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Policy Specialist (Children and Young People)

Are you interested in improving the lives of children and young people with a learning disability? Can you turn complex ideas into evidence-based policy? Are you a skilled communicator able to influence decision-makers? If so, we would love to hear from you!

We are currently looking for a Policy Specialist to join Mencap. This position sits within the Policy and Public Affairs teams of Mencap’s Campaigns, Advocacy and Activism Directorate (CAA). You will work closely with our influencing, information and advice, campaigning, and research work, as well as sector partners like the Disabled Children's Partnership. 

This is an exciting new role to deliver policy change and enhance the rights of children and young people with a learning disability. At a key time to influence Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) education reform, we are seeking a policy specialist to shape policy work that reflects the needs and experiences of children, young people, and their families. Working within the policy team, you will be responsible for developing evidence-based policy work and influencing decision-makers.

This is a full time position (37.5 hours per week). We are flexible with your work location, but there may be some occasional travel needed to our London office or Westminster.

You will: 

• Translate complex work into clear and persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses and reports.
• Work within wider coalitions of charities, building collaborative relationships and ensuring that the needs and priorities of our community are addressed.
• Develop and expand Mencap’s ‘Policy Shapers’ work, ensuring our work reflects the experiences of children and young people with a learning disability and their families.
• Support our information and advice team, briefing them on important developments, inputting into casework discussions relevant to your areas of work, and supporting the creation of public information resources.
• Represent Mencap at meetings and events, with MPs, civil servants, and sector partners.
• Identify and analyse relevant research to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.

You will bring to this role:

• Experience of working on public policy issues.
• Strong communication skills: experience tailoring your messaging to a variety of different audiences and representing an organisation.
• Experience building positive relationships and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes; able to positively challenge, negotiate and compromise.
• The ability to work on your own initiative while contributing to team priorities and sustain enthusiasm under pressure.
• Experience analysing evidence to develop recommendations.
• Knowledge the issues facing children and young people with a learning disability and/or the SEND system, as well as the wider parliamentary system. 
• Passion about making the world a better place for people with a learning disability. 

If you're passionate about driving meaningful change for children and young people with a learning disability and you're ready to use your policy expertise to make a real impact, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. This role will close on Monday 27th October. Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 3rd November.

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

• Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.
• Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
• Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

Policy Officer-Wales

Based at home, situated across Wales including regular travel around the country and to the Senedd, Cardiff.

22.5 hrs per week

Fixed term post 2 years - with possible extension

Circa £35,000 p.a FTE depending on experience

Make a difference for kidney patients in Wales!

Are you passionate about influencing policy and driving change? Do you want to be part of a growing team making a real impact on the lives of people with kidney disease?

We’re looking for a Policy Officer – Wales to help shape policy, build relationships, and advocate for better support and care for kidney patients. In this brand-new role, you’ll work for Kidney Care UK and Kidney Wales, engaging with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and those affected by kidney disease.

You’ll spend time at the Senedd, building connections with local politicians and councillors, and ensuring the voices of kidney patients are heard loud and clear. With your knowledge of Welsh Government structures (or similar UK experience), you’ll help drive our campaigns and influence change.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible difference, working flexibly in a supportive team. If you’re ready to champion kidney patients and shape policy in Wales, we’d love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Develop or participate in work programs and undertake projects to explore policy issues under the guidance of the Policy Director of Kidney Care UK and the Managing Director of Kidney Wales.
• Support the research, development and dissemination of policy positions in Wales.
• Work with other team members to deliver events/reports or campaigns as needed
• Keep up to date with the policy department and charity work to avoid duplication and ensure good communications with our colleagues.
• Contribute to the newly created All Wales Cross Party Group.
• Undertake desk-based research involving data collection and the synthesis of information from relevant sources.
• Seek out opportunities for communications and influencing in the Welsh parliament, including the need for a kidney group. 

About you

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience. 
• Previous experience working with elected members
• Experience in conducting analysis and writing and editing reports for publication
• Can travel regularly to the Senedd Cymru Welsh Parliament in Cardiff and other parts of Wales, plus Alton Hampshire

Employee benefits

• Employee assistance programme | Generous annual leave | Pension | Cycle2Work scheme | Flexible working | Retail discounts | Family leave | Health cash plan

The advert may close earlier than the stated closing date if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.