T2A Transition to Adulthood communications consultancy

We are looking for a skilled and proactive communications consultant to lead and coordinate the communications work across our criminal justice programme, with a particular focus on T2A.

Background

Barrow Cadbury Trust’s criminal justice programme includes a range of initiatives focused on improving outcomes for young adults and addressing systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system. A key strand of this work is the Transition to Adulthood (T2A) campaign, which promotes a distinct approach to policy and practice for young adults. Alongside T2A, the Trust also supports the Young Adult Justice Team (YAJT) project and cross-cutting work on racial and gender justice.

T2A has made significant progress over the past decade in embedding the principle that young adults have distinct needs within criminal justice policy. However, implementation in practice remains inconsistent. To address this, we are seeking a communications consultant to help amplify our messages, promote our extensive body of research and tools, and support the next phase of our work. Further details of our work can be found at www.t2a.org.uk.

About the Role

We are looking for a skilled and proactive communications consultant to lead and coordinate the communications work across our criminal justice programme, with a particular focus on T2A. This includes managing and developing our digital presence, supporting media engagement, and helping to shape and deliver strategic communications that influence policy and practice.
This role will work closely with the Head of Criminal Justice and the Head of Communications and liaise with our wider network of partners.

Over the next year, we’re focused on four key priorities:

• Synthesising 20 years of T2A evidence into a clear, actionable vision for young adult justice, and embedding systems change across policing, prisons, probation, public affairs and public policy.
• Embedding lived and learned experience at the heart of our work through a new T2A Alliance advisory panel and group.
• Advancing racial and gender justice by challenging systemic bias and centring equity in all we do
• Driving strategic communications to support the next phase of T2A and counter harmful narratives.

Key Responsibilities

Social Media and Digital Engagement

• Develop and deliver content across a range of social media platforms (e.g. LinkedIn, Bluesky, Substack, Telegram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat), tailored to reach criminal justice policymakers, professionals, wider public and young adult audiences.
• Manage and grow the T2A and wider criminal justice LinkedIn presence.
• Liaise with funded partners and stakeholders to support and disseminate their work.
• Create engaging content including infographics, videos, and visuals.
• Monitor and report on social media analytics monthly.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and influencers online.

Website and E-Comms

• Maintain and update the T2A website and contribute to other relevant digital platforms.
• Draft and source content for e-newsletters and alerts.
• Monitor website analytics and provide regular performance reports.

Multimedia and Publicity

• Draft press releases, newsletters, and other promotional materials.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for media coverage in specialist and mainstream outlets.
• Record and evaluate media coverage and campaign impact.
• Support the development and delivery of podcasts and webinars.
• Attend and support T2A and criminal justice-related events and launches.

Strategic Communications

• Work with the team to synthesise 20 years of T2A evidence into a compelling vision for young adult justice.
• Support the integration of lived and learned experience into communications.
• Help challenge harmful narratives and promote racial and gender equity in criminal justice.

Audience Engagement

• Support audience research and analysis to inform communications strategy.
• Develop materials to increase visibility and engagement with key stakeholders.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and experience

• Demonstrable communications skills and experience. This could include professional roles, freelance work, or self-initiated projects. We welcome applications from individuals who are self-taught or have taken non-traditional routes into communications.
• Strong digital communications skills, including social media strategy and website content development.
• A particular interest and experience in social media and digital comms, including updating, drafting and developing website content.
• Experience in either the criminal justice sector or working with local or national government, policy, or mainstream media.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a range of stakeholders.

Terms

This is a minimum 6-month consultancy role with an indicative time commitment of up to 8 days per month. We anticipate an initial budget of up to £25,000 for an initial 6-month contract, with a view to ongoing work. This equates to a day rate in the region of £300–£400, depending on experience. The consultant will be expected to attend fortnightly meetings at the Trust’s offices and participate in monthly campaign management meetings online. We also anticipate this being a medium- to long-term relationship for the right partner.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering email or letter (maximum 2 sides of A4) to [email protected] outlining

• Your interest in the role
• Relevant experience
• Your daily rate (including VAT if applicable

Deadline for applications: 12 noon on Thursday 30 October 2025. We anticipate holding interviews on Thursday 6 November, with an immediate start from 10–12 November, including participation in a team retreat event in Oxford.

If you have any queries about this role, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]