Assistance Dogs UK

Who we are

Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) began in the mid-1990s when a network of assistance dog organisation leaders came together. They faced a common problem – access refusals – and they needed a joint response.

Our early years focused on internal collaboration. Member organisations shared knowledge. They developed consistent approaches and built a foundation for collective action.

Today, that collaboration remains vital. But our focus has expanded. We now engage externally with businesses and service providers, policymakers, and the general public. This evolution reflects a simple truth: Creating lasting change requires engaging the wider world.

The assistance dog landscape is changing, and the need for clear, consistent standards has never been greater. Our evolution ensures that we remain responsive to these shifts while staying true to our core mission.

Our culture and values

ADUK is committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive and collaborative culture among staff, volunteers, and networks. We value trust, balance, and outcomes, focusing on what needs to be achieved. This gives our team the autonomy to manage their time responsibly while meeting the needs of their role and the organisation.

Our working week of 35 hours is mainly worked during the hours of 8:00am – 6:00pm Monday to Friday (time off in lieu is accrued for travel/work outside these hours). Within this window, team members can flex their start and finish times. This approach helps balance work and life, while fostering independence, confidence, and a sustainable working culture.

We encourage a healthy work-life balance, recognising that trust and respect are the foundation of a self-managing team dedicated to achieving the charity's objectives.

At ADUK, every team member’s ideas and contributions shape the way we work. As a small charity, we all occasionally roll up our sleeves and pitch in - whether that’s helping at large events or supporting colleagues with busy periods.

If you enjoy working with a good degree of autonomy within a supportive team, shaping your own day, and adapting to changing priorities, ADUK could be a great fit for you.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

ADUK is committed to recruiting employees who reflect our diverse society. 

To ensure a fair and unbiased selection process, ADUK anonymizes all application forms upon submission. This means that information such as the applicant's name, gender, and location is removed before the forms are reviewed. This practice aims to eliminate unconscious bias and ensure that candidates are evaluated solely on their experience, and suitability for the position.

ADUK values diversity and strives to provide a workplace where everyone can be themselves. We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds, skills, life experience and needs, including disabled people, people from the Global Majority (people of colour/people who are Black, Asian, dual-heritage), and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  So, if you’re really excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every aspect of the job description, we encourage you to apply to tell us what you can offer our organisation.

If you need any adjustments to enable you to access this job information or the application process, please reach out.