Unit manager jobs in birmingham

Location: Home based

Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2026 – Full time 35hrs per week

Salary: £27,250 gross per annum

Closing Date: 21 July 2025

Assessment Day: 5 August 2025

Are you looking for a new opportunity?

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a vibrant and growing charity delivering life changing nautical adventure for young people through the Sea Cadets to give them the best possible head start in life. We also provide personal and professional development opportunities for seafarers with the Marine Society. Working with our staff, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a vision and five-year strategy to take us forward and further improve the astounding contribution already made through our work to the lives of thousands of young people and seafarers, while fully supporting our volunteers who are vital to our success.

We are currently looking for a Growth and Development Worker based in England to join our team. This is an externally funded post which will be focused on opening new provision and supporting existing provision in order to reduce waiting lists within specific funding areas. This is a very varied and rewarding role that requires someone who is self-motivated, organised, creative, tenacious, positive, IT competent and with a real interest in people. You need to be able to coach, empower and inspire our volunteers and cadets, both in person and remotely, to grow the Sea Cadets.

Responsibilities

• Delivering a variety of training sessions on, for example, recruitment of cadets and volunteers
• Developing new growth and recruitment tools and ideas
• Promoting flexible volunteering and the volunteer strategy
• Assisting with running our social media accounts
• Working with and empowering our volunteers to develop plans for growth
• Planning and setting up Juniors Sections in new and existing locations/units
• Delivering assemblies in schools
• Forming part of various working groups with colleagues to develop the tools, resources and processes needed to increase the positive impact of the Growth and Development team.
• Supporting the delivery of funded outreach projects

Requirements

• Previous experience of working with volunteers
• Experience delivering on multiple project plans simultaneously
• Ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with a variety of stakeholders remotely and face-to-face
• Experience delivering workshops and/or training
• Self-motivated and able to manage your time and workload effectively
• Flexible and enthusiastic
• Able to work as a team player with creative ideas and solutions who will empower our volunteers to make a difference to the lives of even more young people across the UK

For further information, please download the attached Recruitment Pack.

Benefits

• Flexible Working hours and a hybrid culture
• Cycle to work scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Life assurance (4x salary) for those that join the pension
• Private medical insurance
• Pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.
• National staff conference: All employees come together once a year to reflect on the past year and celebrate success at our offsite staff conference. This is a great opportunity to listen to employees' views, and for employees to network, share information and socialise.

If you are interested in this Growth and Development vacancy, please apply now!

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire.

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo a criminal record check.

The Vacancy

The Independent Monitoring Service is seeking to recruit professionals with experience of working with children and vulnerable adults to the role of Independent Visitor in West Midlands, in particular Birmingham, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Stafford and Stoke-On-Trent. 

The role of Independent Visitors is to provide visiting services on behalf of NYAS which are consistent with the National Quality Standards for Children’s Homes, Residential Special School Standards, Welsh National Minimum Standards, Health and Social Care Standards Scotland and CQC regulations. The main duties are:

• To undertake monthly visits to identified homes in accordance with the requirements of the relevant NYAS manager.

These visits will be:

Regulation 44 visits to residential children’s homes, short breaks and secure units.

Regulation 25 visits to residential family centres.

Care Quality Commission visits to residential adult homes.

Care Inspectorate Wales regulation 8 visits to residential children’s homes.

RSS20 visits to residential special schools.

Health and social care standards Scotland residential children’s homes.

Monitoring visits to unregulated provision.

• To undertake all tasks as identified by the relevant NYAS manager, during the visits and thereafter, in order to fulfil all aspects of the role.
• To provide factual reports within set timescales as required by the relevant NYAS manager.

Candidates should have demonstrable knowledge and understanding of regulated services and their inspection frameworks and also knowledge of current legislation and statutory guidance relating to children, young people and adults at risk particularly those in residential care.

Candidates must have experience of working within a social or health care organisation, safeguarding and experience of managing complex relationships across a diverse field, e.g. OFSTED inspectors, social workers, residential care workers and registered managers, health care professionals.

Candidates should also possess a professional qualification in a related field, i.e. social work, residential care, health care professional, advocacy or youth work.

This is a self-employed position and you will be paid a sessional rate.

You will also be required to complete annual safeguarding and compliance including, Personal Safety, Data Protection, Information Security, Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity. You will be able to subscribe to an e-learning platform provided by NYAS. The platform will provide you with the opportunity to undertake a number of other professional courses that you can complete in your own time to maintain your own CPD. You can do this on the e-learning platform at a significantly reduced cost compared to undertaking each course individually with different providers.

Note for candidates - when completing the application form, it is important that you refer to the person specification within the contract delivery specification and detail how you can evidence the criteria.

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references and a Digital Risk Assessment.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early once we receive a high number of applications.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.

About the role:

When a family member sustains a spinal cord injury it is a life changing experience for the whole family. They can feel very isolated and that no one understands what they’re going through.

Back Up’s Family Support Service is there to help. We enable a wide range of family members of all ages whose loved one is affected by spinal cord injury (SCI) to improve their wellbeing, build a support network and transform their lives through Back Up’s services. 

The Family Support Coordinator will assist in supporting family members on an individual basis as well as in group settings as appropriate, together with providing support in the process of identifying, recruiting and training new family support volunteers.

A Family Support Coordinator will be comfortable and efficient with data management and GDPR compliance.

Lived experience of having a relative with SCI is essential, together with sharing our commitment to transform the lives of everyone affected by spinal cord injury.

For full details please see our role description.

About us:

At Back Up, we have big ambitions. Over the next few years, we’re going to be transforming the lives of even more people affected by spinal cord injury.

Together we’ll be working hard to make sure everyone affected by spinal cord injury has access to the support they deserve; and we are the only spinal cord injury charity in the UK providing specific services to children and young people.

At Back Up, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from those from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds or those with higher level spinal cord injuries.

In 2024 Back Up won The Times and The Sunday Times Spotlight Award for Best place to work for disabled employees. As well as this, Back Up has been voted one of the top ten charities to work for (Third Sector Best Charities 2020). The enthusiastic, inclusive and supportive spirit of our very skilled staff ensure excellence in the services we deliver.

About the role:

When a family member sustains a spinal cord injury it is a life changing experience for the whole family. They can feel very isolated and that no one understands what they’re going through.

Back Up’s Family Support Service is there to help. We enable a wide range of family members of all ages whose loved one is affected by spinal cord injury (SCI) to improve their wellbeing, build a support network and transform their lives through Back Up’s services. 

The Family Support Coordinator will assist in supporting family members on an individual basis as well as in group settings as appropriate, together with providing support in the process of identifying, recruiting and training new family support volunteers.

A Family Support Coordinator will be comfortable and efficient with data management and GDPR compliance.

Lived experience of having a relative with SCI is essential, together with sharing our commitment to transform the lives of everyone affected by spinal cord injury.

For full details please see our role description.

About us:

At Back Up, we have big ambitions. Over the next few years, we’re going to be transforming the lives of even more people affected by spinal cord injury.

Together we’ll be working hard to make sure everyone affected by spinal cord injury has access to the support they deserve; and we are the only spinal cord injury charity in the UK providing specific services to children and young people.

At Back Up, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from those from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds or those with higher level spinal cord injuries.

In 2024 Back Up won The Times and The Sunday Times Spotlight Award for Best place to work for disabled employees. As well as this, Back Up has been voted one of the top ten charities to work for (Third Sector Best Charities 2020). The enthusiastic, inclusive and supportive spirit of our very skilled staff ensure excellence in the services we deliver.

PCS is looking to appoint a Technology Services Officer to the Technology Services Team.

The post will support the Technology Services Managers to create a skilled and effective team providing development, technical support and training to staff and other users in all aspects of digital and ITT services.

You will have a qualification in or experience of working with digital platforms or customer relationship management systems. All postholders will need training to acquire the ADX Administrative Essentials for New Admins in Lightning Experience certification, if not already held.

Salary and Location

• Band 3, London Spine points 33-29 or Regional Spine points 37-33
• Starting salary: London £43,715 p.a. rising to £48,846 p.a. in annual increments or Regional £39,403 rising to £43,715 p.a. in annual increments
• PCS Clapham or Regional PCS Office

Successful candidates for the Technology Services Officer will be able to demonstrate:

• Knowledge of customer relationship management systems, specifically Salesforce
• Experience in contributing to a project, using structured project management systems and processes
• The ability to identify technical problems and resolve them efficiently within set timeframes
• Providing technical support for helpdesk queries
• Planning and delivering training

The main duties of the Technology Services Officer role include:

• Assisting in preparing reports on system performance highlighting potential risks or malfunctions
• Assisting in the development of a high level of proficiency in PCSs Technology tools e.g. our CRM, membership database, digital applications, bulk email and social media platforms
• Working as part of the Technology Services team on the database and integration, automation and change projects
• Working with the Technology Services manager to build and maintain analytics that measure the effectiveness of digital applications for staff and members

Closing date: at 12 midday on Tuesday 15 July 2025

Interviews will be held by Zoom: Thursday 31 July 2025

About PCS

PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas.

Employer Benefits

You will have access to a generous package of staff benefits including

• flexible working (including hybrid working)
• childcare and family support
• generous maternity/paternity leave
• 32 days leave and Christmas closure
• pension scheme
• employee assistance programme

Learning and Development

The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development.

PCS Recruiting Process

We use CVMinder to manage all recruitment activities. It helps us to maintain our commitment to equality and diversity by ensuring that we are fair and compliant with our recruiting practices.

Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified.

Candidates invited for interview are required to make themselves available on the date/s specified. Interview dates cannot be changed to accommodate candidates who are unavailable to attend on the specified date.

• CVs will not be accepted. Please see the job description/person specification and follow the application process.
• PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people.
• All posts can be considered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis.

Please view our guidance for applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION: TECHNOLOGY SERVICES OFFICER

Ref: 0425

Grade: Band 3, London/Region

Salary:

London Spine points 33-29

London Starting salary £43,715 p.a. rising to £48,846 p.a.

Regional Spine points 37- 33

Regional Starting salary £39,403 p.a. rising to £43,715 p.a.

Location: London or Region

Purpose of the job:

To assist in maximising the potential for union growth, development and success through managing, co-ordinating and supporting the work of the department/unit, in line with PCS policy and our ethos as an organising union.

Responsible to: Technology Services Manager

Responsible for: Staff in Bands 1 and 2 (where appropriate)

Contacts

External:

Contractors, suppliers, and service providers, PCS Union Representatives, Members, Government Departments, Employees of other trade unions, TUC, Employers, legal and other professional

Internal:

Service users, staff, senior lay officers, senior full-time officers

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Systems Management General

• Assist the line manager by monitoring development initiatives and ensuring work completed meets the requirements within the given time frame. Report to line manager as appropriate
• Assist in preparing reports for line manager on system performance highlighting potential risks or malfunctions
• Assist in ensuring commissioned and installed new applications and customised existing applications are fit for purpose
• Support line manager by making as appropriate where new systems are designed that could be applicable to the wider union
• Assist in the development of a high level of proficiency in PCSs Technology tools e.g. our CRM, membership database, digital applications, bulk email and social media platforms
• Work as part of the Technology Services team on the database and integration, automation and change projects
• Assist the Technology Services team in development to deliver high quality digital solutions
• Ensure that the views of users are reflected throughout the development and delivery of digital applications
• Explore and recommend new digital applications and developments to the Technology Services team based on best practice and user feedback
• Ensure a high standard of accessibility and usability across our platforms at all times
• Contribute to project-based work, using structured project management systems and processes
• Work with colleagues across PCS to deliver change through the Technology Services teams work
• Work with the Technology Services manager to build and maintain analytics that measure the effectiveness of digital applications for staff and members
• Respond to data integrity issues reported to the Technology Services team and create solutions to those issues
• Participate in the review and installation of managed packages on the digital platform
• Support the Technology Services manager where required to ensure sufficient maintenance and security of the Salesforce platform
• Document any changes made to the digital platform through both maintenance of existing functions and development of new applications
• Continuously review the efficiency of PCSs digital platforms
• Monitor the departments compliance with legal issues such as accessibility, copyright, and data protection
• Communicate recent additions/changes to staff and members
• Support the process of providing suitable equipment, software and reasonable adjustments arising from DSE risk assessments and other identified needs

2. Systems Management Digital

• Comply with maintaining database results through the set protocols and standards and controls for data processing
• Monitoring database efficiency through the reporting and analysis tools
• Support line manager with preparations for database expansion by studying plans and requirements
• Assist line manager to coordinate, design, programme and create complex query definitions to extract accurate data
• Support the continued development and implementation of Salesforce by working with line manager and external contractors
• Support the upgrading of software by assessing transaction processing and database production options
• Maintain database performance by troubleshooting problems using internal or external resources
• Assist in the security of database by developing policies, procedures, and controls with the data protection officer
• Assist in training others in how to input and extract data
• Ensure the requirements of users are established, monitoring user access and security
• Communicate regularly with technical, applications and operational staff to ensure database integrity and security
• Assist with writing database documentation, including data standards, procedures and definitions for the data dictionary (Meta data)
• Deal with reporting fault mechanism within Salesforce

3. Systems Management Networks and Infrastructure

• Assist with the development and make best use of ITT office systems including ensuring staff are appropriately trained, regularly reviewing existing systems, and ensuring consistency and organisational best practice across systems and procedures and their practical application, including helpdesk and technical support where appropriate
• Assist with implementing an ongoing development and monitoring process for systems including managing resources, gathering, monitoring, collating, and reconciling information, checking allocations, preparing reports, and highlighting budget over- and under-spends
• Support the statistical systems to produce reports and analyse information i.e. budget reports, room bookings, and video conference/zoom usage statistics
• Assist with liaising with software and hardware suppliers, and other key contacts on resolving issues, providing advice, etc.

4. Training and support

• Train staff members and lay officers in the use of PCSs analytical tools
• Develop good working relationships with colleagues
• Provide ongoing support and advice to staff and other members of the Technology Services team
• Draft guidance and advise PCS staff and other contributors about Technology strategies relevant to their specific needs
• To proactively develop Technology skills through training courses, and using on-line resources

5. People Management (where appropriate)

• Manage work allocation and workflow, future planning and support for team/line manager
• Motivate and manage individuals and the team as a whole to provide a high standard of service
• Check work standards and maintain consistent quality of delegated tasks
• Seek to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team
• Through induction, the appraisal system and one-to-ones, identify staff training and development needs, train or organise formal/informal training
• Proactively promote diversity issues in line with the wider PCS approach
• Apply the staff conduct policies as and when required e.g. discipline, grievance, capability, dignity at work and IT security policies
• Ensure that the health, safety and welfare of staff is maintained and improved, in accordance with PCS and statutory policies
• Deputise for line manager when required

6. Team Working

• Proactively promote team working
• Initiate, organise, lead and participate in team meetings as appropriate
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times
• Provide assistance to team members

7. General

• At all times implement and promote the PCSs Equal Opportunities Policy and adhere to the PCS Values
• Take due and reasonable care of self and others in respect of Health & Safety at Work
• Participate in appraisal, training and development systems
• In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals
• Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image
• Such other duties that may reasonably be required and which are within the level of the responsibility of this post
• Willing to work outside normal office hours and location subject to personal circumstances, and advanced notice

Person Specification: TECHNOLOGY SERVICES OFFICER

Ref: 0425

Date: July 2025

Location: London/Region

ESSENTIAL FACTORS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Qualification in or experience of working with digital platforms or customer relationship management systems, specifically Salesforce

EXPERIENCE

• Providing support and advice to colleagues
• Experience of applying usability and accessibility best practice
• Planning and delivering training

TRAINING

(including continuous professional development)

• Evidence of ongoing training and personal development
• Willingness to undertake further learning and development, specifically the ADX201 Administrative Essentials for New Admins in Lightning Experience certification
• Commitment to undertake job-related training
• Commitment to participation in the appraisal and development review process
• Commitment to staff development

KNOWLEDGE

• Customer relationship management systems, specifically Salesforce
• Databases
• Agile Project Management
• Digital application coding or configuration management
• User centred design and current usability testing procedures
• Knowledge and understanding of trade unions and work of the public sector

SKILLS

• Design and implementation of work processes
• High standard of communication skills
• High level of problem solving, analytical and collaborative skills
• Attention to detail and systematic working
• Ability to work using own initiative
• Excellent project management skills

OTHER

• Commitment to the application of equal opportunities policies and practices at work
• Willing to work outside normal office hours and location
• Attend Annual Delegate Conference as required

Job Title: Floating Support Worker

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Floating Support Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse and their children living in our dispersed refuge accommodation in Warwickshire. This service will provide emergency accommodation across Warwickshire with high-quality domestic abuse support, ‘by-and-for’ services for survivors of domestic abuse and their children. 

The post holder will provide high quality support and safety planning to survivors and their children who are fleeing domestic abuse. This includes enabling survivors to access housing, welfare, benefits and legal advice.  A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that survivors are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles.

The Floating Support Worker (FSW) will carry a caseload of survivors of domestic abuse to enable them to provide a more holistic and intensive support package. They will work closely with survivors from the point of crisis through to move on from the emergency accommodation. FSWs will work in partnership with both statutory and voluntary sector partners to ensure that the whole range of survivors’ needs are met.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 14 July 2025

Interview Date: 23 July 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. 

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

 We’re looking for a dedicated and proactive Fundraiser to help grow our income and sustain the life-changing work we do every day!

Sportability provides opportunities for people with paralysis to participate in a programme of sport and challenging pursuits.  Our aim is to get them out of their wheelchairs, off their crutches and sticks and into canoes, gliders, microlights or sailing boats. Whether quad biking or Blokart sailing, shooting shotguns, air-rifles and pistols, or bows and crossbows, it’s about turning their back on ‘disability’ and JUST DOING IT!

This is a brand-new position and an exciting opportunity to join our team at a pivotal time in our development. You’ll play a central role in shaping and delivering a diverse range of income-generating activities that drive forward our strategic fundraising plan. Your work will directly support the growth of our charity, enable us to reach more people, and help create lasting, positive change in their lives.

Permanent WFH Contract

• Hours: Flexible but no less than 20 hours (part time) with a potential to grow to (full time) 30 hours per week. We offer flexible hours to accommodate caring responsibilities.

• Pay £15,600 per year (part time) - £23,400 per year (full time), pro-rata for any agreed variation between those times

You will be required to travel to North London for training and meetings 

Key responsibilities include:

• Researching and securing funding from trusts, foundations, individuals, and corporate partners
• Writing grant applications and donor proposals
• Building and maintaining meaningful relationships with donors and supporters
• Developing engaging fundraising campaigns and communications 

We’re seeking someone who has:

• Some experience in fundraising
• Good typing skills and experience with Word and Excel
• Good communication skills - both written and verbal

And is:

• Organised, self-motivated, and creative in their approach
• Passionate about making a difference in people’s lives

Why work with us? At Sportability, you’ll be part of a small, team that genuinely cares. We offer:

• A welcoming and supportive workplace
• Flexibility to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance
• The opportunity to contribute to a cause that matters
• Ongoing training and development

Since 1899, Birmingham Settlement has been working to create opportunity and choice – connecting and empowering people through action, activities, and shared learning to build and sustain wellbeing for all.

Debt & Welfare Benefits Adviser

Salary: £29,063 pa

35 hours per week, 25 days A/L + contributory pension scheme

Birmingham Settlement has an opportunity to join our Money Advice Team as an experienced Debt & Welfare Benefits Adviser.

As an experienced Debt & Welfare Benefits Adviser you will already have a background in providing effective, high-quality debt and welfare benefits advice to a wide range of clients in differing circumstance.

Based at our Newtown office with outreach work in other areas of the city, you will be adaptable with excellent communication skills, flexibility, and the ability to manage your own workload.

You will be joining a long established and professional Money Advice Team providing specialist advice with a holistic approach that covers all areas of debt and welfare benefit along with training to build and continually improve money management and financial capability.

This is a great opportunity to join a progressive charity making a real difference to people’s lives – see our website 

For an informal discussion about the roles call Theresa Gniadkowski

For an application pack visit our website or email recruitment or write to Human Resources, Birmingham Settlement – Sports & Community Centre, 600 Kingstanding Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham, B44 9SH

Closing date for applications: Monday,28/07/2025 at 5pm

Interviews: w/c Monday, 04/08/2025

Birmingham Settlement is committed to Equality of Opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Registered charity number 517303

About the role:

When a family member sustains a spinal cord injury it is a life changing experience for the whole family. They can feel very isolated and that no one understands what they’re going through.

Back Up’s Family Support Service is there to help. We enable a wide range of family members of all ages whose loved one is affected by spinal cord injury (SCI) to improve their wellbeing, build a support network and transform their lives through Back Up’s services. 

The Family Support Coordinator will assist in supporting family members on an individual basis as well as in group settings as appropriate, together with providing support in the process of identifying, recruiting and training new family support volunteers.

A Family Support Coordinator will be comfortable and efficient with data management and GDPR compliance.

Lived experience of having a relative with SCI is essential, together with sharing our commitment to transform the lives of everyone affected by spinal cord injury.

For full details please see our role description.

About us:

At Back Up, we have big ambitions. Over the next few years, we’re going to be transforming the lives of even more people affected by spinal cord injury.

Together we’ll be working hard to make sure everyone affected by spinal cord injury has access to the support they deserve; and we are the only spinal cord injury charity in the UK providing specific services to children and young people.

At Back Up, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from those from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds or those with higher level spinal cord injuries.

In 2024 Back Up won The Times and The Sunday Times Spotlight Award for Best place to work for disabled employees. As well as this, Back Up has been voted one of the top ten charities to work for (Third Sector Best Charities 2020). The enthusiastic, inclusive and supportive spirit of our very skilled staff ensure excellence in the services we deliver.c

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Research Lead –Local Violence Prevention

Reports to: Head of Guidance and Reporting

Salary: £55,000

Contract: 2 years fixed term 

Location: Central London, Hybrid* 

Closing date: Tuesday 15th July at 12pm

Interviews: Week commencing 28th July 2025

About the Youth Endowment Fund 

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

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

At the Youth Endowment Fund, we are working to create lasting change. To succeed, we must build a world-leading body of knowledge on the violence that affects young people and how it can be stopped. This means producing rigorous, relevant evidence — through synthesis, data analysis and in-depth research into young people’s lives. But knowledge alone isn’t enough. We must make it accessible and actionable: showing what works, how services need to change, and how the systems around them must adapt. And we must partner with the people who can make change happen — across policy, practice and local systems — to turn evidence into impact.

About the role

The Research Lead will lead the development of YEF’s research, resources and recommendations in our neighbourhood focus sector.

We focus our efforts on seven essential sectors: education, policing, youth justice, youth sector, children’s services, health, and neighbourhood. “Neighbourhood” refers to our work supporting local partnerships – such as Violence Reduction Units (VRUs), community safety partnerships or the new Prevention Partnerships - and hyper-local approaches like our neighbourhood fund. 

Their primary responsibility will be to develop a series of actionable and evidence-informed guidance and resources for use by local violence prevention partnerships. This will include self-assessment tools for partnerships to assess their effectiveness, tools for understanding the nature of local violence problems and how they could be solved, and resources to support partnerships to identify and safeguard vulnerable children. Creating these resources will require the Research Lead to collect insights and evidence from across YEF’s work and develop YEF positions on fundamental questions about violence prevention. If successful, the Research Lead could have an outsized impact on YEF’s strategy and mission.  

These resources will support YEF colleagues to deliver our new ‘Area Leaders Programme’ (ALP). This is a new programme which you will help form. It helps local multi-agency partnerships to find and implement the best ways to prevent violence. YEF is working directly with partnerships, providing high-quality professional development, tailored advice and support, system mapping, and a national community of practice. The ALP focuses on strengthening five key elements of effective violence reduction:

1. Building strong and accountable partnerships
2. Understanding local patterns of violence
3. Identifying and supporting children most at risk
4. Improving safety in high-risk places
5. Sharing best practice across agencies

Following a pilot in four areas in 2024/25, the programme will expand to 20 more areas over the next two years. This will lay the groundwork for wider national initiatives, such as the Young Futures Prevention Partnerships, and support implementation of the Serious Violence Duty. The Research Lead will develop resources and guidance for the ALP. As the programme is delivered iteratively, they will work closely with YEF programme leads and local partnerships to test, refine, and improve materials before wider rollout.

The Research Lead will be part of YEF’s Research team. The Research team is at the heart of our efforts to learn what works and put it into practice. We do this by developing the YEF’s funding strategy and creating free, highly accessible research summaries and actionable recommendations for policy makers, commissioners and practitioners. We’re a high-performing team which values intellectual rigour and getting to the truth, compassion for children, ambition about what we can achieve and humility about what we know. We love to discuss the latest developments in research methods, but we’re not just interested in research for its own sake. We want research to lead to actual changes in outcomes for children.

Key responsibilities

The Research Lead will develop a portfolio of impactful projects.

· You’ll lead the research team’s work in our local neighbourhoods and partnerships priority sector. You’ll become the YEF’s expert in this area. You’ll make sure we understand the key issues, stay on top of the latest research and are connected to the right people.

· You’ll ensure we produce accessible, evidence-based resources and guidance that local partnerships can use to develop more effective strategies. You’ll work with YEF colleagues to test, refine, and improve materials before wider rollout

· You’ll set the YEF’s research agenda for your sector. You’ll make sure we invest in research that fills important gaps in knowledge and leads to important changes. You’ll ensure that our strategy and decision-making are informed by the best available research. This is a great opportunity to influence large amounts of funding and direct it towards the most impactful projects.

· You’ll develop great relationships with experts and represent YEF in external meetings and events. You’ll promote evidence-based policy and practice by speaking at conferences and events.

· You’ll lead the development of evidence-based recommendations in your focus area. You’ll draw on research and expert insight to identify potential changes to policy and practice. You’ll design and develop innovative and impactful resources which support the application of your recommendations.

· You’ll take on other responsibilities appropriate to your role. This could include leading the publication of YEF’s evaluation reports or writing ad hoc briefings and evidence summaries for the Government and other partners.

About You

You are this sort of person:

· You want to play a significant part in reducing the level of violence affecting young people. You care about having an impact. This might mean you’ve worked directly with young people at risk of becoming involved in crime, for organisations that fund or deliver relevant programmes, or have conducted research on this topic.

· You share our belief that an evidence-based approach is our best hope of preventing violence. You’re fascinated by research, but you’re not just interested in research for its own sake. You want to achieve actual changes in outcomes for children.

· You know a lot about violence prevention, especially local partnerships and structures like VRUs or Community Safety Partnerships. You know the key ideas and debates, recent policy developments and key people. You’re comfortable talking about this topic with experts.  There are many ways to acquire this knowledge. You might have worked in a local authority or local violence prevention organisation, conducted research on them or learnt about them during a degree.

· You’re a confident reader of research and have strong critical appraisal skills. You know when research can be trusted and when it can’t and can confidently articulate your views on the strength of research. You might have gained this expertise through your academic studies, research or professional experience.

· You have at least three years’ experience working in a role that required you to think about research. This could include a range of roles in policy, academia, funding or practice.

· You write in a way that people easily understand. You have that rare skill of writing in plain English. You have experience of translating complex research findings into plain writing that everyone can understand.

· You have excellent project and time management skills. You can work independently, quickly and to a high standard. You have experience of managing contractors or budgets.

· You are good with people. You’re comfortable working with a wide range of people, including senior academics and other research experts, children and their families, practitioners and policy makers. You’re able to provide constructive challenges when required.

· You learn fast but remain humble. You like learning. You’re very good at synthesising information. You know how much you don't know and that you can always learn more.

· You work well in a team. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit. You support your colleagues to produce excellent work.

· You’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. You believe and act in a way that celebrates and encourages a range of experiences, views and values.

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

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

Hybrid Working Details  

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

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

To Apply 

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter, and complete the monitoring form click on "Apply for this" button by 12:00pm Tuesday 15th July 2025. 

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

1. A clear example of a situation where you have translated research into actionable resources or recommendations.

2. A clear example of a situation where you’ve supported an external partner or colleague to apply research evidence to an important decision.

Interview Process 

Interviews will take place in the week commencing the 28th July 2025. 

There will be a task to prepare for in advance. 

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

Benefits Include 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

• 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% 

Personal Data   

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