Youth worker jobs in east of england

Job Title: Safeguarding Officer

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Professional Supervision: The Regional Safeguarding Lead

Contract: Permanent

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

Hours per week: 20 hours

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

Role Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

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

Safer recruitment

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

Case management

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

Meetings & governance

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

Training & awareness

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

Policy & risk management

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

Additional duties and professional development

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

Key Relationships

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

Person Spesification 

Essential Qualities

Qualifications

• Relevant safeguarding qualification/training, or willingness to undertake

Experience

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

Knowledge

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

Skills and Abilities

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

Personal Qualities

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

Desired Qualities

Qualifications

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

Experience

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

Knowledge

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

Skills and Abilities

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

Other Requirements

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

Closing Date: Wednesday 12 November 

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Training and Implementation to join our Central Social Care Service located at our Head Office in Islington.

£33,000 per annum, working 35 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
• Online wellbeing resources
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:

• Oversee all induction and mandatory training, ensuring it meets organisational requirements
• Ensure induction material is up-to-date and engaging
• Ensure all training offered is innovative and engaging and uses technology where possible
• Host the first day of the induction programme 'Feel at Home'
• Deliver ad-hoc training as required
• Coordinate schedules and rotas for mandatory training and induction delivery
• Commission, market, and deliver the learning and development programme in line with organisational needs whilst ensuring value for money, professional training delivery and demonstrable outcomes
• Regularly review and improve the training offer in line with best practice

• Work with the Recruitment, Training and Talent Manager to review and, where required, develop a programme to meet the generic and specialist operational learning and development needs across the business in line with CQC, Ofsted, legislation, contract, policy and procedural requirements

• Ensure LMS is fit for purpose and used effectively so that staff and managers are clear on the training available to them and when they are going out of date with mandatory requirements

• Use the LMS system and work with the Performance team to produce management reports (including but not limited to safeguarding, attendance, non-attendance and operational induction monitoring)
• Use data and analytics to monitor training effectiveness, identify trends, and inform decision-making
• Evaluate effectiveness of training programmes to ensure that it demonstrates effective return on investment and meets initial training objectives
• Implement improvements based on feedback and outcomes
• Work with Recruitment, Training and Talent Manager to deliver training within budget, maintain the budget spreadsheet and ensure prompt payment to suppliers
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including managers, senior leaders, training providers and LMS provider

• Effectively manage and develop the Talent Partner with the Recruitment Team Leader
• Work collaboratively with the L&D and wider People team
• Work with Recruitment, Training and Talent Manager and Business Development on training costings and plans for new or proposed services

• Demonstrate the company values and establish a positive culture that aligns with the organisation's strategic objectives
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures across area of responsibility and for trainings being developed
• Keep up to date on any regulatory, legal or best practice changes in training for the Supported Housing sector
• Support staff and managers through change initiatives related to training and implementation, ensuring clear communication and engagement throughout transitions
• Champion Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all training and in the implementation of the LMS, ensuring content and delivery are inclusive and accessible
• Promote staff wellbeing through supportive training practices and by signposting to relevant resources
• Take ownership of mandatory training compliance, including monitoring, reporting, and driving achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) for mandatory training completion within specified timeframes across the organisation
• Provide regular updates to management and take proactive steps to address areas of non-compliance

• Lead and carry out internal quality assurance activities to maintain the integrity and consistency of assessment decisions across qualification programmes

• Sample assessment decisions, provide constructive feedback to assessors, and support continuous improvement in assessment practice
• Ensure all IQA processes fully meet the requirements of awarding bodies such as ILM and/or CPCAB
• Prepare for and support external quality assurance visits, maintaining accurate and compliant IQA records
• Contribute to standardisation meetings and support assessor development through guidance and training
• Work collaboratively with programme leads to ensure qualification delivery meets internal and external quality standards
• Any other duties as required

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

• Excellent relationship building skills with internal staff and managers and external stakeholders
• Customer outcome focused
• Effective verbal and written communication with staff at all levels
• Positive can-do approach
• Ability to learn new skills quickly
• Creative and innovative in ideas and approach
• High levels of initiative
• Flexible in approach
• Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills
• Intermediate to advanced IT skills on all Microsoft packages and IT systems
• Resilient able to manage self and maintain effective delivery
• Ability to cope with change in a fast paced and challenging environment
• Ability to analyse data and produce actionable insights
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Commitment to staying up to date with changes impacting training in the sector

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Quickly learns and confidently navigates new IT systems, using them to streamline and improve business processes
• Experience of training staff
• Experience of carrying out training needs analysis
• Experience in coaching and developing staff
• Track record of successfully implementing systems, processes, or programmes within a multi-site organisation
• Strong negotiation skills, with experience securing cost-effective training solutions and establishing clear deliverables
• Experienced in managing external partnerships and ensuring contractual obligations are met
• Knowledgeable about best practice and innovative approaches to training delivery, with a commitment to continuous improvement
• Proficient in using e-learning authoring tools, virtual classrooms, and blended learning methodologies
• Demonstrable experience in monitoring and reporting on training KPIs, particularly for mandatory training

Desirable:

• Knowledge of ILM and/or CPCAB frameworks
• Proven experience of internal verification and moderation within a regulated qualification framework
• Understanding of awarding body quality assurance requirements and best practice

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

• We focus on Excellence and innovation.
• We are Caring and Compassionate.
• We are Inclusive and Trusted.
• We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

About Woman's Trust

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

About the role

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

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

In return, we can offer:

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

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

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

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

Vision: Home-Start believes every parent should have the support they need to give their children the best possible start in life. Main purpose of job: To ensure Home-Start's Southwark’s finance and operations systems best meet the needs of the organisation, enabling us to provide the best possible support to families with children under 5 in Southwark and Lewisham. 

Our ambition is to continue to develop outstanding services that meet the needs of our community; if you want to be part of our future, we would love to meet you to discuss this further.

Vision: Home-Start believes every parent should have the support they need to give their children the best possible start in life. Main purpose of job: To support Home-Start Southwark’s administrative and operations functions, enabling us to provide the best possible support to families with children under 5 in Southwark and Lewisham. 

Our ambition is to continue to develop outstanding services that meet the needs of our community; if you want to be part of our future, we would love to meet you to discuss this further.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 We are looking for candidates who:

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

Further information is available on our website. 

Vacancy Reference: BfN2026/45

Job Title: Finance Officer

Salary: £15.73 per hour

Number of Posts: 1

Type of Contract: Permanent

Start Date: ASAP Start

Hours of Work: 28 per week

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

Work Location: Remote

Responsible to: Finance Manager

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

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

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