Avoid at all costs - Head Office Children First Employee Review

1.0
6 Oct 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good location and the holidays are good

Cons

I don’t know where to start- an extremely toxic culture, hierarchical, antiquated, bullying is rife and the turnover of staff is breathtaking. Staff are not appreciated, treated well or valued- senior management micro manage their teams, look at people’s calendars, have access to emails, threaten with extending probationary periods and on many occasions, have yelled at colleagues. Constant negativity, gossiping, blaming and unsupportive behaviour see staff members reduced to tears and many are off with work related stress or leave with no jobs to go to. It is a regular occurrence for people to go into meetings with Directors and senior management and to leave immediately- they are forced out. Not at all what I was expecting from a children’s charity- children do not come first here, senior and executive leadership teams do. This is not a kind, respectful organisation- it’s disorganised, chaotic and run by people who’ve been there for so long that they behave in a way which would not be acceptable or tolerated in other workplaces.

Explore other reviews about Children First

1.0
9 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are many lovely people and volunteers in the organisation, who are there for the right reasons.

Cons

Complete absence of stable leadership. Management are dismissive, unsupportive and dishonest. They minimise any issues raised by staff, who are then labeled as difficult or negative. No accountability by managers. Refusal by managers to document decisions, allowing them to deny anything that’s been said or agreed. Repeated instances of contradicting previous instruction or decisions, leading to confusion and discord. Managers discussing individual in open forums in a derogatory way, rather than addressing directly with individuals. Short-staffing a long standing issue, while workload continues to increase. Part-time staff and volunteers intentionally excluded from access to important information and tools, staff social occasions and training. Volunteer support actively discouraged. Absurd absence policy that treats employees like naughty children.

4
2.0
12 Jan 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great local services, frontline staff really care about children and families Good annual leave

Cons

Toxic management culture, despite frequent surveys things never change. Poor learning and development opportunities, dishonest and insincere attitude towards diversity and inclusion, teams frequently understaffed due to people quitting from unreasonable workloads/bullying. Gaslighting and manipulation from senior leaders, bullying and intimidation frequently reported by staff but never resolved. I think senior leaders believe their behaviour can go on undisputed however from the amount of staff leaving these things cannot stay under wraps forever! You would think this review, just like the many others posted here, would prompt some sort of reflection, and yet it did not happen during my time at this organisation.

2
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