Freelance - Employability Trainer

About Skylarks Charity

At Skylarks, our vision is to help create a world where children with additional needs can thrive. Skylarks provides a supportive and active community for children with disabilities and additional needs and their families. We care for the whole family, providing opportunities to join in, develop, and feel empowered while reducing the isolation families can experience. Founded in 2006 by parent volunteers, Skylarks has grown over nearly 20 years into an award winning charity supporting thousands of families. We deliver inclusive activities, therapies, advice services and programmes that are often otherwise inaccessible. Our independence allows us to respond directly to families' needs, and we do not receive statutory funding.

OUR VALUES

• Compassion – We lead with empathy and understanding.
• Inclusion – Everyone belongs. We actively remove barriers.
• Empowerment – We build confidence, skills and voice.
• Community – We are stronger together.

Purpose of the role

The Employability Trainer plays a vital role in inspiring and facilitating young people with additional needs as they prepare for the world of work. In this role, you will deliver high-quality employability workshops to small groups (Year 8-9 and young adults aged 18-25). This position is ideally suited to an experienced SEND or Careers teacher who is passionate about delivering engaging, holistic sessions that empower young people to achieve their programme goals and make meaningful progress.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme Delivery
  • Delivering a 7-week employability programme over consecutive weeks to small groups (maximum 10 young people).
  • Facilitating sessions either face-to-face or online via Zoom, following provided module plans and workshop content.
  • Providing holistic and engaging sessions tailored to meet the individual needs of young people with a variety of additional needs.
• Reporting & Feedback
  • Working closely with parents to share feedback on their child’s progress and providing relevant signposting.
  • Completing student progress reports and maintaining accurate records of programme delivery.
  • Attending paid training sessions and team meetings to ensure high standards of delivery.
• Quality & Safety
  • Ensuring all sessions are inclusive and supportive, fostering an environment where young people feel confident to develop new skills.
  • Adhering to the charity’s safeguarding processes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Knowledge

Essential:

• Minimum 2 years of teaching or training experience.
• Experience working with young people with additional needs in an educational or training context.
• Experience in delivering educational content via online platforms (e.g., Zoom/Google Workspace).
• Skill in facilitating groups of varied abilities and offering personalised support within a group setting.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding processes.

Desirable:

• Professional Teaching Qualification (PGCE / QTS / QTLS).
• Experience specifically in Careers education or vocational training.

Personal Qualities

• A clear commitment to Skylarks’ values of compassion, inclusion, empowerment and community.
• A sensitive and patient approach toward the challenges faced by young people with disabilities and their families.
• High standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, treating all participants with respect and empathy.

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment

Skylarks is proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Employer and actively promotes inclusive recruitment practices. We welcome candidates with lived experience of additional needs and are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Application Process

Closing date: Saturday 21st February. To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement outlining your experience below or to: recruit@skylarks.charity.