Head of Family Services

Dravet Syndrome UK; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A charity focused on family support is seeking a Head of Family Services to drive the implementation of their strategic plan and support families affected by complex conditions. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with experience in family support within disability contexts. This role involves providing professional supervision and ensuring families can access their entitlements. Remote working is possible, and strong communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to interpret and use current legislation to protect rights.
• Experience working with families with disability and/or complex needs.
• Proven leadership skills to motivate colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Drive implementation of DSUK’s five-year strategic plan.
• Support families in accessing entitlements.
• Provide high-quality professional supervision to staff.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Relationship-building skills

Job description

Overview

We are working in partnership with Dravet Syndrome UK (DSUK) a small independent UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Dravet Syndrome. The charity was founded in October 2008 by a small group of 30 families. Today, DSUK is a registered charity helping nearly 600 families with support, education, and research services, underpinned by a world-class Medical Advisory Board.

They are now seeking a Head of Family Services, a newly created senior role to enable DSUK to drive forward with the implementation of their five-year strategic plan, including supporting and empowering families to access the support to which they are entitled in living with a complex and life limiting condition.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation and help guide the next stage of their development, enabling them to make a positive difference in the lives of more people affected by Dravet Syndrome in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Drive forward the implementation of DSUK’s five-year strategic plan and support families to access the entitlements available to them in living with complex and life-limiting conditions.

Essential criteria / Qualifications

• Demonstrable ability to interpret and use current legislation and guidance to protect and/or advance people’s rights and entitlements
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the confidence and ability to engage effectively with families, healthcare professionals, social workers and other stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively in written and verbal formats.
• Proven ability to provide high quality professional supervision (reflective practice) to qualified and unqualified staff, in order to maximise personal effectiveness and professional development
• Excellent organisational and teamworking skills to be able to work remotely, manage and prioritise a varied caseload and delegate effectively

Experience and capabilities

The successful candidate will be compassionate, skilled, hands-on and collaborative with significant experience of a working environment involving families with disability and/or complex needs (e.g. social care, health care, special needs education, disability law and/or family support in a similar organisation). You will have good working knowledge of disability law and other relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks, relevant organisations and agencies involved, and experience of an appropriate range of professional interventions. You will have demonstrable expertise and advanced training in all aspects of safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults. You have proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support colleagues towards achieving shared goals.

Safeguarding

As part of DS UK’s commitment to safeguarding, the postholder is expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

How to apply

For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Charisma Charity Recruitment, [e-mail] or 01962 813300. Applications should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

Equal opportunities

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Closing date: 9 November 2025

Charisma vetting interviews to be completed by 12 November 2025