Programme Manager - Children's Services
Advert text – Programme Manager
As the UK's biggest Children's Charity, Barnardo's is committed to improving outcomes for all children and young people. We supported 382,872 service users in 2020/21 and for the service users where ethnicity data was collected, 17.8% were Black or Asian.
Evidence indicates that many African, Asian and Caribbean communities face particular disadvantages and can experience barriers to accessing vital support services. Children and young people from these communities experience higher levels of social deprivation, school exclusion, unemployment, and contact with the criminal justice system. Maternal and infant outcomes are dramatically worse for Black and Asian women than for White women, and furthermore, the ethnic inequalities in health and wellbeing that existed in the UK before the pandemic have been exacerbated and made more apparent. We need to do something about this.
Now established with funding support, including from the People's Postcode Lottery, Barnardo's has launched SEEN, a Centre for Children & Young People of African, Asian & Caribbean Heritage. The Centre aims to deepen understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by these communities and drive improvements in outcomes through collaborative, cross-sector working – spanning health, social care, education, criminal justice, and the voluntary and community sector, including grassroots organisations.
We are now seeking a Programme Manager to provide strategic oversight, guidance, and support across the Centre's portfolio of work. The role will be responsible for developing and maintaining effective programme governance, enabling delivery, and supporting the overall operation of the Centre.
The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in systems change and a demonstrable commitment to advancing race equity, with the ability to translate these into impactful programmes, partnerships, and practice.
The activity of the Centre will exist around three elements:
The Spine: Our systems change work that will focus on 4 key work flows: Education and Employability, Physical Health and Emotional Wellbeing, Social Care & Informal Community Care, Police & Custody – looking at how we can change practice to improve outcomes
The Heart: Our work with Children and Young People so that they can feel the presence of the Centre and co-produce models for effective advocacy and policy change
The Arms: Our reach with locally rooted organisations that connects the work we both do to create change for Children and Young People
If you:
-have successfully managed projects or programmes
-can lead and inspire others to create lasting positive change for Black and Asian children and young people
-are a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who views safeguarding children as the highest of priorities
-meet the person specification for the role
-have experience and/or understanding of the issues that affect children and young people of African, Asian and Caribbean heritage in the UK (desirable but non-essential)
...we would love to hear from you.
values
People & Culture
Workplace Offer: What it means for you
- The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
- Service related sick pay from day 1
- Cycle2work scheme
- Interest free season ticket loans
- 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
- Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
- Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
- Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer
*T&C's apply based on contract
- Reference number:22423
- Job Title:Programme Manager - Children's Services
- Location:Barnardo House, Barkingside
- Contract type:Permanent
- Hours:36.25
- Salary:£42,856.32- £54,240.03 FTE
- Closing Date:28 May 2026
- Interview Date:To be confirmed