Home-Start works with families in community’s right across the UK. Our approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. No judgement, it is just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. It is an exciting time to be part of the Home-Start network as we build on a partnership with John Lewis & Waitrose to benefit families with young children alongside a new strategic framework for a post-Covid world.

Home-Start UK is now looking for a Governance Development Lead to join our expanding team. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Network Development, you will have oversight of all work streams relating to the support and development of local Home-Start trustees and Boards. You will be responsible for developing and leading a new governance programme, designed to address areas of good governance and board effectiveness, skills development, diversity & inclusion, trustee recruitment and the organisational effectiveness and sustainability of the local network.

Home-Start UK is the leading family charity with trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children in communities across the UK. We are an umbrella organisation of circa 40 staff that works closely with our network of 189 local Home-Starts – all independent, registered charities.

We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.

Last year Home-Start supported 56,000 children in 27,000 families. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the pressures families are under and the critical importance of organisations that are supporting parents and children. Our services are in demand more than ever and we are growing as an organisation to reflect and meet the growing needs of our families.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our expanding central volunteering team at Home-Start UK as we drive forward our approach to volunteer management as part of the evolving Home-Start strategic framework.

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about supporting volunteers have a rewarding journey regardless of their role, skills or background. You will bring experience of understanding and supporting the volunteer journey from the outset and will be familiar with how to support inclusive recruitment, ongoing engagement and creative recognition. This role will not be directly managing volunteers, but will be supporting our federation’s 10,000 strong volunteering community through the delivery of a robust and user friendly toolkit. Your experience of working with volunteers therefore is crucial.

Home-Start UK is the leading family charity with trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children in communities across the UK. We are an umbrella organisation of circa 30 staff that works closely with our network of 189 local Home-Starts – all independent, registered charities.

We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.

Last year Home-Start supported 56,000 children in 27,000 families. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the pressures families are under and the critical importance of organisations that are supporting parents and children. Our services are in demand more than ever and we are growing as an organisation to reflect and meet the growing needs of our families.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our expanding team at Home-Start UK, as we drive forward our new, Future of Learning and development at Home-Start.

This is a new role working in a fast-changing environment as we support our network to recover from the COVID pandemic and strengthen and secure sustainability of local Home-Starts. The post-holder will be expected to show flexibility to respond to potentially changing needs and contribute to related work across the organisation, as required.

If this sounds like your type of challenge we would be delighted to hear from you.

Home-Start UK is the leading family charity with trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children in communities across the UK. We are an umbrella organisation of circa 50 staff that works closely with our network of 184 local Home-Starts – all independent, registered charities.

We are currently looking for three Network Engagement Officers to join our team and support in building relationships, insight gathering and deepening our understanding of the Home-Start Network around the UK.

The ideal candidate(s) will have excellent people skills, be good at building relationships, able to take initiative, plan projects and proactively look for ways to promote the work being done within the cohort of Home-Starts they engage with.

These roles will lead in facilitating and supporting relationship building between a group of approximately 45 local Home-Start sites, in order to assist in our understanding of their needs, shining a light on best practice in both practice and governance, and how we provide support where difficulties exist.

As part of a small team, you will also work across the organisation to bring your insight into our other functions including fundraising, communications and policy, and quality and development to contribute towards wider projects. You will likely bring experience from any of these areas from previous roles you have held.

Each Network Engagement Officer will cover a different region to include Northern Ireland, Scotland or Southern England/Wales as part of a UK wide engagement team. The role is home based but will require regular travel around these areas, so a local base or local knowledge, while not essential, is welcomed.

Home-Start UK is the leading family charity with trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children in communities across the UK. We are an umbrella organisation of circa 55 staff that works closely with our network of 184 local Home-Starts.

We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a colleague who will bring both experience of and passion for volunteering and creating the best experience for those who volunteer with us. Someone who understands the importance of good volunteering practice and who can help translate evidence from various sources into meaningful development resources and activities that will enhance our role as a leading voluntary organisation.

To be successful as our Volunteering Development Officer, you will have coordinated volunteering activity and perhaps the development of volunteer guidance, process, policy and/or resources. You will thrive on working with others in multiple roles across our federation and learning from others’ experiences. You will be organised, flexible and a great communicator, willing to participate in related volunteering campaigns and project opportunities as they arise.

The role presents a significant opportunity for the successful candidate to contribute to our ambitions for volunteering across the UK.