Trainee Habilitation Specialist

Location: Various regional locations across the UK

Trainee salary: £21,568 per annum

Qualified salary: £27,472 - £38,123 per annum

Contract type: Permanent

Benefits: Additional 3% of annual salary to spend on a selection of flexible benefits or receive a proportion as cashback.

You could change the lives of visually impaired children and young people by becoming a Habilitation Specialist, who will support visually impaired children and young people to develop mobility, orientation and independent living skills. 

Increasing the availability of habilitation services for more children and young people is a large part of our plan for the future, our By My Side strategy. 

We are looking for people with interest, potential, and experience to work with visually impaired children and young people as a Habilitation Specialist, first as a trainee and then as a qualified practitioner.

We have a number of exciting opportunities at the following locations:

• Nottingham, working across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire with flexibility across the Midlands
• Hull, working across the North East region
• Maidstone, working across Kent and East Sussex
• Southampton, working across South / South Central regions
• St Albans but based in Newcastle for the first year of training - working across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex
• London working across all boroughs, but based in Reading for the first year of training (+ £4,105 London Weighting)
• Manchester, working across the North West region

The role

This role is central to Guide Dogs strategy, with those in this role training to be able to work daily with visually impaired children and young people to personalise, assess, and review the habilitation needs of those we support. This role incorporates workplace learning, written and practical assessments to fully train you to become a fully qualified Habilitation Specialist. A proportion of the trainee programme is completed as part of the Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People) at University College London.

Who we’re looking for

You will:

• Be familiar with working with children and young people, and a proven ability to establish effective working relationships with them and their parents or carers. 

• Be committed to multi-agency working and can demonstrate a strong ability to liaise effectively with other professionals/agencies.

• Access to a car or suitable transport arrangements.

How to apply

Applications can be made using the online application form. You will need to evidence the criteria as set out in the attached job description. As part of our safer recruitment policy, we do not accept CVs for job applications. Please contact our People Service Centre for more information.

If successful, your job offer will be subject to obtaining a position on the course at UCL.

If you are already a Qualified Habilitation Specialist and interested in working with us, please contact our People Service Centre.

For more information on the requirements of this role, and the training, please refer to the candidate pack below.

Benefits

This role is 9am to 5pm, 35 hours per week, with 26 days paid holiday (excluding bank holidays) a year. 

We believe that wellbeing at work is about creating an environment to promote a state of contentment which allows all employees to flourish and achieve their full potential for the benefit of themselves and for Guide Dogs. As a member of staff, we offer you a wide range of benefits to suit your individual needs:

• Defined Contribution Personal Pension Plan

• A choice of Flexible Benefits equivalent to 3% of salary to purchase benefits though an on-line portal including Gym Membership, Travel Insurance, Healthcare and Hospital Treatment Plan, Dental Insurance, Additional Life Assurance, Health Screening, buying and selling annual leave (up to 3 days), Cashback to salary (up to 2% of salary equivalent)

• Discounts and Cashback Scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Occupational Sick pay

• Occupational Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay enhanced above the statutory minimum.

• Life Assurance

• Childcare Vouchers

• Eye Care Vouchers

• Dogalogue 10% Discount

Diversity

Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome, and seek to ensure, that we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. We encourage applications from disabled people as they are currently under-represented in the organisation and guarantee an invite to interview for all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.

Safeguarding

Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.

Regional Fundraiser - Midlands

Location: Birmingham, B1 1LX
Salary: £25,300 - £27,550 per annum inclusive
Closing date: Tuesday 24 March 2020 at 10am
Interview date: Thursday 2 April

Are you a fundraiser looking for your next challenge working for an international charity? Yes? Then we want to hear from you.

As the Community Fundraiser at JDRF you will be joining an international charity leading the way in type 1 diabetes research.

You will steward third party supporters in the Midlands, thanking them for their hard work, offering help with their fundraising endeavours, and strengthening existing relationships, and creating new ones. You’ll also identify and develop corporate partnerships across the region.

You will be a team player who enjoys working within a small but busy team, have superb written and verbal communication skills and be digitally literate and skilled at using various social media channels. You’ll have excellent creative, time management and planning skills.

Our supporters range from adults with type 1, to parents of children recently diagnosed, and more long term supporters who have lived with type 1 diabetes in their lives a while. Once they have the connection to type 1, they can become lifelong supporters, so your role is important to keep them involved, supported and part of the JDRF family.

Ideally you will have previous experience of fundraising, organising events or working in a sales and marketing environment.

As an employer we offer you:

• A strong, positive and friendly culture
• Flexible working
• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 25 days and bank holidays
• A Health Cash Plan
• A comprehensive learning and development programme
• Season ticket loan
• Bike loan

To apply for the role please complete the form below.

JDRF is the type 1 diabetes charity in the UK.  We are committed to eradicating type 1 diabetes and its effects for everyone in the UK with type 1. We:

• fund our world-class research which is approved and administered by our international research programme to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes
• make sure research moves forward and treatments are delivered as fast as possible
• give support and a voice to people with type 1 and their families

We are an ambitious and changing organisation.  Be part of the change and help find a cure for type 1 diabetes.  We’d love to hear from you.

Marketing & Communications Manager, Norwich Research Park, Norwich

£27,509.00 to £34,004 per annum - subject to skills and experience.

Full Time - 35 hours per week (to include weekend and bank holiday working if required).  

With cancer, everything can change.  At Big C, you can make a difference to local people affected by cancer while being part of a dynamic team.

Working as part of the Income Generation team, you will provide effective leadership to the small but busy Marketing and Communications team of employees, volunteers and consultants, managing team workload and output in addition to managing your own hand on work.

As an experienced Marketing and Communications professional, you will use your skills and experience to actively contribute to the development of the charity’s marketing and communication strategies to support the achievement of Big C’s wider strategic objectives.

Through the planning, implementation and delivery of high-quality activities, you and your team will and meet the needs of the wider Big C team; including; printed materials, e-newsletters, social media and the organisation’s website (including Big C’s Virtual centre); ensuring safe, effective practice and compliance with legislation and internal policies and procedures.

If you are a team player with strong leader skills, heaps of enthusiasm, great marketing and communication skills, and are passionate about directly helping local people affected by cancer, we would love to hear from you.

Please see our website for the full job description.

Closing date for applications:  30th April 2019 - however please note that this is subject to change or may close earlier if enough applications have been received. 

Director of Support and Development

• Full time (37 hours per week)
• £58,545 pa plus 6% pension contribution
• Permanent
• 25 days annual leave
• Office base: London based

Clinks is the national infrastructure charity supporting charities and social enterprises working with people in the criminal justice system and their families in England and wales.  We have been providing this support since 1997 and we’re proud of our achievements on behalf of a sector which provides vital support to people in increasingly difficult situations at a time of challenge and opportunity in their lives.

We are currently hiring for two new senior roles in our team and want to hear from talented people who are committed to doing what they can so that people in the criminal justice system and their families can rely on a vibrant and well supported voluntary sector. The environment we work in is tough and providing ever increasing challenges.  We are looking for two people who love a challenge, believe in the potential of everyone given the right support and also believe that voluntary organisations play a crucial role at the heart of our criminal justice system.

Our Director of Support & development will work with our CEO and Director of Influence & Communications to develop and deliver activities across the charity to ensure we can implement our strategy.  Their work will focus on supporting organisations through our membership, events, training, regional and thematic networks and projects and programmes which seek to provide solutions to challenges the sector faces. They will be part of our strategic leadership group, working with our skilled an experience board and leading our team of committed and approachable staff across the charity.

Deadline for applications 9am Friday 27th March

Interviews will be held in central London on Monday 6th April

We are looking for an enthusiastic Development Worker to join our friendly team, and work closely with our service users with learning disabilities to develop their independent skills and potential.

This is a full time position, Monday-Friday 9-5, with occasional evening and weekend work. 

The post holder will deliver support for our service users across our 4 core services, including the delivery of educational sessions aimed at building confidence and skills, travel training and 1:1 community support for isolated individuals.

 The post holder will also be required to take a lead role in organizing and participating in various fundraising events and activities, to ensure the continuation of the high quality support that we provide to our service userss The ideal candidate will have significant experience of working with people with learning disabilities, or a similar vulnerable service user group, along with a strong commitment to taking a person-centred approach to the role.

We are looking for an effective team player that can work closely with our small team of staff and volunteers to affect real change in the lives of adults with learning disabilities.

We are growing, so there will be opportunities for development. The role of Development Worker is both diverse and challenging, and will provide the right candidate with excellent opportunities to significantly develop their skills and knowledge within the charity and social care sectors.

Our mission

PiP (Pursuing Independent Paths) 's mission is to support adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a small grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our service users. All of the work PiP does is aimed at fulfilling one or more of our 6 priority outcomes:

• PiP Students lead more independent lives
• PiP students improve their health, wellbeing and self-esteem
• PiP Students gain life skills
• PiP students build social skills
• PiP Students increase their social interactions within the community
• Happiness, comfort and improved quality of life for parents and carers

Applications closing date: 25.03.2020 at 23:59.

Interviews will take place on 31st March, 2nd and 3rd April.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Opportunity

As we work to ensure our governance and global strategy development is more inclusive, our Members’ Assembly have decided to bring all parts of Plan International together to identify and galvanise the next steps of our strategy through a global virtual conversation that culminates at a Global Congress event to take place in June 2021.

This conversation and Global Congress will involve a broad coalition of our stakeholders, including the girls that we work for, youth activists, staff, senior leaders and our governors.

Working closely with the Executive Director of Strategy Insights and New Ventures, you will ensure delivery of a series of virtual regional conversations essential for engagement in the global strategy process as well as an impactful global event.  

Working with the Executive Director Strategic Insights and New Ventures, Global Hub colleagues and throughout Plan International, you will;

• Develop the concept and manage the overall coordination of the Global Congress project.
• Develop a strategic plan and approach for the Global Congress project and oversee its operational delivery.
• Work with colleagues across Plan International, external partners, supporters and others, in order to maximize contributions to the Global Congress project.
• Manage the planning, set-up and operational aspects of the Global Congress project.
• Deliver an engaging and innovative series of virtual Congresses across our regions in the lead up to the event.
• Work in collaboration with the Plan International host country on all operational delivery aspects of the Global Congress event.
• Recruit and lead a team to deliver content, communications and logistics for the Global Congress project and event.

The Individual

Proven experience managing projects and arranging large events or conferences, highly developed skills with virtual engagement and communication tools, the ability to involve and engage positively a wide range of stakeholders and to manage high performing and geographically dispersed teams.

Positive, proactive and adaptable, you will have worked in fast paced, changing environments.

Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills will be imperative as is the ability to influence and negotiate as necessary.

Location: Global Hub in Woking, UK (approximately 25 minutes from London Waterloo)

Type of role: 12 month fixed term contract

Reports to: Executive Director of Strategy Insights and New Ventures

Salary: Competitive

Closing Date: Friday 17th April

The Senior Policy Officer will have responsibility for developing and promoting innovative and impactful policy proposals which will make a significant difference to residents in ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods.

Job Description (Key Duties)

1. Develop and maintain an active and engaged network of parliamentary and other stakeholders providing policy briefing and organising engaging events.
2. Develop expertise in the policy area, developing ideas and proposals.
3. Stay on top of new research and policy work and relevant practice.
4. Maintain a strong network, developing a rapport with key contacts.
5. Develop and deliver a programme of events and research which can cut through the noise and grab people’s attention.
6. Develop and deliver key outputs – a newsletter, policy briefings and event summaries and occasionally more substantive reports, a webpage, social media and speaking engagements.
7. Commission and manage small scale research projects.
8. Actively seek out opportunities to promote the work.
9. Plan and monitor the project budget.
10. Other tasks commensurate with the role.

How to apply

• An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history. We recommend that this is no longer than three pages.
• A supporting statement, with your name at the top of each page, explaining why you are interested in this role, detailing how you are a good candidate for this post and how you fulfil the person specification. Each section of the person spec should be addressed under clear headings. We recommend that this is no longer than three pages.

Please note that applications can only be considered if both a CV and supporting statement is submitted.

All applications must be received by 5pm on Monday 20th April 2020. Interviews will be held between the 6th and 7th May 2020.

Please ensure you refer to the recruitment pack attached (also available on our website) for the full job description and person specification as well as specific details on how to apply.

Who are we?

Recently named Third Sector Charity of the Year 2018, we are a rapidly growing charity, committed to moving further, faster to accelerate change for everyone affected by a brain tumour. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 in the UK than any other cancer. We know that a cure can’t wait. By recruiting a team that ‘can’, we can and will find one sooner.

Our exciting job role!

The Community Fundraiser for Wales and the Mid-Counties will be integral in building relationships with our community to generate and grow our income and raise awareness within the region.  You will support the recruit new supporters and nurture existing relationships within our community.  The following postcodes are included within this region: LL, CF, SY, HR, LD, WR, NP, SA, GL, SN, OX, RG.

This role is full-time, 37.5 hours, and will be home-based within the region, with some out of hours working and travel to our Farnborough (Hampshire) office.

What we'd like from you:

It’s simple – we’re looking for the people who ‘can’. We want the talented, the energetic and the ambitious. We need the inspired and the inspirational – the people who completely embrace our values, offer a great cultural fit and who are determined to make real and lasting change for our community.

According to the job description you should also have a proven track record in community fundraising, be good at juggling a myriad of competing priorities and work well under pressure to meet deadlines. 

If this is for you, we’d love to hear from you!

What we'd like to give you: 

- Salary c.£24,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays – pro rata for part-time contracts (we also close at Christmas in return for you volunteering 3 charity days per year*) 

- Generous pension contribution*

- Life assurance cover*

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Loads of other great benefits, plus an amazing culture to work in, a great team and lots of fun (and cake!)

How to apply to join our amazing team:

Please apply online attaching your CV and a supporting statement explaining why you want the role, what you would bring to the team and how your skillset and experience will enable us to make a real impact for those affected by brain tumours.

Advert close date: 8th April 2020

First interview date and location: tbc

Second interview date and location: tbc

More about us:

Visit our website careers pages to find out more about our culture and what it’s like to be part of our amazing team.

Don’t forget to check out our short videos (you can find the on our You Tube channel) to find out more about our culture and what it is like to work at The Brain Tumour Charity.

Did you know that in addition to being recently crowned Third Sector Charity of the Year, we have won a variety of other awards and have been ranked a top global organisation by renowned management consultants McKinsey? Whilst we’re not boasting, we are particularly proud that our HeadSmart campaign scooped the NHS Innovation Award, a Third Sector Excellence Award and a Charity Times Award (well, maybe we’re boasting a little bit!).

For more information, please visit our website.

* subject to qualifying criteria

Do you have experience or would like to develop your experience in working with vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness? Do you have availability to cover shifts across a range of days, evenings or nights? Then this could an ideal role for you.

Our 32 bed supported accommodation offers 16 – 25 year olds a safe place to stay whilst developing the skills that will enable them to go on and build an independent life.  Many of our residents have complex needs and the Centre offers a range of on-site services as well as working closely with a range of other agencies to provide specialist support that will enables residents to address the obstacles that they are facing and empower them to achieve more.

This is a varied role and an excellent way of gaining experience in the homelessness sector, specifically working with Young People. You will provide first contact, safeguarding and support to the residents in our Supported Accommodation. You will be responsible for controlling access to the building, dealing with emergencies, carrying out Health and Safety checks and communicating any concerns or events to the rest of the team. You will collaborate and support the team in their work with residents who may be facing complex issues such as; mental and/or physical ill health, challenging behaviour, substance use and offending.

Background
Cardinal Basil Hume founded the Centre in 1986; we offer a diverse range of services for homeless young people, families in need and the local community on one site.  The Centre enables people to gain the skills and support they need to overcome poverty and homelessness.  We have 32 bed supported accommodation and also 5 move on flats all on one site. We are recruiting for Casual Hostel Support Workers who are able to cover for permanent staff absences such as annual leave or sickness. You will be able to work a variety of shifts across a wide range of days, being available to cover shifts as and when required.
 

Person Specification:

Experience

• Some experience of dealing directly with the public and/or clients or costumers in a busy service environment.
• An understanding of, and empathy with, the issues faced by homeless or vulnerable housed people, particularly Young People.
• Experience in using your initiative and making appropriate decisions when faced with emergencies or unexpected situations.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• A non-judgemental approach to working with people experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to show insight, openness, maturity and stability in the face of pressure
• Able to follow procedures accurately and keep simple records to demonstrate completion of tasks.
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality and discretion at work.
• Experience of Safeguarding.
• Basic IT skills; ability to log on to systems to input simple information and type emails.

The following are required of all roles within the Hostel:

• Genuine interest in and commitment to Cardinal Hume Centre’s work and client group.
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Contract type:  Rolling Casual Contract
Hours:  Variable. You will be offered work if it becomes available and will be given reasonable notice of available work. You are not obliged to accept any shifts offered to you.
Salary:  £10.78 per hr plus accrued holiday pay (equates to £12.08 p/h)
Application deadline:  Recruitment on on-going basis
Other benefits:  The Centre provides an auto-enrolment pension scheme for staff who are eligible and will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.

The Centre requires all its staff and volunteers to respect the ethos of the Centre and to be in sympathy with its aims and objectives. 

A commitment to respecting and implementing the Centre’s Equal Opportunity Policy is also expected. 

The Centre requires its staff to recognise the valuable role that volunteers play in the work of the Centre and to welcome and support volunteers with whom they work.

The Centre requires all its staff and volunteers to undertake an appropriate level of DBS or police check.

How to apply

If you are interested in this role, please view the full job description below. You will need to submit your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how you meet the Person Specification. Please also download, complete and send the Equal Opportunities Form and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act form below.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with lived experience of disability to lead a team of talented peers in the delivery of Barnet’s statutory Healthwatch function. Inclusion Barnet is looking for a committed and confident professional who is passionate about patient and public engagement, effecting system change, and improving services, in order to improve the experiences of people using health and social care services in Barnet.

As Manager, you will have a fundamental role in leading staff and volunteers, and ensuring service users, patients and external stakeholders are involved in shaping the future of healthcare services in the Borough. Local people are at the heart of everything we do, and you will lead and guide the organisation to ensure that patients and service users are heard, their experiences shared, and their voices amplified, creating change and improving services for all.

About Healthwatch

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 required each local authority area to set up a Healthwatch organisation. Healthwatch gives give people a powerful voice both locally and nationally. At a local level, Healthwatch Barnet works to help people get the best from their health and social care services, whether it's improving them today, or helping to shape them for tomorrow. Healthwatch Barnet is about local voices being able to influence the delivery and design of their services, not just for the people who use them, but anyone who might need to use them in future.

Healthwatch Barnet transferred to Inclusion Barnet on 1st April 2020. It is commissioned by the London Borough of Barnet to provide the following 6 key functions:

• Gather views and understand the experiences of patients and the public.
• Make people’s views known.
• Promote and support the involvement of people in the commissioning and provision of local care services and how they are scrutinised.
• Recommend investigation or special review of services via Healthwatch England or directly to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
• Provide advice and information (signposting) about access to services and support for making informed choices
• Making the views and experiences of local people known to Healthwatch England (and to other local Healthwatch organisations) and providing a steer to help it carry out its role as national champion.

About Inclusion Barnet

Inclusion Barnet is a thriving peer-led charity based in North West London. We are a friendly, supportive and inclusive team.We believe in the power of experience and this is demonstrated by all our services being led, developed and delivered by people with lived experience of disability, including mental health issues and long-term conditions. We believe that learning to use our lived experience for social change is a skill. We have become experts in harnessing the lived experience of our staff, members, volunteers and people who use our services to design and deliver higher quality, more person-centred services. We believe that this benefits both disabled people and society more widely.

How to apply 

Please submit a detailed covering letter with your CV outlining how your skills match the job description and person specification.  The closing date is 17th April, with shortlisting complete by 20th April.  Successful applicants will be notified shortly afterwards, with interviews to be held on 23rd April.  These may be held via videoconference depending on current health advice.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant will be expected to undergo a DBS check.

This role is for 28 hours a week, hours by mutual agreement with some flexibility required.  Depending on current health advice, the successful candidate may be home based during the early weeks of the role.  Actual salary between £27,200 and £28,000.

Who are we?

Recently named Third Sector Charity of the Year 2018, we are a rapidly growing charity, committed to moving further, faster to accelerate change for everyone affected by a brain tumour. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 in the UK than any other cancer. We know that a cure can’t wait. By recruiting a team that ‘can’, we can and will find one sooner.

Our exciting job role!

The Community Fundraiser for the North West of England and Northern Ireland be integral in building relationships with our community to generate and grow our income and raise awareness within the region.  You will support the recruit new supporters and nurture existing relationships within our community.  The following postcodes are included within this region: BT, IM, CA, LA, PR, BB, LA, WN, BL, OL, WA, CH, CW, SK, FY, L1-L8, M1-M9. 

What we'd like from you:

It’s simple – we’re looking for the people who ‘can’. We want the talented, the energetic and the ambitious. We need the inspired and the inspirational – the people who completely embrace our values, offer a great cultural fit and who are determined to make real and lasting change for our community.

According to the job description you should also have a proven track record in community fundraising, be good at juggling a myriad of competing priorities and work well under pressure to meet deadlines. 

If this is for you, we’d love to hear from you!

What we'd like to give you: 

- Salary c.£24,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays – pro rata for part-time contracts (we also close at Christmas in return for you volunteering 3 charity days per year*) 

- Generous pension contribution*

- Life assurance cover*

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Loads of other great benefits, plus an amazing culture to work in, a great team and lots of fun (and cake!)

How to apply to join our amazing team:

Please apply online attaching your CV and a supporting statement explaining why you want the role, what you would bring to the team and how your skillset and experience will enable us to make a real impact for those affected by brain tumours.

Advert close date: 8th April 2020

First interview date and location: 

Second interview date and location: 

More about us:

Visit our website careers pages to find out more about our culture and what it’s like to be part of our amazing team.

Don’t forget to check out our short videos (you can find the on our You Tube channel) to find out more about our culture and what it is like to work at The Brain Tumour Charity.

Did you know that in addition to being recently crowned Third Sector Charity of the Year, we have won a variety of other awards and have been ranked a top global organisation by renowned management consultants McKinsey? Whilst we’re not boasting, we are particularly proud that our HeadSmart campaign scooped the NHS Innovation Award, a Third Sector Excellence Award and a Charity Times Award (well, maybe we’re boasting a little bit!).

For more information, please visit our website.

* subject to qualifying criteria

We are looking for an outstanding leader to work with the Trustees in leading and further developing the charity. The successful candidate will be someone who will inspire and empower others to share in achieving continued success in all our work.

If you have a passion for working with a great team who make a real difference for families across Essex, we would be delighted to receive your application and look forward to hearing from you. 

Families InFocus (Essex) is a forward thinking and caring organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Essex families with children and young people with any special educational need or disability (SEND).

Our mission is:-

“to provide support for children and young people (aged 0 to 25) with any special educational need or disability (SEND) by ensuring that they, their families and carers receive quality information, advice, practical and emotional support. In particular, through the provision of advice, information and support to improve the education and development of, and relieve the poverty for children and young people with SEND, to enhance the stability and quality of life for the whole family. A central consideration will be the emotional needs of all concerned”.

Our excellent reputation and established relationships within the local Essex community have been earned over many years delivering quality services to meet the needs of our service users.

We are looking for an exceptional individual who will lead and drive the continuous development of Families InFocus (Essex) and ensure that its work makes a real difference for families.

You will be:

• An experienced and empathetic leader

• A strategic thinker

• A proven relationship builder

• Someone who has a track record of successful income generation

Full Job Description

Purpose of the Job 

To work on behalf of the Board of Trustees, in accordance with our mission, aims, values and objectives:-

• To develop and deliver the strategic and operational plan and financial budget to ensure the ongoing sustainability, growth and success of Families InFocus (Essex).

• To raise our profile and act as a strong figurehead for the charity, a positive ambassador with our stakeholders, clients, partners, funders and networks and a confident, inspiring and empathetic leader for staff and volunteers. 

• To ensure service users’ views and aspirations are taken into account for all service delivery and development. 

  Main responsibilities 

  Strategy planning and development: 

• To develop the charity’s strategic plan in conjunction with the Board of Trustees in response to key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

• To manage the charity effectively, ensuring that its financial security and risk management is maintained and enhanced. 

• To lead the development and implementation of strategic goals, objectives and financial plans to meet both the short term and long term goals and aspirations. 

• To take overall responsibility for achieving, monitoring and reporting on performance against funders’ targets and in all areas of the charity’s activities. 

• To develop a culture of continuous improvement throughout all aspects of the charity’s work including maintaining and building relationships with key partners, funders and community networks. 

• To keep abreast of the opportunities and challenges facing local third sector organisations and keep up to date with changing legislation/developments in local or national government initiatives which could affect the charity.

  Operational Leadership: 

• To lead the development and implementation of operational plans in support of our strategic and accountability frameworks ensuring the organisation provides high quality services and meets its charitable objectives.

• To ensure that the organisation has effective policies and procedures including the management of human resources, safeguarding, finance, health and safety, information, communication and premises, and that these meet relevant legislative requirements and agreed quality standards.

• To manage the day to day operations of the charity, ensuring that staff and volunteers are effectively deployed and receive regular supervision, support, training and annual appraisals.

• To lead key projects including those bringing significant changes for the organisation, ensuring that risks and threats are robustly managed. 

  Financial management: 

• To be accountable to the Board of Trustees for the overall financial health of the charity, controlling budgets, expenditure and management accounts ensuring that income and expenditure is within financial plan targets. 

• To secure adequate funding and resources to meet income targets and objectives, including through bid submissions to grant making trusts, foundations and statutory funders, charity fundraising events and other fundraising activities.

• To maintain and build excellent long term relationships with funders, donors and supporters.

• To develop and implement an effective sustainability plan to identify and diversify income streams and maximise new fundraising opportunities for income generation.

• To identify and put in place an effective and robust risk management strategy and framework to enable the charity to support its objectives. 

  Robust governance  

• To foster excellent working relationships and ensure systems and structures are in place for the Board of Trustees to fulfil its statutory and regulatory requirements and exercise effective control of the charity’s affairs. 

• To report to the Board on progress against key strategic objectives, providing information and answering for organisational performance. 

• To advise the Board in all aspects of leading the charity, including short term and long term strategic planning for the financial welfare of the organisation. 

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

• Educated to degree level or professionally qualified by suitable demonstrable experience e.g. management, health, education, social care, or community development. 

  Experience and knowledge

  Essential

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a senior management role. 

• Demonstrable experience of strategic and operational planning, service development and project management, including monitoring and evaluation. 

• Demonstrable experience of human resources management and good practice in the recruitment, management and development of staff and volunteers.

• Demonstrable experience and a proven track record of bid writing and successful funding applications to generate income and meet challenging income targets.

• Demonstrable acumen and experience of organisational financial management including budget control and reporting.

• Demonstrable experience of effective fundraising within the non-profit and charity sector.

• Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with a diverse range of clients, stakeholders and partners including local third sector organisations and statutory agencies.

• A good understanding of the governance, legal requirements of a charity and company limited by guarantee.

• Understanding of quality assurance frameworks and standards. 

  Desirable

• A good understanding of the needs of families of children and young people with any special educational need or disability.

• Experience of working in the voluntary and/or statutory sector. 

• Experience of delivering front line services in a community setting. 

• Experience of service level agreements, contracts, tendering and commissioning. 

  Skills & Abilities

  Essential

• Ability to inspire and lead an organisation. 

• Excellent people management skills. 

• Excellent interpersonal, oral communication and written communication skills. 

• Excellent skills in financial management.

• Excellent IT and presentation skills. 

• Ability to think strategically. 

• Ability to prioritise and work effectively towards strategic service goals, meet funders’ targets and deadlines.

• Ability to remain calm and focussed under pressure. 

• Ability to manage own learning and attend training courses as needed.

If you are interested in applying please click the ' Apply button' and send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you're suitable for this role. 

Barnet Mencap is dynamic, expanding, and looking for team players to join our enthusiastic and diverse team. We support adults with moderate learning disabilities and/or autism to live independently in housing of their choice.

The role offers a challenge and satisfaction, which will suit people who:

• have experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and autism in a community setting
• have a good working knowledge of safeguarding issues facing people with learning disabilities and autism
• understand the issues faced by people with learning disabilities and autism living independently and have the skills to meet their practical, social and emotional needs
• have a ‘Person Centred Planning’ ethos
• have excellent communication skills

Barnet Mencap is committed to safeguarding, quality, equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. 

The Senior Policy Officer will have responsibility for developing and promoting innovative and impactful policy proposals which will make a significant difference to residents in deprived and under-funded communities.

Key Duties

1. Develop and maintain a strong network of civil servants and advisors working across government departments, developing a rapport with key contacts.
2. Research and write submissions, drawing on the experience of Big Local areas.
3. Stay on top of new government policy and relevant practice.
4. Develop and deliver a programme of events and research which can cut through the noise and grab policy maker’s attention.
5. Commission and manage small scale research projects.
6. Actively seek out opportunities to promote the work.
7. Plan and monitor the project budget.
8. Other tasks commensurate with the role.

How to apply

• An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history. We recommend that this is no longer than three pages.
• A supporting statement, with your name at the top of each page, explaining why you are interested in this role, detailing how you are a good candidate for this post and how you fulfil the person specification. Each section of the person spec should be addressed under clear headings. We recommend that this is no longer than three pages.

Please note that applications can only be considered if both a CV and supporting statement is submitted.

All applications must be received by 5pm on Monday 20th April 2020. Interviews will be held between 6th and 7th May 2020.

Please ensure you refer to the recruitment pack attached (also available on our website) for the full job description and person specification as well as specific details on how to apply.