Approved social worker jobs

Position: Learning Support Assistant

Ambitious About Autism is a national charity for autistic children and young people. We stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights, and create opportunities. We run specialist education services, an award-winning employment programme, and children and young people are at the heart of our charity's decision-making, policy work, and campaigning.

(Please note, this role may not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship) 

In this role, you will work on a 1:1 basis with our autistic learners. You will provide support to learners so that they can access the curriculum whilst also promoting their independence and self-esteem through community-led activities.

School: Ambitious College, Pears Campus, Capital City College Tottenham, N15 4FY
Contract Type: Full time, Permanent (Hours: 9am – 4.30pm)
Salary: £25,837 to £27,165 (based on experience)

About the School:
Ambitious College is an independent specialist day college dedicated to supporting autistic young people aged 16–25. Our educational approach focuses on the individual at all times. We offer a highly personalised curriculum and positively support our learners to acquire new skills and take part in everyday life. We are located within two mainstream further education college campuses: the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, and West Thames College, West London.

Through a range of partnerships with local businesses, community groups, and our mainstream college partners, we also offer opportunities to learn in the community. This combined approach – personalised education, positive support, and real work experience – delivers results. It allows our young people to achieve their goals, fulfil their potential, and go on to lead active lives in their community. Ambitious College's values define how we work and ensure that children and young people with autism are at the heart of all that we do.

As part of the Ambitious About Autism team, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Term-time only role (yet paid across 52 weeks)

• A competitive salary of up to £26,502 with an increase every September

• Free healthy breakfast available every day

• State-of-the-art autism-specific training including person-centred approaches, positive behaviour support, medical training, and understanding sensory needs

• Working with experts in the autism sector with 1:1 meetings and training provided

• Eye test vouchers, season ticket loans, and a cycle-to-work scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme to help you balance your work, family, and personal life

• Continuous professional development including access to coaching and mentoring as well as e-learning and online training courses

Start date: January 2026 

(Please note, the official job title for this role is a Specialist Teaching Assistant)

Ambitious About Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious About Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are as per the job description and person specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Purpose of the Job

This role is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding individual to join the UK Youth Employer Engagement team as part of the Network Delivery Department, supporting the Summer Jobs Programme. With a focus on identifying and securing employment placements and income for The Summer Jobs  Programme, the Employer Engagement Officer plays a key role in ensuring strong stewardship and a positive employer experience of the programme and partnership with UK Youth over the next 12 months.

Key Responsibilities

Employer recruitment and income generation

• Work closely with the Employer Engagement Manager to develop and implement an employer engagement strategy, integrating both local and national approaches.

• Support the development of employer sponsorship proposals, creating a menu of different engagement levels to meet income targets

• Work with the Employer Engagement Manager and the wider Corporate Partnerships Team to collaborate on UK Youth fundraising opportunities and integrate our employer ask into our wider corporate partnerships offer

• Track, monitor and report confirmed placements in specified locations.

• Input to feedback for programme funder, the Youth Endowment Fund, on corporate partnership opportunities

• Identify and engage with regional and localised contacts to assist in sourcing placements (e.g. local business networks).

• Accurately record programme donation contributions

Employer training and management

• Manage relationships with a cohort of employers throughout the programme, including:

• Securing their commitment to provide placements and funding in agreement with the programme’s terms of reference

• Ensuring they have the information and tools to succeed within the programme.

• Act as the primary point of contact at UK Youth.

Key Internal Relationships

• Collaborate closely with The Summer Jobs Project Manager to:

• Ensure consistency and accuracy of approach and information.

• Support Local Delivery Partners to build relationships with employers.

• Attend one to one meetings and appraisals with the Employer Engagement Manager

• Work in partnership with colleagues in the Communications team to enable the delivery of high-quality comms activities that support employer recruitment.

Experience we're after

• Experience of fundraising, sales or recruitment

• Experience of working in a busy and deadline-driven work environment

• Experience of managing multiple relationships

Who we are

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened, supported, and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed and delivers high-quality outcomes. UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people.

Why work at UK Youth?

Young people are facing a complex and increasingly challenging world. There are pressures on their mental health, employment prospects, and even physical safety. Youth work is an essential tool to help young people navigate these difficulties and set them up with skills for life. But over ten million young people are currently unable to access this life changing and even life-saving resource. UK Youth brings together young people and youth workers with business leaders, teachers, doctors, and other professionals to identify solutions, provide practical support and campaign for social change. By working at UK Youth, you will be a joining a committed group of people who are seeking to tackle the systemic problems letting young people down. 

We are a value-based, passionate and committed organisation offering a friendly working environment with lots of opportunities for professional development and socialising (even for those working remotely!) from lunch and learn sessions, staff quizzes to virtual coffee meet ups.

UK Youth prides itself on being an Equal Opportunity employer and we would particularly welcome applications for this role from those who identify under one of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

We value the differences that a diverse workforce brings and are committed to inclusivity, and to employing and supporting a diverse workforce. Our selection procedures ensure that people are treated on the basis of their relevant merits, experience, skills and abilities and that no individual receives more or less favourable treatment.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Monday 1st December 2025 at 09:00am 

Provisional Interview Dates: W/C 8th December 2025

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic safeguarding specialist to be our Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) to lead safeguarding across the Diocese. Effectively as Head of Safeguarding, this is a senior leadership role with independent authority of the Diocesan Bishop, responsible for the professional oversight of safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. 

The Head of Safeguarding provides expert guidance, manages safeguarding concerns and allegations, and ensures the implementation of national safeguarding standards. You will lead a dedicated team, collaborate with senior clergy and external agencies, and ensure that safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of diocesan life. 

Some of the key responsibilities of the role include:  

Culture, leadership, and Capacity 

• Lead the development and implementation of the diocesan safeguarding strategy. 

• Work closely with the Bishop of Guildford, Cathedral Dean, Diocesan Secretary, and senior clergy to promote a culture of safeguarding excellence. 

• Support the Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP), ensuring effective governance and oversight. 

• Oversee diocesan responses to audits, quality assurance, and Safeguarding Practice Reviews. 

Prevention 

• Implement the Church of England’s Safeguarding Code of Practice across the Diocese. 

• Provide expert safeguarding advice to clergy, parishes, and the Cathedral. 

• Ensure safer recruitment practices are followed across all diocesan bodies. 

• Develop and oversee the diocesan safeguarding training plan in line with the Church of England’s Learning and Development Framework. 

• Ensure training is high-quality, legally compliant, and regularly reviewed. 

Recognise, Assess and Manage Risk 

• Lead and coordinate all safeguarding casework within the Diocese, ensuring that work is completed as required by Church of England Managing Safeguarding Allegations Code of Practice, and statutory guidance and legal responsibilities.

• Participate in Case Management Groups, supporting the chair to ensure proper case management and ensure lessons learned are shared with DSAP. 

• Collaborate with senior leaders to report Serious Safeguarding Incidents to the Charity Commission. 

Victims & Survivors 

• Coordinate responses to disclosures of abuse, ensuring timely and compassionate support. 

• Implement the House of Bishops’ policy on responding well to victims and survivors. 

Learning, Supervision and Support 

• Work collaboratively with the National Safeguarding Team and other Church of England Safeguarding Officers, attending national safeguarding events and activities as required. 

• Engage in continual professional development, including ensuring that the requirements of the National Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework for Diocesan Safeguarding Officers are met. 

General 

• Lead and develop the safeguarding team, fostering a culture of collaboration and reflective practice. 

We are looking someone who has: 

• Proven leadership and strategic planning skills. 

• A professional qualification or equivalent experience (e.g., in social care or criminal justice), with current professional registration where applicable.

• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and best practice. 

• Experience of leading/facilitating/influencing organisational culture change to develop good safeguarding practice and healthy safeguarding cultures.

• Experience in managing complex safeguarding casework and risk assessments. 

• Experience working with victims, survivors, and perpetrators of abuse. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively. 

• Familiarity with Church of England safeguarding frameworks and governance structures. 

• Commitment to the values and mission of the Church of England. 

Please refer to the attached Job Description for full details of the Head of Safeguarding 

Benefits of the role include: 

• Competitive salary within the Charity Sector 

• A 10% non-contributory pension 

• Life assurance provision of 3x annual salary 

• 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays 

• An employee assistance programme 

• Learning and development opportunities 

Ready to Apply? 

Submit your CV along with a detailed supporting statement (cover letter), outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification. The supporting statement is an essential part of the application process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. 

This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in accordance with our Safer Recruitment Guidelines. 

The Diocese take our responsibility for the safeguarding of children and adults seriously. Our recruitment processes reflect this commitment. 

We take your privacy seriously. To understand how your personal data will be processed during the recruitment process, please read our Candidate Privacy Notice before applying 

We believe that diversity is a strength. We actively welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities, particularly those who identify as female, younger, of a UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage, or disabled, as it is essential that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. 

Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date, it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date. 

Canterbury Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

We are looking to recruit a dynamic and visionary individual to join Canterbury Cathedral as a Governance Officer. Providing strategic leadership of governance across the organisation, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, promoting best practice, and supporting the effective operation of the Board (Chapter) and it's committees.

As a Governance Officer, you will ensure that the organisation operates within the legal, regulatory, and best practice frameworks applicable to the charitable, religious organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative guidance and advice to Chapter, Committees, SLT and staff members on governance best practice and interpretation of governing documents.
• Act as Clerk to Chapter and our Senior Leadership Team, ensuring agendas are focused, meetings are compliant, and decision-making supports strategic objectives, taking responsibility for communicating these throughout the organisation.
• Lead the development and delivery of the organisations governance strategy, ensuring structures, policies and processes are effective, proportionate, and aligned to the strategic plan and community values.
• Review, develop and maintain governance policies and procedures (e.g. conflict of interest, whistleblowing, risk, delegation of authority), ensuring they are up to date and prepared for audits as required.
• Produce the Cathedrals Annual Governance Statement for approval by Chapter.
• Support recruitment, induction, and training of Chapter and Committee members, fostering an informed and engaged governance community. Oversee systems for board and committee effectiveness reviews including commissioning of external reviews where required.
• Maintain statutory and regulatory compliance: ensure filings with the Charity Commission, Companies House (if relevant), and other regulatory bodies are completed accurately and on time.
• Monitor developments in charity law, regulation, and governance best practices; ensure the organisations governance practices are aligned.
• Check reports for completeness and quality assurance in terms of content and format, and dispatch agenda in accordance with agreed deadlines.

What We're Looking For

• Good understanding of charity governance, legal and regulatory requirements (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House, relevant legislation).
• Experience in policy drafting and implementation.
• Knowledge of risk management practices.
• Some legal or compliance training or professional qualification.
• Understanding of the requirements of the Charity Commission.
• Ability to collate accurate and relevant performance data.
• Articulate with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Resilient and flexible.
• Ability to influence others to achieve required outcomes.

Please see the full job description and person specification for further details.

Interviews will be taking place on the 16th December 2025 in person at Canterbury Cathedral.

For your application to be considered, you will need to complete the attached application form.