Jobs for the Disability sector

Are you passionate about helping Disabled people live independently? Do you enjoy solving problems, building relationships and providing practical advice that makes a real difference?

At Equal Lives, we're looking for an Independent Living Adviser to join our Suffolk Independent Living Service. This rewarding role supports people who use Direct Payments and personal budgets to arrange and manage their own care and support, giving them greater choice, control and independence.

You'll provide information, advice and guidance on a range of topics including Direct Payments, support planning, recruiting and employing Personal Assistants, and managing support arrangements. You'll work closely with individuals, families, professionals and community organisations to help people achieve positive outcomes and live independently.

We're looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about equality, empowerment and the Social Model of Disability.

• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

• Can manage a varied workload and respond to enquiries in a professional and person-centred way.

• Has experience or knowledge of HR, recruitment, employment practices or supporting people to employ staff.

• Is confident using IT systems, including Microsoft Office applications.

• Can work independently whilst contributing positively to a wider team.

• Has a full, clean driving licence and is willing to travel across Suffolk.

• Knowledge of Direct Payments, personal budgets or independent living services would be beneficial, but training will be provided on our specific services.

Why work for Equal Lives?

Equal Lives is a user-led disability rights organisation working across Norfolk and Suffolk. We are passionate about removing disabling barriers, promoting independent living and ensuring Disabled people have choice, control and equal opportunities.

This is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, support people to take control of their lives, and be part of a team committed to making a lasting difference in our communities.

Salary: £24,500.00 rising to £26,357.15 per annum after 6 month probation period

Contract Type: Permanent, Full time

Hours and working pattern: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday 

Location: Office based during probation with possibility of hybrid working after this.

Office location: IP City Centre, Bath Street, Ipswich, IP2 8SD

Some travel is required for visiting service users in their homes or other locations, so a full and clean driving license is required.

Key Dates 

Closing date: 2nd September 2026 (midday)
Shortlisting: 3rd September 2026

Interviews: 16th September 2026 at IP City Centre, Ipswich

We are looking for an HR Officer to join us on a 14-month maternity cover contract as part of our People & Culture function. Key responsibilities are the smooth running of Share’s recruitment and payroll functions, as well as providing basic advice to line managers and staff.

Share is a registered charity and a centre for training and wellbeing. We provide a range of programmes empowering adults with a learning disability, autistic adults, and adults with other support needs to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives. Our vision is a world where disabled people are fully included in society, living the life they choose, and we need talented people to help us make that happen.

Your work will help ensure Share attracts, supports and develops talented staff who are committed to empowering disabled adults. You'll play an important role in delivering excellent HR support, enabling our teams to provide high-quality services for our students. 

Main responsibilities 

• You’ll provide HR support to formal employee relations processes including disciplinary, grievance, capability and sickness absence management processes 

• You’ll lead recruitment for new staff including; advertising roles, arranging interviews and conducting pre-employment checks 

• You'll onboard all new starters, ensuring comprehensive inductions and relevant training 

• You’ll deliver staff social events in line with agreed budgets and support the provision and promotion of Share’s staff benefits 

• You’ll ensure collation of monthly payroll submissions, including hours worked, contract changes and new starters 

• You’ll support the scheduling of flexible staff and the assignment of bank workers and source cover for unexpected absences 

Who we’re looking for 

• You'll have experience in HR, ideally with a CIPD level 3 qualification or equivalent

• You’ll have experience working in a mid-sized charity or education sector

• Most importantly, you share our strong commitment to the inclusion of disabled people in society, you believe in equality for all 

Why work for us? 

Share is committed to empowering disabled adults. You’ll make a difference every day, helping people to live as independently as possible. 

Our values drive us forward. They provide the framework for everything we do, including who we hire. We believe everyone has somethingto offer others, and we build on people'sindividual talents, interests and abilities. We think happy employees are successful employees. 

We hold a goldInvestors in Peopleaccreditation, which means we truly understand the value of people: we focus on what people can do, not what holds them back. And we have robust policies in place so that every single person working at Share takes ownership for making our programmes come to life. 

We’ve been praised for our supportive working environment where everyone has a voice and is valued. You’ll be surrounded by people who support you, challenge you, and inspire you. 

How to apply 

We positively welcome applications from all parts of the community and from people with diverse cultural backgrounds and lived experience. 

Please apply through our website or send us your CV and cover letter answering the following questions: 

1. Please can you tell us what attracted you to this post? What qualities do you believe youpossesswhich will make you successful in this role and why? 

2. What does successful recruitment mean to you, what factors influence the success of a recruitment process, and why? 

3. Share is a fast-paced environment which will often require you to reprioritise your workload. Tell us about your approach to managing your workload, and how you would adapt this to an environment like Share? 

If you would like to have a chat about the role or visit us prior to applying, please contact us.

We focus on ability and believe people work best when they feel valued, safe and happy. We do all that we can to make sure that Share is friendly and welcoming to everyone. All CVs and applications are sanitised to ensure unbiased recruitment. 

This job is subject to two satisfactory references, evidence of qualifications, an enhanced DBS check and providing evidence of the right to work in the UK. If you are disabled and would like to discuss other ways of submitting your application, please call us. 

Our privacy policy for job applicants can be found on our website.

We look forward to receiving your application. 

ABOUT CAUDWELL CHILDREN

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Volunteer Manager (maternity cover) to join our dedicated, experienced and growing team of professionals as we embark on a journey of expansion.

Established in 2000, Caudwell Children aims to change people’s lives, change the way society perceives and treats disabled and autistic people and change the way that charities operate, through the provision of child-centred practical and emotional services, passionate campaigning and demonstrating best practice.  We believe in a world where disabled and autistic children have the choice, opportunity, dignity and understanding they deserve #jointhechange and help us in our mission!

Our facilities provide a state-of-the-art base within the grounds of Keele University, Staffordshire, with the option of informal homeworking arrangements up to 40% of working week after passing probation.

POST OUTLINE

This is an impactful role working in a supportive and collaborative environment. The Volunteer Manager is responsible for implementing a sustainable volunteer strategy, onboarding journey and programme across the charity. This varied role oversees the promotion of volunteering, internal and external relationship building, all stages of volunteer recruitment, HR checks and onboarding and the coordination of an effective volunteer mandatory training programme. This role is responsible for organising recognition programmes, guiding departments on how to manage and retain volunteers, maximising the use of volunteer resources and ensuring volunteers have a rewarding experience whilst also positively contributing to the organisation objectives to provide vital services to the families of disabled and neurodivergent children. This role is also responsible for the line management of the Volunteer Administrator. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who shares our commitment to making a meaningful difference and who can truly embody our core values:

• Ambition – We dream BIG… then make it happen
• Dedication – We go the extra mile… for every child
• Inclusivity – Unique, but UNITED

The successful candidate will bring enthusiasm, professionalism and a collaborative spirit, contributing to a culture where every child, colleague, donor and stakeholder feels valued, supported and inspired to thrive.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and inspire a positive culture of volunteering within the organisation.
• Implement the Charities Volunteer Strategy and continually develop the volunteer onboarding journey and programme. 
• Liaise with departments to establish volunteer support requirements and create volunteer role descriptions.
• Continually review the recruitment plan and pipeline, analysing existing data to understand patterns, ensuring volunteer diversity.
• Promote and market Caudwell Children volunteer roles nationally with the support of the team, reaching wider audiences, using a range of recruitment methods such as online recruitment platforms, social media, local community groups, etc.
• Attend volunteer recruitment events across Staffordshire, such as university career fayres, including delivering presentations to promote volunteering and placements.
• Attend volunteer networking events
• Coordinate and lead informal volunteer interviews to identify suitable volunteer candidates.
• Responsible for overseeing references checks, ID and DBS checks in line with DBS regulation and to comply with safer recruitment policies
• Process onboarding paperwork, updating our volunteer database and auditing  volunteer records to ensure they are up to date with DBS checks, mandatory training, medical records and emergency contact details.
• Oversee DBS renewals, DBS Destruction notices, annual medical updates and mandatory training reminders.
• Lead volunteer support plan discussions with new volunteers to discuss reasonable adjustments and support we will put into place where they have disclosed a medical condition or disability.
• Coordinate and oversee the induction and mandatory training for newly appointed volunteers, delivering the mandatory charity training session in collaboration with the Learning and Development Manager.
• Working with departments to advise them on how to deliver an effective training and mentoring programme in order to establish a cohesive infrastructure of motivated volunteers, in collaboration with the Learning and Development Manager.
• Deliver volunteer management training and advice to departments on how to  support, mentor and motivate volunteers, ensuring regular supervisions are carried out by departments.
• Lead monthly catch ups with department heads to discuss the activity of volunteers and department needs.
• Monitor and evaluate all aspects of volunteer activity to ensure effectiveness. Conduct continuous evaluation of the volunteer programme, organising surveys and volunteer forums to gather feedback
• Responsible for checking volunteer expense forms.
• Design and organise formal or informal activities to recognise the contributions of volunteers to the organisation, including parties, social media recognition posts, volunteer case studies, volunteer awards, etc.
• Review and update if appropriate volunteer policies, procedures, risk logs and standards of volunteer service across the organisation ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
• Ensure the Volunteer Department is compliant with ISO requirements by annually reviewing standard volunteer documents due to renewal.
• Produce regular reports using volunteer data on volunteer recruitment, onboarding, activity and participation.
• Create month end board level reports, interact at Board level, to highlight progress against the Volunteer Strategy.
• Line Manage, supervise and mentor the employee: Volunteer Administrator.
• Help to facilitate and develop the corporate volunteering opportunities in collaboration with the Business partnerships team who lead on the Charities Corporate Social Responsibility offer.
• Maintain and develop the current placement offer for student volunteers recognising the contribution to a sustainable volunteer strategy, and coordinating placement project plans and timetables.
• Deal with any complaints or issues involving volunteers in the appropriate manner and take action where necessary. 

Other:

• Communicate with children, families and all stakeholders in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture in full compliance with the Equality & Diversity Policy. 
• Uphold the principles and practice of customer care and continuous improvement.
• Maintain confidentiality and Data Protection and at all times work in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations 2018.
• Have an awareness of relevant health and safety regulations and legislation, being responsible for your own health and safety and that of anyone else whom your acts and omissions may affect.
• Report any concerns of potential abuse of a service user in line with the Safeguarding Policy and procedures.
• Ensure maintenance and security of physical, financial and information resources.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. 
• Keep comprehensive and accurate records in relation to your role and in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Attend training as appropriate to the role, applying knowledge gained to the workplace.
• To work effectively and collaboratively as a member of the team, building and maintaining good working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders. 
• Ensure compliance with statutory and non-statutory bodies. 
• Adhere to all Caudwell Children policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate commitment to Caudwell Children’s mission, vision and values.
• On occasion and when necessary work flexible hours to meet the needs of the business.
• Willingness to travel on occasion in order to fulfil the needs of the post. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of coordinating volunteers / supervising a volunteer team.
• Experience of line management of colleagues.
• Experience of working in the charity sector.
• Excellent administration experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of Volunteer management practices
• Ability to resolve problems/issues tactfully and effectively.
• Well-developed IT skills including data/records management and analysis.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• Good presentation and training skills.
• Good multi-tasking skills with the ability to deal with and prioritise multiple requests.
• Prepared to be flexible and a commitment to team work.

Desirable Criteria:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent. 
• Relevant volunteer management qualification.
• Experience of management role.
• HR administration experience.
• Volunteer/ employee recruitment experience.
• Experience of reporting against targets to the board/senior management team.
• Understanding of the legislation surrounding volunteer management.
• Understanding of confidentiality and GDPR.
• The ability to travel independently to various locations across the region to fulfill the duties of the role.

This Job Description is not exhaustive.  The post holder may be required to carry out any other task as deemed appropriate for the level and responsibilities of the post.

DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE CHECKS

The Charity is committed to safeguarding children and young people and therefore adopts a safer recruitment approach through a robust recruitment and selection process.  All posts within the Charity are subject to DBS checks, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974).  This role is eligible for a basic disclosure check.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Caudwell Children is a Disability Confident employer committed to offering an interview to all applicants who meet the minimum criteria and declare they have a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010.  We are committed to creating a diverse environment and will not discriminate for any reason against any person because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation.  Please make us aware on your application if you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme.  We also encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background and other underrepresented groups.

HOW TO APPLY & FURTHER INFORMATION

To apply for this exciting opportunity, click “Apply” or visit our website for further information.