Learning & Development Consultant – Programmes and Growth

Learning and Development Consultant – Programmes and Growth  

Ready to shape the careers of the people who change children's lives? 

At Barnardo's, we believe that investing in people is one of the most powerful ways we can improve outcomes for children and young people.

We're looking for an experienced Learning & Development Consultant to lead the design and evolution of development pathways that help colleagues and volunteers learn, grow and progress throughout their careers. From early careers and apprenticeships to leadership development, you'll shape opportunities that enable people to fulfil their potential and make an even greater impact for the children, young people and families we support.

About the Role  

This is a strategic and influential role within our Learning & Development team.

You'll work across Barnardo's to understand workforce needs, identify opportunities for growth, and design learning solutions that support both individual development and organisational priorities. You'll lead programmes that build capability, create meaningful career pathways and strengthen leadership at every level.

Working closely with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, you'll ensure our learning offer is practical, inclusive and connected to the real challenges and opportunities facing our services today and, in the future. We're a friendly, supportive team who test, learn and iterate; we're always looking for ways to do things better for the people we support.

This role can be based in a Barnardo's hub/office or home address.  You will be required to attend a monthly in-person team meeting in London along with occasional travel as required for the role.

Why This Role Matters 

The support we provide to children and young people depends on the skills, confidence and leadership of our people.

Your work will help create clearer routes for progression, strengthen leadership capability, maximise opportunities such as apprenticeships, and build a culture where continuous development is part of everyday life. This is an opportunity to influence learning at scale and leave a lasting legacy across one of the UK's largest children's charities.

What We're Looking For 

We're seeking a strategic learning and development professional with a passion for helping people and organisations grow.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience of designing and delivering impactful learning and development programmes, aligned to organisational priorities and within a complex environment.

• Experience contributing to and implementing development pathways that support career progression, workforce growth and leadership development.

• Practical experience supporting and managing apprenticeship or funded learning programmes, demonstrating working knowledge of how they operate.

• Experience of building effective working relationships and collaborating with a range of stakeholders across complex organisations and significant projects.

• Experience evaluating learning and using feedback and data to inform improvements, alongside evidence of maintaining professional practice.

• Experience of leading people, directly and through matrix relationships, and leading significant projects, with the ability to communicate clearly and inclusively with a range of different audiences

• A CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) and/or around 5+ years' experience in learning and development.

• Practical application of modern learning and development principles and organisational development, with the ability to translate theory into effective workplace learning and practice.

What You'll Gain 

• The opportunity to shape how learning, development and career progression are experienced across Barnardo's.

• A strategic role with visibility, influence and the ability to drive meaningful change.

• Leadership responsibility within a talented and supportive Learning & Development team.

• Investment in your own professional development, including conferences, networks and learning opportunities.

• Most importantly, the chance to help create an organisation where people can thrive so that children and young people can too.

Ready To Apply? 

If you're excited by the opportunity to shape development pathways, strengthen leadership capability and create opportunities for people to grow, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us develop the people who change childhoods and change lives. 

We recognise that applicants may use AI tools to support their applications. However, we're keen to hear your own thinking, experience and judgement. Please ensure your application reflects your personal voice and clearly demonstrates your individual contribution, knowledge and understanding.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date.  We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

Barnardo's require colleagues to be UK residents, based in the UK and to complete their roles from within the UK (with the exception of colleagues providing Barnardo's services in Jersey and colleagues who live in the Republic of Ireland providing services in Northern Ireland)

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
• Service related sick pay from day 1
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
• Cycle2work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

• Reference number:23283
• Job Title:Learning & Development Consultant – Programmes and Growth
• Location:Workplace offer: Hybrid working, Barnardo's hub/office or home address
• Contract type:Permanent
• Hours:36.25
• Salary:£52,265.13 - £73,927.15
• Closing Date:2 July 2026
• Interview Date:13, 14 & 20 July 2026