Service manager jobs in barnard castle, county durham

About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. 

Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.

About the role

Last year we launched a new website which provides independent online information, advice and support for kinship carers. This year, we’re continuing to develop new advice and information content for the website, as well as working on content for projects that focus on supporting kinship carers.

The postholder will research, create and deliver engaging, user-focused content, and deliver a seamless user content experience throughout all content development. Working with kinship carers and subject matter experts will be a big part of your role. 

You will be working on content in a range of formats, including web copy, printed guides, presentations for training, workshop materials (digital and printed), video and more.

One day you could be carrying out research with kinship carers, on another you could be doing paired writing with a subject matter expert to explain the different types of kinship care. 

Content Design by Sarah Winters and Rachel Edwards and Designed with Care: Creating trauma-informed content by Rachel Edwards will be your guides to best practice and content design principles. You’ll be confident facilitating discovery and research and building user stories and job stories with clear user goals. 

This is a great opportunity if you’re brilliant at building trusting relationships, ambitious to make your mark in content design and ready to turn complex information into plain English. We’ll also provide excellent training and support to help you. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Take complex language, processes and legislation to design content that is clear, simple and allows users to achieve their goals (creating user stories and job stories). 

• Facilitate and support user research using empathy mapping, user journeys and other techniques to understand user goals. 

• Champion the needs of the user (including our internal users) and turn them into easily digestible, scannable and actionable content. 

• Embed content design processes in the charity and upskill internal team members, building templates which support delivery of goal-oriented content. 

• Actively learn from external organisations and peers, using best practice to test new approaches (for example using AI to support content-led products and services). 

​Essential experience includes:

• Experience of designing user-centric, jargon-free content across digital and non-digital channels

• Experience of mapping user journeys from user research and working with subject matter experts to turn complex language and processes into easily understandable content

• An ability to influence and support key stakeholders and colleagues to understand the value and impact of content design principles

• Experience of working with users and an understanding of the barriers they may face when accessing content, taking a trauma-informed approach to content design

• Strong prototyping skills and knowledge of how to test content with users

• Experience in delivering and coordinating successful content projects, from understanding user needs through to creation

What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time) as well as a generous pension scheme. We have an excellent wellbeing offer, including the Employee Assistance Programme. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

How to apply

Please apply via Charity Job with your CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages for the attention of Rachel Nelligan. Please include your notice period and earliest availability to start in your cover letter.

Application deadline: 9 am on Monday 20 September 2025 

First interview: We will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply early. 

Kinship reserves the right to close applications early on receipt of sufficient applications. Apply early!

Inspire mission and discipleship of children and young people 

We are looking for a dynamic team player who is passionate about creating opportunities for children and young people to explore the Bible, respond to Jesus and grow in faith, and who can inspire and equip others to do the same.   

Location: Home-based with travel in the Central Region – predominantly covering the area from Nottingham to Coventry.  

Important things to note before you apply.    

1. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from people, regardless of their background.

2. We take Safeguarding seriously. This role will require a Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service and has an occupational requirement to be filled by a committed Christian, active in church life. Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9 applies.   

3. Please note that we do not provide visa sponsorship arrangements so applicants will need to have the right to live and be employed in a permanent job in the UK.  

Who we’re looking for   

You are someone who loves variety in your work and the fact that no two days are the same. You thrive on building relationships adopting a facilitating approach, coaching, mentoring, equipping, training, and motivating others.  You value a blend of face-to-face and online interactions.

You’re a connector with experience in teamwork with diverse groups of people. Your creative mindset, combined with excellent organisational skills, enables you to spot and create opportunities for impact. You love Jesus and are filled with energy and passion for sharing the gospel. You excel with people. You are a confident communicator with experience in training and empowering others.  You have the qualities to be an excellent coach and mentor.  

If this describes you and you would like to join an organisation with a passion for Christ, sharing the gospel, making disciples and the emerging generation, provides a competitive salary, a generous pension scheme, and other valuable benefits, then read on.    

About Scripture Union    

You might have heard of us before if you're one of the 1.5 million+ who have attended one of our Christian holidays or missions over the years, or maybe you're one of the 40,000+ subscribers to have used our brilliant devotionals or been stirred by our exceptional bible resources. We've been at this for a fair few years... over 150 to be precise. Over this time, we’ve remained passionate about helping children and young people develop a vibrant faith in Jesus. As our name describes, the radical power of God's word has always been central to our approach.      

We still do all the great stuff with resources and holidays, but in the last few years, we have sharpened our vision with a renewed focus to help the ‘95%’ of young people (primary and secondary school age) across the UK who don’t go to church, and had opportunity to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus. We do this through equipping and resourcing the local church, training up volunteers and paid workers from local churches (we call them ‘Faith Guides’) and collaborating with local and national partners across the UK to connect with children and young people and support them on a journey of exploring faith in a way that is relevant and meaningful.    

In the last few years we’ve developed a brand new approach to how we do this, it’s simple and incredibly effective, we call it Revealing Jesus, and its making a massive difference.  In the last couple of years we’ve trained up nearly 600 Faith Guides across 400+ churches in England and Wales, collectively we’re seeing over 50,000 young people on a journey of exploring the christen faith and responding to an invitation to become followers of Jesus. We have 24 staff organised into four regional teams, and alongside our local and national partners, we’re playing our part in a network of organisations that seeks to reach children and young people in every context, across every town and city across England and Wales. The journey ahead is significant, and we invite you to be a part of it!   

Invest in our mission, as we invest in you: Our Benefits:  

• 23 days holiday + bank holidays + 5 volunteering days

• Up to 12% pension contribution

• Life insurance

• Free Bible Reading Guides

• Enhanced family leave

• A supportive, faith-filled environment where your work has eternal impact  

About our team   

Like many jobs, you will work with lots of different teams in different contexts. With this role, you will have the benefit of being part of regionally focused team of 7 that is part of our wider movement.   

The successful candidate will be a part of our Central Region team of 7 workers who between us work across a region, from Suffolk to Gloucestershire, up to Shropshire, to Lincolnshire. You’ll contribute your expertise in a variety of settings, ranging from urban and suburban and rural areas. You’ll have a brilliant time getting acquainted with this rich tapestry of local and national partners. Across the Central Region, we currently work with over 100 churches and have over 180 faith guides. We’d like to see these numbers grow significantly over the next few years.

Job description: Revealing Jesus Pioneer Scripture Union   

You will work in the Central Region multiplying your impact through equipping, empowering and mobilising others in outreach work. You’ll add energy, expertise, direction, and skill to the mix. You’ll recruit, motivate, train, equip, coach and support Faith Guides; you’ll work in partnership with this group as well as leading by example, you will model excellent mission delivery to children and young people aligned with SU’s mission.    

Who We're Looking For: Our Ideal Candidate   

We're seeking someone who is not just good at what they do, but also deeply passionate about our mission. Here's what we envision in the right person:   

• A thoughtful individual who can see the big picture and make smart decisions that genuinely impact our ministry.    

• A Champion for Children and Young People: You'll bring a wealth of understanding about working with young people, be a passionate advocate for their faith journey, be excellent at delivering ministry, and be someone who can clearly articulate your vision.    

• Inspirational: You'll have a natural ability to connect with people, listen deeply, ask great questions, influence discussions, gently challenge the status quo, and spark new, creative ideas within our networks.    

• Self-Motivated Organised and Effective: You're someone who thrives on managing their own work, setting priorities effectively, and skilfully juggling multiple projects. 

• A Team Player: You will work effectively as part of the Central Team and also teams across Regional Mission and the movement as a whole.    

• Forward-Thinking: You're able to imagine and pursue ambitious, long-term goals with determination.    

• Spiritually Open and Grounded: You'll be comfortable and accepting of various Christian traditions, worship styles, and expressions of faith. Crucially, you'll have a growing love and understanding of the Bible.    

• Deeply Committed to Faith: You'll have a strong personal commitment to God and live as an active Christian disciple.    

As with all our team members, you will also:   

• Be a committed Christian who resonates with SU's mission and values, actively participating in a local church community.    

• Strive for a strong understanding of the Bible, applying its teachings to your daily life and inspiring others to do the same.    

Practical Skills You'll Need:   

• You'll be confident and capable in using digital tools including email and Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel etc.).

• Presentation/training skills    

How to Apply   

If this describes you, and you are in agreement with the aims and beliefs of Scripture Union, then we would like to hear from you. To apply for this role, download a copy of the job profile. You will need to upload your CV (2 A4 pages max) and a covering letter (2 A4 pages max) detailing how your skills and experience reflect the Job Profile, via Charity Jobs.    

Closing date:  3rd October 2025

Interview date: Thursday 23rd October 2025 (reserve date Friday 24th October)

Interview location: Nottingham (TBC)