124 Youth education officer jobs

Youth Programmes Officer 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Reporting to: Youth Programmes Manager 

About us 

The Ben Kinsella Trust is one of the UK’s leading anti-knife crime charities. We were set up following the tragic murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella in 2008, and everything we do is guided by his legacy. Our mission is to prevent knife crime through education and campaigning. 

Ben was a kind, creative young person who loved art, music, Arsenal FC, and making people laugh. He had big dreams of becoming a graphic designer. His death was a senseless act of violence, and the outpouring of grief and public support that followed marked the start of a movement. Ben’s own words, written shortly before his death, called for change, and his voice continues to inspire our work.  

Through immersive workshops in our Choices and Consequences Exhibitions and free online resources, we have reached over 50,000 young people so far. Our work challenges myths about knife crime, strengthens peer influence, and sparks meaningful conversations. As we grow, we remain committed to honouring Ben’s life by making a real, lasting difference to young people across the UK.  

We’re a small but growing team of 11 (rising to 14), working across Programmes, Fundraising, Communications, Finance and Operations, and Leadership. Our Programmes team is supported by a brilliant pool of freelance facilitators and actors who help bring our workshops to life. We’re now looking for an Youth Programmes Officer to join us at this exciting time. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about evidence-based interventions, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is confident working to establish and maintain relationships with external organisations. 

Ben’s legacy is our guide – we exist to stop knife crime 

About the Role 

We are looking for an education or youth work professional who can deliver our programmes to a very high standard. You will be a skilled facilitator and communicator who can engage with young people from a diverse range of backgrounds. Additionally, we are seeking someone who shares our values and is passionate about using education as a tool to support and empower young people and to stop knife crime. 

As Youth Programmes Officer you will be responsible for the delivery and coordination of our flagship knife crime prevention workshops to young people, to a high standard. You will work alongside the Programmes team to ensure workshops at our London exhibitions (currently Islington and Barking & Dagenham) operate smoothly and consistently to serve young people through the achievement of quality outcomes and maximised engagement. You will play a key part in the delivery of our Youth Ambassador Programme and contribute to the development of new programmes and opportunities during an exciting period of growth for the charity.  

Key Responsibilities 

Programme delivery

• Deliver workshops to a range of groups (primary, secondary, PRU/AP and adults), adapting to different needs
• Ensure sessions are engaging, high quality, and responsive to feedback

Programme development

• Gather and analyse feedback to improve programmes
• Support the development of new projects and resources

Workshop coordination

• Coordinate day-to-day delivery across two sites
• Manage bookings, enquiries and pre-visit information
• Maintain strong relationships with schools and partners
• Keep CRM and booking systems up to date
• Coordinate freelance facilitators and support their onboarding and training

General

• Carry out other duties as required

Person Specification 

Experience

• Delivering workshops or training to young people
• Adapting structured programmes to different needs
• Managing behaviour and supporting young people with additional needs
• Coordinating multiple tasks or stakeholders
• General admin and use of digital systems

(Desirable: programme design, training adults, relevant qualification in teaching/youth work)

Skills and knowledge

• Strong facilitation and communication skills
• Ability to build positive relationships
• Understanding of youth violence or knife crime
• Knowledge of inclusive teaching approaches

Personal qualities

• Passionate about supporting young people
• Reliable, organised and proactive
• Collaborative and professional
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Open to learning and continuous improvement

Benefits  

• Flexible working where possible
• 27 days’ annual leave (+ bank holidays), rising with service
• Enhanced sick pay
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Development opportunities

How to apply

Submit a CV and supporting statement outlining how you meet the person specification. Please also answer the two additional questions on the application form.

Applications close: Friday 18th September 09:30am

Interview schedule:

• 1st stage, Week Commencing 21st September (Virtual)
• 2nd stage, Week commencing 28th September 2026 (in person)

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is identified, so we encourage early applications.

Job Title - Programme and Partnerships Officer (RTFN)

Contract - Fixed Term for 1 year, with the possibility of extension

Hours - 14 hours per week with flexibility across the working week

Salary - £12,800 per annum (£32,000 FTE)

Location - Home-based, with occasional travel to Coram Campus in London and other locations for meetings and events

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

Coram is a leader in adoption and fostering, children’s health education, therapy, child and family law, and advocacy for those in and leaving care. The organisation has grown rapidly in recent years, both in terms of income and staffing, making an exciting and interesting place to be.

About the role

We are looking for an organised, collaborative and proactive Programme & Partnerships Officer to provide the coordination and delivery capacity that will help RJFN strengthen its national network and deliver its programme of work across advocacy, policy and practice development, research, training and member engagement.

Working closely with the RJFN Chair, members and partners, you will support member engagement, build and maintain partnerships, organise events and communications, and help monitor the network’s reach and impact. This is a varied role with significant autonomy and an opportunity to help shape a growing national network.

We welcome applicants with skills and experience gained through a range of routes, including professional, voluntary, community and lived experience. Knowledge or experience of racial justice, children’s rights, children’s social care, family justice or a related area is desirable, but we are particularly interested in strong organisational, relationship-building and communication skills, and a clear commitment to racial justice and anti-racist practice.

If you enjoy bringing people together, building relationships, communicating creatively and helping turn ideas into action, and you share our commitment to racial justice, we would love to hear from you!

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing Date: Monday 12th October 2026 23.59pm

Interview Date: Thursday 22nd October 2026

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from 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 underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

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.

At Ambitious College, we're looking for a SEND Officer to join our team.

You'll co-ordinate the statutory transition and annual review process at Ambitious College. This includes having responsibility for all planning, facilitation, tracking, quality assurance, follow up, and reporting related to annual and transition reviews. This is circa 80 learners with potential for future growth.

You will be responsible for learners across one of our college campuses and supported internships across the same geographical area. We currently have settings in Southwest London / Outer London and Northeast London / Outer London.

As part of this role, to be the single point of contact for annual and transition reviews for your allocated settings and areas as such work closely with a variety of key stakeholders such as college staff, parents, learners, visitors, and local authorities. You will be one of two SEND officers within Ambitious College

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience of working within a similar SEN organisation / school / college/ charity environment.
• Good knowledge of EHCPs and the SEND code of practice.
• Formal administrative / reception qualifications or strong experience.
• Previous experience of working within face paced, challenging environment.
• Experience of providing high-quality administration support.

In return we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance, commitment to continued professional development (CPD) and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

As Fearless Youth Lead for Scotland, you will lead a national programme that empowers young people to understand crime-related issues and overcome barriers to reporting crime safely and anonymously. Working with schools, communities, government partners and key stakeholders, you will drive engagement campaigns, develop meaningful partnerships and lead a small team to deliver positive outcomes for young people across Scotland.

Please read the full job pack , before submitting your CV and covering letter.

FTC until March 2029 | Full time | Based in Scotland (Glasgow/Edinburgh) with regular travel | £36,000 - £38,000 DOE | PVG required

Job Title: Digital Content & Community Lead
Location: London, Salford or Belfast, based from an RFF office with hybrid working arrangements and extensive travel across the UK and Ireland
Salary: £30,000-£35,000 per annum, depending on experience
Hours: 36 hours per week
Reports to: Deputy CEO & Director of Development

Job Description:

You’ll lead RFF’s Instagram and TikTok presence, creating distinctive social-first content and building engaged digital communities around our work.

This is a hands-on role. You’ll spend time with young people, staff, partners and ambassadors across the UK and Ireland, spotting, capturing and creating content that brings the Foundation to life. While Instagram and TikTok will be at the heart of the role, you’ll also support RFF’s wider digital and communications activity as required — including creating and adapting content for platforms such as LinkedIn, X and YouTube, supporting email communications and press activity, and helping strengthen RFF’s media presence around key events and opportunities.

We’re open to emerging talent and care more about what you can create, your understanding of digital communities and your creative instincts than where you learned your skills.

KEY DUTIES:

Social Content & Community

• Take day-to-day ownership of RFF’s Instagram and TikTok channels, growing active and engaged communities around our work.
• Develop a forward content plan while responding creatively to trends, conversations and opportunities in real time.
• Listen to our audiences, engage actively with our communities and use insight and performance to continually improve our content.

Content Creation & Production

• Proactively identify content opportunities across RFF’s work, partnerships and events, and plan, film, photograph, interview and edit high-quality social-first content across a range of formats.
• Create content specifically for digital platforms, particularly short-form video for Instagram Reels and TikTok, and maximise content captured by adapting it effectively across formats and channels.
• Use and advise on appropriate production equipment, software and tools, while maintaining an organised digital content and asset library for the Foundation.

Young People & Youth-led Content

• Build positive and appropriate relationships with young people, creating content with them rather than simply about them and representing their personalities, perspectives, interests and achievements authentically.
• Create opportunities for young people to contribute as creators, presenters, interviewers and storytellers and, over time, help identify and develop aspiring young content creators from across RFF.
• Ensure all content involving young people is created, captured, stored and used in line with RFF’s safeguarding, consent and data-protection requirements.

Partnerships, Ambassadors & Collaboration

• Work creatively with RFF’s corporate and industry partners, ambassadors and wider network to develop co-created content, campaigns and opportunities that benefit both RFF and its collaborators.
• Build strong relationships with partner communications and social teams, identifying opportunities for collaborative content, cross-platform amplification and reaching new communities and audiences.
• Work confidently across different environments - from community youth sessions to major corporate, media, sporting and cultural events - adapting your approach to different people, audiences and opportunities.

Wider Digital Content

• Support the creation and adaptation of content across RFF’s wider digital ecosystem, including YouTube, LinkedIn, X and the Foundation’s website, while keeping Instagram and TikTok as the primary focus.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support wider communications activity, including email communications, press and media activity, campaigns, launches and events, and make effective use of strong content across channels.
• Bring ideas about new platforms, formats, technologies and approaches that could strengthen RFF’s digital presence and help our content reach and engage different audiences.

Insight & Performance

• Monitor channel and content performance, using analytics to understand engagement, community growth, reach, audience behaviour and what content is creating meaningful interaction.
• Test new approaches and formats, learn from performance and audience response, and use those insights to continually develop RFF’s social content and community approach.
• Keep up to date with developments across social media, digital content, creator culture and platform changes, sharing clear insights and emerging opportunities with the Director of Development and wider team.

Working as part of the operations team, the you will help maintain the systems, processes and practical foundations 
that enable the organisation to function effectively. This includes supporting people operations and HR administration, 
leading on governance and advisory meeting administration, acting as the first point of contact for IT queries, and helping 
FEA’s events run smoothly.

Acting as a trusted point of support for colleagues, you will help create a responsive and well-organised 
working environment where staff, trustees and members feel enabled to do their best work. The role requires exceptional 
organisation, sound judgement and a genuine pride in quality. By ensuring that the practical aspects of the organisation 
run reliably and well, you will help create the conditions that allow the Fair Education Alliance to deliver its 
mission and drive progress towards a fairer education system.

Do you believe that all children should receive consistently high-quality care in environments that strive to improve outcomes for each child?  Do you have experience in social work, education, inspection, advocacy or residential childcare management?

Then we have an exciting opportunity for a professional like you.

The Vacancy

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Independent Visitor & Quality Assurance Officer to join NYAS Independent Monitoring Service.

This is a full-time permanent role, working 35 hours in the North West and/or North East region. 

As an Independent Visitor & Quality Assurance Officer you will be required to complete statutory and non-statutory independent allocated visits within prescribed timescales and to quality assure reports submitted by other members of the team.

The purpose of this role is to ensure that judgements are consistent with evidence provided and that the feedback given is an element of continuous improvement.

While the role is home-based, there will be occasions where travel is required, including working on public transport.

About You

We are looking for a self-starter who prides themselves in professionalism and accuracy. You must have a relevant professional qualification and proven extensive experience in working with children and young people or adults at risk in a social care setting.

For more information, please view the attached job description.

In your application, you will need to evidence, using specific examples, how your skills and experience meet the criteria laid out in the person specification, within the job description attached. Requirements include:

• Professional qualification in a relevant field.
• Proven extensive experience in working with children and young people or adults at risk in a social care setting.
• Experience and an understanding of child and adult safeguarding procedures.
• Experience of quality assuring reports for regulatory bodies.
• Ability to analyse a range of information to assess effective evidence-based judgements of reports.
• Proven experience of using QA to improve report writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to a high standard both orally and in writing to a wide range of people.

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references, Digital Risk Assessment and Right to Work check.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early once we receive a high number of applications.

In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

 NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.

Accountable to: Support Team Manager

Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (including evening and weekend hours on a rota)

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £26,750

Location: Loughborough, England (Travel required to all Baca Services locations)

Start date: September 2026

Help Change Young Lives

At Baca, we support young people who have fled war, persecution, and trafficking, providing safe housing, education, and therapeutic care to help them rebuild their lives.

As a Support Worker, you will be a key worker for several young people in Baca's care, providing high-quality holistic and therapeutic support for their transition to adulthood. You will deliver services in line with Baca’s Theory of Change, ensuring the highest quality outcomes in physical and emotional wellbeing, education, employment, training, social engagement, and personal safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support young people using trauma-informed approaches (including PACE and recovery models)

• Promote safety and safeguard young people from exploitation and harm

• Support emotional wellbeing, independence, and life skills development

• Encourage engagement in education, training, and community activities

• Maintain accurate and compliant records

• Work closely with social workers, schools, and partner agencies

• Contribute to a reflective, learning-focused team culture

• Be a role model, offering care and compassion without discrimination.

• Plan and participate in day trips and annual residential weeks.

About you:

• Alignment with Baca’s values and mission.

• Ability to respond to change and work as part of a diverse team.

• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative.

• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and issues faced by unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.

• Relevant training or willingness to complete essential training within the first year.

• Experience working with young people, especially in cross-cultural settings.

• Excellent communication, organisational, and ICT skills.

• Driving licence and access to a car.

• Enhanced DBS check required.

You will be:

• Approachable, reliable, and a strong team worker.

• Supportive, responsible, and personable.

• Flexible and able to work occasional evenings and weekends.

What We Offer

• The chance to make a meaningful difference

• A supportive, values-driven team

• 33 days’ holiday (pro rata), pension, wellbeing support, and more

How to Apply

If you are passionate about creating lasting change for young people and have the skills needed, we would love to hear from you.

Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK. You must also be able to legally drive in the UK for this role.

Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced DBS Certificate including a check of the children’s barred list.

We’re looking for a Training Officer to help us develop and deliver high quality learning and professional development for people working with and for young people across the North West.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys creating and delivering engaging training and supporting others to learn and grow.

Working with our Learning, Workforce Development & Equality Manager, you’ll help shape our learning offer and support a skilled, confident and connected youth sector workforce.

What you’ll be doing

• Design and deliver engaging training and workshops (online and in person)

• Build relationships with learners, partners and organisations

• Support learning events, networks and Communities of Practice

• Use feedback and evaluation to improve what we do

We’re looking for someone who has:

• experience of training, facilitation or learning and development

• confidence delivering engaging sessions to different audiences

• good communication and organisational skills

• an understanding of youth work or the issues affecting young people

• a commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding

More information in attached recruitment pack - closing date Monday 21 Sep 2026 @ 12 pm

Interviews will be held in person on Tuesday 29 September 2026.

We are looking for a passionate and engaging Youth Engagement Officer to join our new Thriving Change Makers programme, supporting young people aged 14–20 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs) to develop their confidence, leadership skills and ability to create positive change in their communities.

You will build trusted relationships with young people, schools and community organisations, recruit participants and facilitate engaging Youth Social Action Hub sessions. You will mentor young people to identify issues that matter to them and turn their ideas into social action projects, campaigns and activities.

You will also help young people develop their leadership skills and access opportunities such as Youth Ambassador, peer leadership, advisory and governance roles, while ensuring participation is inclusive, safe, accessible and genuinely youth-led.

We are looking for someone with experience of working directly with young people and facilitating inclusive group activities, who can build positive relationships, provide effective mentoring and support young people to take ownership of their ideas. Experience of youth-led social action or community projects would be an advantage.

This is a great opportunity to join an exciting new programme and help young people find their voice, develop their potential and lead change in their communities.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details about the role and requirements.

What we offer:

• Generous annual leave entitlement - 28 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Flexible and hybrid working (dependent on role) to ensure you enjoy a good work-life balance.
• Christmas office closure
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• Pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 3% employer contribution
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Promoting a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

At CB Plus, we promote a diverse and inclusive workplace where we can all be ourselves. Everyone is treated fairly, individual differences are celebrated, and all employees are valued and respected. We actively encourage applications from disabled applicants, including those with mental health conditions, people from Global Majority and minoritised communities, and those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria as outlined in the Disability Confident Scheme. However, in the event of a high number of applicants, it may not be possible to interview all candidates who meet these criteria, and we reserve the right to limit interviews to a manageable number.

We also have experience supporting Access to Work applications to ensure that employees who need adjustments have the support they need to feel confident and do their best in their roles.

If you need adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.

Note: This post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, and is open to female applicants only, due to the nature of the role. Subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The Head of Youth Programmes sits in our Senior Leadership Team and holds overall operational responsibility for our frontline youth programmes across three pillars: Prevention, Intervention and Healing. The postholder leads and line manages the delivery team, and carries DSL responsibility for the organisation.

You'll lead delivery, expansion and impact evaluation across all three pillars, line manage the Education Lead, IDVA Team and Creative Projects leads, and work closely with the CEO to consolidate our delivery models. You'll hold responsibility as our Designated Safeguarding Lead, manage operational budgets, and build multi-agency partnerships across Barnet and neighbouring boroughs.

It's an opportunity to bring fresh energy and strategic leadership to a small, values-driven charity that trusts its team to do meaningful, creative work with the young people we support.

Essential criteria

• Experience as an IDVA, ISVA or in a comparable frontline advocacy role supporting young women and girls affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or other forms of harm.
• A strong understanding of VAWG, domestic abuse and youth harm, grounded in survivor-centred and harm-prevention approaches.
• Experience of overseeing and responding to complex safeguarding through multi-agency working.
• At least Level 3 safeguarding training. Designated Safeguarding Lead training is desirable, or a willingness to complete this within an agreed timeframe.

We have highlighted the essentials above. The rest of the person specification, in the attached recruitment pack, is a guide to what we are looking for in a strong candidate, rather than a checklist. Your experience may not meet all of it, but if you have the essential experience we would encourage you to apply. We are just as interested in transferable experience as in a conventional career path.

Benefits

• Regular clinical supervision with an external practitioner 
• Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme, including a 24/7 helpline, counselling and a wellbeing app
• Free on-site parking in Colindale and funded travel between delivery sites

Details

£38,000 to £40,000 pro rata. 28 hours per week (four day working week). Permanent. Barnet, London / Hybrid.

Closing date: Thursday 15th October 2026. Interviews: w/c Monday 26th October 2026.

An exciting opportunity!

This is a rare and genuinely exciting opportunity to lead the UK's only dedicated charity supporting children, adults and families affected by MPS, Fabry disease and related lysosomal storage disorders. Following the current Chief Executive's planned move to become Managing Director of Rare Disease Research Partners (RDRP) in January 2027, the incoming CEO will take the helm of an organisation with over forty years of history, a trusted national reputation and a growing role on the international rare disease stage. The successful candidate will shape the strategic vision for more than 1,800 families, oversee the close partnership between the Society and its research subsidiary RDRP, and champion the patient and family ethos that sits at the heart of the organisation's work. It is an opportunity to combine ambitious strategic leadership with deeply meaningful, human impact, working alongside a committed Board, Senior Leadership Team and wider community of clinicians, researchers and pharmaceutical partners.

As our next Chief Executive, you will

• Define and deliver the MPS Society’s strategic vision.
• Provide confident oversight of governance, finance, compliance and reporting.
• Effectively manage the operational alignment between the MPS Society and RDRP.
• Always keep the members and family voice at the heart of strategy, service design and decision-making.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with statutory bodies, government agencies, pharmaceutical partners, clinical expert centres and other key stakeholders to support the Society’s objectives, influence policy and practice, and protect its professional reputation.
• Act as a visible and credible public voice to raise awareness, improve visibility, support, treatment access and outcomes for people affected by MPS, Fabry disease and related conditions.
• Collaborate with other rare disease bodies, patient organisations and other key audiences.
• Lead and empower the senior leadership team through effective delegation, early involvement in strategic discussions, clear accountability and support for individuals to flourish.
• Encourage an open, supportive work environment allowing creativity and building staff confidence.
• Help shape the future of the MPS Society.

About you

•  Self-motivated, with the drive to lead the organisation through a period of change and transition.
• Unquestionable probity and personal integrity, given the trust placed in the CEO by families, trustees and partners.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex scientific and clinical information to audiences ranging from clinicians to families with no prior knowledge of MPS disorders.
• Strong self-awareness, with insight into their own leadership style and impact on others.
• Emotional resilience, able to sustain performance while supporting a community facing life limiting conditions.
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style, able to build trust, delegate effectively and help individuals across the organisation flourish.
• Genuine passion for the Society's mission, with a family and member-first ethos.
• Confidence to build relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, from beneficiaries and Trustees to politicians, media and pharmaceutical partners.
• A proactive, positive approach, comfortable reacting to change and organising their own work to meet deadlines.
• Confidence speaking publicly on behalf of the organisation and the people it represents.

Why join us?

A close-knit, values-led culture. With just over thirty staff across the Society and RDRP combined, this is a place where the CEO can know the team personally, work closely with families day-to-day, and see the direct results of decisions rather than managing at a distance through layers of bureaucracy.

• Genuine autonomy to shape direction. The Board is explicitly looking to the new CEO to bring fresh thinking on technology, AI, and digital tools, and to give real freedom to modernise fundraising, services, and engagement rather than simply maintaining what already exists.
• A stable foundation to build from over forty years of track record, trusted relationships and a strong national reputation mean the incoming CEO can focus energy on vision and growth rather than firefighting or rebuilding credibility from scratch.
• Proximity to cutting-edge science: the Society's close relationship with RDRP gives the CEO regular exposure to advances in rare disease research and treatment access, while day-to-day research leadership sits with the RDRP Managing Director, allowing the CEO to focus on strategy, people and sustainability.
• A high-visibility, high-influence platform. Regular contact with government, pharmaceutical companies, clinicians and international rare disease bodies offers strong opportunities to build a public profile and personal network well beyond the charity sector.
• A team that already shares the mission. Staff are described as passionate about the Society's aims, and as having a family-first ethos, so the new CEO inherits a culture to lead and empower rather than one that needs to be built from the ground up.
• Work with a different kind of return. Beyond salary and career progression, this role offers the less tangible reward of knowing that strategic and financial decisions translate, into better support for families facing some of the rarest conditions in the country.

Benefits

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Contributory pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

The main duties, responsibilities and requirements of this role can be viewed in the job description on our website.

Salary to be agreed depending on experience and will be pro-rata for part time hours.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This senior role requires flexibility in working hours and location.  It is primarily offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham, Buckinghamshire, office each week. As part of the role, UK and overseas travel is necessary, which may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked over the weekend are fairly compensated through TOIL.

This role will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check (DBS) details of which can be found in the job description.

For an informal discussion about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Dr Fiona Stewart.  Contact details can be found on the full job description. Kindly note, meetings with other relevant people will be available to shortlisted candidates at interview stage.  

About School of Hard Knocks

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.

The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.

90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.

Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.

We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.

“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”

- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO

The Role

The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.

Strategy and Direction

● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador

● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team

● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals

● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan

Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact

● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people

● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention

● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement

Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations

● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events

● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy

● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile

Leading People, Culture and Operations

● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team

● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values

● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence

Governance and the Board

● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees

● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting

● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements

About You

Essential

● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees

● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative

● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams

● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors

● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level

● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery

● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable

● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds

● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience

● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape

● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities

Personal Attributes

● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage

● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks

● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it

Terms of Appointment

Contract type

Full-time, permanent

Location

Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff

Salary

£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP

Reports to

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Direct reports

Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations

Travel

Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events

Trustee meetings

Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees

Head of Youth Work and Mission

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oxygen

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. This role requires flexible working, including some evenings, occasional Saturdays/Sundays, and weekends when running residentials for young people, plus regular shifts at the Oxygen shop.

Salary: £36,000 – £39,000 per annum, plus pension and life cover and cycle to work scheme.

Location: Kingston upon Thames, South West London, with travel across the Boroughs of Kingston and Richmond

Why Join Oxygen?

Oxygen is a well established and respected Charity known for its ability to reach and engage young people in creative and innovative ways.  You will have the opportunity to shape and lead youth work strategy, be part of a dynamic and committed team who love to see young people overcome barriers to their development and discover who they are and who they want to become.

● Membership of the Senior Management Team

● The chance to develop innovative programmes tackling issues such as knife crime, mental health and youth unemployment

● Working within a well-established Christian charity making a tangible difference to young people's lives

Working for Oxygen is fulfilling and rewarding. It gives you experience of working collaboratively with a range of partners, and in a variety of contexts, that will be invaluable to anyone wanting to develop and progress in a career working with young people.

About Oxygen

Oxygen is a dynamic youth organisation based in Kingston upon Thames, South West London. Oxygen began as the vision of a group of young people who wanted to reach out to others to demonstrate their faith and meet their needs. We are supported by over thirty churches across the Boroughs of Kingston and Richmond, and staffed by a team of full and part time employees, volunteers and young apprentices.

We work in partnership with local churches, voluntary agencies and statutory bodies to give young people the support they need to overcome the challenges they face. Through a range of engaging and fun activities, we help young people discover their strengths, values and beliefs, understand their potential and aspirations for the future, and find opportunities to contribute to society through volunteering and serving others. 

Oxygen is a Christian charity which works with young people of all faiths and of none. Oxygen is recognised as a key provider of targeted support for young people, with a strong reputation for reaching those in need and making a real difference in their lives. We start where a young person is at, seeking to understand the world from their perspective and to discover their skills, talents and character. We help them look past immediate challenges towards a more hopeful future, raising aspirations and motivating them to move forward.  We seek to demonstrate that they are cared for and valued and to demonstrate the impact the Christian faith can have upon people’s lives.

We continue to develop engaging and inclusive programmes that promote a sense of belonging to a community which give young people purpose and direction.  We respond to the issues affecting young people today, including mental health, knife crime, youth unemployment, digital youth work, mentoring and youth enterprise, alongside our charity shop on New Malden High Street. This role will give Oxygen the capacity and depth needed to innovate and develop projects that have a proven, positive impact on young people's lives.

Job Summary

As Head of Youth Work and Mission, you will be responsible for the delivery and management of Oxygen's youth work programme, implementing key projects to support young people's development. You will be part of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and will promote the mission, values and Christian faith of Oxygen in all aspects of your work.

Christian Faith — Genuine Occupational Requirement

Because this post leads and promotes Oxygen's Christian mission and outreach to young people, and contributes to maintaining the Christian ethos and culture of the organisation, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for the postholder to be a practising Christian.

Safeguarding

Oxygen is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and satisfactory references.

See JD for more infomation