Services support officer jobs

Lead a unique mental health retreat service helping prevent crisis admissions and supporting recovery across Gloucestershire. Join a values-driven organisation making a lasting difference through compassionate, person-centred care.

Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind is seeking an experienced and motivated Service Manager to lead Alexandra Wellbeing House — a unique short-term mental health retreat delivered in partnership with Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust. Supporting adults experiencing acute emotional distress, the service provides an alternative to inpatient admission through early intervention, recovery-focused support, and collaborative care planning.

This is an opportunity to lead a skilled multidisciplinary team while shaping the future development of an innovative community mental health service. You will work closely with NHS partners, Crisis Teams, Community Mental Health Teams, and third-sector organisations to strengthen referral pathways and improve outcomes for people experiencing mental ill health.

We are looking for someone with strong leadership experience, a passion for person-centred mental health support, and the ability to build trusted partnerships across services. You will oversee service quality, staff development, safeguarding, performance reporting, and continuous improvement while ensuring the service remains welcoming, safe, and empowering for everyone accessing support.

In return, we offer a supportive and forward-thinking working environment, ongoing professional development, supervision, flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, and the chance to help shape meaningful mental health services within the local community.

Join us and help create services where people are recognised, valued, and supported.

As a fundraising and grant-making charity, we bring to life projects that transform patient care - from sensory packs for children in A&E to a peaceful sanctuary garden for people living with dementia. We’re a small, ambitious and supportive team, and in just three years we’ve tripled our income. Our goal is to become the charity of choice for our local community in Islington and Haringey.

Over the past 18 months, this role has built community and challenge events income from the ground up, creating real momentum. There’s still huge untapped potential locally, offering an exciting opportunity to grow and innovate.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you’ll build meaningful relationships with clinicians, donors and the community, and see first-hand the impact of your work. You’ll lead on community fundraising, challenge events and volunteering, with real autonomy. It's a fantastic step up for someone ready to develop and make their mark.

The successful candidate will benefit from an NHS Agenda for Change salary and excellent NHS benefits, including a generous pension and annual leave.

The Youth Endowment Fund  

Senior Change Manager, Children’s Services 

Reports to: Head of Change, Children’s Services 

Salary:£54,300 per annum, depending on experience  

Location:  Central London or Hybrid*(see below) 

Contract: 2-year fixed term contract

Closing date for applications: 12 pm on Monday, 1st June 2026 

Interview dates: Week commencing 15th June 2026 

About the Youth Endowment Fund 

All of us will experience violence at some point in our lives. For many children, it is a daily reality. Each year, tens of children are killed, hundreds are hospitalised, 1 in 5 teenage children are victims and the majority admit to feeling afraid of violence. It scares them when they travel home from school, prevents them from going out and makes the most vulnerable feel like they don’t matter. It is taking lives, traumatising families and dividing communities. It robs potential, progress and hope.    

But it doesn’t have to be this way.    

The Youth Endowment Fund believes that no child should be affected by violence. We research violence to understand it; we find, fund and test what works to prevent it; and we are building a movement to end it.   

A big part of the movement that we need to build is in the world of children’s services. We need to inspire and connect with senior leaders in England and Wales to spread what works and make our country safer for some of our most vulnerable children. We need someone who can deliver this whilst understanding and working within the context of the major sector reforms that are currently being delivered via the Families First Partnership programme. 

Key Responsibilities  

We are at an exciting moment in our work. In June we will publish our children’s services practice guidance, setting out the evidence for what works to reduce serious youth violence in the children’s services sector. 

We have plans to work with the sector over the rest of the financial year and beyond, including designing a self-assessment tool to help senior sector leaders benchmark their existing practice against the evidence. We will also launch a new change programme, working hand-in-hand with the sector to implement the evidence for what works, gaining valuable insights in the process.

Your role is to help us turn these plans into a reality. 

This will include launching the self-assessment tool and promoting its use within the sector. It will also involve planning, designing and delivering the change programme to turn the theory into reality.

You will also contribute by designing and delivering a range of sector engagement activities, such as webinars, events and learning opportunities, that reach the sector, helping to build momentum, understanding and commitment across children’s services.

Lastly, you will support the Head of Change for Children’s Services with government engagement as required and support the establishment of a new network for senior sector leaders to share the latest evidence and best practice. 

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Supporting the launch and roll-out of the children’s services self-assessment tool, driving up demand and ensuring widespread completion of the tool across the sector; 

• Work hands-on with Local Authorities to help them put evidence into practice via our change programme; planning, delivering and learning as the work continues; 

• Continuously capture and act on learning from the self-assessment tool and deep dive change programme to inform future work; 

• Supporting the design and roll-out of a children’s services network to spread learning of what works to reduce serious youth violence; 

• Spend time genuinely understanding the pressures, priorities and constraints facing children’s services leaders to inform our longer-term approach to change. 

As part of your wider contribution to the organisation, you will 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.

You are this sort of person: 

• You are fascinated about change and are experienced in making it happen. You have outstanding analytical judgment alongside the emotional intelligence and experience needed to identify the right opportunities for change, then make them happen. You understand why people find change difficult. You come alive talking about how people make decisions and why they do the things they do. 

• You understand the children’s services sector. You understand how the sector really works. This could include experience of working with/supporting senior sector leaders to facilitate change and improvement that improves the lives of young people.

• You win people over. People tend to warm to you and respect you. You have built good relationships with very senior people and with very junior people. You are good at chairing meetings, connecting people and having good introductory meetings. You are comfortable talking to a government minister, a youth worker, a company CEO, a social worker and a 15-year-old student. Listening to people from all backgrounds matters to you.

• You have experience of developing resources which support children’s services. You understand and take a curious approach to learning about the needs of sector leaders. You are able to skilfully translate these insights into helpful resources and tools which support leaders to improve practice. 

• You learn fast but remain humble. You are very quick at getting your head around things. You like learning. You are very good at synthesising information. You know how much you don't know. You know that you can learn more. You know that it's easy to assume you know when you don't. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit. You are a great and supportive team player. 

• You don't want your days to pass without making a difference. You want to play a significant part in reducing violence.

• You understand young people. You understand what the lives of vulnerable young people can be like, and you understand some of the organisations that work with them, ideally through first-hand experience.

• You are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

You must have this sort of experience 

• Delivering positive change within children’s services: You have significant experience of working with sector leaders to support the development and improvement of practice.

While it’s not a criteria, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of violence affecting children and young people. 

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.

All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well. 

Hybrid Working 

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office 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. 

To Apply 

Please click on the "Apply for this" button and submit your CV, your completed monitoring form and ensure your covering letter answers the following three questions below. Please submit your application by Monday 1st June 2026 at 12pm. 

Application Questions 

1. How have you used evidence to deliver effective change and improve outcomes? How did you gather and use the evidence and influence senior leaders to act differently? 

1. Describe your experience and understanding of working in or with the children’s services sector, in particular working with senior sector leaders. Please be specific about the context and impact you made.

1. What personal and professional experiences shape your understanding of the children’s services sector and its role in preventing youth violence? 

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. 

Interview Process 

This will be a two-stage interview process. Interviews will take place the week of 15th June 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 

• 25 days annual leave, 3 days end of year shut down, plus Bank Holidays 

• Four half days for volunteering activities 

• 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%. 

Your 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. 
 

Role: Head of Charitable Services

Reporting to: CEO

Salary: £40,000 (pro-rata)

Terms: Permanent, 3 days a week with option to extend to 4 days a week within 6 months (FTE 37.5 hrs a         week)

Background

Buckinghamshire has a fast-growing older population who are the heart and soul of our communities – for example as employers, workers, volunteers, mentors, carers and child-minders. They help make our worlds go round. But when the challenges of older age feel overwhelming, and someone’s own world shrinks, Age UK Bucks is there to support them. Based in Aylesbury and working across the county, our services support older residents to maintain their independence and well-being, especially when times are difficult, helping local older people age batter and access support they deserve.

We have grown as an organisation recently, expanding our services and increasing staff numbers and income as we endeavour to meet the needs of older people in the county, who are struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, after the lasting impact of the pandemic.
 

The Head of Charitable Services is a new role and will play a pivotal part in leading this growth and supporting and developing the teams and culture that deliver them. Alongside this, a key priority is person-centred support and empowerment, and a focus on staff, volunteer and client safety and safeguarding, and skills development. We’ll also be looking to engage service users more dynamically to measure impact and co-produce new services they need and want. 

With growing demand for our services and ambition to be an even more effective voice and empowering champion of older Bucks residents across our communities, there has never been a more exciting time to join Age UK Bucks.

Job purpose
Lead services and teams that support, champion and empower older Bucks residents to meet the many challenges and opportunities of ageing, through charitable services that have high impact and that are sustainably funded, working with all communities in Bucks and through partner collaboration.

The role

Will oversee the development and delivery of high quality, person-centred, compassionate and effective support and services for older people across Bucks that has demonstrable impact and quality - building community connection and championing older people’s needs and opportunities. You will help shape the charity’s charitable approach, work on developing new services, funded from grant applications and community collaboration, and build cases for support and demonstrable impact case studies. Reporting to the CEO, you will work closely with the Head of Commercial Services and Development, dovetailing referral pathways and aligning practice and processes.
 

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Meet the needs of older Bucks residents through effective, high quality, safe and compassionate support and services that can demonstrate impact and are sustainable financially, meeting appropriate quality standards where required
• Develop our people and volunteers, including supporting our safeguarding lead on best practice supervision, risk assessment and mitigation, case work guidance, safeguarding, line management and people development
• Work with SLT to support our Trustee Board, Board Officers and Sub-Committees to enable them to guide and steward the charity appropriately, including developing reports and information/KPIs
• Develop and deliver financially sustainable services, planning and managing income and costs in line with strategy and budgets, working with the Finance leadership and SLT
• Help develop and transform our data collection and story-telling, enabling the organisation to create and share compelling and inspiring impact and outcome reports for stakeholders 
• Support the maintenance and development of our website and social media strategy and assets to support our work and programmes
• Optimise and raise awareness of our services and impact, through developing effective outreach and presentations to key stakeholders, groups, communities and funders
• Act as a champion of older people and an Age Friendly Bucks, representing the charity at key forums, Boards and activities in order to achieve our mission and strategic goals, bringing the voice and needs of older people to the fore.

 Essential qualities:

• Strong and demonstrable people leadership and management skills
• Strong operational delivery experience and skills
• Empathetic to the needs of older people and their families
• Significant Adult social and/or health care experience and knowledge, including safeguarding
• Budget planning and delivery
• Significant impact and outcomes reporting and data collection experience
• Service creation and mobilisation experience
• Experience managing and liaising with commissioners/funders/partners
• UK driving licence

Equal Opportunities

Age UK Buckinghamshire strives to meet the needs of all older people in Bucks but is also aware that some communities could be better served by us. We therefore want to become more representative of the community we serve. We encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourage applications from our wonderful rainbow of talent in Bucks and people of all ages.

Application Process: 

• Submit your CV and cover letter via CharityJob
• Your cover letter should be no more than 1-2 pages and must explain how you meet the criteria specified in the job description with examples.
• Closing Date: 5th June 2026

Director of Isle of Man Services & Quality, Performance and Safeguarding
Service: Isle of Man Services & Quality, Performance and Safeguarding

Salary: £85,000 - £95,000 FTE per annum* Additionally £480 FTE per annum home-based working allowance

Location: Homebased with a requirement to be present on the Isle of Man for at least three days/30 hours a week, including regular travel to our London Head Office.

Contract & Hours: Permanent, 37 hours per week. We offer flexible working arrangements.

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:
Family Action supports 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, inspirational leader, who is solution focused and passionate about making a difference? Do you have the energy and focus to lead an extraordinary combination of services for children and families across the Isle of Man and take organisational responsibility for quality, performance and safeguarding?

Do you have a proven track record of delivering safe, excellent, inclusive services and cultivating quality and diversity? Are you hungry to show how you can drive system change? Are you looking for a diverse, ambitious and fast paced organisation where you can be part of the Executive leadership team – if so, you have found it.

About the Role:
The Director’s primary function is to provide strategic, operational and professional leadership across Family Action’s services on the Isle of Man (children’s residential homes, secure accommodation, short-stay homes, wraparound and edge of care services, semi independent accommodation, aftercare services, family support and Family Time) - ensuring consistently high-quality, safe, trauma informed practice and provision that meets statutory requirements and best practice standards.

The Director will be the organisational lead for quality assurance, performance and safeguarding, responsible for designing, implementing and assuring robust governance, oversight, and continuous improvement frameworks. They will collaborate closely with Manx Care, Commissioners, partners, multi agency safeguarding arrangements, and internal teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for looked after children, care leavers and families - modelling the organisation’s values; people focus, can do, excellence and mutual respect.

Main Responsibilities:
• Provide executive leadership for Residential, Wraparound, Edge of Care, Leaving and Aftercare services, Family Support and Family Time on the Isle of Man ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and contract specifications.
• Develop high-quality, trauma informed, therapeutic approaches across all services, ensuring models reflect emerging research, innovation, and best practice.
• Serve as the strategic lead for safeguarding, ensuring compliance with organisational safeguarding procedures and statutory requirements.
• Establish, monitor and report on Quality Assurance frameworks, including audits, inspections, risk management, incident reporting, and service performance.
• Ensure all residential services, including secure accommodation, operate in accordance with the Children and Young Persons Act and relevant inspection and regulatory frameworks.
• Advise senior leaders and governors/trustees on matters relating to Residential, Wraparound, Edge of Care, Leaving and Aftercare, Family Support and Family Time provision on the Isle of Man and quality assurance, performance and safeguarding across Family Action.
• Direct line management of two Deputy Directors and overseeing budgets to ensure efficient, cost-effective service delivery. Championing the sharing of learning, the development of staff and volunteers and best practice across services to support continuous improvement and innovation.
• Strategic and accountable leadership, leading the Directorate by motivating and galvanizing the team to achieve the highest quality services maximising outcomes for the children and families we support.
• Be part of the Executive Group of Directors and the Chief Executive, influencing organisational development and decision-making, resource allocation and future strategy.

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):
• Passionate about social justice, improving life chances and supporting children, young people and adults on the Isle of Man.
• Passionate about leading quality, performance and safeguarding across an entire organisation, and being part of a high-performing executive team leading an exciting and fast-paced charity.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in children’s social care with significant leadership experience in regulated environments.
• Proven responsibility for safeguarding, statutory compliance, quality assurance and regulatory engagement. And who has
• Proven experience working with vulnerable children, young people, and complex families, including trauma-informed practice.
• Highly robust, able to prioritise multiple workflows and issues and a fantastic and inclusive leader that can inspire their Directorate, peers and other senior leaders across Family Action.
• Present on the Isle of Man for a minimum of three days/30 hours a week and to attend Executive Group meetings in London once a month.
• Appointments are subject to satisfactory Safer Recruitment checks and 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 with the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment
- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
- eye care, winter flu jabs vouchers and cycle to work scheme
- professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

Closing date - Thursday 21st May at 23:59.

Interviews and assessment - week commencing 1st or 8th June via Microsoft Teams.

If you would like to discuss the selection process or the potential for flexible working, please see email address provided on the Family Action job advert for David Holmes.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
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 also encourage applications from candidates with lived experience of the people we serve. 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 are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and also, we will make reasonable adjustments on the job where required. All candidates with a disability are welcome to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and request priority consideration for an interview, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role.

To help remove financial barriers, we will reimburse reasonable travel costs if you attend an interview in person.

*Salaries are typically not offered at the top of the range and will be based on the level of skill and expertise of the successful candidate and internal equity.

Data Services Manager

Permanent

Salary: £44,000 - £47,000 per annum, plus benefits

London N1

Full time – 37.5 hours a week 

We're a hybrid working employer, meaning you're required to come into the office at least 2 days per week currently Tuesday, and Wednesday or Thursday.

The role is being advertised as full-time, but we would consider someone working 4 days per week pro rata.

Closing date: 5pm, Friday 29th May 2026

First Interviews: Tuesday 9th June 2026

Second interviews: Tuesday 16th June 2026

An exciting opportunity for a Data Services Manager has arisen at World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). 

WCRF is the UK’s leading cancer prevention charity focusing on the link between cancer and risk factors such as diet, body weight and physical activity. 

We are seeking a Data Services Manager to lead and be responsible for the management, use and maintenance of systems and in-house CRM databases to support the achievement of the charity’s fundraising strategic objectives. You will be analysing and reviewing data and reporting on results that can then be used to build engagement with our supporters.You will also be responsible for a team of two people. 

The successful candidate will have proven experience of working with industry standard fundraising software solutions in the charity sector, ideally have knowledge of Claris Filemaker products and will have experience of creating new, and maintaining and updating existing, complex database systems.Experience of creating scripts and troubleshooting existing scripts is key, along with considerable hands-on experience of working with complex data sources, transfers and imports. An understanding and working knowledge of Data Protection regulations is required. 

Application Details:

If you are interested in this role and feel you possess the necessary requirements, please submit a current CV and covering letter (maximum 2 pages) by the closing date. You must have current right to work in the UK.

Please note: Your cover letter should highlight how your skills and experience will benefit WCRF and equip you for the role.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to provide feedback to shortlisted candidates. If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. 

Are you a passionate leader who wants to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people?​

We are looking for a Youth Service Lead to oversee and shape the delivery of our programmes across Bedfordshire. This is a key leadership role where you will ensure our services are safe, engaging, and impactful for the young people and families we support.​

At F4YP, we support over 500 children and young people across 50+ schools, providing safe spaces, enrichment opportunities, and vital pastoral support. As Services Lead, you’ll play a central role in making this happen every day.​

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading and managing high-quality delivery across face-to-face services

• Supporting and developing a team of delivery staff and volunteers

• Ensuring excellent safeguarding, pastoral care, and behaviour support

• Overseeing planning, staffing, and day-to-day operations across multiple sites

• Monitoring impact, quality, and outcomes to continuously improve delivery

• Working closely with schools and partners to support young people effectively​

What we’re looking for:

• Experience leading programmes or services for children and young people

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and pastoral support (SEMH/SEND desirable)

• Proven experience managing and supporting staff

• A hands-on, organised leader who can balance people, operations, and quality

• Someone who is passionate about helping young people feel safe, supported, and confident​​

Bedford/Bedfordshire | Full-time (37.5 hrs) | 3-year fixed term​​​​​​​​ | Working pattern: 9-day fortnight (one day off every two weeks), with full 5-day weeks required during holiday delivery periods

Role Purpose

The Education Trainer supports the Education Manager in the design and delivery of specialist, evidence-informed trainings programmes for education professionals equipping them to support bereaved children, young people, adults and communities.

Using trauma-informed, evidence-based content delivered through both digital platforms and in-person, the role ensures schools and educational staff have practical tools to identify, respond to, support and/or refer bereaved children, young people and adults.

We are recruiting for two Education Trainers, both to work full-time hours (35 per week). One term-time only and the other to work year-round.

Main Responsibilities

• Working collaboratively with the Education Team and the team’s administrator to co-ordinate training requests responses.
• Working with the Education Manager and colleagues, support the design of training programmes tailored to the needs of the training delegates.
• Deliver the organisation’s education training packages online and/or face-to-face as required.
• Work with the team to ensure efficient flow of processes and procedures.
• To research key areas in need of bereavement training packages.
• To be an ambassador for the ASK Me Training and Manifesto to early years, primary, secondary and higher education institutions and professionals.
• To form key relationships with individuals and organisations to promote off-the-shelf training as well as rapid response, ASK Me and bespoke education training.
• To work with the team to develop new education training programmes and content.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Team to promote education training programmes.
• Collaborate with the team to develop and review feedback framework to evaluate the training.
• Use feedback to improve the current training offer and identify gaps in education training offers.

 Communication and Relationships

• Build and maintain effective relationships with education professionals across early years, primary, secondary and higher education sector.
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation’s ASK Me Training and Manifesto and other key education programmes, promoting values of empathy, inclusion and best practice in bereavement support.
• Collaborate closely with the Education Manager, colleagues and the Education Administrator to co-ordinate training requests and ensure a seamless client experience.
• Engage with internal teams, including Marketing and Communications, to publicise training offers and strengthen audience reach.
• Work proactively to establish and nurture key relationships with external education networks, commissioners, and organisations to increase awareness and uptake of training programmes.
• Communicate sensitively and confidently when delivery content that may evoke emotional responses, ensuring a safe and supportive training environment.
• Demonstrate and promote the organisation’s values and culture through all forms of communication, behaviours and professional relationships.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Strong presentation, facilitation and communication skills, adaptable to a variety of audiences.
• Contribute to the creation of bespoke education programmes or training sessions as well as to the development of new education training packages.
• Develop and adapt training content for both in-person and digital delivery using a variety of digital platforms.
• Demonstrate a robust understanding of grief, loss, trauma, child development, and the psychological and social impact of bereavement on children, young people, and adults, including families.
• Demonstrate a high level of understanding of the organisation’s evidence-based tiered service model.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of current education frameworks and the wellbeing priorities for schools and colleges.
• Participate, and where appropriate, lead on consultations with individual education settings to formulate an assessment of their individual training needs.
• Use outcome measures and/or feedback tools to monitor progress, evaluate the impact of delivery, and reflect on own practice.
• Adhere to legislation and statutory guidance related to Safeguarding Children and Young People and Safeguarding Adults at all times.
• Participate actively in clinical supervision and reflective practice to ensure safe, ethical, and effective delivery.
• Contribute to the development and sharing of knowledge within the team by supporting training, mentoring, and peer learning opportunities.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Assess training needs of education settings through consultation, feedback and sector research to inform targeted content development with the support of the Education Manager.
• Evaluate participants’ feedback systematically to review the quality, relevance and impact of training’ identify areas for improvement and gaps in provision.
• Exercise sound judgement when responding to sensitive disclosures or emotionally charged discussions during training, ensuring appropriate support and signposting.
• Apply analytical thinking to review emerging issues in bereavement education – such as curriculum integration – to guide future training design.
• Recognise and manage situations that involve ambiguity, uncertainty, or emotional intensity, drawing on supervision and established frameworks for professional support.
• Apply a trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate lens to training development and delivery, ensuring sensitivity to cultural, social, and contextual factors influencing grief.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and meaningful data recording and reporting to inform service evaluation, and organisational performance monitoring.

Planning and organisational skills

• Prepare thoroughly for assigned training sessions, ensuring all materials, technology and resources are ready in advance.
• Deliver training sessions to time and quality standards, managing transitions between content, activities and Q&A smoothly.
• Deliver a suite of education training packages online and/or face-to-face as required, adapting content to meet specific delegate needs as needed.
• Contribute to the design and maintenance of robust systems and workflows that support the smooth flow of processes from enquiry to evaluation.
• Research new areas of bereavement education need and contribute ideas for the development of new programmes and resources.
• Collaborate with colleagues to maintain and refine the evaluation and feedback framework, drawing on insights to drive continuous improvement and suggesting improvements to the training offer.
• Manage time effectively across multiple projects and priorities, working flexibly to delivery high quality outcomes within deadlines.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation in accordance with confidentiality, data protection, and statutory requirements.
• Demonstrate self-awareness and reflective capacity, using supervision and peer support to sustain personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness.
• Provide cover and support for team members when needed.

All Staff

• Contribute to the vision and mission of Child Bereavement UK; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
• Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.
• Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
• Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
• Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.
• Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
• Take an active part in the Quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
• Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
• Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.

Person Specification

Education/Professional Qualification

Essential

• Relevant professional qualification in working in education, training or learning
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to continuous learning
• Training in bereavement, grief and trauma informed practice

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualification in working with children and young people

Skills and Experience

Essential

• At least three years’ recent experience (in the past six years) of delivering training to professionals
• At least three years’ recent experience of working with children, young people and families in a health, social care, youth, community or education setting
• Experience of planning and designing training programmes
• Experience of liaising with and working alongside organisations that support children and young people
• Experience of working with vulnerable communities
• Experience of delivering training using a digital platform
• Demonstrable experience of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and an ability to practise in a way that promotes this
• Experience of working collaboratively with multi-agency professionals

Desirable

• Experience of working within a bereavement, palliative care of mental health setting
• Experienced in using outcome measures to evaluate practice

Knowledge and Understanding

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of bereavement, grief, loss, trauma, and their psychological and developmental impact on children, young people, parents and families
• Knowledge of current research, theories, national frameworks, and NICE guidance related to bereavement and children’s mental health
• Empathetic, compassionate, and youth driven approach
• Proven ability to design, deliver and adapt bereavement training effectively through digital platforms, maintaining engagement, safety and impact
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with stakeholders while maintaining professional boundaries at all times
• Consulting mindset with the ability to quickly assimilate information and to translate this into potential solutions and ways of working
• Awareness of safeguarding legislation, policies, and procedures
• Understanding of information governance, confidentiality, and data protection requirements
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion within practice
• Emotional maturity, stability and resilience with a strong commitment to self-care and the ability to seek support and guidance when difficulties arise in the course of work

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 27th May 2026 at midnight

First Stage Screening Interviews

You may be asked to attend a 10-minute Screening Interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the vacancy, to assess your suitability for the role. During the interview, you will be asked two skills-based questions.

Second Stage Interviews

If you are progressed to a second stage interview, you will be invited to attend a 1-hour formal interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the role. It is our policy to share the role-specific interview questions with applicants ahead of the interview, to aid their preparation. You may also be asked to complete an interview task, which will also be shared with you in advance.

Youth Team Forum Discussion

For roles in our Bereavement Services Team, we will invite those applicants selected for interview along to a discussion forum with members of our Youth Team. This session is held remotely and lasts approximately 20 minutes. The discussion topic will be shared with you in advance of the session.

About Bipolar UK

Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by bipolar — including individuals, carers, families and loved ones. Over one million people in the UK live with bipolar disorder, yet many experience symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

We are entering an exciting new phase following the launch of our co-produced three-year strategy (2026–2029). Over the coming years, we will reach more people than ever before, expand access to self-management support, and build understanding of bipolar across workplaces, services and communities.

At the heart of our work is the belief that people affected by bipolar are the experts in their own lives. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to ensuring our services are accessible, culturally responsive and shaped by lived experience.

 Purpose:  The Peer Support Officer role will work within Bipolar UK’s Peer Support Line team to support our community through telephone and email support across the UK.

The role involves using your skills and knowledge to support people affected by bipolar disorder with support requests and providing information and signposting to people via email and telephone. The successful applicant will also manage service reports in Salesforce, report back regularly to the management team, as well as developing links with other mental health services or appropriate agencies.

Though Bipolar UK does not offer Crisis Support, the successful applicant may have to direct members of our community experiencing a crisis to relevant services and will also be responsible for recognising and reporting Safeguarding incidents within the bounds of Bipolar UK’s Safeguarding Policies.

The position requires good personal interaction and the ability to empathise with service users while remaining calm and considered in sometimes difficult situations.  This is a varied and hands on role and we are looking for someone with good communication (verbal and written) along with good organisational skills. Bipolar UK will offer the successful applicant regular support and engagement with the team, as well as reflective practice sessions throughout their service with the charity.

The Peer Support Officer reports to the Services Manager who manages this service. This will be a home-based role with occasional travel, such as team days/meetings/training.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to provide practical, non-clinical information and peer support to our community, including family and loved ones. Our Peer Support Line is often a first point of contact, offering a listening ear, helping to reduce isolation, and signposting people to relevant information, services, research and campaigns.

You will join a team of highly skilled colleagues who share the same passion to support our community in a safe and appropriate way.

Specific Responsibilities

• Act as an initial point of contact with the charity for all enquiries about our services
• Act as an initial point of contact for all people affected by bipolar disorder seeking support, information and signposting
• Direct enquiries for Bipolar UK’s additional services, including understanding Bipolar UK’s specific resources and training opportunities for workplaces and connections for research
• Build and maintain relationships with existing volunteers and with volunteers expressing interest in supporting Bipolar UK
• Ensure that all service provided by both the postholder complies operationally with Bipolar UK policies and procedures, including safeguarding and data protection postholder must handle personal/special category data confidentially and in line with policy/UK GDPR
• Contribute to the development and delivery of new formats of peer support in a spirit of co-production
• Ability to work flexibly and responsively, responding to urgent requirements
• To ensure that all support information and signposting options are kept up to date
• To complete all support records in a timely manner
• Reporting all Safeguarding concerns and crisis incidents in line with Bipolar UK’s relevant policies
• To work with community mental health teams and other interested stakeholders to promote the services of the charity
• To act as an advocate for Bipolar UK within your work
• Willing to travel within the UK as deemed appropriate by the organisation, reasonable adjustments are available.
• Other duties deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive to assist in achieving the aims and objectives of the charity

 Person Specification

The successful candidate will have:

• Understanding of lived experience and peer support
• Ability to work as part of a team and individually using own initiative
• An understanding and awareness of safeguarding
• Ability to work autonomously and at times remotely from line manager
• Experience of data collection and monitoring
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Be competent in the use of Microsoft 365 products including Outlook and other Microsoft Office programmes
• Experience of delivering peer support in paid employment or as a volunteer

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Bipolar UK is an equal opportunities organisation. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of bipolar or other mental health conditions, people from under‑represented communities, and those whose voices are less often heard in mental health spaces.

All recruitment decisions are based solely on skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Data Protection

Any personal information you provide will be handled securely and used only for recruitment purposes, in line with UK data protection legislation.

Safeguarding

All employees are expected to work in line with Bipolar UK’s safeguarding policies, ensuring safe, respectful and empowering environments for everyone we work with.

The successful candidate will likely have:

• Experience of partnership working with statutory and third sector organisations
• Lived or professional experience supporting people affected by bipolar, or severe mental health conditions.

How to Apply

Bipolar UK operate a blind recruitment practice and advertise our roles via CharityJob.

Please submit your CV online to CharityJob with a covering letter (maximum two A4 pages). Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience meets the person specification and explains your motivation for working with Bipolar UK

Closing date is 9am on Monday 25 May 2026.

This is a grant funded role, fixed term for two years, with the opportunity for conversion to a permanent role should funding allow.

Main Purpose of the Role:

To provide proactive, emotional, and practical support to families and individuals affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) across Scotland. The role will focus on early engagement, wellbeing assessment, community building, and delivery of workshops and events, while ensuring accurate tracking of support outcomes and data.  
 
The successful candidate will also lead on support for young people living with Duchenne during 2 key transition points (primary to secondary school stage and moving into adulthood). They will work closely with the England-based Transitions Coordinator to deliver a joined-up programme of support across the UK. 

Specific Tasks:

1. Proactive Family Support 

• Initiate contact with newly registered families within agreed timeframes (email within 3 working days, call within 7–10 working days) 

• Contact to be made to all registered Action Duchenne members, knows to us in Scotland, to ensure the current support offer is clear  

• Provide ongoing support tailored to individual needs, including emotional wellbeing, physical health, housing, financial security, self-esteem and respect, decision-making, social engagement, quality of life, and access to care 

• Use the Action Duchenne Assessment Form and Action Plan to identify and respond to areas of concern 

2. Transitions Support 

· Lead transition support across all nations, with a focus on Scotland, for children and young people facing key life changes, including: 

· Moving between educational settings such as primary to secondary 

· Transitioning from paediatric to adult health services 

· Changes in mobility and independence (e.g. transitioning to using powerchairs)

· You will lead, but expected to work collaboratively with the England-based Transition Coordinator to ensure consistency and continuity of support across the UK 

· Develop resources, guidance, and workshops to support families through transitions 

3. Wellbeing Tracking and Outcome Measurement 

· Administer wellbeing questionnaires and record scores across key domains (e.g. physical health, emotional wellbeing, financial security) 

· Collaborate with families to co-create action plans and track progress 

· Ensure all data is entered into CRM (E-Tapestry or similar) within the allotted timeframe, i.e. immediately after or during the call. 

4. Community Engagement and Event Delivery 

· Organise and deliver regional meetups (minimum one per quarter) 

· Facilitate support groups (virtual and in-person) for parents, young people, and extended family 

· Support delivery of workshops and events aligned with programme schedule (e.g. music, life skills, employability) 

5. Stakeholder Collaboration 

· Liaise with external organisations including NHS care advisors and clinics, local authorities, counselling services, and other charities 

· Represent Action Duchenne in Scotland and build relationships with local networks 

6. Administration and Reporting 

· Maintain accurate records of all interactions and support provided 

· Contribute to quarterly reporting on activity delivery, capacity utilisation, and family impact 

· Support development of CRM processes and service delivery improvements 

7. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): 

· New contact acknowledgement email: within 3 working days 

· New contact follow-up call: within 7–10 working days 

· Families contacted per week: 12–15 hours of direct contact 

· Regional meetups: 1 per quarter 

· Support groups delivered: 9–12 per year 

· CRM data entry: within 24 hours of interaction 

· Family outcomes tracked: via wellbeing questionnaire and action plan 

· Transition support delivered: tracked through engagement, resources, and feedback 

NB This is not an exhaustive list, the role holder will be asked to carry out additional tasks as required for the Team’s successful service delivery. Such tasks will always be reasonable and broadly in line with current knowledge levels and skill sets.

Please find below the job specification, including required skills and qualifications.

Are you passionate about children’s literacy? Do you want to use your skills and experience to enable opportunity for children living with little or no access to books and reading? Can you help create a home environment where reading for pleasure is part of the fabric of family life? If so, read on - we may have just the job for you here at Doorstep Library!

We are now looking for a second Service Deilvery Manager to share the delivery of our reading projects across London to ensure that all of our projects are delivered to schedule and our families and children are supported. You will directly manage half of our small team of amazing delivery staff, who work part-time during term time, supporting them to deliver our volunteer-led reading sessions and creating a positive culture of inclusion, development, and above all – fun!

This is an excellent opportunity for a service-focussed, poeple manager to apply and develop their skills in the non-profit sector and help us to help more children read for pleasure and see where words will take them. 

Accountable to: CEO

Place of work: The Southmead Project, BS10 6AS

Hours: 4 days per week (30 hours) between 9.00am and 5.00pm

Interview date: Friday 29th May

Salary: £48,000 p/a pro rata 

Contract: 1 year fixed term (covering a maternity leave position)

The Southmead Project is an equal opportunities employer providing free specialist counselling and support for survivors of abuse across Bristol and surrounding areas. Our recruitment is done in line with safer recruitment practices. We welcome people of any race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, ability, language, religion and cultural background. We value the differences between people and affirm each person as an individual.

We value our team very highly and pride ourselves on being a supportive employer. We provide the following benefits to encourage a supported, well-rounded and enriched practice:

• Paid supervision for 1.5 hours per month, with an external supervisor of that person’s choice

• Line management for 1 hour per month

• Training budget of £500 per year to spend on relevant training of that person’s choice

• Employer pension contribution of 5%

• Generous annual leave allowance and paid sick leave

• Cycle to work scheme

• Optional private counselling for up to 12 sessions per year with an external counsellor of that person’s choice

Therapeutic Management

• To manage and support a staff team, including the Head of Active Recovery, a Counselling Lead, Nexus Counselling Manager, a Family Support Group Facilitator, and administrators.

• To oversee all of the charity’s therapeutic services and ensure that efficient and high-quality services are delivered.

• To be the charity’s Designated Safeguarding Lead to respond effectively and efficiently to safeguarding concerns.

• To ensure staff are sufficiently trained in adult and child safeguarding and that training records are kept up-to-date.

• To oversee the charity’s pre-trial therapy processes and be a point of contact for the police.

• To develop and improve the charity’s therapeutic services, including any expansion of the services.

• To manage therapeutic recruitment, inductions and training.

• To hold monthly staff meetings and service team meetings when needed.

• To oversee the individual and group supervision arrangements and reporting for all staff. 

• To manage and have overall responsibility for the ongoing use of an online Case Management System, ensuring that data is inputted accurately for reporting purposes.

• To support the charity’s quality assurance and development of its services through monitoring  and responding to client feedback and outcomes data.

• To develop the charity’s survivor voice work and ensure that the charity’s services are informed by survivors and their lived experience. 

• To manage any complaints raised by clients. 

Leadership

• To work collaboratively as part of a Leadership Team to make decisions and resolve issues affecting the day-to-day running of the charity and management of its staff team.

• To strategically plan and develop the therapeutic services of the charity.

• To develop relationships with partner agencies and professionals to raise awareness of our therapeutic services and strengthen our work.

• To build and maintain a positive working relationship with the Board of Trustees.

• To attend and contribute to trustee meetings and trustee working group meetings, reporting on the therapeutic services and any clinical matters arising. 

• To assist in promoting the charity by attending all relevant meetings directly connected with your work.

• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the needs of the charity.

Client Work

• To provide one-to-one counselling for survivors of abuse of all genders, both online / by phone and face-to-face, with a caseload of approximately 4 clients. 

• To maintain confidential and accurate counselling notes of all sessions.

• To attend monthly one-to-one clinical supervision with a supervisor approved by the Southmead Project. (Supervision is a requirement of this charity as members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).

• To attend monthly one-to-one line management meetings.

• To work to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy ethical guidelines.

• To work within the framework, spirit and ethos of the Southmead Project’s Equal Opportunities Policy, and actively engage in promoting the policy within the charity and in all dealings with clients and other agencies.

• All members of staff, paid and unpaid, are required to undergo the enhanced level of Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL:

• Diploma in Counselling (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited course or equivalent); and to have BACP accreditation or be working towards BACP accreditation or equivalent.

• To be a registered member of BACP, UKCP, NCS or equivalent professional body, with over 5 years of supervised counselling experience.

• Significant experience of providing one-to-one counselling for survivors of abuse and carrying out initial assessments and risk assessments.

• Significant knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting this client group and the impact of trauma.

• Significant line management and appraisal experience with the ability to effectively co-ordinate a team. 

• The ability to support staff to foster a positive working environment and deliver a high quality of service.

• Experience of recruiting staff, including inductions and training.

• Experience of managing safeguarding concerns and supporting others to act in accordance with safeguarding policies and in the best interests of the client or those at risk. 

• The ability to work with clients online or by phone.

• Experience of working collaboratively as part of a leadership team and ability to contribute to an organisation’s future development.

• Experience of developing and maintaining working relationships with partner agencies and professionals. 

• Excellent organisational and planning skills.

• Excellent IT skills and experience of using Microsoft Word and Excel, with the ability to confidently use and support others with an online Case Management System. 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• A commitment to identifying ongoing personal development and training needs and to take appropriate action to ensure these needs are met.

• The ability to keep accurate and confidential records of client work.

• Experience of being a client in a formal counselling relationship.

• Experience of and commitment to working with diversity.

• To have the capacity to work flexibly within a small professional team.

• The ability to manage own time and work load effectively.

• The ability to chair meetings

DESIRABLE:

• Training in trauma processing approaches, such as EMDR, Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET),  brainspotting, trauma-focused CBT, and Rewind Technique.

• Experience of working within a community-based organisation.

• Experience of working with people that have used drugs or alcohol to cope with trauma.

• Experience of running therapeutic groups.

• Experience of delivering training. 

The Organisation

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is the UK’s leading children’s charity, driven by a single, unwavering belief: every child deserves to be safe, loved, and free from abuse. Established in 1884 and operating under Royal Charter, the organisation has spent more than 140 years working to prevent cruelty to children and create lasting change in their lives.

Today, that mission has never been more urgent. As the challenges facing children continue to evolve, from the risks of online harm to complex family circumstances, the NSPCC provides vital frontline support while also working to influence the systems that protect children. Each year, it helps make over a million children safer from abuse, with thousands of adults turning to its Helpline and children and young people relying on Childline’s 24/7 counselling when they have nowhere else to turn.

Working across all four nations of the UK and the Channel Islands, the NSPCC combines direct services, education programmes, and national advocacy to drive impact far beyond its immediate reach. Central to its work is a commitment to evidence-led practice, ensuring every action is informed by what works, and that the voices and experiences of children and young people remain at the heart of a safer, more protective society.

The Role

At the heart of NSPCC is its Services Directorate, delivering practical, child-centred support that helps keep children and young people safe. These services translate the organisation’s mission into action through prevention, therapeutic support, and strengthening safeguarding practice.

The Services Director will play a critical role in shaping the NSPCC’s future as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, leading the development and delivery of a national services strategy and overseeing a complex portfolio of services.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Leading high-quality national and local services that improve outcomes for children and young people
• Shaping and delivering the services strategy to support the organisation’s wider ambitions
• Driving integration and impact across NSPCC and Childline services
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including the Chief Executive, Board, and external partners

The Person

This is an opportunity for a collaborative, values-driven leader to navigate complexity, drive meaningful change, and make a lasting difference to children’s lives at scale. The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Extensive experience and proven track record at Director level of successfully developing and delivering services, including co-production and collaboration with partners, in a complex stakeholder environment that have a measurably positive impact for beneficiaries.
• Highly experienced in child protection with demonstrable knowledge and experience of child safeguarding. A social work qualification will be highly advantageous.
• Proven experience leading and managing teams of functional experts, overseeing significant income and expenditure budgets, and driving operational performance through the setting and monitoring of clear, aligned objectives.
• Experience of designing and delivering transformational change and driving performance management using appropriate quality and management methods and models, to deliver efficient and effective services.
• Demonstrable understanding of the operational context for services including the commissioning and market environment.
• Experience of managing senior stakeholders, both internally and externally, and confidence in dealing with, and influencing, senior employees and volunteer colleagues, and producing and imparting clear and non-technical advice and information.
• Values the different skills and attributes of others, utilising the insight, experience and expertise of colleagues.
• Experience of representing an organisation at the highest level. Clearly articulates a compelling vision, focussing on both what the future might hold and the more immediate stepping stones to realise those outcomes.
• Challenges constructively and evidences a willingness to receive constructive challenge in order to drive our individual and collective efforts forward.

Further Information

For further information about NSPCC, the role responsibilities, and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this key role within the NSPCC and feel you have the skills and experience required, please include the following with your application:

• An up to date CV with the details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission).
• A supporting statement which addresses how you meet the criteria for the role as detailed in the Person Specification. Please also discuss your motivations for applying.

Closing date for applications: Monday 1st June 2026
Preliminary interviews with Russam: 12th-16th June 2026
First stage interviews with NSPCC: Week commencing 29th June 2026
Second stage interviews with NSPCC: Week commencing 6th July 2026

Role/Job Title: Head of Kent Services
Location: Pembury, with travel between services as required 
Contracted Hours Full time -37 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum FTE

Application Deadline Date:  Friday 24th May 2026 / Interviews to take place at Cornford Lane site (Pembury) on Wednesday 10th June
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.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

Equal Opportunity/Accessibility and Accommodations Statement:
As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. We actively promote the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to our organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Aspens’ mission is to provide high-quality care and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.

We provide support and care to children, families and adults across Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Surrey and the London Borough of Bexley. Our services include registered care homes; supported living; community outreach; day services, including pathways to employment; children and young people’s groups and support; specialist support; and free online support for families and carers across the South-East.
 

About the role:
This is a tremendously exciting time to join Aspens. With our new Chief Operating Officer in place, we are actively shaping how we work to ensure we deliver the very best for the people we support. Her focus and ambition are centred on establishing consistent, high-quality practice across the organisation and ensuring that everything we do enhances, in a meaningful and measurable way, the lives of those we support.
 

The Head of Kent Services is a leadership role responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial oversight of services within Kent, currently residential services for adults with autism and/or learning disabilities, supported living services, and services for children and families across Kent.

The postholder will ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centred care and support that promotes autonomy, dignity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for individuals and families. The Head of Kent Services will lead and develop a small team of locality managers ensuring regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and continuous service improvement across the portfolio.

The Head of Kent Services will be a member of the Inclusive Executive Leadership Team, working in collaboration with other leaders to drive the best outcomes for the People we Support and the Charity.

 

Knowledge and Experience:

We’re looking for someone who brings a combination of the following experiences, whether gained through formal roles, lived experience, volunteering or other pathways.  We value diverse routes into leadership and welcome applications from individuals who may not have followed traditional career paths.

Essential Experience:

• Significant senior management experience in health and social care.
• Proven leadership experience managing CQC Registered Managers.
• Strong knowledge of autism and learning disability support models.
• Experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• Demonstrable experience of regulatory compliance and inspection processes.
• Experience working with commissioners and local authorities.
• Experience managing large-scale change programmes.
• Significant experience in building team capability and managing complex employee relations.
   

Essential Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and operational delivery capability.
• Strong financial acumen.

• Experience overseeing impactful, outcomes-driven services at a strategic level.

• Strong project and programme management skills.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills.
• High-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage complexity and drive change.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships, with trust and integrity
  
  
   

Desirable:

• Relevant professional qualification in health or social care (Level 5 or above).
• Experience overseeing multiple residential and/or supported living services.
• Experience in service mobilisation or turnaround.
• Experience with Positive Behaviour Support at strategic level.
   

Core Values & Leadership Expectations:

• Commitment to person-centred, rights-based and autonomy approaches.
• Passion for inclusion, dignity, and empowerment.
• Dedication to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
• Evidence-informed decision-making.
• High levels of integrity, resilience, and accountability.

• Reflective, open to feedback and committed to continuous learning
• Brings authenticity, empathy and a collaborative spirit
  
   

What we can offer you:

• An exciting and rewarding role that you can really make your own
• An opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment, with formal and informal training and development initiatives.
• Member of the Inclusive Executive Leadership Team.
• Hybrid working
• Adjusted Hours or compressed working weeks
• Fantastic paid training and career progression opportunities (including recognised qualifications in health and social care)
• Paid DBS 
• Annual Leave / Pro rata dependent on hours. Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service
• Nest Pension and Death in Service Benefit
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Access to Mental Health First Aiders
• Aspens High Street Stores -20% discount on all items for Aspens’ staff
• Bluebell cafe- Discounted staff menu available
• Refer a Friend scheme, so you can earn up to £250 for every person you refer to work for Aspens
• Recognition schemes, including ‘Employee of the Month’
• Wellbeing initiatives such as: no email/meeting Fridays, no meetings over lunchtime to ensure people can take a break, encouraged not to read or reply to emails outside of working hours, and access to counselling

If shortlisted, we will contact you directly to schedule an interview. We strive to respond to all applicants; however, if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe, please feel free to contact us for a status update or feedback (where available). After the interview, you will be notified of the outcome. If successful, you’ll receive a formal offer in writing. Upon acceptance, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process, providing you with all the details you need.

Please note, any offer of employment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring checks (which we will arrange on your behalf if you don’t already have one) and satisfactory employment references.