Chief Executive

Kids is on a mission to create a world where all kinds of kids have all kinds of opportunities. Founded in 1970, we have grown into a national organisation supporting over 22,000 children, young people and families each year across England. We are on an ambitious journey to reach at least 120,000 disabled children, young people and their families each year by 2027. Our vision is bold yet achievable: a society where disabled children, young people and their families enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple but powerful belief: that every child and young person has the right to play, learn, grow and thrive. Every child is brilliantly unique, and no one can anticipate the ups and downs that life brings. But for parents of children with SEND it’s even harder. They see their child developing differently – fewer words, or less mobility – but are too often forced to wait months or years for assessment or diagnosis or practical help.

Our new CEO will inherit an organisation in good shape, with sustainable finances, high-quality service provision, an excellent reputation, and an influential position at the heart of the national conversation about SEND. Our current strategic period draws to an end this year, and our new CEO will be a decisive contributor and shaper of this fundamental plan. All in all, it’s an excellent opportunity to take a flourishing charity to the next level of reach and impact.

Working closely with our strong and established leadership team, you’ll be responsible for day-to-day management of the charity’s activities, with a particular focus on culture, quality, continued financial sustainability and impact. Our new CEO will also fulfil an important public role, representing Kids (as well as young people with SEND, their families and other stakeholders) in the media and in public settings, including engaging with people at the most senior levels of policy and politics.

Candidates are likely to already have held a CEO role (or be an experienced deputy at a larger organisation), and will have a close, nuanced understanding of the social care, children’s services or disability sectors. Some experience of working in a regulated sector would be a definite advantage, as would experience of leading in a similar organisation to Kids. Your track record will include having planned and delivered sustainable growth and impact across all domains, while modelling a strong organisational culture, upholding robust standards, and achieving the very best outcomes.

And your leadership style will be distinctively inclusive, authentic, and rooted in the strong and trusted relationships you build both internally, and with key external stakeholders. The value of personal experience of childhood disability – whether directly or through a sibling, child or friend – can’t be overstated; we would very strongly encourage applicants who may be a partial match to other criteria, but who bring this experience, to contact our advisors at Cadence Partners for a confidential discussion.

Finally, we are looking for someone who is absolutely energised by our achievements to date and who can see our potential to go even further to transform lives. If you have an inspiring vision, and the professional skillset to articulate and deliver it, we want to hear from you.