reviewing and updating job descriptions, working with line managers and the senior leadership team;
oManaging employment contract variances; funding precarity; end-of-contract and risk-of-redundancy processes, working with senior managers, line managers, affected employees and HR/legal advisors;
oCreating or supporting a range of opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and identities to get involved.
•Act as first point of contact for HR queries, taking ownership of policies and process, culture and employee relations; informed by HR advice, consultation and annual staff survey, including overseeing an action plan to embed areas of good practice, and to pursue improvements in an accountable way.
•Regular review of job descriptions, grades, progression and staff benefits within Sustain to ensure we remain competitive within the sector.
•Provide or commission sector benchmarking data, analysis and recommendations to inform decision-making, using a methodology agreed with Trustee oversight, on matters such financial and non-financial staff benefits.
•Maintain and improve the Staff Handbook, Recruitment Handbook, and related policies, guidance, advice and other support.

Line management standards, learning and staff development
•Lead the development and implementation of clear, practical standards for line management at Sustain, working with SLT, SMT, the Line Managers Forum and external advisers where appropriate.

•Develop and oversee implementation of key processes such as annual appraisals, annual planning and objective-setting, and a suitable performance management process.
•Help ensure objective-setting, personal development and progression conversations are undertaken routinely, and that these and performance management are handled consistently, fairly and in line with Sustain’s values and legal responsibilities.
•Support line managers to run effective 1-to-1s, probation reviews, appraisals, workload conversations, development conversations, and difficult conversations where needed.
•Ensure suitable and sufficient ongoing learning opportunities and training for the staff team and the Line Managers group, driving the charity’s approach to consistent standards, personal development and career progression.
•Maintain and improve the Line Managers Handbook and related tools, templates and guidance.
Culture, EDI, staff voice and union liaison
•Manage and develop Sustain as a great place to work, with a working culture and practices that support effective delivery, as well as health, wellbeing and personal development.
•Serve as an active member of the Diversity Group, to implement and innovate on equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, and to gather data to measure and report on impact and progress.
•Working with the CEO, provide a route for requests and suggestions from the Health and Wellbeing Group to be properly considered and actioned as appropriate.
•Develop and support ways for staff voices to be heard and influence policies, practices and organisational culture, and for staff to be able to raise ideas and concerns confidently and see actions taken as a result.
•Support structured staff consultation and union liaison processes, helping ensure they are well-organised, transparent, well-documented and conducted in line with Sustain's policies and recognition arrangements.

Governance, compliance and risk management
•Develop and update key resources, contributing to useful reference sets such as the Staff Handbook, Recruitment Handbook and Line Managers Handbook, including overseeing production, maintenance and updating of all policies, procedures and guidance relevant to operations and people.
•Ensure Sustain complies with all employment, health and safety, data protection, charity legislation and statutory guidance including filing at Companies House and maintaining organisational records with the Charity Commission, and managing the risk register and internal policies tracker.

•Ensure adherence to health, safety, diversity and safeguarding procedures in the office, in hybrid working and for events and activities; undertaking comprehensive risk assessments for events and activities; and ensuring appropriate risk mitigation, staff communication and updates to guidance.
Other
•Potential for this role to line-manage one or more member of staff, volunteer, paid intern and/or external consultant, offering 1-to-1 support for objective-setting, work delivery, coaching and pastoral matters.
•Any other reasonable tasks and duties, agreed with the Chief Executive, consistent with the nature and level of the role.

Person specification / What we’re looking for:

Qualifications and requirements
•Significant experience operating at a senior level in a people, HR, operations or an organisation development role, including responsibility for organisational systems and staff management. [E]
•Experience of working in a charity, not-for-profit, campaigning, membership, alliance or other values-led organisation. [D]
•Demonstrable commitment to the operations and people role through a relevant qualification, training or other continuing professional development (CPD). [D]
 

Experience
•Significant experience leading organisational, people or operational improvement and advising senior decision-makers. [E]
•Developing skills and learning plans, and commissioning and/or delivering learning opportunities including training, workshops, facilitation and/or coaching. [E]
•Managing employment contracts to improve employee information and job security, especially where funding is short-term and project-based, with insights into good practice. [D]
•Delivering training and/or guidance to improve people-related functions to be delivered by line managers. [D]
•Working in a unionised organisation. [D]
Skills, abilities and attitudes
•Confidence and experience to take a leadership role on operational and people matters, working with the Chief Executive, Trustees and senior managers. [E]
•Strong problem-solving skills, and negotiation skills and the ability and confidence to provide insightful and constructive proposals and advice. [E]
•Excellent project management skills. [E]
•Aptitude for managing financial information and budgets. [D]
•Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively in writing and verbally, including on complex, confidential or contentious matters. [E]
•Proficiency with computer software and records management. [E]

Knowledge
•Knowledge and experience of end-to-end management of staff team members and their development: recruitment, induction and probation; learning experiences, skills and training; personal and career development; performance management; support for health and wellbeing; and HR processes. [E]
•Sound knowledge of UK HR and employment rules and statutory guidance, and their implementation in good practice. [E]
•Knowledge of IT, online and practical systems for improving processes and efficiency. [D]
 

Attitudes and personal qualities
•Highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to work flexibly, independently and meet deadlines; whilst having the judgment to know when and who to consult before proceeding. [E]
•High integrity, with a professional, diplomatic, values-led, solutions-focused and collaborative approach to working with individuals and a wider team. [E]
•Commitment and ability to work at our office in East London regularly. [E]
•Demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and racial justice. [E]
•Commitment to the mission and values of Sustain, and an interest in healthy and sustainable food and farming. [D]

Application closing date: Monday 14 September at 5pm (BST)

First stage interviews will take place (via Zoom) on: Wednesday 23 September 2026

Second stage interviews to take place in-person (London office) on: Wednesday 30 September 2026

Early applications are encouraged.

For any queries, please contact our recruitment team.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young
people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 60,000 young people each year at its 46 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for graduates who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a permanent role as an Education Worker on IntoUniversity’s Graduate Scheme, helping to change the lives of young people.

We believe that our Graduate Scheme is one of the most exciting in the charity sector, an excellent career opportunity with exceptional training and hands-on experience, opportunities for promotion, and the chance to work with young people and colleagues who will challenge and inspire you.

The role at a glance

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Start date: As soon as possible

Application deadline : 9am Tuesday 22nd September 2026

Interview day (online): Thursday 1st October 2026

Please ensure you are available on these dates

Working hours
Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00
Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30

(Some additional weekend & unsocial hours will be required)

Education Workers are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres

Location

IntoUniversity Newcastle

The role requires intermittent travel in your region (usually within the day). Periodic travel out of the area is also required e.g. to London, this may include occasional overnight stays. 

Salary

£29,050 per annum.

Annual leave
33 days (inc bank & public holidays) (pro rata for part-time staff) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days)

UK Youth has launched an ambitious new strategy to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning. At the heart of that strategy is a clear commitment: We Back Youth Work Leaders.

As our new Head of Network Development, you will turn that commitment into action.

You will lead the development and delivery of a powerful national offer that equips youth work leaders with the investment, support, relationships and connections they need to thrive. This includes leading our Grants+ approach—combining significant, multi-year grant funding with tailored organisational-development support—and developing partnerships that strengthen youth sector infrastructure locally, regionally and across the UK nations.

This role is about much more than managing a network. We are evolving towards a more relational way of working: listening deeply to youth-work leaders, understanding the realities they face, involving them in shaping our work and building relationships founded on trust, respect and shared purpose. You will ensure organisations can access the right support, expertise and opportunities—and that their insight continually shapes UK Youth’s work.

You will have the opportunity to lead the delivery of the £13 million UK Youth Fund, strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of grassroots youth organisations, and help create a more connected and equitable system of support for the wider sector.

We are looking for someone with deep knowledge and experience of youth work and the youth sector—someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk with youth organisation leaders. You will bring substantial experience of the youth work sector and infrastructure, organisational development and capacity building, alongside the strategic and operational leadership needed to deliver significant grant-making activity and complex partnerships.

You will be an inclusive and credible leader who can turn ambitious strategy into excellent delivery, bring people and organisations together, and remain focused on what youth work leaders need to succeed.

Across the country, youth workers are changing—and often saving—young lives. This is your opportunity to ensure the people and organisations doing that vital work have the investment, infrastructure and support they deserve.

Purpose of the job

The Head of Network Development will lead the operationalisation of UK Youth’s new We Back Youth Work Leaders strategic pillar. The role will turn our ambition to equip youth-work leaders with the skills, networks and confidence to deliver exceptional support into a coherent network development offer—leading our Grants+ approach of multi-year funding alongside tailored organisational development, and strengthening youth-sector infrastructure locally, regionally and across the UK nations.

Central to the role will be embedding UK Youth’s increasingly relational approach to its network: building trusted, mutually beneficial relationships with youth-work leaders; listening to and understanding their needs; involving them in shaping our support and connecting organisations to the right opportunities, expertise and infrastructure. Reporting to the Director of Network Delivery, the postholder will be responsible for translating this strategic ambition into high-quality, well-governed delivery, while ensuring that learning and insight from the network continually improve our work and contribute to securing sustainable investment in youth work and outdoor learning.

Why work at UK Youth?

Every young person deserves a youth worker. UK Youth exists to make that a reality. Our vision is a society that backs every young person - through each spark, struggle and success.

As the UK’s national infrastructure body for youth work, we strengthen and champion a diverse network of youth organisations, unlock investment, shape policy and build the evidence base for what works. At a time of growing need and inequality of access, our work has never been more important.

We are entering an exciting new phase of our strategy - focused on long-term resilience, income diversification and a transformational Capital Appeal to develop Avon Tyrrell as a national centre of excellence for outdoor learning. Joining UK Youth means being part of an ambitious, impact-driven organisation committed to strengthening youth work for generations to come.

Key responsibilities

 Portfolio leadership and delivery

• Lead the strategic and operational delivery of UK Youth’s network development portfolio, translating organisational strategy and funded commitments into clear plans, outcomes, budgets, milestones and accountabilities.

• Ensure programmes and services are delivered to a high standard, on time and within budget, with effective governance, performance management, risk control and escalation to the Director of Network Delivery.

• Mobilise new initiatives and partnerships, establishing proportionate delivery models, systems, teams and governance arrangements.

• Lead continuous improvement across the portfolio, responding effectively to evidence, partner feedback, changing needs and the external environment.

• Be a champion of UK Youth’s network across all of UK Youth’s work.

Grant making and organisational development

• Lead the delivery of UK Youth’s significant, multi-year grant-making portfolio, including the £13 million UK Youth Fund, ensuring responsible stewardship of charitable and restricted funds.

• Ensure effective management of the full grant lifecycle, including programme design, application and assessment, due diligence, decision-making, contracting, payments, monitoring, reporting, complaints and closure.

• Maintain robust and proportionate grant governance, financial controls, safeguarding assurance, risk management, data quality and compliance with funder and regulatory requirements.

• Lead an integrated organisational development offer alongside grant funding, enabling smaller youth and outdoor learning organisations to strengthen their financial sustainability, leadership, governance, workforce and resilience.

• Embed open, trusting, accessible and equitable grant-making practice, reducing unnecessary barriers while maintaining appropriate accountability.

Network and sector infrastructure support

• Develop and deliver UK Youth’s approach to engaging, connecting and supporting our national network, informed by the needs and experiences of youth work leaders and organisations.

• Create opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, knowledge exchange and access to relevant support across the network.

• Lead major initiatives that strengthen youth sector infrastructure locally, regionally and nationally, working with partners to improve the consistency, coordination and accessibility of support.

• Support regional and national partners to understand need, develop shared plans and approaches, and deliver locally relevant infrastructure and organisational support.

• Work with the Communications Team and relevant colleagues to ensure network communications are timely, accessible, coordinated and purposeful.

Experience we're after

• Substantial leadership experience within the youth sector, grounded in an in-depth understanding of youth work practice, youth work leadership and the realities facing youth organisations and their leaders.

• Experience of leading a complex, multi-year network development or comparable portfolio, translating strategy and funded commitments into successful delivery and managing significant budgets and risks.

• Experience of leading substantial grant making or onward funding activity, including governance, due diligence, financial oversight, risk and accountability.

• Substantial organisational development and capacity building experience, including diagnosing organisational needs and designing practical support that strengthens leadership, governance, financial sustainability, workforce and resilience.

• Experience of developing networks, partnerships or infrastructure across multiple organisations, regions or systems, with demonstrable credibility among youth organisation leaders.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave (24 days + 3 days winter closure) plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: 29th September 2026 at 09:00

Provisional First Stage Interview Dates: 5th & 6th October 2026

Provisional Final Stage Interview Dates (in person): 9th October 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Please note CVs will be reviewed as the first stage of the recruitment process. Candidates who are shortlisted following the CV review will then have their sift questions assessed. Only candidates who meet the requirements at both stages will progress further in the recruitment process.