Children support worker jobs in Leicester
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:
-
Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
-
30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown).
-
Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling).
-
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.
Children & Partnerships Manager
We have an exciting opportunity for a Children & Partnerships Manager to play a vital role in expanding our national referral network and ensuring more children across the UK can access the life-changing breaks we provide. This new role will work closely with our Development Director and Referrals Team to strengthen relationships with schools, Local Authorities, charities and community groups who support children aged 8–13 facing significant challenges.
Position: Children & Partnerships Manager
Location: Home-based with national travel
Salary: £32,000–£35,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time preferred (part-time considered)
Duration: 12-month fixed term (potential to extend)
Closing Date: Sunday 11th January 2026 at 11.59pm
About the role
As Children & Partnerships Manager, you will be at the forefront of driving national growth by identifying, engaging and nurturing the referral and delivery partners who help us reach the children who need us most. You will map areas of greatest need, build trusted relationships with key organisations, and support frontline professionals to confidently refer children onto our fully funded five-day breaks.
Some of your key responsibilities will include:
- Mapping UK regions with high child poverty and low current engagement to identify priority areas.
- Developing and delivering a national strategy to grow the referral base.
- Proactively seeking new partnership opportunities with MATs, Local Authorities, schools, charities and community organisations.
- Cultivating strong relationships with existing referrers and encouraging them to champion the charity within their networks.
- Representing the charity at events, networks and forums to raise awareness of our impact.
- Meeting directly with teachers, social workers and other professionals to showcase our service and explain the referral process.
- Working closely with the Referrals Team to ensure smooth onboarding of new partners and clarity around referral requirements.
About you
We are looking for a proactive and determined relationship-builder with a strong understanding of the challenges facing children and young people.
You will have the following essential skills and experience:
- Proven experience in partnership development, stakeholder engagement or network building
- Outstanding communication and influencing skills, comfortable engaging with a wide range of professionals.
- Strong relationship building capabilities and persistence in reaching key decision makers.
- Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks and travel nationally when required.
- Commitment to improving outcomes for disadvantaged children and championing equality and inclusion.
- A collaborative approach and confidence working across teams to support shared goals.
It would be desirable if you also have:
- Experience working within or alongside schools or Local Authorities.
- Understanding of child poverty, early intervention and barriers to support.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and data protection principles.
About the charity
The charity gives children and young people across the UK who face serious challenges in their lives the chance for a break that lasts a lifetime. For over 30 years, more than 20,000 children have enjoyed a week of adventure, creativity, and new friendships at our centres in Derbyshire and Cornwall. When they go home, they take with them confidence, resilience, and memories that last forever.
Everyone who works for the charity has a responsibility to promote the safeguarding and welfare of children. All successful applicants will require a DBS Disclosure.
You may also have experience in roles such as: Partnerships Manager, Engagement Manager, Network Development Manager, Children’s Services Manager, Education Partnerships Lead, Community Engagement Manager, Outreach Manager, or Stakeholder Engagement Officer, etc.. #INDNFP
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
Location: Loughborough, England (Travel required to all Baca Services locations)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £24,754 - £28,454 per annum FTE
Working Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (including evening and weekend hours on a rota)
Start Date: January 2026
About Us:
Baca is dedicated to providing support and care to 16 to 18 year old unaccompanied asylum seeking children who are newly arrived in the country, helping them rebuild their strength, dignity, and hope for the future. We work closely with social workers and representatives from other agencies to benefit the young people in our care.
Role Overview:
As a Support Worker, you will be a key worker for several young people in Baca's care, providing high-quality holistic and therapeutic support for their transition to adulthood. You will deliver services in line with Baca’s Theory of Change, ensuring the highest quality outcomes in physical and emotional wellbeing, education, employment, training, social engagement, and personal safety.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide high-quality support and care to young people, ensuring their holistic development.
- Work proactively to safeguard young people and resolve any issues that arise.
- Be a role model, offering care and compassion without discrimination.
- Support young people in developing essential life skills and preparing for independent living.
- Engage young people in education, vocational training, and hobbies.
- Foster positive relationships within the community and support social engagement.
- Plan and participate in day trips and annual residential weeks.
- Develop partnerships with social workers, solicitors, teachers, volunteers, and other partners.
- Maintain excellent communication and keep accurate records.
Requirements:
- Alignment with Baca’s values and mission.
- Ability to respond to change and work as part of a diverse team.
- Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative.
- Knowledge of safeguarding practices and issues faced by unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.
- Relevant training or willingness to complete essential training within the first year.
- Experience working with young people, especially in cross-cultural settings.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and ICT skills.
- Driving licence and access to a car.
- Enhanced DBS check required.
Personal Attributes:
- Approachable, reliable, and a strong team worker.
- Supportive, responsible, and personable.
- Flexible and able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Holidays and benefits:
- 33 days’ holiday a year (pro rata for part-time staff) including bank holidays.
- Pension scheme
- Health & Wellbeing programme
- Free parking
- Casual dress
How to Apply:
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young asylum seekers and have the skills and attributes we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK for this role as Baca is not on the Home Office list.
It is our mission to serve young people who have been forced to flee their home country – offering safe homes, education, therapeutic care and support



Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Guide a skilled team providing one-to-one Navigator support to kinship carers. You will set the standard for high-quality practice and ensure kinship families feel supported, understood and connected.
Kinship is undertaking a major feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of Kinship Connected. This is aligned with recommendations set out in the Kinship Care Practice Guide published by Foundations (2024) and builds on evidence from the Kinship Navigator intervention of support for kinship carers in the USA.
This feasibility RCT is a complex, multi-partner programme involving:
- An active funding partner
- An independent evaluation team
- 5 participating local authorities (to be confirmed)
- Internal delivery teams and cross organisational services
- Kinship carers and lived experience subject experts
This role leads and supports the staff team delivering one-to-one navigator-style support to kinship carers as part of the Kinship Connected feasibility randomised controlled trial. You will ensure the team provides consistent, high quality, relational support that reflects Kinship’s values and trauma-informed practice.
You will work closely with the Mobilisation and Delivery Project Manager and will share responsibility for ensuring high quality performance across the feasibility trial. You will both work closely with the core project team and partners.
The Programmes Manager leads practice quality, staff development, safeguarding and relational delivery. The Mobilisation and Delivery Project Manager leads operational quality, systems, processes, data and compliance. Together you make sure the trial is delivered ethically, consistently and to a very high standard.
Key responsibilities include:
-
Lead the day-to-day practice and relational delivery of the Kinship Connected (Navigator) support model.
-
Support Kinship Family Workers to deliver high quality, trauma-informed and strengths-based support to kinship carers.
-
Ensure clear case management, boundaries, risk management and reflective practice.
-
Embed the delivery approach set out in the Intervention Protocol and Kinship Navigator Service Manual.
-
Ensure equity, accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of delivery, with particular focus on minoritised ethnic kinship families.
-
Maintain delivery tracking and operational dashboards.
-
Provide high quality line management, reflective supervision and pastoral support to Kinship Family Workers
Essential knowledge and experience includes:
-
Strong experience leading frontline delivery teams providing emotional, relational or social care support.
-
Proven track record ensuring high quality casework, assessments, boundaries and risk management.
-
Experience delivering strengths-based, trauma-informed and evidence-informed approaches.
-
Substantial experience in line managing practitioners, delivering reflective supervision and supporting wellbeing.
-
Experience leading high performing dispersed teams with confidence, consistency and compassion.
-
Experience managing change and supporting staff through shifting delivery requirements.
-
Strong background in safeguarding decision making, case discussions and organisational safeguarding culture.
What we’ll offer you
Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time). We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.
Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams. We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.
Key dates:
Application deadline: 11.59pm, Sunday 4 January 2026
First interview: Friday 9 January 2026 (online)
Second interview:Wednesday 14 January 2026 (in-person, London)
How to apply
Respond on CharityJobs to these 5 questions, along with your CV:
-
What is it about Kinship’s mission and values that motivates you to lead the delivery of relational support for kinship carers, and how would these values shape your approach as a Programmes Manager?
-
Describe a time you led or supported a team delivering emotional or relational support. How did you ensure consistent, high-quality practice?
-
Give an example of how you have developed or supported practitioners through reflective supervision, coaching or managing difficult practice situations. What approach did you take and why?
-
Describe a situation where you had to make or support a safeguarding decision. How did you balance risk, judgement and support for staff?
-
Tell us about a time you worked with a local authority, commissioner or another external partner to resolve a challenge or improve delivery. What did you do?
We are looking to fill this role quickly and reserve the right to close a recruitment campaign earlier than the advertised where we have received sufficient applications so please apply early!
Some tips for your application:
• Make sure you’ve read the job description and the essential requirements – make sure your application reflects those points in the requirements very clearly.
• Tell us why you want to work for Kinship. We’re interested in working with people who share our values. You can read about our values above.
• Keep your response clear – use bullets points and short paragraphs if that helps. It will help the recruitment team to focus on your knowledge, skills and experience.
• Please do not use AI tools like ChatGPT to produce your answers. We use software to check, and your application will be rejected if you do.
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.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Help launch and run a nationally significant trial that could shape the future of kinship support. This role turns complex plans into reality and makes high-quality delivery happen.
Kinship is undertaking a major feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of Kinship Connected. This is aligned with recommendations set out in the Kinship Care Practice Guide published by Foundations (2024) and builds on evidence from the Kinship Navigator intervention of support for kinship carers in the USA.
This feasibility RCT is a complex, multi-partner programme involving:
- An active funding partner
- An independent evaluation team
- 5 participating local authorities (to be confirmed)
- Internal delivery teams and cross organisational services
- Kinship carers and lived experience subject experts
The Mobilisation and Delivery Project Manager is the operational engine of the programme, ensuring that every workstream is scoped, resourced, sequenced, delivered and evidenced, and that Kinship is trial-ready, compliant, and well-coordinated through set-up and delivery.
This role needs someone who is an excellent communicator, highly organised, unflappable, curious, and able to sit comfortably in the detail. The successful person will keep a firm grip on timelines, dependencies and risks.
You will manage a Programmes Officer as well as the set-up, processes, documentation, reporting, trial readiness, communications and cross-team coordination. You will work closely with the Programmes Manager who will share responsibility for ensuring high quality performance across the feasibility trial. You will both work closely with the core project team and partners.
You will lead operational quality, systems, processes, data, and compliance. The Programmes Manager will lead practice quality, staff development and supervision, safeguarding and relational delivery. Together you make sure the trial is delivered ethically, consistently and to a very high standard.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead the mobilisation plan across all workstreams and ensure trial readiness.
- Develop all processes, documentation and operational frameworks in line with the intervention protocol.
- Coordinate local authority onboarding, staff training and internal operational setup with the Programmes Manager.
- Work with internal Kinship teams to ensure everyone has clear expectations and is held to account for their performance during mobilisation and delivery – owning the workstreams.
-
Ensure weekly pipeline monitoring for treatment and control recruitment.
-
Work with the Programmes Manager and Kinship Family Workers to strengthen referral and screening processes where appropriate.
-
Identify recruitment risks early and drive rapid problem-solving.
-
Maintain delivery tracking and operational dashboards.
-
Identify throughput or workload risks and support adjustments.
-
Lead operational quality assurance (QA) including data quality checks, file audits and process compliance.
-
Coordinate data collection, monitoring and data quality for evaluator requirements (both treatment and control).
Essential knowledge and experience includes:
-
Project Management Qualification or commensurate experience.
-
Significant experience managing complex projects or programmes with multiple partners and tight delivery requirements.
-
Proven experience designing and maintaining structured workflows, operational systems and project plans in fast-paced environments.
-
Experience coordinating across multidisciplinary teams without direct line management responsibility.
-
Strong background in quality assurance, process improvement and operational risk management.
-
Experience translating evaluation, compliance or regulatory requirements into practical delivery processes.
-
Experience developing and maintaining documentation, SOPs, manuals and operational toolkits.
-
Experience working with data for monitoring, decision making and evaluation readiness.
-
Proven ability to ensure data quality, consistency and audit readiness.
What we’ll offer you
Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time). We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.
Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams. We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.
Key dates:
Application deadline: 11.59pm, Sunday 4 January 2026
First interview: Thursday 8 January 2026 (online)
Second interview:Wednesday 14 January 2026 (in-person, London)
How to apply
Respond on CharityJobs to these 5 questions, along with your CV:
-
Kinship’s mission and values emphasise putting kinship families first, being bold, stepping up and working stronger together. What motivates you to apply for this role, and how would these values shape how you lead mobilisation and delivery?
-
Describe a time you managed a complex programme or project with multiple partners or workstreams. What approach did you take to keep delivery coordinated and on track?
-
Give an example of how you improved data quality, compliance or process consistency. What actions did you take and what was the outcome?
-
Tell us about a situation where you worked closely with colleagues delivering frontline or relational support to solve a delivery or operational challenge. What did you do to ensure alignment and shared ownership?
-
Describe a time you worked in a fast-changing or uncertain environment. How did you stay grounded, support others and keep delivery moving forward?
We are looking to fill this role quickly and reserve the right to close a recruitment campaign earlier than the advertised where we have received sufficient applications so please apply early!
Some tips for your application:
• Make sure you’ve read the job description and the essential requirements – make sure your application reflects those points in the requirements very clearly.
• Tell us why you want to work for Kinship. We’re interested in working with people who share our values. You can read about our values above.
• Keep your response clear – use bullets points and short paragraphs if that helps. It will help the recruitment team to focus on your knowledge, skills and experience.
• Please do not use AI tools like ChatGPT to produce your answers. We use software to check, and your application will be rejected if you do.
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.
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.
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.
Help us to grow our Environmental Education Charity’s impact and income by fundraising, allowing us to deliver our mission to create outstanding opportunities that inspire everyone to engage with and care for the environment.
- The base location for this position is negotiable, with full remote working / home working a possibility.
- It’s a permanent full-time contract working an average 37.5 hours per week.
- Circa £30,197 per annum + excellent benefits – including 28 days leave + bank holidays, life assurance 5 x your salary, Health and Wellbeing Support and much more! See the full list below.
Love where you work!
We are a national charity established in 1943 to promote a better understanding of the natural world.
Our aim today is unchanged – to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it. We do this by offering a wide range of education courses and materials, so that everyone – and especially young people – can increase their knowledge, understanding and love for the natural world.
We value each of our team members and understand that every role is vital to achieve our goals, so, we provide great benefits* to reward and support you while you work with us.
What you’ll be doing
Your focus will be to grow our charity’s impact and revenue streams by fundraising for environmental education, benefitting people and nature by securing funds from supporters, trusts/foundations, and businesses.
This will include building relationships with potential legators, inspiring supporters to maintain their commitment, eventually leaving the Field Studies Council a gift in their Will as well as turning strategic and operational priorities into practical funding bids.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Researching and identifying potential trusts/foundations/businesses as suitable external funders for designated target projects
- Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to draft fundraising bids, developing persuasive proposals and collating appropriate supporting documentation.
- Proactively develop positive, long-term relationships that grow Field Studies Council’s pipeline of prospects
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and understanding of relevant governmental, sector and business opportunities to identify potential funding opportunities
- Fundraising administration including gift processing, donor thanking and stewardship
- Supporting at events and funding meetings, as required
Please refer to the vacancy pack for the full responsibilities of the position.
Where you’ll be based
The base location for this position is negotiable, with full remote working / home working a possibility. However, if you prefer working in office, we have Field Studies Centres throughout the country which you are also able to work from. We will also consider hybrid working options.
There may the occasional need to travel to meet with, colleagues, prospective funders and other stakeholders. We expect this to be limited, no more than once every 2-3 months.
Who we’re looking for
You will be passionate about our charity’s mission and understand the importance of Environmental Education.
It’s essential that you have experience working in a fundraising role or department. We need an experienced individual who is confident to write and submit successful fundraising bids to trusts, foundations and businesses.
You will also have experience creating and managing successful supporter journeys to optimise our donations, particularly legators.
As a natural at building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, you will be able to tell compelling stories to encourage individuals and organisations to support our aim to connect people to nature.
If this inspires you, we would love to hear from you.We look forward to your application.
* Your benefits whilst working with us will include:
- Competitive salary
- 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
- Extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
- Health and Wellbeing Support App which provides access for you and eligible family members to remote GP appointments, mental health consultations, physiotherapy and second medical opinions
- 24hr Counselling Helpline Service
- Life assurance 5 x your annual basic salary
- Cycle to work and EV schemes
- Discounts and cashback opportunities
- Flexible working options where roles permit
- Quality learning and development opportunities
The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 4 January 2026.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted after the close date and interviews will be arranged accordingly
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
