Jobs in Uckfield

Pay: £33,000.00 per year

Job description:

Position: Volunteer Team Leader

Location: Remote in South West

Full-time Salary: £33,000 + car

Job Title- Volunteer Team Leader

Department- Regional Hub

Reports to- Head of Change

Grade- Team Leader

Job Purpose

To provide regional team leadership to designated Regional and Area Associations and their volunteers that inspires the delivery of excellent member benefits, sports and leisure events at a local level.

Key accountabilities

• To support volunteers to deliver a regional and local programme that: o Aligns to the CSSC strategy, mission, vision and values o Adheres to operating processes, framework and legislation o Enhances volunteer skills and experiences, celebrates volunteering, and attracts new volunteers to CSSC
• To work collaboratively with the Regional Chair and volunteers to monitor progress in line with their annual plan, attend local meetings and evaluate the delivery of activities and events.
• To foster effective networking and collaboration across the team championing best practices, seeking out new ideas, new ways of doing things, and celebrating success.
• To attract, recruit and induct new volunteers in such a way that they feel confident and can provide an excellent service for our members.
• To help volunteers to meet personal development goals and aspirations, ensuring that key volunteering roles have potential successors, retaining and developing the services and commitment of volunteers with CSSC.

Dimensions

No. of direct reports

0

Total staff overseen

0

Internal contacts

Volunteer Team, Events Team, Sports Development Team, Communications Team

External contacts

Regional and Area Officers, Communications Officers, Event volunteers

1

Person Specification

Personal

effectiveness

Essential

Desirable

Ability to manage and organise time and workload effectively.

Resilient and flexible with the ability to work under pressure

Ability to build and manage strong working relationships.

Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Personal drive and enthusiasm with a positive attitude and a desire to succeed.

.

Committed to continuous improvement

Skills,

experience & qualifications

Essential

Desirable

• Minimum of 3 years relevant volunteer management experience either in the work place or attained through a relevent qualification.
• Intermediate to advanced level of MS work and Excel
• Ability to communicate both through written and verbal
• Full UK driving license as travel will be required for this role
• A relevant degree or professional qualification in volunteer management

is not essential but may be advantageous.

• A working knoweldge of CRM and digital Event Management Systems
• Experience with building and working with high performing teams

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company car
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme

Experience:

• Volunteer Management: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: Remote

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000
Contract: 12 month fixed-term contract (maternity cover)
Location: Remote
Closing date: 4^th May
Benefits: 26 days annual leave (rising with service) & option to buy more, generous pension contributions (matched 4% or 6%), enhanced family leave, employee discounts, health cash plan, and more

We have a very exciting opportunity for a Legacy Marketing Manager to join a national children’s charity on a 12month maternity cover. Reporting to the Senior Individual Giving Manager, this role offers the chance to lead a high-value legacy and in-memory fundraising programme during an important period of continuity and development.

As part of this exciting role, you will be responsible for managing the delivery of the legacy and in-memory marketing programme, ensuring strong supporter engagement and long-term income growth. You will lead on campaign planning and implementation across multiple channels including direct mail, telemarketing, digital and free will products, while overseeing budgets, monitoring performance and managing financial and reputational risk.

To be successful as the Legacy Marketing Manager you will need:

• Substantial experience in Legacy Marketing, with a strong understanding of direct marketing and a proven track record of delivering successful campaigns
• Experience of planning, managing and evaluating multi-channel fundraising activity, including responsibility for budgets and KPIs
• Strong stakeholder and agency management skills, with a sound understanding of fundraising compliance, regulation and data protection

If you would like to discuss this role with us please email your CV to [email protected] or contact us and quote the reference 2950JP.

Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here.

We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.

If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner.
 

At Eastbourne Foodbank, we’re looking for a creative, inspiring and brilliant Individual Giving Fundraiser to join our team!

Bring your communication and digital brilliance to help us build relationships, thank our donors beautifully and share our cause across the town.

This is an exciting opportunity to help Eastbourne Foodbank realise its vision of continuing to be a strong and effective anti-poverty charity challenging social injustice in Eastbourne.

In order to realise this ambition, we need to increase our fundraised income and develop our expertise in different areas of fundraising.

Through this new role, you’ll proactively create and grow fundraising income opportunities with individuals and regular donors. You’ll be at the heart of our local community, bringing our cause to life and fostering excellent, lasting, personalised relationships with our donors.

Role Overview 

You will be part of Shine’s specialist Health Team, providing condition-specific health advice and support to people of all ages living with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) or Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). You will support delivery of, delivering an established, evidence-based programme, promoting good self-management and care, and enabling our members to live in optimum health. 

You will deliver high-quality, person-centred physiotherapy assessments, treatment, and advice to children, young people and adults with a wide range of physical needs, enabling them to maximise independence, function, and quality of life. 

The role is home or hybrid based; member contact is predominantly via phone and video calls. 

This job role is an exciting opportunity to join our specialised service delivering spinal stimulation. You will be attending a 2-day physiotherapy clinic once a month. Clinics take place on a rolling programme of one location per month, current locations include Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester, Leeds and Oxford but these may vary.

There will be occasional travel required across wider areas and nationally including attendance at conferences and meetings at our head office in Peterborough.

Benefits to working at Shine  

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027  

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some occasional weekends or evenings)    

• 3% pension contribution  

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year   

• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’  

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave  

• Broadband allowance for home-based roles  

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment    

• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders   

• Reimbursement for HCPC registration 

• Support to learn and develop including specialist training for Spinal Stimulation and ongoing mentoring and clinal supervision. 

How to apply   

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.   

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail or have any questions, please contact Lindsey Reid, Head of Health.

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement*, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted*

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application, but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications. 

Closing date: Monday 18th May at 11pm 

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.    

Interviews (virtual): Thursday 28th May 2026 

Please see full details of the job description and person specification below and on our website.

INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER

Are you an experienced Individual Giving professional looking for a role where you can really make your mark?

Greyhound Trust is recruiting its first Individual Giving Manager, offering a rare opportunity to design and grow a sustainable individual giving programme that will directly support the charity’s life changing work with greyhounds across the UK.

We’re keen to hear from you if you:

• Have proven experience delivering successful individual giving or wider income generation programmes 
• Enjoy balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery 
• Use data and insight to improve performance and supporter experience

Why join Greyhound Trust?

• Make your mark in a newly created role with real scope and influence 
• Work in a purpose driven organisation with a strong, compassionate mission 
• See the tangible impact of your work on animal welfare

You’ll lead individual giving activity across regular giving, appeals, digital fundraising and supporter development. This is a hands on role, ideal for someone who enjoys combining strategy with delivery in a collaborative environment.

If you feel you have relevant skills and experience, please submit your CV and supporting statement to Sandra Smith, Senior Consultant via the Charisma Charity Recruitment website.

Key dates

• Closing date for applications: 19th May 2026
• Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, we therefore encourage early applications as we may progress candidates to interview before the application deadline. 
• Client Interviews: rolling 

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

This is an exciting home-based role where your work can really have an impact and help transform lives. The role is crucial to Ufi’s ambition to help more people get the skills they need for work by making sure Ufi’s grant giving activities and partnerships are brilliantly supported. Working closely with the Associate Director of Grants you will become part of the engine of our grant funding activity. You will be an integral part of a fast-paced team with a growing national profile and reputation for expertise and excellence in delivery. 

We are looking for candidates with a real passion for working in an organisation that has a positive impact on people’s lives, with experience of building strong collaborative working relationships with partners at all levels, with excellent organisational and project management skills, and a good eye for detail and problem-solving. You'll also be able to work flexibly and effectively as part of a small team and develop productive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Most importantly - you will be eager to learn and able to work in an agile team. Ufi VocTech Trust has a vibrant working environment, and we welcome diversity of thought and perspective to help create exciting and innovative projects, ventures investments and partnerships.

Looking for a fundraising role where the income you raise directly moves the dial on mental health outcomes - and helps people access support when they need it most?

This could be the one. Chasing the Stigma is a national mental health charity on a mission to normalise and humanise mental health and they're looking for their first ever Fundraising Manager.

You'll find this a unique opportunity to own and grow an emerging fundraising function and shape it into something extra special.

Salary: £32-36k
Contract: Permanent, full-time 35 hours per week or reduced hours considered
Location: Homebased, or hybrid between home and Liverpool office (located 10 minutes' walk from Crosby Beach). If homebased, expect quarterly visit to the office.
Benefits: 28 days annual leave (+bank), Christmas closure and your birthday, pension scheme.
Culture: Flexible, collaborative, supportive

About Chasing the Stigma

Chasing the Stigma exists to make sure everyone in the UK can find mental health support, whenever they need it. With lived experience at the heart of everything they do, their work spans awareness campaigns, training, policy influence and the UK's largest directory of community mental health services, the Hub of Hope.

Following organic growth, they are now ready to take fundraising to the next level - and this is where you come in!

About the role

As Fundraising Manager, you will support the development and lead on the delivery of a new and ambitious fundraising strategy across individual giving, community fundraising and corporate partnerships.

You will be trusted to spot opportunities, test ideas and build sustainable income streams that support life-changing and life-saving work.

This is a hands-on, varied role where you will combine strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will work closely with colleagues to build a clear case for support, bring the charity's impact to life through powerful storytelling and build meaningful relationships with supporters and partners across the UK.

There is real potential to build a fundraising team as income grows, if this matters to you.

Who we are looking for

You might already be a Fundraising Manager, or you could be ready to step up from a fundraising role. Either way, you'll be able to showcase:

• Track record of generating income through fundraising or business development
• Confidence with high-value corporate or individual fundraising, working at five-figures
• Strong communication and storytelling skills
• Proactive, ideas-led approach and enjoy taking ownership
• Genuine passion for shifting the dial on mental health

You don't need to be the finished article in every area - if you're a fundraiser with passion, creativity and drive, we would love to hear from you.

We would particularly welcome applications from people of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as being LGBTQIA+, and people from other commonly marginalised groups who are underrepresented in Chasing the Stigma's team.

How to apply

If this sounds like your next big adventure, then we would absolutely love to hear from you.

Please send your CV to Ellen Drummond at Charity People in the first instance and we'll be in touch with further details if your skills and experience match what we're looking for.

Deadline: 9am on Wednesday 20th May
Interview date: 2nd June

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

We’re looking for an experienced, proactive fundraiser who can think strategically and deliver hands-on. Someone confident writing bids, building partnerships and spotting opportunities for growth.

This is a key role at a pivotal moment for AudioActive, offering the chance to build on strong foundations and shape a diverse, sustainable income model and power a team that is dedicated to empowering young people through music.

What you’ll do

• Lead and deliver AudioActive’s fundraising and development strategy
• Grow income across trusts & foundations, tenders, contracts and partnerships
• Write high-quality bids, proposals and pitches
• Develop new business partnerships aligned with our mission
• Build strong relationships with funders, partners and supporters
• Work closely with the CEO and team to align income with programmes
• Track performance, manage targets and identify new opportunities

What if you could be the person who transforms how hundreds of colleagues across the UK's leading dementia charity use financial systems every day? As a Finance Systems Officer at Alzheimer's Society, you'll play a vital role in embedding and improving our finance systems, ensuring colleagues have the tools, knowledge and confidence to deliver financial excellence as we work to end the devastation caused by dementia.

As Finance Systems Officer, you'll be the person colleagues turn to for our Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system support. Resolving queries, building expertise, and championing system adoption across our Finance & Assurance directorate. This is an exciting career development opportunity where you'll have endless capacity to grow deep technical expertise in ERP and business systems while simultaneously developing your business partnering skills across both systems technology and finance operations. Every day brings new challenges to solve, new knowledge to gain, and new relationships to build as you become the go-to expert who bridges the gap between technology and people.

As a valued member of our Finance & Assurance directorate, you'll be part of a team that's transforming how we deliver financial partnership across the organisation. We're on an ambitious journey to become the Society's single point of financial truth, trusted partners and credible experts who enable the organisation to make faster, better-informed decisions. This is where your systems expertise meets meaningful impact, directly enabling us to focus on what matters most: transforming lives affected by dementia.

Day-to-day, you'll answer questions, solve problems, and steadily deepen your expertise whilst being the trusted specialist colleagues rely on. You'll create guides and resources that make the complex simple. You'll run sessions that build skills and confidence, and work alongside the systems accountant to make our finance systems better, more integrated, and more effective. You'll collaborate with Unit4 specialists, our in-house IT colleagues, and Finance team members across the Society, managing your own priorities autonomously while being proactive in driving things forward.

About you

You have a proven foundation in ERP environments and you're eager to develop your career. You're someone who thrives on solving problems, explaining complex matters clearly, and helping people feel confident using technology. You understand that great systems support isn't just about fixing issues. It's about empowering colleagues, improving processes, and driving consistent adoption of best practice.

You'll have:

- Experience working with an ERP system, with genuine curiosity to develop specialist knowledge (Unit4 experience is a bonus, but your appetite to learn matters most).
- Effective analytical and troubleshooting skills, paired with experience using reporting tools such as Power BI, Excel, or ERP-native reporting modules to surface insight from finance data.
- A track record of building relationships and delivering excellent service or partnership, with a focus on improving how people experience and understand systems.
- Demonstrated grounding in accounting or finance processes, ideally gained in a large organisation.
- Proven ability to create clear guides, resources or training content that makes technical topics accessible.
- Confidence working independently while also thriving in collaborative environments, taking initiative and seeing things through.

What you\'ll focus on

- Being the primary contact for Unit4 and system queries, efficiently resolving issues and knowing when to escalate more complex challenges.
- Growing into a trusted Unit4 specialist by continuously expanding your knowledge and actively helping colleagues across the Society.
- Producing clear, helpful guides, FAQs and training resources that give colleagues the confidence to use our systems effectively.
- Supporting reporting improvements by helping to build, refine and maintain reports and dashboards that give colleagues the insight they need, using tools such as Excel, Power BI and our ERPs reporting modules.
- Running engagement and training sessions that boost understanding, capability and compliance with our finance systems.
- Championing good practice and confidently challenging off-system workarounds so colleagues get the full benefit of the functionality available to them.
- Supporting the integrity of our finance data and system structure, including the chart of accounts, role permissions and change logs, under the direction of the systems accountant.
- Working with the Systems Accountant on upgrades, testing and integration projects to ensure everything runs smoothly.
- Partnering with Finance colleagues and IT teams to monitor how systems perform, address issues quickly, and strengthen our single source of financial truth.

Can you see yourself as the systems expert who transforms how colleagues engage with finance technology? Are you ready to take ownership, learn continuously, and become the trusted partner who helps the Society gain maximum benefit from our systems? Can you bring both technical capability and genuine partnership to ensure our finance systems enable our mission to end the devastation of dementia?

Important dates

- The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Monday 4th May.
- A one-hour task will be carried out virtually W/C 11th May.
- Interviews will begin W/C 18th May and will consist of one stage taking place virtually.

Kijana Kwanza (Young People First) is a grassroots charity supporting vulnerable children and young people in Moshi, Tanzania. We are seeking a part-time Finance Manager to lead our UK financial management and strengthen oversight across our UK and Tanzania operations.

This is a pivotal role at an exciting stage of growth, ensuring strong financial governance, donor accountability, and sustainable systems across a multi-country organisation.

Role Overview
You will oversee UK financial operations, compliance and reporting, while supporting robust financial oversight of our Tanzanian partner organisation. The role combines hands-on financial management with strategic input, governance support, and system strengthening.

We are looking for someone who:
• Is a qualified accountant (or equivalent experience)
• Has strong experience in charity finance and SORP
• Can produce clear, insightful management accounts
• Understands restricted funding and donor compliance
• Is comfortable working remotely and collaboratively across cultures
• Brings integrity, attention to detail, and a solutions-focused approach

Experience in international development, multi-currency accounting, and the use of accounting software such as Xero, along with donor CRMs (in particular Beacon), is desirable.

Salary: £31,000 - £34,500
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid (1 day pcm in Peterborough)
Closing date: 29^th April
Benefits: Flexible working policies, free gym membership at Peterborough office, life assurance

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Challenge Fundraising Officer to join a UK-wide health charity dedicated to improving the lives of people and families affected by a serious, life limiting lung condition. Reporting to the Head of Fundraising, this role sits within an ambitious and growing fundraising team.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced challenge or mass participation fundraiser who is motivated by growth, creativity and supporter experience. You will play a leading role in expanding the charity’s challenge events portfolio at a pivotal time, contributing to a new five year strategy that places income growth, inclusion and long term supporter engagement at its heart.
As part of this exciting role, you will lead the delivery and growth of third party and mass participation challenge events, managing the full supporter journey from recruitment through to stewardship and re?engagement. You will use insight and data to monitor performance, improve ROI and refine future activity, this is a great opportunity to develop your skillset.
To be successful as the Senior Challenge Fundraising Officer you will need:

• Proven experience in third party or mass participation challenge fundraising
• A strong track record of growing participation and income
• Confidence using CRM systems and fundraising data to track performance

Interviews – virtual – 1st or 4th May
Second stage in person  - 8th May or 11th
If you would like to discuss this role with us please email your CV to [email protected] or contact us and quote the reference 2952AJ.
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.
If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner.
 

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid (Peterborough office 1 day per month)
Closing date: 29^th April
Benefits: Flexible working policies, free gym membership at Peterborough office, life assurance

We have a great opportunity for a Senior Individual Giving Manager working for a national health charity dedicated to improving the lives of people and families affected by a serious, life limiting lung condition.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced individual giving specialist to take real ownership of a growing programme, shaping strategy while remaining closely connected to delivery. The role offers the chance to lead data?led acquisition, develop meaningful donor journeys and embed inclusive, donor centred fundraising approaches within an ambitious organisation working to a new five year strategy.

As part of this exciting role, you will lead and grow the individual giving programme across regular giving, direct mail (digital and print), in memory giving and lottery activity. You will develop and deliver engaging multichannel campaigns, using insight and segmentation to improve acquisition, retention and lifetime value. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will identify opportunities to introduce fundraising asks within wider engagement journeys, ensuring supporters feel valued, informed and inspired.

To be successful as the Senior Individual Giving Manager, you will need:

• Significant experience managing individual giving or direct marketing fundraising programmes
• Ability to monitor campaign performance and use data to inform decisions to achieve maximum impact
• Proven ability to use CRM systems and data insight

If you would like to discuss this role with us please email your CV to [email protected] or contact us and quote the reference 2953AJ
Interviews – virtual – 1st or 4th May
Second stage in person  - 8th May or 11th
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.
If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner.
 

JOB TITLE: Northern Partnership & Dog Training Manger

LOCATION:                         Northern Region (Including Scotland, Northern England and parts of the Midlands)

SALARY: £37,000 - £45,000 p/a

JOB TYPE: Permanent, Full-Time and Part-Time applications considered

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.  We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small, but ambitious charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE ROLE:

The Northern Partnership & Training Manager is responsible for the operational leadership, coordination and quality assurance of Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles operating within the Northern region.

Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles within the Medical Alert Assistance Dog department combine elements of dog training, client instructing, partnership placement and aftercare, depending on programme need. This role provides direct line management and oversight of Northern region staff working in these hybrid capacities.

The postholder ensures consistent, high‑quality delivery of MAAD partnerships, working collaboratively with training, welfare and senior management colleagues to support dog progression, client outcomes and compliance with ADUK and ADI standards.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Provide operational leadership for Northern region Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles, ensuring staff who work across training, instructing and partnership delivery are effectively supported, coordinated and developed.

You will act as the regional lead for instructor‑delivered partnership work, maintaining oversight of workloads, partnership progression, accreditation readiness and aftercare delivery, while contributing to continuous service improvement under senior management guidance.

Reports to: Interim Head of Partnership Services

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will oversee and coordinate the Northern Medical Alert Assistance Dog function, managing staff in Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles who support MAAD partnerships from allocation through placement and ongoing aftercare.

You will provide clear leadership, supervision and quality assurance, ensuring consistent delivery standards, balanced workloads and clarity of expectations for staff whose roles span multiple functions.

You will maintain oversight of partnership pipelines, regional capacity and accreditation timelines, ensuring accurate reporting and timely escalation of risks or concerns.

This is a senior operational role requiring strong people management, excellent dog training and instructing expertise, and a calm, organised approach to managing complex client‑facing services.

Responsibilities of the Role

Hybrid Role Leadership & Management (Northern Region)

• Line manage and support Northern region‑based Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles
• Conduct regular 1:1s, supervision and appraisals
• Chair Northern regional team meetings and provide updates to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme
• Approve annual leave and expenses, ensuring appropriate regional cover
• Support senior Partnership and Dog Training Instructor staff in mentoring or supporting less experienced colleagues
• Ensure staff adhere to departmental standards, methods and policies

Partnerships, Training & Client Delivery

• Oversee the progression of puppies within the Northern region and where required, carry out relevant assessments 
• Oversee the progression of MAAD partnerships across training, placement and aftercare within the Northern region
• Ensure client learning styles, family dynamics and individual needs are identified and supported
• Support or directly deliver Partnership and Dog Training Instructor role activity where required, including: Scent and odour training, Client‑specific training, Placement training, Aftercare and refresher support
• Maintain oversight of partnerships requiring remedial training or additional intervention
• Carry out or support final accreditation assessments where appropriate
• Ensure qualified partnerships continue to meet ADUK standards

Planning, Oversight & Reporting

• Maintain oversight of Northern region partnership activity, including: Applicants, Dogs approaching match, Partnerships in training, Accredited partnerships receiving aftercare
• Escalate risks, delays or welfare concerns to the ADPM with recommended solutions
• Contribute to departmental reports and inspection readiness

Governance, Welfare & Compliance

• Ensure all Partnership and Dog Training Instructor role activity complies with ADUK and ADI regulations
• Liaise with the Health & Welfare Manager regarding health or welfare concerns
• Support rehoming outcomes for withdrawn dogs in conjunction with relevant teams
• Ensure accurate and timely record‑keeping within the Harlequin CRM system
• Occasional handling of the emergency phone, liaising with clients and volunteers to manage emergency situations

Stakeholder & Cross‑Departmental Working

• To ensure volunteers and Dog training contractors based within the Northern region are well supported by regional staff.
• Act as the primary Northern region contact for partnership‑related matters
• Work closely with Applications and Welfare teams
• Support fundraising, communications and volunteering activities when required
• Promote best practice and learning across the charity

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum 2years’ experience managing or leading staff in the Assistance Dog roles within an ADUK‑affiliated organisation
• Extensive experience delivering assistance dog partnerships, including training, placement and aftercarProven experience mentoring, supporting and performance‑managing staff
• Sound knowledge of ADUK and ADI regulations
• Strong organisational and caseload‑management abilities
• Confident working independently and managing competing priorities
• Comfortable working in the presence of dogs

Desirable

• Experience working with medical alert assistance dogs
• Knowledge of medical conditions affecting adult and child clients
• Experience supporting accreditation reviews or inspection processes

Knowledge & Skills

DESIRABLE

• Strong practical dog handling, scent training and knowledge of dog behaviour and development
• Excellent coaching, assessment and quality‑assurance skills
• Calm, clear and empathetic communication style
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in complex, client‑facing situations
• High level of IT literacy including Microsoft 365 and CRM systems

Other Requirements

• Full UK driving licence
• Willingness and ability to travel across the Northern region
• Willingness to stay away from home and have dogs reside in the home when required

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Values & Behaviours

Working at Medical Detection Dogs will be a richly rewarding experience.

Our Values & Behaviours encapsulate who we are, what we stand for and what it will feel like to be part of our team:

• We are respectful
• We stay positive
• We strive for excellence
• We communicate and listen
• We are ambassadors
• We are one team

And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance, and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors for the charity.

Role/Job Title: Head of Kent Services
Location: Pembury, with travel between services as required 
Contracted Hours Full time -37 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum FTE

 

Application Deadline Date:  Friday 24th May 2026 / Interviews to take place at Cornford Lane site (Pembury) on Wednesday 10th June
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

Equal Opportunity/Accessibility and Accommodations Statement:
As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. We actively promote the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to our organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Aspens’ mission is to provide high-quality care and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.

We provide support and care to children, families and adults across Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Surrey and the London Borough of Bexley. Our services include registered care homes; supported living; community outreach; day services, including pathways to employment; children and young people’s groups and support; specialist support; and free online support for families and carers across the South-East.
 

About the role:
This is a tremendously exciting time to join Aspens. With our new Chief Operating Officer in place, we are actively shaping how we work to ensure we deliver the very best for the people we support. Her focus and ambition are centred on establishing consistent, high-quality practice across the organisation and ensuring that everything we do enhances, in a meaningful and measurable way, the lives of those we support.
 

The Head of Kent Services is a leadership role responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial oversight of services within Kent, currently residential services for adults with autism and/or learning disabilities, supported living services, and services for children and families across Kent.

The postholder will ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centred care and support that promotes autonomy, dignity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for individuals and families. The Head of Kent Services will lead and develop a small team of locality managers ensuring regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and continuous service improvement across the portfolio.

The Head of Kent Services will be a member of the Inclusive Executive Leadership Team, working in collaboration with other leaders to drive the best outcomes for the People we Support and the Charity.

 

Knowledge and Experience:

We’re looking for someone who brings a combination of the following experiences, whether gained through formal roles, lived experience, volunteering or other pathways.  We value diverse routes into leadership and welcome applications from individuals who may not have followed traditional career paths.

 

Essential Experience:

• Significant senior management experience in health and social care.
• Proven leadership experience managing CQC Registered Managers.
• Strong knowledge of autism and learning disability support models.
• Experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• Demonstrable experience of regulatory compliance and inspection processes.
• Experience working with commissioners and local authorities.
• Experience managing large-scale change programmes.
• Significant experience in building team capability and managing complex employee relations.
   

 

Essential Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and operational delivery capability.
• Strong financial acumen.

• Experience overseeing impactful, outcomes-driven services at a strategic level.

• Strong project and programme management skills.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills.
• High-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage complexity and drive change.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships, with trust and integrity
  
  
   

 

Desirable:

• Relevant professional qualification in health or social care (Level 5 or above).
• Experience overseeing multiple residential and/or supported living services.
• Experience in service mobilisation or turnaround.
• Experience with Positive Behaviour Support at strategic level.
   

 

Core Values & Leadership Expectations:

• Commitment to person-centred, rights-based and autonomy approaches.
• Passion for inclusion, dignity, and empowerment.
• Dedication to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
• Evidence-informed decision-making.
• High levels of integrity, resilience, and accountability.

• Reflective, open to feedback and committed to continuous learning
• Brings authenticity, empathy and a collaborative spirit
  
   

What we can offer you:

• An exciting and rewarding role that you can really make your own
• An opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment, with formal and informal training and development initiatives.
• Member of the Inclusive Executive Leadership Team.
• Hybrid working
• Adjusted Hours or compressed working weeks
• Fantastic paid training and career progression opportunities (including recognised qualifications in health and social care)
• Paid DBS 
• Annual Leave / Pro rata dependent on hours. Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service
• Nest Pension and Death in Service Benefit
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Access to Mental Health First Aiders
• Aspens High Street Stores -20% discount on all items for Aspens’ staff
• Bluebell cafe- Discounted staff menu available
• Refer a Friend scheme, so you can earn up to £250 for every person you refer to work for Aspens
• Recognition schemes, including ‘Employee of the Month’
• Wellbeing initiatives such as: no email/meeting Fridays, no meetings over lunchtime to ensure people can take a break, encouraged not to read or reply to emails outside of working hours, and access to counselling

If shortlisted, we will contact you directly to schedule an interview. We strive to respond to all applicants; however, if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe, please feel free to contact us for a status update or feedback (where available). After the interview, you will be notified of the outcome. If successful, you’ll receive a formal offer in writing. Upon acceptance, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process, providing you with all the details you need.

Please note, any offer of employment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring checks (which we will arrange on your behalf if you don’t already have one) and satisfactory employment references.