Children and families worker jobs in Bristol
Family Support Worker
£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)
South West Team - Bristol and surrounding areas
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.
About the role:
This Best Companies Top 100 mid-sized organisation and Top 20 Charity is looking to appoint a Family Support Worker to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our South West Care Team.
Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the South West Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.
Having worked in a stressful and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.
Location:
This post will cover the South West of England, with this position focusing on Bristol and the surrounding area.
What we’re looking for:
· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care.
· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly.
· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines.
· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)
· A persuasive and open communicator, you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates
· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people, and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.
What we offer:
We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:
- Flexible working hours to balance home and working life
- Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand
- Company car for front line care posts
- 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)
- Time off in Lieu
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts
- Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes
- A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme
- Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year
- Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%
- The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping
- Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth
We also have a fantastic learning and development programme - the Anne Harris skills development programme - in which we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be the best they can be, and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.
Our Family Support Workers are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, and Introduction to Play.
The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs, with all family support workers having a foundation level of skills within their first year.
About us:
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.
How to apply:
To apply please visit our website via the link.Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.
Interview dates: Interview Dates to be confirmed.
Interviews will take place at our South West Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful.
There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate the team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.
Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation. Registered Charity No: 1070532
Salary: £26,650 - £32,600 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week, with one late evening and occasional weekends
Contract: Permanent
Location: Various local authority locations across Oxfordshire/Community settings
Job reference number: 1636
About Us: Here4YOUth Oxfordshire, part of Cranstoun, is a social justice and harm reduction charity with a global ambition. Our vision is to be a world-class leader in rebuilding lives, and our purpose is to inspire and empower people to live healthier and safer lives. We value being ambitious, creative, compassionate, collaborative, and respectful.
A word from one of our team members…
“ Being part of the Here4YOUth team at Cranstoun is incredibly rewarding. Every day, I see the difference we make in the lives of families and young people. The support, encouragement, and genuine care from colleagues creates an environment where you can truly grow and help others thrive.”
Job Purpose: Support families affected by substance use by delivering a whole family programme. You will help strengthen family resilience, improve communication, and support positive change for children, young people, and their families in Oxfordshire.
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Deliver the Cranstoun Here4YOUth Whole Family Programme, including comprehensive whole-family assessments exploring challenges, coping strategies, and readiness for change.
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Lead the co-ordination of group interventions for children, young people, and whole families.
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Contribute to service evaluations and service level reporting
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Mentor and participate in induction for volunteers within the family service.
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Provide guidance and peer supervision to team members working with children and young people who are affected by substance use
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Use trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches in your work and facilitate practical activities for engagement and skill-building, including mindfulness and grounding techniques.
Person Specification:
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Experience of community engagement and delivering group work.
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Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team as well as a strong ability to liaise with and build effective working relationships with other agencies.
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Good written and verbal communication skills.
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Experience working with families and young people affected by substance use or similar challenges is highly desirable.
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Willingness to undertake relevant training (e.g., Drawing & Talking, group skills, internal programme delivery).
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Excellent understanding of safeguarding, harm reduction principles, and multi-agency working.
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High standard of IT and case management skills and ability to support others through basic IT tasks as needed.
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Ability to manage own time, prioritise activities, and maintain accountability and support others to do this.
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Cultural awareness, sensitivity, and ability to work non-judgementally in all arenas.
Benefits: As part of joining Cranstoun, and successfully completing your probation period, you will be able to access a diverse benefits package including access to store discounts, a car lease scheme, gym membership discounts, health cash plans and a yearly wellbeing day on top of annual leave.
To find out more about this role and to apply, please visit the website via the apply button.
Closing date: 26 January 2026.
Additional Information: This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure. Due to the nature of the role, being a driver is essential, with access to a car and business insurance required.
We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work.
Registered Charity No: 1061582
We have an exciting opportunity for a youth worker to join Oasis North Bristol. Our Youth Worker will work with young people and families across the community to develop positive activities which promote a sense of belonging.
We’re looking for an individual who has a passion for supporting young people and developing community led activities. The role will involve supporting young people and families in our local Oasis academies but also in the wider community, inspiring and enabling local people to be an active voice and developer in their local area.
The successful post holder must have:
· Good standard of basic education, including English and Maths Level 2
· Experience of youth work either as a volunteer or professionally
· Experience of managing and working with volunteers
· Ability to build long lasting, positive relationships with both young people and adults
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing national organisation, making a real difference to communities on a local level. As part of the package, Oasis offers:
· A pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution
· A generous holiday allowance
· Working as part of a friendly, community-minded team of professionals
If you are interested in being part of this service, then please:
To apply, please apply via Charity Jobs or view our website for further details.
Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualification you have, that relate to the job description and person specification.
Completed applications should be returned by 9am Monday 19th January 2026.
Interviews will take place week commencing 26th January 2026.
The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas. We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups.
If you require assistance or adjustments to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
Oasis supports Equal Opportunities. Registered Charity No. 1163889
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!
TACT is recruiting caring, committed, and resilient individuals and families to become foster carers and help transform the lives of children and young people who need a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
Fostering is not an employed role, but as a self-employed foster carer you will receive competitive fostering fees and allowances, comprehensive training, and ongoing professional support every step of the way.
Eligibility
To become a foster carer with TACT, you must:
- Be over the age of 21
- Be a UK resident or have Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Have a spare bedroom
Financial Stability & Recognition
We value your dedication and expertise – and ensure you are rewarded fairly:
- Up to £27,053 per year (£520 per week) when a child is placed
- Additional payments and allowances available
- Special fostering tax exemptions, meaning lower tax compared to most employed roles
The Support You’ll Receive
At TACT, you are never alone. We provide high-quality support to help you feel confident and supported in your fostering role:
- A dedicated Supervising Social Worker for guidance and supervision
- A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and the child
- Access to a network of specialist foster carers for peer support
- Comprehensive training, including therapeutic and neurodevelopmental courses
- Psychological consultations and access to specialist therapeutic input
- 24/7 out-of-hours support whenever you need it
How to apply
Interested in finding out more? We’d love to hear from you. Apply today on the TACT website.
Foster carers are self-employed and subject to fostering regulations and approval processes, including checks, training, and assessment.
TACT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all foster carers to share this commitment.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Youth Development Worker to join our team. This role will lead and develop our youth work offer across the 4 villages area of North Bristol (Lawrence Weston, Shirehampton, Sea Mills and Avonmouth).
We’re looking for an individual who has a passion and flair for supporting young people, promoting a sense of inclusion and belonging. The right candidate will have experience of both targeted and open access provision and a desire to enable young people to promote their voice and views to shape the future of youth work in the area.
The successful post holder must have:
· Good standard of basic education, including English and Maths Level 2
· Level 3 or equivalent in youth work
· Experience of leading and developing youth programmes (both open access and targeted)
· Ability to build long lasting, positive relationships with both young people and adults
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing national organisation, making a real difference to communities on a local level. As part of the package, Oasis offers:
· A pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution
· A generous holiday allowance
· Working as part of a friendly, community-minded team of professionals
If you are interested in being part of this service, then please:
To apply, please apply via Charity Jobs or see details on our website.
Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualification you have, that relate to the job description and person specification.
Completed applications should be returned by 9am Monday 19th January 2026.
Interviews will take place week commencing 26th January 2026.
The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas. We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups.
If you require assistance or adjustments to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
Oasis supports Equal Opportunities. Registered Charity No. 1163889
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!
TACT is recruiting caring, committed, and resilient individuals and families to become foster carers and help transform the lives of children and young people who need a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
Fostering is not an employed role, but as a self-employed foster carer you will receive competitive fostering fees and allowances, comprehensive training, and ongoing professional support every step of the way.
Eligibility
To become a foster carer with TACT, you must:
- Be over the age of 21
- Be a UK resident or have Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Have a spare bedroom
Financial Stability & Recognition
We value your dedication and expertise – and ensure you are rewarded fairly:
- Up to £27,053 per year (£520 per week) when a child is placed
- Additional payments and allowances available
- Special fostering tax exemptions, meaning lower tax compared to most employed roles
The Support You’ll Receive
At TACT, you are never alone. We provide high-quality support to help you feel confident and supported in your fostering role:
- A dedicated Supervising Social Worker for guidance and supervision
- A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and the child
- Access to a network of specialist foster carers for peer support
- Comprehensive training, including therapeutic and neurodevelopmental courses
- Psychological consultations and access to specialist therapeutic input
- 24/7 out-of-hours support whenever you need it
How to apply
Interested in finding out more? We’d love to hear from you. Apply today on the TACT website.
Foster carers are self-employed and subject to fostering regulations and approval processes, including checks, training, and assessment.
TACT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all foster carers to share this commitment.
We are looking for a dynamic, values-led, strategic leader to drive our mission for migration justice and social work solidarity. The role entails oversight of the operations and strategy of the organisation, responsibility for financial management and fundraising, maintaining the health of the organisation and embedding anti-racist and anti-opressive values into every aspect of the organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exciting and pivotal leadership role at the heart of Kinship’s digital transformation. You’ll lead a talented and ambitious team to deliver and develop live digital services, accessible content and user-centred products that kinship carers rely on to access support.
This role does not own all services delivered through digital channels. It owns selected shared digital products while also enabling teams across Kinship to deliver their work effectively through digital platforms, content and journeys, while teams retain ownership of their services and outcomes. You’ll provide leadership on standards, user experience, accessibility and innovation.
Context:
Kinship is expanding its reach and digital capabilities, and our digital platforms are central to how we deliver services at scale. In 2024, we launched a new website bringing together all content and services under one home, and introduced Kinship Compass, a postcode search tool that helps kinship carers find relevant local and national support.
Alongside this, we have been developing a new AI-powered tool to help kinship carers access trusted information quickly and accurately, 24/7. You will lead the evolution of these digital services ensuring they are safe, ethical, resilient and data-informed, and that innovation is always grounded in reliability, safeguarding and user trust.
You’ll play a key role in the Department for Education funded national Training and Support Service, ensuring kinship carers can easily access and book high-quality training through our digital platforms.
You’ll oversee content design in collaboration with internal and external subject experts and kinship carers themselves and lead the digital and content streams for Kinship Minds, including the development and delivery of our e-learning platform and curriculum.
This role sits at the intersection of digital service delivery, product development and content design. At Kinship, content design is distinct from communications or marketing. It focuses on designing clear, accessible and trauma-informed information, learning content and user journeys that enable kinship carers to understand their options, make decisions and access support. Content is treated as part of the service itself and is central to the quality, safety and effectiveness of our digital platforms.
This is a role for a digital leader who is both strategic and operationally grounded. You’ll balance innovation with delivery, experimentation with governance, and ambition with accountability. You’ll champion inclusive, accessible and co-produced design, ensuring digital products support real-world service delivery and improve outcomes for kinship families.
You will work closely with colleagues in the Communications and Policy team (who sit in a separate department and lead external communications, campaigns and social media) and who own the external communications strategy. You will ensure clear alignment while retaining a distinct focus on digital service innovation, product development and content design.
What you'll be doing:
Digital leadership and strategy
- Lead the Digital and Content Design team, setting clear priorities and building a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Own and deliver Kinship’s digital strategy and product roadmap, covering the website, Kinship Compass, Kinship Minds, the AI tool and other digital services, excluding marketing and social media.
- Provide digital leadership across Kinship, strengthening capability and effective cross-organisational working.
- Lead responsible digital innovation, ensuring AI and emerging technology are used where they clearly improve service delivery, accessibility and user experience.
- Take accountability for digital budgets, agency relationships and delivery against agreed outcomes, timescales and quality standards.
- Horizon scan and translate external digital developments into practical, service-led improvements for Kinship.
- Contribute to organisational planning, reporting and income generation linked to digital innovation.
Website, content and digital product development
- Lead the ongoing development and innovation of Kinship’s digital platforms to ensure they are user-centred, accessible and continuously improved.
- Oversee the content strategy and governance for Kinship’s website, Kinship Compass and new e-learning platform.
- Work with internal colleagues to improve our workshop booking system.
- Ensure a consistent content design approach across all digital platforms, grounded in user need, plain English, trauma-informed practice and continuous testing and improvement.
- Lead the content design team to develop content for strategic projects working collaboratively with subject experts and kinship carers.
- Work closely with Advice and Training teams to ensure digital platforms and content design support service delivery, quality standards and DfE contract requirements.
- Develop an excellent understanding of end-to-end audience experience and how the website, online content and digital products can drive effective online services and enhance the kinship ecosystem. Map the user journeys across our website and digital products leaving no dead ends.
- Ensure integration across all platforms (e.g. website, telephony, Salesforce, Kinship Minds) to create seamless user journeys for kinship carers and internal teams.
- Embed meaningful participation and co-production with kinship carers in digital service and content development.
- Drive accessibility and inclusion, ensuring our digital services reach and work for all kinship carers, including those with lower digital literacy.
- Ensure strong digital governance, accessibility, documentation and use of insight to continuously improve performance and impact.
- Oversee SEO, analytics and data-driven optimisation to improve engagement, performance and impact.
Type of person we’re looking for:
We’re looking for a service-led digital leader who is as comfortable with operational delivery as they are with strategy and innovation. You’ll understand that digital products are part of how services are delivered, not an add-on, and that reliability, accessibility and trust matter as much as creativity.
You’ll be curious, pragmatic and values-driven, with the judgement to know when to push innovation forward and when to prioritise stability, safety and user confidence.
You are likely to:
- Have led live digital services or products that people rely on, not just content.
- Be comfortable balancing innovation with delivery, and experimentation with governance.
- Think in terms of end-to-end service journeys, not just platforms or pages.
- Be motivated by improving outcomes for people, particularly families experiencing complexity or crisis.
- Value co-production, accessibility and inclusive design as core to good digital practice.
- Bring clarity, calm and consistency to teams working in complex environments.
- Be confident working across disciplines such as digital, services and delivery without needing to own everything.
- Care deeply about doing digital work ethically, safely and well.
- Show commitment to personal development and learning.
How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Head of Digital and Content by sending a tailored CV and responding to these 4 questions below in the online application process.
Closing date is midnight on Sun 18 Jan 2026, first interview online on Thurs 22 / Fri 23 Jan 2026 and second interview in person on Thur 29 Jan 2026.
- What attracts you to this role at Kinship, and how does your experience prepare you to lead digital services, content design and innovation in the context of kinship care and families experiencing complexity or crisis? (250 words max)
- Give an example of where you introduced or explored digital innovation (for example AI, automation or new platforms) in a service context. How did you balance innovation with reliability, safeguarding or user trust? (250 words max)
- Describe a time you used content and/or service design to help people understand complex information or access support. How did you identify user needs, test what worked, and ensure the content enabled action rather than just engagement?(250 words max)
- This role leads a small but mighty remote and dispersed team. How have you managed remote teams to maintain clarity, wellbeing, accountability and delivery? Please include a practical example. (250 words max)
What we offer you:
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Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
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30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown).
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Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling).
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Charity Worker Discounts.
We support kinship carers in their homes and communities, giving advice and helping them work through problems to find the best way forward.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Change lives in a life-changing career
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.
We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time
About the role
We’re looking for a Individual Giving Officer with Individual Giving or project management experience to join our Individual Giving, Legacies and E-commerce Team.
Working within the Individual Giving, Legacies and E-commerce Team, you’ll have a varied role managing and supporting the delivery of fundraising appeals which will recruit, retain and develop supporters across our acquisition and retention programmes. These appeals will include utilising online and offline channels such as direct mail, organic and paid social advertising, email, face-to-face fundraising, Payroll Giving and telemarketing.
This role would suit someone with some experience of marketing or fundraising or who would like to expand their experience of Individual Giving.
What will I be doing?
No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.
As part of the ambitious Individual Giving, Legacies and E-Commerce Team you will:
- Work with the Individual Giving Manager (Loyalty) to develop and implement Individual Giving campaigns
- Support development within the team by researching and implementing innovative campaigns, testing and rolling out successful areas
- Work with suppliers to ensure the smooth running of campaigns and maximum impact from the relationship with them.
What do I need?
Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.
The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:
- Proven experience of managing successful Individual Giving or similar campaigns across all channels, including print and digital
- Experience of project management and reporting
- Experience of managing external agencies and suppliers
- Experience of implementing marketing plans
- Experience of budgeting and forecasting
What will I gain?
For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
- Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
- Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Great family/caring leave entitlements
- Enhanced pension
- Access to our employee savings scheme
To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.
We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.
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.
Job summary
Job title - Fundraising and Membership Officer
Responsible to - Fundraising Operations Manager
Salary - £24,645 - £26,275 FTE per annum (pro rata)
(£19,716 - £21,020 actual) Exact salary dependent on experience
Hours of work - Part time - 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE). We consider part-time/job-share and flexible working requests
Annual leave - 30 days + 8 bank holidays per year pro rata
Location - This role is hybrid - split between home working and our Bristol office. You will be required to work a minimum of 50% of your hours from the office each week.
Job purpose
This role will underpin the operation of our fundraising and membership programmes, with a mixture of public facing interactions and focused operational, database work.
Our long-standing membership scheme is an integral part of our fundraising at Action for ME, and we are fortunate to have a generous membership base of over 3,000 loyal supporters. You will be the main point of contact for our members, ensuring they feel valued and connected to our work, as well as supporting efforts to increase our current membership.
You will also be responsible for the smooth running of crucial operational processes for our membership, trading and individual giving income streams, both during fundraising campaigns and day to day. With a commitment to continuous improvement of these systems, you will help us to increase the efficiency and quality of our stewardship, retain our donors and bring in new supporters.
Key duties
Membership
- Be the main point of contact for our members and provide high quality stewardship over the phone, by email and by letter, always ensuring consistent and high-quality communication.
- Be responsible for delivering operational tasks relating to the membership scheme and improving their efficiency. Including, but not limited to, gift importing and processing, data administration, thanking members, processing renewals and sending out renewal reminders.
- Work with the Fundraising Operations Manager and our Senior Supporter Engagement Officer to monitor the performance of the membership programme and support its growth.
- Maintenance and creation of the mailing lists for our membership magazine, InterAction. Assist with the distribution of the magazine across all channels (post, email, audio).
Individual Giving & Trading
- Ensure that gifts are processed, recorded and thanked appropriately in a timely manner; and that database records are kept up to date, in line with fundraising data regulations.
- Assisting with the administration of our Winter and Spring raffles and Lottery programme.
- Work with the Fundraising Operations Manager and the wider team to maximise fundraising potential using data and donor insights/feedback.
- Maintain a high standard of data quality and record keeping on our database, ensuring our fundraising processes and procedures are applied in line with all regulatory and governance requirements including GDPR and those of the Fundraising Regulator.
- Processing all outgoing post for the Fundraising team, including online shop orders, from our Bristol office. Complete other office-based tasks as required. You will be required to work at least 50% of your hours from the office.
- Work alongside the fundraising team to deliver our strategy and workplans, including involvement in projects and fundraising campaigns as required.
Other duties
- To attend and contribute constructively to team meetings and other meetings as required
- To positively promote the work and activities of Action for ME at all times
- To contribute to the team’s overall strategy delivery, annual planning and budgeting.
- To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Fundraising Operations Manager, Director of Fundraising & Development or the Chief Executive.
- Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
Person Specification
Experience and knowledge
- Demonstrable experience in building relationships with customers or stewarding supporters and donors.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel for work, including basic excel functions, basic formulas and list tools.
- Experience of using a CRM database, preferably Raiser’s Edge
- Minimum 2 years previous fundraising experience (desirable)
Skills and Behaviours
- A confident multitasker who is comfortable dealing with a variety of enquiries and managing a varied workload.
- Excellent verbal communicator, skilled in engagement, empathy and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent written communication skills including creating reports to measure progress.
- Ability to use own initiative, solve problems, work independently and to work well in a team.
- An understanding of data protection including UKGDPR
- Strong IT skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office, databases and web-related programmes and software.
- An understanding of ME and the impact on people affected by it (desirable).
Attitudes and values
- Enthusiasm
- Integrity
- Resilient
Key competencies
- Effective communicator
- Results driven
- Attention to detail
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
St Peter’s Hospice is seeking a compassionate, experienced Team Lead to manage our Psychological Therapies team to deliver specialist psychological care for people affected by life‑limiting illness and bereavement. You will combine leadership and management with direct clinical practice.
It’s an exciting time to join the team as we develop our services to meet our strategic ambitions – leading, learning and innovating to deliver specialist palliative psychological support.
The role
- Provide day‑to‑day operational leadership and line management for our Psychological Therapies service, setting clear standards and fostering collaboration.
- As a qualified psychological therapist, you will hold a small clinical caseload, delivering evidence‑based one‑to‑one and group interventions, in person and virtually.
- Ensure the team are clinical governance (audit, investigations, KPIs) and safeguarding; contribute to service development and continuous improvement.
- Work as part of a multi‑disciplinarily team and with external health, social care and third‑sector organisations.
What we can offer you:
- Band 7 equivalent salary from £47,810 up to £54,710 per annum, dependent on experience, plus enhancements
- Working hours are 37.5 per week, Monday- Friday
- Permanent position
- Access to staff wellbeing and employee support services
Location & working pattern:
Based at our Brentry site with travel across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire; remote working by agreement.
A full driving licence and access to a car required.
Interview Date: 27th January 2026
Due to the nature of the work involved, this role is exempt from the ROA and the jobholder will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
We will be screening as we receive applications and therefore strongly encourage applications as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK before they apply for a vacancy and be able to provide evidence of this.
Strictly no agencies.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.