At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead children's programmes, champion wellbeing, and create impactful services for vulnerable families.
- Company: Join Afrikindness, a mission-driven organisation focused on transforming children's lives.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, opportunity to make a real difference, and develop leadership skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in children's services and a passion for child wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Lead our children and family programmes as Volunteer Head of Children's Team. Champion child wellbeing, safeguarding, and development through evidence-based, inclusive services. Perfect for children's services leaders passionate about transforming outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
Children are at the heart of Afrikindness's mission. Your leadership will ensure we provide safe, effective, and transformational support that helps children thrive despite adversity. You'll shape our approach to child wellbeing, strengthen safeguarding, and build programmes that make a lasting difference to children's lives and futures.
What are we looking for?
- Senior leadership experience in children's services, family support, early years, education, or youth work
- Deep knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice
- Experience designing and delivering children's programmes or interventions
- Strong understanding of UK safeguarding legislation and frameworks (Working Together, Keeping Children Safe in Education, etc.)
- Experience managing or supervising teams working with children
- Commitment to children's rights, participation, and voice
- Excellent safeguarding judgment and risk management skills
- Culturally sensitive and committed to equity and inclusion
- Warm, child-centred, and passionate about children's wellbeing
Desirable
- Qualified social worker, teacher, early years professional, or equivalent
- Charity or nonprofit sector experience
- Knowledge of Bradford/Leeds children's services landscape
- Experience with vulnerable or marginalised children and families
- Understanding of neurodiversity, mental health, or SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training or experience
- Monitoring and evaluation experience in children's services
What will you be doing?
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and lead the strategy for Afrikindness's children and family programmes
- Set vision, priorities, and goals aligned with organisational mission and community needs
- Advise senior leadership and trustees on children's services, safeguarding, and child development
- Champion children's rights, voice, and participation in all our work
- Programme Design & Delivery
- Oversee design, implementation, and quality of children's programmes and interventions
- Ensure programmes are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate
- Lead co-production and participatory approaches with children, families, and communities
- Monitor programme outcomes and adapt based on evaluation and feedback
- Team Leadership & Development
- Provide leadership, support, and supervision to children's team volunteers and coordinators
- Recruit, train, and develop volunteers working directly with children and families
- Build team capacity in child development, safeguarding, and inclusive practice
- Foster a positive, learning-focused team culture
- Safeguarding & Child Protection
- Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding across all children's work
- Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to maintain robust policies and practice
- Lead on safer recruitment, risk assessment, and safeguarding training for children's team
- Respond to safeguarding concerns and ensure appropriate escalation and support
- Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build relationships with schools, children's centres, local authorities, and family support organisations
- Represent Afrikindness in children's services networks and partnerships
- Identify collaboration opportunities to enhance support for children and families
- Engage with parents, caregivers, and community leaders to co-design services
- Impact & Quality Assurance
- Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and learning for children's programmes
- Ensure programmes meet quality standards and demonstrate measurable impact
- Use data and feedback to drive continuous improvement
- Contribute to funding applications with evidence and impact narratives
- Advocacy & Voice
- Amplify children's voices and lived experience in organisational decision-making
- Advocate for children's rights, wellbeing, and access to services
- Challenge inequalities and barriers facing children in our communities
Volunteer Head of Children's Team - Volunteer in Leeds employer: Afrikindness
Afrikindness is an exceptional employer dedicated to championing child wellbeing and safeguarding through inclusive, evidence-based programmes. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and growth, empowering volunteers to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children and families. With a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, we offer unique opportunities for professional development and community engagement in a hybrid working environment that values every child's voice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Head of Children's Team - Volunteer in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in children's services and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend local events or workshops related to child wellbeing and safeguarding – you never know who you might meet!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your experiences and stories that highlight your commitment to children's rights and wellbeing. Make it clear why you're the perfect fit for leading their programmes.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on UK safeguarding legislation and frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in your previous roles. This will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also practical in your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search and genuinely interested in making a difference for children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Head of Children's Team - Volunteer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for children's wellbeing and development right from the start. Share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to making a difference in children's lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Volunteer Head of Children's Team role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate how your experience aligns with what we're looking for.
Highlight Relevant Experience:We want to know about your senior leadership experience in children's services or related fields. Be clear about your past roles, responsibilities, and achievements that showcase your ability to lead and innovate in this area.
Be Authentic:Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to understand who you are as a person, so share your unique perspective on child safeguarding and development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Afrikindness
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practices. Familiarise yourself with UK safeguarding legislation like 'Working Together' and 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'. This will show that you're not just passionate but also well-informed about the key issues.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your senior leadership experience in children's services or family support. Think of specific examples where you've led teams or developed programmes that made a real difference. Highlight your ability to inspire and support volunteers, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Child-Centred
Demonstrate your commitment to children's rights and wellbeing during the interview. Share stories that illustrate how you've championed children's voices and participation in previous roles. This will resonate well with the organisation's mission and values.
✨Engage with the Community
Talk about your experience building relationships with schools, local authorities, and community organisations. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with families and communities to co-design services. This shows that you understand the importance of partnership in making a lasting impact.
