Freelance Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer - Devolved Nations (Scotland focus)
Hours: 0.6 to 0.8 FTE dependant on candidate’s availability (22.5 to 30 hours per week)
Contract: Freelance, £160 per day
About Cardiomyopathy UK
Cardiomyopathy UK is the specialist national charity for people affected by cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart muscle. Our vision is that everyone affected by cardiomyopathy should live a long and fulfilling life.
We are a community of people affected by cardiomyopathy, medical experts and charity healthcare professionals working to provide support and information, campaigning for better access to quality treatment, saving lives through raising awareness and providing hope through shaping research.
About the Role
We’re seeking an experienced and motivated individual to develop our policy work across the devolved nations, with a particular focus on Scotland. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the health policy landscape, and have the ability to influence decision makers, ensuring the voices of people affected by cardiomyopathy are heard in relevant policy discussions.
As Freelance Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations) you’ll be responsible for the development and delivery of impactful policy and influencing strategies. This role will play a critical part in improving the lives of people affected by cardiomyopathy by shaping public policy, raising awareness, and influencing key decision-makers. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in policy, public affairs, or a related field, along with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
As a part-time freelance role, responsibilities will be phased and prioritised over the course of the contract. The position is offered at 0.6 to 0.8 FTE, depending on the candidate’s availability.
Please see the job description and person specification for further details.
To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and your motivation for applying to policy@cardiomyopathy.org by 5pm on Wednesday 6th May 2026.
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We are looking for a new independent trustee who can bring fresh perspectives and objective judgment from outside our immediate membershipto join our very committed board. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of charity law and regulation.
Location:Attendance at 4 board meetings (mainly online but with 1-2 in London) each year, and attendance at the Board strategy day.
You may also be required to attend the Council’s annual general meeting and any other general meetings. There may also be additional requirements upon appointment and periodically thereafter for training days in the Council’s office in central London. There will be a full induction as part of the onboarding process.
Remuneration:This is as voluntary unpaid role. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
About: The Council of Deans of Health is a membership organisation and charity representing over 100 UK universities and colleges engaged in education and research for nursing, midwifery, and the allied health professions. At any one time, our members educate around 200,000 current and future professionals and carry out research that improves the population’s health and wellbeing.
Our Board of Trustees is responsible for oversight of the administration and management of the Council, which is led by the CEO who is accountable to the Board. The role of the Board includes setting and monitoring the implementation of the Council's strategy, and ensuring its financial sustainability and its compliance with legal requirements. The Board of Trustees will play an important role in taking forward the Council’s strategy, overseeing the continued growth of the Council, ensuring its financial sustainability, and avoiding exposing the charity’s assets, beneficiaries or reputation to undue risk. The Board comprises a mix of trustees drawn from our member organisations and independent trustees from a range of different professional backgrounds and experience.
Key responsibilities:
Some of the essential competencies we are looking for all Trustees:
We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Senior Residential Project Worker to join our Pentland Way residential Service.
Barnardo's Caern Disability Services consists of three unique Projects who deliver a variety of quality services for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism. We have done this for over 40 years.
At the Caern Short Breaks Service, we support up to 5 children and young people aged 5-18 by offering respite and short break packages to them and their families.
Working primarily in the residential setting you will promote the happiness, safety and welfare of the young people. You will play an active role in supporting the children and young people and their families/carers to achieve positive outcomes, as identified in the Young People's Individual Support Plans.
ABOUT YOU
Ideally you will have experience in working directly with children and young people in a residential setting. Experience in supporting children and young people with a learning disability and/or Autism is required.
You will work directly with the children and young people on shift, as part of the staff team on rota. In addition to this your main role will include
The staff team across Caern Services must be fully accepting of our children and be prepared to offer them a professional relationship based on acceptance and informed by our understanding of their individual needs, wishes and experiences. We are passionate about the children and young people that we care for, showing understanding, empathy and consistency in our approach.
You will currently hold or be working towards a SVQ3 (Children and Young People) and also be willing to work towards a recognised SSSC qualification/s relevant to this role (Residential Worker with Supervisory Responsibilities).
This is a full-time position (37 hours). Working on a dayshift rota basis, you will typically work a rota of 5 out of 7 days, including weekends. You will require to be flexible for the needs of the Young People and the Service.
For an informal chat about this role – please call Aileen Gallagher on 0131 339 8840.
Pay & Reward Framework
We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.
For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay.
Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.
Benefits:Workplace Offer: What it means for you
Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.
Barnardo's require colleagues to be UK residents, based in the UK and to complete their roles from within the UK (with the exception of colleagues providing Barnardo's services in Jersey and colleagues who live in the Republic of Ireland providing services in Northern Ireland)
*T&C's apply based on contract
About Barnardo's
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Senior Residential Project Worker to join our Pentland Way residential Service.
Barnardo's Caern Disability Services consists of three unique Projects who deliver a variety of quality services for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism. We have done this for over 40 years.
Our Pentland Way Service is a residential service providing support for up to three older young people. Using a person-centred approach, we aspire to create an environment in which the young people are happy, nurtured and safe. We aim to enhance their lives by supporting them to develop independence in both the domestic environment and the community.
ABOUT YOU
Ideally you will have experience in working directly with children and young people in a residential setting. Experience in supporting children and young people with a learning disability and/or Autism is required.
You will work directly with the children and young people on shift, as part of the staff team on rota. In addition to this your main role will include
The staff team across Caern Services must be fully accepting of our children and be prepared to offer them a professional relationship based on acceptance and informed by our understanding of their individual needs, wishes and experiences. We are passionate about the children and young people that we care for, showing understanding, empathy and consistency in our approach.
You will currently hold or be working towards a SVQ3 (Children and Young People) and also be willing to work towards a recognised SSSC qualification/s relevant to this role (Residential Worker with Supervisory Responsibilities).
This is a full-time position (37 hours). Working on a dayshift rota basis, you will typically work a rota of 5 out of 7 days, including weekends. You will require to be flexible for the needs of the Young People and the Service.
For an informal chat about this role – please call Aileen Gallagher on 0131 339 8840.
Pay & Reward Framework
We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.
For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay.
Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.
Benefits:Workplace Offer: What it means for you
Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.
Barnardo's require colleagues to be UK residents, based in the UK and to complete their roles from within the UK (with the exception of colleagues providing Barnardo's services in Jersey and colleagues who live in the Republic of Ireland providing services in Northern Ireland)
*T&C's apply based on contract
About Barnardo's
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
About The Open Door Edinburgh:
The Open Door (Scottish Charity Number SC007315) has provided activities and services for adults at our Morningside hub for over forty years. It remains well-supported by the community and has developed into a high-quality day service for more vulnerable older adults, providing transport and meals during Monday-Friday sessions. We centre care, connection and community at The Open Door and have a dedicated and skilled team of staff and volunteers who keep the service welcoming and enriching for all. Currently a team of eight staff and twenty volunteers support about forty individuals per week.
Purpose of Job
As registered manager, to hold overall responsibility for the organisation, management, review and development of services. To provide strategic leadership, day-to-day management and lead a team of staff and volunteers. To provide exceptional quality care inspectorate registered day care services for older adults as well as other projects to promote community inclusion, following best practice guidelines.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Operational Duties and Accountability
Lead development and delivery of The Open Door business plan in alignment with our values and charitable objectives.
Set and track performance against agreed key performance indicators.
Deliver and report to existing service level agreements for statutory contracts, tender for future contracts.
Governance: supporting the decision-making processes of the Board of Trustees, including setting agendas and preparing reports; ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, safeguarding and best-practice governance requirements.
Oversee quality assurance processes and lead on impact data reporting.
Oversee the financial health of the organisation to support long-term sustainability. Prepare and monitor budgets, including controlling costs, analysing variances, forecasting and preparing reports. Use of Xero Software package is important.
Manage payroll system, ensuring accuracy and compliance with both UK regulations and organisational policies
Deliver a fundraising strategy including developing and submitting grant applications, reporting on grants.
Manage all back-office administrative functions including IT, cyber-security, health and safety, information management and complaints handling.
People and culture: manage all HR functions, supporting a collaborative culture with high standards of care and opportunities for staff development. Recruitment and management of staff. Recruitment and management of volunteers. Manage organisational changes which arise, centring our values of community and care.
Develop and maintain effective communications and marketing. Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and strengthen local partnerships, acting as an ambassador for The Open Door.
Identify and manage organisational risks, ensuring appropriate mitigation and communication with the Board.
Head of Care Services Duties and Accountability
Act as the Care Inspectorate Registered Manager.
Lead and manage provision of the day service, promoting the wellbeing, rights, equality and diversity of individuals using or working for the service.
Meet regulatory requirements, including planning for inspections, compiling evidence, pursuing quality improvement.
Monitor and manage the quality of the service.
Lead planning process for care or support plans.
Oversee management and continuing professional development of staff team, including maintaining training records.
Act as Lead Safeguarding Officer.
Hold responsibility for monitoring, recording checks and reporting on health and safety standards, including food safety and food hygiene.
Manage transport, including compliance, policy implementation, maintenance and driver management for the Open Door minibus.
Advocate on behalf of members and their carers when appropriate, including making referrals or signposting to relevant sources of support.
This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and will include other duties as directed by the Board of Trustees from time to time.
Required Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Essential Qualifications:
Eligible to become the Registered Manager with the Care Inspectorate-
Must hold or be in process of obtaining SVQ Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 9 and SVQ 4 Care Services Leadership and Management (SCQF Level 10) or equivalent
[Desirable Qualifications: Degree in relevant health or social care subject]
Essential Knowledge:
Demonstrable experience in a senior management role, preferably in a health, social care or not-for-profit organisation
Experience providing care services to elderly or vulnerable people, including care assessments and applying National Care Standards
Sound financial awareness and experience of managing budgets
Experience of management of a staff team and volunteers
[Desirable knowledge: experience with charity/voluntary sector or fundraising]
Essential skills/abilities:
Strong organisational and administrative skills – able to prioritise and delegate
Proficient IT skills, confident with Office 365
Able to motivate and support staff and volunteers
Excellent communication skills both oral and written
Desire to deliver excellent care services with integrity and warmth
[Desirable skills: full, valid UK driving licence]
Benefits:
Holidays: 6 weeks including public holidays
Employer contribution to pension plan
Probation:
The first three months of employment shall be a probationary period during which employee suitability for the position and performance will be assessed.
Please note this post is subject to satisfactory PVG check and references.