Senior Policy Advisor

Senior Policy Advisor – Children in Care.

Salary: c£45,000 per annum.

Location: Remote with frequent travel to London.

Contract: 12 Months Fixed Term Contract covering Maternity Leave, 35 hours per week.

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailer's discounts.

Why Action for Children?

Action for Children protects and supports children, young people, and families. Our vision is that every child and young person has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

In 2023/24 we helped 687,755 children, young people, and their families across the UK. We provide practical and emotional support through 426 services in local communities across the UK, in schools and online. This includes 68 children’s centres and family hubs, 61 family support services, 14 homes for disabled children, 11 residential children’s homes, 15 foster and adoption services, six services for young people at risk of criminal exploitation and one residential school. We are one of the largest voluntary sector providers of residential care in England and, outside local authorities, the biggest provider of disability services for children and young people.

We also campaign passionately and work closely with policy makers to make sure the voices of young people are heard, to influence policy decisions and bring lasting improvements to the lives of children and their families.

A bit about the role

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Research, you will design and deliver high quality research and policy outputs in support of Action for Children’s work to influence and change UK Government policy around children in care and deliver lasting change in children's lives.

You’ll work closely with our Influencing and Media teams and Services colleagues to ensure Action for Children is at the forefront of the policy debate and has maximum impact with key national and local stakeholders.

You’ll develop and apply research and policy strategies that incorporate the views of children, parents, and our services staff to ensure that their voices are at the heart of Action for Children’s policy and research. This is an exciting time to join Action for Children as it works to influence a range of policy agendas.

How you'll help to create brighter futures by

• Function as Action for Children's policy expert on Children in Care.
• Manage a diverse and challenging workload progressing policy and research projects from design to delivery, including commissioned work through external researchers, networks, and academic institutions.
• Undertake research activities using a range of approaches, including qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Provide expert advice on key policy priorities across Action for Children, ensuring that the Chief Executive and senior colleagues are informed and resourced with the relevant information.
• Establish collaborative working with colleagues to develop effective evidence gathering, research and policy activity that has the child at the centre.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with senior civil servants, politicians, academics, and opinion formers, working proactively.
• Collaborate proactively with colleagues in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to share policy and research expertise.

Let's talk about you

• Experience in designing and delivering quantitative and qualitative research projects and/or developing policy recommendations.
• Excellent analytical skills to interpret complex information and data, including from Action for Children’s Services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within a team, across departments and with other organisations, and the ability to work with all kinds of people, including people affected by the issues we influence to change.
• Good organisation skills to respond quickly to the demands of the fast moving and complex policy and media agendas.
• Good influencing skills and the ability to identify and develop relationships with policy stakeholders who can drive change.
• Excellent research and intelligence gathering skills and ability to understand and apply information to specific audiences.

Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements.

Contact: David Simpson on 01923361732 or email us at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 10665.

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Closing Date: Tuesday 28 th January 2025.

Interviews will be week commencing 3 rd February 2025.