Freelance People and Culture Policy Writer

PEOPLE & CULTURE POLICY WRITER

Responsible to: Director of People & Culture
Type of Contract: Freelance/Self employed
Start date: ASAP
Immediate start completion by: August, 2026
Duration:
Location: Remote

ABOUT US

Rape Crisis South London supports women and girls' survivors across 12 boroughs through counselling, advocacy, and specialist support services. The organisation currently operates a hybrid delivery model, including online services and the use of rented community-based spaces across the boroughs it supports.

ROLE PURPOSE

We are seeking an experienced freelance policy writer to develop, review, and refresh a suite of HR policies for our organisation. The successful candidate will bring specialist knowledge of employment law, a deep understanding of the charity sector, and a commitment to gender equality and inclusive practice.

This role is an opportunity to shape the people infrastructure of a purpose-driven organisation and to ensure our policies genuinely protect, empower, and support our staff and volunteers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Development & Review

• Audit existing HR policies and identify gaps, inconsistencies, or areas requiring update
• Draft new policies and revise existing ones across areas including (but not limited to):
  • equal opportunities and diversity
  • dignity at work and anti-harassment
  • flexible and hybrid working
  • maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave
  • menopause support
  • safeguarding and child protection
  • whistleblowing
  • disciplinary and grievance procedures
  • health, safety and wellbeing
• Develop a specific Gender-Sensitive HR Policy aligned with the organisation's mission and feminist values
• Ensure all policies reflect current UK employment law, sector best practice, and relevant charity governance guidance

Documentation & Accessibility

• Produce clear, plain-English policy documents suitable for a diverse workforce with varying literacy and language needs
• Produce accompanying quick-reference guides, flowcharts, or decision trees where appropriate to support staff implementation
• Develop a master policy register with review schedules, version control, and ownership assigned to named roles
• Ensure all documents are formatted consistently and accessibly, with consideration for screen readers, translation needs, and low-literacy users
• Format all documents consistently within the organisation's house style

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with senior HR leads, the Leadership Team, and where appropriate, staff representatives or unions
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into policy drafts through a structured consultation process
• Present policy recommendations to the People & Culture team with a clear rationale

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Proven experience as a freelance HR policy writer or HR consultant, with a portfolio of policies written for UK-based organisations
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and statutory HR requirements
• Experience working in or with the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector
• Demonstrable commitment to gender equality, women's rights, and intersectional feminist practice
• Ability to translate complex legal and HR language into clear, accessible, jargon-free documents
• Excellent written communication skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to manage own workload, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision
• Experience conducting policy audits and gap analyses
• Familiarity with safeguarding frameworks relevant to charities working with vulnerable adults and young people

Desirable

• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent HR professional credential
• Experience writing policies for organisations working specifically with women, girls, or gender-based violence survivors
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and their application to HR practice
• Familiarity with the Charity Commission's governance requirements and the Fundraising Regulator's codes of practice
• Experience working with diverse, multilingual, or marginalised communities
• Understanding of pay equity analysis and gender pay gap reporting

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit the following to our People & Culture team:

• A brief covering letter (no more than two pages) outlining your relevant experience and your approach to writing HR policies for mission-led organisations
• A CV or professional profile
• Two examples of HR policies you have written (these may be anonymised)
• Your day rate and availability

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a brief interview with the Director of People & Culture, which may include a short-written task.

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. We particularly welcome applications from Black and minoritised women, disabled women, and those with lived experience relevant to our work. We can make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know what you need.

Safeguarding Notice

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and young people. All contractors are expected to adhere to our Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. An enhanced DBS check may be required depending on the nature and level of access to organisational systems and beneficiary data.

Charity No. 1085104 | Registered company number 4113588 | ©RCSL 2025

Attached documents

PO Box 383, Croydon, CR9 2AW T: 0208 683 3311

E: info@rapecrisissouthlondon.org

W: www.rapecrissouthlondon.org