Call specialist jobs in Leeds, west yorkshire
Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?
Do you have experience of successful delivery of safeguarding strategies and initiatives?
Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard through a profound commitment to safeguarding, protection and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults?
Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our team to Act as the expert organisational designated safeguarding lead (DSL) for all work
covering children, young people (CYP) and adults in equal measure. Your role will be homebased but may require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes nationally to meet with stakeholders; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.
About us
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.
We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most. For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.
About you
You will have at least 2 years’ experience of working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead with line management responsibility, developing, implementing and evaluating of CYP and Adult safeguarding policies, procedures, and training programmes, reflecting current legislation and best practices.You will also have demonstrable experience in leading, managing, influencing diverse teams on safeguarding, focusing on developing a positive culture and promoting continuous professional development.
You should have experience in managing complex safeguarding cases, including conducting risk assessments, deciding on immediate actions, and coordinating with external agencies and key stakeholders.
How will you make a difference?
You will be called upon internally and/or by external bodies as a source of organisational expert knowledge.
You will provide leadership and accountability for the advancement of safeguarding best
practices.
You will work resourcefully and collaboratively across agencies and adapt child protection systems to address risks in diverse social environments as part of a contextual safeguarding approach, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people, vulnerable groups and adults alike.
Benefits
28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service
5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution
Salary sacrifices pension scheme
Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)
Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc
24/7 Employee Assistance programme
Access to remote counselling service
Paid Disability Leave
Paid compassionate Leave
Home Working Allowance
Support with continuous professional development
Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development
Personal Development Plans
How are staff supported to work remotely?
VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.
When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).
VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.
Equality and Diversity
VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.
VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This new role at Young Sounds UK will lead on securing grant income from and coordinating relationships with Trusts and Foundations. This will include identifying and researching funders, submitting compelling applications and completing timely and accurate reports.
You'll need to be comfortable with managing budgets, using CRMs, and demonstrating our impact through writing case studies that bring our work to life. You'll also need to have excellent communication and relationship building skills, and be organised, flexible and with a great attention to detail.
We're looking for someone who has at least three years experience of fundraising in a charity, especially if they’ve focused on fundraising from Trusts and Foundations, and who is looking for an opportunity to take the next step in their career.
For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.
The closing date for applications is Monday 19 January 2026 at 12 noon.
About Young Sounds UK
Young Sounds UK exists because musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. We’re here to change this in two key ways:
- We support young musicians from low-income families with funding and other help
- We support music education through training, advocacy and research.
Established in 1998 we work across genres and across the UK. Our four programme areas are:
- Discover: training teachers in how to spot young people’s musical potential
- Connect: targeting and sustaining young people’s emerging talent through strategic support
- Thrive: funding young talent UK wide through annual grants and tailor-made help for individual musicians
- Innovate: leading new thinking and action on talent development
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Social Investment Business:
By providing finance and support, at SIB we enable charities and social enterprises to exist, grow and thrive. We have disbursed nearly £0.5bn to thousands of organisations since 2002. Our team believes in the power of the social economy, champions the charities and social enterprises we support - and we are all working together to build a more equal society.
It is a hugely exciting time to join the organisation. We are growing, investing in our expert team, and building on the successes of the last few years.
Our values are: People First, Curious, Bold, Collaborative, Accountable
For further information on what it is like to work with us and our generous benefits please visit our website.
About this role: Reporting to the Deputy CEO, the Head of Business and Market Development will build on SIB’s existing research and findings on market scope and scale, organisational financial resilience, the cost of capital and fund financial modelling to support the delivery of SIB’s ambitious new strategy, and hit our business development targets as part of an ambitious growth plan. This new post will develop SIB’s work and the rigour and robustness of our market and financial analytics in order to grow the organisation, the amount of investment under management and the annual disbursement of grant funds.
Key responsibilities
1. Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO support the delivery of ambitious growth targets under the new strategy.
2. Oversee the regulatory transition to FCA regulation for a defined number of SIB subsidiaries, drawing together the relevant internal documentation, working with the FCA – and any specialist retained consultants – to ensure that SIB is quickly and effectively accredited.
3. Work with the CEO and Deputy CEO to advance SIB’s applications for capital from Public Finance Institutions including the National Wealth Fund.
4. Working with the wider BD team, draw on market and financial modelling that incorporates existing data on SIB’s customers across its funds (using e.g. IMD, turnover, assets, age, business model) to develop excellent bids and tenders for new grant funds and to structure successful investment raises.
5. Oversee the reporting of all funds managed through the SIB group subsidiaries to their investors. This should include quality control of regular analytics, KPIs and case studies, regular catch up calls with investors and occasional presentations remote and in person.
6. Oversee the regularity and quality of analytics of SIB’s enterprise level impact to provide a consistent snapshot across all funds, including for SIB’s internal subsidiary board meetings.
7. Work with the Market and Financial Analyst to develop a strategic approach to financial modelling of funds. This should include an approach to cost base calculations (taking into account variability in disbursement rates, portfolios under management, loan vs. grant, capital vs. revenue, pace and automation), consistent treatment of interest payments, management and administrative fees and internal investment. The base model should be able to inform forward planning and business development, as well as serve to stack up the financial viability of BD opportunities as they arise.
8. Work with the Systems and Data teams to ensure that the base model is embedded within SIB’s operations and informs fund and programme management.
9. Lead a horizon scanning function that effectively drives comparative benchmarking against competitor / peer organisations.
10. Oversee the team’s work with the Finance and Governance teams to ensure that market analytics include effective customer feedback, collected regularly and embedded in key performance indicators.
11. Alongside the Deputy CEO and the wider Data, Insights and Advocacy team, oversee the delivery of the annual impact report, bringing colleagues together to identify key findings and deliver each report. Ensure that the impact report reflects market analytics, providing context that identifies SIB’s leadership and place within the wider sector.
12. Oversee the management – as needed – of any external consultants working on more complex financial models / additional research and learning that contributes to market or business development.
13. Alongside the Deputy CEO and the wider BD team, design and facilitate general learning sessions and programme specific learning sessions with small and large groups, this may include partners, customers and the SIB Board as well as colleagues. Elicit learning from these sessions, share findings and support your colleagues to integrate action points into our systems. This learning approach should particularly reflect how customer need / satisfaction is met by different fund and programme structures.
14. Line manage the Market and Financial Analyst, Marketing Manager and BD Manager.
15. To work in line with the organisation's values, principles and processes to achieve operational excellence.
16. To adopt our continuous improvement and learning ethos
17. To support and embed equality, diversity and inclusion into day-to-day behaviours and activities within your role as well as contributing more widely across SIB’s commitment to E, D & I
18. To support and contribute to the implementation and delivery of SIB’s strategy
19. In agreement with manager to undertake other tasks and work on cross team projects that support the objectives of SIB as required
Core competencies
- Familiarity with raising investment
- Experience of managing a high functioning business development team achieving strategic objectives
- Knowledge of financial analytics
- Excellent excel skills
- Excellent writing skills
- Excellent project management to tight deadlines
- An understanding of how to share research and data analysis with audiences of mixed experience
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire teams across functions to work in an integrated way
- Strong planning skills and an ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and meet deadlines
- Excellent IT skills and the ability to learn new programmes quickly
Desirable competencies
- Understanding of FCA regulation
- Prior experience of working in a regulatory environment
- Understanding of the UK charity and social enterprise sectors
Education / Professional experience
Team leadership experience
We believe in the power of the social economy to build a more equal society.
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!
We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!
This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the East Anglia region.
As the Community Fundraiser covering East Anglia you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK. Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1.5 million.
- Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
- Do you live in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk?
- Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?
Have you answered Yes to these questions?
Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start?
If you are excited to learn more about this position, please take a read through our recruitment pack which is attached in this advert.
If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome your application. We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!
We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.
We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.
To find a cure for all types of brain tumours To increase the UK investment in brain tumour research
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you enjoy building strong relationships and helping others achieve their fundraising goals?
At the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, we are looking for a Relationship Fundraiser to join our team on a 10-month Fixed Term Contract. This is a fantastic opportunity where you will help strengthen connections with individuals, local businesses, and our branches and groups face-to-face across the region. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference by supporting fundraisers, delivering events, and ensuring every supporter feels valued.
This is a home-based role with travel requirements across: Lancashire, Manchester and South & West Yorkshire.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver community and local business fundraising events in your region.
- Provide a tailored supporter journey through a range quality communications including meetings, calls and emails.
- Support our branches and groups to grow income from local events, trusts, and corporates.
- Build strong relationships to maximise fundraising potential and engagement.
- Ensure funds are processed accurately and on time.
- Collaborate with the wider community team to maintain consistent processes and accurate CRM records.
- Represent the Association at events, presentations, and local media opportunities.
- Ensure all fundraising activities comply with law, best practice, and internal policies.
About You:
- Experience in community fundraising or relationship management.
- Experience coaching and motivating people.
- Confident using CRM databases with knowledge of GDPR.
- Inclusive and respectful of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Passionate about inspiring supporters to reach their fundraising goals.
- Strong communication skills with tact and diplomacy.
- Excellent attention to detail across written and verbal communication.
- Track record of working to income targets.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends when required.
- Full clean driving licence.
About Us:
Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.
What We Offer:
- 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
- Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
- 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
- Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
- Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
- Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
- Enhanced pension scheme.
- Opportunities for training and personal development.
- Hybrid working.
The full job description and further information about working for the MND Association is available in the candidate pack.
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.
As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.
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!
Closing date for applications: 03 February 2026, 11.59 PM (GMT)
Organisation: Scriptoria Sustainable Development Solutions
Location: Remote or Hybrid (London office)
Salary: £25,396.80 per year (pro rata), paid monthly
Experience: No experience required
Degree needed: 2:1 or first-class honours
Start date: ASAP
Who we are
Are you a high performer who wants to learn more about data, software and digital projects? Are you looking for a paid internship with a value-driven company focused on international development, climate change and poverty reduction? This is your chance to work with a small and fast-paced team working to make the world a better place through their digital systems and data management and analysis services.
What we're looking for
We are looking for a quick-thinking, organised, insightful and analytical intern to join our consulting team. As an ethical organisation, Scriptoria does not believe in unpaid labour, so this position is a paid role with the real opportunity to turn into a full-time job for the right candidate. You won’t be doing coffee runs or endless photocopying, you will be a pivotal part of the team making a serious contribution to the work we do.
You will have at least a 2:1 or first-class honours degree and your English language, writing and communications skills will be excellent. An interest in sustainable development with the desire to create a positive change in the world is essential. A science-related degree could be beneficial, and a Master’s degree is an advantage but not essential.
Your role as an Intern in our Consulting Team
As a member of the consulting team (after sufficient training) you will be given the opportunity to work on some of Scriptoria’s exciting international consulting projects alongside senior team members. The work will be varied and will involve working closely with our team of developers to conceptualise and design our specialist project-management software for international development and research organisations. You will therefore have excellent communication skills to translate the needs of the clients into actionable instructions for the data team. As an individual, you need to see data science and technology as tools for problem solving and enjoy the analytical and “detective” work involved in applying them.
· Salary: Annual gross salary of £25,396.80 per year (pro rata), paid monthly
· Location and hours: Home (UK only) or office-based in South London. Our standard working hours are 8.30am to 5.30pm every day with one hour for lunch (1pm to 2pm).
· Annual leave: 33 days’ holiday pro-rata in each complete calendar year including statutory and public holidays
· Sick pay: Up to 5 days’ paid sick leave per year, after which the UK government’s Statutory Sick Pay scheme will apply
· Pension: Pension contributions: 3% employer’s and 5% employee’s contribution (employees can contribute more if they wish)
This internship is full time (40 hours a week), five days per week for a six-month period, with an initial one-month probation. Our intern will be given regular reviews to track progress and a formal assessment after 1 and 3 months.
Flexible working location
Our staff have the choice about whether to work from home in the UK or from our office in Tooting, SW London, or a mixture of both, during regular operational hours. If working from home, staff must have a working environment suitable for holding video-call meetings with clients.
Wherever you work, you will interact regularly with senior team members to gain new skills and exchange ideas.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Ripple Pond supports adult family members of physically and/or psychologically injured British Armed Forces personnel and veterans.
We value your individuality, skills, professionalism, and passion for making a difference in this role.
We don’t measure candidates by age, gender, background, accent, community, sexual orientation, or heritage.
We understand that few people will arrive fully equipped to meet every requirement of this role on day one.
What matters is that you are an excellent communicator- someone who listens well, manages time effectively, and demonstrates resilience.
You must be comfortable discussing challenging topics, this includes facilitating conversations around issues like addiction, mental health, suicide, menopause, domestic abuse and the complexities of family life.
Please note: The Ripple Pond is more than a charity - it’s a dynamic, supportive community that transforms lives. We thrive on care and exceptional communication, and we need someone who shares these values.
Key Responsibilities:
- Onboarding new Members (service users), understanding their needs, and providing tailored support.
- Delivering services primarily online/remotely, with occasional travel for networking, building partnerships, and attending events or meetings.
What We Offer:
As an organisation committed to accessibility, inclusion, and social mobility, we’ll support your well-being and professional development throughout your employment.
You will have access to our Employee Assistance Programme throughout your employment.
Encouragement to Apply:
We view applicants as well-rounded individuals. If this role resonates with you but you’re concerned about gaps in your CV, qualifications, or experience, we encourage you to apply. We care about your potential as much as your background.
NOTE: Please ensure your covering letter explains how you meet the roles requirements as outlined in the Job Description and Person Specification Document (Attached)
• Applications close: Thursday 15th January 2026
• Short-Listing: Friday 16th January
• Online Interviews (via MS Teams): Week commencing 19th & 26th January
Supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically injured British Armed Forces personnel and veterans


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Purpose of the role
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure BDC Mind delivers high-quality mental health services, achieves organisational sustainability, and fosters a culture aligned to the charity’s values.
The CEO works closely with the Board to set strategic direction, leads the Executive Leadership Team, ensures effective governance and financial stewardship, and represents BDC Mind across local, regional, and national forums.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Courageous Leadership
1. Lead the development and implementation of the organisational strategy.
2. Build trust and confidence with the Board, ELT, staff, and external partners.
3. Provide transparent and values-driven leadership aligned to BDC Mind’s mission.
4. Build strong, productive relationships with commissioners, funders, strategic and corporate partners.
5. Engage in media engagement, advocacy, and public speaking responsibilities.
Innovation, Growth & Sector Influence
6. Foster a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement.
7. Develop new or enhanced service models, including pilots and strategic partnerships within Bradford and Craven and across West Yorkshire.
8. Position BDC Mind as a leading service provider for current and emerging mental health needs through identifying service gaps and opportunities.
Delivering High-Impact Services
9. Ensure services deliver measurable, high-quality outcomes for people and communities.
10. Embed Service Member voices at the heart of Service developments.
11. Oversee service performance, quality assurance, and impact reporting.
Building an Inclusive and Diverse Culture in line with our Antiracism Commitments
12. Drive the delivery of our commitments to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Anti-Racism and the Patient Care Race Equality Framework (PCREF)
13. Promote a culture of inclusion, psychological safety, and respect across the organisation.
14. Strengthen workforce diversity and embed anti-discriminatory practice.
15. Ensure services are accessible, inclusive and culturally competent.
Inspiring, Supportive and Accountable Leadership
16. Provide clear, motivating leadership to the ELT and wider workforce.
17. Promote staff wellbeing, professional development, and collaborative working.
18. Ensure effective line management, appraisals, and succession planning across ELT.
19. Communicate consistently, openly, and effectively with all members of the workforce, Maintaining visibility and accessibility across teams and services.
Governance, Finance, Safeguarding & Risk
20. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
21. Maintain robust safeguarding practices for children and adults at risk.
22. Oversee robust health and safety procedures and risk assessments.
23. Ensure strong governance, effective decision-making, and accountability across the organisation.
24. Maintain robust organisational risk management processes.
25. Support the Board’s effectiveness through high-quality reporting and engagement.
26. Ensure strong financial controls, financial planning, management, and statutory compliance.
27. Drive income generation and diversification of funding streams for long-term financial sustainability.
General Duties
28. Foster and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, facilitating effective communication channels.
29. Lead the team ensuring all key people processes are engaged with meaningfully to enable strong performance and transparent communication, addressing issues proactively and sensitively should they arise and in alignment with our aims, policies, core values and Employee Handbook.
30. Fully participating in all relevant training to develop and maintain your performance in the role.
31. Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to our values: Caring Always, Working Together, Supporting Everyone, Enabling All and Continually Improving.
32. Performing other duties as reasonably required within the role.
It is BDC Mind’s policy to make reasonable adjustments to enable those with disabilities to undertake the above. We are committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion, and the importance of lived experience as a source of knowledge and expertise. Our values are:
Person specification
Bradford District and Craven Mind is committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion and lived experiences when recruiting our staff and volunteers.
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
· Senior leadership experience within one or more of health, social care, charity, or related sectors.
· Strong understanding of mental health services and challenges faced by service users.
· Knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding, quality standards and regulation.
· Good financial literacy and experience overseeing budgets and financial strategy.
· Strong understanding of EDI principles and inclusive leadership.
· Engaging with a Board of Trustees.
Desirable
· Relevant degree or professional qualification (e.g., management, social care, health).
· Knowledge of commissioning, procurement, and tendering processes.
Leadership Skills & Behaviours
Essential
· Courageous, transparent, values-driven leadership approach.
· Ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing teams.
· Strategic thinker capable of turning vision into deliverable plans.
· Skilled communicator and relationship-builder internally and externally.
· Effective decision-maker, particularly in complex and challenging situations.
· Commitment to equity inclusion, diversity, and psychologically safe working environments.
· Collaborative and partnership-oriented working style.
· Person-centred leadership, able to exercise discretion.
Experience
Essential
· Senior paid role with a charity of turnover of more than £3.5 million.
· Demonstrable experience in strategic planning, organisational development, and change management.
· Delivering organisational strategies and measurable outcomes.
· Managing growth, innovation or service transformation.
· Strong financial acumen including overseeing financial sustainability, compliance, budget management and income generation.
· Excellent communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement skills including Representing organisations publicly and influencing stakeholders.
· Experience of working within a wider system of charities and infrastructure.
Desirable
· Experience of working within a federated or charity network.
· Leadership experience within mental health or wellbeing services.
· Demonstrable commitment to Anti-Racism.
· Evidence of public policy influence.
Personal Attributes
· A strong passion for the mission of BDC Mind and alignment with our values, including inclusion for all
· Resilience and the confidence to challenge constructively.
· Ability to foster trust, credibility and positive relationships.
· Passion for improving mental health outcomes across communities.
· Commitment to learning, improvement and reflective practice.
Additional Information
· The CEO may be required to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends.
· Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
To make the best possible difference to the mental health and wellbeing of the greatest number of people.



Salary: £65,000–£75,000
Hours: 37.5 per week
Location: Barnsley Hospice (Gawber) & Retail Hub (Dodworth)
Barnsley Hospice is seeking an inspirational Director of Income Generation to lead the strategic growth of our fundraising, retail, marketing and communications activity. As a key member of our Executive Leadership Team, you will shape the future of our income strategy to ensure we can continue delivering exceptional care for local people and their families.
In this pivotal role, you will:
- Lead the development of innovative, sustainable income streams across fundraising, retail and commercial partnerships
- Strengthen our brand, communications and digital presence to grow awareness and engagement
- Build strong relationships with donors, supporters and partners
- Provide expert strategic leadership, governance and insight to colleagues, trustees and stakeholders
- Inspire and develop high‑performing teams who live our values and deliver meaningful impact
If you are a visionary, collaborative leader with a passion for making a difference in your community, we would love to hear from you.
If you wouldlike to apply please upload your CV and covering letter.
Please explain your interest in Barnsley Hospice and how your skills and experience reflect the person specification for the role.
An informal visit to the hospice to meet our CEO/Chief Nurse and relevant teams is an essential step in the application process and must take place before the deadline.
Barnsley Hospice is committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusionin all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQIA+ candidates and candidates with disabilities because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Barnsley Hospice.
Any candidate who identifies themselves as disabled will be shortlisted if they meet the essential criteria for the role. Essential criteria can be found in the job description and person specification for the role. If you require any accessibility adjustments ,please contact a memberof the HR team
The closing date for applications is midnighton Sunday 18 January 2026.
The shortlist of candidates will be determined the following week.
Panel interviews will take place on Thursday 5 February 2026.
Be part of shaping a sustainable future for Barnsley Hospice.
Apply now and help us deliver care, compassion and support when it matters most.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.
We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.
We have an exciting new opportunity to join this innovative charity that is a world-leader in its specialist field.
JOB TITLE:Regional Assistance Dog Instructor Scotland
LOCATION:Scotland (Central belt, between Glasgow and Edinburgh)
SALARY:£24K - £29K per annum, depending on experience
JOB TYPE: Part time and full time hours considered, with occasional evening and weekend work required
REPORTS TO: Instructor Manager
The Job
We are looking for a passionate and driven person who ideally has previous experience and skills working as an Instructor within an Assistance Dog organisation, who has worked with clients and partnerships. The role includes supporting both clients who have had a MDD dog placed with them and also our own dog applicants with their puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training in terms of obedience, public access and developing an alert to the applicant’s condition, with the aim to reach an accreditable assistance dog partnership status. It is also will include carrying out client specific and odour training for MDD own dogs, placing these dogs with their new clients and looking after a number of established partnerships. This role would suit somebody residing in the central belt of Scotland, between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Duties that encompass the role of an Instructor include:
- Be the first point of contact for the allocated partnerships in your area, covering all areas of Scotland. To provide guidance and instruction to applicants who have applied to the charity to have their own dogs considered for the training programme guidance and instruction on handling, behaviour and obedience and odour training as well as newly placed partnerships.
- Alongside the Instructing team, to run puppy classes, public access training, recall sessions in small groups for applicant own dogs that are in line with the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets.
- To also carry out support visits and home interviews for applicants and clients that have been allocated to you.
- Regularly monitor progress of the puppies and partnerships in training in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to Instructor Manager and Head of Assistance Dog Programme.
- To carry out client specific training with any MDD owned dogs that have been matched, including the required odour scent training.
- Instructing, guiding and supporting new assistance dog clients in managing and handling a Medical Alert Assistance Dog effectively, via pre training, placement training and aftercare visits.
- Supporting partnerships in training in successfully reaching an accreditation standard and in maintaining this
- standard throughout the life of the partnership.
- To support a number of established partnerships in the form of aftercare, refresher training and yearly re-accreditations, assisting further afield on occasions as required.
Responsibilities
- To escalate issues and problems to the Instructor Manager as appropriate.
- To assist the Dog Supply Team with carrying out scent assessments on any MDD dogs in socialising as and when required with the support of the Instructor Manager and rest of the Instructing Team.
- To plan, organise and deliver practical and theoretical training to clients, meeting their individual needs in line with agreed standards to include areas such as dog welfare, appropriate handling, commanding and overall management. This will involve working with the parents as Team Leader and child as Client and working with adult clients.
- Assess the team dynamics of the family & balancing the needs of all family members as well as those of the dog.
- Assess the individuals preferred learning style and amending as relevant to aid a client.
- To accompany the client into all regular environments that they will take the dog to, ensuring the dog behaves in an acceptable manner and that the client and others are aware and clear in terms of where they dog should reside and behave for eg public transport, place of work. To complete a check list of environments for any applicant own dogs in training who are on the programme to be assessed within.
- To support and advise clients in transferring the odour training from pot training and recognising alerting behaviours to establish real life alerting.
- To monitor the correct and false alerting percentages of allocated partnerships via data analysis, advising where necessary until the correct alerting levels are achieved.
- To complete comprehensive reports and paperwork for any time spent with applicants or partnerships in training or established. Maintain accurate records by providing verbal and written information with agreed timescales about clients, dogs, applicants and apprentices as appropriate.
- To work alongside allocated partnerships with the aim of the partnership reaching an accredited standard and feeding back to the Instructor Manager and Assistance Dog Programme Manager if there are any concerns that the accreditation cannot be achieved.
- To provide clients with appropriate aftercare services at regular intervals in their own homes in the form of annual visits, support visits or at refresher workshops run at the Centre to agreed standards. This will include continual re-assessment of the dynamics of family and dog, formulating and training on appropriate solutions, as well as offering additional dog training advice.
- To deliver handling days as part of an applicant’s pre training to include ‘Introduction to Assistance Dog’ ‘Advanced Handling’ and Family Handling.
- To scent train and seizure proof advanced dogs in preparation to be partnered with an adult or child client and ensure that applicant own dogs have received this at the earliest opportunity.
- To maintain the ongoing public access training with any advanced dog in scent training that has been allocated to them.
- To provide local support to the growing puppy socialisation scheme, based in and around Perth.
- To provide support to the Charity’s public relations and fundraising functions as required, specifically in your area.
- To act as the ‘contact’ person for the assistance dog programme in relation to training policy procedures with clients and their families, other professional service providers and members of the public. This will include on-going research and development of the project.
- To liaise with and provide support for Volunteers who may operate as part of the aftercare programme provided by the charity.
- To ensure all partnerships are in line with the ADUK regulations with regards to behaviour, obedience and welfare and branding.
- Due to the nature of the role, flexible working hours may be required in some instances to facilitate the effective delivery of the work e.g. working during the school holidays with school age clients.
Other
- Share best practice with colleagues across the charity.
- Any other duties or tasks that are required to ensure the successful running of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog Department and the Charity overall.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
- Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
- Experience of running puppy classes and carrying out public access training and recall sessions
- High level of self – motivation and planning
- Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions
- Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary.
- Happy to be on call at all times for partnerships as and when required.
- Happy to stay away from home and stay in local hotel when the client’s location is too far from your home to travel back.
- Happy and able to have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training to reside in their home.
- Good team worker, but equally able to work alone.
- Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
- Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
- Flexible
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous Assistance Dog Instructing or Dog Training with puppy socialisers experience
- Knowledge of AD(UK) and ADI regulations
- Law in relation to dogs.
- Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age.
- Dog and human psychology.
- Proven evidence and experience of dog handling and training skills
- Previous experience of teaching and instructing
- Sound dog training and dog behaviour knowledge
- IT literacy and report writing skills
- Experience of using Microsoft based programs such as Outlook, Word,
- Excel, Internet Explorer and Power Point, teams, zoom and Microsoft
- Share point for data etc
- Full UK driving licence
- Pass a DBS (CRB) check due to regular contact with children
Preferable
- Knowledge of debilitating medical conditions and understanding of how they can impact people, both physically and psychologically, particularly when they are unstable and fluctuating.
- Previous knowledge of odour/scent training.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
- Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
- High level of self – motivation and planning
- Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions
- Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary.
- Happy to be on call at all times for partnerships as and when required – to include outside standard working hours.
- Able and willing to stay away from home and stay in local hotel when the client’s location is too far from the Centre to travel back.
- If able, possibility of having Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training to reside in their home through the 6 – 8 week training phase.
- Good team worker, but equally able to work alone.
- Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
- Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
- You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself.
- You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.
DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION
We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Values & Behaviours
Working at Medical Detection Dogs will be a richly rewarding experience.
Our Values & Behaviours encapsulate who we are, what we stand for and what it will feel like to be part of our team:
- We are respectful.
- We stay positive.
- We strive for excellence.
- We communicate and listen.
- We are ambassadors.
- We are one team.
And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance, and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors for the charity.
Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:
- Hold a full UK Driving Licence
- Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK.
- Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Work some evenings and weekends
- Be willing to travel to the Centre based near Milton Keynes
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.



