Executive assistant to the executive director of policy jobs

Learning Disability Community Leader, L'Arche Manchester

ABOUT THE ROLE

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (including some evening and weekend working, and regular on-call)

Salary: £47,946 per annum

Reports to: L’Arche UK Regional Leader

Place of work: L’Arche Manchester Community, Manchester M20 4AW. Some travel and overnight stays will be required within the UK

Contract type: Temporary 12-month appointment to cover maternity leave

Closing date: Monday, 2nd March at 12 pm.

Main purpose of the role

The Community Leader is responsible for ensuring that the Community is living the mission of L’Arche, by providing excellent and sustainable care and support services, support for  spirituality, and engaging with our neighbours and the wider community around us.

The Community Leader will:

• Lead the Community by responding to the needs, choices and context of our members while being faithful to the L'Arche UK Vision and Values, the L'Arche International Identity and Mission Statement, and to a co-created Community Mandate and plan;
• Maintain and enhance high-quality, person-centred care, support, and housing for people with learning disabilities, both at home and in our day services in partnership with the Registered Manager, the local and national teams, individual circles of support, and external partners. 
• Ensure the Community’s financial sustainability through robust financial planning and management. This includes setting budgets and controlling spending, maximising housing occupancy, supporting the negotiation of care contracts, growing our day services and spotting fundraising opportunities. 
• Foster a culture that maximises the voice and power for people with learning disabilities, and builds listening and collaboration between Community members. This will include working with an active Community Support Group, Community Gatherings, listening groups, and other forums. 
• Lead and manage a committed and engaged leadership team to achieve objectives, set a positive culture, and support the personal and professional growth of our teams. 
• Cultivate an open, creative, and inclusive spiritual life, inviting everyone in the Community to deepen their connections. 
• Model, advocate for, and embrace the L’Arche ethos of deep, long-term, and mutually transforming relationships between people with and without learning disabilities. Plan and lead a regular calendar of events that build community belonging and help keep people connected. 
• Contribute to the national work programmes of L’Arche UK, as part of the National Council, collaborating with Community Leaders of other L’Arche Communities, to share skills, best practice and resources. 
• Be a visible representative of L’Arche locally in the wider community, with stakeholders like local authorities, professional organisations, schools, faith communities, and L’Arche world wide.

Key essential criteria

• Senior leadership experience in support to adults with learning disabilities (or transferable skills and experience in a closely-related field). 
• Experience leading and managing an organisation or large teams to deliver results, maintain compliance and quality, and to respond to risks and opportunities. 
• Experience leading and developing diverse teams to flourish, individually and together. 
• Good financial planning skills and experience successfully managing a substantial budget. 
• Evidence of the ability to think strategically, and work collaboratively to develop and implement community plans. 
• Experience of living or working alongside people with learning disabilities and/or autistic individuals

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS criminal record check. 

You may have held these job titles in the past: Registered Manager, Service Manager, Head of Care, Senior Operations Lead, Community Director, Head of Community Services, Country or Regional Lead, Learning Disability Services Manager, Head of Mission and Community Life, Health & Social Care Manager, Local Authority Commissioning Lead;

You can find more details about L'Arche and the Manchester community on our website. 

Why join L'Arche?

As well as joining a friendly Community, where you will be well supervised and supported, and benefit from L’Arche’s mentorship programme, these are some other benefits you get by working for us:

• Joining shared meals since cooking and having a meal together is what we are all about
• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption/Surrogacy, Paternity Pay (depending on length of service, details available on request) 
• Enhanced sick pay
• Interest free loans and salary advances available
• Free DBS / PVG checks
• Free Employee Assistance Programme available to everyone
• Up to 5 days paid compassionate leave
• Up to 6 days paid (pro rata) for time off for emergency dependents leave
• Specialist bereavement counselling for employees and their family members
• Life Assurance
• Access to the Bike to Work scheme

Discover what makes L’Arche a rewarding place to work—explore  more of our employee benefits on our website.

A full job description and person specification can be found in the Recruitment Pack.

To apply, please submit your CV and answer the questions from our online application form. 

The closing date is: Monday, 2nd of March at 12 pm.

First interviews (online via Microsoft Teams) are expected to take place during the week beginning the 9th March 2026.

Second round interviews will take on the place week beginning 16th March 2026 and will take place within the Community.

We encourage you not to wait until the closing date to submit your application, as we may begin interviewing strong candidates before then.
We also reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive enough suitable applications.

Please also read our privacy notice for job applicants.

Salary: £37,000 – £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (with some hybrid working)
Contract: Full-time
Closing Date: 12th February 2026
Start date: ASAP with consideration given to notice periods

Do you have the vision, leadership and compassion to transform the futures of women experiencing homelessness?

Keychange is a Christian charity with over 100 years of experience supporting people facing vulnerability. Today, we provide specialist housing for women and young people experiencing homelessness, alongside residential care for older people across the South and South West of England.

We are now seeking an exceptional Women’s Homelessness Lead (Surrey) to shape and lead our specialist women’s homelessness service at Wayside Community in Reigate. This community is a 19 bed, 24-7 supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This is a rare opportunity to combine frontline leadership, strategic development, and church and community partnership building in a role with real depth, influence and impact.

About the Role

• This is a leadership role with both operational and strategic responsibility. You will:
• Provide leadership and line management to the Deputy Manager, Senior Administrator and a skilled team of support workers
• Lead the delivery of trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centred support
• Develop strong partnership networks across local authorities, charities, housing providers and churches
• Shape the future of Keychange’s women’s homelessness strategy across Surrey
• Represent Keychange externally and explore opportunities for future service growth

At the heart of this role is a deep commitment to co-production, dignity, recovery, community and belonging.

Who We’re Looking For

You will bring:

• Substantial experience supporting or managing services for vulnerable individuals
• A strong understanding of trauma, safeguarding, risk and recovery-based practice
• Proven ability to build partnerships and influence across multiple stakeholders
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Confidence engaging with churches and Christian networks across traditions
• A values-led approach aligned with Keychange’s Christian ethos

Desirable experience includes:

• Managing accommodation-based services
• Existing Church partnerships across Surrey

What We Offer

• Salary of £37,000 – £41,000
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working (with 4 days regularly site or community based)
• Employee Assistance Program and Life Insurance
• Contributory Pension Scheme with matched employer contributions
• Ongoing personalised learning and professional development
• A supportive, faith-centered, values-driven culture

For more information about the opportunity and for details on how to contact us informally to discuss the role in greater detail before applying, please see the job pack attached to this advert.

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter clearly addressing the essential and desirable criteria and an up-to-date CV focused on relevant experience. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Recruitment Timeline

• Deadline for submitting your application: 12 February 2026
• First screening interviews, remotely: 16 February 2026
• Full interviews in person in central London: 23 February 2026
• Start date: ASAP with consideration given to notice periods

As an interim Supervising Solicitor in Public Law, you will supervise and carry out CPAG’s public law legal aid cases, to benefit families and children in poverty. You will play an active role in managing CPAG’s legal practice and conduct high-profile public law litigation. 

We are looking for someone who is passionate about using the law to advocate for the rights of, and directly improve the lives of, families in poverty. The ideal candidate will be a solicitor (E&W qualified) with experience of conducting public law litigation and legal aid (publicly funded) work. You will be able to supervise the casework of colleagues, such as CPAG’s junior or trainee solicitor(s) and welfare benefit advisers. You may have experience of working with clients in vulnerable situations or with additional needs, for example, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, disabled people or children and young people.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack. 

We welcome applications on a secondment basis.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Supervising Solicitor - Public Law (Interim)

This is a centre-based role with some travel to other animal centres, branches and adopter’s homes. There will be a requirement to work with diverse teams and in potentially dangerous (due to the animals they may encounter) and emotionally demanding situations. 

Role Purpose

Responsible for assessing and monitoring the behaviour and welfare of dogs, cats and small animals (depending on need and competence) in Danaher’s care. This will include devising behavioural plans, and carrying out or overseeing environmental and behavioural and training interventions in agreed circumstances, to maintain high standards of welfare, support successful rehoming and reduce return rates. The post holder will also be required to support and train other staff and volunteers in the care, management and behaviour modification of the animals in their care.  

Behaviour, welfare and training plans for dogs and cats (other species depending on RSPCA need and professional competence). Decisions to escalate animals for RCAB attention (according to agreed criteria). Sign off of staff/volunteer competency to handle dogs with more complex behavioural needs (according to agreed criteria). Record-keeping.

Women’s Homelessness Lead (12 months maternity cover)

Location: Exeter
Salary: £34,000 - £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: Full-time (some flexibility with hybrid working)

Are you ready to make a lasting impact in the lives of women experiencing homelessness? Do you have a heart for social justice, a knack for building partnerships, and a passion for creating safe, supportive spaces? If so, Keychange Charity invites you to join us as our Women’s Homelessness Lead in Exeter for a 12 month contract.

About Us

At Keychange, we’ve been supporting women in vulnerable situations for over 100 years. Rooted in Christian values, our work is grounded in the belief that every person deserves fullness of life, community, and unconditional love. Our Women’s Homelessness Service in Exeter is a specialist 5-bed accommodation, offering not just a roof, but holistic, person-centred support that addresses trauma, health, wellbeing, education, and employment.

About the Role

This exciting role combines service delivery, strategic leadership, and community partnership building. As our Women’s Homelessness Lead, you’ll:

• Provide personalised, trauma-informed keyworking to a small caseload of women, empowering them to achieve personal goals and move toward independence.

• Develop strong partnerships with churches, local charities, housing providers, and funders to create wrap-around support for residents.

• Design and refine the service model, ensuring it remains co-produced, high-quality, and responsive to the unique needs of homeless women.

• Lead housing management and safety protocols, ensuring a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.

• Represent Keychange in the wider community, promoting our mission and developing opportunities for future service delivery.

 Essential Criteria

• Substantial experience supporting women experiencing homelessness or disadvantage

• Deep understanding of the unique challenges homeless women face

• Proven ability to build partnerships with churches, charities, and local authorities

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

• Strong understanding of church networks and Christian community engagement

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in accommodation-based service delivery

• Existing relationships with VCSE organisations or churches in Exeter

Occupational Requirement

This post is subject to an Occupational Requirement (OR) under Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 that the post-holder must be a woman. Our aim is to provide a safe, private and comfortable environment for women affected by homelessness. This requirement is necessary and proportionate in light of the responsibilities of the role, which include:

• Providing keyworker support to at-risk female service users

• Maintaining the cleanliness, health, and safety of bedsits occupied exclusively by women

• Engaging in discussions on personal topics including trauma recovery, health and wellbeing, domestic abuse, and relationships support

Why Join Keychange?

• Competitive salary: £34,000 - £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)

• Generous leave: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working: Some flexibility, with regular site/community days

• Employee assistance programme and life insurance

• Contributory pension scheme with matched employer contribution

• Personalised development: Tailored learning and growth opportunities

• A vibrant and supportive team environment

How to Apply

Please send us:

1. A cover letter sharing your story and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria

2. An up-to-date CV, focusing on your relevant experience

Closing Date: 13th February 2026
Interviews will take place: w/c 23rd February 2026
Starting Date: 9th March 2026