Specialist support workers jobs in Cardiff, wales
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Salary:
£29,580 FTE per annum rising to £30,090 per annum after successfully completing six-month probation period
Location:
Contractually based in our Hwb in Pontypool or Newport - To assist in the management of Cyfannol Support Services across Torfaen and Newport
Contract Type:
Permanent
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
•Flexible start and finish times that incorporate the hours of 9.30am to 4.30pm and a minimum of 30 minutes unpaid break during shift
•All team members must work flexibly on occasions to meet the needs of the Charity and the people we support
Accountable to: Support Services Manager
Accountable for: Team Leaders and Support Workers
Purpose of the post: To assist in the management of service delivery of specialist, trauma-informed support to adults and children who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, harm and violence
Specific responsibilities:
1.To assist the Support Service Manager in managing the delivery of specialist, trauma-informed support to adults and children living in refuge, recognising the impact of domestic or sexual abuse, harm or violence, and responding with empathy, respect, and consistency.
2.Contribute to a refuge environment that is compassionate, equitable, and grounded in integrity -where every individual feels safe, heard, and supported.
3.Manage Safeguarding across the service, complying with internal and external policy and legislation, authorise adult and child referrals maintaining a trauma-informed, non-judgemental stance that prioritises dignity and safety
4.Provide line management to Team Leaders and Support Workers in line with Cyfannol’s policies and values, leading recruitment, induction, supervision, training, and development in an inclusive and engaging way.
5.Key Contributor alongside Service Manager in risk compliance, supporting team members to regularly assess and positively managing risk in an inclusive and enabling way.
6.Manage the delegated aspects of budgetary responsibility including some purchasing, work closely with the Finance department.
7.Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), core group and other similar meetings.
8.Provide support team with case management and direction, providing direct support for emergency/ crisis situations, complex cases, team member absence, when more than one worker are required.
9.Review complex or serious concerns or breaches that are impacting maintenance of licence/ contracts and escalate to Service Manager when appropriate
10.Grow your service team’s understanding, skills and confidence in providing support through informed choice where individuals design their own meaningful support outcomes
11.Manage data compliance and oversee regular service internal audits of service and case work, provide improvement plans where appropriate.
12.Fulfil reporting obligations to funders that are delegated by the Project Manager/ Coordinator which includes aspects of funding schedules, rendering of services and Commissioning audits
13.Complete delegated requirements for regular external data collection and reporting including National Quality Standards and Welsh Women's Aid.
14.Lead regular Service team meetings to support communication, reflection and service development
15. Encourage and support adults and children to have a voice within Cyfannol and the wider sector
16. Contribute (through working closely with the Facilities Coordinator) to ensuring a safe compliant and quality environment across Hwbs and services
17. Encourage and support adults and children to have a voice within Cyfannol and the wider sector
18. Contribute to internal development projects as part of an organisational continuous improvement.
19. Work collaboratively with other Support Service Coordinators to ensure refuge, community and initial contact referral paths are easily accessible are clear and concise, and to continue to promote a whole team approach.
General responsibilities:
1.Actively contribute to the achievement of Cyfannol Women’s Aid’s Mission, Vision, Aims, Goals and Objectives ensuring your work reflects our commitment to trauma informed practice.
2.Demonstrate and positively promote Cyfannol’s core values of compassion, integrity, and equity in all aspects of your role.
3.Proactively promote equality of opportunity, challenging and addressing discriminatory practices wherever they arise.
4.Represent Cyfannol Women’s Aid professionally at external meetings, public events, conferences, and similar forums, safeguarding and enhancing the organisation’s reputation.
5.Participate fully in team meetings, management supervision, clinical supervision and relevant training to support continuous learning and development.
6.Work in accordance with Cyfannol’s policies and procedures, ensuring safe, ethical, legally compliant and consistent practice.
7.Contribute to Cyfannol’s environmental goals by participating in carbon-reducing initiatives, including the organisation’s pledge campaign
Undertake any other reasonable duties required to support the effective delivery of support services and the wider aims of the organisation
It may be necessary, following consultation, to amend the job description in light of experience and changing circumstances.
This role requires frequent travel for business purposes. A current valid driving licence, access to a car and insurance covering business use
Closing Date:4th February 2026
We operate a rolling recruitment process and may interview suitable candidates as applications are received. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once the position has been filled.
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 requireed 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.
Our mission is to stand with individuals, especially women and children, who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, harm, or violence.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Change lives in a life-changing career
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.
We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time
About the role
We’re looking for a Social Care Support Coordinator with experience of person-centred, low level social care support to service users, to join our vibrant and fast paced, fully remote, Central Support team. This team provides an an additional point of entry to Young Lives vs Cancer’s services, alongside the local social work teams based in hospitals.
This mixed team of staff and volunteers delivers UK-wide timely and compassionate digital and phone-based support to young people with cancer, and families of children with cancer. You will also be the first point of contact for phone, email and web-chat enquiries from people and organisations in their wider support network. In addition, you will hold your own caseload of young people and families who you will provide regular telephone check-in support.
This role is a 28-hour-per-week post, and the successful candidate must be available to work on Tuesday, Wednesday & Fridays. Final working-day patterns will be discussed at interview, but all hours must fall within our core hours of 09:00–17:00.
This post also includes a flex-up component, which allows the team to respond to increased demand or cover absence. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to take on additional hours (up to a maximum of 35 hours per week), as required by business need. Additional hours will be paid at a day rate, and your availability will be discussed with you at the time.
The Central Support and Social Care team is fully remote and home-based; all work will be completed at a distance. Laptop and phone will be provided
This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application an enhanced criminal record check will be completed.
What will I be doing?
No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.
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Providing person-centred, low level social care support to young people diagnosed with cancer and to parents/families of children with cancer, through proactive check-ins.
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Offering compassionate listening, practical advice, guidance and signposting on issues such as finance, housing, education, work and emotional wellbeing.
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Acting as the first point of contact for enquiries via phone, email, WhatsApp, web chat and other digital channels, resolving or appropriately escalating queries.
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Processing referrals from professionals and self-referrals, accurately inputting information into the case management system.
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Supporting volunteers during their shifts and working collaboratively with social workers and colleagues across the wider social care teams.
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Maintaining clear, timely and confidential records and contributing to team meetings, reflective practice and shared learning.
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Participating in the duty rota and flexing up hours during busy periods to ensure families receive timely, high-quality support.
What do I need?
Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.
The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:
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Experience in a charity, health or social care setting (or similar), with confidence supporting people via phone and digital platforms in an empathetic, person-centred way.
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Strong communication skills across multiple channels, with the ability to assess situations quickly and escalate when needed.
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Ability to provide practical guidance and signposting, with an understanding of support pathways such as NHS services, charities, wish organisations and grants.
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Confidence using technology—including databases, case management systems, Office 365, Teams and digital communication tools.
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A calm, sensitive and organised approach, able to multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced virtual environment.
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A commitment to anti-oppressive practice, safeguarding, equality and inclusive service delivery.
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A collaborative mindset—proactive, solution-focused, reflective, and aligned with Young Lives vs Cancer’s values: Curious, Creative, Collaborative, Changemaking and Courageous.
What will I gain?
For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
- Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Great family/caring leave entitlements
- Enhanced pension
- Access to our employee savings scheme
To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.
We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
TACT is recruiting caring, committed, and resilient individuals and families to become foster carers and help transform the lives of children and young people who need a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
Fostering is not an employed role, but as a self-employed foster carer you will receive competitive fostering fees and allowances, comprehensive training, and ongoing professional support every step of the way.
Eligibility
To become a foster carer with TACT, you must:
- Be over the age of 21
- Be a UK resident or have Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Have a spare bedroom
Financial Stability & Recognition
We value your dedication and expertise – and ensure you are rewarded fairly:
- Up to £27,053 per year (£520 per week) when a child is placed
- Additional payments and allowances available
- Special fostering tax exemptions, meaning lower tax compared to most employed roles
The Support You’ll Receive
At TACT, you are never alone. We provide high-quality support to help you feel confident and supported in your fostering role:
- A dedicated Supervising Social Worker for guidance and supervision
- A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and the child
- Access to a network of specialist foster carers for peer support
- Comprehensive training, including therapeutic and neurodevelopmental courses
- Psychological consultations and access to specialist therapeutic input
- 24/7 out-of-hours support whenever you need it
How to apply
Interested in finding out more? We’d love to hear from you. Apply today on the TACT website.
Foster carers are self-employed and subject to fostering regulations and approval processes, including checks, training, and assessment.
TACT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all foster carers to share this commitment.
Prospectus is pleased to be collaborating with a UK charity founded by families who lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide to recruit for a new CEO to join them on a 12-month fixed term contract to start in March 2026. The charity operates as a fully remote working organisation however there will be some UK travel required as part of the role.
The Chief Operating Officer is the most senior staff role within the organisation, responsible for the day to day running of the charity and, in close coordination with the co-founders, delivering the organisation’s strategy. During this fixed term contract, the interim COO will be responsible for overseeing major change and growth as they move into a new funding system through the statutory gambling levy. In addition, the interim COO will ensure the ongoing delivery and quality of the charity’s services and activities, and will lead and support their expert and agile staff team.
The successful candidate will have significant experience in a senior leadership role within a small charity setting. You will have demonstrable experience leading, developing and nurturing teams including remote workers. Having worked successfully at a strategic level, you will be adept at delivering strategic and operational plans, with the ability to stay on top of all aspects of the organisation. In addition to the inward facing parts of the role you will also demonstrate the drive and experience to work externally, with a range of stakeholders and contractors. You will demonstrate passion for the mission, operating with a strong political awareness and sensitivity around the subject area.
To apply please submit your CV and a two page supporting statement, preferably in Microsoft Word/PDF format. The statement should outline your motivation for joining the charity and why you feel you would be a good fit for this role. You should also demonstrate your experience and skillset with examples relating to the Person Specification section in the Job Pack. If you have any further questions or would like to know more about this opportunity please contact Steven Fraser from Prospectus.
As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.
Change lives in a life-changing career
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.
We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time
About the role
We’re looking for a Individual Giving Officer with Individual Giving or project management experience to join our Individual Giving, Legacies and E-commerce Team.
Working within the Individual Giving, Legacies and E-commerce Team, you’ll have a varied role managing and supporting the delivery of fundraising appeals which will recruit, retain and develop supporters across our acquisition and retention programmes. These appeals will include utilising online and offline channels such as direct mail, organic and paid social advertising, email, face-to-face fundraising, Payroll Giving and telemarketing.
This role would suit someone with some experience of marketing or fundraising or who would like to expand their experience of Individual Giving.
What will I be doing?
No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.
As part of the ambitious Individual Giving, Legacies and E-Commerce Team you will:
- Work with the Individual Giving Manager (Loyalty) to develop and implement Individual Giving campaigns
- Support development within the team by researching and implementing innovative campaigns, testing and rolling out successful areas
- Work with suppliers to ensure the smooth running of campaigns and maximum impact from the relationship with them.
What do I need?
Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.
The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:
- Proven experience of managing successful Individual Giving or similar campaigns across all channels, including print and digital
- Experience of project management and reporting
- Experience of managing external agencies and suppliers
- Experience of implementing marketing plans
- Experience of budgeting and forecasting
What will I gain?
For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
- Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
- Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Great family/caring leave entitlements
- Enhanced pension
- Access to our employee savings scheme
To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.
We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.
Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.
We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.
We have an exciting new opportunity to join this innovative charity that is a world-leader in its specialist field.
JOB TITLE:Regional Assistance Dog Instructor Scotland
LOCATION:Scotland (Central belt, between Glasgow and Edinburgh)
SALARY:£24K - £29K per annum, depending on experience
JOB TYPE: Part time and full time hours considered, with occasional evening and weekend work required
REPORTS TO: Instructor Manager
The Job
We are looking for a passionate and driven person who ideally has previous experience and skills working as an Instructor within an Assistance Dog organisation, who has worked with clients and partnerships. The role includes supporting both clients who have had a MDD dog placed with them and also our own dog applicants with their puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training in terms of obedience, public access and developing an alert to the applicant’s condition, with the aim to reach an accreditable assistance dog partnership status. It is also will include carrying out client specific and odour training for MDD own dogs, placing these dogs with their new clients and looking after a number of established partnerships. This role would suit somebody residing in the central belt of Scotland, between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Duties that encompass the role of an Instructor include:
- Be the first point of contact for the allocated partnerships in your area, covering all areas of Scotland. To provide guidance and instruction to applicants who have applied to the charity to have their own dogs considered for the training programme guidance and instruction on handling, behaviour and obedience and odour training as well as newly placed partnerships.
- Alongside the Instructing team, to run puppy classes, public access training, recall sessions in small groups for applicant own dogs that are in line with the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets.
- To also carry out support visits and home interviews for applicants and clients that have been allocated to you.
- Regularly monitor progress of the puppies and partnerships in training in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to Instructor Manager and Head of Assistance Dog Programme.
- To carry out client specific training with any MDD owned dogs that have been matched, including the required odour scent training.
- Instructing, guiding and supporting new assistance dog clients in managing and handling a Medical Alert Assistance Dog effectively, via pre training, placement training and aftercare visits.
- Supporting partnerships in training in successfully reaching an accreditation standard and in maintaining this
- standard throughout the life of the partnership.
- To support a number of established partnerships in the form of aftercare, refresher training and yearly re-accreditations, assisting further afield on occasions as required.
Responsibilities
- To escalate issues and problems to the Instructor Manager as appropriate.
- To assist the Dog Supply Team with carrying out scent assessments on any MDD dogs in socialising as and when required with the support of the Instructor Manager and rest of the Instructing Team.
- To plan, organise and deliver practical and theoretical training to clients, meeting their individual needs in line with agreed standards to include areas such as dog welfare, appropriate handling, commanding and overall management. This will involve working with the parents as Team Leader and child as Client and working with adult clients.
- Assess the team dynamics of the family & balancing the needs of all family members as well as those of the dog.
- Assess the individuals preferred learning style and amending as relevant to aid a client.
- To accompany the client into all regular environments that they will take the dog to, ensuring the dog behaves in an acceptable manner and that the client and others are aware and clear in terms of where they dog should reside and behave for eg public transport, place of work. To complete a check list of environments for any applicant own dogs in training who are on the programme to be assessed within.
- To support and advise clients in transferring the odour training from pot training and recognising alerting behaviours to establish real life alerting.
- To monitor the correct and false alerting percentages of allocated partnerships via data analysis, advising where necessary until the correct alerting levels are achieved.
- To complete comprehensive reports and paperwork for any time spent with applicants or partnerships in training or established. Maintain accurate records by providing verbal and written information with agreed timescales about clients, dogs, applicants and apprentices as appropriate.
- To work alongside allocated partnerships with the aim of the partnership reaching an accredited standard and feeding back to the Instructor Manager and Assistance Dog Programme Manager if there are any concerns that the accreditation cannot be achieved.
- To provide clients with appropriate aftercare services at regular intervals in their own homes in the form of annual visits, support visits or at refresher workshops run at the Centre to agreed standards. This will include continual re-assessment of the dynamics of family and dog, formulating and training on appropriate solutions, as well as offering additional dog training advice.
- To deliver handling days as part of an applicant’s pre training to include ‘Introduction to Assistance Dog’ ‘Advanced Handling’ and Family Handling.
- To scent train and seizure proof advanced dogs in preparation to be partnered with an adult or child client and ensure that applicant own dogs have received this at the earliest opportunity.
- To maintain the ongoing public access training with any advanced dog in scent training that has been allocated to them.
- To provide local support to the growing puppy socialisation scheme, based in and around Perth.
- To provide support to the Charity’s public relations and fundraising functions as required, specifically in your area.
- To act as the ‘contact’ person for the assistance dog programme in relation to training policy procedures with clients and their families, other professional service providers and members of the public. This will include on-going research and development of the project.
- To liaise with and provide support for Volunteers who may operate as part of the aftercare programme provided by the charity.
- To ensure all partnerships are in line with the ADUK regulations with regards to behaviour, obedience and welfare and branding.
- Due to the nature of the role, flexible working hours may be required in some instances to facilitate the effective delivery of the work e.g. working during the school holidays with school age clients.
Other
- Share best practice with colleagues across the charity.
- Any other duties or tasks that are required to ensure the successful running of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog Department and the Charity overall.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
- Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
- Experience of running puppy classes and carrying out public access training and recall sessions
- High level of self – motivation and planning
- Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions
- Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary.
- Happy to be on call at all times for partnerships as and when required.
- Happy to stay away from home and stay in local hotel when the client’s location is too far from your home to travel back.
- Happy and able to have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training to reside in their home.
- Good team worker, but equally able to work alone.
- Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
- Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
- Flexible
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous Assistance Dog Instructing or Dog Training with puppy socialisers experience
- Knowledge of AD(UK) and ADI regulations
- Law in relation to dogs.
- Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age.
- Dog and human psychology.
- Proven evidence and experience of dog handling and training skills
- Previous experience of teaching and instructing
- Sound dog training and dog behaviour knowledge
- IT literacy and report writing skills
- Experience of using Microsoft based programs such as Outlook, Word,
- Excel, Internet Explorer and Power Point, teams, zoom and Microsoft
- Share point for data etc
- Full UK driving licence
- Pass a DBS (CRB) check due to regular contact with children
Preferable
- Knowledge of debilitating medical conditions and understanding of how they can impact people, both physically and psychologically, particularly when they are unstable and fluctuating.
- Previous knowledge of odour/scent training.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
- Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
- High level of self – motivation and planning
- Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions
- Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary.
- Happy to be on call at all times for partnerships as and when required – to include outside standard working hours.
- Able and willing to stay away from home and stay in local hotel when the client’s location is too far from the Centre to travel back.
- If able, possibility of having Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training to reside in their home through the 6 – 8 week training phase.
- Good team worker, but equally able to work alone.
- Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
- Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
- You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself.
- You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.
DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION
We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Values & Behaviours
Working at Medical Detection Dogs will be a richly rewarding experience.
Our Values & Behaviours encapsulate who we are, what we stand for and what it will feel like to be part of our team:
- We are respectful.
- We stay positive.
- We strive for excellence.
- We communicate and listen.
- We are ambassadors.
- We are one team.
And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance, and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors for the charity.
Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:
- Hold a full UK Driving Licence
- Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK.
- Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Work some evenings and weekends
- Be willing to travel to the Centre based near Milton Keynes
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Learning and Development Officer (Aligned to Wales Synod Cymru and West Midlands)
Welsh speaking
Salary: £41,810.00 per annum
Location: Home based but within commutable distance to Wales Synod Cymru District and West Midlands District.
Hours: 35 hours per week
This role is part of the Connexional Team Learning Network, supporting, encouraging, and equipping the Church to live out ‘Our Calling’ through worship, mission, evangelism and discipleship. The Learning Network primarily works with lay and ordained leaders, helping them equip others.
This post contributes to Connexional-wide learning and development initiatives, and is specifically aligned with the Wales Synod Cymru District as the Welsh speaking Learning and Development Officer (LDO) and the new West Midlands District following the merger of the current Birmingham District and the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District on 1st September 2025. Wales Synod Cymru is a bilingual District of 16 circuits, including the Welsh language Cymru Circuit which covers the whole of Wales, and the West Midlands District has 20 circuits across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Black Country, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. Both districts are diverse in terms of population groupings and serve communities in rural, market towns, suburbs and city centre settings.
The Ideal Candidate for This Role
The person best suited for this Learning & Development Officer role will be:
A Passionate and Committed Christian:
- Deeply engaged in their faith and motivated to help churches grow in discipleship, worship, mission and evangelism.
- A member of a church in good standing with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (or an equivalent organisation).
- Committed to the values of inclusivity, justice, evangelism, and church growth.
A Skilled Educator and Facilitator
- Experienced in learning and development, with transferable skills to a church setting.
- Confident in designing, delivering and evaluating training, both and online and onsite.
- Able to engage adult learners effectively, making theological concepts accessible, and equipping people for vocations within the life of the church.
- A strong theological thinker, able to guide and develop conversations to enable A Methodist Way of Life.
A Strong Communicator and Relationship-Builder
- Able to connect with and inspire people across the church to enable them to serve in their varied communities.
- Skilled in facilitating discussions on vision, mission and growth planning.
- Comfortable using digital tools and online platforms for training and communication.
- Adept at working across cultural and theological contexts, bringing sensitivity and adaptability.
- Proactive in identifying learning and development needs and responding with creative, tailored solutions.
- A fluent Welsh speaker with strong oral and written communication skills in both Welsh and English
A Collaborative Leader
- Capable of working with diverse teams, including ordained and lay church leaders.
- Skilled in planning, organising, and evaluating learning and development initiatives.
- Proactive in identifying training needs and responding with creative, tailored solutions.
- Open to collaborating across Methodist districts and the wider church network.
A Flexible and Self-Motivated Professional
- Comfortable with travel and occasional evening/weekend work.
- Based in the either Wales or the West Midlands, with the ability to travel across both districts as required.
- Organised and self-driven, able to manage multiple projects and responsibilities.
- Creative and adaptable in responding to the changing needs of churches and communities
Our Culture, Values and Benefits
Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.
We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), annualised hours and a Wellbeing Adviser service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.
The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We also welcome applications from people living with disabilities. Please note that this is a post which includes Welsh language work for which the ability to speak and write in Welsh to a high standard is essential.
The successful applicant will be required to live either within or close to either District and will be expected to travel extensively across both Districts and beyond for work purposes.
Please note previous applicants need not apply.
Closing date: 2 February 2026 @ 9am
Interviews to take place on:
Tuesday 10th February 2026: First stage telephone interviews, conducted in Welsh, between 1 and 4pm.
Thursday 19th February 2026: Second stage interviews conducted in English and Welsh in Shrewsbury.
The rest of the recruitment process will be conducted in English.
N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.