At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive impactful policy work to champion children's rights in immigration and education.
- Company: Join Coram, the UK's oldest children's charity making a difference since 1739.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a chance to influence real change.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to safeguarding and supporting all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team advocating for vulnerable children and young people's rights.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy or charity work, with knowledge of UK immigration law preferred.
The predicted salary is between 15000 - 19200 £ per year.
Salary Range - £15,000 to £19,200 per annum (£25,000 to £32,000 FTE)
Location - Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ
About Coram
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. Part of the Coram Group, Coram Children's Legal Centre (CCLC) is the UK's specialist centre for children's rights in education, immigration, community care and family law, and provides significant international legal systems consultancy. The centre is located on the Coram Campus in central London with a base in Colchester. We champion access to justice through information and advice, legal practice and representation, policy and strategic litigation. Our Legal Practice Unit provides advice and representation primarily under legal aid contract. Our Policy and Practice Change team promotes practice change through training and capacity building to professionals and secures systems change through research, policy and advocacy.
About the role
This role will contribute to delivering Coram Children's Legal Centre's agreed programme of policy work, which focuses on immigration policy, education policy and children's rights. The post-holder will play an important part in creating policy impact to promote the rights of children in the areas of immigration and education policy. Working with the Head of Policy and Practice Change, the Policy Managers and teams across Coram, the key objective of the role is to deliver policy work that has impact for children and centres the views and experiences of children and young people. The post-holder will work with CCLC's lawyers, young people, sector colleagues, Government officials, Parliamentarians, the media and wider stakeholders to achieve change for children towards CCLC's aim of promoting children's rights in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The role would suit a passionate individual who cares about children's rights and young people informing policy. The ideal candidate will have experience of volunteering or working at a charity or of advocating for change. We are looking for someone who is interested in policy work in the children's sector, with a specific interest in our core areas of immigration and education policy and children's rights. Some knowledge of UK immigration, asylum and nationality law is important and we would welcome candidates with lived experience of the asylum or immigration systems. This is an office-based role with some remote working after the initial settling in period. There will be some flexibility over working days.
Test and Interview date: Friday 18th September 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 that 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.
Policy Officer employer: Coram
Coram, located in the heart of Central London, is an exceptional employer that offers a vibrant work culture focused on making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and development, alongside the opportunity to engage in diverse projects that promote equality and safeguarding practices. Joining our team means being part of a historic charity where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy Officer
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Coram.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Coram.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Coram.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Coram. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Policy Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Coram. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Policy Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Coram
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Coram. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
