Royal Mencap Society

Are you interested in improving the lives of children and young people with a learning disability? Can you turn complex ideas into evidence-based policy? Are you a skilled communicator able to influence decision-makers? If so, we would love to hear from you! We are currently looking for a Policy Specialist to join Mencap. This position sits within the Policy and Public Affairs teams of Mencap's Campaigns, Advocacy and Activism Directorate (CAA). You will work closely with our influencing, information and advice, campaigning, and research work, as well as sector partners like the Disabled Children's Partnership. This is an exciting new role to deliver policy change and enhance the rights of children and young people with a learning disability. At a key time to influence Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) education reform, we are seeking a policy specialist to shape policy work that reflects the needs and experiences of children, young people, and their families. Working within the policy team, you will be responsible for developing evidence-based policy work and influencing decision-makers. This is a full time position (37.5 hours per week). We are flexible with your work location, but there may be some occasional travel needed to our London office or Westminster. You will: Translate complex work into clear and persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses and reports. Work within wider coalitions of charities, building collaborative relationships and ensuring that the needs and priorities of our community are addressed. Develop and expand Mencap's 'Policy Shapers' work, ensuring our work reflects the experiences of children and young people with a learning disability and their families. Support our information and advice team, briefing them on important developments, inputting into casework discussions relevant to your areas of work, and supporting the creation of public information resources. Represent Mencap at meetings and events, with MPs, civil servants, and sector partners. Identify and analyse relevant research to develop evidence-based policy recommendations. You will bring to this role: Experience of working on public policy issues. Strong communication skills: experience tailoring your messaging to a variety of different audiences and representing an organisation. Experience building positive relationships and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes; able to positively challenge, negotiate and compromise. The ability to work on your own initiative while contributing to team priorities and sustain enthusiasm under pressure. Experience analysing evidence to develop recommendations. Knowledge the issues facing children and young people with a learning disability and/or the SEND system, as well as the wider parliamentary system. Passion about making the world a better place for people with a learning disability. If you're passionate about driving meaningful change for children and young people with a learning disability and you're ready to use your policy expertise to make a real impact, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. This advert has been extended and will now close on Sunday, 4th January, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 12th January 2026. Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest free loans, and many more exciting offerings. For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team! About Mencap Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in. At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. Everyoneis expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. Every daywe grow and learn. It's okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes Everywherepeople will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves. We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We're not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you're applying for. Communications, Campaigns, Advocacy & Activism

A leading charity organization in Greater London seeks a passionate Policy Specialist to shape evidence-based policy for children and young people with learning disabilities. The role involves translating complex concepts into persuasive briefings and advocating for necessary reforms in the SEND system. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and analytical skills, and a genuine commitment to improving lives. Flexibility in work location is offered, with potential travel to the London office. Competitive benefits are included, making a meaningful impact in the community possible.

A local charity organization in Worthing is seeking a motivated Charity Shop Supervisor. In this role, you will manage a vibrant charity shop, supervise volunteers, handle cash, and resolve customer queries. The ideal candidate will have experience in volunteer supervision and a passion for supporting people with learning disabilities. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the community while working in a supportive environment.

Mencap Visiting Service - Football and Music Mencap Visiting Service - Football and Music Job Advert We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone's life who isn't paid to be there for them. We are looking for a patient and caring volunteer to visit a man in his 50s who lives in a supported living home in central Leicester. He enjoys browsing holiday brochures, watching sports and films, and singing along to karaoke. A big fan of planes and football, he also likes cooking simple meals, gardening, and listening to music. He's independent with many things like making drinks and snacks, and has a great sense of routine, plus, an impressive mug collection! If you enjoy good company and light-hearted activities, this could be a lovely match. This is a Stop and stay, let's get busy visitor role which means the person you will be visiting can communicate actively with you and take part in choosing or planning activities. As you get to know each our you may choose to 'go out' either with or without support from the staff that supports the person you visit. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around an hour or longer, depending on what you do. In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like: • Sitting and having a chat • Checking in on their well- being • Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink • Enjoying a walk • A craft activity at home • Reading a book/magazine together As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be: Friendly and approachable Accepting of others who might be different to yourself Reliable and patient Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability. As a Mencap visitor you will: Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team. If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us:

Charity Shop Supervisor - Worthing Mencap Worthing Mencap Society is an organisation based in Worthing, West Sussex who are committed to supporting people with learning disabilities, their families and carers. We are passionate about enabling people with learning disabilities to lead full and independent lives. We are seeking a motivated and compassionate individual to join our team as a Charity Shop Supervisor. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in running our vibrant and well stocked charity shops. Key Responsibilities Supervising volunteers (some of whom have a learning disability) Manage and sort through stock and donations Cash handling Resolve customer queries Manage Gift Aid processes etc Application Process Apply via email: PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is for a Mencap affiliated Network Partner and not for Royal Mencap Society. Network Partners sign up to a terms of membership and pay a membership fee to subscribe Royal Mencap Society's Network and each local group is a separate and independent charity within their own right. As part of the group's membership , they have the opportunity to advertise their vacancies on the Royal Mencap Society jobs website. We encourage all applicants to apply directly to the group and the contact details provided by the group as stated on this job advert. If you choose to click on the "Apply" button, you give Royal Mencap Society consent to forward your application (CV) and your personal details to the relevant local group on your behalf. Your information will only be shared for the purpose of recruitment. Once your personal details have been shared you can request to have your details removed by contacting the Network Partner directly. Applicants interested in jobs advertised by affiliated Network Partners should note that any logos referring to quality standards apply to RMS only . If you have a question relating to a Network Partner's quality accreditations, you should contact them directly. We wish you the best with your Network Partner application.