We’re Hiring: Full-Time Practice Lead

We are excited to announce another opportunity to join our NLCBF team! Thanks to newly secured funding from the Segalman Trust, we are now recruiting for a full-time Practice Lead to work alongside our current part-time Practice Lead, Darren Bishton.

This is a great chance for an experienced and passionate individual to make a difference in the lives of care-experienced young people nationally. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring that NLCBF stays at the forefront of best practice and legislative developments in the leaving care sector.

What will the Practice Lead do?

The core purpose of this role is to keep the NLCBF informed and up-to-date with the latest policy, guidance, and legislation impacting young people leaving care. Following this the post holder will then use this knowledge to:

  • Remain at the forefront of best practice and key trends in the leaving care sector.
  • Work with the other Practice Lead and the NLCBF Manager to develop the policy and practice focus to support NLCBF members, leading on a number of topic areas.
  • Support the running of engaging events for NLCBF member local authorities for sharing best practice, national updates and for networking.
  • Work closely with the Co-production and Engagement Lead to ensure the voices of care experienced young people are shared throughout the work of NLCBF
  • Actively research and develop a network of experts in the leaving care sector, fostering and maintaining these relationships so they can contribute towards achieving outcomes for the Forum.
  • Actively engage with local authority members and non-members to understand their key successes and challenges, and develop strong relationships.
  • Support the management of the day to day business of the NLCBF and work closely with the NLCBF Manager to ensure this provides value for money for members and makes the best use of resources.
  • Provide expertise to NLCBF members, relevant Catch22 services and wider Catch22 staff and partners on practice issues and solutions for supporting young people leaving care.

How will this role integrate with the existing team?

As many of you know, Darren Bishton, our current NLCBF Practice Lead, has reduced his working hours to two days per week. We previously advertised for a part-time position but were unfortunately unsuccessful. This new full-time role, made possible by funding from the Segalman Trust, will allow us to significantly expand our work, particularly focusing on separated young people, housing, and mental health. The new Practice Lead will work alongside Darren Bishton.

More Details:

Please share this opportunity with anyone who may be interested. 

For an informal conversation about this exciting opportunity, please contact Darren Bishton, NLCBF Practice Lead, at Darren.bishton@catch-22.org.uk or Hannah McCowen, NLCBF Manager, at hannah.mccowen@catch-22.org.uk.

As a committed supporter of the Care Leaver Covenant, Catch22 guarantees an interview and the offer of a mentor’s support to care experienced applicants who meet the essential criteria for this role. Please be assured that this information will not be shared with the hiring manager.