Children and Young People's Lead

We are looking for a committed Children & Young People’s Lead to deliver our UK wide programme of support and positive activities for young people aged 11–25 who have been impacted by meningitis, including the current Believe & Achieve programme, and to support new developments within our work.

About the job

This role supports young people who have experienced meningitis to overcome barriers, build confidence, and access opportunities, activities and supportive connections.

Our Believe & Achieve (B&A) Programme makes a meaningful difference to young people’s lives every day, helping them face the future with hope and confidence.

Events and Communications

• Plan and deliver a range of face to face and online events that help young people feel part of a supportive community.
• Identify opportunities for young people to participate in lived experience panels, peer mentoring, volunteering and storytelling.
• Monitor regional and events expenditure in line with budgets.
• Contribute to social media, marketing and communications content.
• Ensure the voices of children and young people inform service development, delivery and review.

Support

• Engage and onboard young people aged 11–25 into support services.
• Deliver support via face-to-face, phone, email and digital channels to assess and meet individual needs across the UK.
• Hold sensitive or difficult conversations with people affected by meningitis.
• Work with colleagues across the organisation to deliver coordinated support to families and individuals.
• Signpost and refer individuals to external services and support their access where appropriate.
• Build relationships with education, health and social care professionals and regional partners to increase awareness and referrals.
• Provide meningitis related information to professionals, families, friends and workplaces to help them support individuals.
• Attend professional meetings (e.g., education support meetings, employer meetings) as required.
• Reach out to those who may be unaware of the charity’s services and explain available opportunities.
• Provide accurate and up to date information about meningitis, recovery and after effects.

Administration

• Maintain accurate records and store sensitive information securely, in accordance with procedures and policies.
• Contribute to reports and attend meetings as required.
• Use evaluation tools to demonstrate impact.
• Contribute to operational and departmental planning.

What we're looking for

Essential Selection Criteria

• Experience supporting young people and understanding the factors that influence their lives.
• Experience planning and delivering events for young people.
• Experience working with young people with disabilities, neurodiversity or SEND.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience evaluating activities or interventions.
• Experience using social media to engage young people.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitively with diverse groups.
• Competent use of Microsoft Office and databases.
• Strong relationship building skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to motivate yourself and others.
• Ability to present information to varied audiences.
• Ability to work confidentially and with diplomacy.
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good stewardship of people and budgets.

Desirable Selection Criteria

• Awareness of the issues facing individuals affected by meningitis.
• Event management qualifications or experience.
• Level 3 qualification working with children and young people or equivalent.
• Experience of working within the third sector.
• Experience of working with volunteers.
• Experience of delivering digital workshops with children and young people.
• Experience of report writing.

Other requirements

• Full clean UK driving licence with access to a vehicle with business insurance.
• Commitment to safeguarding and adherence to all safeguarding policies.
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging - inclusive, anti discriminatory and culturally aware practice.
• Active engagement in learning, meetings, awaydays and organisation wide events.
• Willingness to work out of hours, travel and attend events as needed.

Ready to apply?

To apply, please complete the application form by clicking on Apply Now. Please note that due to using an anonymised recruitment process, only responses to the application questions will be used for shortlisting. If you choose to upload a CV or covering letter, this information won't be seen until after shortlisting has been completed. Therefore, please ensure you clearly demonstrate in the application form how your experience and skills fit with the requirements outlined.

If you have any application queries please contact Laura Smith, HR Manager, via details to the right of this advert.

We’d love to hear from you directly, so please keep your application in your own words rather than using AI tools.

*Note: Meningitis Now reserve the right to close this advert early or extend it depending on the number of sufficient applications received. If you are interested, please apply as soon as possible.

Interviews: Tuesday 14 April and Wednesday 15 April 2026

Equal Opportunities

We want to represent the breadth and diversity of the UK and welcome expressions of interest from a diverse range of professional and personal backgrounds.

Right to Work

Meningitis Now, as dictated by law, is duty-bound to demonstrate that we hold proof of eligibility to work in the UK for all our employees. Therefore we are unable to consider applications from candidates who are unable to provide this.

Safeguarding

Meningitis Now is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process. Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a Criminal Record Disclosure Form prior to interview and the successful candidate will be required to complete regular safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check at the appropriate level for the role.

To apply please click on the Apply Now Button.

For further information and where to send application forms, please see to the right of this advert.

No CVs please.