Service assistant jobs

ID: 1557

Job Title:  Deputy Director of Services & Innovation, Central Region of England

Service: Services & Innovation

Salary: £65,782 - £72,959 Additionally, £480 home-based allowance FTE per annum

Location: Homebased with regular travel across the central region of England and occasional London Head Office.

Hours: full-time 37 hours per week.

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.

Contract: Permanent

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the

importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

Are you an innovative, strong, team player, who is solution focused and passionate about making a difference in everything you do?  Do you have a proven track record of growth and retaining services, delivering excellent, inclusive services and cultivating quality and diversity?  Are you looking for a diverse, ambitious and fast paced organisation – if so, you have found it.

About the role:

The roles primary function is to lead the operational teams and lead on strategic development and growth across the region. The post holder will model the organisations values; people focus, can do, excellence and mutual respect.

The Deputy Director leads the strategic development and transformation of Family Action services across the Central region, and implements the organisation’s strategic plan and its 5 key objectives. The role focuses on stakeholder engagement, partnership, service development, and system leadership across sectors. It requires inclusive leadership and the effective line management of Operational Managers and one Assistant Director.

The role has responsibility for service delivery, risk management, performance, quality and practice, safeguarding, income generation and budgets across the region. The post holder drives accountable leadership, innovation, co-creation, and continuous improvement across all the Central region. The Deputy Director will be an excellent communicator, highly resilient, and a decision maker, while always championing Family Action’s values in delivering inclusive, outcome-focused support for children, families, young people and adults.

Main Responsibilities:

· Be accountable for service delivery across the region, contractual performance, safeguarding, quality assurance, risk management, ensuring services meet regulatory standards, delivering positive outcomes and embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

· Lead senior stakeholder engagement and foster strong cross-sector partnerships across the geographic area.

· Line manage Operational Managers, and an Assistant Director, oversee budgets to ensure efficient, cost-effective service delivery. Champion the sharing of learning, development of staff and volunteers and best practice across services to support continuous improvement and innovation.

· Strategic and accountable leadership, leading the region by motivating and galvanizing the team to achieve innovation, growth and quality services maximising outcomes for the people we support

· Working alongside the Business Development & Corporate and Marketing team, drive the region’s income generation through generating and responding to new opportunities, and by leading innovative service design and modelling.

· Be part of a dynamic and supportive team of other regional and national Deputy Directors, sharing and influencing cross-organisational decision making, resource allocation, strategy and organizational development and leadership. 

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

· Passionate about social justice and improving the life chances and supporting children, young people and adults who experience disadvantage.

· We are looking for someone who has senior level leadership and management experience and expertise in at least one of the settings in social care, health, young people and community sector. Who is highly robust, able to priorities multiple workflows and issues, with a good understanding of and leadership around service risks and decision making.

· We are also looking for someone who can think strategically across systems, contribute to innovation, creativity and diversity, and is an excellent inclusive leader that can inspire their teams as well as their peers and senior leaders in Family Action.

· Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced and children’s barred list.

· Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers

- cycle to work scheme

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

Click 'Apply Now' to complete our online application form by the closing date of Sunday 28th September at 23:59

Interviews and an assessment exercise will be virtual over Microsoft Teams – Week commencing  13th October.

For any queries, or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or the potential for flexible working, please email: Helen Cantrell (full email address on advert document)

All appointments with Family Action are subject to satisfactory Safer Recruitment checks.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and we strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. For this vacancy, we are also applying positive action to improve the representation of people of colour in management roles at Family Action. As such, the guaranteed interview scheme is extended to applicants of colour who meet the minimum criteria.

To help remove financial barriers to working with us, we will reimburse travel costs if you are invited to attend an interview in person.

The main purpose of the Administrative Assistant is to provide a welcoming
reception to everyone who uses our public spaces and to provide accurate and
timely administrative support to facilitate the efficient running of our services.
By providing effective administrative support, this role will help to ensure that
the charity’s resources are used effectively to support cancer patients across the
region.

Key responsibilities
Reception Duties
 Greet all visitors and service users in a warm, friendly, and empathetic
manner
 Handle incoming phone calls, emails, and in-person queries with
empathy, professionalism, and confidentiality, responding to questions
or concerns and signposting to appropriate services and colleagues
 Maintain a clean and welcoming reception area
 Provide refreshments for guests and support hospitality for in-house
events
 Manage appointment bookings and room usage for services, meetings,
and events
 Manage appointment bookings for transport, counselling, therapies,
group activities, and support sessions, ensuring schedules are accurate
and up to date, sending appointment reminder calls/texts/letters to
clients as required.
 Coordinate volunteer transport driver and freelance therapist schedules
 Liaise effectively with staff, volunteers, therapists, and healthcare
professionals to ensure that every individual receives the right level of
care and support at the right time
 Maintain clear and accurate records of client interactions, appointments,
and referrals in line with GDPR and safeguarding practices
 Act as a vital communication link between service users and the wider
team, flagging any concerns or urgent needs promptly
 Offer a calm, reassuring presence to individuals who may be distressed,
anxious, or seeking information at a vulnerable time, engaging senior
colleagues, as appropriate
 Open and close patient spaces and set up the centre space for workshops,
support groups and other events.

Administrative Support
 Maintain accurate records and update databases, including service user
information
 Inputting data into relevant systems accurately and in a timely manner
 Assist with preparing correspondence, reports, and materials for
meetings
 Assist in the processing of post, deliveries, and office supplies
 Liaise with volunteers, staff, and external service providers as needed
 Managing the consumables within this patient space and ordering
replacement stock as and when required.
 Provide general administrative support to the wider team as required.
 Take donations in any of the Weston Park Cancer Charity locations
 Arranging room bookings both internally and externally.

Duties
• Report accidents and incidents as per Weston Park Cancer Charity’s policy.
• To be an ambassador for the charity.
• Demonstrate a positive and supportive attitude to staff and volunteers and
uphold the philosophy and values of the charity.
• Respect confidentiality applying to all WPCC areas. Adhere to GDPR policy.
• Be proactive with your training and development needs, maintain relevant
professional registrations and adhere to codes of practice.
• Participate in team meetings and events.
• Adhere to all WPCC’s policies and procedures including Health and Safety
regulations, Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding.
The above job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties required of the
postholder.

Who You Are

We are looking for someone with a highly organised and flexible approach to work.
You must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a
high degree of attention to detail. This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of
a team that directly improves the lives of local people affected by cancer.
About you:
 You will enjoy working directly with the public and be empathetic
 Be detailed-oriented and enjoy working to clear and transparent processes
 Able to manage your own workload and priorities to agreed deadlines
 Act as an ambassador for Weston Park Cancer Charity, reflecting the objectives
and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity.
 Support and encourage harmonious internal and external working relationships
 Make a positive contribution in delivering the charity’s strategy and raising
the profile of Weston Park Cancer Charity

Want to play your part in transforming society?

You're in the right place.

Many of our Spear trainees have faced significant barriers to finding work, including family breakdown, growing up in care, disability or mental health difficulties, having been involved in crime, or really struggling at school. We believe that being out of work can lead to isolation and proliferate these challenges, meaningful work is key in helping young people find a sense of purpose and community. We're proud that the coaching and community that the Spear Programme provides makes such a difference that 75% of those who take part find work, and are still in work a year later.

Not only will you be part of bringing about powerful change in people's lives, but throughout this paid, dynamic opportunity, you'll be supported and challenged. We'll invest in you, developing expert coaching and leadership skills to set you on a great career path.

Please feel free to let us know if you may require any reasonable adjustments to participate fully in our recruitment process, or if you have any enquiries regarding accessibility such as wheelchair access. 

The important stuff

Location: Hammersmith, office-based

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm (With some out-of-hours work needed for events such as our Spear Celebrations)

Salary: from £25,300

Closing date: Tuesday 7th October, 09.00am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate).

Upcoming Assessment Days: Thursday 25th September

Application pack: Have a look at our application pack for more information about the role and Resurgo
 

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave (including Christmas Gift Days) plus bank holidays
• Excellent benefits including Health Insurance, access to Cycle to Work scheme, and enhanced parental leave, dependants leave, and sick leave policies with income protection
• Amazing personal development and training opportunities, including our iLM-accredited 5-day Coaching for Leadership programme (worth £3,000)
• We aim to support all Graduate coaches to progress to other roles with us after this initial year, with development towards management level within 3 years.
• Regular staff prayer meetings, conferences and retreats (one residential)

What will you do?

• Coach 16-24 year olds, bringing about powerful change in their lives 
• Build great relationships with relevant professionals 
• Form part of an intentional church community 

What will you gain?

• Management skills and career progression 
• Excellent coaching capability 
• Social Impact Experience
• Christian Leadership Skills 

About The Role

Together we can change children’s lives. At Place2Be, we believe every child should have easy access to mental health support whenever they need it. We create a safe place in schools where children and young people can open up without pressure or stigma, allowing our highly skilled and diverse counsellors to reach children, young people and their families who need us.

We are looking for an organised and enthusiastic Community and Events Fundraising Assistant to join our Fundraising team. If you have strong communication and organisational skills and a desire to be part of positive change, this position is for you!

In this role, you will focus on delivering exceptional customer service, providing vital administrative support, and helping us achieve the team’s income target. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to develop their skills, as you will lead on projects crucial to Place2Be’s success.

This position is perfect for someone eager to start a career in fundraising or expand their expertise in community and challenge events fundraising.

Key Responsibilities:

• Customer care: Managing the team inbox as first point of contact and speaking confidently with supporters on the phone.
• Admin support: Logging accurate data on our fundraising database (CharityCRM)
• Project Management: Work with the team to lead on projects
• Support on key events and activities including Children’s Mental Health Week and London Landmarks Half Marathon
• Attend event activities, playing a key staff role
• Knowledge Development: stay updated on Charity law, best practices in community and events fundraising, and the fundraising market.

Skills Required:

• Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and customer service skills.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people both internally and externally.
• Proactive and flexible approach with the ability to collaborate and work well in a team.
• Commitment to creating an equal, diverse, and inclusive culture.
• Strong commitment to our values: Perseverance, Integrity, Creativity, and Compassion.

For a career with purpose, this is your place.

Recruitment Process:

As part of your application you will need to answer some shortlisting questions. Please answer these as fully as you can, we recommend using the STAR model. Situation, Task, Action Result.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on 24nd September 2025

1st Interview date: 1st and 2nd October 2025

 

Our Benefits

When you work at Place2Be –whether that's in a school, supporting families, providing clinical supervision, or in IT, Finance, or Fundraising –every role can make the difference to a young person. To achieve this, we ask that you bring your best self to your role and our commitment to you, is to welcome you into our community, and help you progress. Because we know that you being at your best, means the best outcomes for the children we support.

Here’s just a few things we have on offer:

• Annual Leave that increases with service
• Comprehensive learning and development to enable you to progress your career
• 5% contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance of four times your annual salary
• A comprehensive employee assistance programme
• Mobile Phone Discounts (EE network)
• Wellbeing days to allow you some ‘you’ time
• Christmas holidays closure period in addition to your annual leave

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented within our organization.

We are proud to be a disability confident employer and will ask you during your application If you wish to be considered for a guaranteed interview under the disability confident scheme. Under the scheme we commit to offering an interview to disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria as outlined in the job role.

If you have any questions about the scheme, or require any adjustments to help you complete an application then please contact the recruitment team.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

About the Role

Sense is recruiting for a Supporter Services Assistant to join our fantastic Engagement Team in Kings Cross, London on a hybrid basis.  

The successful applicant will play vital part in the Engagement Department and the charity as a whole – it makes sure that supporters have an outstanding experience of supporting Sense and know how much they are valued. Your daily task’s are varied with a mixture of in-and-outbound calling, combined with essential administrative tasks like income processing or capturing important information about Sense’s supporters and their motivations to support the charity.  

The main duties and responsibilities include:

• Accurately processing fundraising income, including cheques and cash, vouchers (CAF, KKL) direct debits, payroll giving and from online donation platforms (Just Giving, Virgin Money Giving, Facebook) within agreed timescales and in line with provided procedures.
• Create or amend supporter records on Sense’s Raisers Edge database, ensuring that all interactions between charity and supporter etc are recorded accurately and in line with best practice GDPR.
• Identifying opportunities for supporters to further engage with Sense and promoting them as appropriate to help deliver Fundraising department targets (such as sharing a supporter story with our Comms team).
• Work with other fundraising teams to ensure relationships with supporters are managed effectively, both by responding to enquiries promptly and by working to the agreed supporter communications plan. There is also the expectation to attend other teams’ meetings i.e. Community, Events, Philanthropy to understand what activity is happening across the charity. 

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Previous experience of working in a customer or supporter service environment
• Administrative experience in a busy office environment
• Experience of using Raiser’s Edge or similar Customer Relationship Management database
• Outstanding customer service, an excellent telephone manner and ability to understand team needs to prioritise workloads effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail, especially when entering data.
• Good working knowledge of MS office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.

For a full job description and person specification please see the link below.

About Sense

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly.  We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependant on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

About The Role

Join our team at the National Memorial Arboretum as a Visitor Services Assistant, where you’ll play a key role in creating a warm and welcoming experience for all visitors. As the first point of contact, you’ll provide friendly and professional customer service, ensuring that every guest gets the most out of their visit. Whether guiding visitors at the welcome desk, assisting volunteers, or offering helpful advice, your role will be vital in maintaining our reputation for excellence.

The Arboretum is the UK’s dedicated year-round centre of Remembrance and is part of the Royal British Legion. At its core, the Royal British Legion is a people-focused organisation. It’s made up of individuals who are committed to doing their very best for others, while also making the most of the opportunities and experiences we provide.

This is a customer-facing role where no two days are the same. You’ll be supporting the welcome desk team, answering visitor enquiries, and responding to feedback with care and professionalism. You’ll also help to promote activities such as guided tours, events, and donations, all of which contribute to the Arboretum’s continued success. A good knowledge of the site and its operations will be key, allowing you to share insights and enhance the visitor experience.

We’re looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a passion for delivering great customer service, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Experience in retail, hospitality, or a similar customer-focused environment would be an advantage. This role also involves operating tills, handling cash and card transactions, and upselling visitor services to help generate income.

If you enjoy working with people and want to be part of a team that makes a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note that this role will be based onsite at the National Memorial Arboretum, Burton-on-Trent DE13 7AR. This is a causal contract so will be 0 hours with flexibility to work over 7 days.

Employee benefits include -

- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Pension scheme subject to eligibility
- You are entitled to 28 days’ holiday per holiday year, including bank and public holidays. Your entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis, depending on the number of hours that you work.
- Annual leave should be used in the year it is accrued.
- Uniform will be provided (where applicable).

About the National Memorial Arboretum
The Arboretum is the UK’s leading year-round centre of Remembrance and a proud part of the Royal British Legion. Spread across 150 acres, it is home to more than 350 memorials, including the nationally significant Armed Forces Memorial, paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve our country. The site is also filled with around 30,000 maturing trees and a wealth of wildlife, making it a beautiful and peaceful place to reflect. Each year, the Arboretum attracts around 300,000 visitors, many of whom attend over 200 events held throughout the year.

In March 2017, the National Memorial Arboretum opened its new award-winning Remembrance Centre, offering an even more powerful and immersive experience for all those who visit. This truly is a special place – a living memorial that honours the dedication and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community.

For more detailed information about the role, please see our Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert.

National Memorial Arboretum is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

We are looking for an Infrastructure Services Officer to provide effective and proactive administrative support for the Infrastructure Services function.

What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. 

More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 22nd September 2025
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview date(s): To be confirmed

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Head of Change – Children’s Services  

Reports to: Assistant Director for Change – Children’s Services, Neighbourhoods & the Youth Sector

Salary: £67,900

Contract: 2 year fixed-term – potential to extend. Open to 0.8FTE for the right candidate

Location: Central London, Hybrid*  

Closing date:12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025

About the Youth Endowment Fund

We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice. 

Last year, 244 people in England and Wales tragically died after being assaulted with a knife. Of these, 32 were children. Every child captured in these numbers is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them. Even when violence doesn’t strike directly, we know that the fear of violence has a terrible effect on children’s lives.

The Youth Endowment Fund exists to try and permanently change things. To succeed, we must build an exceptional body of knowledge about violence affecting young people and how we reduce it. This knowledge has to be both rigorous and highly relevant to those making decisions about how to support vulnerable young people. We need to find out what works and what doesn’t through evidence synthesis, data analysis and qualitative research into children’s lives. We need to convert this into highly accessible content on what works, how delivery organisations need to change their practice and how the systems they operate in need to be reformed. We then need to work with the right people that can make change happen, across systems, policies and practice, to have a real impact on reducing violence affecting children’s lives.

   

Key Responsibilities 

We build demand and interest in evidence across the Children’s Services sector 

This will include: 

• Running events, speaking at conferences and curating webinars to bring evidence to life for practitioners 
• We have great relationships with the people who can make change happen.  

This will include:

• Developing great relationships with senior policy makers, sector leaders and experts, including representing YEF in external meetings and speaking at events.
• Managing a Strategic Advisory Board of leading experts across the children’s services sector and keep members onside and excited about our work.

We deliver our children’s services system recommendations. 

This will include:

• Helping to identify the right recommendations at a system level (such as changes in policy, regulation, inspection, funding, or guidance) that make it more likely highly vulnerable children get access to the right support at the right time. 
• Work out the best way to make our system recommendations happen (due for publication in December 2026) and then do it – persuading the key people to make changes that make a difference.
• Tracking progress carefully, being thoughtful and creative about when and how to change the plan.

We work out the most effective ways to connect people with the evidence, then make those things happen. 

This will include:

• Helping children’s services leaders change how they plan or provide services to better protect children from violence, based on the YEF Children’s Services Practice Guidance – due for publication in May 2026. 
• Creating a plan to get people to follow our guidance, using what we know about how they think and behave. 
• Creating practical tools and resources that help leaders put evidence into action 
• Continuously testing and improving our approach to get better results. 

As a senior member of staff in the organisation you also: 

• Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.
• Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results, and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.

About You

You are this sort of person: 

• You know how to make change happen. You combine analytical sharpness with emotional intelligence and real-world experience. You understand why people resist change – and how to move them through it. You’re curious about human behaviour and what drives decision-making. 

• You bring deep experience of the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services – potentially commissioning support for young people at risk of or involved in violence. You understand how Directors of Children’s Services and other senior leaders think and know how to navigate and influence within the system. 

• You communicate complex ideas clearly. Whether speaking or writing, you break down complicated concepts in ways that make sense to different audiences – without oversimplifying. You bring clarity where others bring jargon. 

• You get things done. You’re organised, delivery-focused, and produce high-quality work, even under pressure. You work independently and to a high standard. 

• You build trust and connect with people. From government ministers to social workers, CEOs to 15-year-olds – you know how to listen, build rapport, and make people feel heard. You’ve led meetings, made strong introductions, and bring people with you. 

• You think big and adapt fast. You’re a strategic thinker who can see the big picture without losing sight of the detail. You’re logical, creative, and open to challenge – always testing and refining your ideas.  

• You understand young people. You get what life can be like for vulnerable young people and you understand the systems and organisations around them. Ideally, you’ve seen this first-hand, whether professionally or personally. 

• You’re committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Not just in theory – but in how you work, who you listen to, and what you prioritise. 

You must have this sort of experience. 

• Delivering concrete change in practice or systems that improved children’s lives. You have significant experience in leading behaviour, practice or policy changes within a children’s services setting. You can show how these have been effective in delivering tangible change.  
• Leadership experience in the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services - especially local authority children's services, commissioning and/or children's social care policy, and you understand how to navigate and influence within these complex systems.

• Firsthand knowledge of the system that supports highly vulnerable children, particularly those at risk of or involved in violence. You understand the barriers these children face and what it takes to get them the right support.

While it’s not a criterion, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.   

It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.   

   

Hybrid Working Details 

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office for a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month.     

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage. 

   

To Apply

To apply, please send a CV, your answers to the three questions below and complete the monitoring form by clicking on "Apply for this" button by 12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025.

When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:   

Improving practice or systems 
1. Can you describe a time when you successfully supported children’s services leaders to improve practice or systems? Please include the scale and context of your experience. (maximum 500 words) 

 Developing strategy 
2. Please provide an example of a strategy you developed from scratch and implemented independently. What did you do, what was the impact, what did you learn? (maximum 500 words) 

 Personal and professional experiences in violence prevention 
3. What personal and professional experiences have shaped your understanding of the children’s services sector’s role in preventing violence? (maximum 500 words) 

Interview Process 

This will be a 2-stage interview process. The first stage interview will take place on 9 and 10 October 2025

The second stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week commencing 13 October 2025. 

PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. 

Benefits Include 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support • Volunteering days - 4 half days per year

• Death in service - 4 times annual salary

• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm

• Financial support including travel and hardship loans

• Employer contributed pension of 5% 

Personal Data   

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.   

  

We are a dynamic charity which supports adults with Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health. We operate two Learning Centres, Charity Shop and Café in Northampton, and we aspire for further growth within the West Northants area.

We place our service users at the centre of what we do and pride ourselves on their having a fulfilled happy time. Our ethos, our motive is their achievement.

We are recruiting a Head of Care Services to join our senior team and to play their part in the ongoing development of our activities, ensuring that we maintain high quality standards and a person-centred approach.  The ideal applicant will have experience in ensuring the care and wellbeing of individuals, ideally with learning disabilities, autism and mental health, including the preparation of the range of paperwork and audits covering all aspects of care in a Day Centre setting,

The postholder will have knowledge of managing staff and supporting them to achieve positive outcomes, experience of interacting with Social Services and Health professionals, knowledge of Safeguarding procedures and managing the minimising of risk, strong I.T and communication skills and ability to contribute as part of a team and on their own initiative.

A full clean U.K. driving licence and qualification in Health and Social Care are welcomed.

We value our staff team and are accredited by the Living Wage Foundation in paying all our staff on or above the Real Living Wage.

Please note we require a CV and a completed application form.

References and a full enhanced DBS check will be required.

Closing date for applications:  Tuesday 7th October 2025
Interviews: Week commencing Monday 13th October 2025,

Ambitious about Autism is a national charity dedicated to supporting autistic children and young people. We champion their rights and create opportunities for them to thrive through specialist education services and award-winning employment programmes.

(Please note, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position)

Are you ready for a role that's challenging, exciting and full of purpose?

In this role, you will be working on a 1:1 basis with autistic pupils, helping them access the curriculum while encouraging their independence and self-esteem through both classroom learning and community activities.

Position: Specialist Teaching Assistant

School: TreeHouse School, Muswell Hill, N10 3JA

Contract Type: Full time, Permanent (term time only role)

Hours: 8.45am – 4.35pm

Salary: £26,638 to £28,005 (paid across 52 weeks)

About the School:

TreeHouse School is a vibrant community where over 100 autistic children and young people (aged 4–19) learn and thrive. We provide specialist, intensive support tailored to individual needs, with a person-centred approach that puts the young person's voice at the heart of everything.

Join a passionate, skilled team that truly cares. You'll be supported, challenged, and valued as you help transform lives.

We offer:

• Varied, meaningful work with real impact

• Autism-specific training and ongoing development

• Strong leadership and a culture that prioritises wellbeing

• A career that makes a difference every day

Our benefits package is on our website.

Start date: October 2025 (however earlier start dates are available depending on notice periods)

Ambitious about Autism is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

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

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

Reference Number: V558

Job Title: Project Assistant

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2026

Hours: 14 hours per week over 4 days, to meet programme needs

Salary: £9200 per annum (£23k FTE)

DBS/PVG: Enhanced Level DBS

Job Family: Job Family 3

Line Manager: Delivery Leader for Scotland and Northeast England

Closing Date:                        7th October 2025 We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Start Date: ASAP

Interview Dates: To be confirmed

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Volunteering Matters

Who we are
At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change.

 What we do
We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. We work with local people.

 How we do this

We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities.

· We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part.

· We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change.

· We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities.

· We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects.

· We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better.

 It’s a brilliant time to join us. We’re evolving, growing our impact, and shaping a future where everyone can take part and feel they belong. 

Role Purpose

We’re looking for a flexible and self-motivated Project Assistant to join our team in Newcastle, supporting the delivery of our Home from Hospital and Community Support project.

Preventing admissions, and re-admissions, to hospital is crucial for the NHS. Re-admissions alone cost the NHS over £2 billion per year, and no-one wants to be in hospital when they can be recovering safely and comfortably at home. The Home from Hospital project was developed to help enable people to thrive back at home, and in the community, while at the same time supporting the NHS.

We recruit, train, support and coordinate volunteers, who provide a “little bit of help” to people who may be socially isolated, have health issues, or don’t have many people around them.

Our volunteers provide social, emotional or practical support, completing short-term tasks for up to 6 weeks. This includes tasks such as helping with grocery shopping, collecting and delivering medical prescriptions, in person or telephone check in’s, driving someone to an appointment, helping with paperwork, ensuring the home is safe and secure, and lots more!

As our Project Assistant, you will:

· Work closely with Volunteering Matters colleagues in a flexible and agile way, taking instruction and responding quickly to ensure beneficiaries and volunteers have the best possible experience

· Face to face and telephone contact with older people taking part in the project, completing practical, social, or wellbeing tasks to meet their individual needs

· Administrative tasks including providing updates to colleagues on project activities, processing paperwork, and other computer-based tasks to help ensure the smooth delivery of the programme

· Support with the promotion of the project across Newcastle in order to attract new volunteers and generate referrals – this may include drafting content, public speaking and giving presentations

This role is part of a fast-paced and responsive workplace environment. In order to meet the needs of the programme, we are looking for a candidate who can offer significant flexibility when it comes to working hours – ideally over 4 days per week. 

Our Values & Way of Working

In all that we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward. 

Diversity & Inclusion

Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.

Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter. 

Benefits

Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer:

· Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work) 

· Unlimited Annual Leave 

· Employee Pension scheme 

· Life Assurance 

· Cycle to Work Scheme 

· Season Ticket Loan 

· Employee Assistance Programme 

· Enhanced sick and family leave.

· Lifestyle Discount Scheme

We are also open to discussing job share applications.

GDPR Statement

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.

Policy on AI-Generated Applications 

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI. 

To Apply

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.

Please note that all applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to progress applications that don’t meet this requirement.

If you have any questions about current vacancies, the recruitment process, or need support, our team is here to help. Whether you're a candidate looking for more information or with an HR query, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Personal Assistant (PA) to the Directors of Strategic Partnerships and Performance & Insight

Contract type: Permanent, Full Time – 35 hours per week

Location: London, United Kingdom. Subject to right-to-work.

UK hybrid working – a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: £39,358 – £42,500 per year with excellent benefits.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

This role sits across two key departments within the Communications and Fundraising Directorate —Strategic Partnerships, which drives transformational partnerships to achieve our mission and Performance & Insight, which ensures our work across fundraising and campaigning is insight-led, data-driven, and delivering maximum impact.

About the role

As our PA to the Directors of Strategic Partnerships and Performance & Insight you will play a proactive and central role in enabling effective leadership and operational delivery across two high-impact departments and work closely with both Directors, senior stakeholders, project teams, and administrative colleagues to drive sustainable change.

In this role, you will:

• Proactively provide executive support to both Directors, anticipating needs, and managing diaries and preparing high-quality materials for internal and external engagement.
• Coordinate departmental and leadership meetings, ensuring agendas, logistics and follow-up actions are delivered efficiently and reported to key stakeholders including Board and Committee members.
• Support the delivery of strategic initiatives and transformation projects, maintaining oversight of priorities, deadlines, and departmental records, and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Lead internal communications planning and collaboration across SP and PID, managing SharePoint sites, induction programmes, and collaborating with other PAs to align processes and share best practices across the organisation.
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Significant experience as a PA or high-level administrator in a complex organisational setting, with a proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure.
• A proactive, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused approach, with excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Strong collaboration and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build effective working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting high-quality briefing papers, presentations, and correspondence on behalf of senior leaders.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Experience in the charity or international development sector.
• Familiarity with project management tools and techniques.
• Understanding of data protection principles and experience managing intranet content.

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 29 September 2025. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 13 October 2025.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening question and upload your CV and cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change !

Ambitious About Autism is a national charity for autistic children and young people. We stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights​ and create opportunities. We run specialist education services, an award-winning employment programme and children and young people are at the heart of our charity's decision-making, policy work and campaigning. 

(Please note, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position)

In this role, you will be working on a 1:1 basis with our Autistic learners. You will provide support to learners so that they can access the curriculum whilst also promoting their independence and self-esteem through community led activities.

Position: Specialist Teaching Assistant

School: Ambitious College,Pears Campus, Capital City College Tottenham, N15 4FY

Contract Type: Full time, Permanent (Hours: 9am - 4.30pm)

Salary: £25,837 to £27,165 (based on experience)

About the School:

Ambitious College is an independent specialist day college dedicated to supporting autistic young people aged 16–25. Our educational approach focuses on the individual at all times. We offer a highly personalised curriculum and positively support our learners to acquire new skills and take part in everyday life. We are located within two mainstream further education college campuses: the College of Haringey, Enfield, and North East London, and West Thames College, West London. Through a range of partnerships with local businesses, community groups, and our mainstream college partners, we also offer opportunities to learn in the community. This combined approach – personalised education, positive support, and real work experience – delivers results. It allows our young people to achieve their goals, fulfil their potential, and go on to lead active lives in their community. Ambitious College's values define how we work and ensure that children and young people with autism are at the heart of all that we do.

As part of the Ambitious About Autism team, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Term time only role (yet paid across 52 weeks)
• A competitive salary of up to £26,502 and an increase every September
• Free healthy breakfast available everyday
• State of the art Autism specific training including person centred approaches, positive behaviour support, medical training and understanding sensory needs
• Working with experts in the Autism industry with 1:1 meetings and training provided
• Eye test vouchers, season ticket loans and a cycle to work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme, to help you balance your work, family, and personal life
• Continuous professional development including access to coaching and mentoring as well as e-learning and online training courses

Start date: October half term 2025

Ambitious about Autism is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. 

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

Want to play your part in transforming society?

You're in the right place.

Many of our Spear trainees have faced significant barriers to finding work, including family breakdown, growing up in care, disability or mental health difficulties, having been involved in crime, or really struggling at school. We believe that being out of work can lead to isolation and proliferate these challenges, meaningful work is key in helping young people find a sense of purpose and community. We're proud that the coaching and community that the Spear Programme provides makes such a difference that 75% of those who take part find work, and are still in work a year later.

Not only will you be part of bringing about powerful change in people's lives, but throughout this paid, dynamic opportunity, you'll be supported and challenged. We'll invest in you, developing expert coaching and leadership skills to set you on a great career path.

Please feel free to let us know if you may require any reasonable adjustments to participate fully in our recruitment process, or if you have any enquiries regarding accessibility such as wheelchair access. 

The important stuff

Location: Bristol

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm (With some out-of-hours work needed for events such as our Spear Celebrations)

Salary: from £22,300

Closing date: Monday 22nd September, 09.00am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate).

Upcoming Assessment Days: Thursday 25th September

Application pack: Have a look at our application pack for more information about the role and Resurgo

 

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave (including Christmas Gift Days) plus bank holidays
• Excellent personal development and training opportunities, including our iLM-accredited 5-day Coaching for Leadership programme (worth £3,000)
• Regular staff prayer meetings, conferences and retreats (one residential)

What will you do?

• Coach 16-24 year olds, bringing about powerful change in their lives 
• Build great relationships with relevant professionals 
• Form part of an intentional church community 

What will you gain?

• Management skills and career progression 
• Excellent coaching capability 
• Social Impact Experience
• Christian Leadership Skills