Learning jobs

Location: Based in our Hwb in: Pontypool - Covering referrals from: Torfaen

Contract Type: Permanent (in line with funding) - Agile – working where and when required, to do the job most effectively

Hours & working Pattern:

• 35 hours per week (Full Time)
• Generally, Monday to Friday with occasional evening and weekend work

All team members must work flexibly on occasions to meet the needs of the Charity and the people we support  

Participate in the organisational emergency on call rota (paid)

Accountable to: Support Service Coordinator

Purpose of the post:

To provide specialised, holistic support to young people between the age of 18 and 25 who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, harm and violence, and are being supported within Community services in Torfaen.

We are looking for a compassionate, reflective, and person-centred individual to join our team in delivering trauma-informed support to adults and families. This role is about more than providing a service—it’s about striving for people to feel safer, gain more control, and have choice over decisions about their future.

You’ll work collaboratively to create environments where individuals feel seen, heard, and respected, and where their experiences and strengths shape the support, they receive.

Specific responsibilities

• Collaborate with individuals and team members to provide trauma informed support to a caseload of young people within community settings.
• Assess and manage risk sensitively and collaboratively, promoting safety through strengths-based approaches that recognise each person’s lived experience.
• Co-develop personalised support and/or safety plans with individuals, ensuring goals are meaningful, achievable, and shaped by the person’s own priorities and values.
• Respond to safeguarding concerns in line with legislation and organisational policies, maintaining a trauma-informed, non-judgemental stance that prioritises dignity and emotional safety.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records that reflect the support provided, using respectful, person-centred language
• Provide clear, compassionate signposting to internal and external services, guided by the individual’s expressed needs, interests, and readiness.
• Create regular opportunities for feedback, ensuring Cyfannol’s services are shaped by the voices and experiences of those supported.
• Contribute to audits and reporting, engaging positively with service improvement plans and recognising the value of reflective learning and continuous development.
• Participate actively in clinical and managerial supervision, using these spaces for reflection, learning, and maintaining emotional wellbeing in a supportive environment.
• Build and maintain respectful, collaborative relationships with external agencies, advocating for the needs and rights of individuals in a way that promotes trust and partnership.

General responsibilities:

Contribute to the:

• Development and achievement of our Vision, Mission and Objectives. 

• Promotion of our values, culture and aspirations. 

• Creation of a safe, supportive and explorative working environment. 

• Promotion of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

• Upholding of our Policies and Procedures. 

It may be necessary, following consultation, to amend the job description in light of experience and changing circumstances.

Closing Date: 14 October 2025

Due to the nature of these roles, they are only open to female applicants (Exempt under the Equality Act 2010, pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1).  A disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service is required for all posts. 

Cyfannol is an organisation with equality, diversity and inclusion at its heart. We welcome applications from all areas of the community. However, we particularly encourage applications from members of our BAME community as well as individuals with disabilities who are currently under-represented within our workforce.  

The Communications and Engagement Partner will bring communications experience and expertise that will help us establish a strong voice for Hope and Healing. You’ll be a key part of the Hope and Healing team, and you’ll work closely with our expert Communications and Marketing team, making sure our teams are connected. In addition to being part of the development of the Hope and Healing project, you’ll have the chance to develop your communications skills by working with expert colleagues.

You’ll lay the foundations for our communications work across the Hope and Healing project, leading on our communications plan, developing our online presence and materials, coordinating events and helping us spread the word about the project in a way that reflects our values.

You’ll also contribute to our early Hope and Healing development work, leading scoping and discovery activities to help us identify where, how and with whom we can best work to achieve our project ambitions. You’ll help ensure that we gather and mobilise learning from the early stage of the project, with a particular focus on listening to people’s stories. 

Finance Business Partner (Property) 18 month FTC

Are you an experienced Finance Business Partner with property experience looking for a role where you can make a real difference in the charity sector? 

Mencap operates in over 1,600 properties in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. This includes providing personal support services for people with a learning disability in a variety of settings, housing management services across 250 properties, retail shops and offices.

We have a fantastic and rewarding opportunity for a Finance professional to support our property team for the next 18 months as they focus on delivering transformation in their processes. This role is a 30 hours fixed-term contract for 18 months, on a 4 day a week basis.

We have large offices in London, and Peterborough and smaller offices located throughout the UK. If there is no office available within a reasonable distance, the role may be offered as home-based with some travel for team meetings. 

We are looking for someone who is a confident communicator with both finance colleagues and operational staff, adapting their style to their audience. Someone who is well organised, can prioritise their workload and have the ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while working to tight deadlines will thrive in this role. This role will work closely with property and operational teams to create strong financial planning for opex and capex. This will support

Mencap to deliver our services in quality properties, providing timely and accurate financial information to a variety of stakeholders. 

The successful candidate will use their experience in housing to work with teams to implement our new property management system and strengthen the financial processes, policies and reporting around our properties.

At Mencap, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and we intentionally plan for the success of our colleagues in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone, so come as you are and join us. Together we are Mencap!

What will it take?

In this role, you will need to bring

• Experience in a finance business partnering role within a Local Authority or social housing environment.
• Exposure to property transformation projects and a track record of providing financial support.
• Some understanding of social housing regulations and the financial reporting required.
• Great collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work with teams to deliver service improvements. 
• A proactive approach to service innovation, customer engagement, and operational efficiency. 
• Part qualified or qualified by experience with finance qualifications.
• Excellent Microsoft applications skills i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint and understanding of finance systems. 

This role plays a vital part in supporting Mencap’s property strategy. If you're passionate about driving financial excellence and contributing to Mencap’s property strategy, this could be the ideal opportunity for you. Apply now – applications close on Sunday, 28th September. Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams during the week beginning 6th October. 

Benefits

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

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

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

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

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

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

• Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.
• Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
• Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

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

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

This newly established role sits within the Talent and Learning team and reports into the Director, Talent and Learning. The Volunteer Manager role will be responsible for enhancing and expanding Provide's volunteering initiatives.

This includes significantly growing volunteer engagement, fostering strong relationships with staff, implementing strategic development plans and creating meaningful opportunities for volunteers and will play a crucial part in enriching the services we provide and enhancing the overall patient experience within our communities.

The main duties of the Volunteer Manager include:

• Developing a long-term vision for volunteer engagement across the organisation
• Contribute to and deliver the Volunteer Strategy
• Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies across the organisation
• Design and deliver induction, training and mentorship programs to maximise volunteer engagement
• Monitor volunteer attendance and maintain quality experiences
• Co-ordinate cross functional teams to optimise volunteer engagement
• Develop partnerships with external organisations and manage strategic relationships
• Manage volunteer budgets and expenses

Head of Programmes and Impact for the Maritime Children's Foundation

Hours: Around 21 hours per week (flexible working available, including term-time only) Contract: Permanent  Location: Mix of office (Basepoint, Northfleet), Maritime schools (Greenwich–Medway) and some home working.

Lead. Shape. Demonstrate Impact.

Now that the Maritime Children’s Foundation has been established for a year, we are ready to take our programmes and evaluation to the next level. We are seeking a Head of Programmes and Impact – a strategic, passionate leader who can ensure our initiatives deliver the very best for disadvantaged children and families.

This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape our programmes, embed robust monitoring and evaluation, and play a pivotal role in ensuring every Maritime child thrives.

About Us

The Maritime Children’s Foundation was established to provide the extra support that families and children experiencing disadvantage need, so that all children can get the best start in life. In just a year, we’ve launched initiatives that are already making a difference – from baby and toddler support, to community ambassador programmes, to free Saturday Skills Academies and secondary transition support.

We are proud to be part of the Reach Foundation network, meaning our work is already influencing national thinking and practice. With your leadership, we will continue to innovate and demonstrate meaningful impact both locally and nationally.

The Role

As Head of Programmes and Impact, you will:

• Oversee programme delivery – ensuring our current initiatives, from early years to secondary transition, run smoothly and achieve the best outcomes.

• Lead design and development of future programmes that respond to the needs of disadvantaged families across Maritime schools.

• Embed impact and evaluation – creating a clear Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework that captures both data and lived experience.

• Demonstrate impact – producing reports that inspire funders, inform strategy, and showcase the difference we are making.

• Collaborate with stakeholders – from schools and community groups to funders and local authorities, ensuring our work is evidence-based and community-led.

• Support fundraising – providing compelling impact evidence to strengthen bids and future funding opportunities.

You’ll report directly to the CEO and work closely with the Partnership Lead and the wider Maritime Academy Trust central team, as well as spending time in our 13 schools to see our programmes in action.

Who We’re Looking For

• An experienced programme or impact lead with a strong track record in design, delivery, and evaluation.

• Someone passionate about tackling disadvantage and improving outcomes for children and families.

• A strategic thinker who can translate vision into practical delivery plans.

• A collaborator who builds strong partnerships and brings communities into the heart of programme design.

• Someone confident in turning data and evidence into accessible, inspiring reports.

What We Offer

• Flexible, supportive, and family-friendly working arrangements.

• Opportunities to work across schools, communities, and with national partners.

• A chance to shape innovative programmes that are already gaining national attention.

• Wellbeing initiatives and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.

• A small, passionate team where your work will have a visible, meaningful impact.

Ready to Apply?

Join us and be part of a growing Foundation dedicated to disrupting disadvantage and creating brighter futures.

For more information, please see the full job description in the attached candidate pack. Apply today — and help us make sure every Maritime child gets the best possible start in life.  We may interview and appoint as applications are received, so don’t delay!

Maritime Children’s Foundation embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and the successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and online checks in line with safeguarding guidance.

About the opportunity

The Training Officer will have a range of administrative responsibilities relating to Action Tutoring’s tutor training delivery and curriculum resources.

As Training Officer, you will support the Training Team by scheduling sessions in digital systems, organising and checking ID and DBS documents submitted by volunteer tutors, and responding to enquiries to support a smooth tutor journey. The role does not involve delivering training to volunteers

You will also support with managing the version history and corrections of our bespoke tutoring curriculum resources, helping keep our online library of materials accurate and up to date.
 

Deadline: Sunday, 12th October 2025
Interviews: Tuesday, 21st October 2025
Start date: Ideally, as soon as possible
Contract and hours: Part-time 0.8FTE (30hours per week, ideally Monday to Thursday) fixed-term contract until 21st August 2026. 
Please note, this role involves a small amount of evening and weekend work (approximately 90 minutes per week during peak volunteer recruitment periods), scheduled in advance and with time off in lieu given.

Duties and responsibilities

• Process DBS checks for volunteers (training provided). 
• Communicate with volunteers before and after training to guide them through the DBS process and resolve any issues.
• Schedule tutor training events in our CRM, Salesforce, and manage video conferencing set-up in Zoom.
• Support with maintaining and updating tutor training paths on our digital learning management system, 360Learning. 
• Manage the digital storage of our curriculum resources for staff and volunteers, maintaining accurate version control and assisting with corrections and updates.
• Any other ad hoc responsibilities as deemed relevant by the CEO.

Person specification 
Qualification criteria:

• The right to work in the UK.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:

• Strong organisational skills; experience managing complex digital administrative processes with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience in assisting customers or other stakeholders with queries.
• Previous professional experience handling sensitive personal information appropriately.
• Proficiency in using Google Workspace.
• Evidence of adapting quickly to new software, including using video-conferencing software to set up events.
• Evidence of adapting quickly to using a CRM system.

You will likely be more successful in this role if you have: 

• Experience managing DBS applications, including supporting applicants with inquiries.
• Experience using Salesforce CRM for administration.
• Experience using Zoom to schedule online events.

Seeking a purposeful career change? Start on your transformative journey with the On Purpose Associate Programme, offering a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals to transition into impactful work. This paid, year-long leadership programme is designed for those ready to pivot their professional journey towards creating a regenerative, equitable and just future.

Key info:

• Based in London, UK

• Full-time (4.5 days at placement & one half day training weekly)

• £27,010 per annum salary (pro rata)

• Programme dates: April 2026 - March 2027 (49 weeks)

• Apply by Monday 20th October, 9:00 am (BST).

About On Purpose:

On Purpose is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: transforming our economy from profit to purpose. Our leadership programmes develop people who will play their part in this transformation.

Together, we learn to see a different future and take action towards realising it in the organisations we work in. Our programmes seed a vibrant community who care, inspire, challenge and support one another as we make this transformation a reality.

Programme structure:

Two 6 month placements 

• Through work placements with organisations driving impactful change, you'll gain hands-on experience tackling pressing social and environmental issues 4.5 days of the week. Some of our current partners include Better Society Capital, Save the Children, BAFTA and VISA.

Expert-led learning 

• Our intensive Learning & Development programme involves weekly in-person sessions led by experts from across sectors. This blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead organisational and systemic change. 

1:1 mentoring & coaching

• Receive support through fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both your personal and professional growth.

Join a supportive, impactful community

• You’ll be part of a tight-knit cohort of 20 Associates, participating in training sessions every Friday afternoon together. You’ll also join the wider On Purpose community, connecting with a global, influential network of impact-driven professionals offering life-long inspiration, collaboration and opportunities.

Benefits:

• Earn a £27.01 k (pro rata) salary - On Purpose stands out by offering a paid learning and training opportunity, saving you significant costs compared to paying for other leadership programmes or MBAs, all the while offering extensive learning and development.

• Develop your ability to make an impact - Equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to drive meaningful change. You’ll join nearly 1000 purpose-driven alumni who are leading transformative change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% currently working in the impact sector.

• Unlock purpose-driven career opportunities - Our Associates have moved into a range of sustainability and social impact roles, ranging from CEOs of social enterprises to leadership positions within traditional companies driving change from within. We have a former music label business owner now the CEO of Hubbub, a former Consultant now Director of Impact at B Lab UK and a former civil servant now Climate Lead at Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 

• Standard UK holiday allowance

• A 3-day residential (all expenses paid)

Who we’re looking for:

This programme is ideal for:

• Individuals seeking a career change into the environment and social impact sector.

• Individuals already in the impact sector who want to develop new skills, have the opportunity to work in more commercial organisations, or to join an engaged network of people who share your values and are working toward the same goal. 

Specific sector or industry experience is not important. We’re looking for talented people from diverse industries who have a determination to bring their skills and experience to purpose-driven projects and to driving systemic change. We seek ambitious individuals with:

• A minimum of three years full-time professional experience

• The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme

• Fluency in English 

• Office environment experience 

• Skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.

• Excitement and commitment towards building a career that helps transform our economy from profit to purpose.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and those who are often under-represented in the impact sector, including but not limited to individuals with disabilities and those from diverse ethnic, gender identities, sexualities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

How to apply:

• Register your interest via our website to receive a link to your online application form.

• Closing date for applications: Monday 20th October, 9:00 am (BST).

• Interviews will be held in mid-late November.

Head of PS Financial Reporting

Are you a strategic finance leader with a passion for improving financial transparency and performance within an operational environment? Do you also have the passion to improve the lives of Adults with a Learning Disability? If this sounds like you then we would love to hear from you.

We’re recruiting for a Head of PS Financial Reporting to join our Finance team at Mencap. This is a pivotal role and the successful candidate will be in charge of the financial reporting across our Personal Support (PS) services in England, Cymru and Northern Ireland. The focus will be on providing robust financial oversight, compliance, and insight driven reporting that drives operational excellence.

This role is a full time permanent position. There is flexibility around where the role is based, we have large offices in London, and Peterborough and smaller offices located throughout the UK. If there is no office within a reasonable distance, the role may be offered as home based with some travel for team meetings. We are an inclusive employer and encourage our employees to bring themselves to work!

Key Responsibilities

• You will lead the development and delivery of accurate, timely, and insightful financial reports across PS services.
• You will collaborate with senior stakeholders on financial planning, forecasting, and performance improvement.
• You will drive continuous improvement in reporting processes and systems.
• You will promote evidence based strategic decision making through financial analysis and modelling.
• You will line manage the PS Finance Business Partnering team

Required Skills

• You will be a qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience.
• You will have a proven track record in financial reporting and analysis within a complex organisation.
• You will have a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and financial governance.
• You will have excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working in or with social care or charities is desirable.

If you are passionate about using your financial expertise to create real, positive change for people with learning disabilities, we want to hear from you!

Apply now- applications close on Sunday, 28th September. Interviews will commence via Teams during the week beginning 6th October.

Benefits

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

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

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

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

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

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

• Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.
• Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
• Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

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

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

We are a dynamic charity which supports adults with Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health. We operate two Learning Centres, Charity Shop and Café in Northampton, and we aspire for further growth within the West Northants area.

We place our service users at the centre of what we do and pride ourselves on their having a fulfilled happy time. Our ethos, our motive is their achievement.

We are recruiting a Head of Care Services to join our senior team and to play their part in the ongoing development of our activities, ensuring that we maintain high quality standards and a person-centred approach.  The ideal applicant will have experience in ensuring the care and wellbeing of individuals, ideally with learning disabilities, autism and mental health, including the preparation of the range of paperwork and audits covering all aspects of care in a Day Centre setting,

The postholder will have knowledge of managing staff and supporting them to achieve positive outcomes, experience of interacting with Social Services and Health professionals, knowledge of Safeguarding procedures and managing the minimising of risk, strong I.T and communication skills and ability to contribute as part of a team and on their own initiative.

A full clean U.K. driving licence and qualification in Health and Social Care are welcomed.

We value our staff team and are accredited by the Living Wage Foundation in paying all our staff on or above the Real Living Wage.

Please note we require a CV and a completed application form.

References and a full enhanced DBS check will be required.

Closing date for applications:  Tuesday 7th October 2025
Interviews: Week commencing Monday 13th October 2025,

Job requirements & duties

To plan, prepare and deliver a range of Forest School sessions, with guidance/instruction from the CEO, and support from school staff. Groups will include children and adults with learning disabilities and mental health concerns. The Forest School leader will be expected to:

· Plan and deliver Forest School education-based activities to a wide age range.

· Create and maintain a safe, engaging and supportive environment, demonstrating flexibility in planning and running sessions in response to varying/changing needs of the groups.

· Comply with all health and safety policies, measures and legislation.

· Supervise and support groups with varying needs while delivering sessions.

· Be aware of and comply with all Mudlarks Policies and Procedures.

· Participate in training and other learning activities/meetings as required.

· Administer first aid as the need arises.

· Assist with Risk Assessments where required.

· Follow reporting procedures as outlined by the CEO.

· Ensure that receipts for all purchases are kept and passed to the finance officer.

· Ensure that all spending is approved by the CEO.

· Provide information for reports and Mudlarks trustee meetings.

· You may be required to carry out other duties, as within your capabilities and level of responsibility, in order to meet the needs of the organisation and as requested by the CEO.

Person specification

Education, training & knowledge

Essential

· Experience of leading groups or working with people with learning disabilities.

· First Aid Certificate or a willingness to gain one.

· Level 3 Forest School qualification, or a desire to gain one*.

Skills, abilities & attitudes

Essential

· A strong interest and passion in Forest School activities and environments.

· Ability to think logically and creatively to provide practical solutions to a changing range of problems and issues.

· Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to collaborate with staff and volunteers.

· Ability to manage challenging behaviour.

· Ability to work positively both as a member of a team and independently, with general direction and within a clear framework of accountability.

· Self-motivated and able to use own initiative.

· Good verbal communication skills.

· A flexible and proactive work ethic and positive attitude.

· Punctual and organised.

· Ability to work under pressure.

· Willingness to be flexible.

· To have a keen interest in, and/or experience of, one or more of the activities undertaken at Mudlarks

Desirable

· Written communication skills necessary to present information in written reports and correspondence.

DBS Clearance

Please note that as this post will involve working with children and vulnerable adults, your appointment is subject to you receiving satisfactory DBS clearance.

*Please note that The Mudlarks Community would fund a level 3 qualification, however the enrollment, exam and associated costs would be repayable from the candidate to Mudlarks in the event of them resigning from the role within 3 years of completing the course, or failing to complete the course.

The Philharmonia is looking to appoint an experienced and inspiring Head of Education & Community Engagement to lead on the day to day running of learning projects, with a firm focus on developing and growing this work. With a proven track record of creative leadership, innovation and producing high quality music education and community projects, successful applicants will be led by a passionate belief in the power of orchestral music to transform lives, whether as audiences or participants.

Centred around our ambition to deepen our engagement in our residencies in and out of London, this role will be responsible for the creative and strategic development and execution of both our long-established programmes (like Hear and Now, and Orchestra Unwrapped), as well as co-creating and developing new, innovative projects addressing real needs in schools and community settings. The role will have a strong direct connection with our Community Boards, the advisory bodies in our residency areas, and the Music Hubs, as partners and co-creators. Candidates should have a progressive and well-informed approach to place-based and grassroots music-making and project creation, and a strong understanding of the latest developments in the music education landscape. 

Combining a keen grasp of participant needs, with sound understanding of commissioner and funder requirements, as well as a can-do, entrepreneurial attitude, this is a great opportunity for a senior manager to progress to the next level of leadership within the sector and shape the education and community engagement programmes of a leading orchestra.

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Planning:

• Undertake research and mapping as required to ensure that projects and programmes respond to local and regional needs and is distinctive and complementary in the context of other providers.

• Keep abreast of educational policy and practice at national and regional governmental level, ensuring that project development is aligned with current thinking and strategy.

• Develop new bespoke and innovative education and community projects in strategic partnership with local and national bodies, allied to the core work of the Orchestra.

Leadership and Management:

• Provide creative leadership and direction for the Learning and Engagement Department, reflecting and clearly articulating the Philharmonia’s vision, mission and values

• Develop and motivate the members of the Learning and Engagement Team, and as required, manage the Learning & Engagement team’s support staff, such as freelance Project Managers, animateurs and musicians

• Sustain and strengthen existing partnerships for funding and delivery with key stakeholders including other NPOs, Local Authorities, Music Education Hubs, community groups, arts organisations and venues, private and public development agencies and schools, colleges and universities.

• Represent the Orchestra on the Strategic Boards of appropriate bodies in London and residencies (for example, music hubs)

• Ensure that key national and regional stakeholders have a detailed understanding of the Orchestra’s Learning and Engagement work, as well as ensuring effective and constructive communication with artists and musicians engaged in the Philharmonia Orchestra’s Learning and Engagement Programme

• Represent the Philharmonia Orchestra at external meetings and conferences, as required, acting as an advocate and ambassador for the Orchestra. 

• Lead and manage the Safeguarding for the Orchestra, ensure that the Philharmonia Orchestra’s safeguarding policy and procedure is up to date and effectively implemented, including taking responsibility as the Philharmonia’s Designated Safeguarding Officer; ensure that all relevant staff and freelance practitioners have current DBS checks. 

Programme Management and Delivery:

• Oversee evaluations of all projects to share outcomes with stakeholders and partners and to learn lessons for developing and delivering future projects. 

• Agree and manage budgets for the Learning and Engagement Department

• Commission and oversee production of project-specific marketing materials. 

• Help to develop and support the Orchestra’s Audience Development Strategy, in close partnership with the Marketing Director. 

• Oversee all aspects of project management, planning and production of the various projects and workshops which make up the Philharmonia’s Learning Programme

• Deputise for the Director of L&E as required

Skills and Qualifications

Essential:

• Minimum five years’ experience in a relevant role

• Knowledge of the education and community learning landscape

• Experience with managing and monitoring budgets

• Experience with producing and devising large scale, education, community or participation projects

• Excellent communication skills, with a personable and approachable style

• Experience of reporting tools and data visualisation, ideally for funders

• Passion and interest for music and the arts, with an excellent understanding of orchestras and classical music repertoire

• Ability to read music and orchestral scores

• Ability to lead, mentor and train a team

• Willingness to have a hands-on attitude 

• Willingness to work unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends – must want to attend concerts and learning projects

Desirable:

• An education or community learning qualification or degree

• Experience of creating external reports and evaluations 

Ambitious about Autism is a national charity dedicated to supporting autistic children and young people. We champion their rights and create opportunities for them to thrive through specialist education services and award-winning employment programmes.

(Please note, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position)

Are you ready for a role that's challenging, exciting and full of purpose?

In this role, you will be working on a 1:1 basis with autistic pupils, helping them access the curriculum while encouraging their independence and self-esteem through both classroom learning and community activities.

Position: Specialist Teaching Assistant

School: TreeHouse School, Muswell Hill, N10 3JA

Contract Type: Full time, Permanent (term time only role)

Hours: 8.45am – 4.35pm

Salary: £26,638 to £28,005 (paid across 52 weeks)

About the School:

TreeHouse School is a vibrant community where over 100 autistic children and young people (aged 4–19) learn and thrive. We provide specialist, intensive support tailored to individual needs, with a person-centred approach that puts the young person's voice at the heart of everything.

Join a passionate, skilled team that truly cares. You'll be supported, challenged, and valued as you help transform lives.

We offer:

• Varied, meaningful work with real impact

• Autism-specific training and ongoing development

• Strong leadership and a culture that prioritises wellbeing

• A career that makes a difference every day

Our benefits package is on our website.

Start date: October 2025 (however earlier start dates are available depending on notice periods)

Ambitious about Autism is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification. Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Making The Leap is an innovative societal change charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we refuse to stay in our lane and believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The shared soul of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.

The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast and The Social Mobility List.

We are excited to offer trainee positions within the Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (CYP IAPT). The post-holders will work within OTR as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering brief, focused, evidence-based psychological interventions in the form of low-intensity support and guided self-help to young people who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, anxiety, low mood and behavioural difficulties.

This is an exciting opportunity to gain experience whilst also completing a Graduate or Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Children, Young People and Families) delivered by the University of Exeter.

The post holders will attend all university-based teaching and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within the agreed curriculum, and work within OTR services for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills.

We welcome applications from highly motivated and resourceful individuals who are keen to work as part of a dynamic and creative team. All applicants must have the ability to study at degree level, have experience in and be passionate about working with children and young people and will be able to work with the demands of coordinating clinical work with the academic requirements of the course.

These roles will commence in January 2026.

To find out more about the role please download the Job Pack below or from our careers page

If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact the email listed in our Job Pack

To apply for this role click 'Redirect to recruiter' and then the 'Apply now' on our careers page

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a team that reflects the diversity of the people we work with

Safeguarding: 

OTR is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, trustees, and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of our Safer Recruitment practices, all roles involving contact with young people will be subject to robust pre-employment checks, including references, a full employment history, and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, overseas criminal record checks will also be required.

We are dedicated to creating a culture of vigilance, transparency, and accountability. Our safeguarding procedures are guided by the principle that the welfare of the child is paramount, and all staff are required to adhere to OTR’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. 

OTR & Benefits: 

OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people. The charity is at an exciting stage of its 59-year history and is proud to be reaching more young people than ever before (around 20,000) across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset with creative and diverse mental health and wellbeing info and support.

Our approach to mental health is grounded in a set of beliefs and values that underpin all of our work. We believe in celebrating diversity, empowering and mobilising young people to make change, and that catering to the unique strengths, interests and circumstances surrounding young people is key. Our approach centres on collaboration and partnership, building relationships between individuals, peers and communities.

Each day is as engaging and fulfilling as the last, and with a network of supportive, community minded people, we hope you’ll feel welcome here. As a thank you, we like to compensate our employees for the important work they do with a range of benefits including a flexible leave policy, healthcare cost and wellbeing assistance with HealthShield, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, enhanced sick pay, parental leave, training and development, social and wellbeing events, and more (subject to contractual terms and conditions).

A Willingness to Work with Difference:

At OTR, whatever your role or professional background, you will be expected to work in a way that is anti-oppressive and inclusive. A key focus for OTR is to develop an organisation that is inclusive for all but we do not claim to be experts in this. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas and invite you to join us on this journey.

OTR recognises the benefits to individual practice and organisational credibility of having a diverse community of staff and volunteers and to this end is continually working towards building and maintaining an environment which values and pursues diversity accordingly.

We recognise that tackling systemic inequality, prejudice, racism and oppressive practice requires each of us to actively engage, self-examine and make changes where necessary, in order to improve access and equitable experience for all in society and all of those who come through our doors at OTR.