Independent living service volunteer jobs in Milton keynes

The Organisation

LawCare is the mental health charity for the legal sector, providing free, confidential emotional support and information to people working in law across the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. While our primary focus is on direct support services, we also play a leading role in advocating for improved mental health practices within legal workplaces and driving cultural transformation through education, training, and research.

Established in 1997, we have spent almost 30 years supporting legal professionals by offering a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space to talk, whether individuals are experiencing day-to-day pressures or more complex, enduring challenges. Our team of Champions, over 100 volunteers, and staff bring lived experience of the legal sector, enabling us to provide informed, empathetic support grounded in a deep understanding of the profession’s unique demands.

We serve all branches of the legal community, including barristers, solicitors, in-house teams, chartered legal executives, and business and support staff. From early-career professionals facing bullying or imposter syndrome to senior leaders managing risk, regulatory pressures, or professional  isolation, we are a trusted and independent source of support.

In addition to our direct support services - including helpline, live online chat, and email support - we provide peer support and maintain a substantial, regularly updated online library of resources, including articles, personal stories, research, and multimedia content designed to promote mental health awareness and resilience across the sector. We also deliver training on mental wellbeing, management and supervision, vicarious trauma, and the new SRA workplace behaviour standards, and offer online sessions for legal workplaces and organisations to explain the support we provide.

By combining frontline service delivery with sector-wide advocacy, LawCare is uniquely positioned at the intersection of individual wellbeing and organisational cultural change. We are supported by a strong, capable team and a committed Board of Trustees, enabling us to continue making a meaningful impact across the legal profession.

The Role

LawCare is seeking an inspiring and values-led Chief Executive to lead the charity into its next phase of development at a pivotal moment for the legal profession. As the public face and strategic leader of the organisation, the Chief Executive will champion LawCare’s mission - ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality, confidential support services while strengthening its voice and influence across a rapidly evolving and increasingly commercial mental health landscape.

This is an exciting opportunity to build on strong foundations, guiding a respected and independent charity through a period of significant sector change. Working closely with staff, volunteers, funders and partners, the Chief Executive will drive sustainable growth, deepen impact, and help shape a more compassionate and mentally healthy legal culture for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Lead delivery of LawCare’s forthcoming strategy (2026 onwards), translating vision into measurable impact.
• Ensure LawCare sharpens its positioning and messaging in a crowded mental health marketplace.
• Balance direct support services, research, education and influencing work to maximise impact.
• Identify what the charity should prioritise and where it should collaborate rather than deliver directly.

External Relations & Sector Influence

• Act as the primary ambassador and spokesperson for LawCare across the legal sector in the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with:
  • Professional bodies
  • Regulators
  • Law firms and chambers
  • Legal educators
  • Funders and charitable trusts
• Speak regularly at conferences, sector events, roundtables and award ceremonies. These are primarily London based, however, there will be occasions where representation is required across England, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
• Build alliances to influence policy, regulation and workplace practice around mental health and wellbeing.
• Position LawCare as the authoritative, evidence-informed voice on mental health in law.

Service Oversight & Quality

• Ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, confidential helpline and peer support services.
• Maintain robust safeguarding, confidentiality and data governance practices.
• Oversee volunteer recruitment, training and engagement.
• Ensure services evolve in response to emerging issues (e.g., stress, anxiety, workplace conflict, regulatory pressure, AI-related disruption).

Financial Sustainability & Governance

• Lead financial planning and sustainability, working closely with the Treasurer and Board.
• Manage relationships with core professional body funders and diversify income streams.
• Develop compelling funding cases and annual pitches to key stakeholders.
• Strengthen reserves and long-term financial resilience.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance and risk management.
• Support and work closely with the incoming Chair and a refreshed Board.

Research, Education & Prevention

• Build on the impact of the Life in the Law research programme.
• Promote preventative approaches for firms and educators.
• Strengthen LawCare’s role in vocational education and regulatory conversations.
• Ensure research informs policy influence and funding opportunities.

Organisational Leadership

• Lead, support and develop a small, experienced and fully remote team.
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, wellbeing and accountability.
• Provide clarity and reassurance during a period of leadership transition and financial strengthening.
• Ensure operational efficiency and effective use of technology in a remote environment.

The Person

LawCare is seeking a credible, strategic and values-driven leader with a deep understanding of the legal profession and the pressures shaping it today. You will bring senior leadership experience, strong commercial and financial acumen, and the ability to balance operational excellence with sector-wide influence.

An authentic and compelling ambassador for mental health and wellbeing, you will be an exceptional communicator who builds trust with ease. Emotionally intelligent, resilient and grounded, you will combine empathy with clarity and conviction, guiding the organisation confidently while remaining steadfast in your commitment to improving mental health across the legal community.

Essential

Professional Background

• Prior professional experience in the legal sector is required. Experience working in a qualified or regulated professional role is desirable.
• Deep, intrinsic understanding of the culture, pressures and structural dynamics of the profession.
• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for strategy, people and budgets.

Leadership & Influence

• Credible, visible and compelling leader with presence.
• Exceptional communicator - confident public speaker and strong writer.
• Knowledge of mental health systems, workplace wellbeing or addiction support.
• Able to influence senior stakeholders and bring sceptical audiences “on the journey.”
• A credible ambassador for mental health and wellbeing - knowledge of mental health systems, workplace wellbeing or addiction support.
• Comfortable operating at Board level.

Organisational Capacity

• Experience managing and motivating high-performing teams (ideally remote).
• Financial acumen, including budget oversight and income generation.
• Fundraising experience, particularly with trusts, foundations or membership bodies.
• Ability to balance operational delivery with strategic influence.
• Skilled at prioritisation in resource-constrained environments.

Personal Qualities

• Authentic commitment to mental health and wellbeing.
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic and values-driven.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Able to navigate sensitive conversations with discretion and diplomacy.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience working with regulators or professional bodies.
• Understanding of research commissioning or evidence-led advocacy.

Further information

For further information about LawCare, the scope of the role and the person specification, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please provide the following with your application:

• An up to date CV, with the details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission).
• A supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification, along with your motivation for applying for the role.

Closing date for applications: Monday 30th March 2026
Preliminary interviews with Russam: Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th April 2026
Interviews with LawCare: Week commencing 20th April 2026

We look forward to receiving your application.

You will be part of a small energetic and committed team supporting the delivery of Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s philanthropy and income generation ambitions. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will help grow and steward support from individuals, corporate, charitable and statutory donors, with a lead responsibility for a defined portfolio of relationships and initiatives.

Fundraising and relationship building happen across the charity, and you will manage your own portfolio of donors and partners and work with the Chief Executive and wider team to co-ordinate activity, share insight and maximise opportunities for place based philanthropy in Northamptonshire.

You will need confidence, excellent communication skills and the ability to plan and deliver projects as part of a highly collaborative team. You will be comfortable cultivating, stewarding and sometimes soliciting charitable donations yourself, as well as creating opportunities for the Chief Executive to engage with donors and prospective supporters.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a part time governance and compliance officer to oversee our governance and risk framework as a non-profit regulated by the Charities Commission (England and Wales) and OSCR (Scotland).

You will identify, develop, maintain and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance and risk mitigation with the various regulations that we must adhere to such as Charities Commission, OSCR, Fundraising Regulator, Companies House, UK Data Protection and Safeguarding.

As governance and compliance officer, you will deliver high quality, professional and compliant governance across the charity, nationally and in supporting our network of support groups (see About IA) ensuring we comply with statutory regulations, that protect our members and the charity itself while applying best practice principles.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing and documenting a detailed understanding of charity practices, paying specific attention to areas where IA is bound by statutory regulations
• Developing robust policies and procedures that ensure charity compliance and best practice
• Remaining up to date with current regulations that IA is bound by and ensuring any changes are implemented within any imposed deadlines
• Regularly review and maintain policies and procedures auditing your findings to ensure exemplary record keeping following up with implementing changes
• Implementing policies and procedures amongst staff, volunteers and the Board of Trustees with robust record keeping introducing governance cycles to keep everyone updated with current policy and communicating changes where necessary
• Identifying risks, recommending mitigating actions and reporting your findings to the management team and Board of Trustees
• Reviewing and updating IA’s risk register
• Recommending and monitoring recommended training among staff and volunteers especially where IA is bound by statutory regulations
• Liaise with third-party suppliers to IA who are responsible for providing services to the charity that support our governance and risk framework
• Supporting Trustee recruitment, induction, training, and evaluation processes

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE 

• Demonstrable experience of at least 12m in governance and risk management within a not for profit environment with working knowledge of UK charity regulations. Exceptional candidates from a commercial background would be considered
• A thorough working knowledge of risk management
• Development, implementation, monitoring and maintenance of governance and risk frameworks
• Documenting, reviewing and mitigating risk
• Demonstrable experience of regular reporting to management
• Strong working knowledge of UK data protection regulation
• Working knowledge of safeguarding requirements
• Exceptional record keeping skills to satisfy audit requirements
• Management of third-party relationships including suppliers to IA and volunteers who are carrying out their volunteering role in line with IA’s policies and procedures
• Team player

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Experience across the not-for-profit sector
• Working with volunteers
• Basic understanding of AI and the benefits of using it within the not-for-profit sector
• Experience supporting Boards or Trustees
• Regulations governing charity fundraising

SKILLS AND QUALITIES

• Highly organised
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible, adaptable in approach, creative thinker to manage the balance between governance and continuing to provide a personal approach to vulnerable adults
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Proactive and solution-focused

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

To apply, please submit:

1. Your CV (up to 3 pages)
2. A covering letter outlining your suitability to the role (max 500 words)

Interviews will be two-stage for successful candidates. Initial interviews will be held via video conferencing (such as Zoom) discussing previous experience and role fit with successful candidates going through to a second round. This includes alignment to IA’s values. Please allow up to 1 hour for this stage.

Second round interviews are expected to be via video conference. Successful candidates will, in advance of the second round, be given a short brief and asked to present at interview their understanding of a governance issue  facing charities. Please allow up to 1 hour for this stage.

Applications should be submitted via the advertising platform including your CV and covering letter. See attached role profile for recruitment timetable and further details about us/the role, including contact details for an informal chat, if required, before applying. Applicants are encouraged to ensure availability in line with the recruitment timetable in the attached job specification.

While IA recognises the value of AI technology in the current climate, IA reserves the right to ignore applications where we have reason to believe that they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools.

Please let us know if you require any additional support to attend or undertake an interview or if there is anything we should consider as part of the interview process

Full-time role (see operation of 28-hour week below). We are open to considering applications for a part-time role that would require job share.

Home Based Working in the UK (some access to a London office or co-working spaces across the UK available, flexible working policy).

Action for Global Health is a membership network of over 50 organisations working to improve global health. Its vision is a world where everyone can access quality healthcare without financial hardship, achieving true health equity.

AfGH’s strategy, extended to 2029, aims to ensure that stronger commitments from the UK Government help more people worldwide access affordable, high-quality healthcare suited to their needs. The network works by bringing together member organisations, civil society groups, and people with lived experience of health inequality - especially from low- and middle-income countries - to influence UK policy. It acts as a key link between global health civil society and government departments such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department of Health and Social Care, guided by its 10 health-equity principles.

AfGH is an independent network hosted by STOPAIDS, which provides legal, financial, HR, and administrative support.

The Advocacy Manager role helps lead AfGH’s advocacy strategy, working with the Director to coordinate campaigns and policy engagement to advance global health equity. Please download the full job description for more details.

Benefits of working at Action for Global Health (hosted by STOPAIDS)

We offer a number of benefits, including:

• We operate a 28-hour (rather than 35-hour) working week policy with no salary reductions. Staff are able to work reduced hours over 5 days or a 4-day week. We offer flexible working, with non-standard working hours
• We operate a home-based working policy with some access to a London office or co-working spaces across the UK. We also provide a small home working grant and monthly working from home allowance
• A group stakeholder pension scheme with 6% employer contributions
• An individual learning and development budget allocated to staff members each year
• 20 days of annual leave per year (excluding bank holidays), plus 1 day for every year of service (up to 4 years)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay for employees with 1 year's service or more

Closing date: 6th April 2026

Please note that should sufficient applications be received we reserve the right to close this advert early.

STOPAIDS is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive positive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, HIV status, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a creative and dynamic person with a proven track record in creating, delivering and managing digital content across social media platforms to develop, implement and manage strategies to grow our online presence and raise our profile.

You’ll have demonstrable experience across a wide range of social media platforms with the ability to craft engaging content to build a rapport with your audience while continuing to uphold our brand and professional values. You will be managing multiple accounts held by the charity.

You will have experience of using third party management tools to create, plan and schedule content, analysing reach and engagement, and using analytical tools to help make informed decisions about our digital marketing strategies. You will regularly report back to the management team feeding into our wider strategy discussions, making recommendations on future campaigns. 

You will be part of a wider communications team, working alongside the PR & Communications Manager, reporting to one of the trustees, fostering an organisation-wide approach working with all colleagues to ensure a planned, structured and collaborative approach to our communications and marketing planning.
As a small charity, flexibility is key to meet the needs of our shifting priorities and in between delivering and managing social media content – your primary focus –  you will additionally support wider marketing activities with creation of digital content to support charity advertising, support the development of our online (web) content and more general activities across the communications team. While there will be some level of existing experience, training will be provided for anything bespoke.

As part of the role, you will help our UK-based volunteers to develop local social media activities and support them as required. This may involve making recommendations in their approach, supporting content creation and upskilling them to gain confidence in using social media.

The role is remote and the successful applicant can work from a location of their choice, making optimum use of video conferencing and online collaboration tools to connect with the wider communications team.

Some UK travel within the role is expected with the charity reimbursing reasonable UK travel costs where agreed up front and on behalf of the charity. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own and lead social media execution, from planning through to delivery across multiple accounts and multiple platforms
• Develop content and strategy for new (to IA) and new-to-market platforms
• Develop and deliver relevant content that drives awareness, engagement and conversation in line with IA’s aims and objectives
• Work closely with communications peers, wider staff and volunteers to deliver meaningful campaigns which aligns to IA’s purpose and support model
• Upholding brand and culture in everything you do
• Co-develop policies relating to your area of responsibility to ensure the management of online risks, suitability to content, data protection and safeguarding
• Develop partnerships with key individuals, ensuring strong social amplification and storytelling
• Oversee social content calendars, asset production and approvals aligned to wider communications strategies
• Review and manage marketing assets, ensuring brand consistency and compliant content
• Adapt quickly to shifting priorities and confidently jump into new projects in a fast-moving 
• environment
• Support with the development/management of wider digital content (web, digital advertising) 
• prioritising the needs of the charity
• Monitoring all socials, reacting to/moderating follower engagement and questions as part of our wider support model
• Supporting volunteers with local branch social media engagement, advising on use, upholding IA’s wider values and policies and monitoring content/engagement suggesting changes where relevant
• Management reporting on social media interactions, successes, areas for development, improvements and making recommendations to the Management team/Board

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

• Experience in developing and implementing social media strategies and content in a similar role for at least 12 months 
• A thorough working knowledge of a wide range of social media platforms
• Third-party applications to manage social media content across a range of platforms in addition to regular reporting and provision of management information to help the team make informed decisions to support the wider charity’s wider digital marketing strategy. 
• Development of engaging and creative digital content
• Experience in social media moderation
• Working with and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships including our trustees, staff, volunteers and external medical professionals
• Digital marketing experience
• Team player 
• Familiarity with UK data protection regulation 

DESIRABLE

• Working knowledge of the Wordpress platform
• Advertising opportunities across social media to expand reach including cost models and budgetary management
• Basic understanding of AI and the benefits of using it within the not-for-profit sector
• Experience of working on sensitive content for people who have experienced acute and chronic illness, been through life changing surgery or those who may be feeling vulnerable or exposed at a difficult time
• Experience across the not-for-profit sector
• Experience of A/B testing

SKILLS & QUALITIES

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible, adaptable in approach, creative thinker
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit:

1. Your CV (up to 3 pages) 
2. A covering letter outlining your suitability to the role (max 500 words)

Interviews will be two-stage for successful candidates. Initial interviews will be held via video conferencing (such as Zoom) discussing previous experience and role fit with successful candidates going through to a second round. This includes alignment to IA’s values. Please allow up to 1 hour for this stage.

Second round interviews are expected to be via video conference. Successful candidates will, at least one week in advance of the second round, be given a short brief and asked to provide sample content (or a clear idea of their marketing strategy) and share their ideas at least 48hrs before the interview. Candidates should be prepared to present their social media ideas at interview and answer any questions from the interview panel. 

Additionally second stage applicants will be asked to provide examples of their own previously created content, at least 48hrs prior to the interview. You should be comfortable sharing past content that you have created previously which will be treated with the strictest confidence. Please allow up to 1 hour for this stage.

Applications should be submitted via the advertising platform including your CV and covering letter. See attached role profile for recruitment timetable and further details about us/the role, including contact details for an informal chat, if required, before applying. Applicants are encouraged to ensure availability in line with the recruitment timetable in the attached job specification.

While IA recognises the value of AI technology in the current climate, IA reserves the right to ignore applications where we have reason to believe that they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools.

Please let us know if you require any additional support to attend or undertake an interview or if there is anything we should consider as part of the interview process

JOB TITLE:                         Centre Based Assistance Dog Instructor (Maternity Cover) 

LOCATION:                        Based at our Centre in Milton Keynes, with travel up to 3 hours 

SALARY BAND:                 £26K - £32K per annum, depending on experience. Line management experience desirable.

JOB TYPE:                          Full time and Part time applicants considered. Fixed Term of 12-18 months 

REPORTS TO:                    Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme 

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives. 

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist innovative field. 

The Role 

We are looking for a passionate and driven person who has previous proven experience and skills working as an Instructor within an Assistance Dog organisation, who has worked with clients and partnerships. The role includes supporting both clients who have had a MDD dog placed with them and also our own dog applicants with their puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training in terms of obedience, public access and developing an alert to the applicant’s condition, with the aim to reach an accreditable assistance dog partnership status. The role will also include carrying out client specific and odour training for MDD own dogs, placing these dogs with their new clients and looking after a number of established partnerships. This role would suit somebody residing up to an hour from our centre in Milton Keynes.  

Duties that encompass the role of an Instructor include:  

• Be the first point of contact for the allocated partnerships in your area. To provide guidance and instruction to applicants who have applied to the charity to have their own dogs considered for the training programme guidance and instruction on handling, behaviour and obedience and odour training as well as newly placed partnerships.

• Alongside the Instructing team, to run puppy classes, public access training, recall sessions in small groups for applicant own dogs that are in line with the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets. 

• To also carry out support visits and home interviews for applicants and clients that have been allocated to you.  

• Regularly monitor progress of any young dogs and partnerships in training in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme.

• To carry out client specific training with any MDD owned dogs that have been matched, including the required odour scent training.

• Instructing, guiding and supporting new assistance dog clients in managing and handling a Medical Alert Assistance Dog effectively, via pretraining, placement training and aftercare visits.

• Supporting partnerships in training in successfully reaching an accreditation standard and in maintaining this standard throughout the life of the partnership.

• To support a number of established partnerships in the form of aftercare, refresher training and yearly re-accreditations, assisting further afield on occasions as required.

Responsibilities  

• To escalate issues and problems to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme as appropriate.

• To carry out scent assessments on any MDD dogs in socialising as and when required with the support of the rest of the Instructing Team.

• To plan, organise and deliver practical and theoretical training to clients, meeting their individual needs in line with agreed standards to include areas such as dog welfare, appropriate handling, commanding and overall management. This will involve working with the parents as Team Leader and child as Client and working with adult clients.
• Assess the team dynamics of the family & balancing the needs of all family members as well as those of the dog.
• Assess the individuals preferred learning style and amending as relevant to aid a client.
• To accompany the client into all regular environments that they will take the dog to, ensuring the dog behaves in an acceptable manner and that the client and others are aware and clear in terms of where they dog should reside and behave for e.g. public transport, place of work. To complete a check list of environments for any applicant own dogs in training who are on the programme to be assessed within.
• To support and advise clients in transferring the odour training from pot training and recognising alerting behaviours to establish real life alerting.
• To ensure all partnerships are in line with the ADUK regulations with regards to behaviour, obedience and welfare and branding.
• Due to the nature of the role, flexible working hours may be required in some instances to facilitate the effective delivery of the work e.g. working during the school holidays with school age clients.
• To monitor the correct and false alerting percentages of allocated partnerships via data analysis, advising where necessary until the correct alerting levels are achieved.
• To complete comprehensive reports and paperwork for any time spent with applicants or partnerships in training or established. Maintain accurate records by providing verbal and written information with agreed timescales about clients, dogs, applicants and apprentices as appropriate.
• To work alongside allocated partnerships with the aim of the partnership reaching an accredited standard and feeding back to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme if there are any concerns that the accreditation cannot be achieved.
• To provide clients with appropriate aftercare services at regular intervals in their own homes in the form of annual visits, support visits or at refresher workshops run at the Centre to agreed standards.  This will include continual re-assessment of the dynamics of family and dog, formulating and training on appropriate solutions, as well as offering additional dog training advice.
• To deliver handling days as part of an applicant’s pretraining to include ‘Introduction to Assistance Dog’ ‘Advanced Handling’ and Family Handling.
• To scent train and seizure proof advanced dogs in preparation to be partnered with an adult or child client and ensure that applicant own dogs have received this at the earliest opportunity.
• To maintain the ongoing public access training with any advanced dog in scent training that has been allocated to them.
• To liaise with Independent Contractors as relevant.
• To provide support to the Charity’s public relations and fundraising functions as required, specifically in your area.
• To act as the ‘contact’ person for the assistance dog programme in relation to training policy procedures with clients and their families, other professional service providers and members of the public.  This will include on-going research and development of the project.
• As required, to liaise and provide support for Volunteers of the Charity.

Other 

• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity.

• Any other duties or tasks that are required to ensure the successful running of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog Department and the Charity overall.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
• Experience of running puppy classes, carrying out public access training and recall sessions
• Able to develop training plans for any dogs in training under your care
• High level of self-motivation and planning
• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life-threatening conditions
• Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary
• Willing to be on call for partnerships as and when required
• Willing to stay away from home in local accommodation when client locations are too far to travel back home
• Happy and able to have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training reside in your home
• Good team player, but equally able to work independently
• Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
• Flexible

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 

Essential 

• Previous Assistance Dog Instructing and Dog Training experience
• Knowledge of AD(UK) and ADI regulations
• Law in relation to dogs 
• Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age
• Knowledge of dog and human psychology
• Proven evidence and experience of dog handling and training skills
• Previous experience of teaching and instructing
• Sound dog training and dog behaviour knowledge
• IT literacy and report writing skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and SharePoint
• Full UK driving licence
• Pass a DBS (CRB) check due to regular contact with children

Preferable  

• Knowledge of debilitating medical conditions and understanding of how they can impact people, both physically and psychologically, particularly when they are unstable and fluctuating
• Previous knowledge of odour/scent training
• Previous line management experience 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES ​

• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills 

• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions 

• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation

• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself

• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as being able to motivate yourself.
• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem-solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Charity Values

All employees are expected to uphold the charity’s core values in their daily work. This includes demonstrating respect through open and considerate communication, fostering cooperation by working collaboratively, maintaining honesty in all interactions and ensuring fairness through just and transparent decision-making.

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to: 

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence 

• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK. 

• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check 

• Work some evenings and weekends 

• Be willing to travel to the Centre based near Milton Keynes

You will be part of a high performing team to drive impact and change within the Special Olympics GB networks. You will provide both operational and strategic input and support to grow robust safeguarding policies, procedures and framework for our membership across Great Britain, those in the National Office team, and other stakeholders. You will be accountable for driving a positive and effective safeguarding culture across Special Olympics GB.

Please see Recruitment Pack and Job Description for further information.

Overview of Role:

Church Army is looking for an experienced ‘Apprenticeship Programme Lead’ to implement, support and develop our Youth Ministry Apprenticeship Programme, focusing on developing practitioners to inhabit the qualities outlined in the Ministerial Formation Framework.

Church Army has been awarded funding by the Church of England’s Resourcing Ministerial Formation Innovation Fund and the 30K Project to develop a three-year pilot project to develop Level 3 Apprenticeship Training for Church Based Youth Workers. This is part of the Church of England’s 30K Project, to raise up 30,000 new children and youth ministers (both voluntary and employed) by 2030.

The postholder will manage programme delivery, resources, quality assurance, assessment, and reporting, and will act as the main liaison with dioceses, training providers, and National Church Institutions, including using the Church of England grant management system. You will contribute to the design and review of training pathways, teach and assess apprentices, and oversee Ministerial Formation Tutors. You will ensure that training is aligned with emerging practice and national strategy.

Salary: £46,085 per annum

Hours:37.5  per week

Pension: Church Army is an auto enrolment pension employer. You will be assessed under pension auto enrolment criteria.

Annual Leave: 25 days, plus Bank Holidays (total 33 days)

Contract:Fixed-Term, 3 years.

DBS: A DBS check is not required for this post. However, all staff are expected to read and comply with Church Army’s Safer Ministry Policy.

Everyone in Church Army is responsible for making sure that Church Army has a safe and healthy safeguarding culture. We are committed to protecting the vulnerable and ensuring the highest possible safeguarding standards. We expect everyone in Church Army to be familiar and comply with our Safer Ministry Policy, undergo any safer recruitment processes, and report any concerns or behaviours they don’t think are right to a member of the safeguarding team or someone they trust.

Occupational Requirement:  This post is subject to an Occupational Requirement under the provisions made in the Equality Act 2010 that the post holder has an active faith in Jesus. The successful candidate must be in agreement with the vision and values of Church Army.

Application Deadline:31st March 2026

Interview Date:   17th April 2026

Next Steps:

For more information on the role, you can find the job description and person specification for the post here.

To apply, please download and complete a Faith Based Application Form  for this post. When you are ready to submit your application, please email your completed application form, in word format. 

PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVs

Please note: Clinks would welcome the opportunity to discuss potential secondments from locally or regionally based voluntary organisations. 

About Us

Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives. 

Job purpose 

To identify, communicate and engage with the range of voluntary sector organisations working with individuals and their families within the CJS across a geographical area ensuring Clinks provides effective support to help voluntary organisations better meet their aims. To enable Clinks to share information about the sector with HMPPS and other stakeholders

Job summary 

This role will increase awareness and understanding of the criminal justice voluntary sector operating within across the Midlands area. The post holder will undertake an initial analysis project to identify place-based voluntary sector organisations and the range of, and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. They will identify place-based needs and lead on the collation and sharing of information across the Clinks team and with stakeholders, to highlight the challenges and opportunities. The post holder will need to build new, and nurture existing relationships, with key partners and a range of agencies across sectors.

The post will work within the Area Engagement & Partnerships Directorate and with other Clinks’ staff to identify new members and engagement opportunities, deliver events and training, and provide opportunities to support the capacity and capability needs of the voluntary sector, with a focus on place-based small and specialist organisations working in the CJS.

The post will deliver activity to meet funder requirements, aims and objectives.

Reports to: Area Engagement and Partnerships Manager

Responsible for: N/A 

1. Duties and key responsibilities 

Area Engagement and Impact 

• Identify and increase awareness of voluntary sector organisations based in the Midlands, the range of and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families, where they deliver and how they are funded. 
• Understand the work of local and regional voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in a geographical area to identify and increase partnership working and collaborative approaches to strengthen the support offered by Clinks, 
• Gather intelligence from the sector to identify and understand the needs of place-based organisations and share feedback with HMPPS and other key stakeholders to develop operational processes and influence future commissioning opportunities. 
• Work alongside the National Influencing & Networks team to use this intelligence to influence key decision making at a local and national level.
• Provide support to voluntary sector organisations, keeping the sector informed and up to date and capturing the support provided and its impact. 
• Respond to requests from voluntary sector organisations in need of support and signpost or consider what assistance Clinks (and others) can provide. 
• Work alongside the Area Insights and Impact Officer to capture the needs of the sector to influence and inform future activity. 
• Provide regular area specific communications to organisations utilising Clinks communication channels to share good practice, resources and publications.
• Produce regular blogs, case studies and social media activity to showcase the work of place-based voluntary sector organisations.   
• Develop and build upon existing place-based networks to support collaboration and co-ordination between the voluntary, statutory, and private sectors in the criminal justice system. 
• Provide information to help statutory partners and key stakeholders to understand the voluntary sector, its structures and how to work with it. 

External Relationships 

• Identify and explore opportunities to develop relationships with area-specific agencies working within criminal justice including Probation, Prisons and local statutory agencies to increase knowledge of locally based voluntary sector services and establish, and embed Clinks’ support 
• Provide representation at various meetings, both internally and externally with partners and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively to ensure effective information flow across directorates and to and from the sector and stakeholders 
• Develop relationships with regional and local infrastructure organisations to widen Clinks reach and identify joint working opportunities. 

2. General responsibilities   

• Represent and be an ambassador for Clinks 
• Work to support the mission, ethos, and values of Clinks 
• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position 
• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace 
• Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work 

This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.

Person specification 

Experience, Skills and Abilities  

• Significant experience of working or volunteering in the voluntary sector in the Midlands area
• Relationship building and management with a range of stakeholders and networks. 
• Good attention to detail and ability to maintain effective records, utilising a range of different methods. 
• Ability to think strategically about the voluntary criminal justice sector, and to analyse and respond to change. 
• Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work under pressure, juggling a busy and varied workload. 
• Excellent IT and digital skills, including use of Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and Zoom. 
• Adaptability and flexibility in being able to deal with new situations quickly and efficiently.   
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken, and ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority.   
• Convening meetings, arranging and chairing events both in-person and online. 
• Ability to support and coordinate a complex network of organisations including representing diverse views, and promoting their work and issues. 
• A collaborative approach to working with colleagues but also able to work alone. 
• Highly organised with good project and time management skills. 

Knowledge  

• Role of the voluntary sector in addressing social exclusion. 
• The criminal justice context and related policy. 
• Understanding the role of national and local infrastructure organisations 
• An understanding of the Midlands geographical area 

Personal attributes and other requirements

• Able to travel extensively across the Midlands area with occasional travel across England and Wales. 
• Able to work evenings and weekends and stay away from home overnight where necessary. 
• Work well as part of a small team and independently, with a flexible approach to work. 
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.  
• Commitment to the values and ethos of supporting people in the criminal justice system