Chief Executive Officer

Inspiring Lives, Changing Futures

Child Action Northwest (CANW) has been helping children, young people, families and communities to thrive for nearly 140 years. From our beginnings as the Blackburn Orphanage in 1886 to the diverse, forward looking charity we are today, our purpose has remained constant: to ensure that everyone gets the support they need, when they need it, to navigate life's challenges and reach their full potential. We are now seeking an outstanding new Chief Executive to lead our next phase of growth and development. With a turnover of £8m and services spanning fostering, family support, emotional health and wellbeing, restorative justice, and young carers' programmes, CANW is a trusted delivery partner for local authorities and commissioners across the North West and beyond. Our holistic, trauma informed approach sets us apart - combining care, therapeutic support and community connection to create stability and lasting impact for the people we support. You'll be joining a passionate and values driven team of over 300 colleagues, supported by a refreshed and ambitious Board of Trustees. Together, you'll build on a strong foundation: a recent Ofsted 'Good' for our fostering service, major national contracts with MoJ and Cafcass, and exciting developments including expanding our children's residential provision. With strong reserves and a clear strategic direction, CANW is well placed for sustainable growth - developing new income streams and growing and diversifying support so that surpluses can be reinvested directly into children, families and communities. Care, not profit, is at the heart of everything we do, and you will have the autonomy and support of the Board to shape how that growth happens.

We are seeking a collaborative and values driven leader who can balance strong people leadership with sound commercial judgement. You will bring the ability to steward a complex organisation, build trusted relationships with commissioners and partners, and shape a clear, future facing vision for CANW. While experience in children's services or regulated environments would be valuable, we are open to leaders from a range of backgrounds who share our commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of the North West's most respected children's charities. You will inherit a financially stable organisation with a strong leadership team, engaged workforce and committed trustees. From this strong foundation, you will guide CANW confidently through its next chapter of impact and sustainable growth, shaping services that improve the lives of thousands of children and families across the region.

Visit to find out more and to apply. Or, for a confidential conversation, call Anita Denton () or Chris Barrow () at Tile Hill. Closing date: Midnight Sunday 19th April 2026 To apply

To apply, please submit an up to date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact .

Applications should include

• Full contact details;
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your notice period;
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for an interview;

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email .