Specialist support worker jobs in harlow, essex
Policy and Public Affairs Officer - National Youth Agency
The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Policy & Public Affairs Officer to join our Policy, Insights and External Affairs Team.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £29,000 - £33,000 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications)
Remote: NYA is a remote working organisation. However, its home is in Leicester which is available for staff to work or host meetings. There is also the option of a workspace in London up to 2 days per week. This role will require regular travel to meetings, events and conferences in London and throughout England.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
About the Role
As Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the National Youth Agency, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of youth work in England. You’ll be part of influencing national policy and driving change that directly impacts young people’s lives. Working within a dynamic and supportive team, you’ll be at the forefront of monitoring and interpreting developments across Westminster - from government consultations to parliamentary debates. Your work will ensure NYA stays ahead of the curve, responding swiftly to emerging policy trends and helping to shape national conversations. You’ll work with the team to use these policy insights to develop our influencing and advocacy efforts. If you’re keen to develop your career in policy and public affairs and want to contribute to meaningful change for young people, this role offers the opportunity to do just that.
Key responsibilities for this role will include:
Policy and public affairs support
- Research and track policy developments, political landscape changes, and other relevant areas to identify opportunities to further NYA’s policy calls.
- Monitor and report on parliamentary activities, government announcements, and consultations relevant to youth work.
- Compile and analyse data from various sources to support policy briefs, reports, and other written materials.
- Draft policy briefings, research summaries, consultation responses, letters, reports, newsletters and stakeholder communications.
- Maintain and develop stakeholder relationships and record engagement on the CRM system.
- Work with the team with the preparation and delivery of youth participation activities to support our policy influencing objectives.
Event support
- Support the organisation, coordination and note-taking for meetings and events, including webinars, roundtables and political party conference activity.
- Support with planning and executing of large events including attendee registration, youth participation, materials preparation and using the CRM system.
Other
- Represent the Policy Team at external and internal meetings, policy forums and events.
- Work collaboratively with other teams and directorates to help build an understanding of the work of the Policy and Public Affairs team and effective working relationships across the organisation.
Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.
Why Work for NYA?
NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
How to Apply:
Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements
To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Sunday 29th June 2025:
A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.
Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
Youth Work changes lives
Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it.As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.
We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.
REF-221910
Our client is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of UK bank workers, past and present, and their families.
We help thousands of people facing financial difficulty, health challenges, caring responsibilities, domestic abuse and more through our 40 strong staff team. We help by investing £5.4m in advice, specialist referrals and financial assistance in addition to offering practical, personalised support to those who need it most.
Demand for services continues to be high and the financial pressures on our organisation have grown. As a result, we have launched a new strategy focused on deepening the organisation’s impact, building long-term resilience, and reaching those most in need.
Project Manager
Contract Duration – 3 to 6 months
Location: Hybrid with typically two or three days a week in the London Office (City) remainder from home.
Salary: £40K to £50K (depending on experience)
It’s an exciting time to join the organisation as we evolve the way we work, grow new income streams, and strengthen our influence across the banking sector. This interim role will be taking on a number of project responsibilities to improve organisational efficiency.
Reporting directly to the CEO, the key priorities will be:
- Governance
- Review work already underway and recently completed to create a comprehensive task list/backlog
- Create phasing of work, to include:
- Quick wins – split into months one, two, three, etc.
- Longer term roadmap
- Highlight interdependencies
- Deliver quick wins
- Complete groundwork for longer term roadmap delivery
- Risk management
- Lead refresh of the organisational risk register to ensure:
- It accurately reflects the current risks the charity faces
- Risks are clearly set out
- That mitigations are appropriate, clearly explained, and implemented
- Consider the content rather than register format
- Lead the review of risk appetite
- Develop a robust but simple methodology to review risk appetite that can be easily repeated annually
- Work with the leadership team, committees and board to understand risk appetite – using whatever tools are appropriate
- Set out risk appetite by risk area Other priorities will be:
- IT, including cybersecurity
- Bring together our outsourced IT and cybersecurity teams to ensure we have appropriate controls/protection from cyber attacks
- IT, including cybersecurity
- HR, including management of the HR administrator
- Work with our HR consultants and HR administrator to review work already underway and recently completed to create a comprehensive task list/backlog
- Create phasing of work, to include:
- Quick wins – split into months one, two, three, etc.
- Longer term roadmap
- Highlight interdependencies
- Deliver quick wins through our HR consultants
You will have a strong background in managing and tracking projects, with prior experience in at least two of charity governance, risk assessment, HR and IT. You will understand the processes of charity governance and you will be able to spot areas where organisational effectiveness can be enhanced. You will have prior experience of working in a charity. An excellent communicator both verbally and in writing, you will be highly organised, able to multi-task effectively and an accomplished project manager. You will possess strong IT skills, an insight into HR practices and great problem-solving skills. You will be able to work collaboratively in addition to being a self-starter. You will be able to process sometimes complex information and deliver it in simple and readable reports and updates for the CEO and senior team.
We are excited to be recruiting a part-time role for an Operations Manager in our dynamic voluntary sector adolescent mental health service.
Open Door is a young people’s mental health charity that has been based in Haringey, North London for 49 years. It aims to improve mental health and life-chances of young people. We provide an ‘Open Door’ to free, high quality psychological therapy to 12–24-year-olds delivered by experienced and highly trained clinicians. We also support parents and carers, struggling with the issues their children face. We aim for access to be simple and over half of those we support, self-refer. Many young people who come to us have significant mental health difficulties and have faced barriers to services. Open Door delivers evidence informed practice and has been commended for our ambitious approach to outcome driven care.
Open Door received national recognition for impact, as a 2024 finalist for Health Service Journal (HSJ) Award for Reducing Inequality and Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People Open Door is community embedded, integrated into the local mental health infrastructure, commissioned by North Central London Integrated Care Board and part of the Haringey Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service single-point-of-access. We have a strategic voice which is used to advocate for young people’s mental health and influence practice. Last year we supported over 800 young people, parents and carers and offered over 8000 appointments. This is an exciting time to join Open Door. The candidate will have key role in ensuring Open Door’s operations are efficient and effective.
Open Door works from our bases in Crouch End and Tottenham and provides services in local secondary schools and the @Haringey Autism Hub. Most of our work is delivered in person ad this is what most young people tell us they want. Demand for the service is high.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion for our service users and staff. More than half of our young people are from global majority communities, and approximately 1 in 4 are neurodivergent.
Growing, maintaining and promoting a diverse team is important as we are made stronger by the unique capabilities, qualities and experience that each staff member brings to Open Door. We welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of all kinds, including global majority and/or neurodivergent candidates.
Open Door is a young people’s mental health charity which has been based in the London Borough of Haringey for 49 years.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Your new company
As part of the work to support the integration of a leading University in London, the postholder will work closely with the HR Policy & Projects Manager in the review, development, and implementation of a new HR policy framework. This will include identifying gaps in existing policy provisions and contributing to and leading on the development and delivery of effective solutions. The postholder will also take a role in feedback processes with key stakeholders, including formal consultation with the recognised Trade Unions, and developing and implementing effective communication strategies.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Keep abreast of pending legislative and regulatory changes, case law, and developments, and other good practice HR initiatives, to inform the development of new or revised HR Policies, Procedures, and other resources, and HR practices.
* Undertake background research and prepare reports, briefing papers, etc. for the development of people management strategies, policies, procedures, contracts, terms and conditions of service, ensuring that the University's HR policy resources remain fit for purpose.
* Draft new and/or updated documents (policies, procedures, guidance, and related resources) to reflect legislative and regulatory changes and HR best practice.
* In liaison with the HR Policy & Projects Manager and Head of Employee Relations & Policy Development, engage and consult with trade unions, Staff Networks, and other stakeholders in the development of people management strategies, policies, procedures, and good practice.
* Engage positively with HR colleagues and departmental staff from across the institution, to determine processes for the effective implementation of new or amended strategies and policies. This may include consideration of system and process implications and appropriate communication strategies.
* Provide high-quality, technical advice, guidance, and professional support to HR Directorate colleagues and others on employment policy and practice.
* Become a source of expert knowledge in relevant areas, such as clinical academics/ contractual arrangements.
* In liaison with the HR Policy & Projects Manager, the Marketing & External Relations Team, and other stakeholders (as appropriate), prepare communication plans, and develop manager and staff communications relating to policy, procedure, and related updates.
* Design and implement/deliver a variety of support mechanisms (e.g., training resources and guides, website resources) to maximise support available to the HR Team, staff, and managers on the application of employment law and HR best practice.
* In collaboration with colleagues in the Employee Relations & Policy Team, analyse trends from employee relations casework and employment case law to identify areas of potential risk, and make recommendations for policy changes, updates, or training requirements.
* Advise on and positively encourage the application of best practice in employment matters with regard to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
* (Where appropriate) Undertake Equality Impact Assessments on new/revised HR Policies, Procedures, and related resources to identify and understand the likely equality impact(s) of the activity, policy, or process, etc., and associated actions.
* Support the development, communication, and implementation of HR projects and activities in support of the University's strategy.
* Contribute to the professional development of the Employee Relations & Policy Team, and wider Directorate, through your functional expertise.
* Co-ordinate responses to surveys, e.g. sector benchmarking.
* Participate in HR, University, and HEI working groups as required
What you'll need to succeed
To succeed in this role, you need a strong foundation in HR policy development, employment law, and best practices. Exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail will enable you to identify gaps in policies and propose effective solutions. Stakeholder engagement is crucial, requiring excellent communication and negotiation skills to collaborate with trade unions, staff networks, and HR colleagues. You should be adept at translating complex legislation into clear, actionable policies while ensuring compliance with regulatory changes. A proactive mindset, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion will be essential for driving impactful HR initiatives. Additionally, the ability to manage multiple projects, conduct research, and provide expert advice will make you a valuable contributor to the broader HR strategy. Adaptability and strategic thinking are key to ensuring policies remain fit for purpose in an evolving institutional landscape.
What you'll get in return
Flexible working options available.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.
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Location: Homebased with travel within West Midlands (mainly Wolverhampton and Telford)
Hours: 30hrs a week, working term time only (39 weeks/year). The hours and days of coverage may be negotiable for the right candidate and experience.
Contract: Permanent
An ideal opportunity if you enjoy working with young people and want to help them be the best they can be.
Flexible and rewarding position within a dedicated and supportive team, working together to develop teamwork, leadership, and employability skills that inspire the next generation to aim high.
Are you looking to join an exciting organisation that truly making a difference?
The Jon Egging Trust are seeking a highly motivated individual with experience of working with young people, to plan and deliver inspiring teamwork, leadership and employability programmes in the West Midlands. The role involves liaising with school staff, local partners (including the Military and local businesses) and volunteers to ensure programmes meet the needs of our young people and is supported by the Regional Manager, Midlands. You will be joining a fantastically motivated and committed team of workers who are all passionate about improving the lives of young people through our specialist youth programmes.
The successful candidate will be based from home with a requirement to travel to partner schools and business sites in and around Wolverhampton and Telford. Fuel expenses are paid and travel time is included as part of working hours. Working with secondary schools to provide early support programmes, core delivery time is usually within the school working day and during school terms only. All other working hours can be managed with flexibility by the post holder to ensure that all administrative tasks are completed as required.
Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch.
About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)
At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 30,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.
Our benefits package includes:
- Flexible working
- Enhanced annual leave
- Homeworking allowance
- Occupational pension scheme
- Occupational sickness scheme
- Special paid leave provision
- Enhanced family leave
Child and adult at risk protection policy statement
The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.
To apply
Please complete our online application form.
The closing date is Sunday 6th July 2025 at 23.30 hrs
Formal Interviews to be held via Teams plus an in-person session delivery at one of our partner schools in West Midlands week commencing 14th July 2025, location to be confirmed.
Please note:
Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback.
To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role.
As part of our safer recruitment process, all candidates invited to a final interview will also be required to complete a confidential self-disclosure form, which allows any relevant information to be discussed in line with our safeguarding policy.
On 20th August 2011, Flt Lt Jon Egging lost his life whilst completing a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival. He was coming to the end of his first year with the world-famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, flying in the position of Red 4.
Jon was an inspirational individual, and inspiration is at the heart of everything we do. Like Jon, our staff and volunteers are chosen for their ability to act as positive role models; in turn they inspire and enthuse our vulnerable young students to reach their full potential. Our long-term support programmes increase self-confidence, self-esteem and aspiration, and ultimately empower young people to become role models within their own communities.
The Jon Egging Trust realises Jon’s dream of inspiring young people through his love of aviation, STEM, teamwork and leadership, helping them to overcome adversity, identify their strengths and work towards their dreams.
REF-222045
Robertson Bell is exclusively partnering with Social Interest Group (SIG) to recruit an Interim Finance Director on a 9-month fixed-term contract. This is a pivotal senior leadership role within a dynamic, mission-driven organisation delivering life-changing support services across housing, mental health, addiction recovery, and complex needs.
With the Group’s new five-year strategy recently launched, this role will play a vital part in shaping and delivering the organisation’s financial approach to support its long-term ambitions. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with both the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Board, the Interim Finance Director will provide visible, robust financial leadership while safeguarding the long-term financial sustainability of the Group.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Providing robust, strategic financial advice to the CEO, SLT, and Board, ensuring sound financial insight underpins all key decisions.
- Driving the development and implementation of short, medium, and long-term financial strategies aligned to the Group’s new five-year strategic plan.
- Ensuring effective management of corporate risks, working through the Director of Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit, and reporting to the Board as required.
- Acting as the SLT lead for contract oversight and procurement, ensuring appropriate financial governance, pricing models, and value-for-money outcomes.
- Providing clear leadership to the finance team, working closely with the Head of Finance (direct report), and supporting the ongoing development of a high-performing finance function.
- Taking ownership of finance system optimisation, budgeting, scenario planning, and overseeing both internal and external audits.
- Managing legal, insurance, and risk arrangements, including acting as the lead for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning.
- Supporting the implementation and delivery of SIG’s environmental strategy, embedding sustainable practices across the Group’s operations.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Proven experience in leading organisational change within the charity (ideally social care) or housing sectors, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
- Strong cashflow management expertise, ideally gained in environments with high staffing costs and low margins.
- Demonstrated ability to engage with and influence Boards and committees, with a clear articulation of financial risks and strategy.
- A balance of strategic vision and hands-on financial leadership, with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams and fostering cross-functional engagement.
- A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
This is an exciting opportunity to join a purpose-led organisation and make a lasting impact at a critical time. Based at SIG’s Head Office in Highbury & Islington, the role offers the opportunity to lead a key finance function at the heart of an ambitious and growing Group.
East End Homes are partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Financial Controller. East End Homes, is a locally based and community-led housing association in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This year East End Homes is celebrating its 20th anniversary. In 2005 residents of five estates across Tower Hamlets voted for their homes and communities to be transferred to the newly established social landlord. Today, its 120-strong team manages over 3,900 homes with local offices in each neighbourhood.
The newly created Financial Controller position offers a rare opportunity for a technically strong, ambitious, and commercially aware finance professional to play a key role in reshaping East End’s finance function and influencing decision-making at a senior level. The Financial Controller will be a member of the Senior Management Team and this role is seen as a natural stepping stone toward Finance Director level within the sector.
The Role:
- Work closely with the Finance Director and Executive Team to support strategic planning and organisational transformation.
- Oversee the development and delivery of Eastend Homes’ long-term financial plans, annual budgets, and business modelling (including BRIXX).
- Deliver and embed a proactive finance business partnering approach across the organisation, influencing decision-making and performance management.
- Drive improvements to financial reporting, insight, and analysis, delivering value across the organisation.
- Coordinate the production of our financial plans and reports including monthly management accounts, the annual statutory accounts, forecasts and the budget.
- Oversee day-to-day financial operations, ensuring sound internal controls, process improvement, and compliance with relevant regulations (FRS102, SORP, RSH).
- Manage cash flow forecasting, covenant compliance, and other treasury responsibilities, with support available for professional treasury qualifications if desired.
- Play a leading role in mentoring, developing, and embedding a high-performing, collaborative finance team (c.3–4 staff).
- Actively contribute to the Senior Management Team and support wider change initiatives across the business.
The Organisation:
East End Homes has made significant progress in stabilising its operations and strengthening its governance. With the appointment of a highly experienced new CEO and completion of key commitments to the Regulator of Social Housing, the organisation is now focused on long-term sustainability, performance improvement, and resident impact. The recent appointment of an Interim FD has brought further structure and capability to the finance function, and this Financial Controller hire will be a cornerstone of building a modern, resilient, and insight-led finance team.
Person Specification – Essential:
- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA).
- Strong technical knowledge of financial and statutory reporting including FRS102 and Housing SORP.
- Demonstrable experience in social housing finance including business planning, management accounting and regulatory compliance.
- Experience of delivering improvements in management reporting, financial controls, and/or business partnering.
- A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and a track record of engaging with and challenging senior stakeholders.
- Digitally confident with strong Excel skills and familiarity with financial planning tools (e.g., BRIXX).
- Forward-thinking and inquisitive, with a continuous improvement mindset and strong problem-solving ability.
- Experience of coaching or leading teams and ability to develop others.
This role will be based at East End Homes’ head office in Tower Hamlets, with travel between estate-based local offices as required. The closing date for applications is 6th July with interviews taking place week commencing 21st July (first stage) and final interviews scheduled for week commencing 28th July.
Applications will be reviewed continuously before the closing date. Please apply via our exclusive search partner Robertson Bell.