Entry level jobs for the Disability sector

Are you passionate about retail and ready to take on a new challenge that will make a real difference to the lives of people with a learning disability.

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and driven Shop Manager to join our team in Loughborough on a 37.5 hour contract.

As a Shop Manager you will be responsible for the day to day running of our store by leading an inclusive team of paid colleagues and volunteers to maximise sales income and to minimise costs. You will have the passion to drive your store to be the best in the area.

What you will do: 

• Drive sales in the store to meet expected budgets and KPI’s 

• Run a high-density shop, ensuring that the shopfloor meets retail merchandising standards and that stock is rotated onto the shopfloor daily. 

• Ensure that stock is generated over the door and that donors are signed up for Gift Aid.

• Ensure that the high standard of customer service that is expected by Mencap is delivered at all times.

• You will be an inclusive leader developing your team, paid and volunteers, through training and performance reviews.

• Be responsible for all financial, cash handling, security, safeguarding and health and safety in the store. 

To be a successful Shop Manager you will be: 

• An experienced manager with the ability to drive sales and meet KPI’s, ideally within a fashion retail environment. 

• Ability to lead and support a team from varying backgrounds. 

• Ability to meet the needs of the customers to generate and increase the sales of the store.

• Have a flexible approach to working hours and days, including weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis. 

The full detailed job description is available below.

We are an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation and we particularly welcome and encourage disabled applicants and those from the Black and Asian communities to apply for the role as they are under-represented within the workforce. 

If you are passionate about leading high‑performing teams and delivering exceptional store standards, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now with an updated CV. Applications close on 28th February, with interviews to be held shortly afterward.

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

We are recruiting for the new role of Communications & Marketing Manager. This year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of ABCD. It’s an important and exciting point in ABCD’s development, when we seek to develop our profile and supporter base, particularly among younger people in the UK. Over recent years we have been gradually extending the scope of our work in the refugee camps in the West Bank. As we grow, and the demand for our services grows, so have our ambitions to raise much needed funds as we develop. We seek a committed individual to join us on a one-year contract with a vewi to becoming permanent if all goes well.

Respond is seeking an experienced and values-driven Psychotherapy Service Manager to lead our specialist psychotherapy service for autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and their families. 

This is a senior clinical leadership role for an experienced psychotherapist with strong service management skills and a commitment to psychodynamic, systemic and trauma-informed practice. 

About the Role 

You will: 

• Provide clinical leadership and day-to-day management of Respond’s psychotherapy service 

• Ensure high-quality, safe and effective therapeutic provision across London, schools and online 

• Lead on clinical governance, safeguarding, supervision and reflective practice 

• Support and develop the therapy team through coaching and compassionate leadership 

• Contribute to organisational strategy, service planning and partnership development 

You will hold a small caseload alongside management responsibilities and work closely with the Senior Leadership Team. 

About You 

You will be: 

• A qualified psychotherapist, counsellor or arts therapist with postgraduate training 

• Registered with a relevant professional body (e.g. HCPC, BACP, BPS, UKCP) 

• Experienced in psychodynamic and/or systemic practice 

• Experienced in working with autistic people and/or people with learning disabilities 

• Confident in leading teams and managing services 

• Knowledgeable about trauma, abuse and safeguarding 

Experience of clinical supervision, reflective practice or organisational safeguarding leadership is desirable. 

Why Join Respond? 

• A respected specialist organisation with a strong trauma-informed ethos 

• A collaborative, reflective and supportive working culture 

• Opportunities to shape and develop a growing service 

• Flexible working arrangements and ongoing CPD 

If you’d like to find out more about this role, please read through the job description and person specification.

When you apply, please send a CV and Supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4. In your supporting statement ensure that you address the key competencies in the person specification.  

About Metabolic Support 
Metabolic Support is the UK umbrella patient organisation for people affected by Inherited Metabolic Disorders (IMDs) – rare, lifelong genetic conditions affecting around 40,000 people in the UK and over 1.4 million worldwide. Since 1981, we have been at the forefront of rare disease advocacy, research, newborn screening and community support, empowering people with IMDs to live well. 

About the Role 
This is a senior, strategic and hands-on role leading our fundraising and communications activity. You will drive sustainable income growth, raise our profile nationally and internationally, and tell our community’s stories with clarity, compassion and impact. 

Working closely with the Chief Executive, you will shape and deliver an ambitious fundraising strategy, develop diverse income streams, and build strong relationships with trusts, foundations, corporates, major donors and supporters. You will also lead our communications and brand, ensuring consistent, high-quality messaging across all channels. 

As part of a small, agile team, this role suits a confident self-starter with emotional intelligence, strong leadership skills and a passion for making a tangible difference in rare disease. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and deliver an integrated fundraising and communications strategy 

• Grow income across trusts & foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, major donors, community and events 

• Act as an external ambassador for Metabolic Support 

• Oversee communications, marketing, social media and brand development 

• Manage donor relationships, stewardship and CRM (Nutshell) 

• Provide fundraising forecasts, reports and budgets to the Board 

• Ensure compliance with GDPR and fundraising regulations 

About You 

• Proven experience in fundraising, communications or income generation 

• Strong track record in at least one key fundraising area (e.g. trusts, corporates, major donors) 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Confident relationship-builder and storyteller 

• Highly organised, proactive and comfortable working autonomously 

• Strong alignment with Metabolic Support’s mission and values 

Other Information 

• UK-based with eligibility to work in the UK 

• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings/weekends 

Learning Disability Community Leader, L'Arche Manchester

ABOUT THE ROLE

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (including some evening and weekend working, and regular on-call)

Salary: £47,946 per annum

Reports to: L’Arche UK Regional Leader

Place of work: L’Arche Manchester Community, Manchester M20 4AW. Some travel and overnight stays will be required within the UK

Contract type: Temporary 12-month appointment to cover maternity leave

Closing date: Monday, 2nd March at 12 pm.

Main purpose of the role

The Community Leader is responsible for ensuring that the Community is living the mission of L’Arche, by providing excellent and sustainable care and support services, support for  spirituality, and engaging with our neighbours and the wider community around us.

The Community Leader will:

• Lead the Community by responding to the needs, choices and context of our members while being faithful to the L'Arche UK Vision and Values, the L'Arche International Identity and Mission Statement, and to a co-created Community Mandate and plan;
• Maintain and enhance high-quality, person-centred care, support, and housing for people with learning disabilities, both at home and in our day services in partnership with the Registered Manager, the local and national teams, individual circles of support, and external partners. 
• Ensure the Community’s financial sustainability through robust financial planning and management. This includes setting budgets and controlling spending, maximising housing occupancy, supporting the negotiation of care contracts, growing our day services and spotting fundraising opportunities. 
• Foster a culture that maximises the voice and power for people with learning disabilities, and builds listening and collaboration between Community members. This will include working with an active Community Support Group, Community Gatherings, listening groups, and other forums. 
• Lead and manage a committed and engaged leadership team to achieve objectives, set a positive culture, and support the personal and professional growth of our teams. 
• Cultivate an open, creative, and inclusive spiritual life, inviting everyone in the Community to deepen their connections. 
• Model, advocate for, and embrace the L’Arche ethos of deep, long-term, and mutually transforming relationships between people with and without learning disabilities. Plan and lead a regular calendar of events that build community belonging and help keep people connected. 
• Contribute to the national work programmes of L’Arche UK, as part of the National Council, collaborating with Community Leaders of other L’Arche Communities, to share skills, best practice and resources. 
• Be a visible representative of L’Arche locally in the wider community, with stakeholders like local authorities, professional organisations, schools, faith communities, and L’Arche world wide.

Key essential criteria

• Senior leadership experience in support to adults with learning disabilities (or transferable skills and experience in a closely-related field). 
• Experience leading and managing an organisation or large teams to deliver results, maintain compliance and quality, and to respond to risks and opportunities. 
• Experience leading and developing diverse teams to flourish, individually and together. 
• Good financial planning skills and experience successfully managing a substantial budget. 
• Evidence of the ability to think strategically, and work collaboratively to develop and implement community plans. 
• Experience of living or working alongside people with learning disabilities and/or autistic individuals

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS criminal record check. 

You may have held these job titles in the past: Registered Manager, Service Manager, Head of Care, Senior Operations Lead, Community Director, Head of Community Services, Country or Regional Lead, Learning Disability Services Manager, Head of Mission and Community Life, Health & Social Care Manager, Local Authority Commissioning Lead;

You can find more details about L'Arche and the Manchester community on our website. 

Why join L'Arche?

As well as joining a friendly Community, where you will be well supervised and supported, and benefit from L’Arche’s mentorship programme, these are some other benefits you get by working for us:

• Joining shared meals since cooking and having a meal together is what we are all about
• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption/Surrogacy, Paternity Pay (depending on length of service, details available on request) 
• Enhanced sick pay
• Interest free loans and salary advances available
• Free DBS / PVG checks
• Free Employee Assistance Programme available to everyone
• Up to 5 days paid compassionate leave
• Up to 6 days paid (pro rata) for time off for emergency dependents leave
• Specialist bereavement counselling for employees and their family members
• Life Assurance
• Access to the Bike to Work scheme

Discover what makes L’Arche a rewarding place to work—explore  more of our employee benefits on our website.

A full job description and person specification can be found in the Recruitment Pack.

To apply, please submit your CV and answer the questions from our online application form. 

The closing date is: Monday, 2nd of March at 12 pm.

First interviews (online via Microsoft Teams) are expected to take place during the week beginning the 9th March 2026.

Second round interviews will take on the place week beginning 16th March 2026 and will take place within the Community.

We encourage you not to wait until the closing date to submit your application, as we may begin interviewing strong candidates before then.
We also reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive enough suitable applications.

Please also read our privacy notice for job applicants.

Strategic Development & Growth Lead

Please note we anticipate closing applications early due to the high number of applications we have already received. 

Autistic Parents UK (APUK)
Part-time – 12 hours per week | Remote (UK-based) | Fixed-term (3 years) 

Autistic Parents UK (APUK) is a national Disabled People’s Organisation led by and for autistic parents. We are entering an exciting new phase of development and are looking for a Strategic Development & Growth Lead to help shape and strengthen our future.

This is a senior, strategic role within a small but ambitious charity. Working closely with our Board of Trustees and Services Lead, you will drive organisational growth, secure sustainable funding, and build partnerships that expand our reach and impact. You will play a key role in ensuring APUK continues to support autistic parents  across the UK while remaining firmly rooted in autistic-led, neuro-affirming values.

About the Role

You will lead on developing and delivering APUK’s organisational strategy, identifying opportunities for sustainable growth, and strengthening systems and infrastructure. A key focus of the role will be developing and implementing income generation strategies, including securing grants, building partnerships, and exploring new funding opportunities such as training and commissioned services.

You will also oversee marketing and communications strategy, helping raise APUK’s profile and engagement with communities, partners, and stakeholders. Alongside this, you will support internal development, including governance, monitoring and evaluation systems, and supporting the charity’s expansion as it grows.
The role is subject to a basic DBS check. 

About You

We are looking for someone with strong experience in strategic development, organisational growth and income generation within the charity or not-for-profit sector. You will need to have a proven track record of securing funding, building partnerships, and delivering strategic initiatives.

You will understand and be committed to Disabled People’s Organisation principles, neurodiversity, and the social model of disability. 

You will be comfortable working collaboratively in a remote, values-led organisation and able to manage priorities strategically within a part-time role.

Why Join Us?

APUK offers a supportive, autistic-led working environment with flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development. This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future of a growing national organisation and making a direct difference to autistic parents and their families.

We are committed to inclusive recruitment and particularly welcome applications from autistic, neurodivergent and disabled people, individuals from racially minoritised communities, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

 

At Outside the Box we make a real difference, positively changing the lives of the people with learning disabilities/autism. To build on our success, we are now looking for someone special to lead our ‘day’ services (OTB Choices).

OTB Choices provides a dynamic portfolio of education, skills, creative and work experience opportunities, from cooking, art and craft to printing, computing, music and customer service, and much more. We are at an exciting stage in our delivery and development and are seeking an exceptional person to lead and manage our services, ensuring consistently high quality provision that really does make a difference.

You will play a pivotal role in our work, proactively leading a diverse team and multi-site operations to achieve targets and outcomes. You will be solution-focused, have the strength, vision and evidenced track record of an experienced manager and shared passion for enabling and empowering people with learning disabilities and/or autism to have their best lives.

LD:NorthEast is a local charity supporting people across North Tyneside who have lived experience of learning disabilities, learning difficulties and autism.

You’ll be responsible for:

· Managing and leading the Community Outreach team who provide support to people with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and/or autism.

· Ensuring LD:NorthEast provides a high quality Community Outreach service via 1:1 support in the community, group sessions and a short break service.

· Ensuring the Community Outreach service provides person centered support in line with individual support plans and/or requirements, family requirements and local authority commissioning.

· Ensuring the quality of life of the people we support is maintained or improved and they are given full support to achieve the best possible outcomes to Live Life their Way.

· Promoting the Community Outreach Service to commissioners, professionals and families.

· Ensuring the Community Outreach support team adheres to Safeguarding reporting procedures.

· Being a member of the Senior Management Team.

· Providing direct Outreach support when required.

Operations Manager

Are you passionate with a commitment to the delivery of high quality and forward-thinking services for disabled people across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland?

We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, hands-on Operations Manager to join the team.  

Join a charity that supports over 3000 disabled people and thousands more who care for them and employs over 100 people. It’s an exciting time at the charity, as it builds on its 125-year history and sets a vision for a bright future that is driven by change, innovation, and impact at its heart.

Position: Operations Manager

Location: Leicester/Hybrid (1 home working day per week until after settling in period)

Salary: £40,000 per annum

Hours: Full-time

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 24th February 2026. Please note this role may close sooner than advertised.

About the Role

As Operations Manager, you’ll lead and enable the day-to-day operations of the charity and its central functions, ensuring the very best of outcomes for the charity, its people and the communities it serves.

You’ll report to the Chief Executive and hold line management responsibilities for the charity’s service managers and central administration team who collectively lead around 90 colleagues.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Leadership
• Service Delivery
• Quality Compliance
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting
• Operational Excellence
• Office Management
• Partnerships and Collaborations

About You

An experienced manager of people and operations with a track-record of managing teams, contracts, projects, and programmes in a dynamic environment. You will be positive, proactive and highly organised with an ability to make effective contributions in leadership and direction of operations.

Driven to deliver high standards of excellence and recovers brilliantly in adversity, we are looking for someone with experience of quality, compliance, audit, and risk, matched with a comprehensive understanding of process improvement and operational management.

This role would really suit a strategic and forward thinking who wants to really make their mark and help lead the charity in to its next exciting chapter.

About the Organisation

Join a Leicestershire based charity working to provide life-enhancing services, care and opportunities for disabled people (and all those supporting them), promoting inclusion, equality, independence, choice, empowerment, respect and dignity for all, since 1898.

The goal is to see a society that is designed with everyone in mind and where the choices and dignity of every person is upheld; where diverse spaces are celebrated for the value they hold.

‘I witness lives being transformed every day, from the unforgettable pride of someone achieving what once felt impossible, to the pure joy of shared smiles and laughter. Being part of these moments fills me with gratitude and reminds me how powerful our work truly is’

Benefits include:

• Remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
• 28 days of annual leave, including bank holidays and 4 privilege days per year,
• Membership of the Pension Scheme with a 4% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 4%
• An Employee Assistance Programme with access to counselling support, GP helpline, financial, legal and care advice and support.
• Opt-in health scheme
• Development opportunities

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Operations, Operational, Operations Manager, Operations Lead, Operations Officer, Operations and HR, Operations and HR Manager, Operations and HR Lead, Operations and HR Officer, Finance, HR. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.