Business administration apprentice jobs

About Spear

Spear is a national youth employment charity. The award-winning Spear Programme was launched over 20 years ago, and is now running in 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in work and life. 

About the role

This is an exciting and varied, relationship-focused role within a successful corporate partnerships team. Working with the Head of Corporate and Employer Partnerships, you’ll help manage partner relationships, develop funding proposals, track income, and identify new business opportunities to support strategic growth.

You’ll also lead corporate volunteering initiatives, creating meaningful engagement opportunities with Spear trainees through workshops, mock interviews, and visits. From planning to follow-up, you’ll ensure a high-quality experience while supporting events and wider engagement. This role suits someone organised, proactive, and confident building relationships, who is motivated to make a tangible difference in a mission-driven, faith-based organisation.

Key information:

• Salary: £30,000
• Full-Time, One Year Fixed-Term Contract 
• Location: London Office 
• Closing date: Tuesday 2nd June (We interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, establish effective processes and structures, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport and engage effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and professional levels.
• Strong and effective project coordination skills, with the ability to bring together multiple stakeholders to deliver shared outcomes.
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Fundraising experience is desirable but not essential.
• IT literate, with a good working knowledge of MS Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Welcome to Ada!

At Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent. Through the quality of education we deliver, the depth of our industry partnerships and focus on diversity, we are changing the face of the tech sector, expanding the talent pipeline and transforming lives.

We are a specialist Further Education college, where every 16-19 student takes Computer Science and all of our diverse Higher Level and Degree Apprentices work in skills shortage disciplines in innovative, blue-chip companies.

The digital skills gap is costing the UK economy an estimated £63 billion a year in lost GDP. Ada seeks to fill this skills gap by equipping young with the skills industry actually needs.

Ada was announced by the Prime Minister in December 2014; England’s first new FE College since 1993 and since then we’ve gone from strength to strength including a Good with Outstanding features in our first Ofsted Inspection.

16-19 Provision:

As of 2024, we have 187 16-19 students enrolled. Our most recent results are outstanding; 39% of A level results at A*- B and 74% achieving at least one Distinction or better in their externally assessed Computing BTEC. This makes us the best education institution in the country for this BTEC.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Across our London Victoria and Manchester Ancoats campus, we have 363 apprentices currently enrolled on our Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships. We specialise in five disciplines at present: software development, data analytics, tech consultancy, cyber security and business analysis, working with a wide range of SMEs and corporate organisations such as PwC, Bank of America, Deloitte, Clearscore, Just Eat, Capita, MHRA, Booking,com and Salesforce.

At present 38% of our learners are female, 51% are from ethnic minority backgrounds and 50% come from low-income households compared to national averages of c. 20%.

This is an exciting time to join Ada with our new state-of-the-art campuses in Victoria, London and Ancoats, Manchester. We’re passionate about building a supportive, values driven environment for both our students and staff.

Post Title: Learner Experience and Inclusion Officer

Nature of the Role: Full-time, Permanent

Reporting to: Assistant Principal- Head of Learner Services

Annual Salary: £28,000- £31,000 (DOE)

Pension: Aviva Pension Scheme

Holidays: Largely in line with local authority term dates (October Half term- 2 weeks)

Location: London Campus- Victoria

KEY ASPECTS OF THE ROLE & MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

I. Learner Experience and Inclusion

●Lead student voice and engagement initiatives, delivering a dynamic programme of assemblies, enrichment activities and student-led opportunities.

●Coordinate weekly enrichment clubs and lunchtime activities to enhance student participation and wellbeing.

●Build positive relationships with students, parents and carers to create an inclusive and supportive college environment.

●Support the implementation of the college’s inclusion strategy, ensuring high standards of student support and participation.

●Facilitate student forums, surveys and focus groups, working closely with curriculum teams to strengthen learner engagement.

II. Student Finance and Administration

●Administer student bursaries and financial support, providing guidance to students and responding to learner and parent enquiries.

●Work with Finance and Attendance teams to manage student finance processes through Applica and ensure timely bursary payments linked to attendance.

●Maintain accurate records of support interventions and financial assistance on college systems.

●Promote financial wellbeing and literacy through assemblies and enrichment activities.

III. Attendance and Engagement

●Support the college’s attendance and engagement strategy, identifying and responding to persistent absence and disengagement.

●Monitor attendance and punctuality, escalating concerns to relevant staff and leaders where appropriate.

●Collaborate with pastoral and attendance teams to improve punctuality and student engagement, including parent/carer meetings where required.

IV. Pastoral Support and Personal Development

●Provide pastoral support, advice and guidance to students, helping them overcome barriers to success.

●Contribute to safeguarding processes, reporting concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Welfare team.

●Monitor the progress and wellbeing of assigned students, implementing interventions to support achievement and retention.

●Support Sixth Form induction, enrolment and behaviour management processes.

●Develop and deliver diverse enrichment and personal development opportunities, including community projects and student-led initiatives.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education/Qualifications

●GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade 4 or above (or equivalent)

●Level 3 qualification in Education, Youth Work, Social Care, Student Services, Business Administration, or a related subject.

●Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to attendance or learner support.

DESIRABLE

●Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas, education, youth and community work, sociology, health and social care.

●Level 4 or 5 qualification in Advice and Guidance, Safeguarding, Inclusion, or Education and Training.

●Mental Health First Aid qualification.

●Safeguarding Level 2 or 3 training.

KNOWLEDGE

●Student finance/bursary processes for vulnerable learner support funding.

●Attendance monitoring and intervention strategies.

●Inclusion and widening participation.

●Safeguarding and well-being practices.

●Personal development.

●Behaviour and Attitudes.

●Using student record systems or MIS platforms (Desirable Knowledge)

EXPERIENCE

●Minimum of 1 year’s experience of working with children and young people who my face barriers to learning or engagement

●Ability to build positive professional relationships with learners/parents, carers and external agencies

●Understanding of digital learners and industry culture (Desirable)

Skills and Abilities

●Good written and verbal communication skills

●Ability to work independently

●Positive communication and listening skills

●Patience, tolerance and sensitivity

●A mature and non-judgemental outlook Enthusiasm, energy, and a sense of humour

SAFEGUARDING

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check when appointed to the post.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;
• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;
• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;
• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If there is anything in this regard that you would like to discuss in relation to your application please contact .

SPONSORSHIP

Sadly, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role, so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

Thank you for your interest in Ada, the National College for Digital Skills.

CLOSING DATE: 17th June 2026 Candidates' applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, early applications are advised.

Good Luck with your application!

ABOUT MUSTARD TREE

At Mustard Tree, we believe everyone deserves dignity, opportunity, and hope.

We work alongside people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and financial hardship, providing practical support, life-changing opportunities, and pathways towards greater stability and independence.

Our work addresses both the causes and consequences of poverty. We support people not only in crisis, but as they rebuild confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing, and take meaningful steps towards a more secure future.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role provides person-centred employment and progression support to individuals facing barriers to financial wellbeing, including homelessness or risk of homelessness. Working with a managed caseload, this role will support participants to build confidence and employability skills, and progress towards meaningful, sustained employment, further education, or accredited training.

The role includes a blend of structured employability support, responsive frontline 121 work combined with corporate partnership skills.  This role will work directly with Freedom Trainees and Mustard Tree clients, supporting walk-ins, referrals, and longer-term participants. This role will represent our values through high-quality, compassionate, and professional service delivery.

This role combines direct participant support, employability delivery, employer engagement working with the Salford Area Manager. You will work across our Eccles and Little Hulton sites, helping create meaningful opportunities that enable participants’ progression.

Key Competencies

1. World Class Welcome and Customer Service

· Deliver Work Placement and Employment service across Salford appropriate to participants’ needs, through a welcoming, inclusive, and professional service that reflects a world-class customer experience.

· Networking and building relationships in Salford with new and existing corporate partners to deliver work placement opportunities to Freedom Project trainees, attendees to structured courses/clubs, and referrals from partner organisations (JCP and Elevate partners)

· Provide tailored, 1:1 employment and skills support, including caseload management, action planning, CV development, job search, and interview preparation.

· Adapt support to meet the diverse and complex needs of participants, demonstrating empathy and resilience.

· Manage referrals and signposting effectively, ensuring participants access appropriate internal and external services.

2. Proactive in Living and Sharing our Culture, Values and Behaviours

· Consistently model Mustard Tree’s values, culture and expected behaviours in all interactions with participants, colleagues and partners.

· Promote equality, diversity and inclusion by creating safe, welcoming and respectful environments for everyone by building positive relationships, challenge inappropriate behaviour appropriately, and reflect on feedback to continuously improve practice.

· Communicate in an inclusive, accessible and person-centred way, adapting approaches to meet participants needs.

· Demonstrate professionalism, integrity and accountability while maintaining boundaries and delivering on commitments.

3. Courage in Problem Solving and Embracing Change to Meet Needs

· Identify barriers affecting participant progression and respond to reduce/remove the barriers

· Adapt quickly and positively to changing priorities, service demands and participant needs while maintaining high-quality support.

· Demonstrate resilience when managing complex situations, setbacks or competing pressures, whilst taking ownership of actions and outcomes

· Embrace learning, feedback and change to continuously improve ways of working and support positive participant outcomes

4. Confident in Safeguarding and Incident Management

· Manage situations calmly and professionally, maintaining dignity and safety for all.

· Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and incident management procedures, escalating concerns appropriately.

· Work collaboratively with colleagues, contributing to case discussions and team meetings

• Complete and maintain accurate documentation, incident forms, and risk records.
• Attend required training, supervision, and reflective practice sessions and keep up to date with relevant legislation and local statutory and voluntary-sector provision.

5. Skilled in Reporting

· Monitor progress, record outcomes, and adapt support in response to individual needs, using TreeSalt, case notes, and case studies to evidence impact.

• Signpost and refer trainees and participants to appropriate internal services and external agencies, including housing, mental health, benefits, and specialist support.
• Track participant outcomes including engagement, training completion, volunteering, work placements, and employment progression to support internal reporting requirements and funder monitoring.

6. Positive Management of Stakeholders, Partners and Supporters

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local employers, job centres, statutory services, charities, and third-sector organisations.

• Coordinate referrals and progression pathways into and out of the programme. Establish and maintain pathways into employment, education, training, and volunteering.

• Identify, develop, and maintain work placement and progression opportunities with employers and partner organisations.
• Match participants to placements aligned with their interests, goals, and support needs.

• Ensure placements are structured, safe, and provide meaningful learning and development. Escalate any placement-related issues promptly and collaboratively.

General Duties

• Work in line with organisational policies, procedures, and values.
• Support colleagues and provide cover across services and sites when required.
• Take responsibility for professional development and ongoing learning.
• Act as a positive ambassador for the organisation internally and externally.
• Contribute to environmental responsibility through day-to-day working practices.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as required.

What we are looking for.

Person Specification 

Minimum of two years’ frontline experience supporting adults, including vulnerable individuals. - Essential

Experience supporting people facing multiple barriers such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment, or housing instability. - Essential

Experience of managing varied caseloads and achieving measurable outcomes with participants. - Essential

Experience of and/or ability to build and maintain partnerships with external organisations, local businesses or employers. - Essential

Understanding of employability pathways, training provision, and labour market opportunities. - Essential

Resilient, adaptable, with flexible enthusiastic approach. Able to work on their own initiative as well as contributing effectively as part of a team. - Essential

Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, and risk management. - Essential

Good interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication skills. - Essential

Degree-level qualification and/or equivalent experience in responsible roles. - Desirable

Strong time management and administration skills, with the ability to multitask - Essential

Experienced in using IT systems including Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, and Word - Desirable 

Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle and willingness and ability to travel regularly across our Salford hubs - Desirable

Why Work for Mustard Tree

Working at Mustard Tree is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to be part of a community that is changing lives every day.

Our Culture

• A values-led organisation where compassion, dignity, and respect guide everything we do
• A supportive and collaborative team environment where your voice matters
• A place where lived experience is valued and people are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work
• A strong sense of purpose, with the opportunity to see the real impact of your work

What We Offer

• A meaningful role where you can make a tangible difference in people’s lives
• Opportunities for learning, development, and progression, including access to training and mentoring
• A flexible and supportive approach to working, with consideration for work-life balance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service), with additional bank holidays and a day off for your birthday
• Employer pension contribution
• Access to wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Perkbox

We are committed to investing in our people and creating an environment where you can grow, feel supported, and do your best work.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement - telling us about your experience and why this role matters to you.

This job description is intended as a guide and may evolve as our work continues to grow and respond to the needs of our community.

ROOTED FINANCE

Rooted Finance is a pioneering specialist debt and financial inclusion Charity based in London. We’re committed to making money and debt advice accessible, for everyone.

The people we work with come from all walks of life and so do we.

We employ advisers from all backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we are the communities we serve. We provide quality debt and money advice services to help clients manage their finances and debts, protect their essential services; and safeguard their income and priority needs. Our services have never been more needed in an uncertain financial environment.

Rooted Finance is expanding its team and is looking for a full-time Money Guidance Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive team at a pivotal moment in our growth.

We are looking for someone who enjoys providing a first-class client satisfaction and support service. You will work closely with our Advice team to ensure clients are accessing support through engagement activities and that they are able to progress their debt advice journey smoothly.

You will be the interface for advisers to ensure documentation and tasks are completed in a timely manner or the clients you are supporting. The post-holder will need to be comfortable interacting with a variety of audiences – advisers, clients and partner organisations, and enjoy supporting people to progress through their advice journey.

You will have strong administrative, research and data skills, excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, and should be flexible and capable of working independently and as part of a team.

The post holder will be part of a small team and need to be a proven self-starter. The team language is English, and Rooted Finance is an Equal Opportunities employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job : Title Money Guidance Officer

Salary: £28,000

Hours: 35 Hours per week 

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays Day of leave on your birthday Additional day of leave for each year of service up to 35 days 3% Pension contribution stakeholder pension £200 home-office equipment allowance Costco membership. Employee Assistance Programme Hybrid and flexible working arrangements available and agreed according to business needs 

Contract: Permanent/Fixed Term (subject to funding) 

Location: Rooted Finance delivers primarily an in-person service, postholder will be required to attend outreach locations/RF office. Hybrid arrangement with remote working will be incorporated where possible based on business demands.

Purpose of the Job

Rooted Finance provides client focused and impact driven services. The ability to provide first class advisory and casework services that impact individuals, and the communities they live in, is fundamental to the way in which Rooted Finance provides transparent and evidence-based services.

RF is looking for a proven self-starter to support our advice services and preventative initiatives. You’ll be passionate about working with people and committed to delivering a high-quality community engagement and support program. You’ll be adept at delivering comprehensive support to individuals within diverse community settings.

You will be confident in working with community members to grow and develop projects to reach isolated individuals. Working flexibly across dates (including occasional weekend working), times and locations, responding to project and community needs as required.

The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexibly with clients. You will be meticulous in your work, especially when supporting clients and maintaining case records for continuity of ongoing support. You will be trained and expected to keep up to date with regards to legislation, case law and policy changes relating to debt and a working knowledge of welfare benefits as directed by Line Manager.

Training and development

Rooted Finance will provide internal and external training as appropriate. Continued professional development is fundamental to the values of Rooted Finance in building capacity amongst its team members.

Reporting

The post holder will report directly to the Advice Manager of Rooted Finance

Role Requirements

This role aims to address the additional barriers and needs faced by overindebted individual, ensuring they are supported in navigating these challenges and can focus on the debt advice process effectively. As a Money Engagement Officer you will work across our various community partners, delivering money mentoring support and income maximisation services to local communities with the aim of promoting financial resilience and wellbeing. You will also provide assist in collecting essential documents and information for advisers to progress their cases. You will maintain accurate client and project records and contribute/support Manager(s) with effective project monitoring and reporting. You will capture learning to share with project stakeholders to help inform Rooted Finance’s wider approach to financial inclusion services.

Key functions and impact of the role will include;

Outreach and Engagement: Actively engage overindebted individual through various outreach initiatives such as community events, workshops, and partnerships with local organisations to raise awareness about debt advice to encourage individuals to seek help early and facilitate this through practical 121 support.

Support and guidance: Provide ongoing support needs to keep people with money worries engaged in the debt advice journey. Often people struggling with money worries have additional barriers and needs, this role focuses on the 'support function' which will be available to help people navigate barriers so they can focus on the specialist debt advice needed and offered through Rooted Finance and other support services.

Referral and Collaboration: foster a cohesive relationship to build partnerships and to collaborate with debt advice services, community organisations, and other stakeholders to facilitate referrals and ensure a seamless transition into debt advice services. Maintain strong partnerships with service providers to enhance accessibility and support for individuals in need.

Empowerment and Education: Equip our services users by providing ‘digestible’ financial education, coaching, and advocacy to help them make informed decisions, improve their financial literacy, and build long-term financial resilience. Data Collection and Reporting: maintain accurate records of all outcomes, advocacy and support provided to all individuals, diligently record outcomes to track the effectiveness of the triage process and measure the impact of the engagement efforts on increasing access to debt advice and other services.

Duties & Responsibilities: The main duties will include

1. Work closely with RF advice team in identifying client’ needs to work together to implement a holistic approach to supporting individuals.

2. Manage a joint caseload with debt advisers to ensure successful engagement in the debt advice journey, monitor progress and maintain diligent records across all systems

3. Working closely with advisers to support their more vulnerable clients

4. Delivering both 121 and group sessions to build individuals’ financial knowledge and resilience.

5. Increasing the visibility and awareness of the advice services through external events and roadshows

6. Develop and maintain good working relationships with clients to facilitate engagement in debt advice journey by explaining and outlining what debt advice offers, support to engage in attending debt advice appointment, follow up with obtaining required documents, make effective referrals for additional services and provide on-going support.

7. Draw up a personalised plan supporting clients to access and engage with the extensive range of support available in the community. Actively connect clients with a wide variety of services through signposting for additional help around health, wellbeing, housing, welfare, immigration, social support and financial advice. 

8. Identify aftercare support to help individuals increase their ability around ongoing financial capability and literacy skills and to reduce further and future financial exclusions

9. Working with, and recruiting clients to, our Lived Experience Steering Committee

10. Provide one to one/group sessions to encourage and increase engagement in the debt advice service

11. Develop marketing and creative initiatives to promote and engage with service users to increase uptake in debt advice service and increase full journey completion.

12. Ensure all project monitoring requirements are adhered to and all learning (including risks and opportunities) is captured and recorded in a timely manner.

13. Perform consistent impact measurements on project components, including undertaking financial wellbeing checks before, during and after, beneficiary engagement with RF service in a non-intrusive manner

14. Actively participate in team meetings and work with colleagues and beneficiaries to further develop the project

15. Maintain effective communication between colleagues, stakeholders and beneficiaries at all times.

16. Undertake recommended and self-identified ongoing training and development to ensure gaps in knowledge/skills are acquired to meet requirement of the role and quality assurance processes in timely manner as directed by Supervisor/LM.

17. Work to an agreed work-plan, meeting targets on time and all required KPI

18. Work collaboratively to share good practice in performance and quality improvement with fellow advisers/wider team.

19. Ensure that all services comply with equal opportunities and other relevant policies and quality standards and good practice as outlined in organisational policies.

20. Ensure all work is fully compliant with Rooted Finance policies and procedures and Quality Standard

21. Ensure data protections regulations are adhered to and office procedures followed

22. Abide by all Health & Safety at Work Act procedures

23. Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding vulnerable adults at risk

24. Demonstrable understanding and application of the provisions of GDPR

25. Behave in a professional manner at all times

26. Act as an ambassador for Rooted Finance, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity.

Other 1. Undertake additional tasks as defined by Advice Manager of RF and senior management team.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualification 

Desirable: Educated to a degree standard or equivalent. 

Essential: Relevant professional qualification (i.e.CMA Connect Money Mentor training)/ or equivalent gained through experience Evidence of continued professional development 

Skills

Desirable: Excellent understanding of the principles and current best practice in debt, financial capability and financial inclusion.

Essential: Knowledge and understanding of the welfare benefit system and experience of advising customers on benefits.Understanding and commitments to the aims, principles, values and quality standards of Rooted Finance services. Awareness of, and ability to, understand and empathise with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and disadvantaged groups living in the community, in particular barriers faced by over-indebted and financially excluded communities. Ability to use sensitive listening and questioning skills to get to the root of the issues and empower clients Ability to remain non-judgmental and apply active listening Ability to provide outstanding customer service Good communications skills – including written and personal presentation skills. Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively, and work as part of a team and be open to learning from others. Ability to manage own time and meet deadlines.High standard of numeracy and computer skills, specifically IT skills with a strong command of the Microsoft Office suite with an ability to understand and analyse complex financial and other numerical information Knowledge and experience of using case management systems to maintain accurate records Working in a small team and autonomously, experience of working in client facing role. A commitment to continuous professional development, including a willingness to develop knowledge and skills in advice topics

Experience 

Desirable: Experience of supporting and guiding junior team members (volunteer/trainee team members)

Essential: Experience of working directly in a community setting such as adult health and social care, learning support or information and advice settings Experience of gathering, providing and disseminating complex and sensitive information Experience of liaising with partner agencies; Excellent communication, negotiation and organisational skills; Commitment to working flexibly across all RF services, including evenings and weekends (TOIL applied)

OTHER:

This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check Rooted Finance is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and will process your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Please refer to our online Privacy Policy for more information on how your personal data will be processed and stored. This job description and personal specification does not form part of any contract.