Youth and children jobs

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 60,000 young people each year at its 46 learning centres across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision over the coming years. 

We are looking for a Fundraising Manager (Trusts and Foundations) to join our high-performing and talented fundraising team, all of whom have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for our mission to support young people achieve their ambitions.

You will be working with a diverse range of supporters - from family trusts through to major grant-giving foundations. You will have the opportunity to play a key role in managing and stewarding our current partnerships, and securing new supporters in order to meet and exceed our ambitious fundraising targets.

This is a varied and exciting role, ranging from rolling your sleeves up to meet a tight deadline, completing a bid for a major new funding opportunity, through to leading and inspiring team members to meet our strategic goals.

The role at a glance

Contract:
Full-time, permanent

Start date:
September 2026 (or as otherwise agreed)

Working hours:
09:00-17:30, Monday to Friday. 

Our Head Office team typically works in-person 4 days per week with 1 day from home. The in-person time will mainly be in the office with other members of the team, but will also include regularly attending meetings and events at corporate partners and hosting them on visits to IntoUniversity centres.

Salary: 
£43,000 - £48,000 (including £2,800 London contribution) Depending on experience

Location: 
IntoUniversity Head Office, 95 Sirdar Road, London W11 4EQ

Annual Leave: 
33 days (inc bank & public holidays)
+ 3 closure days (two in December and one in July)
+ additional length of service entitlement
(one day per year of service, up to 5 days)

Are you passionate about building relationships, inspiring others, and making a real impact? This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in growing support for our charity by connecting with local communities, businesses, volunteers, and supporters. You will be at the heart of developing meaningful partnerships, identifying new fundraising opportunities, and increasing awareness of the vital work we do. Through your energy, creativity, and relationship-building skills, you will help generate income, maximise community engagement, and strengthen our presence across the region. Every conversation, event, and partnership you create will contribute to making a positive difference in the lives of those we support. If you thrive on meeting people, creating opportunities, and being part of a passionate and purpose-driven team, this rewarding role offers the chance to make a lasting impact while helping our charity grow and succeed.

Welcare is recruiting a qualified and experienced Family Support Worker to provide focused 1-1 and group family support for families with children and young people aged 0-19 years old (up to 25 years for young adults with additional needs). This will be delivered either at the Family Centre, out in the community or in service users’ own homes.

The post holder will be required to work with families as a lone worker. All services provided will support the delivery of the Family Support Specification, which aims is to enable children and families to achieve and improve outcomes.

The Family Centre is part of a local integrated system with a wide range of partners that builds family resilience in Surrey and seeks to improve life chances for the most vulnerable children. The work is challenging but helping a family achieve change is a huge reward.

Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Interview dates: 3 and 4 August 2026

The successful candidate will have empathy with Welcare’s Christian values base.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 60,000 young people each year at its 46 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for a high-calibre candidate who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a permanent role as Centre Leader at our IntoUniversity centre in Newcastle. You will have responsibility for running your IntoUniversity centre, including managing your team, planning and delivering the programme, liaising with external stakeholders and meeting IntoUniversity’s targets for delivery.

A substantial element of this role is delivering our education programme to children and young people aged 7-18, so you will need to have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for working with young people, including leading a class of 30 from the front, working with small teams of children and providing one-to-one support.

The role at a glance 

Contract

Full-time, permanent 

Start date

August 2026

Working hours

Monday and Thursday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 9am – 5:30pm

(Some additional weekend & unsocial hours will be required)

Salary

£36,400 per annum

From 1st September 2026 this will increase to £37,300

Location

IntoUniversity Newcastle East

Application deadline

9am Thursday 16th July 2026

Interview Day (in-person)

Wednesday 22nd July 2026

Please ensure that you are available on these dates

Across the UK, millions of children and young people are facing complex social and emotional challenges. AllChild works within local communities and wider support systems to identify and support children and young people most at risk of poor social, emotional and academic outcomes. Through our two-year Impact Programme, we help build a joined-up network of support around each child and family, working in partnership with schools, local services and community organisations.

Our dedicated, school-based Link Workers coordinate bespoke, strengths-based support through our trusted partners, from counselling, tutoring and engagement opportunities in sport or art to access to wider community and early-help support where needed. By mobilising trusted relationships and coordinating support across the local system, we help young people flourish, building confidence, skills and a positive future. Founded in West London, AllChild is working in communities nationally to create lasting, place-based change.

We’re seeking people in the West London area with a genuine passion for supporting children and young people, strong intrinsic motivation and high personal standards within a Secondary School. If that sounds like you, we’d be delighted for you to join our team.

For further information, please view the Job Pack.

To apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 9 July 2026.

We recognise that candidates may use AI tools to support research and check grammar. However, we ask that all supporting statements and application responses reflect your own thoughts and experiences. Over-reliance on AI may limit our ability to assess your individual skills, critical thinking, and personal approach, which are important parts of our selection process. 

Barnardo's is one of the UK's leading children's charities, and our North England Fostering Service has recently been rated ‘Good' by Ofsted.

We are committed to providing safe, nurturing, and supportive homes for children and young people. We are now looking for a passionate and skilled Supervising Social Worker to join our committed team.

Our North England service covers Yorkshire, Humber, and the North East of England.  This role will mainly cover the North East, with expectations of traveling to North Yorkshire on occasions.

About the Role

This exciting opportunity has arisen following an internal promotion.

As a Supervising Social Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting foster carers to deliver high-quality care.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a protected caseload with access to innovative social work training
• Supervising, supporting, and developing foster carers
• Undertaking assessments of prospective foster carers
• Contributing to the matching process and foster home stability
• Working collaboratively with children, families, carers and professionals
• Maintaining accurate and timely records in line with regulatory standards
• Delivering training to foster carers
• Following Induction period participating in the out-of-hours rota (with additional payment)

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an individual who is:

• A qualified Social Worker (DipSW, CQSW or equivalent)
• Registered with Social Work England
• Experienced in fostering or children's social care
• Skilled in building strong, supportive relationships
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

Why Join Barnardo's?

• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• Access to high-quality training and development, including DDP and trauma-informed approaches
• Generous annual leave and pension scheme
• Opportunities to develop your career within a well-respected national charity

Additional Information

• A recognised Social Work qualification and SWE registration are essential
• Experience in Family Placement, Child Protection, or Looked After Children services is required
• A full UK driving licence, access to a car, and business-use insurance are essential due to the nature of the role

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Substance Use Practitioner - Maternity cover

Location: Basingstoke

Salary: from £26,097 per annum depending on experience

Vacancy Type: Maternity cover for up to 10 months

Hours of work: Full time, 37 hours per week

Company Description

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose - we call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity, and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

Hampshire 24/7 Substance Use Service

Our Hampshire 24/7 Substance Use Service is a county wide, community engagement based service, which offers targeted and specialist treatment to young people aged 25 years and under. We are a forward thinking, person-centred service, with a high level of credibility among young people.

We are a multi-professional team, with a designated worker in each district of Hampshire, and we are supported by our partnership with Inclusion Recovery Hampshire and Parent Support Link.

Job Description

Please note that this opportunity is maternity cover, covering a period of up to 10 months.

*This role requires access to a vehicle, and a full current driving licence.

We are looking to recruit a Substance Use Practitioner - Maternity cover in Hampshire, who will work with children and young people to make a positive difference to their lives.

You'll deliver specialist, targeted support to children and young people up to the age of 25, offering confidential and non-judgemental advice and guidance, regarding the use of drugs and alcohol, using a variety of therapeutic interventions.

The work can be challenging, but it is hugely rewarding. The services delivered by our Practitioners has proven to make a real change in the lives of our service users. Last year, 100% were satisfied with our service, 98% felt more able to make positive choices in life, 86% felt that their mental health had improved, and 91% of service users under the age of 18 left the service with a positive outcome (e.g. a reduction in risk, or an improvement in their circumstances).

In addition to the comprehensive training package offered by Catch22, you will also have the opportunity to develop your skills and expertise through a range of additional training, offered by Hampshire County Council. This role also offers the opportunity to build networks and work with a range of partner agencies and commissioners across the substance misuse sector.

Qualifications

We are looking for people with the following skills and experience:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with children and young people with complex needs or vulnerabilities. This could be within substance misuse, children's mental health, children's services, education, pastoral support, or SEN.
• An ability to build positive and trusting relationships with young people.
• An adaptable and resilient outlook, able to maintain a commitment to supporting service users
• Additional information
• You can work from home/remotely once or twice a week, but this is dependent on service requirements, so we are unable to guarantee specific days.
• You will be based in one of the hubs listed above, but the role will require regular travel across the region, so a driving license and access to a vehicle are required.
• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

We aim to review applications as quickly as possible. However, due to the volume of interest we receive, we may not be able to contact all applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful this time.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due dilligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Catch 22, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

Job Title - Medical Advisor

Contract - Associate

Salary - £40 per hour per report and £115.00 if sitting on the panel

Location - Home Based

About the IRM

The Independent Review Mechanism for England (IRM) provides, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, review panels for potential and current foster carers and adopters when agencies have decided not to approve them as a foster carer or adopter, or to terminate or change the terms of their approval.

As an IRM Medical Advisor you will be providing written medical advice to caseworkers, panel members and the Contract Manager about individual applicant and their suitability to foster/adopt as well as ad hoc advice on occasions.

Usually, the need for a medical advisor’s report is requested either after:

• Health issues are identified which have been a primary concern for the agency and given as reasons in the qualifying determination letter
• The agency documents indicate health issues have been identified which may affect a person’s suitability to foster or adopt but this has not been initially noted as a primary concern for the agency
• During the course of preparing for an IRM panel, the applicant/s have a medical emergency which then needs to be considered alongside other concerns regarding suitability
• A request for information which may relate to a specific condition or general information, not related directly to the applicant/s

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application. Please note, we do not accept CV’s.

Closing Date: 26th July 2026 at 23:59

Interview Date: TBC

We believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve our service. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community. This includes those from, the global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are under represented at the IRM.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

We are seeking an experienced Social Media & Public Sector Engagement Officer to lead our social media and digital communications activity.

This role is about more than managing social media channels. We are looking for someone who can help raise the profile of invest in play amongst local authority leaders, commissioners, government departments, charitable funders, service providers and organisations working with children and families.

The successful candidate will be confident creating content that engages both professional and public audiences while helping position invest in play as a trusted and influential voice within the children's and family support sectors.

English will be the primary language of communication, however our content is viewed globally. We are therefore looking for someone who can communicate effectively with international audiences and adapt messaging for different countries, cultures and service environments.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in charities, not-for-profit organisations, children's services, education, family support or related sectors.

Experience communicating with public sector decision-makers, commissioners, funders or senior stakeholders is highly desirable.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and asked to deliver a 10-minute presentation outlining how they would increase invest in play's visibility amongst local authority and government decision-makers, commissioners and organisations supporting children and families during their first six months in post.

*This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. 

Stop Domestic Abuse is a trauma informed organisation; the work we do to support those effected by domestic abuse may be triggering for those with past trauma. Please only apply if you are living free from abuse. If you’d like to talk to us about this, please get in touch.

Location: Basingstoke

Salary: £26,805.75 - £27,464.70

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type:Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2027

Reference Number: STOPDA914

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job:

The work will focus on preventing domestic abuse and breaking the cycle of abuse by providing support for children and young people in the refuge and in the community and supporting children and young people to keep safe.

• Providing support, advice and assistance to women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse and are staying in the refuge.
• Empowering and supporting women to make positive choices.
• Establishing resettlement services to support women to move on from refuge accommodation.
• The post-holder work as part of the refuge team, with clients who live in the refuge after being referred via the Front Door Service

What We Offer:

Time off and Flexibility:

-25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (Increasing with service)

-Birthday day off

-Child’s first day of school off

-Option to purchase up to 10 additional days’ leave per year

-Flexible and hybrid working

-Protected time of up to one hour each month

Family-Friendly Benefits:

-Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental and Adoption leave

-IVF Leave

Health and Wellbeing:

-Westfield Health Healthcare Cashback Plan (after probation)

-Westfield Health Personal Health Insurance (after 2 years’ service)

-Employee Assistance Programme

-Eye care vouchers

-Cycle to Work Scheme

About Stop Domestic Abuse:

Stop Domestic Abuse is a proud women-led organisation supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse across Portsmouth and Hampshire. Our vision is a world without domestic abuse, and we work to ensure that it’s ‘everyone’s business.’

We provide refuge and community-based support, delivering in a trauma-informed way for adults, children and young people, tailored to individual needs. Our 19 refuges offer safe, welcoming homes, and across our services we provide one-to-one support and group activities to help improve their safety and to meet others with similar experiences. We support children process their experiences and help regain a sense of safety.

Our UP2U programmes support those seeking to change abusive behaviours, and we also offer specialist support for victims of stalking. We also deliver training to professionals, including the hair and beauty industry, to recognise domestic abuse and connect people to specialist support services.

Our Values:

Equality, Openness, Honesty, Respect for individual dignity and diversity, Empowering women and children, and Care and Compassion – are at the heart of everything we do. By committing to these values, we aim to significantly improve the lives of those we support and work towards our vision of a world without domestic abuse.

Sessional Assessing Social Worker

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Role: Self-employed Form F Assessor

Locations: Applicants are required to cover the following areas: Walsall, Birmingham, Sandwell, Dudley and South Staffordshire.

Pay - £2,250 per Form F Assessment / £37.50 per hour,  plus £250 bonus for ‘panel ready’ assessments, plus £250 bonus for completion within 16 weeks, plus 55p mileage.

We are the UK’s largest specialist charity provider of fostering. Our core work involves providing high quality and well supported fostering families for children and young people in the care of local authorities. 

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. TACT invests all surplus income into staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to establish expert in-house support services such as our TACT Health and Education Services and create TACT Connect, our ground-breaking scheme for care experienced young people and adults.  New staff and workers will join us as we  embark on a journey to become a wholly trauma-informed organisation with the aim of increasing our effectiveness and improving outcomes for the children and young people in our care.

As a self-employed worker with TACT, you will be a part of our amazing team of professionals working with our organisational values at the heart of their everyday practice. You can review our values here.

We are recruiting sessional assessing social workers to undertake Form F assessments. Our assessments are undertaken face to face. Applicants must be able to cover the required areas above. 

Key Duties for Form F Assessors include:

• To undertake and complete Form F assessments in the timescale set out in our policy and guidance.
• To visit personal referees as identified on application form for prospective foster carers.
• To ensure that all checks and references are undertaken and completed.
• To provide to the supervisor, regular written updates of the draft assessment.
• To liaise with our administrative team concerning the progress of administrative checks and completion of the Form F.
• To be available for supervision, consultation or liaison as required.
• To be available to present completed Form Fs to the virtual fostering panel and provide support to the applicants through this process.
• To be aware of our child protection procedures and immediately report any child protection matter or concerns to a TACT manager and any relevant placing authority and the area authority.
• To carry out the duties in line with our Foster Carer and Supervising Social Worker Standards and Practice Guidance.

Rates of Pay for Form F Assessors

• £2,250 per Form F Assessment / £37.50 per hour,  plus £250 bonus for ‘panel ready’ assessments, plus £250 bonus for completion within 16 weeks, plus 45p mileage
• £37.50 per hour for assessments which are not completed, and any other piece of work.

Please see the Self-Employed Form F Assessor Job Information Pack for a full breakdown of role requirements. 

You will be DipSW, CSS or CQSW qualified and registered with the relevant regulatory body (Social Work England).

An Enhanced DBS check will be required for this role and will be undertaken  by TACT on your behalf.

Closing Date: Tuesday 14th July 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 23rd July 2026

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and we believe that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of our 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 our young people. All 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.

We do not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

#LI-JO1

Chiva is looking for a compassionate and experienced Specialist Support Officer to provide emotional support, advocacy, and practical guidance to children, young people, and families affected by HIV across London.

About Chiva

Chiva is a charity in the UK whose mission is to ensure that children, young people and young adults growing up with HIV become healthier, happier and more in control of their own futures. Chiva works to ensure that young people living with HIV have the treatment and care, knowledge, understanding, skills and wider support needed to live well and achieve their greatest potential.

What You’ll Do

• Provide one-to-one and family support
• Advocate for young people across health, education, and social care services
• Work alongside NHS multidisciplinary teams
• Deliver engaging peer support events and group activities
• Help young people navigate their journey into adult healthcare services 

Who We’re Looking For

You will be a qualified social worker or registered health and social care professional with experience of supporting children, young people and families with complex needs. A passion for empowering young people and promoting inclusive, person-centred support is essential. 

Join Chiva and become part of a dedicated team making a real impact every day.

Please note that we are only able to accept applications submitted on our branded application form. We cannot accept CVs in respect of this post.

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification on the Chiva website for full details.

Deadline for applications: Thursday 9th July 2026.

Interviews to take place on: Monday 20th & Tuesday 21st July.

Location: Royal Victoria Infirmary/Freeman Hospital Newcastle 

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.

We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join our Newcastle Team supporting children and young people diagnosed with cancer.

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality support tailored to the needs of the children and young people and their families. The work we do is rewarding but also complex and demanding. You will be part of a close-knit Young Lives vs Cancer social work team, working with an established NHS multi-disciplinary team and services in the community.

This role is predominantly site-based with an element of occasional working from home as agreed with the line manager. Your contractual base will be both Home and Hospital.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.

About you

You will be committed to delivering high quality social work support to promote the best outcomes for the children, young people and families we work with. You will need to be resourceful and resilient. You will have a positive attitude and be willing to embrace difference. As part of the wider Young Lives vs Cancer team you will actively engage with the work of the charity and welcome opportunities to get involved.

You will have:

• A recognised Social Worker qualification and current registration with Social Work England/ Scottish Social Services Council/Social Care Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council
• Experience working with children, young people and their families/carers in a social care setting.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, ideally in an NHS setting.
• Sound knowledge of child and young people development.
• An understanding of the impact of serious illness for children, young people and their families.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value AI adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

To arrange an informal chat, please contact Chris Hodge. 

#ShowTheSalary

Closing date: 12th July 2026, 11:59 PM
Interview date: 16th July 2026

• ​Job Title - Communications & Engagement Lead
• Responsible to - Chief Executive Officer
• Salary - £23,000 actual (based on £31,500 full time)
• Contract - Part-Time (28 hours per week) - From time to time, you may be required to work some evenings and weekends. These are usually communicated well in advance and the time will be given back to you in lieu. We expect team members to work in-person 60% of the time whether that’s at our office in MediaCity or at our delivery locations in Greater Manchester. This is a one-year fixed-term contract, with the likelihood of renewal subject to funding availability.

Important dates

• Applications to be received by 11pm on Sunday 5 July 2026 
• Video Screening to be complete by 11pm on Thursday 9 July 2026 
• Interviews held on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July 2026.

ABOUT YOUTH LEADS UK

Youth Leads UK is an award-winning charity that believes young people matter. We support young people furthest from opportunity to build skills, create change, and shape the decisions that affect their lives – from classrooms to communities to boardrooms. We run leadership programmes, deliver social action projects, and publish Youth Leads Magazine – a platform for youth voice and creativity.

Working with thousands of young people across Greater Manchester for over a decade, we are experts in enabling young people to step outside their comfort zones, build real-world skills and grow in confidence. We back young people to lead, in our programmes, in policy spaces and in shaping Britain's future.

Please see our website ‘About Us’ page for more information about our vision, mission and values.

WHY WORK WITH US?

At Youth Leads UK, we believe in creating an environment that helps you thrive both personally and professionally. We offer 30 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) and a part-closure over Christmas and New Year. Our wellbeing programme includes regular socials and time for mental health initiatives, and our base at MediaCity, one of Greater Manchester's most vibrant and sustainable locations, ensures a positive and connected working environment.

We are deeply committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion. That’s why we are a Living Wage Employer, signed up to the Greater Manchester Good Employer’s Charter, and the #ShowTheSalary campaign. It’s important to us that our staff team reflects the communities we serve. We guarantee interviews for our Youth Leads UK alumni, care experienced or disabled individuals, so please let us know in your application if you meet this criteria. We promote equal opportunities and we value the unique perspectives of diverse team members.

As a youth-led organisation, we prioritise employing individuals under 30, aligning with our mission to foster strong connections and relatability with the young people we support. This is in accordance with the Equality Act and reflects our belief in empowering young voices to shape our work. 
 

ROLE SUMMARY

This is the lead communications role at Youth Leads UK - the person who holds our voice, shapes our stories, and makes sure the world hears what our young people are doing and why it matters.

Working closely with the CEO and eventually supported by two Youth Content Creators, you will own the communications and engagement function across all channels and audiences. You will set the tone, maintain the brand, lead our campaigns, and ensure everything we put out reflects who we are and what we stand for.
 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Strategy and brand

• Own the Youth Leads UK communications strategy, ensuring our channels, campaigns, and content are coherent, consistent, and purposeful
• Act as the guardian of our brand — maintaining voice, tone, and visual identity across everything we produce
• Work closely with the CEO to align communications activity with organisational priorities and the Generation:NOW strategy
• Analyse performance across channels and use insight to inform what we do next

Campaigns and content

• Lead the development and delivery of youth-led campaigns on issues that matter to our communities - from mental health and civic participation to cost of living and representation
• Oversee the planning and production of Youth Leads Magazine - three editions per year, created by and for young people
• Lead on long-form and strategic content including press releases, impact reports, website articles, and stakeholder communications
• Set the brief for social media content and oversee delivery by the Youth Content Creators, ensuring quality, consistency, and brand alignment
• Manage email communications including newsletters and stakeholder updates

Developing young people

• Provide day-to-day communications direction to two Youth Content Creators — setting briefs, reviewing content, and ensuring brand consistency
• Actively mentor and develop the Youth Content Creators, helping them build skills, confidence, and understanding of professional communications practice. The youth content creators will be line managed by the Head of Programmes, who you will work closely with
• Champion youth voice across all communications output, ensuring young people are authentically represented and genuinely involved in how we tell our story

Media and public profile

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and media contacts across local, regional, and national outlets
• Draft and issue press releases, media statements, and reactive comments
• Identify and pursue opportunities to place youth voice in public debate - through opinion pieces, broadcast appearances, panel contributions, and more
• Support the CEO and young people to prepare for media appearances and public-facing engagements

Communicating our impact

• Work with the wider team to translate programme outcomes, data, and young people’s stories into compelling content for a range of audiences
• Produce materials that communicate Youth Leads UK’s impact clearly and powerfully to partners, funders, and the public
• Ensure our digital presence - website, social channels, email - reflects the quality and ambition of our work

OTHER AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Ensure young people play a strong leadership role across our work
• Keep up to date on new developments and trends within the youth sector
• Administrative duties as required, such as minute-taking, arranging travel and booking venues
• Representing Youth Leads UK at conferences and events
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation
• Ensure Youth Leads UK’s Health and Safety and Safeguarding and any other appropriate policies are adhered to where necessary
• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who might be affected by your work as required by law and described in the relevant operating policies and procedures
• Be committed to safeguarding principles and be willing to put the welfare of children and young people at the forefront of your work
• An understanding and belief in the inclusion of all staff, partners and young people irrespective of race, gender, sexuality, age, religion, ability, identity and experience
• Actively promotes and embeds an understanding of equality, diversity, and an inclusive culture
• Able to take personal accountability for key work areas

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

ESSENTIAL

• Strong writing skills - able to produce compelling content across formats, from social media captions to press releases to long-form articles
• Experience developing and delivering communications strategies or campaigns
• Solid understanding of brand, voice, and audience - and how to maintain consistency across channels
• Experience managing or overseeing social media channels for an organisation or campaign
• Ability to use analytics to evaluate performance and make informed decisions about future activity
• Experience writing press releases or supporting media and press engagement
• Confidence building relationships with journalists, media contacts, or external stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills - able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain quality under pressure
• Genuine commitment to youth empowerment, social justice, and amplifying underrepresented voices
• Experience with video content production or editing
• Understanding of safeguarding principles when working with young people (training provided)

DESIRABLE

• Proficiency in Canva for creating and adapting branded content
• Experience with email marketing tools and understanding of what makes an effective newsletter or stakeholder communication
• Experience using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or similar tools (training available)
• Experience working in or with the charity, public, or youth sector
• Understanding of civic leadership, social action, or community engagement
• Experience directing, briefing, or supporting others to deliver communications work
• Familiarity with website content management systems
• Experience mentoring or developing junior colleagues or young people

We recruit based on potential, not polish - so don’t worry if one or two of the above are missing - most things can be taught!

ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION

Youth Leads UK has a small yet mighty team, so you may be required to take on other duties and responsibilities from time to time.

All staff are expected to:

• Adhere to the policies and procedures in the Youth Leads UK staff policy handbook.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times in line with organisational policies.
• Successfully complete an enhanced DBS check and provide two independent references before appointment.
• Actively promote an inclusive and diverse culture within the organisation.

The post holder must have confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK (the successful candidate will be required to provide documentary evidence before a job offer is confirmed).