Senior Accessibility Specialist
Reference: APR20257021
Location: Flexible in UK
Salary: £44,315.00 - £47,312.00 Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours a week – Flexible working pattens to be discussed
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave
Whilst we have a huge presence and influence in the conservation sector we recognise that our work is not reaching everyone. We need to enable more, and more diverse people to engage with and act for nature.
Recognising that people are at the heart of delivering our ambitions, we have an exciting opportunity for a talented person to join as Senior Accessibility Specialist.
What’s the job about?
Our 2030 strategy commits the RSPB to becoming more relevant to the communities and supporters we work with by involving a more diverse range of people. Recognising that people are at the heart of delivering our ambitions, we have an exciting opportunity for a talented person to join as Senior Accessibility Specialist. Reporting to the Head of EDI, and as part of the EDI leadership team, you’ll hold close relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across the organisation. You’ll work collaboratively to support the transformation in behaviours and skills needed to make the RSPB a more accessible and equitable place for all.
The role does have flexibility to shape and innovate but will be focused on the continuation and delivery of two main priorities:
- Working with our nature reserve teams to implement accessibility improvements that make our spaces more inclusive for Staff, Volunteers and Visitors
- Working with Communications and Learning and Development teams, internal networks and other stakeholders, to deliver better experiences for our disabled workforce from the point they apply for a role.
Essentials:
- Experienced in delivering strategic accessibility interventions and influencing positive change at all levels of a large and complex organisation and the wider sector
- Personal commitment to making a tangible difference to accessibility with a focus on physical disability, sensory disabilities and neurodiverse people and communities.
- An advocate and practitioner of accessible design and clear communication
- Background and confidence in working with people with lived experience of access barriers and providing support and advice to organisations around accessibility.
- Comfortable to proactively challenge internal policy, practices and communications to better include marginalised groups.
- Expertise on accessible communications, with experience working to improve standards of internal communications and co-designing engaging content for external communication
- Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills to role model and drive behaviour change across all areas of accessibility
- In depth knowledge of accessibility standards and best practise within the UK. Including: WCAG, social model of disability, universal design principles, access to work, reasonable adjustments and working application of the Equality Act 2010
- Significant experience of designing and delivering resources and training around accessibility in a range of formats to meet learner needs
- Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills, ability to recognise a build key relationships and influence at a sector level
- Sound understanding of intersectionality of disability and other protected characteristics and a good generalist EDI knowledge to inform specialist advice and guidance
- Strong and effective communication skills, with ability to influence leaders and mobilise other teams to act
- Strong written communication and digital presentations skills to communicate accessibility and disability inclusion to a wide range of audiences
- Analytical evaluation to inform and report on areas of focus and impact
- Awareness of project and process management to enable work to be planned and delivered to a high quality, on time and within resource capacity
Desirable:
- Experience or interest in accessibility in the Conservation section, nature or climate emergency
- Understanding of the intersectional context of race and gender equity within accessibility
- Practical experience supporting accessibility changes at visitor attractions
- Experience working in the Voluntary sector or in volunteering
- Experience of movement building or membership organisations
Additional Information
This role is available full time and permanently for 37.5 hours a week, but we welcome applications for those looking for different working patterns and are happy to discuss further with interested candidates.
We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.
Closing date: 23:59, Wednesday 21st May 2025
Interviews will take place around the 18th and 19th of June.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert at any time.
Open briefings
If this sounds like the role for you and you'd like more information on what the day-to-day responsibilities are, or a chance to ask questions, please get un touch with EDI at RSPB to enquire about one of our open briefings.
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.
As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
No agencies please.
The RSPB brings people together – people like you – to protect the things that matter to us all.



Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
- Salary: £30,753 FTE
- Hours: 35
- Contract type: Permanent
- Location: Homebased within West Midlands & North Wales area (see below postcodes)
- Closing date: Sunday 25th May 2025
- Phone interviews: w/c Tuesday 27th May 2025
- Panel interviews: Monday 2nd, Thursday 4th, Friday 5th June 2025
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. 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 sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.
About the role
We’re looking for a Fundraising Engagement Manager with great personality and team ethic to join our Regional Fundraising team.
This is a role of variety, opportunity and innovation, and we are looking for someone who embraces change and constantly strives to achieve more.
You will maximise income for Young Live vs Cancer by coaching our supporters to reach their goals, whilst seeking out new fundraising opportunities for your geographical area. This role sits within the ‘Regional Engagement’ team and we need someone with natural customer service skills who wants to deliver a legendary experience to all of their supporters. Your team of supporters will range from volunteers and individuals, to groups and local corporates.
The West Midlands and North Wales regions are areas filled with some of our most committed supporters, but there is still so much opportunity to grow corporate support across the counties. Our Social Workers support families from Birmingham hospitals and out in the community in North Wales, so building relationships with these teams are a must.
Candidates should live within West Midlands and North Wales regions, in one of the following Postcodes: Worcestershire: WR postcodes, Birmingham area: B, DY1-11, DY13, Warwickshire: CV postcodes, Staffordshire: DE13-14, ST, WS, WV Shropshire: DY12, DY14, SY1-4, SY6-9, SY11-13, TF, WV15-16, Walsall: WS1-2, WS8-10, North Wales: SY10, LL and CH4-8
Candidates who live outside of these areas should highlight an intention to relocate to the area in their covering letter for their application to be considered. If you don’t live in one of these postcodes and don’t have plans to relocate, your application will not be taken forward.
This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application a basic criminal record check will be completed.
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.
- To plan, monitor and report on your budgeted income with a constant eye on contingency planning to ensure annual targets are achieved;
- To steward our most committed supporters and deliver legendary supporter experience;
- To be a key, valued member of your regional team and UK wide team;
- To identify, cultivate and secure partnerships and donations within your area;
- To work with your local service team/s to build and maintain strong and effective working relationships;
- To be the first point of contact for service user families, to offer opportunities to them and their networks to engage with the wider charity as they would like I.e. fundraising, volunteering, sharing their story
What do I need?
- A proven track record of delivering amazing customer experiences
- Experience of relationship management in either a charity or corporate setting
- Ability to work within a financial target-based setting, and experience of reaching/exceeding set targets
- Demonstrable experience of winning new business
- Experience of managing own workload
- Proven ability to manage/complete projects
- Able to ‘make the ask’ for support and to influence/negotiate
- Have a full UK driving licence and access to a car (including business insurance)
- Have a sufficient Broadband connection
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:
- Natural storyteller
- Strong prioritisation skills
- Great communicator
- Great at spotting opportunities
- Influencing/Negotiating
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Team Player
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 days: four days a year to do what works for you – from catching up on training to going for a walk
- 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 via the apply button.
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.
Redthread is a hospital based youth work service, working alongside NHS staff and other professionals in emergency departments.
Our experienced, specialist youth workers engage with and support young people, aiming to reduce serious youth violence. We often meet young people at a moment of change and work with them to find a positive way forward.
We provide long-term, holistic support. We consider every aspect of a young person’s life and build support around them.
Job Description
The Senior Service Manager (SSM) provides strategic oversight of Redthread Services (currently working with 9 hospitals in London and Birmingham) providing line management to ensure high quality delivery that improves outcomes for children and young people and be successful in seeking opportunities for further growth. The SSM will work with the YPF SMT and will take a lead role in implementing our YPF strategy in this area, including taking and making opportunities to grow our services, and supporting new service implementation as need requires.
The role can be home based, but time spent in each of the services alongside travel across the UK will be required in order to support delivery and growth of services across the Hub. The ideal candidate will have experience of delivering and managing similar services and the right mix of leadership, passion and energy, and an innovative nature. A proven track record in engaging with positive relationships with commissioners and securing new business is essential. The role will involve promoting, connecting and building services in order to impact the lives of vulnerable young people with complex needs.
Duties and accountabilities are split into two core areas, management and development of Redthread service delivery, including direct management and coordination ensuring high performance that improves outcomes for children and young peopleand supporting implementation of the YPF growth strategy
- Line management of service managers and operational oversight of service contracts.
- Supporting the implementation of the YPF strategy, including making opportunities for organic and new growth. Work with Business Development and other business partners and engage Commissioners and other funders to develop our delivery models and to bid for services (organic growth and nationally).
- Supporting the implementation of the Clinical Governance policy and responsible for ensuring relevant services adhere to this guidance.
- Contribute to national stakeholder engagement plans and local, geographical influencer plans to promote our hospital based youth work offer and support growth.
- Ensure that staff and volunteers within services are engaged with Redthread’s vision and strategic plan, are motivated and understand their role and contribution to the wider organisation.
- Provide robust management and accountability for service budgets and in building budgets for new services working closely with Redthread’s finance business partner.
- Monitor and ensure that contractual commitments are met and that service performance is maximised; acting promptly to respond to and resolve performance and compliance issues. A core component of the role will be to ensure the confidence of our Commissioners including by assuring the quality of delivery, through Brilliant Basics audit, review, observation and ongoing service development.
- Ensure the provision of high quality reports for Redthread, commissioners and other strategic groups on the work of the services with clear evidence of quantitative and qualitative outputs – particularly signing off service commissioner reports / performance prior to external distribution.
- Ensure that services operate effective multi-agency working processes, such as referral, assessment and review and to ensure a high quality standard of lead professional, meeting chairpersonship and co-ordination from workers.
- Promote and support the participation of service users so that they are appropriately informed, consulted and involved in their own plans and the design and delivery of services.
- Be responsible for ensuring that all service activity is safe for all involved, to include adherence to Redthread’s health and safety policies including safeguarding, accidents, incident and injury reporting, fire safety and risk assessment. Review audit activity within services and work to ensure a consistent approach across services.
- Undertake other duties as required to ensure the effective delivery of the services.
Qualifications
Professional qualification in a relevant discipline such as youth, community or management or demonstrable equivalent experience.
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge and understanding of relevant current issues and research (including emerging trends youth violence work and associated areas of risk)
EXPERIENCE
- A proven track record of developing and managing projects in the public, private or voluntary sectors.
- Extensive experience of working with young people (11 – 18 years) and their families, identified as vulnerable or as having complex needs preferably within a community setting.
- Demonstrable experience of staff management including recruitment, induction, supervision and support.
- Proven track record in scoping and developing new business activity, including engaging and developing positive relationships with commissioners.
- Experience of preparing bids e.g service model development, articulating delivery within tenders - for significant projects/services and participation in the business development process e.g. responding to tender questions etc
- Experience of working using own initiative to an agreed action plan and effectively monitoring service quality standards and performance.
- Commitment to young people’s participation
- Substantial experience of working in a multi-agency environment and the proven ability to develop effective working relationships with other professionals/organisations.
- Experience of managing services for young people and their families, and empowering them to make positive and informed choices in their lives.
- Experience of developing new contracts and development opportunities with commissioners and partners.
- Experience of project development
- Experience of training / public speaking to a wide range of audiences
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Proven ability to lead and coach others in their professional development
- Demonstrated ability to manage and monitor budgets (up to the value of £1m p/a), working within organisational financial procedures.
- Ability to lead, motivate and oversee administrative processes.
- Excellent negotiation skills, and an ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and diplomacy.
- Demonstrated ability to incorporate and demonstrate an equal opportunities perspective in all areas of work
- Ability to achieve results and meet deadlines and to motivate and manage staff to do the same.
- Computer literacy including the use of Email, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Ability to build and establish effective working relationships at a range of levels, including with commissioners, funders and external influencers.
- Creative, flexible and able to work well with others in a team.
- Honest and reliable.
- Commitment to the organisation and also to their own personal and professional development.
- Commitment to enabling children/young people and their families to participate and achieve their full potential.
Additional information
Hours of work: Full time, 37 hours per week
Place of Work: Home based with expectation of national travel*
Contract Type: Permanent
Level of screening: Enhanced DBS
*You will be required to work on a on-call basis (days, evenings, weekends, bank holidays) supporting on-call staff with risk assessments ad decision making.
Catch22 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice will be followed and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.