Independent Federation for Safeguarding
People & Culture (HR) Intern (Volunteer)
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People and Culture (HR) Intern (Volunteer)
Organisation: Independent Federation for Safeguarding
Role: People & Culture (HR) Intern (Volunteer)
Start date: 1 September 2026
Duration: 6 months, with the opportunity to extend
Hours: 20–25 hours per week
Closing date: 24 August 2026
Location: Remote
Reports to and supported by: COO
About the Independent Federation for Safeguarding
The Independent Federation for Safeguarding (IfS) is a professional body dedicated to empowering those who protect children, young people and adults. IfS was founded to ensure every individual with safeguarding responsibilities—particularly Designated Safeguarding Leads, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads and Designated Safeguarding Officers—has the knowledge, skills, and support they need to protect children, young people and adults effectively. We provide training, supervision and support for our members.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated People and Culture (HR) Intern (Volunteer) to join our team for an initial six-month internship. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop practical experience in human resources, people management and organisational culture within a values-led safeguarding environment.
The successful candidate will gain exposure to a broad range of People and Culture activities and will have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of our organisation.
About the role
The People and Culture (HR) Intern will provide practical support across a range of HR and people-related activities. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, the intern will help ensure that our people processes are effective, inclusive, well organised and aligned with our values.
This is a developmental role, and we recognise that the successful candidate may not have experience in every area of HR. We are looking for someone who is curious, organised, willing to learn and passionate about creating positive experiences for colleagues.
The internship will provide an opportunity to develop knowledge and practical skills across areas including recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, learning and development, HR administration, policies and organisational culture.
There may be an opportunity to extend the internship beyond the initial six-month period, subject to organisational needs, performance and funding.
Key responsibilities
People and HR administration
- Support the day-to-day administration of People and Culture activities.
- Maintain accurate and confidential employee records and HR documentation.
- Assist with the preparation of HR correspondence, letters, forms and other documentation.
- Support the maintenance of HR systems, databases and people records.
- Help ensure people-related information is accurate, up to date and appropriately stored.
- Support the development and maintenance of HR processes and administrative systems.
Recruitment and onboarding
- Support recruitment processes, including preparing job adverts and recruitment documentation.
- Assist with coordinating interviews and communicating with candidates.
- Support pre-employment checks and onboarding processes.
- Help ensure new starters receive a positive, welcoming and well-organised induction.
- Maintain recruitment and onboarding records in line with organisational procedures.
Employee engagement and culture
- Support initiatives designed to improve employee experience, engagement, wellbeing and organisational culture.
- Assist with staff surveys, feedback exercises and other listening activities.
- Help coordinate internal people and culture activities and events.
- Contribute ideas to initiatives that promote inclusion, belonging and a positive working environment.
- Support the development of internal communications relating to people and culture.
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Learning and development
- Assist with identifying and coordinating learning and development opportunities.
- Support the organisation of training sessions and maintain appropriate training records.
- Help monitor mandatory and role-specific training requirements.
- Contribute to the development of learning resources and materials.
Policies and procedures
- Support the review and updating of HR policies and procedures.
- Assist with research into good practice and developments in employment and people management.
- Help ensure HR documentation is accessible, clear and appropriately maintained.
- Support the implementation of new and updated people processes.
Safeguarding and confidentiality
- Work in accordance with the Independent Federation for Safeguarding's values, policies and procedures.
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality when handling employee, candidate and organisational information.
- Follow data protection, information governance and safeguarding requirements.
- Recognise and appropriately escalate safeguarding or people-related concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Participate in relevant safeguarding training and professional development.
General responsibilities
- Build positive working relationships with colleagues across the organisation.
- Attend relevant meetings and contribute appropriately.
- Undertake research and administrative tasks relevant to People and Culture.
- Contribute to organisational projects as required.
- Take responsibility for personal learning and professional development.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and level of the role.
Learning and development opportunities
The internship is designed to provide meaningful practical experience rather than solely administrative exposure.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop experience and understanding in areas such as:
- HR administration and people operations
- Recruitment and selection
- Employee onboarding
- Employee engagement
- Organisational culture
- Learning and development
- HR policies and procedures
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Employee experience
- Confidentiality and data protection
- Safeguarding within an organisational context
- Professional communication
- Working within a values-led organisation
Regular supervision and opportunities for feedback will be provided, with support to identify learning objectives and professional development goals.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
Knowledge and understanding
- An interest in Human Resources, People and Culture, organisational development or a related area.
- An understanding of the importance of confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately.
- An understanding of the importance of equality, diversity, inclusion and respectful working relationships.
- An interest in safeguarding and the role that organisational culture and effective people practices play in keeping people safe.
Skills and abilities
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- Strong organisational and administrative skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate professionally and sensitively with a range of people.
- Good attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage tasks, prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office or equivalent digital tools.
- Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate judgement.
Personal qualities
- Enthusiastic, motivated and willing to learn.
- Curious and open to feedback.
- Reliable and conscientious.
- Approachable, respectful and collaborative.
- Committed to equality, inclusion and positive workplace culture.
- Comfortable working with sensitive or confidential information.
- Demonstrates integrity and professionalism.
- Able to reflect on their own practice and identify opportunities for development.
Desirable criteria
- Studying towards, or having completed, a qualification in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, Sociology, Organisational Development or a related subject.
- Previous experience in an HR, administration, volunteering, charity, community or office environment.
- Some understanding of UK employment practices or HR processes.
- Experience of recruitment, onboarding, staff engagement or learning and development.
- Experience using HR information systems or other digital record-keeping systems.
- An understanding of safeguarding principles.
- Experience working in a confidential or sensitive environment.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
The Independent Federation for Safeguarding is committed to creating an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from groups that are currently underrepresented within our organisation or the wider HR and safeguarding sectors.
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during the internship where required.
Safeguarding
The Independent Federation for Safeguarding is committed to safeguarding children and adults and expects all staff, interns, volunteers and associated individuals to share this commitment.
The successful candidate will be required to comply with all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures and undertake appropriate safeguarding checks and training as required for the role.
The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries, maintain confidentiality and act in accordance with the organisation's safeguarding values and procedures.
Application process:
Closing date: 24 August 2026
Proposed start date: 1 September 2026
Duration: 6 months, with the opportunity to extend.
Hours: 20–25 hours per week.
Contract type: Unpaid internship / volunteer
To apply, please submit your CV and supporting statement to Jennifer Marshall at info@ifs-safeguarding.co.uk explaining your interest in the People and Culture (HR) Internship and how your skills, experience, studies or interests meet the requirements of the role.
We particularly welcome applications from individuals who are looking to gain their first substantial experience in HR and People and Culture. You do not need to meet every desirable criterion to apply.
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