The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the charity that helps young people build lifelong belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove to yourself that you’re ready for anything, nothing can hold you back.
Young people want to create a better future. With your help, they can.
Do you have the comms vision to keep DofE relevant, engaging and inspiring for young people? Can you tell our story in ways that resonate with different audiences? Are you a universally respected and respectful team leader? If so, we’d love you to apply to become our Head of Communications.
You will be responsible for delivering on shared strategic goals through compelling communications, externally and across our network of participants, staff, volunteers and organisations which offer the DofE. You’ll amplify the voices of young people, support relationships with funders and other partners, and continually promote the charity’s influence, reputation and brand profile.
The Head of Communications is one of two senior leadership roles in a wider Engagement team, which in December 2024 won Team of Year in the prestigious CharityComms Inspiring Communicator Awards. Working in partnership with our Head of Brand Marketing, you’ll build on that success, bringing a collaborative approach as we evolve our objectives and ways of working. You’ll play a key role as we mark DofE’s 70th birthday in 2026, then pivot to a new organisational strategy for 2026-31.
Critically, you will lead and shape the engagement of our network of almost 5,000 licensed organisations, 38,000 amazing volunteers and more than half a million participants, working closely with senior Operations colleagues. You’ll oversee staff communications, media and PR, and lead on corporate and crisis comms. Members of your team deliver our Youth Ambassadors programme and crucial support for DofE’s Fundraising and External Affairs.
We’re looking for someone who is versatile – able to switch between the big picture and the detail, with antennae equally alert to risks and opportunities. You’ll be an accomplished diplomat and influencer, with an ability to spot and make connections within and beyond the team. Given the breadth of the role, the successful candidate would ideally bring prior experience of different elements of the brief, together with proven experience of team leadership.
How to apply:
If you are excited about the prospect of working for the DofE and believe you have the desired skills and experience to make a real success of this role, then we are keen to hear from you.
If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us.
- Applications will close on: Sunday 18th May – Midnight
- 1st Interviews will take place: 13th and 16th June (to be held virtually via MS Teams)
- 2nd Interview will take place: WC 23rd June (interview will be in-person at the London Office)
The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.
**The geographical allowance is based on a member of staff having a home or office-based postcode within 30 miles (as the crow flies) from Charing Cross, WC2N 5HS. The allowance is 7% capped at £4,000 per annum.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Fostering Form F Assessing Social Worker
Salary: £37,088 per annum + £750 Homeworking Allowance per annum
Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract: Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months
Location: Homebased in Yorkshire region but must be willing to undertake assessments across the Yorkshire, North East and North West region.
As a ‘not for profit’ organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and look to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. We are a homeworking organisation, and we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, available from day one, an extensive wellbeing programme and our benefits package, all curated to nurture a healthy work life balance for all our employees so they can give an excellent service to our carers and the young people and children we care for.
As a foster care charity, TACT invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to invest unique projects like TACT Connect, our unique and ground-breaking scheme for TACT care experienced young people and adults, as well as our expanding Education and Health services. All our activities are built on our commitment to becoming a fully trauma informed organisation, in line with our key values and ethos.
In 2024 TACT became one of the top 5 charities to work for in the UK, placing 5th in the UK Best Companies Work For survey results , and a top 25 mid-sized company to work with across the whole of the UK. 97% of our people feel proud to work with TACT and think that TACT cares about their wellbeing, while 92% of our people would say they “ love working for TACT”.
If you want to be valued as a professional, be appreciated at work and contribute to better outcomes for the children and young people connected with TACT, apply now.
Whilst being homebased, the Fostering Form F Assessing Social Worker will be required to travel to undertake assessments across the Yorkshire, North East and North West region. There is also a requirement to be able to travel to Team meetings, wellbeing days, TACT away days and other in person events across the UK as and when required.
Core Fostering Form F Assessing Social Worker Tasks include:
- Preparing applicants for the fostering role
- Promoting and supporting the development of trauma informed foster care / therapeutic parenting
- Assessment of prospective foster families
- Contributing to the continuous improvement of fostering assessments and applicant preparation
The main role requirements for this role include:
- BA or Master’s in Social Work or Dip SW, CSS or CQSW qualification
- Social Work England Registration
- Post qualifying experience including relevant family placement work or post qualifying experience in other child-care settings which must include statutory childcare work
- Experience of assessing foster families and preparing them for the fostering tasks
- A proven track record in working with and on behalf of children and foster families, using a trauma-informed therapeutic approach
- A passion for ensuring children receive the highest quality care from their foster family
- Knowledge of relevant child-care and fostering regulations, legislation, and best practice
- Good IT skills including Office 365
TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package including:
- 31 days paid holiday plus 8 annual bank holidays.
- Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, volunteer days policy).
- Family friendly policies.
- Homeworking ‘bundle’ including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
- Help@Hand Employee Assistance Programme (including CBT counselling, 24/7 remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions on serious diagnosis).
- An hour a week of live, expert led activities through the Annual Employee wellbeing Programme.
- Menopause Policy and free Menopause Clinician Appointments.
- Stakeholder Pension Scheme (salary sacrifice).
- Fantastic learning and development opportunities for all roles.
An Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role and will be processed by TACT on your behalf.
Please see the Job Information Pack, Job Description and TACT website for more detailed information.
Closing Date: Monday, 8th May 2025
Interview Date: Monday, 19th May 2025 (via Microsoft Teams)
Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work. As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children. We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people. All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies.
We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than advertised if the volume of applications is excessive, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies, nor the fees associated with them.