Social care and Development jobs

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite on a seven-day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, increasing life skills and self-confidence, and improving emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our 16+ Older Looked After Young People (OLYP), Care Leavers and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) services delivers specialist 24-hour supported accommodation where young people are supported to acquire the necessary skills in preparation for living independently, safely explore their increased freedom of choice and develop responsibilities associated with adulthood, whilst still having the appropriate level of support from an experienced team.

We adopt a trauma informed and psychologically informed approach to supporting our residents to help them build essential life skills, identify their goals and support residents into independent accommodation. We have a dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers and additional Bank Workers who provide support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building.

We are looking for a Supported Housing Support Worker to join our Cook Road, Horsham team, who will hold a caseload of residents and meet with them weekly to build a support plan. Main areas of responsibilities are:

Housing

• Coach young people to manage their occupancy agreement and adhere to house rules, in preparation for independent living. 
• Promote a credit culture, encouraging young people to keep up to date with all payments for rent.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of housing and welfare benefits for young people and be well-informed on significant changes to housing law.
• Deal effectively with non-compliance issues, such as non-payment of rent or damage to room, using restorative practices and working collaboratively with the rest of the team.

Coaching and Engagement

• Coach young people so they can articulate their aspirations and ambitions and take the lead in acquiring the skills they need to live independent and fulfilling lives.
• Ensure young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal development, to engage with the services on offer and build strong networks and connections within the local community. 
• Ensure consistent standards of safeguarding and Trauma Informed Practice when supporting young people, observing our safeguarding procedures, and keeping yourself and residents safe by respecting professional boundaries.
• Maintain client records on In-Form (client database) detailing the young person’s journey in relation to their strengths and needs, any risks, and any outcomes (to monitor service performance). 

General 

• Work as part of a team, on a rota shift pattern, ensuring young people at the service have non-judgemental, objective, and supportive staff during the day/evening, along with taking responsibility for personal safety during periods of lone working
• Contribute to a great working environment, with a calm, yet assertive manner, being able to handle potentially difficult situations.
• Participate in relevant continuing professional development and utilise Reflective Practice Supervision as part of leading psychologically informed practice. 

There will be times when lone working will be a requirement for this role, but you will get to know the team and service, along with an induction and training prior to starting on a rota. Please download the job profile for full role details.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

This is a dynamic and varied role; you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people.

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience relating to housing, support work, and/or working with young people at risk
• Experience of working proactively with a caseload of young people with multiple and complex needs to enable them to achieve independent living. 
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary resources available to young people with multiple and complex needs.
• Knowledge of good safeguarding procedures in relation to young people and the ability to maintain effective professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated confidence and competence in recording notes/actions in service log, incident forms and health and safety check lists.

Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident’s progression, and to evidence outcomes achieved.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, including signposting and advocating for clients as necessary. 
• Ability to work autonomously, and use own initiative, as well as being part of a team.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, good IT, and keyboard skills.
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately.

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in this post. The school opened its doors in January 2023 for autistic children, originally in temporary accommodation.  Children and staff have just moved into a permanent purpose-built school . The school roll is currently 47 increasing to 70 in the next academic year.

The Hawthorns House, where the residential provision will be offered, is situated in a brand-new purpose-built house with 10 bedrooms next to the site of the school. The build is due to be completed in Summer 2025.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to become part of and contribute to a new residential staff team. We are looking for a dedicated, passionate and committed Residential Team Members. These positions involve working with autistic children aged 7-16 years.  The residential provision will cater for 10 pupils, with a gradual transition to its full capacity as the residential team develops.

The vision for the residential provision is to provide pupils with further opportunities to grow, learn, achieve and aspire to become participants in our local community. Our mission is to achieve this through secure relationships with residential staff in an environment providing outstanding care, to build the basis for a fulfilling life for children with autism.

You will need to be able to work as part of a team as well as being self-led and motivated. It will be a fast-paced and fun environment. You must be caring, fair and nurturing to enable our children to develop positive and trusting relationships. There will be a strong emphasis on supporting self-regulation, confidence and effective communication.

You will be expected to contribute to, facilitate and review plans in place for each child which will reflect their ECHPs, working closely with the Head of Residential Care to ensure a collaborative approach with The Hawthorns School. There will high expectations of the staff to provide a safe and supportive environment, aspiring for all children to exceed expectations.

If you would like to informally discuss any of the roles with the Head of Residential Care please contact The Hawthorns School to arrange a suitable time.

The Hawthorns School is one of a community of special schools, supported by the well-established and highly regarded SEAX Trust. 

Best wishes

Jen Tinsley, Head of Residential Care

Rural Community Manager

An exciting opportunity for a dynamic, community-driven Rural Manager to lead rural development across Hertfordshire and help shape the future of sustainable countryside living.

Position: Rural Manager
Location: Hybrid, home-based with one day a week in the Hertford office.
Salary: £32,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours/week which may include some evening or weekend work as we operate a flexible working system.
Contract Type: Fixed term until 31 March 2026 (with strong potential for extension)
 

Closing Date:  Wednesday 11th June 2025 at 11.59pm

About the role:
As Rural Manager, you’ll lead a range of community-led projects that strengthen Hertfordshire’s rural infrastructure and support sustainable living. You'll be the key voice for rural communities, working directly with residents, local councils, and statutory partners to drive forward initiatives from concept to delivery and long-term sustainability.

Your work will span everything from facilitating rural housing projects to conducting Asset Based Community Development mapping, and from advising parish councils to managing grant applications and training sessions. This is a hands-on role with a meaningful legacy. Act as the voice of Rural Hertfordshire to statutory bodies, guiding policy decisions to incorporate and consider the unique needs of rural communities.

About you:
You’ll be a self-starter with a passion for rural life and community development. You will also bring:

• Experience in rural community work or development.
• A successful track record in partnership building and multi-agency collaboration.
• Experience with funding applications and project delivery.
• Excellent communication skills and a proactive, strategic mindset.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
• Level 3 qualifications including A-levels or international Baccalaureate diploma, Level 3 NVQ, Level 3 National Diploma or Certificate, Advanced Apprenticeship or equivalent experience in a relevant field would be desirable.
• Knowledge of rural policy, asset-based community development, and digital communications would also be desirable.

About the organisation:

Our client is a respected community development organisation working to foster vibrant, inclusive, and resilient rural communities. This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible impact on people’s lives and ensure the unique voices of Hertfordshire’s rural populations are heard and acted upon. Based in Hertfordshire where they have helped communities and delivered projects and services for over 50 years to help improve life for both rural and urban Hertfordshire.

As the Rural Community Charity for Hertfordshire they work to raise awareness of the needs of rural communities, farmers and businesses. Bringing together people and communities, champion the disadvantaged and provide advocacy for minorities and excluded groups.

This is a great opportunity to shape a role going forward.

Other roles you may have experience of could include:
Community Development Officer, Rural Affairs Officer, Community Engagement Manager, Project Manager (Rural Development), Strategic Partnerships Manager, or similar.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Finance Assistant

This is an exciting opportunity for a Finance Assistant to join a national charity, where you will have exposure to a range of areas within the Finance Team.

Position: Finance Assistant

Location: Hybrid – London or Manchester or North East (2 days in office, 2 days remote)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Part-time, 4 days a week (30 hours )

Salary: North East - £21,245.95 PA, North West - £23,645.95 PA, London £24,045.95 PA

Closing Date: 25th May 2025

Interviews: week commencing from 2nd of June, 2025

About the Role

As a Finance Assistant, you will be responsible for setting up and updating all property and resident accounts on the rental ledger system and for ensuring that rental income in correctly reflected on both the rent and finance systems on a timely basis.

You will work closely with project staff and housing benefit departments regarding rental income queries and ensure that rental income is received in accordance with the charity’s internal financial controls and all legal regulatory requirements are complied with. The role will involve some sales ledger work, under the supervision of the Rental Income Business Partner.

Some Key responsibilities include:

• Rental Ledger and rental collection

• Responsible for reviewing the rental income bank account and accurately reflecting all receipts onto the rental income system

• Identify any overpayments and request the necessary refunds

• Produce and send out monthly rent arrears and voids

• Process monthly rent write-offs

• Reconcile and close monthly accounts

• Raise rental income sales invoices and follow up on late payments

About You

You’ll be a highly organised individual, with excellent interpersonal skills. You will be comfortable working independently and communicating effectively with colleagues across the organisation.

Essential skills and experience:

• Good knowledge of rental income accounting and processes e.g. Housing Benefits

• Experience of rental income accounting systems, preferably including Omni

• Good Excel skills and well as other Microsoft packages.

• Ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines.

• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.

In return for working here, you will receive:

• A comprehensive training package tailored to your needs and role

• Commitment to continued professional development with internal mentoring.

• Flexible working model for suitable roles.

• Supportive flexitime and toil arrangements.

• 26 days annual leave rising to 30 after five years’ service.

• Family friendly leave policies including - maternity, adoption and parental leave and Carers leave.

• Financial wellbeing offering interest free loans and advances

• Auto-enrolment to pension scheme employer from day 1 with employer contribution up to 7% and increasing with service

• Employee Assistance Programme and access to the app – 24/7 GP appointments, prescription service, health checks and nutrition advice.

• Cycle to Work scheme and interest-free season ticket loans.

• Discount vouchers including gym, retail, food & drink, travel, electricals and more.

• Cash benefit plan for you and your partner (living with you) and children under 18 including covering Dental, Optical, Hospital Stays, Scans and More

• International Accident Cover – accidental death, permanent disability

• Death in service (4x Base salary)

• Legal Advice line

About the Organisation

The charity delivers a wide range of support and housing services for young people and adults at risk of homelessness. They specialise in the provision of services that prevent homelessness, increase the resilience of those they work with and energise opportunities for employment, education, training and volunteering in the communities they work within. The organisation reaches from Newcastle to London, Greater Manchester and Milton Keynes.

You may have experience in areas such as such as: Payroll, Administrator, Finance Admin, Finance Administration, Finance Administrator, Finance Assistant, Financial Assistant, Finance Officer, Accounts Officer. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

We have an exciting opportunity for a specialist Domestic Abuse focused Victim Care Officer to join the South Wales Victim Focus team based in Rumney Police Station, Cardiff, working 37.5 hours a week.

Victim Support offer a hybrid working policy, where you will be able to work some of your working week from home, .

If you want to make a difference every day? and you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

If you have resilience & adaptability? and can work effectively within a fast paced environment with a focus on customer service and care then we'd love to hear from you...

We’re growing our fundraising team! Here at Keech Hospice we know that raising more funds enables us to reach many more people in our community and we’re delighted that this has been recognised with a substantial investment into the team structure. You’ll be joining us at an exciting time for the team and the organisation, with a recent re-brand, a deep-dive into fundraising and the build of a new strategic plan for raising income - you could join a brilliant existing team to help us transform the way we fundraise and help us, help more.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creating and implementing strategies to increase legacy giving and gifts in wills
• Engaging with potential donors and developing strong relationships with individual supporters
• Embedding a clear understanding of legacy fundraising through collaborative working
• Leading multiple projects ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategy
• Analyse fundraising data to inform decision-making

What We're Looking For:

• Excellent communication skills to engage and inspire
• Project management skills
• Previous experience in charity sector with focus on gifts in wills and fundraising in memory
• High level proficiency in CRM
• Strong understanding of charity sector and fundraising regulations

What we offer:

• A competitive salary and generous annual leave
• Ability to carry over your existing NHS pension scheme
• Healthcare scheme
• Free car parking and cycle to work scheme
• Career development and progression opportunities
• A caring, supportive and inclusive environment

Volunteering for Health is a NHS funded programme to build the capacity and capability of organisations and local health and care systems in England, through the development of volunteering infrastructure. It aims to realise the potential of volunteering in improving the experience and outcomes of people using our health and care systems.

Following a successful bid by Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) as part of a partnership with NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHL Group), NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, and Liverpool City Council we are recruiting for a Volunteering for Health Development Officer to support the partnership in its intention to:

• Establish a robust volunteering infrastructure to address identified health needs and priorities
• Strengthen the capacity of VCFSE (Voluntary Community Faith Social Enterprise) organisations to engage with health volunteering
• Promote collaboration between VCFSE, and statutory organisations to improve health outcomes
• Ensuring sustainability of health volunteering practices beyond the life of the project
• Responding to identified gaps in health volunteering and integrating efforts with local health strategies

The Volunteering for Health Development Officer will support the development and delivery of coherent and sustainable volunteering infrastructure in Liverpool, particularly to grow the level of health and wellbeing linked volunteering opportunities across Liverpool.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAD (OASIS ASHBURTON PARK)

FULL-TIME, 40 HOURS PER WEEK

SALARY:  £33,422 per annum

LOCATION:  CROYDON

PROJECT: 100 YEARS OF ASHBURTON PARK   

Want to make your community and local park a better place?

Will you support young people to recognise and reach their potential?

Are you passionate about how education and youth work can work alongside each other to make a positive impact on young people’s lives?

Want to be part of a supportive, dynamic, fun & quality team?

Oasis Ashburton Park are now in a position to employ an experienced Youth Development Lead to work alongside wider team in Croydon. The role will be focussed on the Ashburton Park area (surrounding Oasis Academies; Arena, Shirley Park and Ryeland’s) working closely with the academies as part of Oasis Ashburton Park and the ‘100 Years of Ashburton Park’ Project funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund.

As a Youth Development Lead you will;

• Develop and oversee a Youth Advisory Panel to ensure that youth voice is central to the design of our Youth Engagement Programme and the 360 Youth Centre.
• Develop and oversee the Youth Engagement Programme as part of the ‘100 years of Ashburton Park Project’ including a range of activities in and nearby to Ashburton Park, including after school drop-in’s, evening sessions, group work and one-one mentoring.
• Support the development and engagement of young people in a Food Growing Enterprise based at Ashburton Lodge.
• Work closely with Croydon Council and other partners to support young people to engage with a wide range of programmes and activities that are part of the ‘100 years of Ashburton Park Project’.
• Deliver open access sessions, group and one to one interventions with young people including; half term, afterschool, evenings and residentials, using a planned youth work curriculum.
• Line manage youth workers, sessional youth workers and youth volunteers to plan, deliver and evaluate youth work termly.
• Contribute to the development of youth work across the area and lead on specific areas of work on behalf of the team.

Amongst other requirements, the successful post holder must have:

· Relevant experience OR qualification in Youth & Community (JNC), Social Work (QSW) or SEND.

· Proven experience working with young people ‘at risk’.

· Reliability, with a flexible approach to changes and able to work unsociable hours.

· Experience of project and/or people management

As part of the package, Oasis offers:

• A pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution.
• A generous holiday allowance and training opportunities.
• A supportive, friendly work environment, with flexible working arrangements.

If you are interested in this position, please email a CV and covering letter detailing why you feel you are suitable for this role. Please visit the Oasis Chartiy Jobs website for further information.

Completed applications should be returned by 5pm 23rd May

Round one Interviews will take place on W/C 2nd June

Round two interviews will take place on W/C 9th June

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. If you require any assistance to overcome potential barriers to application, please let us know. 

Oasis is a multi-national charity supporting young people and their families in 10 countries worldwide. Our vision is for building healthy communities: places where everyone is included, making a contribution and reaching their full potential.

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. 

The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889

Closing date: 29 May at 11pm.

Ref: SCI-251

Do you have extensive experience and understanding of working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults – including the crucial ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with young people and parents/carers who may have had previous negative experiences of services?

If so, St Giles has the ideal challenge for you: as a Senior Caseworker on our pioneering SOS project. Here we work with both victims and perpetrators of serious youth violence and other gang related offences, helping clients to be safe, move away from offending and take positive choices.

About St Giles Trust 

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others. 

About this key role

Your role will be to provide young person centred holistic support – including everything from helping clients to understand their own behaviour and its consequences, and promoting change, to helping clients’ families to support them and providing practical help with attending appointments, education, training and employment options, housing, benefits, debt and other aspects of day-to-day living. You’ll be part of a client focused SOS Team delivering casework services, predominantly Monday-Friday during office hours, and within Islington (although other hours and deployments may be required). You’ll also work closely with a range of partner agencies to ensure clients access the appropriate services and get the best outcomes.

Working flexibly within the community, with responsibility for one or more volunteers, you’ll be building effective and engaging relationships with young people involved in or at risk of being involved in the criminal justice system, with the aim of improving their life chances. You’ll conduct robust risk assessments and strengths-based needs assessments, with safeguarding as the priority, and ensure that all young people work towards an agreed support plan which is regularly reviewed and adapted. You’ll also build effective relationships with agencies providing services to the client group, and enable clients to engage in positive activity within the community (e.g. boxing, football, etc).

What we are looking for

• Significant experience of working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults and delivering interventions that have had a positive impact – preferably in a health and wellbeing context and/or on an offender led support project.

• Experience of providing support, advice and advocacy, with the ability to assess clients’ needs. 

• Extensive experience of managing complex safeguarding issues with children, young people and adults who are at risk of violence or exploitation, whilst working alone.

• Understanding of the physical, social, emotional and developmental needs of children and young people, their specific needs as they transition to legal adulthood, and the issues they face, e.g. exploitation, victimisation, offending, school exclusion, unemployment, trauma.

• Extensive knowledge of the impact of context – with a clear understanding of best practice around contextual safeguarding and those experiencing harm outside the home.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice in the context of working with children, young people and parents/carers impacted by violence and exploitation, and of how trauma –including from their own lives – can impact on how practitioners manage cases.

• Working knowledge of child protection and safeguarding legislation/policy, with experience of providing support, advice and advocacy to staff with a safeguarding responsibility.

• Understanding of the importance of good quality case recording quality assurance principles. 

• Ability to use electronic case management systems to record all aspects of the role, including action plans, outcomes and session data on a day-to-day basis.

• Recognition of the importance of resilience in coping with the emotional demands of the role and demonstrable experience of managing your own wellbeing.

• Relevant qualification to a good standard or equivalent experience – ideally with relevant accredited training such as safeguarding, counselling or mental health first aid.

As an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will require an Enhanced Child and Adult with Child Barred DBS Check.

We actively encourage people with personal experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role. 

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

Closing date: 29 May at 11pm.

Vox Liminis seeks a visionary Artistic Director to lead our pioneering work at the intersection of arts and criminal justice. You will shape and grow an ambitious artistic vision that is values-led, strategically focused, and collaboratively developed.

The ideal candidate brings substantial leadership experience in socially engaged arts practice, with a demonstrated commitment to critical thinking, community development, and social justice. Working alongside diverse people, you'll lead the development of innovative creative projects that challenge conventional responses to crime, harm, and conflict.

Permanent position (£50,000 - £60,000 pro rata), based in Glasgow with flexible working options. Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding secured for 2025-2028.

Full appliction process, job description, and person specification can be found in our Artistic Director Job Pack.

Application deadline: June 15th, 2025 (midnight)

We are delighted to be working with Emmaus Hampshire, a vibrant and thriving social enterprise community and registered Charity, who are now seeking a Support Manager to contribute to the smooth operation of the social enterprise, and importantly to play a pivotal role in the lives of 8-9 Companions.  The Support Manager will act as their account manager and advocate, focusing on their welfare and progress toward independent living, including assisting them with personal budgeting and money management, offering personalised support, coaching, counselling, and guidance.

Emmaus provide accommodation and meaningful employment for ex-homeless people, employed in their recycled furniture retail store, warehouse, workshop and community kitchen. The income our Companions generate through these activities funds the community.

As a Support Manager, you will be someone who thrives in a dynamic environment. You will demonstrate a belief in the potential of each individual and an understanding of the importance of the Community in helping an individual achieve their potential.

You will:

• Have effective leadership qualities from your experience in supervising people, tasks, and timelines in a service-related background such as catering, retail or customer service.
• Demonstrate strong planning and delegation skills, with the ability to manage operational controls and ensure efficient service delivery.
• Be proactive with a supportive approach to coaching team members, helping them grow and succeed in their roles.
• Have an in-depth understanding of homelessness and social exclusion, and a commitment to addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals.
• Solid grounding in social care management, including safeguarding practices, professional boundaries, and person-centred support.

If you are flexible, resilient, and adaptable, with an empathetic approach and a genuine desire to empower others and contribute to a greater cause, we encourage you to apply.

Please note that there will a requirement for DBS.

For more information, please contact Louise Portnall, Recruitment Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Hours: Full time, Sunday - Thursday

Closing date: 6th June 2025

Applications are being reviewed by Charisma on a rolling basis, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.

Director of Operations

Developing Health and Independence (DHI)

Bath

Full time, permanent role

c£68,000 + benefits

Are you creative and adept at making the complex simple?

Do you feel passionately about social justice, challenging discrimination and disadvantage, and developing and delivering effective, solution-focused services that genuinely support people to change their lives? 

Do you have the determination, drive, and vision to lead and develop people, systems and services, overcoming barriers and challenges in a complex, often highly regulated world? 

If you have answered yes then you are likely to thrive in this exciting role as you will be able to take on real responsibility, leading on all DHI operations to deliver high impact services.

DHI is a charity that helps disadvantaged and vulnerable people turn lives around, stand on their own feet and reduce dependency. We do this because we believe everyone should have the chance to achieve their potential to make a valuable contribution to society. 

We help vulnerable young people and adults overcome circumstances, structural barriers as well as self-limiting behaviours that are holding them back.  Our clients are often disadvantaged or living at the margins, meaning they are disproportionately affected by substance misuse, homelessness, offending, mental health issues and other factors that contribute to social exclusion.

Few, if any of our clients, come with a single issue.  Rather than treat issues in isolation, we work with the person, not the label, and find the most effective way to help them.  We help people through a highly personalised, solution-focused approach, regardless of the service they enter; services that include housing, drug and alcohol treatment and much more besides. 

The ideal person will bring significant senior level experience and track record of achievements, working within social or supported housing, drugs/alcohol, or a related social care field, including substantial contract and people management experience.  You will be able to combine practical experience of developing simple effective systems, bring strong leadership, performance management and relationship building skills, and be able to operate successfully in a dynamic, fast-paced and challenging environment.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than 2 sides of A4) that sets out why you are interested in joining DHI as its Director of Operations and how you meet the person specification and our values.

Closing date: Midday Wednesday 28th May 2025

Recruitment Process

Initial telephone interviews will take place for a longlist of candidates on 3rd June 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a formal in person interview on 6th June 2025.

The Spear Centre Manager will work as part of the River Church staff team to oversee the delivery of Spear—an employability programme equipping and empowering unemployed 16-24 year-olds to overcome barriers to employment and turn their lives around by moving into sustainable work or further education.

The important stuff 

Salary: Up to £27,222 pro rata

Hours: Part-Time, 4 days; 9.30am-5.30pm with some out-of-hours work needed for events such as our Spear Celebrations

Location: River Church Ipswich – we are an office-based organisation, situated with direct and fast links to London

Closing date: We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate

Application pack: Download our application pack for more information

We welcome applications from those who are already part of a local church.

Key Responsibilities

Oversight of the Spear Programme

Spear Foundation is a 4-week initial phase, consisting of 2 group sessions plus a 1:1 with each trainee per week, in which we coach young people around skills and mindsets to support them in returning to work or education, and equip them with the skills to stay there. ​

• Prepare and coach group and 1-1 sessions with the Spear Assistant Coach.
• Oversee all aspects of the programme coordination and delivery.
• Ensure the programme is delivered in line with agreed targets, and report to Resurgo and the church on enrolment, retention and completion of Spear Trainees, as well as their ongoing progress.

Partnership liaison and relationship management

• Build and implement a strategy for developing and maintaining relationships with local referral partners to build the profile of the Spear programme within Ipswich and ensure the young people who would benefit from the programme are able to access it.
• Steward relationships with young people after initial point of contact, to encourage enrolment and ensure a full cohort is enrolled for each programme.

Line management and training

• Manage the Spear Assistant Coach, using a coaching approach to invest in their growth and development.
• Work with and be managed by River Church staff locally, and by a Church Partnerships Manager from Resurgo on a national level, to ensure the flourishing of the Spear centre, its team and young people, and to ensure the fulfilment of our shared mission in Ipswich.
• Work with and report to Resurgo teams on KPIs, and use outcomes data to maximise the effectiveness of the programme.

Supporting River Church’s mission and ministry

• Establish strong relationships with key people at the church to ensure the engagement of church members and to build a network of supporters for the Spear programme, though it is not a requirement of the role for the successful candidate to join River Church as their worshipping community if they are already part of another local church
• Work with the Head of Operations and the Fundraising Assistant to prepare grant funding applications for Spear Ipswich, and provide timely grant reporting.
• Keep the River Church congregation updated on the Spear programme to ensure it is a seamless part of the church’s missional work.

Personal qualities we're looking for:

• An active Christian, able to personally represent the values and beliefs of Resurgo and River Church, and a commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader.
• Passion for social justice and for working as part of the church to transform communities, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
• A dynamic and engaging individual with an enthusiasm for and experience of group and 1-1 coaching and training.
• A creative, ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
• A strong leader with experience of line managing and developing others in a high support, high challenge style.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a confidence developing internal and external relationships, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of fun!

Job role: Senior Press Officer

Salary: £48,175 plus generous benefits

Contract type: Fixed term contract 12 months (maternity cover)

35  hours; Flexible working considered

Key dates: Closes Monday 2 June 2025; interviews w/c 16 June 2025

About the Organisation

The charity is the national What Works Centre for Children and Families. We generate and champion high-quality evidence that aims to improve the outcomes of children experiencing vulnerabilities and their families. To do this, we work directly with government and national stakeholders, and with local leaders to embed evidence in policy and practice, and to drive change. We’re an organisation with ambitious aims and our people are essential to our success.

As a member of the What Works Network, we have a pivotal role as the ‘go-to’ source for evidence about services that makes a difference to children and families. We span the spectrum of support for children and families, from early intervention and targeted help to children’s social care.

The organisation strives to be a great place to work, where everyone is high performing and where together we achieve impact that makes a real difference for children and families.

We’re looking for a proactive, highly motivated and experienced Senior Press Office to join our small but impactful Communications and Public Affairs Team. You'll use your communications skills to create and deliver media strategies that cut through in a crowded landscape, raise our brand profile, and position us as the ‘go to’ organisation for evidence, comment and opinion in our space.

This is a pivotal moment in policy and practice for children and families. Reform is underway at national and local level, and a major Bill is passing through Parliament. The priority areas – supporting parenting, strengthening family networks, tackling domestic abuse and relationships for care-experienced children and young people - are media-friendly, topical and frequently high profile. If you want to join a committed and skilled team dedicated to making a difference to children and families, we would like to hear from you.

We value and celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our employees. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We believe it’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of our stakeholders, and the wider society in the UK, and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship. Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying.We offer excellent salaries, learning and development opportunities, and a great office location situated in the heart of St James’. We work in a hybrid and flexible way that recognises the importance of a good work-life balance.

Closing Date: 2 June 2025

Interviews (In-Person): w/c 16 June 2025