Early Careers

Look Ahead provides care, support and accommodation services in 30 local authorities across London and the South East. That means there is likely to be a volunteering opportunity in your borough – or even your neighborhood.

While experience is helpful, it’s your attitude that’s important. We want you to hit the ground running and be keen to make a real contribution to our work.

To read about our full range of volunteering opportunities including student placements, corporate volunteering and options for current and former Look Ahead customers, visit our Volunteering page.

Look Ahead offers a number of apprentice positions every year, aimed at people who see their future in health and social care. If you like working with people and want a career where you can make a difference, an apprenticeship with Look Ahead could be for you. As an apprentice, you’ll get the support, training and practical experience you need to become a Support Worker or a valued member of one of our central service teams. 

You’ll learn by combining work with study towards a formal qualification in college – great for your CV and your career aspirations. You’ll also get the satisfaction of working directly with people who receive our care, support and housing services, or with our vital central service teams. By the end of the apprenticeship programme, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and experience you need to apply for a permanent Support Worker position or central service role with us.

What can you expect as a Look Ahead apprentice?

• A varied role in a diverse and growing organisatio - with an ‘earn while you learn’ salary.
• Specialist training with regular support and guidance.
• The opportunity to work towards a Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care or other relevant qualification.
• A 15-18 month work placement within one of our services or central service teams.
• Information and advice to help you develop your career beyond the apprenticeship.

Have you got the skills we’re looking for?

We’re always interested in hearing from people who are:

• Aged 16+
• A UK resident (for over three years)
• Committed to taking on a 15-18 month placement
• Sociable, confident and a good team player, able to work with all kinds of people
• Ready to take responsibility for their own learning and progress
• Able to stay calm under pressure and motivated to make a difference to people’s lives.

You can find all our current apprentice roles on our jobs page. If there are no available positions and you would like to register your interest, please email your name, CV and the borough where you live to apprenticeships@lookahead.org.uk and we’ll be in touch soon.

Read Louisa’s story to find out what it’s like to be an Apprentice at Look Ahead.

We offer a number of exciting graduate positions every year through our corporate partnership with Charityworks.

Through these 12-month placements, graduates (of any discipline) can gain practical, hands-on experience working in the not-for-profit sector.

Each year-long placement comes with ongoing training, support, mentoring and networking opportunities as well as competitive pay. They may be based in our support or care services, or in our central support services.

Many graduates have successfully gone on to apply for permanent roles with us and are continuing to make an impact across many different areas of our organisation.

Looking for our latest graduate roles? Visit the Charityworks website.

Get an insight into graduate life at Look Ahead through Henriette’s story.