Worker jobs in east of england

We're looking for someone a lttle bit special - someone who believes in the deep potential of children who are not thriving elsewhere in life and who has the experience, passion, energy and the drive to go the extra mile on these young people’s behalf.

The position is an exciting dual role:

1. Volunteering & People Manager (80% of workload)

You'll become a key cog at the heart ofFree to Be's management team, taking lead responsibility for volunteer and staff recruitment and retention, holding and delivering our volunteering strategy, launching a new training infrastructure through 2026-27, and heading up 'all things volunteering'. With one direct report, you'll aim to grow volunteer numbers year on year, ensure volunteers are well matched, and well supported, onto our residential projects, and lead on quality assurance, including volunteering standards concerns/grievances.  Alongside our Services, Operations and Fundraising Managers, you'll be a core management team member holding shared responsibility for the day to day running of an impactful and growing children's mental health and adventure charity and will work closely with our inspiring and supportive CEO to set longer-term key strategic goals underpinning Free to Be's future development.

2. Residential Project Lead Coordinator (20% of role)

Our residentials are fun, immersive, tiring (in all the right ways), impactful and inspiring. A core aspect of all Free to Be Kids staff's roles is leading circa 8-10 of our residential projects across each year - working on the ground with the children, leading the volunteers & staff team on project, and helping make the projects special, safe, and transformative for vulnerable young people, many of whom have damaged confidence, low self-worth, or other social-emotional needs. 

Attendance at approximately 8-10 five-six night residential projects per year outside London is a core component of this role. As a manager, you'd likely attend 8-10 residentials in year 1 to build familiarity with both the projects and our volunteer base, with this dropping to c.8 per year thereafter.

On offer to the right candidate:

Salary: Circa £38,000 - £40,000, dependent on experience.

Hours: Fulltime: 37.5 hours per week. Essential attendance on at c.8-10 residential projects a year.

Leave: 25 days per year, plus bank holidays and up to 13 additional pre-set discretionary reward days in September and during the Christmas period. A substantial perk of the role is potential to take up to 4 consecutive weeks off to travel each September.

Other benefits: 4% employer pension contribution paid on full base salary, rising by 1% per year of service, up to a maximum of 7%; hybrid working; office with great transport links; flexible working (outside core hours); employee reward scheme; tight-knit, fun, vibrant, cohesive staff team with great morale.

Based: Hybrid – our small office in Waterloo, London. Hybrid working is well established with the majority of the team splitting time around 50:50 between the office and home.

To start: Early January 2026. 

Who we’re looking for:

Our next Volunteering Manager hero. You'll be fun, flexible, energised, experienced in work with young people with addtional needs, and looking to join an organisation you can believe in and who in return will believe and invest in you.

Kind, empathetic, resilient and efficient, you’ll have a real affinity for supporting others - whether volunteers, more junior staff, or children themselves. We're looking for someone who loves working with young people, as you'll be role modelling that commitment and energy to our volunteers and playing a leading role in holding our already thriving team culture. Volunteer Management or HR experience is a bonus, and capacity and personality to quickly pick that up is a must, but ultimately we're looking for the right organisational fit - someone who believes in what we do and wants to step up to join a management team working hard to deliver it. 

You’ll have the flexibility to work away from home on (up to) 10 five to six day residential projects per year. Ideally, you’ll also have experience of leading projects for children – whether residential or non-residential - for example as a teacher, or running groups in other settings. Experience of working on or leading residentials projects themselves is not required but may be an advantage.

We are a small, vibrant, 'can do', friendly staff team of 10, supported by a committed volunteer base of around 300.

We are particularly keen to encourage applications from those who can help us represent the lived experiences of our children through their own lived experience or background.

To apply:

See full Job Description & Person Specification on our website.

Send a copy of your CV or up to date LinkedIn profile, as well as a covering letter and introductory short video, by the closing date of 10pm, Wednesday 26th November 2025.

Covering letters should be very approximately 1 to 1.5 sides A4 and address the question of: ‘Why this role, why now’, as well as ‘what strengths, experience and skills you would bring into the role’.We also ask for a short (1-3 minutes) informal video introducing yourself and touching on the person specification. We have found this helps bring the strongest applications to life, and filters out AI driven applications.

Selection Process and Timeline:

Selection will be via two stage interview. As there is only a short turnaround from application closure on 26th November to 1st stage interviews 1st-2nd December, we will assess applications and offer interview slots throughout the window. However, you will not be disadvantaged if you need to wait till the closing date to submit.

1st stage interviews: Mon 1st - Tues 2nd December (virtual)

2nd stage final interviews: Mon 8th - Tues 9th December (in-person preferred, London Waterloo)

Please hold interview dates as alternate dates are unlikely to be available.

​The role requires an Enhanced DBS check and existing right to work in the UK.

If you have any questions about the role, contact us via our website and we’d be happy to arrange an informal chat. We look forward to hearing from you!

This is a fantastic and unique opportunity to join a friendly, busy and supportive Legal and Governance team in the Chief Executive’s Office at the British Psychological Society.

The Board Secretary plays a critical role in the organisation, ensuring we are well governed, managed in compliance with relevant legislation and regulation and uphold best practice at all times.

We are looking for an exceptional proactive individual who must have previous experience in governance, primarily board / committee support, will be highly organised, with strong administrative skills and an excellent communicator. It will suit somebody who is capable of working autonomously and independently and used to providing professional advice and guidance to the Chair of the Board and CEO.

We offer a friendly, values led working culture with an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Agile & flexible working
• Generous leave entitlement
• Occupational pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme / free eye care vouchers / Winter flu vaccinations
• Tailored learning & development
• Employee Assistance Programme counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Discounts scheme with local and national organisations

 How to apply

The closing date for applications is Friday 14th November 2025 and interviews are scheduled for w/c 1st December 2025.

To apply, please supply your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria in the job profile. Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

The British Psychological Society is committed to a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of your background or circumstances.

We are only able to accept applications that can demonstrate a right to work in the UK; we are unable to sponsor people requiring a work visa.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, it is not possible to update you on the progress of the application until after the closing date.  If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

About Woman's Trust

Woman’s Trust was established almost thirty years ago and is the leading specialist in mental health services for women. Led by and for women, it aims to ensure that women affected by domestic abuse can live a safe and healthy life, free from further harm. Our approach is trauma-informed and person-centred, empowering survivors on their journey to recover from the trauma. We support 900 women and children annually, with an income of £1.3m and 40 staff. We are committed to a positive, inclusive and equitable environment for our staff, service users and volunteers. Alongside our current service provision, we are focused on developing innovative mental health services for young women and girls, launching peer-led support groups and providing therapeutic groups to children and their mothers. We are also committed to developing further awareness-raising workshops and training for professionals, building on our research and policy expertise to improve systems nationally. As demand for our service grows, we are ambitious to double the number of women we support each year, achieved in large part through the success of our fundraising team in increasing our income.

About the role

As a Counselling Project Administrator, you will be responsible for the smooth and efficient project administration of Woman’s Trust Counselling services.

This role is part-time, working 28 hours per week to cover a period of maternity leave with a start date of December 2025.

In return, we can offer:

• 25 days' holiday + 3 days at Christmas + Public holidays (pro rata for part-time working)
• Hybrid & flexible working - office based with minimum of 50% of working hours in Woman’s Trust London office, we also support mutually agreed flexible working arrangements
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Mandatory job-related training
• Individual staff professional development budget
• A caring, committed and highly collaborative environment
• Several social events/lunches per year
• Friendly, all women team

To find out more and apply with your CV, please visit our website via the apply button.  

The position is open on a rolling basis. Interviews will be given as applications come in.

Please note, this post is open to female applicants only – Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1 applies.

We have an exciting opportunities for a Qualified and/ or Trainee Multidisciplinary Advocates to join our established and friendly Advocacy Team. 

We work for Rethink Advocacy, which is part of Rethink Mental Illness a national charity that has been transforming the lives of people severely affected by mental illness for over 50 years.

As an unqualified, inexperienced independent multi-disciplinary advocate, you will be required to enrol on the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification and complete the course within a set timescale, using protected study time to focus on this. You will shadow experienced team members and then be observed providing advocacy to those who are eligible for our services until you are able to pick up a caseload of your own. You will receive training in the different remits of advocacy, instructed and non-instructed advocacy and safeguarding and be supported to develop a thorough understanding of the role and boundaries of advocacy. The role involves acting on the instruction of the people you support, empowering them to have a say in their situation, to understand their rights and any options open to them and supporting them towards self-advocacy. When providing non-instructed advocacy, you will ensure that the unique preferences and views of the person are taken into consideration in any decisions made by care providers.

As a qualified and / or experienced independent advocate, you will provide statutory and / or non-statutory independent advocacy to those who are eligible for the service within the community or care settings. This may include secure facilities, hospitals, care homes, supported living facilities and people within their own homes or temporary accommodation.

You will provide statutory and / or non-statutory independent advocacy within the community or care settings. This may include secure facilities, hospitals, care homes, supported living facilities and people within their own homes or temporary accommodation.

Advocacy is having someone by your side, and on your side, when you want to be more involved in decisions about your care, treatment and living arrangements. An advocate can talk through the situation you’re currently in and the options open to you. They can help you decide what you want and then communicate it to people. This is particularly useful if it’s difficult to understand things or to speak up and be heard.

Our Wandsworth and Richmond service provides a range of specialist advocacy services to Adults (and children) as appropriate across a range of disciplines.  We provide a range of statutory (instructed or non-instructed) and non-statutory advocacy support in secure units, hospitals, care settings or in the community, working with a range of health and social care partners.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion 

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. 

We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation 

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here. 

Senior Trusts and Philanthropy Officer

Location: Hybrid/Remote
Department: Fundraising
Salary: £41,480 actual salary
Hours: 35
Contract Type: Permanent

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Trusts and Philanthropy fundraiser, to manage a portfolio of high level funders, whose support is vital to the work of Become.

Working closely with the Trusts and Philanthropy Manager and the wider Fundraising team, the postholder will research potential funders, write compelling grant applications, and build strong relationships with funders to ensure continued and increased support. They will have a strong track record of securing five/six-figure funding from trusts and foundations, and other giving vehicles, excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders effectively.

Location

We are currently hybrid working: our team primarily works from home. In-person attendance at some meetings will be expected approximately once or twice every month, usually at our central hot-desking location in Old Street, London. For non-London based staff we will consider hot-desking options near you, if required. Additionally, as a charity providing services to England Become covers the cost of travel within England for essential in-person meetings. We are open to conversations about flexible working arrangements.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

As an organisation serving children in care and young care leavers we are keen to receive applications from people with lived experience of care. We are actively seeking to bring diversity of perspectives and experience, and especially welcome applications from those from racially-minoritised communities. We ask all applicants to fill in an Equity and Diversity Monitoring from to better understand the diversity of applicants. This is anonymous and will not be connected with your application.

How to apply

We ask interested applicants to answer several competency-based questions. Your application and answers will be reviewed anonymously to ensure fairness and help remove bias from the application process. You’ll need to send us your CV and it will be anonymised before review.

To apply for this role, you will need to:

• Provide us with a copy of your CV;
• Answer the competency questions in no more than 400 words per question, providing relevant examples to demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience required;
• Complete the Equity and Diversity Monitoring Form (this is not compulsory but the information is very useful to us).

The competency questions we would like you to answer as part of your application are:

• What is your motivation to work for Become and why are you interested in working to support care-experienced children and young people?
• How do you go about crafting compelling and persuasive grant proposals
• How do you manage a busy workload of multiple deadlines and priorities?
• How do you initiate, establish and build strong relationships with the different types of contacts within trusts, foundations, and vehicles such as CAF and donor advised funds?

If you have any reasonable adjustments you would like us to consider for this recruitment process (either for the application or interview) please advise us on your application form.

The deadline for applications to be received is Tuesday 11th November @ 11.59pm.

Interview Details

Interviews will have two parts:

A session with young people;
A panel interview with Become staff.

Interviews may be held virtually using a video calling app (Microsoft Teams or Zoom) or in person at our location in Central London. If access to technology/internet is difficult for you, please contact us so we can assist in making suitable arrangements.

Become also wants to ensure fairness in all of our interviews so all successful shortlisted candidates will be sent the interview questions in advance.

Interviews will take place:

Young people’s panel: Tues 25th November
Staff panel: Weds 26th November

Please Note

All applicants must have a Right to Work in the UK. Although the role is hybrid, we are unable to offer work visas or sponsorship for any candidates.

We’re proud to be a Living Wage Employer. We are committed to #ShowingTheSalary. Our roles are #OpenToAll

Benefits: Real London Living Wage Employer; Generous Annual Leave Scheme; Flexible working; Pension Scheme; Life Insurance Scheme; Health Cash Plan; Access to a Rewards and Benefit Platform; Signatory of Halo Code; Disability Confident Employer; Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7; Fostering Friendly Employer; Support for Team Members with lived experience; Access to Virtual GP

REF-224 586

We’re looking for three Parent Programme Officers to help deliver the Stregthening Families, Stregthening Communities parenting programme with integrity and care as part of a new project funded by the Youth Endowment Fund.

You’ll build trusted relationships with families, co-facilitators, peer researchers, colleagues and referral partners, ensuring the programme is safe, effective and engaging. You’ll support research and evaluation, maintain robust systems and make sure our work is informed by evidence and grounded in lived experience. 

We’re keen to work with experienced practitioners in the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC)  model, or people that are familiar with it and have extensive expertise with other group parenting programmes. 

You will be an organised and confident communicator who values openness and collaboration. You’ll bring experience in partnership working, programme delivery and safeguarding, with the ability to build rapport and manage sensitive situations with professionalism. 

If you share our belief that building trusted relationships and honest partnerships can transform outcomes for young people and families, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and be part of a collaborative, supportive team committed to tackling racial inequality. 

Funded by the Youth Endowment Fund, our intervention and research project, SFSC: Safer Lives, works to prevent offending and reduce youth violence by strengthening family relationships, increasing parental confidence, and promoting young people’s self-discipline, social skills and self-esteem.

The SFSC: Safer Lives programme  builds on the ground-breaking work of the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities inclusive parenting programme, which has demonstrated how parenting support can be provided effectively to minoritised and marginalised families.

In this exciting role you will work within the small Communciations & Fundraising Team to maximise income generation from individual givers through your ability to manage outstanding supporter care, accurate database management and targeted marketing via email, post, and social media.

You will hold key responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of all our fundraising and marketing data and be responsible for ensuring the correct targeting of all marketing approaches. You will work closely with, and in support of all other members of the Fundraising and Communications teams. If you have experience of managing volunteers, all the better.

You will conduct and present excellent analysis on all marketing activity with clear recommendations for improvements to fundraising communications alongside donor/donation and database management.

Using your CRM and database knowledge, you can play a key role in the management of donor management but also the wider data support for the charity. it is an exciting time at Doctors of the World, with a diverse portfolio of projects supporting those who are excluded from health in the UK. 

Benefits include:

• 28 days annual leave per annum (addtional days off for birthday, volunteering and religous festivals).
• Active Flexible Working Policy.
• Employer pension contribution scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Eye testing
• Blue Light Card membership

Due to the urgent need to fill this post, we will be shortlisting applications as they are received and may invite candidates to interview before the closing date. We will only shortlist applicants with two weeks' notice.

The Interim Head of Services will oversee the effective delivery, performance, and quality assurance of some of our mental health services in Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Redbridge.

What you'll do: 

• Lead and support Service Managers and Coordinators to deliver high-quality, client-centred services.
• Drive continuous service improvement and foster collaboration across teams and partners.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders to enhance service delivery.
• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer, providing expert guidance to ensure client safety and staff compliance. 

See the job pack for full details.

We’re looking for a Marketing and Communications Manager to lead our talented team, who deliver impactful marketing, communications, and media initiatives at the British Psychological Society.

You’ll be leading on the delivery of our marketing and communications strategy, focusing on member acquisition, retention, and engagement, utilising digital solutions to promote our membership, qualifications, registers and CPD offerings, and much more.

Your expertise in communication will be essential as you cultivate strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders, journalists and media contacts; driving proactive media opportunities to enhance our profile. 

You’ll also play a crucial role in monitoring current issues in psychology and the psychological workforce, advising on communications strategies and supporting our campaigns that influence change. 

We’re looking for someone with sound experience in marketing, communications and public relations. You should have a proven track record in managing marketing functions and cultivating media relationships, with the adaptability and solutions-focused mindset to thrive in a fast-paced environment. 

Join us in advancing the discipline of psychology, and making a real impact on society. 

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Managing a team of five direct reports including communications officers, senior marketing executives and a media advisor 

• Delivering an annual marketing and communication strategy to drive member acquisition, retention and engagement, with a focus on digital solutions 

• Promoting other commercial products, including qualifications, registers and CPD 

• Managing the relationship between the BPS and the media through the exploitation of proactive and reactive media opportunities, increasing media coverage and visibility for our members 

• Collaboratively creating communication campaigns to support the work of our public affairs team, as they aim to influence change at governmental level 

• Delivering media-related training to our volunteer psychologists. 

Why Join Us? 

At the BPS, we’re committed to creating a fair and respectful workplace. You’ll be part of a collaborative and talented team. We offer a friendly, values led working culture with an excellent benefits package that includes: 

• Agile & flexible working 

• Generous leave entitlement 

• Occupational pension scheme 

• Cycle to work scheme / free eye care vouchers / Winter flu vaccinations 

• Tailored learning & development 

• Employee Assistance Programme counselling 

• Life Assurance Scheme 

• Discounts scheme with local and national organisations 

How to apply 

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria in the job profile. The closing date for applications is 12th November 2025 at 4pm.

The British Psychological Society is committed to a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of your background or circumstances. We are only able to accept applications that can demonstrate a right to work in the UK; we are unable to sponsor people requiring a work visa. 

Due to the large number of applications we receive, it is not possible to update you on the progress of the application until after the closing date.  If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. 

The British Psychological Society is committed to a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of your background or circumstances.

CAAS is an amazing organisation, supporting ADHD and autistic individuals, their families, and the community around them.  We are in a great position, with stable funding, an experienced team of around 40 staff, and a new strategy that is inspiring and impactful.  We are looking for a kind and effective leader to join us as our next CEO, and keep CAAS thriving into the future. 

As CEO, you will have the confidence and the expertise to deliver on our vision of changing perceptions to reduce stigma and break down barriers, bringing strategic leadership experience, a high level of organisational ability, self-motivation and self-discipline. You will have a passion for extending our reach and will demonstrate experience in delivering strategy, leading effective teams and building relationships within our community. 

To apply, you need to submit a completed application form alongside a supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, detailing how you meet the requirements of the role.  Deadline to apply is by 10am on Monday 17th November, but feel free to reach out to our current CEO, Kay D'Cruz, for an informal chat about the role if you'd like to find out more.

More details about the job and additional information about the person specification can be found in the job description and in our recruitment pack, but in summary the key responsibilities of the role are:

Strategic Leadership: Deliver CAAS’s strategy, fulfil our legal obligations, evaluate and improve performance, report on progress, ensure CAAS remains well positioned for the future

Operational Leadership: Ensure robust systems, processes and policies, assess and manage organisational risk, build sustainable delivery mechanisms, oversee effective digital, communications and fundraising activity, maintain our case for support and tender for and manage contracts

People & Culture: Foster positive working cultures, promote staff wellbeing, ensure staff are focussed on delivering CAAS mission, drive staff development

External Relationships: Influence and advocate for change, act as lead ambassador for CAAS with funders, professionals and other stakeholders

 We are looking for candidates who:

• Have a passion for, and commitment to, our work
• Have a track record of effective working at a senior leadership level, building supportive external relationships and driving positive internal cultures, based on compassion and a drive for excellence
• Are action-orientated, adaptable and flexible in the pursuit of impact
• Can juggle multiple and competing demands, and thrive in a busy, varied environment
• Enjoy ensuring robust governance and compliance
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills; are a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
• Are warm, inclusive and approachable, an actively listener and neuro-affirmative

Further information is available on our website. 

Vacancy Reference: BfN2026/45

Job Title: Finance Officer

Salary: £15.73 per hour

Number of Posts: 1

Type of Contract: Permanent

Start Date: ASAP Start

Hours of Work: 28 per week

Working Pattern: Can be flexible, Must work Monday and Thursday

Work Location: Remote

Responsible to: Finance Manager

Closing Date: Shortlisting will take place as applications are submitted with official closing date being 11/11/2025.

Proposed Interview Date: 12/11/2025 and 14/11/2025

Job Information: We are seeking a detail oriented and dedicated bookkeeper to join our finance team. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in bookkeeping, excellent organisational skills and a passion for making a difference in the community. In this role you will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, processing transactions and preparing financial reports. If you are looking to apply your financial expertise in a meaningful way , we invite you to join us in making a positive impact

The Vacancies

We are seeking to appoint two business registrants and one dispensing optician to our Advisory Panel Companies Committee.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance, and conduct.

About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration, and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:

• matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals, Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee; 

• matters relating to optical training, education, and assessment; 

• matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and 

• matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register. 

Time Commitment and Remuneration 

This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices in London or other suitable venues.

A daily fee of £319 will be paid. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule.  This is taxable and subject to Class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions. It is not pensionable.

Members can claim expenses for travel and subsistence costs incurred on Council business as set out in our expenses policy.

How to apply 

Please apply with the following: 

• your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service, or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic, or vocational qualifications (please keep this to two sides of A4); 

• the application form (attcahed below), stating how your experience matches the essential criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and 

• an EDI monitoring form (link can be found in the candidate pack below). 

Please email your completed application quoting reference GOC05/25 to appointment@optical .org.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as these are currently under-represented on our Council and committees. 

For more information please see the attached candidate information pack.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight Sunday 09 November 2025.

Online interviews will be held the week commencing 12 January 2026.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, and geographical locations outside of London.

Job Title: Safeguarding Officer

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Professional Supervision: The Regional Safeguarding Lead

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £22,500 per annum (FTE £39,375)

Hours per week: 20 hours

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)

Role Description

The Safeguarding Officer will lead and oversee all aspects of safeguarding within St Edmundsbury Cathedral, ensuring that the Cathedral remains a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

You will be responsible for ensuring that the Cathedral meets all statutory safeguarding obligations and complies fully with the Church of England’s national safeguarding policies, diocesan frameworks, and relevant legislation. This includes proactively identifying potential risks, responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns, and ensuring effective reporting and case management in partnership with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and statutory agencies.

Beyond compliance, this role is about embedding a culture of care, accountability, and transparency across the Cathedral community. You will support clergy, staff, and volunteers to understand their safeguarding responsibilities, ensure safer recruitment and training practices, and provide guidance and reassurance when safeguarding issues arise.

By acting as a source of expert advice, leadership, and advocacy, the Safeguarding Officer will help the Cathedral community uphold the highest standards of safety, dignity, and pastoral care, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstance, can participate fully and confidently in Cathedral life.

The Cathedral Safeguarding Officer has operational authority within the Cathedral (subject to agreement with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer with respect to responding to concerns and allegations against Church officers) for the following responsibilities, arranged according to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Standards.

These four National Safeguarding Standards provide the framework for effective safeguarding practice across all Church settings:

1. Culture, Leadership, and Capacity – Promoting a culture where safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of Cathedral life, ensuring that leaders, clergy, staff, and volunteers model and champion best practice.
2. Prevention – Implementing robust safer recruitment, induction, and training processes, and proactively identifying and mitigating potential safeguarding risks.
3. Responding to Concerns – Ensuring that all concerns, disclosures, and allegations are taken seriously, responded to promptly, and managed in partnership with statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
4. Learning, Supervision, and Quality Assurance – Fostering continual improvement through regular review, reflection, and evaluation of safeguarding practice, ensuring accountability and transparency at all levels.

Together, these standards guide the Cathedral’s commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and trustworthy environment for all who engage with its worship, ministry, and community life.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

• Act as the Cathedral’s primary safeguarding lead, providing authoritative advice and operational oversight to the Chapter, leadership team, clergy, staff and volunteers.
• Ensure compliance with national Church of England safeguarding guidance, diocesan requirements and all relevant statutory legislation.
• Develop, maintain and drive a measurable safeguarding action plan and improvement programme, ensuring policies and practice are implemented consistently across Cathedral activities.
• Produce clear, timely safeguarding reports and briefings for Chapter and committees translating case and compliance information into strategic recommendations.
• Actively promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, supporting leaders to embed safeguarding into planning, events, recruitment and everyday practice.
• Engaging in professional supervision and quality assurance provided by the relevant Regional Safeguarding Lead, and in continual professional development, including ensuring that the requirements of the National Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework for Safeguarding Officers are met.

Safer recruitment

• Lead and oversee safer recruitment processes for all paid roles and volunteer positions, ensuring job descriptions, interviews and selection processes assess safeguarding suitability.
• Support managers to make informed recruitment decisions and ensure all new starters receive safeguarding induction and appropriate supervision.

Case management

• Receive, triage and respond to safeguarding concerns and disclosures quickly and sensitively, ensuring the safety and welfare of those involved.
• Undertake initial risk and needs assessments and make appropriate referrals to statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
• Support and co-ordinate multi-agency responses where required, and follow agreed safeguarding pathways.
• Provide pastoral support and signposting to victims/survivors while ensuring appropriate boundaries, confidentiality and access to specialist support services.
• Manage allegations involving staff or volunteers in line with diocesan procedures, ensuring safe working arrangements are put in place while enquiries proceed.
• Maintain accurate, secure and auditable case records, ensuring all documentation complies with data protection (GDPR) and Cathedral record-keeping protocols

Meetings & governance

• Attend safeguarding-related meetings, including the Safeguarding Committee, Guild Committee and Forum, providing briefings, presenting reports and highlighting risks and compliance matters.
• Prepare agendas, papers and minutes as required; maintain an action log and follow up to ensure agreed actions are completed.
• Escalate unresolved risks or urgent safeguarding matters to Chapter and senior leadership in a timely and constructive manner.
• Attend Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) Meetings.

Training & awareness

• Lead on Cathedral safeguarding training, coordinate and deliver induction and refresher training for staff, volunteers, and clergy.
• Maintain up-to-date records of safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers (showing completion and renewal dates).
• Create accessible safeguarding information and communications for the Cathedral community (e.g., weekly bulletin items, posters, webpages and event briefings) to raise awareness and reinforce good practice.
• Provide tailored briefings for high-risk roles and ongoing advice to managers and supervisors on safeguarding responsibilities.
• To evaluate training to ensure that learnings have been embedded.

Policy & risk management

• Review, update and implement the Cathedral’s safeguarding policies and procedures on a regular schedule (and sooner where guidance or case learning requires change).
• Lead safeguarding risk assessments for services, events, volunteer activities and external bookings; provide straightforward, action-focused mitigation plans for event organisers and hirers.
• Conduct audits and spot-checks to ensure practice aligns with policy and report findings with recommended improvements.
• Ensure contractors, partner organisations and hirers meet required safeguarding standards and that any safeguarding responsibilities are set out contractually where appropriate.

Additional duties and professional development

• Provide clear, timely advice within agreed working hours and support any out-of-hours arrangements for urgent safeguarding concerns as agreed with Chapter.
• Maintain your own professional development through training, supervision and membership of relevant safeguarding networks; ensure learning is shared across the Cathedral.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties that support the effective delivery of safeguarding across the Cathedral.
• Attend the East Anglia Regional Safeguarding Network meeting three times a year, with other DSOs and CSO in the region

Key Relationships

• In the Cathedral, the Dean provides leadership concerning safeguarding, supported by Chapter and senior leadership team requiring good working relationships with both clergy and lay colleagues.
• It is essential that the CSO forms excellent working relationships with key people in the Diocese, including: the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO), the safeguarding team and other relevant staff; the chair and membership of diocesan safeguarding governance structures e.g., the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) and relevant sub-groups; and the National Safeguarding Team.
• It is essential to have good connections with colleagues in relevant local third sector agencies, including those working in the fields of homelessness, poverty, domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse, refugee support, language and learning support, etc. Adults and children who are using, have used or may use the services of the cathedral, particularly in relation to safeguarding.

Person Spesification 

Essential Qualities

Qualifications

• Relevant safeguarding qualification/training, or willingness to undertake

Experience

• Substantial experience working with safeguarding in roles involving children and/or adults at risk.
• Handling safeguarding referrals, disclosures, and case management.
• Liaising with statutory services such as police, social care, and health agencies.
• Delivering safeguarding training or workshops to diverse audiences.
• Producing reports, maintaining accurate records, and managing confidential data.

Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of current safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practice for children and adults.
• Knowledge of safer recruitment principles and DBS requirements.
• Understanding of GDPR and secure data management in relation to safeguarding.
• Awareness of the Church of England’s safeguarding frameworks and National Safeguarding Standards (or willingness to learn).

Skills and Abilities

• Strong ability to assess risk and make clear, evidence-based decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and appropriately at all levels.
• Effective relationship-building skills, including working collaboratively with clergy, volunteers, statutory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• High levels of organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities calmly and effectively.
• Confident in designing and delivering safeguarding training and briefings.

Personal Qualities

• Integrity, resilience, and discretion when managing sensitive information.
• Empathy and pastoral sensitivity towards those impacted by abuse or allegations.
• A collaborative, approachable, and supportive leadership style.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in challenging situations.
• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Respect for the Cathedral’s Christian values and willingness to work within its ethos.

Desired Qualities

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, education, counselling, youth work, nursing, or safeguarding).
• Membership of a relevant safeguarding or professional network.

Experience

• Experience working in a Church of England context or other faith-based safeguarding setting.
• Experience of developing and implementing safeguarding policies and risk assessments.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches when supporting victims/survivors.
• Familiarity with Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) roles and procedures.

Skills and Abilities

• Experience in facilitating safeguarding learning using innovative or digital approaches.
• Competence in using safeguarding case management systems or CRMs.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to undergo enhanced DBS checks, including barred lists.
• Flexibility to attend occasional evening or weekend meetings and events.
• Commitment to completing all mandatory safeguarding and leadership training as required by the Cathedral and Diocese.

Closing Date: Wednesday 12 November