Youth 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 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 someone 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 fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our centre in Craigmillar (Edinburgh).

The role at a glance

Contract: Part-time, fixed-term until 28th August 2026

Start date: Early July 2026 (candidates must be available to start at this time)

Working hours

18.75 hours a week:

• Wednesday: 09:00-17:30

• Thursday: 09:30-18:00

• Friday: 09:00-12:45

 (Some out-of-hours work will be required from time to time - for example, early starts to deliver workshops in schools.)

Education Workers are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres.

Salary

£28,250 per annum (pro rata)

Pro-rated salary is £14,125 per annum for 18.75 hours per week.

Location

We have positions available in Edinburgh,

The role requires intermittent travel in your region (usually within the day) this can involve journeys times of 1 hour+. Occasional travel out of your local area e.g. to London is also required, this may include overnight stays.

The main duties of the role

Centre Re-location

IntoUniversity Craigmillar is moving to a new centre location so a large part of this role will be to help the team with this move. This will include:

• To prepare and set-up, with the centre team, the centre space including preparing resources and organising tables and chairs as necessary.

• Moving furniture and building new furniture to furnish the space

• Create  IntoUniversity displays for the centre.

A large part of this role will require lifting of boxes and furniture.  If you would like further information on this (including reasonable adjustments that could be implemented), please contact us.

Additional Responsibilities

• To work with your team to plan and with the opportunity to deliver IntoUniversity programmes, including leading a group of 30 secondary students from the front, working with whole classes of primary-aged children and providing occasional one-to-one support.

• To play an active role in your regional cluster of centres, including sharing resources and supporting a new team member.

• The opportunity to  lead delivery of  IntoUniversity programmes effectively to children and young people in different settings, including schools-based workshops, Academic Support sessions and educational visits. This includes positive behaviour management and adherence to the IntoUniversity safeguarding policy.

• To assist with the organisation and delivery of the Academic Support, FOCUS and Mentoring Programmes.

• To champion diversity and inclusion at all times, referring to the Diversity and Inclusion staff responsibilities guide.

• To work with IntoUniversity Centre Leaders to recruit children and young people to the programme, including after-school Academic Support and FOCUS Weeks.

• To develop educational resources and worksheets for use across all IntoUniversity programmes.

• To ensure compliance with all necessary regulations and legal requirements, including the Children’s Act, Children and Young People (Scotland) Act, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, and legislation and policies related to Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety.

• To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post. 

• Please note: that there will be times throughout the year when you will be required to travel to London for meetings.

Application deadline: 9:00am Thursday 18th June 2026

Interviews: Thursday 25th June 2026

The National Youth Agency is looking for a Programme Governance Lead.

Programme Governance Lead
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Location: Home-based in England with occasional travel for meetings, workshops, and team activities. Head Office is in Leicester.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

We are looking for Programme Governance Lead to manage and oversee the successful delivery of all programmes/projects within the Programmes Directorate by establishing and leading consistent governance and assurance. The postholder will strengthen programme governance, reporting and risk management ensuring programmes are delivered by agreed methodologies and in a consistent manner.

Key Responsibilities

As our Programme Governance Lead, you will:

• Define, implement and maintain an agreed methodology for programme/project lifecycle governance.
• Chair programme/project boards and ensuring decisions, and actions are documented and actioned.
• Identify risks, issues and dependencies which are not captured by Programme Portfolio Leads. Ensure consistent risk management across projects and programmes. Proactively identify cross-programme/project risks and issues (including those not visible to project/programme leads), implement mitigations, and escalate risks/issues to the Director of Programmes and COO as required. Assess programme/project risks against the NYA risk register and update the register accordingly.
• Produce and present monthly programme governance reports at the Directorate Programme Board, providing clear portfolio-level insight (milestones, deliverables, RAG status, KPIs, benefits, and financial/resource assumptions) to enable effective senior decision-making and assurance.
• Design and run governance routines (e.g., project start-up, weekly/monthly reviews, decision logs, change control) and support high-quality papers and actions for directorate governance forums; ensure timely escalation of material risks, issues and decisions to the COO.
• Support teams to evidence compliance with funder/contractual requirements; ensure appropriate documentation, approvals and version control are in place and accessible.
• Implement and maintain a robust lessons-learned process (during and post-delivery) and ensure findings are integrated into future programmes/projects through updated standards, templates, training and assurance checkpoints.

Why Work for NYA?

• NYA operates as a people-focused organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
• NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
• A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
• NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
• We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

Closing date: 23:59 Friday 3rd July 2026.
N.B. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may close the vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.
Interviews: W/C 13th July OR W/C 20th July

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Please note: We use AI detector software, so applications or CV’s with high levels of AI generated content may be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance.

No agencies please.

We are recruiting a Play and Events Coordinator to join our team. This role will be responsible for coordinating our commissioned Theatre in Education school tours in Scotland, London and Northern Ireland, as well as coordinating other DSMF fundraising, networking and information-sharing events.  

Suitable candidates will:

• be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol,
• have experience of project and event coordination, with excellent organisation skills
• be a skilled and effective communicator, both in writing and orally, with a range of people and agencies
• be proactive, self-motivated and confident to take initiative
• enjoy working as part of a small and busy team

The Job description, person specification and application form are available below.  Please click 'how to apply' to view the application form. 

Please share with anybody you think might be interested in joining our brilliant team!

Interviews are likely to be held on Tuesday 30th June.

As one of the UK's best employers, we believe in putting people at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for an experienced and proactive Employee Relations Advisor to join our People, Culture and Digital team and help us create a positive, supportive and inclusive workplace culture.

 Location: Central Office, Cheadle - Stockport / Hybrid Working
 Hours/Contract:  37.5 hours per week | Permanent
 Salary: £36,040 per annum, with pay increments every two years

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong ER experience who enjoys building relationships, supporting managers, and shaping people policies that are accessible, engaging and legally compliant.

What you’ll be doing:

You’ll provide accurate, professional employee relations advice and support to line managers, investigators, and hearing/commissioning managers. You’ll help them interpret policies, procedures, legal guidance and organisational precedent to make balanced and informed decisions across a wide range of employee relations casework, including:

• Employee relations matters.
• Sickness absence management.
• Capability and performance processes.
• Change management support.
• Policy review and development.

You’ll also play an important role in improving our policies and procedures, ensuring they reflect best practice, wellbeing principles and the Trust’s inclusive tone of voice.

About you:

We’re looking for someone who is:

• · CIPD Level 5 qualified
• · Experienced in providing employee relations advice to managers
• · Confident managing a varied HR caseload
• · Skilled in research, policy development and writing
• · Experienced in using HR systems and databases
• · Able to build strong working relationships across teams
• · An excellent communicator with strong written skills
• · Knowledgeable in employment law and HR best practice
• · Passionate about inclusion, wellbeing and people-focused HR

 Experience within education, healthcare or social care settings would be an advantage.

Why join the Together Trust?

• Annual Leave 27 day holiday plus 8 days bank holidays rising to 30 after 5 years, 33 days after 10 years.
• Generous pension scheme and death in service benefit , up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit.
• Occupational sick pay and family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Reward and Discount platform offering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
• Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card.
• Proud to be a real living wage employer.
• Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications.
• Long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday.
• Promotion of Wellbeing across the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga session  in person or online.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home.
• Inclusive networks: Disability & Neurodiversity, Race Equality, Proud Together (LGBTQ+), Together for Men, Women Together.

Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support - they are at the heart of everything we do. We stand by them and we work together for change.

This is a hybrid role, with at least one day per week based at our Cheadle (Stockport) office, with some travel to our services across Greater Manchester as required.

Interviews are scheduled for 16–17 June 2026.

We welcome applications from individuals who have the right to work in the UK. Currently, we are not providing sponsorship for overseas staff. 

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio-economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience. 

If there is any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can do to support you.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including a DBS check (at no cost to yourself).

YMCA DownsLink Group (YMCA DLG) is the leading charity supporting children and young people across Sussex and Surrey through safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice. Following a significant period of organisational stabilisation and transformation, we are now entering an ambitious new phase focused on growth, influence and deepening our impact.

We are seeking an experienced and values-led Director of Mental Health and Advice to join our Executive Team and lead our counselling and specialist support and advice services for children and young people. This is a strategically important leadership role with responsibility for community and schools counselling, specialist youth advice and sexual exploitation services, safeguarding, service quality and contract growth across a complex and evolving operational landscape.

You will bring visible leadership across services, strengthen partnerships with commissioners and local authorities, and help shape the future of mental health and advice support for children and young people across the region. Alongside this, you will help lead the organisation as a whole, contributing to long-term sustainability, growth and strategic direction.

This appointment forms part of a wider strengthening of YMCA DLG’s Executive Team, alongside the recruitment of a second Director role, as the organisation enters its next phase of growth and impact. This is an opportunity to join an ambitious organisation at a pivotal moment and help shape what comes next.

Peridot Partners are supporting us with the recruitment of this role. When you click 'Redirect to Recruiter' you will be redirected to the full job advert and how to apply on the Peridot Partners website.

Closing date: 9 am Tuesday 30th June

Corporate Partnerships Executive

We are seeking a relationship-focused fundraiser to grow meaningful corporate partnerships that directly support young people facing homelessness and complex challenges across Bristol and the surrounding areas.

Position: Corporate Partnerships Executive
Salary: £32,597 - £34,434 per annum
Location: Bristol (Hybrid working available)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 15 June 2026 (23:59)
Interview Date: 24 June 2026

About the Role

1625 Independent People is a leading youth homelessness charity in the South West, supporting more than 1,500 young people every year. We are looking for a Corporate Partnerships Executive to join our Fundraising and Communications Team and help develop impactful partnerships that create lasting change for young people.

Reporting to the Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropy and Communications Manager, you will build and manage relationships with corporate supporters, identify new partnership opportunities, and deliver engaging fundraising activities that generate income and increase awareness of our work.

Key responsibilities include:

· Building and managing a portfolio of corporate partners

· Identifying and developing new partnership opportunities through research, networking and outreach

· Delivering corporate fundraising campaigns and engagement activities

· Organising volunteering opportunities, events and supporter activities

· Developing tailored proposals and partnership approaches

· Maintaining accurate records using Salesforce CRM

· Supporting the delivery of strategic partnerships and income growth

· Working collaboratively across fundraising and communications teams to maximise impact

Our work is rooted in Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) and Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP), creating safe, supportive and empowering environments for young people.

About You

We are looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities and creating partnerships with genuine social impact.

You will bring:

· Strong relationship-building and communication skills

· Experience of working towards targets and managing stakeholder relationships

· Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities

· Confidence networking and developing new opportunities

· Strong attention to detail and experience using databases or CRM systems

· A proactive and solutions-focused approach

· A commitment to equality, inclusion and values-led practice

Previous experience in corporate fundraising is welcome, but we also encourage applications from candidates with transferable skills and experience.

About the Organisation

1625 Independent People is a youth homelessness charity driven by social justice and passion. We support young people to move beyond homelessness and build positive futures through housing, support, and opportunities.

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the young people we support and warmly encourage applications from people currently underrepresented within our organisation, including people from ethnic minority communities, Black and Black British backgrounds, Muslim and male candidates, and those with relevant lived experience.

Benefits

· 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

· Employee Health Cash Plan

· Hybrid working with flexibility to work from home

· Learning and development opportunities

· Supportive and values-driven culture

· Disability Confident Employer

As part of our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Corporate Fundraiser, Partnerships Executive, Business Development Executive, Fundraising Officer, Philanthropy Officer, Corporate Relationships Officer, Community Fundraising Officer, Partnerships Manager, Account Manager, Relationship Manager.

If you are passionate about building partnerships that make a real difference to young people's lives, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us

Slade Gardens Community Play Association is a small registered charity that operates a 1.25-acre staffed adventure playground in the heart of Lambeth. Our open-access service welcomes children and young people aged 0-21, providing them with the freedom to come and go independently while enjoying a diverse and stimulating play environment designed to support exploration, creativity and development.

About the Role

This is a genuinely hands-on, hybrid role. In this small organisation, one person will carry operational playwork leadership alongside fundraising, safeguarding, finance, governance, line management and community partnership. If you’d love being out in the playground itself as much as building the plans and partnerships that keep it thriving, we would like to hear from you.

Please get in touch for the full job description, or if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Politics Project is looking for a collaborative, strategic and people-focused Partnerships and Advocacy Manager. You’ll lead our influencing and partnerships work with a focus on the Democracy Classroom network, strengthening relationships across the youth, education and democracy sectors. If you are energised by connecting organisations, building relationships, and mobilising a network to take up new opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

About The Politics Project

The Politics Project supports young people to use their voice by giving them access to brilliant democratic education. They work with young people, teachers, youth practitioners and politicians to help them learn about, teach and actively participate in democracy. The Politics Project works across the UK with over 3,000 schools and youth groups and 400 politicians.

About Democracy Classroom

Democracy Classroom is a growing, non-partisan partnership of more than 100 civil society organisations committed to strengthening democratic engagement among young people across the UK.

The network is supported by the Democracy Classroom Platform, an online hub featuring hundreds of free resources for teachers and youth practitioners. Democracy Classroom reaches educators in 95% of UK parliamentary constituencies and plays a leading role in shaping the sector’s voice - coordinating joint submissions to government consultations and producing shared visions such as The Roadmap to Votes at 16.

This is a rare opportunity to drive collaboration at a national level and support the sector to prepare for major upcoming changes in democratic education, including the introduction of Votes at 16.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Partnerships and Advocacy Manager to strengthen The Politics Project’s influencing and partnerships work, with a focus on Democracy Classroom - a non-partisan network of organisations across the youth, education and democracy sectors. You’ll lead the implementation of the new Democracy Classroom strategy, and grow the network’s impact and reach in the build up to the next general election and the implementation of votes at 16.

You will play a central role in expanding and activating the network - supporting over 100 partner organisations to collaborate effectively, share learning, build trust and increase their collective impact. You will be a key player in keeping the sector informed, connected and ready to respond to key moments in democratic engagement, from elections to policy changes.

You will take on a highly relational role, working closely with the team to manage and nurture a complex network blending multiple sectors. You will collaborate with the Director to manage shared relationships across the Democracy Classroom network, building more ownership over time. You’ll help position Democracy Classroom as an important conduit between the sector and major stakeholders like government departments and funders.

This is a dynamic, outward-facing role that blends strategic thinking with hands-on coordination. You’ll work closely with the Head of Communications and Networks, the Democracy Classroom Programme Coordinator and colleagues across The Politics Project to make sure partners feel supported, valued and part of a shared mission.

The Politics Project is based in London, and the post holder will be expected to work from the office at least two days a week. The role may require occasional UK travel and some evening/weekend work, for which time off in lieu will be given. The role has a six-month probation period. The hours of work are 37.5 hrs per week. This is a fast-paced role in a friendly, supportive and growing team.

Key responsibilities

Partnership management

• Build, nurture and deepen relationships with more than 100 civil society partners, helping each partner see themselves as part of a growing and collaborative sector.

• Identify and recruit new organisations into Democracy Classroom, leading our onboarding process and helping new partners make the best of Democracy Classroom.

• Facilitate partner input into planning, shared problem-solving and decision-making.

• Build understanding of partners’ diverse needs and perspectives, supporting and balancing between these with sensitivity.

Advocacy and influencing

• Spot and act on emerging opportunities for collaboration, policy influence and joint sector action.

• Work with government departments such as DfE, DCMS, and MHCLG on the implementation plan for Votes at 16, translating sector expertise and experience.

• Manage relationships with academics and engage confidently with research to be an effective advocate for democratic education.

• Organise and facilitate events and advocacy opportunities such as advocacy panels, funder roundtables.

• Draft reports, submit evidence to the government, and feed into policy consultations.

• Jump on quick opportunities for the network, bringing people together and turning things around fast (e.g., presenting sector needs to funders or submitting evidence to Government).

Engagement and representation

• Plan and deliver Democracy Classroom meetings, training and networking events.

• Represent The Politics Project and Democracy Classroom externally as a confident ambassador for our collaborative, non-partisan approach.

• Develop and deliver partner communications to ensure consistent, clear and timely updates.

• Act as the main point of contact for Democracy Classroom partner queries, support and collaboration.

Monitoring and reporting

• Track partner engagement and feedback to support continuous improvement.

• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting to demonstrate the network’s impact.

• Work with The Politics Project team to most effectively document partner activity.

Benefits

• 33 days’ annual leave including three days off between Christmas and New Year, in addition to Bank Holidays. 

• 4% employer pension contribution.

• 2 working days / 15 hours of volunteer leave a year.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

• Professional development and training opportunities

• A warm, inclusive and values-led working environment

About you

You are passionate about democratic engagement and believe in the power of young people’s voices. You’re an enthusiastic relationship-builder who enjoys connecting organisations, spotting opportunities and turning ideas into action.

You’ll bring a strategic mindset, strong emotional intelligence and communication skills, and confidence working across sectors. You’re proactive, organised and comfortable balancing long-term partnership development with hands-on delivery.

Most of all, you’re motivated by the challenge and opportunity of supporting a high-profile national network that is shaping the future of democratic education.

An enhanced DBS check is required for this role (provided by The Politics Project).

Skills and experience

Essential

• Proven experience in partnership or stakeholder management, ideally in civil society, education or government.

• Strong strategic thinking, and a drive to identify and jump on opportunities for collaboration and growth.

• Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills.

• High emotional intelligence and ability to navigate complex relationships in a growing space.

• Strong project management and organisational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Confident working with the youth or education sectors (teaching/youth work not required).

• Experience of submitting evidence to Government, drafting quasi-academic reports or policy briefings, or responding to consultations. An academic background is not needed, but you must be comfortable engaging with policy and research.

• Knowledge of, and interest in, UK politics and democratic engagement.

• Self-motivated, resilient and solutions-focused.

• Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel within the UK.

Desirable

• IT literacy, including strong use of Google Workspace.

• Experience using CRMs or managing databases.

• Experience evaluating partnership impact and producing reports.

How to apply

Please apply via Charity Job with the following:

• Your CV (no more than two pages).

• A supporting statement of no more than one A4 page, setting out how your experience, skills and knowledge meet the person specification and why you are drawn to this role.

The closing date is 11:30pm, Saturday 20th June 2026.

Screening calls are planned for the week beginning Monday 29th June, with interviews to follow in early July.

Anticipated start date will be August or September, depending on notice period.

We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader to relaunch and build the next phase of the UK Democracy Network: a national network that helps organisations working to strengthen democracy across the UK connect, collaborate and coordinate more effectively.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a growing national network. The Network already has strong foundations, sector backing, and three years of core funding secured. The next step is building it into an independent, trusted and influential organisation that helps the democracy sector work together more effectively.

About the Network

The Democracy Network exists to help make collaboration across the democracy sector more effective. It connects organisations, practitioners and professionals across the UK democracy ecosystem, helping to reduce duplication, strengthen relationships, share intelligence, and enable more coordinated collective action.

About the host organisations

The Network is jointly incubated by two organisations with deep roots in UK civic tech, democratic education, and sector-wide network building:

The Politics Project supports young people to use their voice by giving them access to brilliant democratic education. They work with young people, teachers, youth practitioners and politicians to help them learn about, teach and actively participate in democracy. The Politics Project also leads the Democracy Classroom Network, a sister network of over 100 organisations across the democracy, education and youth sectors which support over 3,500 teachers and youth practitioners to engage young people in democracy.

Democracy Club produces the most comprehensive election data in the UK. Established in 2010 and registered as a Community Interest Company in 2015, it runs the national polling station finder Where Do I Vote and candidate lookup service Who Can I Vote For, serving election information to millions of UK voters each year and supplying data to the Electoral Commission. Democracy Club brings a mailing list of 35,000, an active community of 1,200 volunteer contributors collaborating on election information, and strong digital and data expertise to the Network.

Our vision for the Network

Over the last year, we have carried out extensive consultation with members of the UK Democracy Network, the Network’s Steering Group and funders. Through this process, we have developed a new vision for the Network that is designed to reflect and support the diversity of the democracy sector, and the wide range of approaches, perspectives and organisations within it.

Our model is built around a series of smaller thematic, geographic and demographic-based “hubs” within the wider Network. These hubs will create spaces for organisations and individuals working on particular issues, in particular places, or with specific communities to collaborate more effectively, while remaining connected to the wider democracy ecosystem.

Alongside this, the Network will support stronger coordination and information sharing across the sector through activities such as a monthly bulletin, shared events, an annual conference and practical tools and databases that help partners collaborate more effectively.

Importantly, we want to build on and strengthen the excellent work that already exists across the democracy landscape, rather than duplicate it. Over time, we also hope the Network can help incubate and support new hubs and collaborations around emerging issues and opportunities within the democracy sector.

About the role

The Network will be delivered by a small core team: a Network Director (this role), a Network Manager (in post), and a Network Coordinator (to be recruited).

Our medium-term ambition is for the Network to become an independent organisation in its own right. We see this role as central to shaping that transition, with the successful candidate expected to lead the Network into its next phase as an independent organisation over the course of the grant period. 

Key responsibilities

The Network Director provides overall leadership of the Network and is responsible for its long-term sustainability and strategic direction. 

Specifically: 

• Strategic leadership. Set strategic direction for the Network in consultation with members, hosts and the Steering Group / Board.

• Represent the Network. In networking and fundraising events, high-level roundtables and in high-profile relationships with government, funders, media and sector leaders.

• Lead on fundraising. Develop relationships with major funders, alongside Harriet Andrews at The Politics Project, building a diversified, sustainable funding base.

• Oversee the Network's transition to an independent legal structure. Support the establishment of the Board, working with Harriet Andrews and Sym Roe to recruit members with a mix of professional expertise and elected network representatives.

• Build an inclusive, supportive team culture. Line manage the Network Manager and Network Coordinator.

• Oversee monitoring and evaluation. Lead reporting to funders, and support the annual review process with the team and Steering Group / Board.

Person specification

We are looking for a values-driven, experienced, strategic leader. They will have strong people and financial management skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships across the democracy sector. They will be an excellent communicator, comfortable leading through complexity and change, and motivated by a commitment to strengthening UK democracy. 

The postholder will be expected to work in-office two days a week and attend regular in-person engagements in London.

Benefits

• 33 days’ annual leave pro rata, including Bank Holidays (with three days off between Christmas and New Year).

• 4% employer pension contribution.

• 2 working days / 15 hours of volunteer leave a year.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

Further information about the role and job specification can be found in the Candidate Recruitment Pack.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The UK democracy sector has historically been less diverse than the country it serves, and we want to help change that, starting with how we recruit. We particularly welcome applications from people who are underrepresented in democracy sector leadership, including people of colour, disabled people and people from working-class backgrounds.

How to apply

Please apply via charity job with the following:

• Your CV (no more than two pages).

• A supporting statement of no more than 500 words, setting out how your experience, skills and knowledge meet the person specification and why you are drawn to this role.

The closing date is 11.30pm, Sunday 14th June 2026.

We will shortlist on the basis of the supporting statement against the person specification.

Job role:

In this exciting and varied role, within our growing Mass Engagement department we are seeking a strategic, driven, and compassionate Individual Giving Manager to join our dynamic fundraising team.

This pivotal role will lead the development and delivery of innovative individual giving strategies that deepen donor engagement, grow sustainable income, and support families with children in hospital across the UK.

Key responsibilities:

Strategy & Leadership

• Collaborate with the Head of Mass Engagement to design and implement a robust individual giving strategy aligned with the Charity’s 5-year Impact Strategy.
• Identify and capitalise on growth opportunities across digital channels, regular giving, and mid-level donor programmes.
• Lead the Individual Giving Team (Currently 1x Individual Giving Fundraiser)

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Build and nurture meaningful relationships with individual donors, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and long-term support.
• Develop tailored stewardship and cultivation plans, enhancing donor connection to the Charity’s impact.
• Lead on the creation of compelling donor journeys and engagement campaigns that inspire giving and loyalty.

Campaign Management

• Plan, execute, and evaluate multi-channel fundraising campaigns and appeals, working closely with internal teams and external partners.
• Use insights and data to refine campaign strategies, improve performance, and maximise return on investment.

Data & Insights

• Leverage CRM systems and fundraising databases to monitor donor behaviour, track income, and generate actionable insights.
• Produce regular reports to inform decision-making and demonstrate impact.

Collaboration & Integration

• Work cross-functionally with colleagues in communications, digital, and Family Services to ensure cohesive messaging and donor experience.
• Champion individual giving and digital fundraising across the organisation, promoting best practices and innovation.

Skills & Experience:

Essential

• Demonstrable experience delivering successful Individual Giving campaigns, with strong knowledge of multi-channel direct marketing techniques
• A proven track record of income generation, supporter acquisition and retention, and delivering against financial targets and budgets
• Experience in managing and reporting on income and expenditure budgets, with proven experience meeting or exceeding income targets
• Experience and knowledge of digital tools, channels and tactics for raising money from individuals and deepening engagement
• Experience of using audience insights and segmentation tactics to improve results
• Creative thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving and innovation.
• Collaborative, able to work effectively across teams and support our collective success
• Strong understanding of donor stewardship and relationship management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and engage diverse audiences
• Analytical mindset with experience in using CRM systems to report on performance and optimise campaigns
• Highly organised with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Up-to-date knowledge of fundraising trends, especially in digital and donor engagement
• Line management and team development experience

Desirable

• Experience managing agencies and suppliers, alongside strong analytical skills to interpret data, test and optimise campaign performance
• Experience developing new income streams within Individual Giving

Our specialist children's practitioners provide child-led play therapy sessions on a weekly basis, usually for 6-16 weeks. Sessions give children the opportunity to process what has happened to them and make sense of the complicated and confusing emotions they may be experiencing.  Our practitioners work from our purpose-designed therapeutic playroom in Colchester or from some of our outreach premises in other areas, using a range of techniques including sand tray, art and imaginative play.

What we expect from our Sessional Counsellors/Play Therapists:

· Support up to eight CARA clients each week

· Maintain and update accurate database records of clients

· Diploma in Counselling or equivalent, with a minimum of 400 counselling hours.

· Certificate in Counselling Children, Play Therapy qualification or equivalent

· Experience of working therapeutically with children with psychological and behavioural problems.

· An understanding of how trauma affects children both physically and emotionally.

· An ability to work creatively to enable children to process their conscious and unconscious emotions.

· An ability to work collaboratively with parents, while protecting children’s confidentiality.

· To liaise with other agencies including social care, Children and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHS) and schools, and attend meetings and provide reports, where required.

· Attendance of one CARA Meeting per month and attendance of monthly point of contact meetings.

· Attendance of clinical supervision, provided by a CARA-approved supervisor.

· Attend annual safeguarding training and other relevant training

· An open and non-judgemental attitude.

· Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding, both in relation to children and to vulnerable adults;

· Sessional Counsellors/Play Therapists will be working with clients on behalf of CARA and not on a private basis.  As such, they will be bound by CARA’s processes, policies and procedures.

· Commitment to the feminist ethos of CARA

· Willingness to commit the necessary time to supporting vulnerable clients

· Membership of BACP, UKCP or equivalent professional body

· Abide by BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy

· Owing to the nature of the role, we are only able to take on female candidates

What the Sessional Counsellor/Play Therapist can expect from us:

·Training and support

·Ongoing training opportunities

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and those with additional language skills, including BSL.

About CARA

CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. 

CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex.  We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich.  We also provide remote services.

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.

You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website.  We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy East

CARA is part of Synergy East. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.

Head of Grants

We are seeking an experienced grants leader to shape and deliver an ambitious funding strategy that expands access to outdoor learning, green skills and land-based education across the UK.

Position: Head of Grants
Salary: £50,000 to £53,000 per annum
Location: Quenington, Gloucestershire with hybrid working considered
Hours: 35 hours per week, full-time
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 17 June 2026

About the Role

This is a senior leadership opportunity to lead and develop a strategic grant-making programme focused on increasing equitable access to outdoor learning, land-based education and green skills.

Reporting to the Director of Learning, you will oversee the full grants lifecycle, ensuring funding programmes deliver meaningful impact while responding to environmental, social and educational priorities. You will also play a key role in building partnerships, influencing the wider sector and helping to shape future funding approaches.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of the organisation's grants strategy
• Overseeing grant programmes from design through to evaluation and learning
• Building strategic partnerships with funders, policymakers and sector organisations
• Developing collaborative networks that strengthen the voice and influence of the sector
• Embedding equitable, trust-based and relationship-driven funding approaches
• Championing youth participation and ensuring lived experience informs decision-making
• Using insight, learning and evidence to improve grant-making effectiveness
• Managing budgets, resources and operational planning
• Providing leadership, support and development to a high-performing team
• Contributing to organisational strategy as a member of the senior leadership team

About You

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with significant experience in grant-making and partnership development.

You will have:

• Strong experience leading strategic grant-making programmes
• Excellent knowledge of land-based sectors
• Experience of youth engagement, participation or leadership development
• A track record of building successful partnerships and cross-sector collaborations
• Experience using evidence, learning and insight to inform decision-making
• Outstanding communication, influencing and presentation skills
• Strong analytical and reporting abilities
• A commitment to equity, inclusion and widening access to opportunities
• The ability to lead, inspire and develop teams

You will also bring a proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused approach, together with a genuine passion for creating positive change through education and connection with nature.

About the Organisation

The organisation is one of the UK’s leading outdoor learning charities, helping children and young people connect with nature, develop skills and improve life opportunities through learning from the land. Rooted in the conservation and stewardship of the countryside, the charity manages significant estates while supporting environmental sustainability, partnerships and community impact across the UK.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Head of Funding, Head of Programmes, Grants Director, Funding Director, Head of Partnerships, Director of Impact, Director of Programmes, Head of Philanthropy, Funding and Partnerships Manager, Strategic Programmes Manager, Trusts and Foundations Lead, Head of Social Impact. #INDNFP

If you are an experienced grants professional looking to influence strategy, build partnerships and create lasting impact through education and nature-based learning, we would love to hear from you.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People. 

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 graduates 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 an Education Worker on IntoUniversity’s Graduate Scheme, helping to change the lives of young people.

We believe that our Graduate Scheme is one of the most exciting in the charity sector, an excellent career opportunity with exceptional training and hands-on experience, opportunities for promotion, and the chance to work with young people and colleagues who will challenge and inspire you.

Contract

Full-time, permanent 

Start date

24th July 2026

Working hours

Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00

Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30

(Some out-of-hours work will be required from time to time - for example, early starts to deliver workshops in schools.)

Education Workers are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres.

Salary

£28,250 per annum

Location

We have positions available in Hull and Grimsby. We also have a cross-centre position based at both centres.

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) 

Application deadline

9am Thursday 25th June 2026

Interview Day (online)

Wednesday 8th July 2026

Please ensure that you are available on these dates

You’ll be embarking on a challenging and rewarding role, engaging directly with the Big Leaf core team to support the development and delivery of programmes and activities for displaced young people in both Guildford and Redhill.   

 The Project Administrator & Support position has been created to support the Programme Managers with 1) management and engagement with our working partners, and 2) operational project support and administration across the organisation.

Key Tasks ● Provide logistical and administrative support to the BLF Programme Managers. This can include liaising with project partners and suppliers, booking transportation and project venues, communication with young people and ensuring relevant consents and permissions are obtained. ● Act as a point of contact and build good relationships with partners. ● Liaise with our Partners including social workers, foster carers, parents and accommodation providers and meet BLFs safeguarding commitments by ensuring all paperwork and consents are in place. ● Manage general enquiries and referrals coming through our website and the contact@ email ensuring these are directed to the appropriate team members in a timely manner. ● Data capture and monitoring: populating SalesForce campaigns and ensuring registers for all activities are kept up to date ● Provide planning and admin support for our Summer Programme, Refugee Week and End of Year celebrations, including booking venues and transportation, liaising with project partners and communications with stakeholders. ● Occasional in-person project delivery support might be required.