Learning Disability Jobs
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Outward
This year, Outward proudly celebrates 50 years of delivering high-quality support and care services to vulnerable people across London. For half a century, we have been dedicated to empowering individuals to live fulfilling lives, make positive choices, and embrace opportunities that matter to them.
Our journey has been defined by our commitment to engaging, enabling, and empowering the people we support. From supported living to activity centres and community outreach, we continue to evolve, innovate, and deliver services that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of those we serve.
As we mark this milestone, we remain as passionate as ever about creating inclusive environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
About the Role
We are looking for Support Workers for our Autism Supported Living Services located in Waltham Forest. The service is aimed at supporting the skills building needed to increase the independence of people with autism and behaviours of concern.
We are looking for enthusiastic, creative and committed individuals to join the teams. If you feel you can bring a fresh approach, some new ideas and a commitment to supporting vulnerable people to have genuine control over their lives, play an active role in the community and develop as individuals then we want to hear from you.
As a Support Worker your duties will include:
- Provide support to individuals in line with agreed support plans
- Coordinating packages of care and support for individuals and supporting individuals with reviews of support and any needs for long term care or support.
- Demonstrate good IT skills, and be able to record information clearly and professionally
- Good verbal communication skills; be able to liaise professionally with a range of external stakeholders, care managers, health professionals, other services and providers of support, and family members of customers.
- Delivering a service that promotes and supports choice, empowers individuals, helps people take control of their own support and care, and increases their independence and self-determination.
- Putting the person we support at the heart of your work, promoting each individual’s needs for independence, well-being and dignity
- Flexible approach to working shift patterns, which will include evening and weekend hours, and bank holidays.
Positive Behaviour Support
Outward Housing supports people who are known to present behaviours of concern by using the Positive Behaviour support model because PBS puts the person first.
PBS is pro-active and the main focus is getting the environment right for the individual, rather than responses/reactions following challenging behaviour and on better supporting the person through improving their quality of life.
PBS approaches are based on a set of values of enabling inclusion, choice, participation and equality of opportunity. PBS is about working in partnership with the person, their family, staff and professionals.
Existing knowledge/experience in following the PBS approach would be beneficial but not essential as we do provide extensive training. A shared value of understanding and supporting a person’s behaviour and finding ways to work with them to improve this is essential.
Employee Benefits
We value everything our support workers do for the people we support, so we provide a great benefits package:
· 25 days Annual Leave excluding Bank Holidays (Pro-rata for part-time)
· Computing scheme
· Credit Union scheme
· Cycle-to-Work scheme
· Death in Service Benefit
· Health Assured – Employee Assistance Programme
· Eye Care Vouchers
· Flu Jab Reimbursement
· Long Service Awards
· Pension Scheme
· Purchase Additional Annual Leave
· Refer-a-Friend Scheme
· Retirements
· Loans (Including season tickets and parking permit loans
· Blue Light Card
Outward is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post involves working with or having access to adults at risk and/or their records, therefore we will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Services for successful candidates. This will be fully subsidised by Outward.
How to Apply
If you think you have the necessary skills and the right attitude please complete an Application form by following the link below. Please details how you feel you meet the requirements of the post by referring to the job description.
To Apply
The closing date for all applications is on 5th February 2025
Interviews will be held week commencing on 5th February 2025
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
At Outward, we support people with learning disabilities, people on the autism spectrum, older people and young people at risk in their homes.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Job Description
Balance is looking for a Support Worker/Driver to join our Day Centre in Wandsworth.
Who you are
- You are someone who shares and is able to mobilise the charities values of Independence, Empowerment, Partnership, Professionalism, Staff Recognition and Sustainability. If you have knowledge, application and commitment to these values we want to hear from you.
- You have a Clean Current D1 Driving License.
Who we are
At Balance we are committed to empowering those we support to build independence, fulfilled and self-confident lives. We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us and who benefit from our services.
Main Responsibilities of the Job
- To provide driving support options for pick up and drop of duties at the commencement and end of sessions at our day centres.
- To demonstrate Balance values of partnership, independence, professionalism, empowerment, staff recognition and sustainability in your conduct and approach to your work
- Through partnership, support and develop peoples skills, confidence and interests as part of a multi-disciplinary day service offer.
- To support your colleagues, service managers and other key professionals to put those using our service at the centre of your daily work. .
- To maintain and update client and related operational records with an accurate and professional commitment.
- To ensure compliance with and the delivery of the charity policies and procedures particularly those related to safeguarding, inclusion and disability discrimination.
Working Expectations
- The working day is 8.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday - extra time is paid as overtime.
- Drive a passenger service vehicle.
- Attendance at training.
- Use of information technology to support your work.
Benefits of Working for us
The charity ensures the following benefits for all its operational staff:
- A baseline commitment to pay London living wage for all its front line staff.
- A commitment to training and professional development to support internal progression as part of our performance support.
- Inclusion in and contribution to the charity's pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days a year plus an additional day off for your birthday.
- Access to a range of discount schemes.
- Access to the charity's employee assistance programme.
- Access to travel card loan and bike to work scheme.
The development of services that support the independence of vulnerable people with learning disabilities and/or enduring mental health needs and the
Are you looking for a fulfilling & rewarding career?
Vibrance has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Support Worker to join our team in Waltham Abbey. You will join us on a full-time basis, working 37 hours per week and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £25,588 per annum plus benefits.
Vibrance is a registered charity supporting adults with additional needs in London and Essex.
Mason Way provides safe and comfortable 24-hour care for up to 10 people with learning and physical disabilities.
We encourage a working environment that at its core is inclusive, pioneering, and has the highest levels of integrity.
About the Senior Support Worker role:
We’re looking for a Project Support Worker who wants to make a real difference by joining a team that takes a refreshing approach to care.
As a Senior Support Worker, you will be working with service users to identify their desired activities (including new and untried activities), to research suitable community venues and to accompany users to ensure their experience is enjoyable and safe. You must be able to push wheelchairs and deliver personal care.
You will also need a good understanding of Microsoft Office & Teams and may be required to work some evenings and weekends.
Supervision of staff and service planning will be a part of your role. You will therefore need to be able to demonstrate experience of working with people with learning disabilities and a good understanding of supervision, support planning, risk assessments and evaluation of plans.
Applicants need to demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of empowerment and choice to individuals and their independence.
Skills and experience of our ideal Senior Support Worker:
- A caring, patient nature
- Have comprehensive knowledge and experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, Autism and challenging behaviour.
- Developing good practice and supporting the manager managing the service on a day to day basis including rota planning.
- Supervising, managing, and mentoring members of staff
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
- Ability to develop and review support plans and risk assessments.
- Providing personal care, administering medication and lone working.
In return for your skills, knowledge, and experience, you’ll enjoy:
- A comprehensive training programme covering core skills
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Pension scheme
- Rewards and recognition for your service
- AIG Lifeworks Work-life Assistance (24 hours)
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay
- Flexible Working Options (Subject to service requirements)
- Learning & Development
- Mindful Employer
- Positive about Disability
- DBS online applications paid by Vibrance
- Long Service Awards
To join us as our Senior Support Worker please click apply below.
Vibrance welcomes applications from all sections of the community including from people with disabilities. As users of the Disability Confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who satisfy the essential criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Frontline Partnership supports people with a Learning Disability and High Support Needs (LD&HSN) to live full and productive lives through their active inclusion within the community. Our current project initiatives include a social community café, personal development through the horticulture and baking groups, creative art and music therapy, and various supported employment opportunities, as well as ad hoc social events. We work across a number of venues in the immediate Brentwood area.
As the Chief Operating Officer, you will oversee the day-to-day management of our initiatives, ensure operational excellence, and support the Trustees in identifying and developing new opportunities for the LD&HSN community. Reporting directly to the Trustees and managing a team of approximately 20 full and part-time employees, you will play a vital role in maintaining Frontline Partnership’s mission and values.
Day to day team operations
- Work with project leaders/teams to ensure that all initiatives are appropriately staffed and funded and are operating within appropriate safeguarding and safety management procedures.
- Be the responsible person for escalation/resolution of all matters relating to the delivery of Frontline services including employees, project venues, LD&HSN participants and other external contacts.
- Recruitment and induction of new staff members and volunteers and the delivery, maintenance and documentation of appropriate training for all employees.
Governance & Compliance
- Assist in the development and review, and ensure compliance with, all appropriate operational policies and procedures and required regulations such as Health & Safety, Environmental Health, GDPR and employment rights.
- Ensure all employees complete and maintain the required Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requirements.
- Liaise with Trustees to maintain the organisation’s policies and procedures.
- Organisation of quarterly Board meetings, AGM and Companies House and Charities Commission filings.
Finance
- Lead new funding applications incorporating research, bid preparation/submission and relationship building. Also post approval reporting (Finance & SLAs).
- Work with Book-keeper to ensure that invoices and expense claims are validated/approved correctly, petty cash managed safely and outsourced payroll processed on time.
- Assist Treasurer and external auditor in preparation of monthly management accounts and annual published accounts.
- Manage annual expenditure within budget.
Leadership & Promotion
- Identify and lead positive change or improvements across the organisation.
- Grow the charity’s network of funders, community groups and support networks.
- Maintain a team and organisational culture that attracts and retains talent.
Skills and Experience
The postholder should have experience in a similar role within the charitable sector and must have a passion and conviction to making a difference within an inclusive community.
The postholder must be committed to enabling individuals to fulfil their aspirations whatever their personal requirements within a supportive and caring environment.
About You
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (caring and considerate)
- Positive attitude to problem solving and ability to be flexible
Work related
- Experience, knowledge and understanding of disability and inclusion in the community
- Computer literate
- Clean driving license and access to a car
- Good written skills
- Covering ad hoc staff vacancies from time to time
We offer experiences to people with a Learning Disability with a hunger for life in the community
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Stables Practitioner
Accountable to: Stables Lead
Salary: £12.50 per hour / £22,750 FTE
Location:Ravenswood Village, Crowthorne, Berkshire
Hours:Part time or full time up to 35 hours per week – worked flexibly during the week and weekends, dependent on service needs.
Contract: Permanent
What Norwood offer:
- Workplace Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with confidence.
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (FTE): For a well earned rest.
- Career Progression Pathway: Your growth is our priority.
- Employee Assistance Programme: We care about your well-being.
- £300 When You Introduce a Friend: Spread the word and reap the rewards.
- Access to ‘Blue Light’ discount scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free Eye test & Eyewear allowance
About Norwood:
Norwood is a Jewish charity that supports and empowers neurodiverse children, their families and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to live their best lives. For more than 225 years Norwood has provided a lifeline to the children, adults and families we support, and is an important part of the Jewish community we serve. The reason we have been so successful in doing so is due to the passion and dedication of those who work here, which is critical to everything we do.
About the role:
You'll work closely with the Stables Lead, Complementary Services Team and in conjunction with other professionals as required, to deliver equine activities within the RDA policies, procedures and governance, in response to the needs of the people using our service. This includes:
- Leading 1-2-1 and group equine activity sessions in line with the planned programme, in agreement with and as directed by your line manager
- Increasing engagement and participation in equine sessions, working creatively where required to deliver high session standards and enhance the quality of life of the people we support
- Deliver equine sessions within our facilities for the people we support and external individuals or groups
- Support the Stables Lead to generate income through delivering equine activities to internal and external people with a disability or long term health condition
- Prepare the facilities as fit for purpose by setting up equipment, ensuring facilities and equipment are safe to use and maintaining the cleanliness before and after use as according to RDA policies and procedures
- Monitor and review the progress of equine sessions for groups and individuals along with the production and distribution of individual achievement reports for the people we support, and any other reporting as and when requested by management
- Deliver programmes and encourage participation for those with a disability or long-term health conditions as individuals or from external organisations
- Provide and maintain risk assessments for each area of engagement with the people we support and ensure health and safety checks are carried out before and during delivery in conjunction with Norwood and RDA policies
- Take all reasonable care of your health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions and ensure you are fit to support the delivery of the service in line with the General Social Care Council Code of Practice, Local Authority Contracts and Norwood Policies and procedures
- Work within the quality assurance framework ensuring that services delivered meet the standards required by Norwood, external regulation and Health and Safety protocols
Essential:
- Working with adults who have a neurodivergent disabilities in a health or social care setting
- Knowledge of horse care and exercise requirements to maintain fitness and horse wellbeing
- Good literacy, numeracy and ICT skills - grade C or above in GSCE English and Maths or equivalent
- Excellent interpersonal, social and communication skills
- Basic horse care and management
- Positive attitude towards disability and the benefits of the development of the people we support
- Able to work co-operatively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team
- An understanding and commitment to Equal Opportunities
- The ability to work methodically and plan time effectively
- Willingness to undertake further training and achieve qualifications as required
- A high level of commitment and enthusiasm
- Able and willing to be flexible in approach to work and responsive to changing demands of the organisation and service users
- Willingness to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends
Desirable:
- Knowledge of safe and effective manual handling practices
- Valid First Aid Certificate
- RDA equine coaching qualification
- Knowledge of Health & Safety within an stable environment
If you are interested in this role, please apply and our Recruitment Team will be in touch.
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Due to the high number of candidates who apply to our roles at Norwood, please note we can only provide feedback following an interview, if shortlisted.
We actively celebrate everyone's different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
ILKLEY COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE
Service Manager (Independent Living Services)
£34,000 to £36,000 per annum
Full time
We are looking for someone special for our exciting and varied role of Service Manager for our Independent Living Services. You will share our passion for enabling and empowering people with learning disabilities and/or autism to have independent, healthy and fulfilled lives, be expert in care/service management and an exceptional team leader.
We are an innovative and growing social enterprise charity. Our Independent Living Services provide supported independent living and community-based support to an expanding range of clients. The Service Manager will lead and manage the delivery and development of consistently high quality, impactful Independent Living Services: taking responsibility for all aspects of effective and efficient service operations. Working as part of our management team, you will help us meet the aspirations of the service as it develops and grows.
Please see attached application pack on this advert with further details on the role and how to apply
Closing date – 14th February 2025
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Senior Digital Marketing Specialist
Are you an experienced digital marketer who wants to join a vibrant and dynamic fundraising team? Do you have experience in running paid ad digital campaigns and email marketing? If the answer’s yes, then we may have the role for you…
We are recruiting for a Senior Digital marketing Specialist who will work closely with Mencap’s Community and Events fundraising team. You will be responsible for delivering the Digital Fundraising strategy. You will support colleagues across the directorate offering guidance on campaign ideation, execution and analysis across several channels, ensuring campaigns are delivered on time and to budget, and ultimately raising vital funds to support people with a learning disability.
We are an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation and we particularly welcome and encourage disabled applicants and those from the Black and Asian communities to apply for the role as they are under-represented within the workforce.
This is a permanent full time (37.5 hours per week) role based in our London office. At Mencap we give office-based colleagues and teams more flexibility about where the work is done. We would love to see you in the office with the team once a week. There may also be large events we would love you to attend throughout the year.
What you will do day to day-
· You will lead on all digital elements of campaigns including recruitment, stewardship and conversion to maximise fundraising income vital to supporting people with a learning disability.
· You will have extensive experience of planning and delivering paid digital marketing campaigns and have excellent project management skills.
· You will work closely with the individual giving and legacy marketing teams and will be experienced in digital marketing, ideally with prior experience in a fundraising setting.
At Mencap, we’re excited to receive your application! We reserve the right to close this advert earlier than planned, if we receive a high volume of applications, therefore we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Interviews will take place in our London office from 11th February.
Benefits
As well as knowing that what we do is making a positive difference to people’s lives, you will receive fair pay and have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits as one of our employees.
· 24 days holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with long service plus the ability to buy up to another 10 days via our HolidayPlus scheme
· Service related sick pay when 6 month probation is completed
· Membership of Mencap Pension Plan to include up to 3 times salary death in service live cover AND Income Protection of 50% salary to be triggered at 26 weeks of long term sickness
· Loans for debt consolidation, bikes, computers and phones when you have been with us for 6 months
· Discounts and cashback from 3% to 30% at high street shops including major super markets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via Mencap Extras
· Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.
· Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
· Access to award winning training and development
*T&C's apply based on contract
About Mencap
We work in partnership with people with a learning disability, and all our services support people to live life as they choose. Everyone wants a purposeful job - to do something meaningful. At Mencap, we can give you that. You will have opportunities to develop as a person, colleague, leader and activist. We want to make you feel inspired to reach your potential.
Our work includes;
· Providing high-quality, flexible services that allow people to live as independently as possible in a place they choose
· Providing advice through our help lines and web sites
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Trusts and Philanthropy Fundraiser
Salary: £29,000 - £36,000 per annum (DOE) + benefits
Hours: 37.5 hours per week + Hybrid working
Type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Cheadle Hulme, SK8 6RQ
(This role may close sooner if we receive a suitable number of applications. Interviews expecting to take place w/c 10th February)
Are you an experienced Fundraiser looking for a new and exciting opportunity? Here at Seashell, we are looking for a talented individual who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of others…
About Seashell Trust
Originally founded in 1823, Seashell Trust is a nationally recognised and registered charity based in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport. The Trust comprises of the Royal School Manchester, the Royal College Manchester, bespoke Residential Care Homes, Outreach Health and Family Services that support over 8,000 people a year. We provide expert education and residential care for children and young adults with multiple complex disabilities including, profound learning difficulties,
multi-sensory impairments, mobility issues and neurological disorders like severe autism. Our fantastic services are based all on one-site, which deepens our sense of community for our children and young adults and the Seashell team.
We are currently in the midst of the largest fundraising appeal in our 200-year history which will see our campus become the national centre of excellence for the education and residential care of children and young adults with the most complex disabilities.
In 2015 we raised £10 million to build our residential care facility Sir Norman Stoller Way and in 2023, opened The Moulding Foundation building, a £25 million home for Royal School Manchester. We are now turning to the next phase of the campus development, to build a new £30 million home for our Royal College Manchester. The Ged Mason building is due to open in early 2026.
About the role
Your role will contribute to Seashell’s ambitious plans to grow income over the next five years, so that we can deliver the very best education and care for our children and young adults.
Key Responsibilities
· Raise income in line with agreed personal and team fundraising targets
· Develop and prepare bespoke funding applications for capital, restricted and unrestricted projects
· Maintain and develop existing relationships with small and medium-sized trusts and foundations and support prospecting to grow the portfolio.
· Record financial and other data relating to trusts, foundations and major donors on our CRM, in line with GDPR guidelines.
· Maintain accurate income records and ensure donations are acknowledged in a timely and appropriate way.
· Share project information, budgets and statistics gathered for appeals with the wider fundraising team.
· Ensure student information in funding appeals is appropriate and consented for use.
· Work with the fundraising team to support tours of the campus and host supporters at Seashell fundraising events on occasional evenings and weekends.
What you will need for the role:
· Previous experience in a fundraising role for a charitable organisation.
· Demonstratable track record of income generation through trust and foundation fundraising.
· Knowledge of technology and IT Systems, including Microsoft Office and CRMs.
· Experience of financial management including developing income spreadsheets and raising invoices.
· Excellent communication and relationship development skills.
· Enthusiasm and commitment to giving the children and young adults at Seashell the best opportunities.
What we can offer you:
Our detailed 2-week induction program ensures that all Seashell employees gain the essential knowledge to work within our amazing setting. With our commitment to ongoing training and development through appraisals and supervisions we encourage career progression and development throughout the business.
Other benefits include:
- Use of our on-site gym, fitness classes, and state of the art swimming pool
- Employee discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free on-site parking
- Employee recognition and reward Summer and Winter events.
- Paid Enhanced DBS
If you have any questions about the role or would like to speak to a member of our Recruitment team before submitting your application, please get in touch!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
ILKLEY COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE
OUTSIDE THE BOX
Assistant Manager (OTB Choices)
c. £30,000 per annum
Full time
“Coming to Outside the Box is the best part of my week”
We are looking for an Assistant Manager who has the expertise and passion to positively change the lives of people with a learning disability/autism. Working in our Outside the Box services management team, you will help plan, manage and develop our dynamic portfolio of inclusive education, training, creative, health and employment support services. The role is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for a highly-motivated person, with relevant knowledge and experience, who is keen to develop and make an impact within an innovative, growing local charity.
Please refer to our application pack with further details on the role and how to apply
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Barnet Mencap has been helping people with learning disabilities and/or autistic adults in the London Borough of Barnet for over 50 years. We provide supported accommodation, leisure and learning activities, information, advice, and guidance, and so much more. All while being committed to equal opportunities and the safeguarding of children and adults.
We know job satisfaction, flexibility, work/life balance, and a great team are incredibly important. So, at Barnet Mencap, in addition to offering 30 days of annual leave per year (including Bank Holidays), we have a TOIL system to allow flexible working, and our team can benefit from other perks including the Blue Light Card. There will need to be face-to-face work, but there will also be opportunities to work from home and/or have different working patterns as agreed by your manager.
We are looking for a focused individual to join our caring, passionate, and diverse team in offering information, advice, and guidance to our service users. This role gives challenge and satisfaction and will suit someone that has:
- an understanding of the issues faced by people with a learning disability and/or autistic adults
- excellent communication and literacy skills
- experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and/or autistic adults
- the ability to strongly advocate for our clients
The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with Section 115 of The Police Act 1997.
St Sidwell’s Community Centre
We are a community centre in the heart of Exeter giving a warm welcome regardless of background, ability or circumstance. We offer a wide programme of activities, events and services for the local community.
At the heart of St Sid’s is our volunteering and work-experience programme, which provides opportunities across all areas of our work. We run a community café, a bakery and a cookery school; we grow vegetables and look after one of the few large green spaces in the city centre; we offer affordable meeting rooms and venue hire; free English for Speakers of Other Languages classes; and provide a wide range of additional support to the local community.
St Sidwell’s is open to all, but we specialise in working with people facing barriers to participation including people experiencing long-term unemployment; people with disabilities; people with convictions; people experiencing mental health problems; people with English as an additional language; refugees and asylum seekers; people experiencing addiction; and those who are homeless or vulnerably housed.
Background
Over the past few years there has been increasing demand for volunteer placements within the organisation alongside a growing need for a wide range of support within the community. We want to build and develop our offer to meet the needs of the community in a financially sustainable way. Thanks to support from The National Lottery Community Fund – we are now able to hire a person to a new role to help grow and reshape our volunteering and support programmes, helping to better meet the needs of our community and making our work more resilient for the future.
Role description
Key responsibilities
The purpose of this role is to lead the development of our Volunteer and Support programmes to:
- Provide a greater number of meaningful volunteering opportunities within the Community Centre
- Increase and enhance our support and training for all volunteers
- Ensure there is a clear, consistent and sustainable support offer for the local community
- Design and establish new Support Volunteer roles, to help provide increased support for the community, as well as increased volunteer opportunities
Volunteer Programme Development
- Set up volunteer working groups and committees to ensure the voice of a wide range of volunteers and potential volunteers is always integral to project development
- Lead the design and development of new volunteer roles within the organisation, in particular a range of roles focused on supporting others (Support Volunteers)
- Work with volunteers and staff across the organisation to identify training needs, design and embed appropriate training and induction for volunteers
- Support design and delivery of new volunteer pathways, including structured and/or accredited training enabling volunteers to develop in the ways they want to e.g. moving onto employment or education, supporting others or learning new skills
- Ensure volunteers are recognised and achievements are celebrated
- Ensure a consistently inclusive and compassionate approach to volunteers
Community Support Development
- Conduct a strategic assessment of ongoing support needs of centre users
- Creation of clear framework for support offered within the community centre by staff and volunteers
- As above, development of new Support Volunteer roles providing support to others including: peer mentors sharing lived experience; skills-based support e.g. IT; wellbeing and 1:1 listening support
- Facilitate other organisations providing support from within the Community Centre
- Development and implementation of partnership-based volunteer roles
Overarching project and organisational development
- Work collaboratively and proactively with key partners and stakeholders to improve volunteering and community support across organisations
- Develop new partnerships to improve outcomes for our beneficiaries and improve access to services
- Embed a framework for trauma-informed and compassion focussed ways of working within the organisation
- Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework, support project staff to collect monitoring data and evaluate the programme for continuous improvement
- Report to funders
- Work with the Centre Manager on developing a sustainable funding model for the programme and contribute to funding applications as required
- Contribute to organisational strategic development and innovation
Safeguarding
- Safeguarding Lead for the organisation
Staff management and relationships
- Manage the Volunteer Coordinator and Mental Health, Support and Wellbeing Lead. Potential to add management of Gardening Lead in Programme Year 2.
- Identify staff training and support needs
- Work collaboratively with team members from across the organisation to ensure effective project development and implementation
- Responsible to Centre Manager
Additional duties
- Attend team meetings and participate in community centre events
- Participate in training as required for the role and by the organisation
- Promotion of environmental sustainability throughout the project
- Any other duties as required by St Sidwell’s Centre
Person specification
Essential
· Minimum two years’ experience working with volunteers
· Experience working with people experiencing barriers to participation (see background description above)
· Strong understanding of community mental health needs and challenges and the support services available locally and nationally
· Understanding of trauma and compassion-informed approaches
· Experience designing and facilitating training
· Strong written and verbal communication skills and confidence communicating with people from a wide range of backgrounds and with people who have English as an additional language
· Project management experience, including budget management
· Ability to work effectively within a team
· Ability to effectively manage time and workload
· Experience implementing a monitoring and evaluation framework and keeping accurate records
· Experience reporting to funders
· Understanding of and commitment to confidentiality and data protection
· Strong IT skills including Word and Excel
· Strong commitment to our organisational values particularly equality, diversity and inclusion
· Willingness to undertake additional formal training and self-directed learning
Desirable
· Personal experience as a volunteer
· Experience working in the field of mental health and wellbeing support
· Evidence of training, CPD or qualifications relevant to the role
· Experience of providing supervision / 1:1 support to colleagues
· Experience writing successful funding bids
· Experience developing a monitoring and evaluation framework
· Experience developing income generation activities within a charity or social enterprise setting
· Skills in conflict resolution, de-escalation and non-violent communication
· An interest in and understanding of social justice and community development
Contract and employment terms
· £31,560-£33,392 (pro rata) depending on experience
· 22.5 hours / week (0.6FTE)
· 33 days holiday per year (including bank holidays) pro rata, with additional day added for every year of service (to a maximum of 5 additional days)
· Lunch in our community café on working days
· Statutory pension contributions
· Contract will be on a 3-year fixed term basis, with possibility to make the role permanent subject to project development and funding
· Role is subject to an enhanced DBS check
This role is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Use your leadership skills to help us be a beacon of what social care, life with learning disabilities, and a more human society can be.
About Us
L’Arche is a worldwide federation of people, with and without learning disabilities, working together for a world where all belong. We believe that people with learning disabilities have much to teach us and contribute to the world.
In the UK there are 11 Communities where 300 adults with learning disabilities and 700 staff and volunteers create vibrant places of welcome, belonging and celebration. L’Arche Communities are incubators for a model of change: mutual relationships lived across differences like disability, ethnicity, and faith traditions and a mutual mission to be a beacon of what social care, life with learning disabilities and a more human society can be.
Within the context of shared life together, each of our Communities also offers high quality, person-centred support for our members with learning disabilities enabling them to lead fulfilling and empowered lives.
Context
Over the last decade L’Arche has transformed from a network of local Communities with a largely volunteer workforce to a unified and professional organisation. We have built a cohesive national entity, with governance and management centred in a talented National Leadership with oversight from a committed and supportive National Board. As a result, we have weathered covid, the cost of living crisis and the quality of our care and support is better than ever before.
The Role
We now seek a leader who can help realise the L’Arche 2030 plan for brilliant care, beautiful community and effective organisation. This will involve enabling and empowering the excellent National Leadership Team, strengthening and developing rigour in our commercial model, and translating our 2030 plan into a well-sequenced and well-resourced set of initiatives.
The Person
It will require a commercially savvy leader of integrity, conviction and empathy. You will ideally bring some knowledge of social care and have outstanding strategic and communication qualities. And you will be thirsty for our mission and values as the role will ask more of you and change you more than any other role you have encountered.
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. For more details please see the job pack attached. Applications to be received by 18th February.
Our inclusive communities challenge people to think differently about disability