Autism jobs

Manager - Young Lives & Families
Pay: £37,650 - £41,250 per annum
Hours: Full-time. 35 hours a week
Work Pattern: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm 
Contract Period: Permanent
Location: Action on Disability Centre for Independent Living, Mo Mowlam House, Clem Attlee Court, London SW6 7BF

About Action on Disability

Action on Disability (AoD), founded in 1979, is one of London’s leading Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs). Guided by the Social Model of Disability, we work to remove barriers and promote equality, inclusion and choice for all Disabled people.

AoD is a medium-sized charity with a Board of Trustees, 27 staff, and a strong pool of casual staff and volunteers. Many of whom have lived experience of disability. We are proud that 100% of our Board and 54% of our staff identify as Disabled.

We deliver four key services: Young Lives & Families, Employment, Welfare Benefits, and Independent Living.

Purpose of the Role

The Manager for Young Lives & Families and Independent Living Advice & Support provides operational leadership and coordination across both departments.

The postholder supervises project leads, ensures effective, person-centred service delivery, and maintains quality, compliance and accountability in line with AoD’s values and the Social Model of Disability.

Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, the Manager supports planning, performance monitoring, budgeting and partnership development to ensure services for Disabled children, young people, adults and families are delivered to a high standard and meet contractual outcomes.

Main Responsibilities

1. Provide clear, supportive day-to-day leadership across both departments, ensuring that services meet organisational and contractual requirements.

2. Supervise and support the project leads for Youth, Supported Internships (H&F and K&C), Welfare Benefits Advice and Direct Payments Support.

3. Coordinate delivery to ensure that all activities are inclusive, accessible and informed by the Social Model of Disability.

4. Oversee compliance with statutory, contractual and safeguarding requirements, maintaining accurate monitoring and quality-assurance systems.

5. Manage departmental budgets within agreed limits and contribute to forecasting, reporting and value-for-money reviews.

6. Prepare and submit funding applications and tender bids, in conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer, ensuring proposals are evidence-based and aligned with AoD’s strategic priorities.

7. Lead regular team meetings, supervision and appraisals; set clear objectives and support staff development.

8. Build and maintain effective partnerships with local authorities, schools, colleges, employers and community organisations to strengthen outcomes.

9. Support project leads with data collection, outcome reporting and evaluation (including use of Salesforce or other systems).

10.  Promote co-production and participation by Disabled people in service design, delivery and review.

11.  Contribute to planning and service improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance delivery and efficiency.

12.  Represent AoD positively at external meetings, networks and events, promoting our vision, values and expertise.

13.  Work collaboratively with other AoD departments to encourage cross-organisational learning and shared practice.

General Responsibilities

• Work in line with AoD’s aims, values and the Social Model of Disability.
• Follow AoD’s policies on Equality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Confidentiality and Data Protection.
• Actively contribute to team meetings, supervision and training.
• Promote AoD’s services and values to partners, employers and the wider community.
• Be flexible and willing to carry out other tasks that support the smooth running of the service.

Organisational responsibilities

All staff share responsibility for upholding AoD’s values and ensuring that our work reflects the principles of the Social Model of Disability. In this role you will:

• Work in line with AoD’s aims, values and strategic priorities, promoting equality, inclusion and co-production in all aspects of your work.
• Follow AoD’s policies and procedures, including those covering Equality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Data Protection and Confidentiality.
• Promote and represent AoD positively to partners, employers, funders and members of the public.
• Contribute to organisational development, suggesting improvements and sharing ideas to strengthen our services.
• Participate fully in supervision, training, team and organisational meetings, and support colleagues to achieve shared goals.
• Maintain accurate records and monitoring data, contributing to reports for funders, commissioners and internal use.
• Work flexibly across projects and departments when needed, supporting colleagues and adapting to new priorities.
• Ensure safe and responsible working practices in all aspects of your role, including the wellbeing of yourself and others.
• Uphold AoD’s commitment to being a DPO led by and for Disabled people.

In return we offer

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata), rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Life Assurance (1x salary if enrolled in the auto-enrolment pension)
• Company sick pay (2 weeks after 6 months’ service; 1 month after 12 months)
• 2 weeks Disability Leave pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

Additional Information

• Some evening or weekend work may occasionally be required.
• An enhanced DBS check will be required.
• Travel across Greater London will be required; travel expenses reimbursed according to policy.
• Managers are expected to work on-site at AoD for at least four days per week (full-time equivalent).

Closing Date: 24th July
Interview Dates: 4-6th August
N.B. We reserve the right to interview and close the deadline early should a suitable applicant apply

Interested?

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

We particularly welcome applications from Disabled people, as they are currently under-represented in leadership roles across the wider voluntary and community sector. As a Disabled People’s Organisation, we believe lived experience brings valuable insight and leadership to this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments at all stages of recruitment and employment.

No agencies please.

We are seeking a qualified Specialist ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advocate) to join our Advocacy team at Respond. The role includes providing pro-active emotional, practical and advocacy support for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people with complex or multiple needs who have experienced any form of sexual violence and are engaging, (or considering engaging) with the criminal justice system. The ISVA will work across London to provide non-judgmental, trauma-informed emotional support, working in partnership with other London sexual violence support services. 

Our ideal candidate will have experience in the ISVA role as well as a friendly and relational approach to working with clients.  You will have the ability to build trusting relationships, work in an empowering and inclusive way and support clients to heal following sexual abuse and develop coping capacity. You will be a self-motivated individual who will engage with a wider range of people who have experience sexual violence, and other barriers to justice.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive and passionate team, and you will be supported by the ISVA Service Manager in your ongoing development. Respond values and encourages working in a collaborative and compassionate way, as we support each other to address one of the most enduring injustices; of the experience of trauma to autistic people and people with learning disabilities and their families.

Background information about Respond   

Respond started in 1991 and has grown from a small London based charity to a medium sized national charity in recent years.  Our mission is to reduce the impact of trauma in the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, by developing trusting relationships, through psychotherapeutically informed services.  

An important part of our work at Respond is working in a trauma-informed way. What this means for us is that we hold in mind the impact of trauma at all levels of the organisation, and all staff take part in reflective practice or team dynamics.     

We are keen to encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates including people with lived experience, who are both interested in working in partnership to provide advocacy support, as well as supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have experienced trauma.    

We are committed to the furthering of human rights, equality, and positive social change through our therapeutic and advocacy work and are committed to anti-racism and other forms of anti-discriminatory practice. We recognise that we need to continually keep this as a focus in our work and as an integral part of our organisational strategy.      

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement in the person specification, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable for this role.  You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles within the organisation. 

Respond Benefits package (all per financial year)

We offer a generous and comprehensive package of flexible benefits to all of our staff.

• Hybrid working model, which means that if you’re full time you make a commitment to be working in the office at least two days a week, with the remainder working from home.  Part time hours are altered accordingly.   

• Generous paid leave benefits including 28.5 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), with some to be taken between Christmas and New year.

• Up to 4 weeks paid sickness leave at full pay and a further 4 weeks at half pay,

• Discretionary study leave to support training relevant to your role. 

• Paid leave to employees who may need to take one day off a year when a religious festival falls on a workday.

• Up to 5 days paid time off for dependents per financial year.

• Opportunity to apply for up to 2 days (14 hours) paid leave per year to participate in volunteering activities relevant to the role.      

• Access to a workplace pension scheme, administered by NEST, with a minimum 5% employee contribution and 3% employer contribution from commencement of employment. 

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which includes 24/7 telephone service and counselling.     

Note all of the above days per annum stated are pro rata’d for part time employees.    

If you’d like to find out more about this role, please read through the job description and our person specification. When you apply, please send a CV and address the points in the person specification in an accompanying supporting statement.   Your statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4.     

Closing date for applications: 17th July 2026

Hours:            25 hours per week

Base: Shipley office with travel to other offices (Skipton/Harrogate)

Salary:            £32,000 – £35,050 (Full time equivalent)

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Volunteer Manager to lead the development, coordination, and growth of our volunteer programme supporting unpaid carers (both adults and young carers).

This role will focus on recruiting, training, and supporting a diverse volunteer base, including members of the public, college students, and student social workers to deliver a range of support across our services. Alongside this, the Volunteer Manager will play a key role in building internal capacity by equipping staff with the skills and confidence to effectively support volunteers in their roles. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and strengthen a volunteer offer that has real impact for carers in our community.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement:

• Develop and deliver effective volunteer recruitment strategies
• Promote volunteering opportunities through outreach, partnerships, and campaigns
• Build relationships with colleges, universities, and community organisations to attract volunteers
• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process, including onboarding and safer recruitment checks

Volunteer Training & Development:

• Design and deliver induction and training programmes for volunteers
• Ensure volunteers are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for their roles
• Support student placements (e.g. social work students) to meet learning objectives

Volunteer Supervision & Support:

• Provide ongoing supervision, guidance, and pastoral support to volunteers
• Monitor volunteer wellbeing, performance, and development
• Address any issues or concerns in a timely and supportive manner
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and rewarding volunteer experience

Supporting Staff to Work with Volunteers:

• Train and support internal staff to effectively supervise and work alongside volunteers
• Develop guidance, tools, and best practice resources for staff
• Promote a culture where volunteering is valued and embedded across the organisation

Quality, Safeguarding & Compliance:

• Ensure all volunteering activity is safe, ethical, and compliant with organisational policies
• Maintain accurate records of volunteer activity and engagement
• Support safeguarding processes and ensure volunteers understand their responsibilities

Service Development:

• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the volunteer programme
• Gather feedback from volunteers, staff, and service users to inform improvements
• Support reporting on volunteer impact and outcomes

For an informal discussion, please reach out to: Dolly Dalton.

This is an opportunity to join a dedicated organisation that is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of carers. If you are passionate about supporting others and making a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Carers’ Resource values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 28th June 2026

Proposed interview date: Friday 10th July 2026 (Shipley)

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Operations is the most senior staff member at PACE and the primary day-to-day operational lead for the organisation. The postholder will ensure that services for children and young people are delivered safely, consistently, and to a high standard across all three sites, and that the organisation's systems, finances, people, and compliance obligations are properly managed.

This is an operational leadership role with responsibility for translating the Board's strategic direction into effective day-to-day delivery. The postholder will work closely with the Board of Trustees, who retain strategic governance responsibility, and will be the principal point of accountability for performance across all services. The postholder will also act as Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership and Service Delivery

• Take day-to-day operational responsibility for all PACE services across all three sites, ensuring consistent, high-quality, and safe delivery.

• Support and line manage Senior Centre Managers and Service Managers, providing clear direction, regular supervision, and accountability.

• Ensure all services meet regulatory requirements including EYFS, Ofsted standards, safeguarding and child protection legislation, and disability inclusion policy.

• Maintain and develop operational policies and procedures that reflect best practice in service delivery for children and young people, including those with additional needs.

• Identify and respond to operational risks across sites, escalating to the Board where appropriate.

2. Safeguarding

• Act as the organisation's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), maintaining overall responsibility for safeguarding practice across all sites.

• Ensure centre managers and service leads fulfil their DSL responsibilities and that training, records, and incident reporting are consistent, up to date, and audit-ready.

• Lead the organisation's response to any safeguarding concern or Ofsted inspection, maintaining transparent and proactive communication with commissioners and the Board.

• Embed a culture of safeguarding awareness and accountability across the whole staff team.

3. Financial Management and Budget Oversight

• Work with the Finance team to manage the organisation's annual budget, ensuring income and expenditure are tracked accurately and reported monthly.

• Hold budget holder accountability across service and centre level, ensuring managers understand and operate within their agreed financial envelopes.

• Monitor income streams - including statutory contracts, parental fees, grants, and fundraised income - and alert the Board to variances or risks in a timely manner.

• Support income generation through effective contract delivery, occupancy management, and proactive relationship management with commissioners.

• Oversee the Fundraising Manager's workload and priorities, ensuring fundraising activity is aligned to operational need and deliverable commitments are accurate before submission.

4. Human Resources and Workforce Management

• Lead, support, and develop the staff team, fostering a culture of professionalism, consistency, and accountability.

• Work with the HR Consultant to ensure HR processes - including onboarding, probation, sickness management, performance management, and offboarding - are followed correctly and documented appropriately.

• Conduct regular line management meetings and appraisals with direct reports, setting clear expectations and addressing performance issues promptly and fairly.

• Manage staffing levels and deployment across sites to ensure services are appropriately resourced, proportionate to demand and income, and compliant with contractual ratios.

• Address workforce culture issues, reducing reliance on informal decision-making and ensuring accountability is embedded at all levels of the team.

5. Commissioner and Stakeholder Relationships

• Maintain and develop the organisation's relationships with Camden commissioners, the Play Providers Forum, Family Hubs, and other statutory and voluntary sector partners.

• Ensure proactive, transparent, and timely communication with Camden regarding service delivery, performance data, and any operational concerns.

• Represent PACE at external meetings, forums, and events as required.

• Support the development of community partnerships that extend the reach and impact of PACE's services.

6. Compliance, Governance and Risk

• Ensure organisational compliance with all relevant regulatory frameworks including Ofsted, EYFS, charity law, and employment legislation.

• Maintain and regularly review operational policies, risk registers, and compliance records, ensuring they are current and accessible across all sites.

• Provide the Board of Trustees with regular, concise, and accurate reports on operational performance, financial position, safeguarding, staffing, and risk.

• Support Board governance by preparing timely papers, flagging decisions required, and maintaining clear separation between operational management and trustee oversight.

7. Systems, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Embed consistent, documented operational systems across all sites, reducing reliance on individual knowledge and informal workarounds.

• Develop and maintain monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track service quality, outcomes for children and families, and contractual KPIs.

• Oversee the organisation's use of operational systems including safeguarding software, HR and payroll platforms, invoicing, and timekeeping tools.

Produce and sign off external impact reports for funders and commissioners

Essentials:

• Experience in an operational management role within a children's services, play, youth work, education, or social care setting

• At least 3 years in a management role with direct line management of multiple staff or teams

• Demonstrable knowledge and practical experience of safeguarding children, including DSL-level responsibility

• Experience managing multi-site or multi-service delivery

• Sound financial literacy: budget management, variance analysis, and income/expenditure monitoring

• Experience of working with Ofsted regulatory frameworks, including EYFS

• Strong people management skills: supervision, appraisal, performance management, and HR process compliance

• Experience working with, and reporting to, a Board of Trustees or equivalent governance body

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple sites calmly and consistently

• Commitment to inclusive practice and experience working with children with disabilities and additional needs

• A suitable Level 3 or above qualification in Early Years, Childcare, or a relevant field (e.g. CACHE Level 3, BTEC Level 3 in Children's Play, Learning and Development, or equivalent EYFS-recognised qualification)

Desirable 

• Experience of income generation including commissioner relationships, grant management, and contract compliance

• Experience of charity or voluntary sector management

• Coaching or mentoring experience

• Knowledge of Camden's VCS and community infrastructure

Conditions of Employment

• This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

• The postholder will be required to work across all PACE sites in Camden. Flexible or hybrid working will be considered where operationally appropriate, but the role requires significant on-site presence.

• PACE is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from all sections of the community.

• PACE is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Are you a passionate, bilingual community leader ready to make a real difference in the lives of Latin Americans and other migrant communities in the UK?

At Latin American House (LAH), culture is not just what we do, it is who we are. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a vibrant and innovative programme that puts community voices, creativity, and cultural pride at its heart.

About us

LAH is a community-led charity driven by and for Latin Americans in the UK. For decades, we have been supporting Latin American and other Spanish and Portuguese-speaking migrants, championing their rights, wellbeing, and inclusion. We are a small, close-knit team with big ambitions, and everything we do is rooted in the lived experiences of the communities we serve. Our work takes place across London and at our community centre in Kilburn, North West London.

About the role

This is an exciting new post that will give you the space and support to grow our Communities & Culture offer, from cultural festivals and participatory arts to community gatherings and creative workshops. You will work alongside artists, community groups, and partners to build something truly meaningful, while also playing a key role in LAH's wider organisational development.

What we are looking for

You will be bilingual in Spanish and English, with a strong understanding of the experiences, challenges and strengths of Latin American communities in the UK. You will bring experience of leading community or cultural projects or intiiatives, a collaborative spirit, and a genuine commitment to social inclusion and equity.

What we offer

In return, we offer a supportive and flexible working environment, a generous annual leave entitlement of 34 days pro rata, NCVO programme management training and deelopment opportunities in safeguarding and fundraising, and employer pension contributions through NEST.

If you have strong organisational, communication, and relationship-building skills, alongside a passion for community development and cultural participation, we would love to hear from you!

We are particularly encouraging applications from people with lived experience of migration, and welcome applications from racialised, disabled, working class and LGBTQ+ backgrounds. 

At Latin American House (LAH), advice is more than information, it is a lifeline. We aim to support individuals who have nowhere else to turn: migrants navigating an unfamiliar system, families facing welfare challenges, and vulnerable people who simply need someone who speaks their language and understands their reality.

This is your opportunity to begin a meaningful career in the advice sector, fully supported and trained from day one.

About us

LAH is a community-led charity driven by and for Latin Americans in the UK. For decades, we have been supporting Latin American and other Spanish and Portuguese-speaking migrants, championing their rights, wellbeing, and inclusion. We are a small, close-knit team with big ambitions, and everything we do is rooted in the lived experiences of the communities we serve. Our work takes place across London and at our community centre in Kilburn, North West London.

About the role

This is a part-time, fixed-term role (21 hours per week) and a genuine investment in your professional development. As a Welfare Benefits Trainee Adviser, you will receive structured, on-the-job training to build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to provide high-quality, person-centred advice. You will work under close supervision, with the opportunity to achieve the AdviceUK Learning to Advise (LTA) Full Programme certification within your first six months, between September and December 2026.

Day to day, you will support service users with a range of practical needs: interpreting calls, helping with GP registrations, guiding people through form applications, assisting with school enrolment, and providing orientation on accessing government support. As your training progresses, your responsibilities will develop towards more in-depth welfare benefits advice.

This is not an entry-level role that leaves you unsupported. You will be supervised, mentored, and developed throughout, and if you complete your probation successfully, further training and qualification opportunities may follow.

What we are looking for

You will be an advanced Spanish speaker with at least six months of experience working with individuals or communities in a supportive capacity, paid or voluntary. You will bring empathy, patience, and a genuine commitment to the communities we serve, alongside a structured, organised approach and a willingness to learn.

You do not need to be a qualified adviser yet. What matters most is that you are ready to grow into one.

We are particularly encouraging applications from people with lived experience of migration, and welcome applications from racialised, disabled, working class and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.