Communications and media manager volunteer jobs in Dunmow, essex

About Eden Project

Eden Project is an educational charity with a unique community outreach programme with UK wide reach demonstrating engagement, positive action for people and planet and the creation of real social capital on a mass scale.  The post holder will co-lead the community engagement and development of participation in activities for the Big Lunch programme, building skills and confidence in community action. Building a variety of entry points for Big Lunch Organisers to join the peer-to-peer Network across the UK, the role holder will provide support, signposting and networking opportunities for participants as they develop their own ideas. 

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Community Engagement Lead to co‑lead the development of our community engagement offer across the UK.

This role focuses on growing year‑round participation in The Big Lunch, strengthening peer‑to‑peer networks, and supporting people to build skills, confidence and momentum for community action and nature connection. You will design and deliver engaging online and in‑person activities, nurture relationships with participants and partners, and help ensure that community‑led action is visible, celebrated and sustained.

You will work closely with colleagues across Communities, Partnerships, Research and PR, and alongside another Community Engagement Lead, to shape shared objectives and a collective action plan.

• Flexible, home‑based working
• The opportunity to work on a nationally recognised community programme
• A supportive, passionate and values‑driven team
• The chance to make a meaningful impact for people and planet

The Woodland Trust is looking for an Engaging Communities Officer to join our exciting Sherwood’s Living Legends project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A development grant has been awarded by Heritage Fund to help the Woodland Trust progress the project over 18-months to apply for a 5-year delivery stage grant. If this application is successful, the project will safeguard the future of ancient and veteran trees in Sherwood Forest and reconnect communities with this iconic landscape. This is a fixed term contract for 18-months, with the potential for an extension. 

The Role: 

• Lead the community-focused development of Sherwood’s Living Legends, shaping how people connect with the cultural, historical and ecological significance of ancient and veteran trees. 
• Co-create imaginative engagement approaches with consultants, using storytelling, heritage and local myth to inspire urban and rural communities. 
• Define target audiences and craft compelling key messages that will underpin the project’s delivery-stage communications. 
• Promote the project across the Sherwood NCA through social media, local press, PR events and creative outreach activity. 
• Ensure engagement plans are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of diverse communities and participants. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, community groups, landowners and Woodland Trust teams to support joined-up project development. 
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activity, gathering insight and data to inform project design and future delivery. 
• Represent the project internally and externally, sharing successes and supporting alignment with wider Woodland Trust communications. 

The Candidate: 

• Experienced in coordinating and delivering varied community events, including consultations tailored to different audiences and locations. 
• Confident leading groups outdoors, with experience engaging children, schools and community participants in nature-based activities. 
• Skilled in partnership working, able to collaborate with volunteers, community groups and external organisations to achieve shared outcomes. 
• Strong communicator with excellent written, verbal and digital skills, including social media content creation and public-facing representation. 
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to design accessible and welcoming engagement. 
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple workstreams, prioritise effectively and work independently within a dispersed team. 
• Competent with IT systems, particularly MS Office and collaborative platforms such as Teams. 
• Professional, positive and adaptable, able to represent the Woodland Trust and partners with confidence and clarity. 
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic DBS Check, as part of our pre-employment screening. 

Benefits and Wellbeing: 

Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer: 

• Enhanced Employer Pension 
• Life Assurance 
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options 
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time) 
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme 
• Enhanced Parental Pay 
• Employee Assistance Programme 

About Us: 

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: 

To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.

People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.  

Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: 

For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI): 

We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.

Apply Now: 

If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. 

Interviews to be held on April 21st 2026.

Responsible To:  Conservation Manager Wales
Location:  Home based, with frequent travel around the project site in the Alun Valley, Vale of Glamorgan, S Wales.
Salary:  £28,148 - £32,519 plus 8% employer pension contribution
Hours: Full time, 37 Hours Per Week (1 FTE)
Contract:  Fixed term contract ending 31st August 2027
 
Natur am Byth! is Wales' flagship species recovery programme. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government, Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, Arts Council Wales and Esmee Fairbairn, Natur am Byth unites nine environmental charities to deliver the country’s largest natural heritage and outreach programme to save species from extinction and reconnect people to nature.

The High Brown Fritillary is the UK’s most threatened butterfly species, with a single colony remaining in Wales, where it is restricted to Old Castle Down and Cwm Alun in the Vale of Glamorgan. As such, the species is highly vulnerable to extinction and is a priority for targeted action through Natur am Byth! as one of a small number of single species focal projects. This post focuses on delivering surveys, monitoring and habitat improvements for High Brown Fritillary in the Alun Valley alongside wider species actions contributing to Natur am Byth! in South Wales. 
 
Job Purpose 

•  Deliver agreed conservation outcomes for the High Brown Fritillary single species project within Natur am Byth! in the Vale of Glamorgan. Lead on the delivery of survey and monitoring work, habitat management, volunteer coordination and liaison with graziers, landowners, farmers, partners and contractors to achieve the necessary habitat management outcomes. 
• Work closely alongside the High Brown Fritillary Project Officer focused on the community engagement outcomes of Natur am Byth!, which complement the conservation outcomes. With volunteering and community engagement a critical part of delivering species recovery and ensuring its legacy, close communication and collaboration is essential to deliver this role effectively. 
•  Deliver targeted habitat management activities and conservation advice, survey and monitoring for wider species outcomes within South Wales. 

 
Main Responsibilities

• Lead conservation action targeting High Brown Fritillary within the Alun Valley through liaison with internal and external partners and stakeholders (including private landowners, commoners, land managers, and NRW). 
• Coordinate and manage site-wide habitat monitoring and assessment for High Brown Fritillary to ensure management activities are delivering successfully. 
• Deliver site advisory visits providing specific ecological advice on habitat management for butterflies and moths to benefit threatened species as part of wider site management objectives.
• Manage targeted habitat improvements for High Brown Fritillary and Adder in the Alun Valley through supervision of habitat management contracts and coordination and delivery of volunteer work parties. 
• Organise and deliver a series of conservation workshops to share and promote good practice in grazing and habitat management techniques for threatened species. 
• Lead and collate GIS mapping of species, habitat and project activities to support project reporting, activity planning and ongoing monitoring. 
• Maintain good working relationships with key landowners & commoners,  securing all relevant permissions to undertake appropriate land management where required and engage them in Natur am Byth! events and outcomes.
• Review Natur am Byth! project objectives and schedule and revise actions to maximise impact for species and key stakeholders for an effective project legacy. 
• Manage the conservation elements of the project budget alongside your line manager, and maintain administrative systems to ensure effective delivery and evaluation of the project.
• Ensure effective health and safety procedures are in place for all participants, including staff, public, volunteers, project partners and other BC staff. 
• Promote and publicise the work of the project through events, presentations, print and social media. 
• Contribute to conservation delivery for species within Natur am Byth! and Butterfly Conservation’s wider work within South Wales in agreement with your line manager.

 
General

• Promote BC’s values (Excellence, Passionate, Inspiring, Collaborative) ensuring they are adopted in all aspects of the role.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required and commensurate with the grade of post.
• Undertake all duties and responsibilities in compliance with the rules and regulations encompassing equal opportunities to help foster a diverse workforce.
• Work in accordance with BC’s policies, procedures, and codes of conduct
• Actively participate in on-going professional development activities.

 
Candidates must have the right to work and be resident in the UK.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early before the advertised closing date and time.

Closing date: 7 April 2026, 9am
Interviews will be held on 16 April 2026
 
Teitl Swydd:  Swyddog Cadwraeth Natur am Byth! 
Yn atebol i:  Rheolwr Cadwraeth Cymru
Lleoliad:  Gartref, gan deithio'n aml o amgylch safle'r prosiect yn Nyffryn Alun, Bro Morgannwg, De Cymru.
Cyflog:  £28,148 - £32,519 ynghyd â chyfraniad pensiwn cyflogwr o 8%
Oriau: Llawn amser, 37 awr yr wythnos (1 FTE)
Contract:  Contract tymor penodol yn dod i ben ar 31 Awst 2027
 
Natur am Byth! yw rhaglen flaenllaw Cymru ar gyfer adfer rhywogaethau. Caiff Natur am Byth ei ariannu gan Gronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, Llywodraeth Cymru, Cynllun Cymunedau Treth Gwarediadau Tirlenwi Llywodraeth Cymru, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru ac Esmee Fairbairn, ac mae’n dod â naw elusen amgylcheddol ynghyd i gyflawni rhaglen treftadaeth naturiol ac allgymorth fwyaf y wlad i achub rhywogaethau rhag difodiant ac ailgysylltu pobl â natur.
 
Y Fritheg Frown yw'r glöyn byw sy’n wynebu’r bygythiad mwyaf yn y DU, gydag un gytref ar ôl yng Nghymru, lle mae wedi'i gyfyngu i Old Castle Down a Chwm Alun ym Mro Morgannwg. O'r herwydd, mae'r rhywogaeth yn agored iawn i ddifodiant ac mae'n flaenoriaeth ar gyfer camau gweithredu wedi'u targedu drwy Natur am Byth! fel un o nifer fach o brosiectau sy'n canolbwyntio ar un rhywogaeth. Mae'r swydd hon yn canolbwyntio ar gyflawni arolygon, monitro a gwella cynefinoedd ar gyfer y Fritheg Frown yn Nyffryn Alun ochr yn ochr â chamau gweithredu ehangach ar gyfer rhywogaethau er mwyn cyfrannu at Natur am Byth! yn Ne Cymru. 
 
Pwrpas y Swydd 

•  Cyflawni canlyniadau cadwraeth y cytunwyd arnynt ar gyfer prosiect rhywogaeth sengl y Fritheg Frown o fewn Natur am Byth! ym Mro Morganwg. Arwain ar gyflawni gwaith arolygu a monitro, rheoli cynefinoedd, cydlynu gwirfoddolwyr a chysylltu â phorwyr, tirfeddianwyr, ffermwyr, partneriaid a chontractwyr i gyflawni'r canlyniadau rheoli cynefinoedd angenrheidiol. 
• Gweithio'n agos ochr yn ochr â Swyddog Prosiect y Fritheg Frown gan ganolbwyntio ar ganlyniadau ymgysylltu cymunedol Natur am Byth!, sy'n ategu'r canlyniadau cadwraeth. Gyda gwirfoddoli ac ymgysylltu cymunedol yn rhan hanfodol o gyflawni adferiad y rhywogaeth a sicrhau gwaddol, mae cyfathrebu a chydweithio agos yn hanfodol i gyflawni'r rôl hon yn effeithiol. 
•  Cyflwyno gweithgareddau rheoli cynefinoedd a chyngor cadwraeth wedi'u targedu, arolygu a monitro ar gyfer canlyniadau rhywogaethau ehangach yn Ne Cymru. 

 
Prif Gyfrifoldebau

• Arwain camau cadwraeth sy'n targedu'r Fritheg Frown yn Nyffryn Alun trwy gysylltu â phartneriaid a rhanddeiliaid mewnol ac allanol (gan gynnwys tirfeddianwyr preifat, cominwyr, rheolwyr tir, a CNC). 
• Cydlynu a rheoli gwaith monitro ac asesu cynefinoedd ar draws safleoedd cyfan ar gyfer y Fritheg Frown i sicrhau bod gweithgareddau rheoli yn cyflawni'n llwyddiannus. 
• Cynnal ymweliadau cynghori ar safleoedd gan roi cyngor ecolegol penodol ar reoli cynefinoedd ar gyfer gloÿnnod byw a gwyfynod er budd rhywogaethau sydd dan fygythiad fel rhan o amcanion rheoli safleoedd ehangach.
• Rheoli gwelliannau wedi'u targedu i gynefin y Fritheg Frown a'r Wiber yn Nyffryn Alun trwy oruchwylio contractau rheoli cynefinoedd a chydlynu a darparu partïon gwaith gwirfoddol. 
• Trefnu a chyflwyno cyfres o weithdai cadwraeth i rannu a hyrwyddo arfer da mewn technegau pori a rheoli cynefinoedd ar gyfer rhywogaethau dan fygythiad. 
• Arwain a choladu gwaith mapio GIS ar gyfer rhywogaethau, cynefinoedd a gweithgareddau’r prosiect i gefnogi gwaith adrodd, cynllunio gweithgareddau a monitro parhaus y prosiect. 
• Cynnal perthnasoedd gwaith da gyda thirfeddianwyr a chominwyr allweddol, gan sicrhau'r caniatâd perthnasol i ymgymryd â gwaith rheoli tir priodol lle bo angen a'u cynnwys yn nigwyddiadau a chanlyniadau Natur am Byth!.
• Adolygu amcanion prosiect Natur am Byth! a threfnu a diwygio camau gweithredu i gael yr effaith orau posibl ar rywogaethau a rhanddeiliaid allweddol er mwyn sicrhau gwaddol effeithiol i'r prosiect. 
• Rheoli’r elfennau cadwraeth sy’n gysylltiedig â chyllideb y prosiect ochr yn ochr â'ch rheolwr llinell, a chynnal systemau gweinyddol i sicrhau bod y prosiect yn cael ei gyflawni a'i werthuso'n effeithiol.
• Sicrhau bod gweithdrefnau iechyd a diogelwch effeithiol ar waith i bob cyfranogwr, gan gynnwys staff, y cyhoedd, gwirfoddolwyr, partneriaid y prosiect ac aelodau staff eraill Gwarchod Gloÿnnod Byw. 
• Hyrwyddo a rhoi cyhoeddusrwydd i waith y prosiect drwy ddigwyddiadau, cyflwyniadau, cyfryngau print a chyfryngau cymdeithasol. 
• Cyfrannu at gyflawni cadwraeth ar gyfer rhywogaethau o fewn gwaith ehangach Natur am Byth! a Gwarchod Gloÿnnod Byw yn Ne Cymru mewn cytundeb â'ch rheolwr llinell.

 
Cyffredinol

• Hyrwyddo gwerthoedd Gwarchod Gloÿnnod Byw (Rhagoriaeth, Angerddol, Ysbrydoledig, Cydweithredol) gan sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu mabwysiadu ym mhob agwedd ar y rôl.
• Ymgymryd ag unrhyw ddyletswyddau rhesymol eraill yn ôl yr angen ac sy’n gymesur â gradd y swydd.
• Ymgymryd â'r holl ddyletswyddau a chyfrifoldebau yn unol â'r rheolau a'r rheoliadau sy'n cwmpasu cyfleoedd cyfartal er mwyn helpu i feithrin gweithlu amrywiol.
• Gweithio yn unol â pholisïau, gweithdrefnau a chodau ymddygiad Gwarchod Gloÿnnod Byw
• Cymryd rhan weithredol mewn gweithgareddau datblygiad proffesiynol parhaus.

 
REF-227 190

CEO

• Salary for FTE: £62,000 - £75,000 dependant on experience
• 38 hours a week over 5 days (flexibility for right candidate)
• Home-based with travel for events and meetings

Reporting into the Board of Trustees, we are seeking an inspirational CEO for the PDA Society, who can lead with humility and curiosity, empowering and supporting our staff along the journey. They will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity and its staff and volunteers, and will oversee the development of our training products, research and support services, whilst ensuring sustainable growth in impact and income.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a trusted enterprise within the PDA community with a strong mission and a committed, values driven team. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving the lives of PDAers and their families. You will be energetic, creative and bring new ideas for enhancing the charity’s reputation, through nurturing existing relationships and developing new ones to achieve the charities goals. Our ideal candidate will have lived experience of autism, PDA or other neurodivergence although this is not essential.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on 22nd April 2026

Interviews with Trustees:  April / May 2026

Ready for a role where your psychology can genuinely shape a developing service? PATH is growing, and we’re looking for a Clinical Psychologist who is energised by complexity, values-led practice, and the chance to build something alongside a passionate team. This is an exciting moment to join us—bringing your ideas, your therapeutic skill, and your professional leadership to a service that is ambitious about outcomes and relentless about care and compassion. 
 
We’re proud to be part of an Ofsted rated Outstanding provision, and we’re investing in psychological thinking as a central part of how we work. If you’re looking for a post with space for creativity, strong multi-disciplinary relationships, and real opportunity to develop specialist expertise, PATH could be the right next step. 

We warmly welcome applicants with strong knowledge of neurodiversity, early trauma and the experiences of adopted and care-experienced people, including those with lived or professional expertise. 

A values-based team you’ll want to be part of

You’ll be joining a warm, supportive and highly committed group of professionals who care deeply about the people we serve and the quality of our practice. We work collaboratively—sharing thinking, holding risk together, and making space for reflection even when we’re working at pace. Psychological safety matters here: you’ll have access to supervision, peer support and opportunities for CPD. 

What you’ll bring 

• Professional expertise in psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and consultation, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice. 

• Confidence with complexity—able to hold risk, uncertainty and co-occurring needs, while staying compassionate and person-centred. 

• At least two therapeutic modalities relevant to this sector (e.g., CBT, ACT, CFT, DBT-informed approaches, systemic/family therapy, EMDR, or other trauma-focused therapies), and the ability to integrate approaches thoughtfully. 

• Collaborative team working—you enjoy working across disciplines and with partner agencies, contributing to shared plans and shared outcomes. 

• Agility and pace—able to prioritise, adapt and respond to changing needs while maintaining high clinical standards and clear documentation. 

• A development mindset—motivation to contribute to a growing hub, improve pathways, and evaluate impact using outcomes and feedback. 

We’re also happy to discuss the opportunity with clinical / counselling psychologists who may be earlier in their career. If you can demonstrate a strong commitment to this sector—through relevant placements, roles, voluntary work, research, reflective learning, or lived experience that informs your practice—we would welcome a conversation. We’re interested in potential as well as experience: your values, your curiosity, and the way you work with people and systems matter to us. 

ROLE PROFILE

JOB TITLE:

Clinical Psychologist

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Clinical Lead

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Clinical Director

HOURS OF WORK:

Full time / Part time

LOCATION:

Remote working with travel flexibility

DURATION:

Permanent

SALARY / GRADE:

Grade 8 £43,471 - £59,389(pro rata for part time)

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•      Clinical Director and PATH Clinical Lead
•      PATH team
•      AUK staff
•      Children and adults accessing our services
•      Referrers and external agencies as appropriate

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·Deliver high-quality psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for the PATH client group.

·Provide specialist advice, consultation and reflective practice to colleagues and partner services.

·Facilitating reflective groups for families referred to PATH.

·Identify and manage safeguarding risk in line with AUK policies.

·Contribute to multidisciplinary formulation and intervention planning.

·Support service development, evaluation and quality improvement, using outcome measures and feedback.

·Maintain accurate clinical records and produce clear, timely reports for a range of audiences.

·Provide line management and/or supervision within the PATH team.

·Contribute to the training offer within Adoption UK

·To contribute to and maintain accurate records for those using the service on Adoption UK systems and ensuring compliance with both GDPR, safeguarding and confidentiality.

CRITERIA

Knowledge and Experience

•Experience of working with children and families experiencing the effects of trauma and attachment difficulties (Essential)

•Extensive experience of working within the field of mental health (Essential)

•Experience of working with adoption services (Essential)

•Experience of providing clinical supervision to staff and therapists delivering services to vulnerable families (Essential)

•Knowledge and experience of safeguarding process and procedures (Essential)

•Extensive experience and specialist training/accreditation in relevant subjects and differing types of therapy such as DDP, Theraplay, Neurodiversity, Life story, NVR (Desirable)

•Knowledge of adoption services including AGSGF processes (Desirable)

Qualifications and Education

•Doctoral Level Clinical Psychologist (Essential)

•Current registration with a professional body HCPC (Essential)

•Evidence of continuing professional development (Essential)

•Training in a range of therapeutic modalities e.g. NVR, DDP, Theraplay, Internal Family Systems, Sensory Attachment Intervention (Essential)

Skills and Abilities

•Leadership and support skills

•Group work skills

•A reflective and empowering approach

•Strong application of theory

•Creativity and innovative approach to service delivery

•A commitment to the voice of children and families

Accountability

•Consultant Clinical Psychologist

•Responsible for maintaining own professional standards

•Responsible for delivering practice within the policies and standards of the charity

Behaviours

•Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.

•Contributes to an open and honest culture

•Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

•Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

•Leads by example.

•Values transparency and consistency.

•Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

•Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

•Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

•Shares skills and knowledge.

•Promotes Cross Functional team working.

•Offers outstanding service to members.

•Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

•Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

•Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

•Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

•Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

•Takes pride in own development.

•Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

•Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

Join our Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH) and make a meaningful difference in everyday life for adoptive, kinship and care-experienced families. We’re recruiting an Occupational Therapist with specialist expertise in sensory processing/sensory integration and attachment-informed practice to deliver practical, trauma-informed assessment and intervention that strengthens regulation, participation and connection. 

• Make a difference that families feel every day: co-produce practical strategies that support calmer routines, better sleep, smoother transitions and greater participation at home, school and in the community. 

• Bring specialist sensory expertise: assess sensory processing and regulation needs and translate findings into clear, realistic plans for parents/carers and partner professionals. 

• Work at the sensory–attachment interface: use a trauma- and attachment-informed lens to understand behaviour and build felt safety and co-regulation alongside sensory strategies. 

• Thrive in an MDT: contribute an OT perspective to formulation-led work within PATH, collaborating with psychology and therapy colleagues to create joined-up support. 

• Flexible, UK-wide reach: deliver support primarily online with occasional travel for team days, training or commissioned work (as required and agreed). 

You’ll need: 

• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist. 

• Strong experience supporting children/young people and their parents/carers (including complex presentations). 

• Proven skills in sensory processing assessment and intervention, including regulation strategies, activity adaptation and environmental modification. 

• Confidence working in an attachment- and trauma-informed way with adoptive/kinship/care-experienced families (or closely related work). 

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills, able to translate specialist thinking into practical, non-judgemental guidance that families can use. 

ROLE PROFILE

JOB TITLE:

Occupational Therapist

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Clinical Lead

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Clinical Director

HOURS OF WORK:

Full time / Part time

LOCATION:

Remote working with travel flexibility

DURATION:

Permanent

SALARY / GRADE:

Grade 8 - £43.471

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•      Clinical Director and PATH Clinical Lead
•      PATH team
•      AUK staff
•      Children and adults accessing our services
•      Referrers and external agencies as appropriate

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Occupational Therapist (Sensory & Attachment) will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed occupational therapy assessment and intervention to families with a history of adoption, kinship care and long-term fostering. The postholder will bring advanced expertise in sensory processing/sensory integration and the impact of early adversity, attachment disruption and developmental trauma on regulation, participation and family life. The role will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) within PATH, contributing to formulation-led support, practical strategies and therapeutic approaches that strengthen safety, connection, and everyday functioning at home, school and in the community.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·Provide specialist assessment and intervention where sensory processing differences interact with attachment needs, developmental trauma, neurodiversity and emotional/behavioural presentations.

·Co-produce practical, strengths-based support plans with parents/carers and, where appropriate, the child/young person; provide clear strategies that are realistic for family life.

·Deliver evidence-informed interventions (1:1 and group-based as appropriate) including sensory-based regulation strategies, activity adaptation, routine design, environmental modification and caregiver coaching.

·Integrate attachment- and trauma-informed principles (e.g., PACE/connection-based approaches) into OT recommendations, ensuring strategies support safety, relational connection and felt security.

·Contribute to MDT formulation and case discussions, offering an occupational therapy perspective on function, participation, sensory-motor development and regulation

·Prepare high-quality written outputs including assessment summaries, recommendations, letters and reports suitable for families and professionals; contribute to documentation required for commissioning/regulated service evidence as needed.

·Support families to understand the sensory, neurodevelopmental and trauma/attachment factors that may underpin behaviour and distress, and to implement strategies safely.

·Maintain accurate, timely records in line with organisational policies, data protection and confidentiality requirements.

·Contribute to the development of resources (e.g., guides, webinars, workshops) that translate specialist OT knowledge into accessible tools for families and professionals.

·Contribute to delivery of training in your specialist area (sensory processing, regulation, sensory-attachment interface) internally and externally.

·Actively manage a caseload, prioritising risk and complexity, and working within agreed service pathways, timescales and outcome measures.

CRITERIA

Knowledge and Experience

•  Significant experience working with children and young people and their parents/carers.

•  Experience delivering assessment and intervention for sensory processing differences and regulation needs.

•  Experience delivering remote/online OT interventions and caregiver coaching.

•  Experience of group work (parents/carers and/or young people).

•  Experience of working with adopted children, previously looked-after children, kinship or long-term foster families (or closely related settings).

•  Strong understanding of attachment, developmental trauma and the impact of early adversity on regulation, behaviour and participation.

•  Ability to integrate sensory strategies with relational/attachment-informed approaches.

•  Training/experience in DDP, PACE, NVR, therapeutic parenting or other attachment-informed models.

•  Expert knowledge of sensory processing and sensory-based regulation strategies.

•   Ability to differentiate sensory needs from (and understand overlap with) trauma responses, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental differences.

•  Sensory Integration training (e.g., postgraduate modules) and/or recognised competency frameworks.

•  Knowledge of neurodevelopmental profiles (e.g., autism, ADHD, DLD, FASD) and how these can interact with trauma/attachment and sensory processing.

•  Ability to provide accessible psychoeducation to families and partner professionals.

Qualifications and Education

   •Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy.

   •     Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist. Postgraduate       training/qualification relevant to sensory integration, sensory processing or advanced   paediatric OT practice.

•  Evidence of continuing professional development (Essential)

•  Training in a range of therapeutic modalities e.g. DDP, Theraplay, BUSS model, Sensory Attachment Intervention (Essential)

Skills and Abilities

   •         Experience of working within an MDT and contributing an OT perspective to shared          formulations and plans.

•Leadership and support skills

•Group work skills

•A reflective and empowering approach

•Strong application of theory

•Creativity and innovative approach to service delivery

•A commitment to the voice of children and families

Accountability

•Consultant Clinical Psychologist

•Responsible for maintaining own professional standards

•Responsible for delivering practice within the policies and standards of the charity

Behaviours

•Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at      all times.

•Contributes to an open and honest culture

•Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

•Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

•Leads by example.

•Values transparency and consistency.

•Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

•Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

•Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

•Shares skills and knowledge.

•Promotes Cross Functional team working.

•Offers outstanding service to members.

•Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

•Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

•Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

•Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

•Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

•Takes pride in own development.

•Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

•Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.