Client Services Co-Ordinator

The Opportunity

Support Dog is a unique and innovative national charity that has been transforming the lives of families and individuals affected by autism, epilepsy and disability for 30 years.

Support Dogs trains and provides specialist assistance dog to give 100% reliable advance warning of epileptic seizures, help autistic children stay safe and live confidently, and enforce independence for those with physical disabilities including MS, Cerebral Palsy and Fibromyalgia.

The Role

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, and driven individual to join our client services team within our assistance dog training department.

Previous experience of training dogs, using positive based methods, and a full clean driving licence are essential criteria for the post.

Desirable qualities are experience in teaching or recognised teaching qualification, awareness in varying disabilities and a recognised qualification in animal training/behaviour.

The role will consist of the assessing individuals and families as they apply to our charity’s assistance dog programmes for those affected by autism, epilepsy and physical disability.

You will also be required to provide training, support and guidance to individuals and families who have successfully graduated through our assistance dog programme. This includes ensuring they receive annual assessments, giving appropriate advice/ support, and extra training as required throughout the dogs’ working lives. You will also support the preparation as older working dogs move towards retirement and the process to supply potential replacement dogs for those individuals.

The applicant will be required to lone work off-site for periods of time, so must show the ability to work alone effectively, prioritise their workload, accordingly, use their own initiative, and have excellent time management and communicational skills. They are to demonstrate a real passion for the role, a positive attitude and show flexibility within their work.

For further criteria please refer to requirements and criteria on our website. Please note this post requires an enhanced DBS Check and must be submitted prior to starting your employment at Support Dogs. Should you not have an enhanced DBS Check, Support Dogs will apply for one on your behalf but all information to complete a check must be provided ahead of your employment start date.

Occasional overnight duties and from time-to-time weekend work will be required to both fulfil the role and to assist in the promotion of the Charity or participate in fundraising events.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to be a part of training dogs to transform the lives of autistic children and people with epilepsy and physical disabilities.

Specific Duties

• Respond to general training, behavioural, and basic
  medical enquiries from partnerships and give advice
  where appropriate.
• Compiling written training reports.
• Processing applications.
• Arranging planning meetings with relevant staff.
• Conducting interviews and practical assessments of
  potential applicants throughout the application process
  to acceptance.
• Conducting dog assessments.
• Responsible for aftercare and support of graduated
  assistance dog partnerships.
• Coaching partnerships through extra training sessions.
• Arranging off site visits when applicable.
• To assist in the training and education of new training staff
  and volunteers, if required.
• Assisting with the day-to-day administration of the training
  department.
• Attending specific events which will involve flexible
  working hours e.g. evenings and weekends (lieu time may
  be available).
• To share on-call duties as required.
• To be committed to the aims of Support Dogs.
• To ensure compliance with the ethos and policies of
  Support Dogs.
• To ensure good practise in relation to confidentiality.
• Any other duty as required by the management team or
  Board of Trustees.

Essential Qualities

• Previous and proven dog training experience
• Computer literate
• Strong communication and people skills with the ability to adapt to varied needs.
• A high level of initiative
• The ability to work under pressure with limited supervision.
• To be able to prioritise work.
• Confidentiality and sensitivity.
• The ability to work as a collaborator.
• To have an adaptable approach to work
• To be able to delegate work appropriately.
• To be comfortable in the presence of dogs.
• Good problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications;

• Animal Psychology and behavioural qualifications.
• Instructor and/or Teaching qualification.
• Experience of working with adults and children with disabilities, epilepsy, and autism.
• Previous experience within an assistance dog organisation.
• Experience conducting behavioural assessments on dogs and planning and delivering training sessions.

How to Apply

Please ensure to include the following information in your covering letter/CV –

• Explanation of why you feel you are suited to the role, using specific examples to demonstrate your suitability.
• Include any training and/or voluntary work you have undertaken/participated in that is relevant to the role’s requirements.
• Referees to cover at least the past 5 years (if applicable), one being your current/last employer, whichever is relevant to your situation. Should you not have a current/previous employer please explain how you have been spending your time while not in employment. Open references/character references from family or friends are not accepted.
• A chronological history of your time spent since leaving education, giving reasons for leaving a position.

Closing date – this position will remain open until Wednesday 8th July 2026.

Please note, this vacancy has a two-stage interview process, an initial interview and shortlisted applicants will move onto a practical assessment. Both stages will be held at the Training Centre in Sheffield.