Entry level jobs for the Disability sector

About Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a national, user-led charity run by and for people with muscle-weakening conditions. We empower adults with neuromuscular conditions to live fulfilling lives through peer support, information, advocacy, and co-produced research and campaigns. Our work brings together lived experience and academic insight to influence health, social care, and disability policy.

About the Role

We are seeking a Research Officer to support a series of user-led research projects exploring:

• Access to social care and support

• Healthcare access and inequalities

• Sexual health and relationships for people with neuromuscular conditions

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge, lived-experience research that aims to improve quality of life and influence national policy and practice.

You will work closely with the CEO, Research Manager, and members of our lived experience research advisory group. You’ll be involved in all aspects of the research cycle — from design to dissemination — and will ensure that our research is ethical, inclusive, and grounded in co-production principles.

Key Responsibilities

Research Design & Ethics

• Support the design of research studies in collaboration with the lived experience team and academic partners.

• Support the preparation of ethics applications, participant information sheets, and consent materials.

• Develop interview schedules, focus group guides, and surveys.

Participant Engagement

• Recruit participants through Pathfinders’ network, social media, and partner organisations.

• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity in participant communication and data collection.

• Support co-production activities (e.g., advisory groups, workshops, testing materials).

Data Collection & Analysis

• Conduct qualitative interviews and/or focus groups with participants.

• Support data transcription, coding, and thematic analysis (using NVivo or similar).

• Maintain accurate, confidential records and data management systems.

Reporting & Dissemination

• Contribute to research reports, briefings, and peer-reviewed papers.

• Present findings to internal and external audiences, including at conferences or stakeholder meetings.

• Work with communications staff to translate research findings into accessible outputs for our community and policymakers.

Collaboration & Co-Production

• Embed lived experience leadership throughout the project lifecycle.

• Liaise with academic partners and other charities to strengthen our research and advocacy work.

• Contribute to a culture of inclusive, ethical, and participatory research practice.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience managing or delivering a research project from start to finish (e.g., Master’s dissertation, PhD, or equivalent applied research).

• Strong understanding of qualitative research methods (interviews, focus groups, thematic analysis).

• Ability to plan and manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.

• Commitment to co-production, lived experience leadership, and inclusive research practices.

• Awareness of issues affecting disabled people and/or people with long-term conditions.

Desirable

• Lived experience of disability, chronic illness, or neuromuscular conditions. Applications will be prioritised where they meet this criteria.

• Experience of working with disabled people or people with neuromuscular or muscle-weakening conditions.

• Familiarity with ethical approval processes (university or NHS).

• Experience with NVivo or similar qualitative analysis software.

• Experience working in a small charity or community-based research context.

What We Offer

• Flexible, remote working arrangements.

• A supportive, inclusive environment led by people with lived experience.

• Opportunities for co-authorship, conference presentations, and career development in inclusive research.

• The chance to shape evidence that can drive change in health and social care policy.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities service in Hertfordshire.

£24,548.23 per annum, working 37.5 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Linden Road in Redbourn supports 2 gentlemen living in their own bungalows with everyday life skills. The service provides a 24/7 support service, with an emphasis on choice and control, enabling customers to achieve greater independence, improved quality of life and integration into the wider community.
We are looking some someone who is able to build supportive, trusting relationships with customers and create a positive atmosphere. You need to be able to provide a flexible, personalised and responsive support service that is tailored to each customer's abilities and aspirations. This will include a willingness to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
Customers need support with daily living activities, including practical assistance, cooking, feeding, cleaning and person care. The role will also require you to maintain appropriate records to a professional standard in accordance with Look Ahead's policies and procedures. If you have experience working with and motivating customers whilst being calm and resilient to challenging behaviour, then please apply for this role.

The position involves working 7.5 hours per day, five days a week, with alternating weekends on duty.

For a full job description, please visit our website.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or experience within charity/social care sector

Desirable:

Experience in working with people with Learning Disabilities and Autism
Drivers licence desirable

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Social Care Learning Disabilities service in Hertfordshire.

£24,548.00 per annum, working 37.5 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

Support Workers will provide support to customers to help them develop the life skills they require to meet the assessed needs of the customers of the service. In some services, this will include providing physical, domestic, emotional and social care. They will work with customers to promote social inclusion and alongside other members of the team to promote independent living, encouraging customers to maximise their skills and choices.

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

About you:

Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
Prefers working as part of a group or team
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
Flexible
Open to feedback and self development
Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can-do attitude
Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour

What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or experience within charity/social care sector
Full UK drivers' licence

Desirable:

Relevant experience working with people with learning disabilities

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 120 services, providing support to around 6000 customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness, young people and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.