Community Engagement Officer

Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support - they are at the heart of everything we do. We stand by them and we work together for change.

We believe that everyone deserves a chance to learn and space to thrive and that the right education can change lives. You’ll help break down barriers to education for young people, helping them learn and grow at their own pace.

Hours: 37.5 hours

Working pattern: 41 weeks per year (Term time)

Salary: £29,926.36 per year

Location: Bridge College, Whitworth Street, Openshaw, M11 2GR

Aim of the Role:

Bridge College is the Together Trust’s specialist education college for students aged 16 to 25 years with disabilities, complex needs and autism. Bridge College promotes a multidisciplinary approach to learning and has expertise in supporting students with a wide range of needs. We are seeking to recruit a Community Education Officer who will play a crucial role in developing and maintaining strong links between Bridge College, local businesses, and the local community. The purpose of this role is to identify and develop offsite community project opportunities that allow students to engage in meaningful experiences, build life skills, and prepare for adulthood.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and establish partnerships with local businesses, charities, and community organisations to create opportunities for student participation in offsite projects.
• Develop and coordinate a range of community-based projects tailored to students’ individual needs and aspirations.
• Work closely with teaching staff and support teams to ensure projects align with students’ learning goals and developmental needs.
• Organise and facilitate meetings, visits, and networking events to promote community collaboration.
• Ensure that all community projects are accessible, inclusive, and provide a safe environment for students.

About You:

• Experience in community engagement, education, or partnership development.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
• Experience of working and teaching young people with learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Experience of working with a range of partners and employers.
• Safeguarding knowledge.
• Knowledge and understanding of learning programmes.

Full role requirements are shown on the Job Description.

• Annual Leave: 27 day holiday plus 8 days bank holidays rising to 30 after 5 years, 33 days after 10 years.
• Generous pension scheme and death in service benefit: up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit.
• Occupational sick pay and family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Reward and Discount platform: offering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
• Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card.
• Proud to be a real living wage employer.
• Refer a friend scheme: be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities: including apprenticeship qualifications.
• Long service awards: including cash gifts and extra holiday.
• Promotion of Wellbeing: across the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleagues and free weekly yoga session in person or online.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home.

If this sounds like a place for you and you think you have the relevant skills and experience, we are looking for, please get in touch at jobs@togethertrust.org.uk or apply now. We would love to hear from you!

This role expires 5th April.

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio-economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience.

If there is any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can to support you.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).

This role will involve regulated activity.