Volunteer Head of Children's Team

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

What are we looking for?

Essential

• 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 difference will you make?

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.

Before you apply

Apply via Reach Volunteering with a brief cover message outlining your children's services experience, safeguarding knowledge, leadership approach, and motivation for supporting Afrikindness. Please include a CV or LinkedIn profile.

Shortlisted candidates will have a conversation with the CEO and volunteer manager. Two professional references and an enhanced DBS verification are required. Designated Safeguarding Lead training will be provided if not already held.