Health policy jobs

This is an exciting opportunity to engage in parliamentary, policy and civil society engagement work. We are looking for a Public Affairs Officer to support the implementation of the Trust's Public Affair's strategy. Working closely with the Public Affairs Manager, the role helps to build understanding and commitment among policy-makers ensuring that the Holocaust remains a central part of the UK's national consciousness. The successful candidate will provide meaningful support to activity that influences decision and policy makers; develop strong relationships with stakeholders; and provide ongoing political support for Holocaust education and antisemitism education across the UK. 

Over the course of our history, the Trust has created and delivered innovative and meaningful learning experiences and educational programmes which reach over 100,000 young people each year, teaching them about what the Holocaust was, and its relevance today. The school programmes we deliver include our Outreach Programme, our Lessons from Auschwitz Project; The Youth Advocacy Programme; Testimony 360: People and Places of the Holocaust; and Teacher Training.

The successful candidate will provide meaningful support to activity that influences decsion and policy makers; develop strong relationships with stakeholders; and provide ongoing political support for Holocaust education and antisemitism education across the UK. 

The Officer contributes essential research, coordination, written and logistical support to the Public Affairs Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Parliamentary and Public Affairs Support
• Political and Policy Monitoring
• Events and Engagement
• Team and Organisational Support

To find out more, and for details on how to apply, interested candidates should read the full application pack and head to our website to apply. 

Job Description

Balance is looking for a dedicated compassionateSupport Worker/Driver to join our  Day Centre in Wandsworth.

Who you are

• You are someone who shares and is able to mobilise the charities values of Independence, Empowerment, Partnership, Professionalism, Staff Recognition and Sustainability. If you have knowledge, application and commitment to these values we want to hear from you.
• You must  have a Clean Current D1 Driving License.

Who we are

At Balance we are committed to empowering those we support to build independence, fulfilled and self-confident lives.  We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us and who benefit from our services. 

Main Responsibilities of the Job

• To provide support and assistance during journeyspick up and drop of duties at the commencement and end of sessions at our day centres.
• To demonstrate Balance values of partnership, independence, professionalism, empowerment, staff recognition and sustainability in your conduct and approach to your work
• Through partnership, support and develop peoples skills, confidence and interests as part of a multi-disciplinary day service offer.
• To support your colleagues, service managers and other key professionals to put those using our service at the centre of your daily work. .
• To maintain and update client and related operational records with an accurate and professional commitment.
• To ensure compliance with and the delivery of the charity policies and procedures particularly those related to safeguarding, inclusion and disability discrimination.
• To support clients with there daily activities and to promote their independence 
• To be able to communicate effectively with families , colleauges and  clients.

Working Expectations

• The working day is  8.00am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday -  The current rate reflects the additional hours 
• Drive a passenger service vehicle.
• Attendance at training. 
• Use of information technology to support your work.

Benefits of Working for us

The charity ensures the following benefits for all its operational staff:

• A baseline commitment to pay London living wage for all its front line staff.
• A commitment to training and professional development to support internal progression as part of our performance support.
• Inclusion in and contribution to the charity's pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days a year plus an additional day off for your birthday.
• Access to a range of discount schemes.
• Access to the charity's employee assistance programme.
• Access to travel card loan and bike to work scheme.

In this dynamic role, you’ll be at the forefront of delivering agreed and dynamic plans to improve outcomes for people living with/at risk of diabetes.by working to reduce variation, and improve care, treatment and prevention via influencing and partnership working activity.

We’re looking for someone who can inspire and collaborate, building strong, positive relationships to increase understanding of diabetes. Your ability to influence and work together with others will help us support health system professionals and communities to improve diabetes care.

Join us and be a part of something truly transformative. Together, we can change the narrative around diabetes and create a more inclusive world.

Please note that we require that the successful postholder must be based in the East of England., United Kingdom

The Brompton Fountain supports children's heart and lung care at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust encompassing Royal Brompton, Harefield, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital and their partner hospitals.
Based at Royal Brompton Hospital, we work with teams across all sites to ensure patients and their families receive specialised support and resources (whilst in hospital and at home), regardless of where the child is treated within the Trust
network.

The Family Support Officer plays a vital role in delivering compassionate, practical and emotional support to children, young people and families receiving care under the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Working closely with the Hospital Services Manager, the post-holder will help deliver high-quality charitable services, events and projects.

Key objectives of the job 

• Work closely with the Hospital Services Manager to deliver core charity support, including but not limited to researching and distributing essential items, seasonal gifts and treats.

• Assist with the planning, preparation and delivery of events for children and families, varying in scale from one-to-one activities to large events.

• Obtaining and filing photo consent forms for any photography for promotional use.

• Assist with the delivery and development of services specifically for bereaved families, including annual events and support projects. 

• Assist with the upkeep of parent communal areas, including stock levels and general maintenance.

• Order products as directed by Hospital Services Manager

• Accurately recording charitable output, to be used for reporting purposes.

• Arranging travel and accommodation for families as part of our support services.

• Contribute ideas to improve services and identify unmet needs among families.

Communication and representation

• Communication with parents and families during face to face, telephone, email and social media interactions.

• Act in accordance with safeguarding procedures, escalating concerns about the welfare of children or vulnerable adults to the Hospital Services Manager (or charity CEO as required)

• Assist with the creation of regular charity newsletters through copywriting.

• Act as an ambassador for the charity when attending events and activities. 

Additional duties 

• Ensure that up to date written records and activity data are maintained in  accordance with professional and charity standards. 

• Comply with Charity and Trust policies including, but not limited to, current child protection policy and guidance, confidentiality, and health and safety.

• Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

• Be vigilant and aware of all stock, merchandise and resources owned by the charity.

• Adhere to policies and guidelines regarding money handling, as set by the CEO (including the use of bank cards/petty cash). 

• Any other duties as may be required by the Hospital Services Manager and CEO within the competencies and scope of the post. 

• Participate in safeguarding training and mandatory Trust/charity training.

• Complete merchandise sales from charity office as and when necessary.

Person specification 

Essential 

• Experience of working or volunteering with children, young people and families.

• Proven ability to deliver high-quality support in a service-driven environment.

• Demonstrates empathy and compassion, with the ability to discuss complex topics such as health issues, additional needs, and bereavement with sensitivity.

• Ability to work effectively with hospital teams and willingness to support colleagues and contribute to a positive team culture.

• Calm under pressure.

• Strong organisational skills. 

• Experience handling sensitive information appropriately.

• Personal drive, energy, integrity, adaptability and responsibility. 

• Good IT skills, including competence in Microsoft Office products. 

• Excellent personal and communication skills, including written and spoken English. 

• Reliable and punctual

• High level of attention to detail.

• Excellent references will be required.

• Enhanced DBS check will be required.

Desirable 

• Experience of working directly with children/families who have additional health needs. 

• Experience of working or volunteering within a hospital. 

• Experience of working within an office/admin setting. 

• Knowledge of the NHS environment.

• Previous charity or third-sector experience.

Senior Marketing & External Affairs Manager at Affinity Trust

Location: Hybrid – at least 2 days per week in our Thame office
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: £52,500 per annum

If you’re a strategic and forward-thinking marketing and external communications leader ready to shape how an organisation is seen, heard, understood and influences – this is your opportunity. Join a values-led organisation transforming lives across health and social care.

As our Senior Marketing & External Affairs Manager, you’ll lead our brand, external affairs, digital communications, and all stakeholder and community engagement. You’ll propose the strategy and deliver impactful campaigns, strengthen our voice across multiple channels, and champion growth – positioning us as a trusted, influential voice among policymakers, partners, and communities.

What you’ll do:

• Shape and deliver our marketing, external communications, and digital engagement strategies, creating strong brand differentiation and delivering plans that align with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Drive our public affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy, seeking to create a strong sector voice, and influence policies, decision making and commercial outcomes.
• Oversee our digital presence, including the website and social media, ensuring data-driven performance and audience insight.
• Lead proactive PR, media relations, and digital PR to boost awareness and thought leadership.
• Develop impactful campaigns, films, and stories that showcase our work and impact.
• Lead and mentor a small digital and communications team.
• Manage budgets, agencies, and external partnerships effectively.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven senior experience in marketing, communications, or external affairs.
• Strategic mindset with a focus on achieving organisational growth objectives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Demonstrable experience in digital marketing, analytics, and content performance.
• Confident leadership style with a collaborative, outcomes-focused approach.
• (Bonus) Experience in health, social care, or not-for-profit sectors.

Why join us:

• £52,500 salary + excellent benefits.
• Hybrid working (min. 2 days/week in Thame).
• 31 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays), rising with service.
• Health cash plan, pension, life assurance, Employee Assistance Programme.
• Blue Light Card, Cycle2Work, and option to buy additional leave.

We celebrate diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and guarantee an interview for those with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.

If you are offered the role, you will be required to have a DBS check at the relevant level, which we’ll cover the cost for.

�� For full details, please see the attached job description.

About us

Join our team at the MPS Society, one of the leading rare genetic disease charities in the UK aiming to transform the lives of individuals and their families affected by MPS, Fabry and other related lysosomal diseases.  This is a rare opportunity to join our Support & Communities teams who provide direct support, practical guidance and other patient focused activities to over 1500 members and their families, UK-wide. 

Our Support Team raise awareness both within the MPS community and external agencies, offering information, advice, support, and advocacy in a range of areas including clinical management, health and social care, housing, education, transition, independent living, palliative care, and bereavement.  

Ideal candidate

As a Senior Support Officer, you will primarily be responsible for raising awareness and providing a high-quality support and advocacy service to our members and their families.   You will be a relationship builder who cares about the community we serve and ensures that the individual (or family) remains at the centre of support.  You will have experience in multi-agency working and an in-depth understanding of the needs of those with disabilities, their families and carers.  Demonstrable experience and knowledge of health and social care, education and relevant assessment processes are essential. 

As deputy safeguarding lead officer for both shildren and vulnerable adults you will take the lead in the absence of the safeguarding leads and be confident sharing your knowledge with new recruits through mentoring.

You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to uphold best practice, challenge poor policy and inappropriate decisions.  Excellent IT skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to tight timescales are essential.  You will be self-motivated and highly organised, juggling many strands of work. 

As part of a small, dedicated team, you will have a positive attitude and a willingness to work collaboratively with your colleagues and external parties to raise awareness, advocate for our membership, as well as supporting the delivery and development of services for the MPS Society community.

Whilst a relevant qualification within health & social care, education or a related field is desirable, other knowledge and work experiences may be equally as valuable in this role. Prior knowledge of MPS and related conditions is not required however a special interest in neurology and working with individuals with neurological disabilities is advantageous.  In-depth support and training to develop expertise in MPS and related conditions, and the needs of those affected by these progressive, life-limiting conditions will be provided.   

What we can offer you

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time hours)
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

This is a full-time role (35 hrs per week) however part time hours, with a minimum of 28 hrs per week may be agreed for the right candidate.  Salary will be pro-rata for part-time.

The main duties, responsibilities and essential requirements of this role can be viewed on the attached job description.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham office each week. As part of the role, UK wide travel is necessary. This may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays.  You may also occasionally be required to attend evening or weekend conferences and events. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked are fairly compensated.

We encourage candidates to visit the MPS Society website to learn more about us and the community we serve.  Alternatively, if you would like an informal chat about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Bethanie Pentecost.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

The MPS Society is a charity that provides a range of care, support and activities for children and adults at risk throughout the UK. This is provided through our dedicated support and advocacy service, telephone helpline, clinical research, online activities and forums, annual events, patient expert meetings, focus groups and conferences.  MPS staff, trustees and volunteers may be asked to be involved in the delivery of its regulated services and activities. 

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Due to the sensitive nature of the duties undertaking, the post holder will be expected to undertake a DBS check as part of the recruitment process and for this to be reviewed on a regular basis. 

Next steps: 

Applications:  Please provide your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 750 words) outlining your understanding of how rare, complex and progressive conditions such as Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), including their neurological impacts, can affect individuals and families across the life course. In your response, please describe the experience, skills and approaches you have developed that would support you to carry out the Senior Support Officer role, including (where relevant) supporting people with complex needs, working across health, education and social care systems, and providing advice, advocacy or casework support.

Kindly note, applications received without a supporting statement will not be considered. 

Closing Date:   Whilst we have an initial closing date of 20th March, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview and assessment.

1st interviews:  Initial virtual interviews will be held end March/early April.

2nd interviews: Final face-to-face interviews and assessments will be held on 16th & 17th April at MPS House, Amersham.

Location: Pan-London/Hybrid

Salary: £31,500 per annum 

(Spot rate under Salary Band 2.2)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Sunday 22nd March 2026

Closing Time: 00:00am

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an Alliance Coordinator at Solace Women's Aid.  

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service

Solace are one of seven members of the Enhanced Mental Health Pathfinders (EMHP) Alliance. The EMHP Alliance aims to improve care for adult victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse with multiple complex trauma-related mental health needs, enabling recovery, healing and long-term wellbeing. To achieve this, the Pathfinder will strengthen collaboration between statutory and voluntary sector services, improve identification of complex trauma-related needs and develop the capacity and pathways required to deliver timely, sustained and trauma informed support.

About the Role

The Alliance Coordinator (AC) will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the Alliance and work closely with the Alliance Director. The Alliance Coordinator will support across a wide range of tasks that are critical to operational and strategic leadership of the Alliance, including preparing and coordinating senior meetings, preparing communications, report writing and collating lived experience feedback.

About You

The ideal candidate will have experience providing administrative support to senior leaders and be adept at building and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders and working in a fast-paced environment. The role is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated individual who is passionate about the meaningful work across sexual violence services and/or complex needs services, and is looking to develop a range of transferable skills.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Community Connector (Mental Health Resilience Worker)
Post no: 658
Reports to: Service Manager (Blended Teams)
Working base: Bedford CMHT (Community Mental Health Team) MK40
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £24,720 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

About the Role

Community Connectors work as part of an integrated, blended mental health offer to support people with emotional, social and practical needs to access a range of local, non-medical and non-clinical services, to improve confidence, social inclusion and independence.

This role will involve working as part of a multi-disciplinary team with statutory, third sector and NHS colleagues to support clients who are suffering from moderate to severe mental health difficulties. You will need to have experience working with those suffering with mental health illness as well as being able to demonstrate in depth knowledge of the services, support networks and local resources that may assist in improved outcomes for those dealing with complex and enduring mental health issues. The ability to be adaptable, work independently and the resilience to work in some challenging environments are key attributes for this role.

Service Delivery

• Assess suitability for community connection support as part of a blended team approach and support individuals to access the service by utilising in depth knowledge of local voluntary and community services and networks in your respective area
• To work with individuals to coproduce a plan to address their mental health and wellbeing goals. Am enable people to achieve these goals through facilitating access and connecting with appropriate resources
• Enable people to access community resources which may include accompanying them.
• Offer support, guidance and help where possible to people to gain confidence, overcome initial fears and seek solutions to any barriers inhibiting attendance.
• Take a holistic approach, based on the individuals’ priorities and wider determinants of health that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities.
• To work as part of an integrated team to ensure the best outcomes for each person accessing the service.
• Identify and build good working relationships with the community groups, relevant services and activities for partnership work and signposting as well as keep updated information about them.
• Competently work as part of a blended team, under direction from Mind BLMK and ELFT (East London NHS Foundation Trust), working with independence and in an agile way to support people with complex mental health challenges.

Entitlements/benefits:

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Health Plan with a wide variety of benefits
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: 5:00pm on Wednesday 11th March 2026
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.

In this role, you will: 
• Build meaningful relationships with underserved communities
• Co‑design outreach activities and culturally relevant support pathways
• Lead engagement in local communities to reduce health inequalities
• Deliver workshops, presentations, and targeted awareness campaigns
• Develop partnerships with PCNs, ICS colleagues, public health teams and VCSE organisations
• Help ensure individuals affected by cancer know how and where to access support

We’re looking for someone who:
✔ Understands community development and health inequalities
✔ Has experience engaging diverse communities
✔ Communicates with empathy, clarity and cultural humility
✔ Can design inclusive workshops, events and engagement activities
✔ Has strong digital and social media skills
✔ Is committed to equity, diversity and anti‑discriminatory practice

This is a meaningful opportunity to join a compassionate team and directly influence better outcomes for people affected by cancer.

Apply via our website: Self Help UK/Recruitment
Closing date: Wednesday 25th March 2026

In this 12‑month pilot, delivered in partnership with the NHS and East Midlands Cancer Alliance, you’ll work directly with underserved communities to:

• Increase cancer screening uptake through personalised, culturally competent support.
• Deliver community education and awareness activities focused on recognising cancer symptoms and understanding screening programmes.
• Build strong partnerships with GP practices, Primary Care Networks and local voluntary sector organisations.

What you’ll do:
✔ Support people facing cultural, practical or emotional barriers to screening.
✔ Deliver outreach sessions and community events across Nottingham.
✔ Record outcomes, gather insights and contribute to shaping future cancer services

Make a real difference to people’s lives and help transform cancer outcomes in Nottingham.

For a detailed job description and person specification and how to apply, please visit our website: Self Help UK/Recruitment  

Please Note: All interviews are in person at our Nottingham office or online by arrangement only

#cancer #healthequity #communityengagement #NHS #NottinghamJobs #CharityJob

Terms and Conditions:

1. Support Women in Prison to influence policy makers to reduce the unnecessary criminalisation of women and improving the rights of women in the criminal justice system
2. Ensuring women with Lived Experience are at the heart Women in Prison’s policy and public affairs work
3. Political analysis and monitoring
4. Supporting the wider work of the Policy and Public Affairs Team

• Is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement
• Requires the right to work in the UK
• Is subject to a basic DBS check

We need someone who would contribute to the implementation of an agreed strategy for increasing income targeting individuals, networks and organisations within the community whilst delivering first class support and fundraising advice to individuals and groups within a set geographical area (Bolton, Bury and Stockport). 

This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate and motivated individual to make a real difference to cancer patients.

At The Christie Charity we are an ambitious and forward-thinking organisation with a loyal supporter base. You would be part of a successful high achieving collaborative team, and this role gives you the opportunity to experience multiple fundraising disciplines.

We are an independent charity and everything we do is geared to supporting the renowned Christie hospital to ensure that cancer patients receive the highest level of treatment and care and have access to world leading research and technology. We provide enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. 

The Policy and Campaigns Manager leads ADUK in championing reforms that pave the way for better access for all disabled people partnered with a highly trained assistance dog. Through dynamic campaigns and impactful initiatives, this role is pivotal to how ADUK amplifies the voices of those whose lives are transformed by these life changing dogs, ensuring that their rights are protected for years to come.

Key Responsibilities

• In partnership with the Executive Director (ED), continue to develop a compelling case for taking a standards-based approach to the training and welfare of assistance dogs.
• Gather, analyse and apply robust evidence to strengthen ADUK’s credibility, influence and voice on key policy and campaigning issues.
• Work with the ED to identify and progress opportunities for ADUK and its members to engage with policymakers, regulators and other decision-makers, and to support positive policy change.
• Develop and deliver written and in-person reports and briefings for different audiences, including politicians, policy officials, and other decision-makers.
• Collaborate with the ED and Head of Education and Allyship to develop relationships with key stakeholders.
• Lead, manage and convene the ADUK Advisory Panel, ensuring it operates effectively and informs ADUK’s policy and campaigning work.
•  Monitor legislation and policy developments relevant to assistance dogs and dog welfare and communicate these as appropriate to members.
• Support the ED with the delivery of ADUK’s policy function, including the preparation of policy statements, briefing papers, media responses, and submissions to consultations and inquiries.
• Provide informed policy advice to the ED on priority issues affecting ADUK and its members.
• Represent ADUK externally, articulating its policy positions at meetings, events and forums, where appropriate.
• Take responsibility for projects, with the support of the Executive Director where appropriate, including joint work with partner organisations.
• Organise meetings, policy roundtables, expert workshops, policy training and other events.
• Provide information and support to service providers on assistance dog policies to promote access rights for disabled people with assistance dogs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

Essential – applicants will:

• Have experience working in a policy, public affairs/campaigning role, with a solid understanding of how the policy development process works and how to influence national policy.
• Experience in convening and facilitating advisory groups, panels or stakeholder forums to support organisational decision-making.
• Experience in planning and delivering events, workshops or meetings that support policy, stakeholder engagement or organisational aims
• Have the ability to analyse and interpret information from a range of sources.
• Have strong interpersonal skills including being able to develop positive and effective working relationships with a diverse range of people and organisations.
• Have the ability to act on your own initiative and develop new work.
• Be comfortable maintaining existing policy positions and relationships.
• Have experience in communicating complex ideas or processes to a range of diverse audiences.
• Have excellent writing and verbal communication skills and experience in producing briefings, consultation responses and other communications on behalf of an organisation and for a wide range of audiences.
• Represent ADUK with credibility and authority in all external communications

Applicants should be aligned with ADUK’s values of championing a standards-based approach to the training and welfare of assistance dogs.

See recruitment pack for full job and person spec. 

About Starlight

No one enjoys medical procedures, least of all children. From facing everyday vaccinations to the most serious of surgeries and chronic conditions, all children experience varying degrees of apprehension and fear. Feeling scared, powerless, or anxious in healthcare settings doesn’t just trigger a child’s emotions; it can create traumas that impact treatment success and that can have a life-long impact. Starlight’s aim is to transform children’s health through better experiences, by putting play at the heart of every child’s healthcare.

Evidence shows that play in healthcare can reduce anxiety, fear and even pain; it helps children engage and prepare for their treatment and cope better with procedures; it minimises trauma and contributes to a better experience; and supports children to have some sense of agency and control in an environment where these opportunities are limited. Play can also reduce the number of attempts to deliver treatment, the need for sedation and the need for repeat appointments. Prioritising children’s right to play in healthcare results in healthier, happier children who are involved in their own healing and recovery as well as more efficient treatment and care.

We work in over 900 healthcare settings across the UK with an ultimate vision to ensure that no child endures trauma in healthcare.

Our Strategy and the Professional Training & Development Manager role

Over recent years, we have been re-positioning Starlight from a wish-granting charity to a charity that supports children to experience the power of play in healthcare settings to improve their mental health and wellbeing. These changes have made an exponential difference to the immediate impact that we can achieve for children, as well as the opportunity to create real social value in the efficiency of treatment; and to our ability to advocate for long-term systemic change in the way children experience healthcare.

Central to improving children’s experience is having access to experienced and properly equipped play professionals. Through our Champions network and collaborative working across the healthcare sector, we have developed strong networks; shared best practice, offered opportunities for training and connection and raised awareness of the importance of play professionals and a culture of play in healthcare settings. Our Taskforce work with NHS England has also clearly outlined the need for workforce accreditation and development.

While we continue to advocate at a systemic level for the recognition of the play workforce and their need for a strategy for their development, this role is vital in providing more immediate and tangible support to the professionals who make our work possible. 3 The Professional Training & Development Manager will be integral in sharing Starlight’s knowledge of Play by training and developing key roles within health play settings to ensure Play becomes a foundation of every child’s health care journey. They will support wider understanding of the importance of a culture of play in paediatric healthcare.

Main purpose of the role

The main purpose of this role is to develop and maintain effective and mutually supportive relationships with health professionals, creating communities of practice and resourcing knowledge exchange across the sector. Through these relationships, you will deepen our understanding of the training and workforce development needs of play professionals and identify and develop opportunities for training and sharing of best practice, Working closely across the Children’s Services your work will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of a culture of play for children’s mental health and wellbeing and for the health and efficiency of the NHS.

You will report directly to the Head of Professional Training & Development and will line manage a coordinator.