At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant community supporting adults with learning disabilities and foster inclusivity.
- Company: L'Arche Edinburgh, a caring and inclusive community focused on friendship and spirituality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and collaboration across communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in care, strong financial skills, and a passion for person-centred support.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 51000 £ per year.
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (including some evening and weekend working, and regular on-call)
Salary: £51,000 per annum
Reports to: Head of Operations, Scotland
Place of work: L’Arche Edinburgh Community, Leith. Some travel and overnight stays will be required within the UK.
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: Sunday 19th July at midnight
Main purpose of the role:
L'Arche Edinburgh provides registered housing support and care at home services to 16 adults with learning disabilities across four locations in and around the Leith and Restalrig areas of the city. It strives to be an inclusive community that celebrates spirituality and friendship in all its diversity. Inspired by our Christian roots, we welcome people of all faiths and none.
The Community Leader (Director) is responsible for ensuring that the Community is living the mission of L'Arche, by providing excellent and financially sustainable care and support services and engaging with 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 Edinburgh, 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, 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.
Key essential criteria:
- 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.
- SVQ3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
This role is subject to a PVG criminal record check.
You can find more details about L'Arche Edinburgh here.
Additional details about L'Arche can be found here.
Discover what makes L’Arche a rewarding place to work—explore our employee benefits here.
A full job description and person specification can be found in the Recruitment Pack.
To apply, please submit your CV and include a cover letter via our online application form. The closing date is: Sunday, 19th July at midnight.
First round interviews are expected to take place either on 30th or 31st July 2026. Second round interviews will take place on 6th August 2026. 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 in Edinburgh employer: L'Arche
L'Arche Edinburgh is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive community dedicated to supporting adults with learning disabilities. With a strong emphasis on personal growth, collaboration, and financial sustainability, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive work culture that values diversity and spirituality. Located in the heart of Leith, this role offers unique opportunities for professional development and engagement with a network of like-minded individuals committed to enhancing the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Disability Community Leader in Edinburgh
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by L'Arche.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like L'Arche.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at L'Arche.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at L'Arche. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Disability Community Leader in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of L'Arche. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Learning Disability Community Leader, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at L'Arche
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of L'Arche. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
