Location: Cheadle

Salary: £150 per Meeting
   
Contract Type: Self Employed

Closing Date: 23 December 2025

Have you ever wanted to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable Children and Young People?  The Together Trust Fostering Agency Supports foster families across the Northwest of England providing a caring stable home to children and young people who can’t live with their own family.

We have vacancies for 2 Vice Chairpersons of the Independent Fostering Panel. You will meet with the Chair of the panel and other panel members on a 4 to 6 weekly basis, and you will help make informed recommendations to the Agency Decision Maker on the suitability of new foster carers who wish to work with the Together Trust.

The Together Trust is one of the North West’s leading charities, offering individual care, support, and education to hundreds of children, young people, and adults each year. We are a not-for-profit charitable trust, so every penny goes back into benefiting the people that we support.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people that we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role is an independent role sessional, and the relationship that you will have with the Together Trust will be as one of an independent sessional worker.

Click here for full job details

In November, our campaigns team attended an inspiring parliamentary event hosted by Barnardo’s and chaired by Darren Puffy MP. The event placed young people with care experience at the heart of the conversation, giving them the platform to share their stories and shape the debate on what needs to change in the care system. 

Jake and Tia, two incredible young people, spoke candidly about their experiences in care and as care leavers. They highlighted the lack of practical and mental health support, unresolved trauma, negative experiences in supported accommodation, and the absence of lasting relationships. Their testimonies revealed the harsh realities of facing homelessness, eviction, and the challenges of navigating the benefits system – such as struggling to pay council tax when starting work. 

The panel also featured key figures shaping policy for children and families: 

• Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children and Families 
• Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee 
• Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council 

The discussion underscored a shared commitment: law and policy must reflect what care leavers are telling us they need – secure housing, mental health support, and lifelong relationships. 

Click here to read the full article

In December 2023, the Education Committee launched an inquiry into children’s social care in England. Together Trust provided written and oral evidence. 

In July 2025, the Education Committee published its report, highlighting rising demand, increasing local authority costs, and poor outcomes for some children. Its recommendations to the government were thoughtful and comprehensive. 

The government’s response, gives the impression of a “wait and see” approach. Many recommendations were dismissed or only partially addressed, with little urgency shown to tackle the current crisis in children’s social care. 

Click here for a summary of what we asked for, what the Committee recommended, and how the government responded. 

​Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To improve the quality of life for the young people and families we support. We ensure we advocate the rights, needs and ambitions of the young people we support through our working practise. 

We have a rewarding new opportunity for a Senior Community Support Worker (Positive Behaviour Support) to work within our new service.

The Early Intervention and Prevention service is based at one of our children’s Centre in Wythenshawe, Manchester, this service is working in partnership with the City of Manchester Local Authority. Successful candidates will work across North, Central and South Manchester.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people that we support and expects all of our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

 Salary - £29,108 (£14.93ph)
             -  Weekend rate paid at 25% premium of normal hourly rate
             - Sleep-in shift - £100.80 per sleep in shift 

The Purpose of the service is to establish a local integrated offer of intensive, therapeutic overnight stays and outreach support.   Focused upon building the capability and resilience of families so the child/young person can experience greater permanency of care with their families, foster care, or benefit from the range of services available to them in their community. 

The Service will focus on improving the outcomes for Children and Young people on the Autistic Spectrum, and other learning disabilities with the aim of reducing the number of children referred for residential care.

Click here for full job details

Most of us don’t give a second thought to the buildings around us – until something goes wrong. 

A draughty window or a leaking roof quickly reminds us how much our environment affects our day… and our mood. Beyond those everyday annoyances, I’ve seen first-hand that the physical spaces where we educate, learn, care, and work, can deeply influence our health and wellbeing. 

In care and education settings especially, the building – designed with consideration – sets the tone for everything that follows. It can either uplift and relax us or frustrate and stress us. And that’s true not just for the people we support, but for all of us.

When a Building Becomes Part of Care

A few years ago, I had the privilege of leading the design and development of a new hospice building at St Ann’s in Stockport. I still remember listening to patients and their families on why having a private room was not only about privacy and dignity, but also a place where the family could laugh and joke, sharing memories, without disturbing other families. 

Seeing it come to life, I realised a thoughtfully designed building isn’t just a backdrop for care at all – it actively enhances the care we can provide. In fact, I came to view the building itself as an important member of the care team, quietly doing its part to comfort and support everyone who walked through its doors. 

I remember at the time, a purpose-built facility, shaped by input from each specialist team and member of staff, can directly contribute to a better experience for patients and families. In other words, the right environment uplifts, relaxes, and improves the very care we strive to deliver.

That insight stays with me as we look at all our environments across the Together Trust. Whether it’s a classroom at a college, a sensory room at a day centre, or a garden at a children’s home, the principle is the same: good environments = good care. 

Click here to read the full article.

Introduced in Parliament in December 2024, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill could shape the future of both social care and education. It aims to drive high standards in education and care, ensure every child can achieve and thrive, and strengthen safeguarding and support for vulnerable children.  

The Bill has two key parts:

• The first focuses on reforming children’s social care, building on the government’s policy paper Keeping children safe, helping families thrive, published in November 2024.
• The second addresses education.  

While the Bill is wide-ranging, one of the most critical areas for the Together Trust is how it addresses the use of unregistered children’s homes.  

Click here to read the full article

A recent investigation by the Observer and the Together Trust has shed light on a hidden side of the children’s homes’ system. We are here to provide a simple explanation about the different types of housing for children in care.  

What is an unregistered children’s home? 
Unregistered homes are houses for children in care that are not registered with Ofsted. By law, children’s homes must be registered so that Ofsted can check them to make sure they are safe and loving places.  

Ofsted is an independent regulator, meaning their reviews can be considered unbiased. 

Because unregistered homes are not checked by an independent regulator there is no evidence that they follow the minimum requirements that providers need to stick to. Therefore, the quality of these homes varies.  

These types of homes are illegal. Providers must register first before they accept children to live there.

Click here to read the full article

Together Trust are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Workforce Analytics & Operations to join our People and Culture team. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape workforce strategies and processes, driving impactful change within an organisation dedicated to positive outcomes.

About the Role
As the Head of Workforce Analytics & Operations, you will support the Trust’s strategic vision by leading the development and implementation of workforce analytics, recruitment strategies, and operational excellence. Collaborating with leaders across the organisation, you will provide data-driven insights and innovative solutions to attract, retain, and support an engaged and capable workforce.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a Trust-wide workforce plan aligned with strategic goals.
• Lead the creation and implementation of a workforce analytics strategy to inform decision-making and drive greater value.
• Enhance recruitment strategies and promote a positive employee journey.
• Oversee workforce planning, analytics, and compliance to align with business priorities.
• Present vital workforce metrics and insights to key committees, the Trust Leadership Team, and leaders.
• Champion Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure the Trust operates with innovation and integrity.

Click here for full job details

This Tuesday, St Mary's Church in Cheadle hosted the Together Trust's Christmas carol concert. Parents, carers, and staff were moved by touching readings and performances by children and young people from the Together Trust's services.

Led by Rev. George Crowder, the evening began with 'Once In Royal David's City' and included classics like 'Away in a Manger' and 'Silent Night', alongside modern favourites like 'Last Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells'. Children and staff shared prayers and poems, filling the church with holiday spirit.

Click here to read the full article

​On 18 November 2024, the government issued a press release announcing plans for major reforms to address years of neglect within the children’s social care system. 

We’ve proudly been a member of the Keep Caring to 18 steering group since February 2021. We firmly believe that all children in care should receive care where they live until at least the age 18.

As part of the Keep Caring to 18 group, we are calling on the government to end the wilful neglect of teenagers in care. 

The timeline below outlines key legal and policy developments spanning over a quarter of a century – from the landmark 1998 ‘Dobson Letter’ to councils, to secondary legislation introduced in 2023 that allows homes not providing care for children aged 16 and 17 to operate legally.  

Click here to read the full article