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- Tasks: Lead a vibrant community, ensuring excellent care and support for individuals with learning disabilities.
- Company: Join L'Arche London, a mission-driven organisation dedicated to inclusivity and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, meaningful work, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while fostering a supportive community environment.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in care for adults with learning disabilities is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and collaboration across the UK.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (including some evening and weekend working, and regular on-call)
Salary: £55,000 (including London weighting)
Reports to: L’Arche UK Director of Care and Communities
Place of work: L’Arche London Community, West Norwood, SE27. Some travel and overnight stays will be required within the UK.
Contract type: Permanent
ABOUT THE ROLE
Main purpose of the role
The Community Leader is responsible for ensuring that the Community is living the mission of L’Arche, by providing excellent and sustainable care and support services, support for spirituality, and engaging with our neighbours and the wider community around us.
The Community Leader will:
- Lead the Community by responding to the needs, choices and context of our members while being faithful to the L'Arche UK Vision and Values, the L'Arche International Identity and Mission Statement, and to a co-created Community Mandate and plan.
- Maintain and enhance high-quality, person-centred care, support, and housing for people with learning disabilities, both at home and in our day services in partnership with the Registered Manager, the Team in London, the National Leadership Team, individual circles of support, and external partners.
- Ensure the Community's financial sustainability through robust financial planning and management, including setting budgets, controlling spending, maximising occupancy, negotiating care contracts, growing day services, and spotting fundraising opportunities.
- Foster a culture that maximises the voice and power for people with learning disabilities, building listening and collaboration between Community members with and without learning disabilities.
- Contribute to the national work programmes of L'Arche UK, as part of the National Council, collaborating with Community Leaders of other L'Arche Communities, to share skills, best practice, and resources.
Qualifications
- Senior leadership experience in support to adults with learning disabilities (or transferable skills and experience in a closely related field).
- Experience in leading, managing, and developing an organisation or large teams to deliver results, maintain compliance and quality, and to respond to risks and opportunities.
- Good financial planning skills and experiences of successfully managing a substantial budget.
- Ability to think strategically and work collaboratively to develop and implement community plans.
- Experience of living or working alongside people with learning disabilities and/or autistic individuals.
- Passionate about person-centred support and the values and mission of L'Arche.
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS criminal record check.
You may have held these job titles in the past: Registered Manager, Service Manager, Head of Care, Senior Operations Lead, Community Director, Head of Community Services, Country or Regional Lead, Learning Disability Services Manager, Head of Mission and Community Life, Health & Social Care Manager, Local Authority Commissioning Lead.
A full job description and person specification can be found in the Recruitment Pack on our website.
To apply, please submit your CV and include a cover letter telling us why you are applying for this role, and how your skills and experience align with the person specification, via our online application form.
The closing date is: Thursday, 16th April at midday. First round interviews are expected to take place either on 22nd or 23rd April 2026 online via Microsoft Teams. Second round interviews will take place on 30th April 2026 and will take place within the L'Arche London Community.
We encourage you not to wait until the closing date to submit your application, as we may begin interviewing strong candidates before then. We also reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive enough suitable applications.
Please also read our privacy notice for job applicants.
Learning Disability Community Leader employer: L'Arche UK
Contact Detail:
L'Arche UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Disability Community Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know L'Arche and its mission inside out. When you understand their values, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you align with their vision. This will make you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to get the inside scoop on the community culture. This not only helps you prepare but also shows your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and how it relates to supporting individuals with learning disabilities. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the L'Arche community. Get your CV and cover letter ready, and hit that submit button!
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Disability Community Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Learning Disability Community Leader role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with L'Arche's mission and values. We want to see how you can contribute to our community!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background fits with our vision. Be genuine and let your personality come through—this is your moment to connect with us.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a community, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. We love to see how you’ve made a difference!
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We might start interviewing candidates before the closing date, so get your application in early. Plus, it shows us you're proactive and excited about the opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at L'Arche UK
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into L'Arche's mission and values. Understand how they translate into daily operations and community life. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your leadership style aligns with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Real Examples
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your senior leadership experience in supporting adults with learning disabilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Since financial sustainability is crucial for this role, be ready to discuss your experience with budget management and financial planning. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed budgets in the past and any innovative strategies you've implemented to maximise resources.
✨Engage with the Community Focus
Highlight your passion for person-centred support and community engagement. Think about how you've fostered collaboration between individuals with and without learning disabilities in previous roles. Be prepared to discuss how you would continue to build a culture of listening and empowerment at L'Arche.