Children and young peoples services peer support officer volunteer roles
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Purpose of the role
In this important role, you will be responsible for assessing the eligibility of applicants for our grants and services, in adherence with Variety’s structured grant management approach (guided interviews, weighted scoring and panel review) to maximise impact for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.
You will be required to handle grant applications and supporting information with the utmost confidentiality, following organisational policies to ensure the privacy and security of all sensitive and personal information.
Using our defined eligibility criteria and assessment tools, you will evaluate applications and conduct fair and consistent assessments, making award recommendations to support the decision-making process. You will bring an independent voice, playing a key role in ensuring that decisions are made fairly, equitably and transparently and will be required to support your recommendations with evidence of sound analysis and reasoning.
Key Responsibilities
• Review applications and supporting evidence prepared by the case management team.
• Clarify points with applicants when required (within agreed boundaries).
• Conduct structured, remote assessments (by telephone/video call) to understand need, urgency and likely impact on the child, their family life and communities.
• Establish the baseline for monitoring and evaluation by articulating the impact of the intervention.
• Where applicable, use the weighted assessment tool (base on the eligibility criteria and the Theory of Change) consistently and document clear, impartial rationales to prioritise need.
• Prepare concise, written recommendations aligned to policy, criteria and evidence.
• Attend quarterly Assessor Network meetings, which are a forum for sharing good practice, peer support, news sharing, undertaking essential training and reward and recognition.
Optional, Additional Responsibilities
• Where applicable, support the Impact Monitoring and Evaluation team to undertake post-award follow-up interviews to measure the impact made over time.
• Where applicable and available, represent Variety at events, presentations of awards and through online content.
Adherence to Policy and Quality
• Act as a beacon of good practice in fair grant assessment.
• Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and anti‑bias standards throughout the assessment process.
• Escalate concerns (quality, safeguarding, unusual risk, conflicts of interest) in line with policy.
• Follow process controls and segregation of roles, supporting a robust, auditable trail.
• Participate in induction, refresher training, and calibration sessions to ensure consistency and continuous improvement.
• Adhere to Variety’s Code of Conduct.
Time Commitment
• Assessments: the time commitment for these varies and is flexible but we expect you will be spending 4 – 8 hours per month on these, dependent on demand and pool of assessors.
• Assessor Network: hybrid meetings that will last 1.5 – 2 hours and will be held quarterly.
• Training: short modular induction plus periodic refreshers usually rolled into Assessor Network meetings.
Support & Supervision
• Induction & training: policy, criteria, assessment skills, impact tools, safeguarding, data protection.
• Ongoing support through Programme Manager, Programmes Support Officer and Head of Programmes.
• Expenses: out‑of‑pocket expenses will be reimbursed in line with Variety’s Expenses Policy.
Impact Measures (Volunteer‑Appropriate)
• Timely completion of assigned assessments; adherence to guidance and safeguarding.
• Quality of written rationales; consistency of weighted scoring.
• Constructive contribution to committee discussion and calibration.
• Positive feedback from applicants (tone/respect) gathered via staff.
• Case study preparation
Person Specification
We welcome people from many walks of life. If you’re feel that you are the right person for this role but are unsure whether you “tick every box,” please still consider applying; training and support are provided.
What you’ll bring (essential)
• Fair assessment mindset: you can weigh information against clear criteria and explain your reasoning.
• Analysis skills: comfortable reviewing forms/evidence and using a simple scoring tool. Able to summarise and analyse complex information to extract relevant data, paying attention to detail.
• Communication: great written and spoken English (we have templates to help).
• Lived experience or insight: personal, professional or volunteer experience that helps you understand the challenges faced by disabled or disadvantaged children and young people (or you can demonstrate thoughtful knowledge of these issues).
• Friendly and approachable: comfortable conducting sensitive conversations by telephone/video call with empathy and professionalism.
• Reliability and care: you follow guidance, meet agreed timeframes where you can, and ask for help if something isn’t clear.
• Values & conduct: commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; willing to complete safeguarding training and a DBS check.
Helpful extras (nice to have, but not essential)
• Comfortable using basic digital tools (email, online forms, video calls) – we can show you the rest.
• Experience in any of the following is desirable:
o Grant-making
o Community/children’s services
o Health/education/SEND
o Occupational Therapy
o Social care
o Structured interviewing
o Teaching
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About ReachOut
ReachOut is a national youth development charity and a strategic partner for schools. Through collective mentoring and engaging activities, we build socio-emotional skills that transform outcomes for young people constrained by circumstance.
Role of a Trustee
Our Board of trustees have shared responsibility for the overall governance, financial health and strategic direction of the charity, developing its organisational aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.
In addition to the statutory duties, each Trustee uses their specific skills, knowledge and experience to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions and support the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team in delivering the charity’s mission.
As a Trustee of ReachOut, you will have the opportunity to help govern an ambitious organisation, knowing that your time will contribute to helping young people, who may not have the same advantages as others, develop the social and emotional skills and opportunities they need to thrive.
Who are we looking for?
We are interested in individuals with any of the below expertise:
- Senior Leaders or Head Teachers from Schools or Multi Academy Trusts
- Research, Monitoring & Evaluation
- Senior Leadership within a Corporate Environment
- Lived Experience aligned to the challenges faced by the young people we are here for
Person Specification
- Enthusiasm for ReachOut’s vision and mission.
- Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship in the UK charity sector.
- Able to demonstrate strategic vision and think creatively.
- Willing to speak their mind and exercise independent judgement, whilst operating with tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to work with others in a way that supports positive board dynamics.
- Ability to represent the organisation credibly externally.
- Availability and commitment to perform the role and dedicate the time required to fulfil the role.
Important Information
- This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
- ReachOut board meetings are held in-person in London, online if necessary.
- The overall time commitment for a Trustee is expected to be around 30 hours per annum. There are four full board meetings a year that last approx. 2 hours, outside regular office hours. Meetings are held on weekday evenings.
How to Apply
- Please visit our website for more information and how to apply
- Deadline: 9am 16th March 2026
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
ReachOut is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation. We actively welcome applications from people of all ethnicities, ages, religious beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations, and any other protected characteristics, to provide a diverse range of experiences, ideas, and insights into our work.We understand the importance of having trustees and committee members that reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the communities we serve. More than half of the young people we work with are from Black Caribbean, Black African, Bangladeshi, and Turkish backgrounds, so if you are from these ethnic groups, we would particularly appreciate receiving your applications.
Thank you!
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!
Our Second Home is a youth movement that empowers migrants and refugees to flourish in the place that they call home. Our overnight activity camp for young people aged 14-18 is a chance for young people to come together and have five days of fun and excitement, supported by a dynamic and dedicated team of leaders and staff.
An OSH Leader is a supportive adult, a role model, and someone young people can feel safe being themselves around. It’s about creating a warm, fun, and consistent presence during residentials — helping young people with refugee and migrant backgrounds feel welcomed, included, and at home.
Youth Leaders for this project will be responsible for facilitating the camp, and will be directly in contact with, and responsible for, the participants. During the camp they will be ‘on duty’ full-time, meaning that they will spend the whole time with the participants, including at meals.
THIS ROLE IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE UK. We will arrange Zoom interviews with applicants separately.
Responsibilities:
- Interacting and forming a bond with the participants
- Creating and running fun and engaging activities for the participants
- Looking after the participants’ welfare, and ensuring that they feel cared for and secure
- Managing the participants’ behaviour and setting clear boundaries
Expectations and requirements:
- All applicants must be interviewed and be willing to provide references on request.
- Youth Leaders must set a positive example of behaviour and involvement for all participants, and adhere to the volunteer guidelines.
- Youth Leaders may be required to prepare activities for participants at the camp. If asked, this must be completed in plenty of time to allow any materials or equipment to be sourced.
- Applicants should be aged 20 or above.
- Applicants must be eligible for DBS clearance (no criminal record that prevents applicants from working with children)
- Youth Leaders must raise any safeguarding concerns swiftly and follow safeguarding procedures
- Youth Leaders must follow all Our Second Home policies and procedures of (which will be explained at the Camp training days).
- Anyone attending an OSH residential must test negative for COVID-19 prior to attending the programme, regardless of whether they have received a vaccine or not.
Essential skills:
- Flexibility, adaptability and ability to improvise
- Ability to build connection quickly with peers and young people
- Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively
- High level of organisation
- High levels of empathy and patience
- Awareness and sensitivity that some participants might be suffering from trauma
Additional desired skills:
- Experience working with and/or caring for young people aged 14-18
- Experience working with refugees and/or asylum seekers
- Experience working with young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities
- Language skills: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Somali
- First Aid training
- Creative or artistic abilities
- Sports leadership
- Ability to prepare fun and engaging activities for young people
We particularly encourage applications from those who have lived experience of being a refugee.
Please ensure you are available to come to all the following events - specific dates can be found on the application form:
- Training
- Pre-Residential Prep Day (on site)
- Residential, in full
- Feedback & thank you afternoon
QUOTES:
- “Having the professional [welfare] support made me feel very support and more comfortable with the work” – BT
- “The atmosphere of fun, respect, care, and community is what made the young people so comfortable and connected” – BT
- “The leaders were all awesome – it was incredible to work in a team so full of hard working, intelligent, experienced people” – BT
- “Seeing the kids bursting out of their shells and that being the norm rather than just exceptions was just incredible.” – CA
- “It honestly surpassed anything I could have hoped for” – LK
Structure:
Youth Leaders will be supported by the Welfare Support Lead(s), who will be their main contact in the build to and throughout the camp. The Welfare Support Lead(s) will run team meetings at the end of each day and be on hand to advise and manage the Youth Leaders.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Sutton Trust is at a pivotal moment in its development. For nearly three decades, we have been the UK’s leading voice on social mobility, working tirelessly to break the link between socio-economic background and life chances. Today, that mission is as urgent as it has ever been. Despite pockets of progress, social mobility in the UK remains low by international standards, with deep inequalities in education, access to professions, and regional opportunity continuing to limit life chances and economic potential.
We are seeking a Trustee with policy expertise who shares our commitment to fairness, evidence, and long-term change. We value diversity of thought and experience, and we are keen to hear from those who can help us navigate an evolving political landscape and leverage our research to challenge systemic barriers, ensuring our voice remains the most influential in the national drive to transform social mobility.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Trustee
Policy Responsibilities
- Providing oversight for the charity’s research and advocacy, ensuring the Trust’s work is mission-aligned, evidence-based, and intellectually rigorous
- Supporting the Board in discharging their collective duties around planning, risk and compliance, particularly in areas such as horizon scanning for upcoming legislative changes, political shifts and shifts in social trends affecting the Trust as well as specific regulations around political neutrality
- Leveraging their professional networks and expertise, enhancing the charity’s credibility and influence, ensuring our research translates into meaningful systemic change
General Responsibilities
- Inputting into and agreeing the Trust’s vision, mission and values and providing advice on the Trust’s wider purpose, goals and activities
- Inputting into and agreeing the Trust’s aims and long-term strategy in furtherance of its charitable purpose
- Ensuring key risks are identified, monitored and controlled effectively as well as keeping abreast of changes in the Trust’s operating environment
- Monitoring the Trust’s performance against its strategic aims, operational plans and budgets
- Safeguarding and promoting the Trust’s reputation, and acting in the best interest of the Trust at all times
- Ensuring the financial stability and sustainability of the Trust
- Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
- Ensuring proper arrangements are in place for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and renumeration of the CEO and they are held to account
- Contributing to regular reviews of the Trust’s own governance
- Ensuring the Trust complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use their specific skills, knowledge and experience to contribute to the Board’s decision-making, and dedicate sufficient time to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This may involve sitting on Board Committees, scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.
Trustees aim to support a specific member of the SLT based on their skills and experience or may participate in appropriate subgroups, e.g., Alumni Leadership Board, Education Advisory Group, (Development) Board meetings, etc.
Person Specification
Mission and Values
- Sympathetic to the aims of the Trust and its mission to address educational disadvantage
- High level of personal and professional ethics, integrity, and accountability
- Willingness to safeguard and promote the Trust’s reputation within the wider sector
Strategy and Interpersonal Skills
- Ability to think strategically in order to provide appropriate oversight and scrutiny for the Trust’s overall activity and direction
- Ability to confidently and fairly make evidence-based decisions and constructively challenge the decisions of others if required
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team to provide advice, make decisions, and/or solve problems
- A commitment to personal development and a willingness to participate in regular reviews of the Board’s own performance and governance
Governance, Risk and Finance
- Understanding of the legal duties of a Trustee (or willingness to learn), including compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House regulations and commitment to the roles and responsibilities of a Trustee
- Awareness of (or willingness to learn about) financial health indicators and organisational risk management
Specialist Expertise and Experience
- A background in public affairs, civil service, think tanks, education sector organisations or senior policy or research roles in (education) charities
- Strong understanding of how UK government (at local, regional or national level) and/ or the UK education sector works
- Strong influencing and communications skills with the ability to lead discussions, provide expert advice, and influence stakeholders in a professional manner
- Good understanding of how to translate policy jargon into clear, strategic advice for the wider Trustee Board
Interviews
Applications should reach us by 10am, Monday 30th March. First round interviews will take place on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th April, and second round interviews will take place w/c 27th April or w/c 4th May. All interviews will be held at our London offices in Millbank Tower.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About The Creighton Centre
For over 100 years, The Creighton Centre has been at the heart of its community, providing connection, care and opportunities for generations of local people. With a rich heritage and an ambitious future, we are now seeking someone to become our next Chair of Trustees.
This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to provide leadership to a well established, values driven charity at a pivotal moment in its history.
About the role
As Chair, you will lead our Board of Trustees and work in close partnership with our new CEO to ensure strong governance, clear strategic direction and long-term sustainability.
Over the coming year, the Board will be setting the charity’s strategic priorities and overseeing an exciting programme to renovate and future proof our historic building, unlocking new opportunities for community use and income generation. The Chair will play a central role in guiding this work at Board level.
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking a Chair who brings strong interpersonal skills, good judgement and a collaborative leadership style. You will be someone who values good governance, inclusive decision-making and clear strategic thinking.
You will bring:
- Significant board experience and a strong understanding of governance
- The ability to lead a Board effectively, encouraging constructive challenge and collective ownership
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- An appreciation of the privilege and responsibility of stewarding a long-established community charity with premises
Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of an organisation with deep community roots and real impact.
What's in it for you?
- A chance to chair a respected charity with over a century of community impact
- An opportunity to help guide a significant period of strategic development and renewal
- The privilege of stewarding an organisation with a strong sense of purpose, place and heritage
- A supportive, engaged Board and an experienced Chief Executive team
If you are looking for a meaningful Chair role where your leadership can make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.
Please provide a CV and cover letter outlining your interest in the role and what skills and qualities you might bring. Please do refer to the attached Role Decsription for guidance on preparing your cover letter.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.