The Social Care Institute for Excellence is a national charity and improvement agency which improves the lived experience of people using social care.
We do this by working in partnership with people with lived experience, commissioners, organisations which provide care and policy makers but we are independent of any specific sector interest. We influence improved outcomes through a range of activities including consultancy, policy development, research and evaluation, audits and reviews, training and the production of evidence-based tools and resources.
To help us implement our ambitious new strategy we are looking for a number of experienced, adaptable, highly motivated and outcome-focused individuals to join our fantastic team that makes evidence-based improvements for people with lived experience of social care by achieving the following:
- Driving improvements in social care locally, through our consultancy and improvement support offer to local authorities and other local organisations, to help local partners to develop and execute sustainable plans which improve outcomes.
- Influencing better policy and practice nationally through our policy and influencing work
- Supporting better safeguarding everywhere through our safeguarding audits, reviews and training so organisations are confident we have made their organisations and their services safer.
First and foremost, we are looking for the right type of individual, someone who is interested in the vision and values of the organisation and who wants to make a difference.
Policy and public affairs officer
A great opportunity for you to join our small friendly team and make a real difference to people’s lives by:
• Ensuring that SCIE’s evidence, drawn from research and people’s lived experiences, influences social care policy and practice.
• Developing and delivering influencing strategies, drafting policy papers and legislative briefings, and managing relationships with various stakeholders and key partners.
• Growing SCIE’s profile as an influential, informed, and powerful voice in the social care sector.
• Positioning SCIE to work as a partner to government, responding independently to new government policy, supporting and advising on a range of national policy programmes, initiatives, and influencing guidance and practice.
• Producing high-quality research and evaluations demonstrating what works and makes a difference in social care, promoting evidence-based good practice.
What we are looking for:
· Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
· Knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and / or safeguarding
· Understanding of the strengths-based and person-centred approaches
· Experience of delivering face to face and online training
· Experience of stakeholder engagement and management
· Project and budget management skills
What we offer in return:
We offer excellent staff benefits including a competitive salary and homeworking allowance. We provide an employer pension contribution above the statutory minimum, an award-winning employee assistance programme, and an attractive holiday package which rises with length of service.
If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us by email recruitment@scie.org.uk.
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to contribute your skills and passion within a small and highly regarded social care charity.
Contract and salary
- Contract type: Permanent.
- Full time.
- Starting salary £34,100 per year.
- Home based but must have the ability to travel to London every four weeks for staff meetings and other occasions as requested. Travel expenses are paid.
- Closing date: 27 January 2025 at 12 noon but we may close early in response to applications received.
You must have the right to work within the UK. This is a UK based role and cannot be done outside of the UK.
How to apply for this role
If you would like to apply, please complete the equality, diversity, and inclusion monitoring form.
Please send a full curriculum vitae (CV) and a personal statement explaining (in no more than 2 pages) how you meet the person specification and your motivations for applying for the role. Send your application to: recruitment@scie.org.uk as soon as possible but at the latest by 12pm on 27th January 2025. Depending on applications received, SCIE reserves the right to bring forward the deadline.
Interviews: 19th & 20th February 2025.
How to apply:
Please check the instructions for the specific role you are interested in, as you may be required to complete additional tasks unique to that application.
If you want to be part of a great team that is passionate about improving social care, then please apply when there is a vacancy. For your application to be considered, please include the following:
- A cover letter of no more than two pages outlining your interest in the opportunity and how you meet the essential criteria
- Your CV
- As part of the application process we require that you complete our diversity monitoring form.
- If you do not have a cover letter or CV, please submit a Completed application form
Please send all applications and supporting information to recruitment@scie.org.uk
If you have any questions please contact recruitment@scie.org.uk
No agencies or consultancies – we are looking for experienced individuals
UK resident applicants ONLY. You must already have the right to work within the UK
You may be asked to take a test as well as attend an interview, which would take place online.
Please make sure that you have enclosed all the relevant documents with your application.
We value diversity in our workforce and are committed to equal opportunities. SCIE is a Disability Confident Employer and offers a guaranteed interview to candidates with disabilities who meet all essential criteria.
Please note, that as a homeworking organisation we require the successful candidate to have a reliable Wi-Fi connection and a minimum 10Mb/s broadband.
In order to stay connected to your colleagues and the work of the wider organisation you will be required to travel to London on a monthly basis to attend meetings. You may also be required to travel to UK-based clients for meetings and events necessary for the role.