How to apply

Our application form asks for information about what you studied at school and any further education, what work experience you have, and to describe how you meet the criteria in the person specification. It is very important that you read the person specification and give us examples that show how you have demonstrated each criteria. We are looking for a well presented application. We are interested in all relevant experience you may have, this does not always come from previous work experience. We pride ourselves on employing people with lived experience and welcome the knowledge and insight that this brings to our organisation. Please note that CVs are not accepted and any information given on a CV can not be considered.

When you have completed your application form, send it to us by email at recruitment@changing-lives.org.uk  If we think you are a good fit for the job, we will invite you for interview.

We shortlist using the information you provide on your application and match this to the requirements of the job and person specification. If you are not shortlisted, you will hear from us within two weeks of the closing date. We do receive a lot of applications for our roles and if you aren’t invited for interview, please don’t be too downhearted, or let it put you off applying again for future roles with us.

If you are shortlisted you will be contacted and invited to attend a selection event. This could be attendance at an assessment centre, interview or both. We also may ask you to complete a practical skills-based assessment as part of this process. You will be asked to bring some ID with you to your interview. Do your research before attending your selection event with us; your knowledge of our organisation will shine through! It is also important that you are aware of the work that our organisation does so your expectations are met and will enable you to prepare questions to ask when you attend your selection event. Your invitation to this will be in writing containing all of the information you need to know.

If you are offered a position with us, you will be contacted and advised of the good news. This will be followed up in writing to you. We ask you to sign and return your offer paperwork to us. Scanned and emailed return of these documents would be great.  At the point of offer you will be emailed a link to complete the first stage of your DBS application online. You will be asked to bring in your ID for verification. You can either do this in person at the project you are being employed to work at. It is important that we receive your ID quickly as you will not be able to start working with us until we are in receipt of your DBS certificate. Your offer at this stage will be conditional pending satisfactory employment and DBS checks being received and verified.
If you have a current DBS certificate that is dated within the last 3 years then on receipt of this we may be able to agree an earlier start date. You will, however still need to complete the application with Changing Lives unless you are registered to the DBS update service.

Attendance will be arranged for you to come to our one-day corporate induction at Central Office. A more local induction will also take place for you at the project/office you are employed to work.