Entry level jobs for the Disability sector

Join an amazing charity that makes a difference for more than 110,000 adults and children in the UK with a muscle-wasting condition. This is a role where you can really make a difference.

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We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience of conditions we represent. We believe that diversity strengthens our work and helps us better support our beneficiaries.

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As part of our safer recruitment and safeguarding responsibilities, this role requires a DBS check and professional/character references. We are committed to inclusion and will consider each application fairly.

 

About you:

The Special Events Manager is an exciting role at MDUK, that will sit within the Fundraising team. 

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You'll develop and deliver Muscular Dystrophy UK’s exciting Special Events portfolio.

You'll be working closely with the Associate Director of High Value Engagement

You'll have direct line management of the Special Events Officers to achieve agreed objectives and fundraising targets. 

You'll be working collaboratively within the High Value Engagement team to identify prospects from Special Events that can be stewarded to create long term high value relationships across the organisation.

 

About us:

Muscular Dystrophy UK is a charity that connects a community of more than 110,000 people living with one of over 60 muscle wasting conditions, and all the people around them. So everyone can get the healthcare, support and treatments needed to feel good, mentally and physically. ​

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This is an exciting time to join Muscular Dystrophy UK. We recently launched our new 10 year strategy to transform the lives of people living with muscle wasting conditions. Our vision is clear, a world without limits for people with muscle wasting conditions, and we won’t stop until we achieve it.

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Values and behaviours:

• A positive attitude and approach that reflect the charity’s values.
   
• Seek opportunities to contribute to the development of the charity.
   
• A commitment to and an understanding of disability issues, equality, diversity and inclusion.
   
• Always demonstrate role model behaviour.

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Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We believe in supporting our people both professionally and personally. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote wellbeing, work–life balance, and career development. Our offer range of benefits includes great pension contributions, life insurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, employee assistance programme, instant retail and events discounts, and much more...
 

Location: We operate a hybrid model (home and office, London SE1). 

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Closing date: Thursday 19th March 2026

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NB Interviews likely to be held on the week commencing Monday 30th March

 

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities

At Thrive, our Practitioners work with plants and people to improve an individual’s physical and psychological health, social interaction. skills and confidence.

We’re looking for a Specialist STH Practitioner with qualifications in Horticulture and a Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement who can deliver, primarily, our City & Guild Level 1 Practical Horticulture Skills for our Pathways programme. There would be some flexibility required to provide other Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) programmes for adults in our gardens in Battersea Park and outreach settings.

Working alongside volunteers this role will support people with learning disabilities, autism, long term health conditions or disabilities to move into their next step in their life whether is further training or employment.

Based at Thrive’s London Centre in Battersea Park. The role will involve some work undertaken off-site in London and occasional travel to the Thrive Centres in Reading and Birmingham.

Appointment to this post will be subject to receipt of 2 references and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. Thrive complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an individual from working for Thrive.

Salary: £45000-£49000 p.a DOE

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Reports to: Senior Insight Manager

Direct reports: There is potential for line management responsibility for an Insight Officer to support their development, oversee elements of their work, and help to ensure high standards of research quality and delivery.

Location: Harlow, Essex. Easily commutable from London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale Station. We offer a free minibus service to/from Harlow Town Train Station as well as free parking and EV charging on site.

Extra Information: Open to conversation on hybrid, flexible and compressed working arrangements. The team works a minimum of two days a week from the office.

About the role:

At the Motability Foundation we fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose. We oversee the Motability Scheme and provide grants to help people use it, providing access to transport to hundreds of thousands of people a year. We award grants to other charities and organisations who provide different types of transport, or work towards making transport accessible. We also carry out ongoing research, in partnership with disabled people and key stakeholders in the industry, to inspire innovations that continue to champion accessible transport for all.

This role will support the Senior Insight Manager in delivering policy research and insight as part of the new insight function. This role sits at the intersection of research and policy, ensuring that evidence is not only generated, but interpreted and mobilised effectively to inform forward-looking organisational positioning.

What you will be doing:

As Policy Research Manager, you’ll play a central role in building and mobilising the evidence needed to influence policy and public debate on mobility, disability and welfare reform. Working closely with colleagues across Insight, Policy and Public Affairs, you’ll help to ensure that the Foundation has a robust, timely and compelling evidence base to support advocacy, engagement with decision-makers, and external partnerships.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing clear and persuasive evidence narratives that demonstrate the social value and impact of the Foundation’s work, drawing on research, evaluation findings and wider policy evidence
• Scoping, developing and oversight of rapid evidence reviews and insight summaries to inform policy positions, responses to consultations and support external engagement
• Delivering forward-looking policy analyses using futures and foresight approaches (including horizon scanning and trend synthesis), assessing potential implications for disabled people and organisational positioning.
• Acting as the lead for policy-relevant research on welfare reform and related priority areas, synthesising internal and external evidence to inform organisational responses
• Supporting coordination with Motability Operations on shared policy and research priorities
• Supporting relationships with external partners including Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), think tanks and public research bodies, including representing the Foundation to contribute an evidence-informed perspective
• Supporting dissemination and engagement activity, including roundtables, briefings, thought pieces and events that help shape debate and explore innovative policy solutions
• Working collaboratively across the organisation to move our evidence and insight from reactive to proactive, strengthening our influence over time

Your experience:

You’re curious, motivated and motivated by public impact. You enjoy turning complex evidence into clear messages that resonate with different audiences, and you’re keen to see research used to influence real-world decisions. You understand what makes for good enough evidence to influence policy making.

You’re comfortable working across organisational boundaries and with external partners, and you bring energy, judgement and confidence to conversations about policy, evidence and social value.

You’re likely to thrive in this role if you:

• Enjoy synthesising research and data into compelling, accessible insight
• Are motivated by social purpose and improving outcomes for disabled people
• Have a strong interest in public policy
• Have a strong understanding of how evidence can be used to influence decision-making
• Are proactive, organised and able to respond quickly to emerging issues
• Are confident representing an organisation externally and contributing to policy discussions
• Like working collaboratively and building trusted relationships across teams and sectors

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we'd still encourage you to apply.

Requirements

We recognise that candidates may come from a range of backgrounds. We’re particularly interested in people with strong potential who are keen to develop their skills in a purpose-driven environment.

Must haves:

• Experience conducting or coordinating research, evidence reviews or analysis in a policy, public affairs, research or related setting
• Familiarity with government policy-making processes, consultations and/or parliamentary engagement
• Ability to synthesise complex information into clear, concise written outputs
• Understanding of how research and evidence can be packaged and used effectively to inform or influence public policy
• Experience working with or alongside external organisations such as think tanks, charities, DPOs, academic or public research bodies
• Strong written communication skills and confidence contributing to external briefings, reports or events
• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in a social science, public policy or related discipline, or equivalent work experience

Nice to haves:

• Experience working on disability, welfare, transport or social policy issues
• Experience supporting advocacy or public affairs activity using evidence
• Experience designing or managing rapid evidence reviews or insight products
• A recognised professional research qualification such as the MRS Advanced Certificate, or equivalent professional research training.

Benefits

Who are we?

We are building a future where all disabled people have the transport options to make the journeys they choose.

We fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose. We oversee the Motability Scheme and provide grants to help people use it, providing access to transport to hundreds of thousands of people a year. We award grants to charities and organisations who provide different types of transport, or work towards making transport accessible. We also carry out ongoing research, in partnership with disabled people and key stakeholders in the industry, to inspire innovations that continue to champion accessible transport for all.

Why choose us?

We want working for the Motability Foundation to be the best career move you’ve ever made. When you join the Motability Foundation you will join a group of people who are supportive, innovative and motivated to improve the lives of our beneficiaries.

We value everyone’s unique qualities and celebrate having a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves. This is embedded into our values, Collaborative, Respectful and Evolving.

We bring our people together through our People Forum, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Forum, Social Squad and our Wellbeing Champions and our employee Spotlight Awards help us recognise the excellence and dedication of our staff.

We are proud to be recognised as Disability Confident Leader, have attained Platinum Level Award for Investors in People and are members of the Business Disability Forum.

A career with Motability Foundation can offer you so much more than earning potential, we pride ourselves in offering some fantastic benefits. Some of these include:

• 26 days annual leave, plus the option to buy/ sell up to five days.
• One wellbeing day for extra flexibility.
• Pension scheme - Up to 20%, including a 10% non-contributory contribution and matched contributions up to 5%.
• Life Assurance of four times your salary.
• Private healthcare through BUPA for you and your family, along with a Medicash Health Plan.
• Employee assistance programme: GP appointments, eye tests, flu vaccinations, sick pay and free gym and yoga sessions.
• Enhanced Parental Leave, including Adoption Pay.
• Free parking, EV charge points and a minibus service to/from the town centre and train station.
• Fresh fruit, breakfast snacks, and a Dress for Your Day dress code.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, and we aim to be an employer of choice for candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform their best when interviewing and when working with us, so if you require any reasonable adjustments that would make you more comfortable, please let us know so that we can do our best to support you.

To help us create an inclusive workplace we are committed to offering to interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances, we may need to limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. re

Operations and Finance Officer

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance
18 hours per week | £16–£17 per hour
12-month contract (with potential to extend)
Flexible / Remote working

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a user-led national charity supporting people with muscle-weakening conditions. We provide peer support, advocacy, research and campaigning to improve quality of life and drive systemic change.

We are now recruiting an Operations and Finance Officer to strengthen our internal systems and help ensure the smooth and sustainable running of the organisation.

About the Role

This is a key Officer-level role supporting financial administration, governance processes, HR coordination and organisational systems. You will work closely with the CEO and support the trustee board.

You will not hold financial sign-off authority, but you will be responsible for ensuring processes are accurate, organised and compliant.

Key Responsibilities

• Setting up supplier payments for CEO approval

• Importing and reconciling bank statements in accounting software

• Supporting budget tracking and financial record keeping

• Inputting payroll data and liaising with payroll providers

• Collating and submitting DBS applications

• Tracking HR processes (supervisions, appraisals, probation reviews)

• Organising trustee and staff meetings

• Maintaining policy review schedules and compliance deadlines

• Improving and documenting internal systems and processes

About You

We particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of neuromuscular conditions or other long-term disabilities. Reasonable adjustments will be provided throughout the recruitment process and in the role.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in administration, finance or operations

• Is highly organised and detail-oriented

• Is comfortable using spreadsheets and digital systems

• Can manage multiple deadlines and confidential information

• Is confident escalating queries where needed

• Shares our commitment to equity, co-production and inclusion

Experience in the charity sector is welcome but not essential.

What We Offer

• Flexible working arrangements

• A supportive, values-driven team

• The opportunity to shape and strengthen a growing national charity

• A genuine commitment to lived experience leadership

To apply, please submit your CV and a short covering statement outlining why you are interested and how you meet each criteria.

Interviews will be held on Monday 13th April

The main purpose of this role is to write persuasive funding applications to secure the income needed to enable Cerebral Palsy Plus to continue its work.

The postholder will build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing supporters and contribute to the development of all areas of fundraising.

The part-time fundraiser will also work with the Director to contribute to the development and implementation of Cerebral Palsy Plus’s Income Generation & Fundraising strategy.

We’re looking for a part-time Trusts Fundraising Officer to contribute their skills, experience, and personality to add value to our Trusts team within the Fundraising department at Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

This home-based role is now available due to the current post holder moving on to new pastures. The Trust team has had incredible success in recent years, which we are eager to sustain and grow. The successful candidate will provide support to the Trusts Fundraising Manager and work alongside a fellow part-time Trusts Fundraising Officer within this ambitious team.

The role is a varied one, focusing on all aspects of the funding cycle – from identifying opportunities and building relationships, to writing compelling applications and providing high level stewardship. The team works collaboratively across the Association to ensure Blesma’s programmes and services can continue to help limbless veterans and their families.

Blesma is unique as a membership Association as well as a charity. Our Members are the heart of all our work – therefore, the impact of our fundraising is clearly visible in the experiences of our inspirational limbless veterans.

If you’re interested, please read the attached Job Description and apply with your C.V. and a Covering Letter detailing why you’d be an ideal candidate for the role and how your experience and skills match those detailed in the Person Specification.

If you are uncertain about your suitability, apply anyway and let us decide! 

We may close the application down early if we receive a high volume of applications. 

The Tower Project is an East London based disability charity that delivers a wide range of innovative services for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism.

At the forefront of its innovative services delivery is the award-winning Tower Project Job, Enterprise, and Training (JET) Service, East London’s leading provider of supported employment and training services for young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism.

As Job Coach, you will empower adults of all ages with learning disabilities and autism to build real workplace skills through our paid accessible apprenticeship programmes. You will deliver focused, hands-on coaching to help apprentices succeed on their apprenticeships and progress into sustained employment, whether with their placement host or another employer.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Job Coaching

You will provide hands-on workplace coaching that enables clients to develop competence, independence and resilience, supporting successful progression into sustained employment.

• Deliver in-work coaching, breaking tasks into manageable steps and systematically fading support.
• Conduct detailed job and task analysis to ensure clarity of role expectations.
• Support apprentices to develop technical skills, workplace behaviours and professional standards.
• Produce in work communication passports for apprentices and identify and implement reasonable adjustments in partnership with employers.
• Support apprentices to manage workplace anxiety, communication differences and confidence barriers.
• Develop natural workplace supports, including peer mentors and team-based assistance.
• Provide structured travel training to promote independent commuting.
• Monitor progress against apprenticeship goals and employment outcome targets.

Employer Partnerships and Placement Support

Maintain professional, positive relationships with employers and placement hosts secured through the JET employer engagement strategy.

• Act as the key day-to-day contact for employers once an apprentice is placed.
• Support employers to implement inclusive practices and reasonable adjustments.
• Provide guidance on supporting employees with learning disabilities and autism.
• Identify progression opportunities within existing employer partnerships.
• Escalate new employer development opportunities to the Employment Support Team.

Advice, Guidance and Development

You will deliver structured, person-centred support that enables clients to clarify their employment aspirations and take practical, achievable steps towards sustained paid work

• Develop vocational profiles identifying strengths, aspirations and support needs.
• Deliver structured one-to-one sessions reviewing progress and updating action plans.
• Support development of employability skills including CV preparation, interview techniques and workplace communication.
• Encourage independence, resilience and self-advocacy.

Monitoring & Reporting

• You will ensure accurate tracking of client progress and contribute to demonstrating service impact.
•  Maintain accurate and up-to-date digital records and action plans.
• Track outcomes and contribute to performance data and reporting requirements.
• Contribute case studies and evidence demonstrating sustained employment outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection and health and safety policies.
• Support employers with completing workplace risk assessments prior to placement start.

Professional Responsibilities

• You will uphold high professional standards while contributing to the overall success of the service.
• Work towards agreed KPIs relating to sustained employment and progression.
• Participate in supervision, appraisal and ongoing professional development.
• Maintain knowledge of supported employment practice and inclusive workplace standards.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.
• Represent the service professionally with employers and partner organisations.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties required to support effective service delivery

Role Overview

The Tower Project’s award-winning JET Service is seeking a passionate and skilled Disability Employment Adviser to help transform the employment prospects of adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism.

This is a varied community-facing role combining personalised employment support, employer partnership working and in-work coaching. You will manage a caseload of aproximatley 25 clients at different stages of their employment journey and work collaboratively with colleagues, employers and referral partners to create meaningful employment opportunities.

You will be supported by the Employment Support Team Lead and will play an important role in delivering positive, measurable outcomes for individuals across East London.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

IAG and Employment Support

You will act as the key adviser for a cohort of clients, delivering high-quality, person-centred employment support that leads to sustained paid outcomes.

You will:

• Build positive working relationships with referral partners including the Community Learning Disability Team, education providers and local support organisations.
• Complete vocational profiling, better-off calculations and personalised support plans focused on employment aspirations.
• Deliver one-to-one sessions to support CV development, interview preparation, confidence building and workplace readiness.
• Support clients to access appropriate training, qualifications and work experience opportunities aligned to their goals.
• Help clients identify and overcome barriers to employment through practical, solution-focused support.

Employer Partnerships and Job Matching

You will contribute to the development and maintenance of inclusive employer partnerships across the local area.

You will:

• Support the development of relationships with employers in a range of local sectors to support client progression.
• Promote inclusive recruitment practices and reasonable adjustments.
• Provide guidance and reassurance to employers on supporting employees with learning disabilities and autism.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to match clients to suitable roles that reflect their strengths and aspirations.
• Maintain ongoing contact with employers to support sustained placements and positive working relationships.

In Work Support and Job Coaching

Where clients progress into employment, you will provide initial structured in-work support to help clients succeed and grow in their roles

You will:

• Conduct job and task analysis to ensure clear understanding of workplace expectations.
• Support employers to implement appropriate adjustments.
• Deliver workplace coaching using structured approaches such as Training in Systematic Instruction (TSI), gradually reducing support as independence develops.
• Monitor progress in partnership with the employer and client to support sustained employment.

Career Development

Support clients who are in sustained employment to explore progression opportunities, further training and career development pathways.

Monitoring and Administration

• Maintain accurate and timely client records in line with organisational requirements.
• Contribute to performance reporting, case studies and outcome data as required.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection standards.

General Responsibilities

• Work towards agreed performance targets and contribute to overall team outcomes.
• Represent the service professionally at meetings and partnership events. 
• Build and maintain positive relationships with clients, employers and stakeholders.
• Keep up to date with relevant employment and benefits legislation.
• Follow the organisation’s policies, procedures.
• Participate in supervision, appraisal and ongoing professional development.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and inclusive team culture.

We are looking to employ a Housing and Welfare Benefits Advisor for Camden Disability Action's Social Welfare Advice services. You will have at least two years' experience providing welfare rights advice and housing casework and have up-to -date knowledge of welfare benefits and housing law, especially relating to Disabled adults.  Your role will be to identify potential income maximisation and provide the support needed to get benefits correctly assessed, and assisting with appeals as well as supporting Disabled people with housing support, including homelessness prevention measures.  You will work in a holistic way, managing and holding complex cases and advocating for clients across statutory services, specialist advice partners and community organisations.

You will be committed to learning more about the Social Model of Disability and you will share our vision for a radically inclusive world where people with differences are never disabled by the society in which they live.

The post is currently funded for 12 months, however it is an organisational priority to secure ongoing funding for this role and to keep growing the size and scope of our advice team.

The role is advertised as hybrid and a minimum of 2 days on site in the NW5 1LB office is essential.

Deadline for applications is Monday 23rd March 5pm. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 31st March and Wednesday 1st April.

Join our dedicated Reproduction Team and bring your veterinary expertise to a programme built on ethics, compassion and exceptional welfare standards. This is your chance to play a vital role in ensuring every puppy begins life with the very best foundations.

As our Canine Reproduction Specialist, you’ll work hand‑in‑hand with our Veterinary Surgeon to support successful, welfare‑focused breeding outcomes. Your insight and care will help maximise conception rates and litter sizes, while safeguarding the physical and emotional wellbeing of every breeding dog.

You’ll champion best‑practice reproductive care, influence high‑quality decision‑making, and help ensure that long‑term comfort, health and happiness remain at the heart of every breeding choice we make.

Based at our National Breeding Centre near Leamington Spa, you’ll work 35 hours per week between 8am and 6pm, Monday–Friday. You’ll also participate in a 1 in 4 weekend rota, ensuring continuous, outstanding care for our dogs.

If you’re passionate about canine welfare and want your work to have a lasting, positive impact, we’d love to hear from you!

What You’ll Do

• Carry out key reproductive duties, including cytology, progesterone testing and supervising matings, ensuring the highest standards of welfare and outcomes.
• Support clinical care for breeding dogs, applying your knowledge of canine anatomy, physiology and behaviour.
• Maintain accurate records, analyse reproductive data and contribute to continuous improvement across the breeding programme.
• Develop skills in ultrasound and reproductive techniques, including artificial insemination, under veterinary direction (full training provided).
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and external partners, representing the breeding programme professionally.

What You’ll Bring

• Registered Veterinary Nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
• Significant experience working in a veterinary practice.
• At least one year’s experience in a scientific or laboratory setting, with the ability and willingness to learn new techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of canine anatomy and reproduction, gained through academic study and/or practical experience.
• Strong understanding of canine behaviour, temperament and reproductive health.
• Good understanding of laboratory processes and equipment.
• Confident dog‑handling skills.
• Physical dexterity to safely supervise matings.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.

What We Offer

No two people with sight loss are the same — and none of our people are either. That’s why we’re proud to offer a range of person‑centred benefits designed to support each member of staff in the ways that matter most.

Our flexible benefits package includes a generous holiday allowance, a matched contributory pension scheme and access to discounts and cashback, giving you the freedom to choose the options that work best for you. It’s our way of showing how much our people mean to us and helping you feel supported both in and outside of work.

About Us

How to apply 

Further details on the full role are attached below. When you are ready to apply, submit an online application form via this page.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, or require any accessibility support to apply, our friendly recruitment team is ready and waiting to help.

As part of your application ensure you provide evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description. You will also be asked to complete a few job-specific questions as part of this application process, so please be prepared to write your answers to these questions.

If you want to know more about the teams who work at Guide Dogs, you can find it on our Careers Page

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are proud, whenever possible, to offer an interview to all candidates that meet our selection criteria, and who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident interview commitment. For more details, visit our careers site.

If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK via our digital ID checking supplier; in addition, we cannot offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Safeguarding

Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.

At Guide Dogs, we believe in fair and equitable hiring practices. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for a position. Each case will be evaluated individually, taking into account the nature of the offense, its relevance to the role, and the time that has passed since the incident. We encourage all candidates to disclose relevant information, and we assure you that it will be handled confidentially and fairly.

Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If you are applying for a disclosure role, please note that you will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and sign up to the DBS update service.

For high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than advertised.

We are a small, dynamic charity delivering community-led projects and initiatives that seek to both empower and improve the lives of family carers living across Wales.

The Finance and Governance Officer is responsible for the day-to-day financial management, governance support, and administrative oversight of the charity. This role ensures accurate and timely reporting of financial data, effective management of budgets, and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements for finance and audit. Additionally, the postholder provides key governance support, facilitating the smooth running of the Board of Trustees, maintaining company records, staff records, and ensuring HR policies are reviewed and adhered to.

This position is crucial for maintaining the charity’s operational integrity and supports strategic decision-making by providing robust financial insight and governance expertise.

The role will also play a key role in identifying/sourcing funding for enabling sustainability, by working alongside the Director in drafting proposals/bids.

The post will also work closely with the Project and Engagement Coordinator and Policy & Impact Officer to help support the successful delivery of our projects through budget management and supporting the production of evidence of impact reports.

This is an integral role within the organisation that brings together key organisational, financial and people skills to enable us to continue to make a meaningful impact for families across Wales.

About us

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

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

Ideal candidate

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

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

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

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

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

What we can offer you

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

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

Further information

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

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

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

Next steps: 

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

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

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

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

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

Job description

Purpose:

1. To assist in the planning and delivery of individual educational programmes designed to meet the social, learning and developmental needs of each young person.

2. To work with the First Start Manager as a member of a team.

3. To support young people with disabilities and/or on the autism spectrum to access the local community, services, events, education and training.

4. To support young people on the autism spectrum, with associated learning and or physical disabilities to access their own individualised programmes.

5. Support Worker / Drivers - To drive the service members accessing the First Start Service to and from the service premises and to other destinations as required.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

1. To assist in organising and providing a range of stimulating, challenging and interesting educational activities that are relevant to the needs of the individual, meeting their educational, social and developmental needs.

2. To actively participate in the delivery of a high-quality service that adheres to the Tower Project’s policies and procedures.

3. To ensure the service is delivered in consultation and partnership with Service members, Parents/ Carers, Colleges/ Schools and other relevant parties.

4. To provide and/ or receive support, advice and training as appropriate.

5. Support Worker / Drivers - To ensure the safe transportation of service members to and from their required destination. 

6. Support Worker / Driver – To be responsible for documenting mini- bus mileage, vehicle check log sheets and safe handling of vehicle keys.

7. Support Worker / Driver – To be responsible for reporting any vehicle damages to First Start Service Manager. Specific

Duties:

1. To work directly with young people as required by the First Start Manager.

2. To support First Start service members from a person-centered approach, recognising, valuing and seeking to reinforce individual identity by way of responses and informed choices.

3. To assist in the maintenance of monitoring systems, e.g. registers, need to know forms.

4. To assist in identifying additional individual needs and support.

5. To attend and contribute to team meetings and to assist in the exchange of information and show cooperation when working with other staff and partner organisations.

6. To attend training events according to expressed needs and demands.

7. To be responsible for the Health & Safety, the security and the use of the First Start premises, in conjunction with the Service manager.

8. In conjunction with the First Start Manager, prepare timetables, activity plans, programme reports, monitoring data and other appropriate work according to the needs of the post.

9. To actively promote and develop inclusion and equal opportunities.

10. To liaise with and involve service members, parents/ carers and other partner agencies in the planning and delivery of the service.

11. To ensure that the guidelines & framework of relevant legislation, e.g. The Care Act 2014, Valuing People White Paper, Care Standards Act etc., are always implemented and adhered to.

12. To participate and meet regularly for supervision meetings with the First Start Manager or designated Line Manager.

13. To actively promote and develop inclusion and equal opportunities.

14. Support Worker / Drivers - To drive service members to and from the First Start premises and to other destinations as requested by the Service Manager.

15. Support Worker / Drivers - To be responsible for arranging the pickup and drop off and safe use of the minibus.

16. Support Worker / Drivers - To support First Start service members as required by the Service manager and to be available during the service’s operational hours.

17. Undertake other duties as appropriate to the nature of the Post 3

PERSON SPECIFICATION SUPPORTWORKER

Knowledge:

Knowledge and understanding of the development of young people with Autism, challenging behaviour, learning disabilities and / or physical disabilities. To demonstrate an understanding of the causes of social exclusion.

Education/ Qualifications:

An NVQ 2 in Care or equivalent, or willingness to work towards such a qualification.

Essential:

Experience of working with young people with disabilities and specific learning disabilities and or Autism in a similar setting. Experience of working in an inner city multi-racial/ cultural environment.

Experience of liaising with Parents/ Carers.

Good communication skills with parents/ carers, young people and staff. Ability to work as part of a team.

Ability to work with young people who can sometimes present challenging behaviour.

To support, promote and deliver services within the Tower Project’s Equal Opportunities policy.

An NVQ 2 in Care or equivalent, or willingness to work towards such a qualification.

Desirable:

Ability to assist in organising and delivery of a quality programme of activities. Basic computer skills, or a willingness to undertake training as required.

Special Conditions:

The post holder will be expected to undertake any additional training as required

Purpose of the role:

Back Up courses are a vital part of what we do and have been transforming lives for almost 30 years. You will play a critical role in making this fantastic service work as well as supporting the wider team.

You will be the main support and liaison for participants, buddies and care team volunteers, ensuring that everyone feels supported and knows what to expect. You will ensure courses run smoothly and effectively through an effective, efficient administration service.
 

Key stakeholders:

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) and their families; professionals and organisations working with people affected by SCI; Back Up staff