Senior Change Manager, Children's Services

The Youth Endowment Fund believes that no child should be affected by violence. We research violence to understand it; we find, fund and test what works to prevent it; and we are building a movement to end it.

A big part of the movement that we need to build is in the world of children’s services. We need to inspire and connect with senior leaders in England and Wales to spread what works and make our country safer for some of our most vulnerable children. We need someone who can deliver this whilst understanding and working within the context of the major sector reforms that are currently being delivered via the Families First Partnership programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the launch and roll-out of the children’s services self-assessment tool, driving up demand and ensuring widespread completion of the tool across the sector.
• Work hands-on with Local Authorities to help them put evidence into practice via our change programme; planning, delivering and learning as the work continues.
• Continuously capture and act on learning from the self-assessment tool and deep dive change programme to inform future work.
• Supporting the design and roll-out of a children’s services network to spread learning of what works to reduce serious youth violence.
• Spend time genuinely understanding the pressures, priorities and constraints facing children’s services leaders to inform our longer-term approach to change.

As part of your wider contribution to the organisation, you will also:

• Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.
• Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.

You are this sort of person:

• You are fascinated about change and are experienced in making it happen.
• You have outstanding analytical judgment alongside the emotional intelligence and experience needed to identify the right opportunities for change, then make them happen.
• You understand why people find change difficult.
• You understand the children’s services sector.
• You win people over.
• You have experience of developing resources which support children’s services.
• You learn fast but remain humble.
• You don’t want your days to pass without making a difference.
• You understand young people.
• You are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

You must have this sort of experience:

• Delivering positive change within children’s services.

While it’s not a criteria, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of violence affecting children and young people. It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.

Hybrid Working

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month.

To Apply

Please click on the "Apply for this" button and submit your CV, your completed monitoring form and ensure your covering letter answers the following three questions below. Please submit your application by Monday 1st June 2026 at 12pm.

Application Questions

• How have you used evidence to deliver effective change and improve outcomes?
• How did you gather and use the evidence and influence senior leaders to act differently?
• Describe your experience and understanding of working in or with the children’s services sector, in particular working with senior sector leaders. Please be specific about the context and impact you made.
• What personal and professional experiences shape your understanding of the children’s services sector and its role in preventing youth violence?

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage.

Interview Process

This will be a two-stage interview process. Interviews will take place the week of 15th June 2025.

Please Note: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Benefits Include

• £1,000 professional development budget annually
• 25 days annual leave, 3 days end of year shut down, plus