Work with us.

We are on a mission to inspire young lives and change their futures through the support we give and the values we hold.

We want all children, families and young people to become who they aspire to be and to succeed in achieving their hopes and ambitions.

Do you share that ambition?

CANW has been supporting children and young people for 130 years since the founding of Blackburn Orphanage in 1886.

We are passionate about continuing to evolve and supporting the needs of children, young people, families and communities.

Do you share that passion?

Then think about joining us at CANW. Whether you’re at the beginning of your career, or have a wealth of experience, we want to hear from you. We spend over £5 million a year to make a difference for the children and young people we support. We work with over 10,000 children, young people and families every year across the North West of England.

Current Opportunities

If you think you can help us make a difference and are interested in a challenging and rewarding role at CANW, then click on the links below to find out more about our current vacancies.

Volunteering Opportunities within Business Development Team

Reference: BD/Volunteering
Location: Wilpshire (HQ)

Role Overview:
Volunteer Opportunities within our Business Development Team at Child Action Northwest

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Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner - South Cumbria

Reference: VA187
Location: Cumbria

Role Overview:
Emotional Health and Wellbeing (EHWB), a service with CANW, offers therapeutic interventions and support to children, young people and their families. The role involves the facilitation of one to one and occasional group work to children aged between the ages of 11 and 16 years, the support is offered within a South Cumbria school. The successful candidate will be based in the school for 2 days per week during school hours. This is a rewarding opportunity, ideal for a graduate or professional to work in a supportive but challenging role, working directly with children, young people, their families and school pastoral teams. The role requires experience of working therapeutically with children or young people, experience of safeguarding these groups, completing assessments and outcome monitoring to enable individuals to reach their potential. Family interaction and support takes place by telephone, virtually or in the school venue.

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Family Practitioner - Hull & Surrounding Areas (16 hours) Fixed Term - Maternity Cover

Reference: VA196
Location: Remote
Application Closes: Mon, 26 May 2025

Role Overview:
Do you have a passion for helping families improve their life chances, keeping children safe and supporting changes which can result in the best possible outcomes? Do you have a background working with families and children, an NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification? Do you have the skills to work with those reluctant to engage? Do you have experience in producing written reports? Pro Contact, a service within CANW, enables and promotes safe and beneficial contact between separated families. We aim to reduce parental conflict and improve co-parenting relationships by facilitating conflict resolution between adults. We are a Cafcass commissioned service that offers a court ordered, short term intervention with families for 6-8 weeks at a time. The roles offers flexibility however, as the children are often school aged, we require staff to work afterschool / weekends as mutually agreed. Join our team undertaking family contact observations in the community. We offer a full induction and paid training programme and will provide equipment. We pay travel time and mileage for all your work.

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Family Support Worker - Cheshire GM and Surrounding Areas (18.5 hours)

Reference: VA200
Location: Remote
Application Closes: Mon, 26 May 2025

Role Overview:
Do you have a passion for helping families improve their life chances, keeping children safe and supporting changes which can result in the best possible outcomes? Do you have a background working with families and children, an NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification? Do you have the skills to work with those reluctant to engage? Do you have experience in producing written reports? Pro Contact, a service within CANW, enables and promotes safe and beneficial contact between separated families. We aim to reduce parental conflict and improve co-parenting relationships by facilitating conflict resolution between adults. We are a Cafcass commissioned service that offers a court ordered, short term intervention with families for 6-8 weeks at a time. The roles offers flexibility however, as the children are often school aged, we require staff to work afterschool / weekends as mutually agreed. Join our team undertaking family contact observations in the community. We offer a full induction and paid training programme and will provide equipment. We pay travel time and mileage for all your work.

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Sessional Family Support Worker - Cheshire GM and Surrounding Areas

Reference: VA201
Location: Bolton

Role Overview:
• Do you have a passion for helping families improve their life chances, keeping children safe and supporting changes which can result in the best possible outcomes? • Do you have a background working with families and children, an NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification? • Do you have the skills to work with those reluctant to engage? • Do you have experience in producing written reports? Pro Contact, a service within CANW, enables and promotes safe and beneficial contact between separated families. We aim to reduce parental conflict and improve co-parenting relationships by facilitating conflict resolution between adults. We are a Cafcass commissioned service that offers a court ordered, short term intervention with families for 6-8 weeks at a time. The roles offers flexibility however, as the children are often school aged, we require staff to work afterschool / weekends as mutually agreed. Join our team undertaking family contact observations remotely or out in the community. We offer a full induction and paid training programme and will provide equipment. We pay travel time and mileage for all your work.

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Panel Member

Reference: VA204
Location: Buckshaw
Application Closes: Fri, 16 May 2025

Role Overview:
CANW Fostering is looking to appoint new independent panel members for our fostering panel. The fostering panel will take place monthly/ bi-monthly, and the successful candidates will be placed on a rota along with other panel members. Panel sessions usually commence at 5pm and last for around 3 hrs.

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Residential Support Worker

Reference: VA205
Location: Dixon House
Application Closes: Tue, 20 May 2025

Role Overview:
To provide day-to-day care for young people aged 8 to 17 with social and emotional mental health difficulties.

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Deputy Manager

Reference: VA206
Location: Dixon House
Application Closes: Tue, 20 May 2025

Role Overview:
Deputy manager for the home will be required to support the Registered Manager in their duties and responsibilities as specified in the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015

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Head of Service - CJ and SI

Reference: VA207
Location: Buckshaw
Application Closes: Sun, 18 May 2025

Role Overview:
This is to recruit a Head of Service due to resignation in current post

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Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner - Lancashire County Council x 1

Reference: VA208
Location: Buckshaw
Application Closes: Mon, 19 May 2025

Role Overview:
Emotional Health and Wellbeing (EHWB), a service with CANW, offers therapeutic interventions and support to children, young people and their families, The role involves the facilitation of one to one therapeutic interventions with children and young people aged between the ages of 5 and 18 years (25yrs SEND), the support is offered within schools or community venues. Successful candidates will be based where possible in their locality but this role involves the facilitation of support across Central and North Lancashire. This is a rewarding opportunity, ideal for a graduate or professional to work in a supportive but challenging role, working directly with children, young people, their families and other professionals. The role requires experience of working therapeutically with children or young people, experience of safeguarding these groups, completing assessments and outcome monitoring to enable individuals to reach their potential.

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Our offer to prospective employees:

  • Salaries based on national pay scales with pay rises each year
  • Pension scheme, Medical Insurance
  • Minimum 25 days annual leave
  • Flexible working patterns where possible
  • Access to counselling, cycle to work scheme, training & development