Autism jobs

Sculpt UK: Youth Programme Officer 

Job Title: Bookings Coordinator and Youth Programme Officer  

Salary: £28,860 

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours 5 days per week 

Contract type: Fixed-term contract until 31 August 2028 

Applications Close: Wednesday 25 February, 23.59 

1. About Sculpt UK 

Sculpt is a UK-based charity with over 20 years’ experience, who support young people to shape their own future. Our vision is that we live in a society where young people can be fulfilled through their education, work and participation in wider society. The need for our work is clear given the increasing problems young people face and their lack of confidence and awareness regarding their journey into the world of work. 

We run a range of bespoke programmes that work directly with young people in conjunction with partners - schools, careers hubs, employers, local government and further/higher education. Sculpt addresses interconnected areas that contribute towards our vision: Employability, Youth Voice and Leadership, and Community Action. We build the skills and experience of young people focusing on the transitions between school, education and work. In particular, we are skilled in tailoring our work to meet the needs of young people in alternative provision and those at risk of not being in employment, education and training.   

What we do and how we do it is also informed by the Sculpt Youth Advisory Board, consisting of young people who meet monthly to advise the Sculpt Board on matters such as the needs of young people, product design and programme impact. In addition, we have a Sculpt Alumni community who contribute to the development of our work. 

In the year 2024-25, we worked with: 

• Over 450 young people  

• 30+ employers and 120 business volunteers 

• 29 schools 

• 4 Careers Hubs 

• 9 London Boroughs 

1. What does the role involve? 

Sculpt UK is hiring a youth programme officer who would deliver our direct intervention work with young people with a focus on skills building around employment through our holistic work experience programmes. Approximately 75% of our work involves working with young people who have SEND or who are at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training).

Report to: 

Programmes Manager 

Accountable to: 

CEO / Project Funding Bodies 

Key working relationships: 

CEO, Programme Manager, Operations Manager, Youth Programme Officer 

People management: 

None

Operating budget: 

None 

Location: 

Based in our office in central London, with frequent travel across London 

Responsibilities: 

Youth Programme Officer: 

• Adhere to Sculpt UK’s safeguarding practices and procedures at all time  

• Deliver funded programmes focused on youth employability, leadership and youth voice in line with Sculpt UK’s delivery style and ethos 

• Lead on the Futures Unlocked programme delivery – working with 375 students across London on Free School Meals with SEND to run work experience days with a range of employers 

• Engage employers to deliver work experience days 

• Work with other Youth Programme Officers to successfully to deliver projects and support in data collection required for reporting 

• Use their experience and knowledge of the issues affecting young people to tailor the workshops accordingly to age, need and interest 

• Run mock interviews with programme participants 

• Ensure young people complete relevant entry and exit surveys  

• Undertake relevant training associated with Sculpt UK’s work included but not restricted to child protection & safeguarding 

• Contribute toward and keep up to date with Sculpt UK’s internal / external communications platform such as slack, newsletters and social media  

• Engage with Sculpt UK’s Youth Advisory Board members when invited to do so. 

1. Who are we looking for? 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience  

• Exceptional organisational and planning skills 

• Skilled at designing and facilitating workshops and working with young people who have a range of backgrounds and experiences 

• Experience working with young people in an educational or community setting 

• Ideally experience working with SEND young people 

• Confident, self-motivated and with a collaborative mindset  

• Commitment to young people and knowledge of issues affecting their lives  

• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills with the ability to create a safe and non-judgemental space, that allows young people to speak freely 

• Able to adapt and be flexible in workshops to get the best engagement from a range of participants 

• Skilled at facilitating virtual workshops and working with a selection of online portals 

• Capable to maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries with young people, peers and professionals 

Requirements  

• Hold an enhanced DBS certificate or be willing for us to undertake a check on your behalf 

• Have a recent safeguarding qualification from a recognised provider or be willing to undertake additional training in this area 

• Ability to travel - the role will require you to travel around London when delivering at schools or employers 

• Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, confidentiality, data protection and commitment to reporting concerns to an appropriate staff member 

How to Apply  

Once you have applied we will send you a few questions to fill out. 

We will only consider applicants who have submitted a CV, covering letter and answers to the questions in the form. 

Applications close on 25 February, but we reserve the right to close applications early so please do not wait until the last minute if you would like to apply. We aim to conduct interviews in the week commencing 2 March. 

The Advocacy Team Leader is a key operational leadership role responsible for the day-to-day delivery, coordination, and quality assurance of Respond’s specialist ISVA and advocacy services for autistic people and people with learning disabilities affected by sexual violence, trauma, or abuse. 

This role combines operational leadership, case allocation and triage, supervision and quality oversight, alongside holding a small caseload of complex cases. You will help ensure high-quality, trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming advocacy in line with ISVA national minimum standards, safeguarding requirements and contract outcomes. 

The Team Leader plays a central role in embedding trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming practice, supporting safe and reflective decision-making, and representing Respond in key operational and steering forums and working groups. And plays a vital role in building a culture of safe, accountable, and reflective practice and in ensuring advocacy services are delivered with care, consistency, and impact.

An accredited ISVA qualification is essential. 

This advert closes at midnight Thursday 18th February 2026 and interviews will be held Tuesday 24th February 2026.

Responsible to: Youth Services Manager

Hours: Full time 37 hours (Job share considered)

Salary: £27,500

Based: Hybrid (Bedford + one day per week in Q:alliance Head Office, Milton Keynes)

Contract: Fixed term for 2 years, with possibility of extension (subject to funding)

Closing Date: 18th February 2026 at 23:59

Interview Date: Tuesday 3rd March

Context

Q:alliance provides support, information, and representation for LGBTQ+ young people in Bedford, drawing on our wider experience delivering established services across Milton Keynes for the last 50 years.

We have detailed knowledge of the issues and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and organisations locally, and it is our goal to create more safe spaces and resources to ensure the LGBTQ+ community in Bedford is visible, well represented, and supported.

Scope

This is a newly created role within our Bedford services, delivering Q:alliance’s established youth support model developed in Milton Keynes and shaping pathways and support that respond to local need in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire.

You will manage a one-to-one caseload of support for LGBTQ+ young people, while building relationships with schools and developing a collaborative schools’ network informed by young people’s insights. You will also develop and deliver LGBTQ+ inclusion training for teachers, education staff, and youth workers. This work will contribute to safe, affirming environments that strengthen resilience, wellbeing, and mental health.

You will work closely with the Youth Services Manager and youth teams across our service areas, building on existing Q:alliance provision in Bedford, where a dedicated youth team already leads on LGBTQ+ youth group delivery.

The role includes outreach across Bedfordshire’s urban and rural communities, supporting young people who may experience increased isolation due to limited access to LGBTQ+-affirming spaces.

You will work collaboratively with the Youth Services Manager to agree outreach and engagement targets, contributing to effective monitoring and reporting systems to ensure robust evidence of impact.

What you’ll bring to the team

This role is a key opportunity for Q:alliance to grow our work in Bedford, build local relationships, and better understand and respond to the needs of LGBTQ+ young people across the area. You will play a central role in shaping a new service, reaching young people who may not yet be connected to support, and helping both staff and the board of trustees develop a strong, place-based understanding of LGBTQ+ youth experiences in Bedford.

You will act as a first point of contact for schools, colleges, and youth settings in Bedford, building trusted relationships and establishing a collaborative network of school and college leads. You will share insights gathered through this work with the wider Q:alliance team, helping to strengthen our responses to local need and inform the development and sustainability of services, including future funding.

You will help ensure continuity of support between schools, our support spaces and Q:alliance’s wider youth service provision.

Main Responsibilities

· Networking – Support teachers, education staff and youth workers to access resources, implement inclusive learning environments and provide support for LGBTQ+ young people in their settings. Develop a network of school representatives to provide peer-support on shifting needs, priorities, and situations in a local and national context.

· Data capture and intelligence - Support Q;alliance’s commitment to sustaining a contemporary data and monitoring mechanism, guaranteeing we can deliver thorough evaluations of our services and competent feedback to our funders and stakeholders on the efficacy of our work. Analyse local intelligence directly from LGBTQ+ youth communities and use this to co-produce plans with young people to ensure our youth services are engaging and meeting needs.

· Support, information and empowerment – develop and implement resources for 1:1 education and resilience work with LGBTQ+ young people, provide support and advocacy for young people, ensuring effective signposting to relevant services and collaboration with parents, guardians, teachers and education staff where appropriate.

· Innovation – work with the Youth Services Manager, school representatives and young people to innovate a schools accreditation system that will acknowledge and cultivate schools’ competence to provide safe spaces and support for LGBTQ+ young people.

· Stakeholder and community engagement – Forge and support enduring relationships with key partners, strengthening our commitment to building an alliance of cross-sector compassionate advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in its diverse forms.

· Education – Plan, develop and deliver positive and engaging classroom workshops and school assemblies to a wide range of young people, ensuring key messages are inclusive of diverse perspectives, including those from black and minoritized communities.

· Training - Develop and deliver training for teachers, education staff and youth workers with the aim of improving the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth communities and the capacity of those with the power to assist in this endeavour.

Skills and Experience

Expertise

· Experience working with and supporting young people

· Experience of developing and sustaining a network

· Ability to deliver innovative education and training packages, delivery, and evaluation

· Knowledge of the challenges affecting young LGBTQ+ people

· Knowledge of issues affecting young people’s mental health and the skills required to build resilience

· Excellent planning, organisation and administrative skills

· Expertise in safeguarding young people, ensuring welfare of all by following policy and procedures in relation to recognising, recording, and responding to safeguarding concerns and liaising with the Designated Safeguarding Lead

· Ability to observe strict confidentiality at all times with respect to matters concerning young people and the schools, colleges and youth settings in which you support through your role in the developing network

· Capable to respond to a young person in crisis, signposting to appropriate resources and support.

Communication

· A high standard of written English, including an ability to write thorough reports, make referrals to partner agencies, maintain outreach files, and record minutes of forum meetings

· An engaging and charismatic public speaking style with the ability to adapt delivery style dependent on context and audience

· Ability to adopt a positive constructive language style when talking to young people 1:1

· Confidence to communicate with relatives, guardians, social workers and related professionals or advocates of young people

· Knowledge of social media and a recognition of the role it plays in young people’s lives

Behaviours

· Skills in forming constructive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels

· Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of professional boundaries when working with young people and the importance of consistency

· Passionate about equality, the rights of LGBTQ+ people and neurodiversity.

· Evident desire to improve service delivery using co-production initiatives with young people

· An ability to listen with empathy and act compassionately

· Competence to work on own initiative and demonstrate innovation and creative problem solving

· Model conduct essential for successful teams, such as reliability, honesty and courage

Desirable

· Qualifications in youth work, teaching or mental health support

· LGBTQ+ lived experience

Other

· Full driving license and use of own vehicle

· Ability to work flexibly, with occasional evening and weekend working

· Commitment to further personal development and training

· Please note: Enhanced DBS is required for this role

The LGBTQ+ Youth Outreach Practitioner will have responsibility for the following documents.

· Contact Evaluation forms/data capture

· Monthly Outreach Report

· Resource library pertaining to our work with young people

· Network minutes (schools forum)

Apply via our website and complete an application form

A rare chance to join an incredibly supportive and inclusive employer that values hard work, flexiblity and employee well-being, and recognised by the GM Good Employment Charter! We are a small but vastly experienced team of family support/volunteer Coordinators, delivering highly respected volunteer-led home visiting support to families in the early years. 

We are looking for someone to provide direct support to families and also recruit, train and support a team of local parent/carer volunteers who will provide weekly home visiting and community support to families.

You will work  with other professionals from universal and specialist services to provide a coordinated response to families’ needs. You will assess need and risk prior to carefully matching volunteers with families or offering direct support, working as part of multi agency support, ensuring information sharing and safeguarding is at the forefront of your work. This will include instigating Early Help assessments, preparing for and attending Child in Need and Child Protection meetings.

You will have an understanding of recruiting, carefully selecting and managing volunteers to ensure they feel supported and fully trained to offer effective support to families in order to get the best outcomes for the family and in particular the children. 

You will be experienced in working with families in their own home - skilled in recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns, be apt in completing strengths-based assessments and conversations and have a deep understanding of the issues families can face and the link with childhood development and difficulties they may experience later in life.

Research Grants Manager
Harrogate, North Yorkshire

We offer hybrid working.

About Us

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.

The Benefits

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, and a whole lot more.

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Research Grants Manager, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Research and Clinical Trials, you will manage the portfolio of active Research Awards and develop an in-depth knowledge of the portfolio to support internal and external communications. This will include developing appropriate monitoring strategies for projects within the portfolio to ensure key milestones are tracked against plans, acting as a key contact point for Award holders and staff within the Charity.

As Research Grants Manager, you will support the delivery of our research strategy and progress with our strategy through engagement with researchers and collection of key data. The role includes engaging with researchers, developing and maintaining monitoring systems and data collection, and oversight of ongoing research awards and budgets.

Specifically, you will:

Research award management and governance

Ensure Research Awards are effectively managed, allocated funding is used as planned and the impact is monitored:

• Develop strong relationships with award holders and serve as the main point of contact for any issues with research awards.
• Manage funded awards, ensuring monitoring processes are fit for purpose. Monitor the progress of research awards, through regular meetings with award holders and ensuring satisfactory progress reports are submitted.
• Develop appropriate management processes for new funding initiatives.

Research strategy development and implementation

· With the Head of Research and Clinical Trials and the wider Research Funding Team, set the Research Funding Team objectives and budgets ensuring they underpin the delivery of the organisational strategy.

· Maintain awareness of the external research environment, including working with the, AMRC and relevant funding organisations such as the NIHR and other health charities and developments in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 

·  

Team collaboration, management and development

· Coach and develop the Research Funding team, whilst role modelling the values of the charity.

· Work closely with the other Research Grants Managers and provide cover when needed.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will need:

· To have a Post Graduate Qualification in a relevant subject or a degree in a relevant subject area with demonstratable experience in a charity, research or health environment, at a similar level.

· To have an in depth understanding of research funding mechanisms including peer review processes and management of research awards. 

· To have demonstratable experience of research funding and/or management of clinical research.

· To have experience of managing budgets and analysing expenditure of grant awards.

· To have experience of developing and maintaining strong relationships with a broad range of external stakeholders including senior academics, medical consultants, public health experts and members of the public.

· To have excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills with an ability to engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

· To be an experienced user of PubMed and other research literature databases.

· To have good project management skills including budget control.

· To have excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise workload to meet deadlines and coordinate multiple complex projects.

· To be able develop reports and present complex information to range of stakeholders.

· To have strong IT skills including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access) and experience in using databases.

Application

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People,  before 17 February 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us via our website.