Senior support worker learning disabilities jobs

Good relationships shape our health and happiness, yet we are taught so little about them. LMK (Let Me Know) is on a mission to change that. We are a young and thriving charity providing education about healthy and unhealthy behaviours so that young people have the knowledge and skills to avoid abuse and thrive in their relationships. We work in schools, community organisations and workplaces across London. 

LMK’s Head of Programmes leads, develops and delivers LMKs high quality education programmes for young people and the trusted adults around them, ensuring our programmes are responsive to the changing experiences of young people and the feedback from our programme evaluation. Leading a passionate and talented team of employees and freelance youth workers, this role is an important ambassadorial role for LMK, bringing gravitas and insight from your experience of education provision to evidence LMK’s impact to fellow education professionals, youth workers, funders and the media. Working with the CEO, and our Youth Advisory Board, this role helps shape the strategic direction for LMK. 

We’re especially keen to hear from candidates who have:

• Strong understanding of RSHE / relationship education

• Senior leadership experience

• Experience in designing and delivering youth-focused education programmes

• Safeguarding expertise (DSL experience highly desirable)

• The ability to inspire, lead and support a diverse team.

Working from home, but with regular travel around London, so must be based in or near London.

Recruitment Timeline
Vacancy closing date: Sunday, March 22, 2026, 11:30 pm
First round interview date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Please see job description for more details.

Senior Support Worker

Salary: £25,000 - £25,642 per annum

Location: Sale, Greater Manchester

This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy 

The Vacancy

Full or Part Time opportunities available.

£25,000 - £25,642 per annum (Once 6-month probation is passed)

Additional payments for night shifts (£12 per night - £55 for sleep-in)

• Have you worked in an adult social care or nursing setting?
• Experience of being a team leader or have at least 1 year of care experience?
• Do you want to progress to a Senior Support Worker?

Then this is the company for you! A charity based in Sale, just south of Manchester City Centre, we have over 70 years’ experience supporting people with learning and physical disabilities.

We pride ourselves on supporting our residents and service users to live their best lives to the fullest. Offering, high quality health and personal care for long-term residents of all ages. We have five 'luxury' style homes in Sale, with modern interiors and state-of-the-art lifting equipment and mobility aids, along with a day service in Altrincham.

Come and join the fun working environment here. You will be offering day to day, person centred care, which includes, activities and day trips planned weekly with residents and service users which includes – swimming, trips to the seaside, museums, sensory walks, and activity breaks across the country.

What you will receive whilst working for us:

• A competitive salary
• Enhanced pay for bank holidays and on call
• Excellent internal and external training offered
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• Mileage paid for travel during work hours
• 28 days holiday per year pro rata inclusive of bank holidays
• Increased holiday entitlement with service
• Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to Wage Stream
• Medicash – includes access to 24hr GP, money off shopping and going out, wellbeing aids
• Life Insurance Scheme
• Monthly staff prize draw

What we want in return:

• Ideally a minimum of 1 year experience working in care with the ability to lead shifts
• Caring, self-motivated staff members who have passion and want to help people with learning disabilities and complex health care needs
• Have basic IT skills-Microsoft word and email. Ability to read and write and have basic numeracy skills is essential to this role
• Be Prepared to undertake a professional qualification relevant to the role, such as a level 2/3 RQF/NVQ
• Commitment to training and to progress to a shift leader
• Committed, reliable and willing to work as part of a team
• Flexibility- willing to work weekends and bank holidays
• Satisfactory DBS check, 2 references

You will go home at the end of your shift satisfied and feeling like you have made a big difference to the people you support.

If this job is for you, we want to hear from you.

About us

Join our team at the MPS Society, one of the leading rare genetic disease charities in the UK aiming to transform the lives of individuals and their families affected by MPS, Fabry and other related lysosomal diseases.  This is a rare opportunity to join our Support & Communities teams who provide direct support, practical guidance and other patient focused activities to over 1500 members and their families, UK-wide. 

Our Support Team raise awareness both within the MPS community and external agencies, offering information, advice, support, and advocacy in a range of areas including clinical management, health and social care, housing, education, transition, independent living, palliative care, and bereavement.  

Ideal candidate

As a Senior Support Officer, you will primarily be responsible for raising awareness and providing a high-quality support and advocacy service to our members and their families.   You will be a relationship builder who cares about the community we serve and ensures that the individual (or family) remains at the centre of support.  You will have experience in multi-agency working and an in-depth understanding of the needs of those with disabilities, their families and carers.  Demonstrable experience and knowledge of health and social care, education and relevant assessment processes are essential. 

As deputy safeguarding lead officer for both shildren and vulnerable adults you will take the lead in the absence of the safeguarding leads and be confident sharing your knowledge with new recruits through mentoring.

You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to uphold best practice, challenge poor policy and inappropriate decisions.  Excellent IT skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to tight timescales are essential.  You will be self-motivated and highly organised, juggling many strands of work. 

As part of a small, dedicated team, you will have a positive attitude and a willingness to work collaboratively with your colleagues and external parties to raise awareness, advocate for our membership, as well as supporting the delivery and development of services for the MPS Society community.

Whilst a relevant qualification within health & social care, education or a related field is desirable, other knowledge and work experiences may be equally as valuable in this role. Prior knowledge of MPS and related conditions is not required however a special interest in neurology and working with individuals with neurological disabilities is advantageous.  In-depth support and training to develop expertise in MPS and related conditions, and the needs of those affected by these progressive, life-limiting conditions will be provided.   

What we can offer you

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time hours)
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

This is a full-time role (35 hrs per week) however part time hours, with a minimum of 28 hrs per week may be agreed for the right candidate.  Salary will be pro-rata for part-time.

The main duties, responsibilities and essential requirements of this role can be viewed on the attached job description.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham office each week. As part of the role, UK wide travel is necessary. This may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays.  You may also occasionally be required to attend evening or weekend conferences and events. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked are fairly compensated.

We encourage candidates to visit the MPS Society website to learn more about us and the community we serve.  Alternatively, if you would like an informal chat about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Bethanie Pentecost.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

The MPS Society is a charity that provides a range of care, support and activities for children and adults at risk throughout the UK. This is provided through our dedicated support and advocacy service, telephone helpline, clinical research, online activities and forums, annual events, patient expert meetings, focus groups and conferences.  MPS staff, trustees and volunteers may be asked to be involved in the delivery of its regulated services and activities. 

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Due to the sensitive nature of the duties undertaking, the post holder will be expected to undertake a DBS check as part of the recruitment process and for this to be reviewed on a regular basis. 

Next steps: 

Applications:  Please provide your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 750 words) outlining your understanding of how rare, complex and progressive conditions such as Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), including their neurological impacts, can affect individuals and families across the life course. In your response, please describe the experience, skills and approaches you have developed that would support you to carry out the Senior Support Officer role, including (where relevant) supporting people with complex needs, working across health, education and social care systems, and providing advice, advocacy or casework support.

Kindly note, applications received without a supporting statement will not be considered. 

Closing Date:   Whilst we have an initial closing date of 20th March, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview and assessment.

1st interviews:  Initial virtual interviews will be held end March/early April.

2nd interviews: Final face-to-face interviews and assessments will be held on 16th & 17th April at MPS House, Amersham.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements around 10am-4pm core hours
• 40 days paid leave per year: 25 days annual leave (pro-rata), 8 bank holidays, 3 days between Christmas and New Year and 4 wellbeing days (pro-rata)
• Strong commitment to professional development with a dedicated training budget
• Up to 5% pension contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme offering access to free therapy
• Work phone and laptop
• A supportive and inclusive culture with regular team social events

We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds. We are dedicated to being a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and where diversity is celebrated. In our last staff survey, 95% said they feel a sense of belonging at Settle. Please see our website for more information on our approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Settle is committed to increasing the representation of lived experience of the care system in our team. Therefore, care-experienced applicants who meet the essential criteria above will be guaranteed an interview. Plerase see the job description for a definition of care-experience.

The role

As a Senior Coach you will be working on the frontline delivering high quality one-to-one support to a caseload of young people across London. You will support young people to recognise and capitalise on their strengths by taking a coaching approach. You will work with young people who have been identified as having higher support needs and be proactive in taking steps to manage risk across your caseload. We are looking for a Senior Coach who can lead on demonstrating best practice across the coaching team and support the Programme Management Team to maintain an excellent standard of support.  You will use your insight and experience to act as a mentor to new coaches and support coaching colleagues in their practice, and to look to actively improve our support offer in collaboration with other Senior Coaches and Programme Managers. We are looking for someone who is compassionate in their work with others and celebrates examples of good practice whilst highlighting where there are areas for improvement, approaching this in a collaborative way.

You will draw on your experience to build and strengthen relationships with external professionals and develop Settle’s network across the boroughs where young people live. 

What we're looking for

We are looking for a driven, experienced individual, with the relevant skills to provide high quality support to a caseload of young people and ensure we give the very best we can. We are interested in someone who has a good grounding in a related frontline service and experience of proactively managing a caseload, collecting high quality data and keeping accurate notes. You will have the ability to take initiative and be comfortable flexing your priorities to support young people alongside holding Settle’s strategic goals.

You will be comfortable managing a level of heightened risk with the young people you are supporting, keeping timely and high-quality records, liaising with other professionals from a range of backgrounds, and providing support to colleagues to work towards positive outcomes for young people. You will have experience in managing safeguarding concerns well and thrive in the ups and downs of support-based work.

Overall, we are looking for a compassionate frontline worker, with an understanding of the value in coaching, and who has a level head at times of crisis. You are not afraid of shying away from difficult conversations and will challenge others appropriately to help them see a different perspective or viewpoint, always holding young people at the centre of your work.

Job Summary

To provide, manage and co-ordinate support for people that is based on their individual needs, desires and aspirations. To be responsible for the day to day organisation and effective running of services in compliance with the wishes of the individuals the Tower Project supports to live independently, the contractual obligations to the purchasing agencies, and legislative, statutory and organisation requirements.

To provide support to people in a way that is respectful, promotes independence and enables the individuals you support to realise their own potential. Effective delegation of duties to deputy service manager, team leaders, registered nurses, senior support workers and support workers as applicable. To promote good practice at all times, act as an effective and positive role model.

To support individuals in accessing the community, in their own homes or in any setting their needs and choices may require. Service managers may work alone with the people they support or as part of a team. Service managers may provide support to individuals with a variety of different specialist needs and conditions which may include learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries, physical disabilities, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, nursing needs, mental health conditions, neurological impairments, psychiatric and clinical needs, complex behaviours and other needs.

Service managers may provide support in any location appropriate to meet the needs of the service. Supported Living Service Manager Job Description and Person Specification September 2021

Main Duties

1. Assessing, planning and implementing, in partnership with the individuals you support, programmes of support and/or care that meet their general needs and maximise their independence, presence and participation within the community and to ensure the quality of service delivery.

2. Working with individuals (current and prospective people the Tower Project may support), families, advocates and other professional colleagues as required in order to facilitate good communication and decision making so that the service provided is coordinated and applicable.

3. Working closely with Operations Managers and Referral and Assessment Managers, in addition to external professionals, to assess new individuals and deliver and assist in presentations etc for service development and expansion.

4. Working with individuals (current and prospective), families, advocates and other professional colleagues as required in order to support individuals to maintain their personal finances, benefit entitlements, and tenancy agreements and to therefore gain financial security and long term housing.

5. Ensuring the continued financial viability of each service, closely monitoring budgets, contracts, care hours, auditing as necessary, and addressing any shortfalls at the earliest opportunity.

6. Being responsible for the recruitment, supervision, training and day to day management of staff so that the service can consistently provide the proper staffing levels, attitudes, and skills to support the individuals.

7. Ensuring the allocation of staff duties is clearly and adequately defined and communicated to all staff through the appropriate channels, to ensure that all staff members understand their own and others’ roles and responsibilities.

8. Ensuring that each service remains within its allocated budget; monitoring expenditure on an ongoing basis and taking corrective action as appropriate.

9. Ensuring that all paperwork and returns required by the organisation and support purchasers are completed accurately and on time so that the service can meet its procedural and contractual obligations in terms of data collection and monitoring.

10. Attending provider forums, conferences and seminars as required by the Tower Project, and maintaining an up to date, in depth knowledge of the development of the sector. Supported Living Service Manager Job Description and Person Specification September 2021

11. Identifying and reporting risks, and if required taking necessary precautions to ensure health and safety for the individuals the Tower Project supports and visitors as specified within service contracts from housing partners and/or purchasing agencies.

12. Maintaining and developing specialist knowledge across a range of work procedures and practice by attending mandatory training and relevant professional development in order to continuously improve knowledge and skills.

13. Building and maintaining an excellent service reputation in the area, with purchasers and local authorities, and the community, ensuring high quality support provision and community presence at all times.

14. Co-ordinating and monitoring all mandatory training requirements, nominating and liaising with appropriate bodies as applicable in order to ensure that training is up to date and all staff members receive the appropriate training.

15. Complying with the Tower Project’s Equal Opportunities Policy so as to ensure that no person is disadvantaged on the grounds of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which may include, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion or belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership.

16. Being responsible for ensuring that all staff are familiar with and are actively implementing company policies and procedures, including fire procedures.

17. Providing the Operations Manager/Director with reports on aspects of the services as directed, including undertaking regular audits of each service in your portfolio.

18. Carrying out duties in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent Health and Safety legislation.

19. Managing rotas to ensure that all services have appropriate staff cover at all times, and that statutory and contractual obligations are met, if necessary working shifts on a staffing rota including weekdays, weekends, split shifts, wake nights, sleep-in, wake night duty and bank holidays as required, and working at multiple sites as necessary.

20. Planning, managing and covering special events such as service user holidays, liaising with family, advocate, social services etc as necessary.

21. Undertaking on call duties as required and managing on call rota for Team Leaders / Deputy Service Managers / Registered Nurses when you are not on call.

22. You may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to your post and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you at your initial place of work or at any other of the company's establishments.

Full Time ( 40 hrs per week)

Inclusive of 3 Sleep - Ins

Please Note:

You may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to your post and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you at any other sites or premises, locations in the community and in the homes of people we support as the Tower Project may reasonably require on an occasional or frequent basis to meet the needs of service provision as required by The Tower Project.

This is a description of the job as it is at present. The Tower Project may periodically review your job description and update it to ensure that it relates to the job as then being performed. It is the company's aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible the company reserves the right to insist on changes to your job description, following consultation.

The Director of Programmes & Learning (DPL) provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for Amna’s programmes across all geographies, partners, and ecosystem levels. The DPL champions a culture of learning, quality, and continuous improvement, ensuring that all programme strategies and initiatives are designed to advance Amna’s global mission.

Please note that compensation will be benchmarked and weighted according to the cost of living and market standards in the country where the candidate currently resides

This is an exciting role in our committed policy team leading the fight to end child poverty in the UK. The government has just published a UK wide cross-government child poverty strategy, and made some historic commitments to reduce child poverty including scrapping the two-child limit and expanding free school meals in England. However, there is more to do, and this is a great time to join CPAG as we look to monitor the impact of these changes and influence policy makers and parliamentarians to ensure child poverty is high up the agenda.

We are looking for someone with a track record of communicating complex policy areas in an accessible manner to a range of non-specialist audiences. You will have knowledge of parliamentary processes and the different advocacy levers that can be used to influence change. You will enjoy working collaboratively to identify policy issues and develop solutions, working closely with colleagues across the organisation as well as externally.

In addition, in a senior policy officer we are looking for someone to take a lead role in developing CPAG’s policy and research programme, including leading the delivery of research projects, helping to shape our press and campaigns work, and contributing to the development of future projects including fundraising.

You will have a track record of producing high quality research and analysis, including policy briefings, on social policy issues.

The postholder will be working in a fast moving, high profile and complex policy environment and will need to balance short term priorities with long term objectives. Current priorities include influencing the implementation of the forthcoming child poverty strategy, sharing analysis and expertise as part of the DWP’s review of universal credit, and monitoring the development of the green paper on the changes to disability benefits. 

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements, including considering part time hours. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

Please note we are recruiting for one person with the right fit at either the policy officer or senior policy officer level.

For more information about this post and to apply download the (Senior) Policy Officer job pack.

If you have questions or need specific arrangements or reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process please contact us.

Closing date for applications: Monday 16 March (midnight)

Interviews will be held in London w/c 23 March.

Residential Support Worker 

Do you have the ambition to make a meaningful impact on the lives of autistic children and young people?

At St. John's, we've been making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people for nearly 140 years. We are now looking for incredible Residential Support Workers to help us continue making that difference!

As a Residential Support Worker, you will work under the supervision and guidance of the Care Management Team, Senior Residential Support Workers, and Therapy Teams. You will support learners in all residential houses and the community, assisting with social and academic activities.

Our aim is to ensure all learners have equal opportunities to develop their independence and social skills, preparing them for adult life.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting learners with self-care and independence skills such as eating, drinking, washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence, dressing, mobility, and medication administration.
   
• Ensuring learners' care files are kept up to date and accurate.
   
• At the start of each shift, reviewing communication and log books, and liaising with staff at handover to ensure learners' needs are well documented and addressed.
   
• Establish supportive relationships with learners and encourage the development of stable relationships.
   
• Promote the emotional health and self-esteem of learners and support them through changes in their living situation and personal circumstances.

• Accompanying learners into the community to take part in social and recreational activities such as bowling, cinema trips, and dining out, helping them build confidence and enjoy meaningful experiences beyond the college setting. 
   

We are recruiting for our Ashington Gardens, College View, and Pier View homes. Residential Support Workers will primarily be based at one location but may be required to work flexibly across all homes as operational needs require. 

In return, we offer a fantastic working environment, generous holidays, career development opportunities, and more!

Please note that sponsorship for this role is not available at this time.

Context

Our vision is to bring hope to every one of our patients across London, when they need us most, where they need us most. Our mission is to use everything we know, our specialist skills and unmatched experience to save lives and ensure the best outcomes for every one of our patients and their families. We’re a charity that works alongside the NHS and our life-saving service is made possible by our supporters.

This is an exciting time to join London’s Air Ambulance Charity. In early 2025, we launched our new 15-year strategy, setting the direction for the service to our 50th anniversary in 2039. This strategy gives us the opportunity to tell the unique story of the service – we see more incidents requiring life-saving care at the scene than any other air ambulance service. London brings unique challenges and our new strategy requires us to tell a broader story of what we do and the impact we have.

Alongside this, we’ve developed an ambitious Engagement Strategy to put the people of London at the heart of our fundraising and marketing. Legacy giving is a critical part of our long-term sustainability, and this role is central to embedding a culture of legacies across the organisation. We’re at the early stages of our legacy programme, so this role presents a real opportunity for someone to grow and develop a successful income stream, as well as ensuring our supporters have meaningful opportunities to make a lasting impact.

About the role

The Senior Legacy Manager will lead the development and delivery of London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s legacy programme, ensuring legacy giving is embedded across fundraising and marketing activity and is front of mind across the organisation.

This role is responsible for managing our legacy marketing programme, working closely with the marketing team to deliver compelling, sensitive and effective activity. The postholder will also oversee our outsourced legacy administration partner, ensuring legacy gifts are processed efficiently, compliantly and in line with best practice, through regular performance monitoring and review.

Working across the Fundraising and Marketing Directorate, the Senior Legacy Manager will champion legacies as a vital form of support, collaborating closely with all teams in the directorate. This will include working with the major donor team to identify and develop high-value legacy opportunities and supporting the community engagement team to integrate in-memory and legacy messaging into the community talks programme and engagement activity within the community.

The role also plays a key part in connecting our legacy and in-memory programmes, working with the community engagement team and the Deputy Director to develop a joined up in-memory strategy that ensures a coherent and compassionate supporter experience.

About the person

You’ll be an experienced and confident legacy fundraising professional with a passion for building long-term impact. You’ll be a strong collaborator who can influence across teams and seniority levels, and a persuasive advocate for the importance of legacy giving. You’ll combine strategic thinking with hands on delivery, ensuring legacy activity is well planned, insight led and supporter centred. Comfortable working across disciplines and a self-starter, you’ll play a key role in embedding a culture of legacies across London’s Air Ambulance Charity.

Make a real difference in people's lives - and let us make a real difference to your life and career.City of Chelmsford Mencap is an independent charity that supports people affected by learning disability across mid-Essex.  It provides lifelong learning, social opportunities, work experience, advocacy and information.

Summary of the Role

The Support Lead plays a key hands-on role in delivering high-quality, person-centred support within the Outreach Academy, CCM’s lifelong learning service. They help coordinate daily activities, promote independence and wellbeing, and ensure service users experience meaningful learning in a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment.

The Support Lead works closely with the Senior Support Leads to implement care plans, support learning sessions, uphold safeguarding responsibilities, and model best practice based on key social care values. They guide and assist specialist support workers, tutors, volunteers, and work placement students during sessions, helping to create a positive and enriched learning experience for all participants.

Key Social Care Values and Approaches Required

The Support Lead must demonstrate understanding and use of:

• Person-centred thinking, planning and co-production
• Strengths-based and outcomes-focused practice
• Active Support approaches
• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
• Making Safeguarding Personal
• Supported decision-making and the relevant legislation
• Trauma-informed approaches
• Accessible communication methods (e.g., visual supports, Makaton, easy-read)
• Dignity in Care and principles of respect, choice, independence and inclusion

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting Daily Operations
• Direct Support and Person-Centred Practice
• Guiding and Supporting Staff, Students & Volunteers
• Communication and Partnership Working
• ​Safeguarding, Safety and Risk Management
• Record-Keeping and Administration
• ​Quality, Reflection and Development​

Housing First Support Worker (28 hours per week)

Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT) is recruiting a Housing First Support Worker to join our specialist team supporting people who have experienced homelessness and other traumatic events.

In this role, you’ll hold a small caseload (around six residents) and provide tailored, person-centred, trauma-informed support that helps people sustain their tenancies, improve their wellbeing, and work towards recovery on their own terms. You’ll build trusting relationships over time, combining practical housing-related support (such as moving in, budgeting, appointments, maintaining a home and accessing community resources) with strong advocacy to ensure residents can access healthcare, benefits, housing services and specialist support.

You’ll work closely with SCT colleagues and a range of external partners across Tower Hamlets to remove barriers, reduce risk, and prevent eviction. The post includes completing needs and risk assessments, maintaining clear case records (including on In-Form or similar systems), and contributing to reporting and service learning. This is a values-led role for someone who is organised, resilient, and confident working independently with adults facing multiple disadvantage (including addiction, mental ill health, and long-term homelessness).

This is a part-time post (28 hours per week) with a salary up to £32,000 (up to £25,600 pro rata). Enhanced Adult Workforce DBS is required. Benefits include 25 days annual leave (rising to 30) plus bank holidays (pro rata), pension matched up to 5%, BUPA Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing plan, cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and training and development opportunities.

Please see the full Job Description attached.

Do you see yourself helping children and adults with additional needs to achieve the best life possible? Building confidence, gaining independence, experiencing freedom, having fun?

TVAP is a charity supporting children and adults with additional needs, their siblings, parents and carers. Our specialist indoor and outdoor play, recreational and learning facilities are located on a fantastic 2.5 acre site in Taplow, near Maidenhead. Here, our visitors can experience a unique range of adventurous, therapeutic and educational play activities in a safe, caring and stimulating environment.

We are looking for a Head of Charity to lead TVAP to achieve an increased impact in meeting the expectations and needs of our visitors in the ever-changing SEND environment. Working with the Board, the Head of Charity will strategically review the current landscape, new opportunities and funding possibilities to best support our visitors.

Our new Head of Charity will: 

• Review the strategy and develop a multi-year implementation plan 
• Maximise TVAP’s impact and reach in the community through a focused service offering 
• Lead the organisation externally with key stakeholders
• Lead and inspire our dedicated and passionate team of staff and volunteers. 

We are seeking someone with proven experience in a senior leadership role, who brings:  

• A proven track record of delivering high quality services, achieving change and maximising opportunities

• Solid experience of building strong relationships across a range of stakeholders, including trustees, visitors,  staff, funders and partners 

• Experience of developing income and an understanding of managing finances 

• Experience of leading, managing and inspiring teams in a collaborative working environment 

• A passion for helping people achieve ‘The best life possible’ in ways tailored to their unique needs. 

TVAP is committed to the active promotion of inclusivity and equal opportunities as an employer and in the provision of its services and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you’re interested to know more, please click on 'how to apply', where you'll see the full application pack which provides further information.

Recruitment Timetable  

Deadline for applications: Monday March 23rd  2026

Initial interviews:  Week of 13th  April 2026 

Final assessments: Saturday  25th April  2026

THE CLINK CHARITY

YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER (LONDON & SOUTHEAST)

Salary: £30,000 FTE

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time, 39 hours p/w

Location:  Supporting students from The Clink’s sites across London and the South East

Applications close on Friday 27th March but will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are    advised

 ABOUT THE CLINK CHARITY

The Clink Charity, founded in 2009, aims to prevent and reduce reoffending through training, rehabilitation, and support. We deliver hospitality and horticulture training behind the prison walls and in the community by creating an environment where our students are supported to gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to rebuild their lives.

Since that time, we have trained approximately 5,000 people in prison and delivered 2,600 City & Guilds qualifications in a variety of hospitality and food courses.

What makes The Clink so unique is our post-release support and mentoring programme that rehabilitates an offender back into society through assistance with health and mental health issues, housing, employment, family connections and friendships.

The charity operates an award-winning fine-dining restaurant open to the public inside HMP Brixton, training kitchens in the prison estate, horticulture projects at HMP Send and HMP Erlestoke, a commercial bakery in Brixton, and a bespoke delivery service, Catered by Clink.

Additionally, Clink Events is our social enterprise catering business with food produced by the women in HMP Downview and also in an additional kitchen at Herne Hill and then served by alumni on front of house at some of the best venues in London including: the Guildhall, the Science Museum, Cutty Sark, Kew Gardens and the Camden Roundhouse. In 2024, across 218 events, The Clink fed 36,000 people.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Clink Training Café, located in Herne Hill, is a real-life professional kitchen and café that provides young people with meaningful work experience over a 12-week programme. During this time, participants work towards five accredited City & Guilds qualifications while gaining hands-on hospitality and employability skills.

We work closely with the Youth Justice Service, as well as Children in Care and Care Leavers teams, to engage vulnerable and at-risk young people in the programme. Many of the young people we support are at risk of criminal exploitation and grooming, and we also work with neurodivergent young people who have additional learning needs.

At our café in Herne Hill, we have supported 100% of our students who have participated in the program to graduate into further education or employment.

The Youth Support Worker will provide a high quality and responsive support, mentoring and advocacy service which creatively addresses the needs and risks of our students and graduates, enabling them to avoid the risk of criminal exploitation upon completion of the program and to progress into the next step of their education or employment pathway.

You will be joining The Clink Charity at an exciting time as we plan to scale the success of our Café project by taking on a second site in Guildford to work with vulnerable NEET young people across Surrey. This role will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to mobilise this project and to take a leading role in building referrals, establishing networks and establishing this new intervention.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Youth Support Worker, you are responsible for:

Individualised Support

• Act as a strong advocate for all students, representing their needs and interests.

• Complete a personalised support plan for each student to understand their individual needs, challenges, and personal circumstances.

• Work closely with young people to identify risks, recognise warning signs, and develop strategies to reduce the likelihood of involvement in criminal exploitation, grooming, or other harmful behaviours.

• Support student engagement throughout the programme, addressing conflicts or challenges as they arise to maintain a positive learning environment.

• Establish appropriate boundaries and respond effectively to student behaviour to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.

• Support students in developing resilience, confidence, and independent decision-making skills.

Monitoring and Impact

• Conduct weekly 1:1 session with each student, focusing on personal growth, emotional wellbeing, and life skills such as budgeting, accurately logging all sessions in both internal and external CRM systems.

• Ensure all contact logs and essential paperwork are accurately updated and completed weekly.

• Contribute ideas to improve programme delivery and student engagement through innovative activities or support strategies.

• Use data insights to report progress to referral partners and funders.

Partnerships and Networks

• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with all external partners and networks.

• Engage with external partners to build the relationships needed to receive referrals for our target audience and meet with each student prior to starting the programme to ensure a smooth induction.

• Liaise with relevant networks and attend meetings with funders or partner organisations that support the students' development.

• Seek out new partnership opportunities to enable The Clink's youth programs to grow and develop.

Employer and Further Education Connections

• Establish relationships with a variety of employers and further education providers to support work placements and future career opportunities.

• Assist students in creating structured CVs and preparing for interviews, including attending interviews if required.

Safeguarding

• To prioritise child protection and safeguarding of beneficiaries.

• Report and log all safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead promptly, following charity policies.

General

• Travel between different sites when necessary, including locations such as our second site in Guildford, Surrey. Able to accompany our young people on trips, visits, or work placements, always maintaining safety and professional standards.

• Attend all training sessions and supervision meetings provided by senior management.

• Work collaboratively with staff across The Clink to achieve the best outcomes for young people and maintain healthy, professional working relationships.

• Support the planning and delivery of special events, career fairs, or community engagement projects.

DESIRABLE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Holds an enhanced DBS check suitable for working with both children and adults, ensuring full compliance with safeguarding and legal requirements.

• Experience of working with young people aged 16-25, with an understanding of their developmental stages, personal challenges, and individual needs.

• Possesses a relevant youth work qualification or equivalent, demonstrating a commitment to professional standards and best practice in supporting young people.

• Experience of working in prisons, youth offender institutions, or the criminal justice

system, including having lived experience, and the ability to use this knowledge to positively guide young people.

• Experience of supporting young people involved in gangs, at risk of exploitation, or affected by county lines, with the ability to identify risks and implement interventions to reduce harm.

• Experience of networking and building strong professional relationships with employers, apprenticeship services, and external partners to support education, training, and work placement opportunities.

• Experience of referring young people to specialist services and working collaboratively within a multi-agency framework to provide holistic support and guidance.

• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and the PREVENT Duty, with the ability to assess risks, consult with line managers, and log appropriately in line with organisational protocols.

• Ability to maintain a safe, structured environment with clear boundaries while responding appropriately to behaviours and supporting young people to make positive choices.

• Ability to identify risk factors for criminal exploitation or grooming, help young people recognise warning signs, and implement strategies to reduce their vulnerability.

• Strong numeracy skills, sufficient to assist young people with budgeting, calculating benefit entitlements, understanding rent arrears, and managing finances.

• IT literate, able to maintain accurate records, logs, and assessments on internal and external systems while ensuring data is up to date and securely stored.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Able to build trust, motivate, and advise a diverse group of young people while maintaining professional relationships.

• Able to adopt a supportive, confident, and motivating approach, inspiring young people, building their self-esteem, and promoting positive personal development.

• Demonstrate empathy, patience, and understanding of the diverse challenges young people may face, including personal, social, and emotional issues.

• Demonstrate resilience and adaptability, able to respond to changing circumstances and manage stress effectively while maintaining a positive approach.

• Highly organised and proactive, able to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities efficiently without compromising the quality of support.

• Committed to teamwork and collaboration, working effectively with colleagues, external partners, and multi-agency teams to achieve the best outcomes for young people.

• Willingness to engage in continuous training, professional development, and reflective practice to enhance knowledge, skills, and performance.

REPORTING LINES MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS

You will report directly to the Support Lead for London and the SE, the Executive Leadership Team, but also work closely with any external networks such as the local authority and related Clink project leads in the community. 

GENERAL CLINK CHARITY INFORMATION

All staff are expected to:

• Comply with all current legislation

• Comply with all prison operational policies

• Comply with The Clink Staff Handbook

• Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your manager

Special Requirements:

• Must have an enhanced DBS for children & adults

• A driving licence is preferred because of travel between sites — but not essential.

Company Benefits:

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Company pension scheme

• Free meals on duty when based in a restaurant or at Herne Hill site.

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 sides of A4).

In your supporting statement you should ensure that you try to address the desirable criteria set out in the person specification for the role. Make sure you give evidence which shows how you meet the criteria, not just telling us that you did it.

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis for this role, so early applications are encouraged. The deadline for applications is Friday 27th March.

We do not send individual acknowledgment of applications due to the high volume we receive, and we will only contact candidates who are shortlisted for an interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

If you would like an informal chat about this role, we can offer a call with a member of The Clink Team. Even if you feel you do not meet some of the criteria listed above, we would still welcome applications from passionate candidates who are keen to make a difference.

Appointment process

Applicants who have demonstrated that they meet the desirable criteria set out in the person specification will be contacted and interviews arranged on a rolling basis.

Interview

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to a selection process. A panel of two or more, including the recruiting manager conducts all interviews. If there are any special arrangements associated with the selection process e.g. tests or presentations, you will be informed accordingly.

Interview outcome

If you are invited to attend an interview, you will be informed either verbally or in writing of the outcome. The successful candidate will have the decision confirmed in writing as an offer of employment. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered the opportunity for feedback.

References

If you are successful in your application, you are asked to provide us with the details of two referees. We only contact referees with your permission after an offer of employment has been made.

All offers of employment are conditional upon the receipt of references that are satisfactory to The Clink Charity, verification of right to work in the UK and where applicable, verification of qualifications and Disclosure and Barring Service (where required). 

Personal information

The personal information that you have supplied will only be used for recruitment and selection purposes. You should refer to the Privacy Notice on our website, which sets out how The Clink Charity will deal with the personal and sensitive data you have provided in your application form and supporting information.

EDI

We welcome all applicants and are keen to enhance our team to reflect the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disabled people, those from LGBTQIA+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those experiencing other forms of marginalisation, as they are underrepresented at this level. In addition, as this role works directly with people in prison and those at risk of offending, those with lived experience are encouraged to apply. 

Accessible recruitment

The Clink Charity is committed to making our recruitment process and workplace accessible to all. If you are an applicant with a disability and/or have any specific needs or adjustments that you would like us to consider, at application, interview, or appointment stage, please make us aware in your application.

What we do

Established in 1996, Carers Leeds is a charity which provides information, advice and support to unpaid adult and parent carers across our city. This includes our Support Line, carers support groups, one to one support and support in hospitals. Some of our services are universal – open to all carers – and some are targeted at specific groups of carers. Our services are provided to communities throughout Leeds.

This role  

 Operational Managers at Carers Leeds play a crucial role in managing a dedicated team and overseeing key areas of our service delivery. The successful candidate will work with other Operational Managers and the Senior Management Team to ensure that the service we deliver is first class.

The postholder will manage a group of Carers Support Workers who provide support and advice to unpaid carers in Leeds. This includes ensuring the smooth running of the support operations and liaising with external partners. They will work with other operational managers to develop our services and to help coordinate our service delivery process.  

The position requires strong leadership skills, confidence in overseeing several different areas of work and the ability to manage change.

We are a highly values driven organisation with a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.