At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape family support services for children with life-shortening conditions.
- Company: CHAS, a compassionate organisation dedicated to supporting families in Scotland.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, pension options, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families during their most challenging times.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in children's services and a professional social work qualification.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Lead a National Service That Changes Lives Every Day. This is a rare opportunity to take on a newly created national role at the heart of CHAS’s mission. Every week in Scotland, three children die from a life‑shortening condition. CHAS is there for them - and for their families - providing unwavering, compassionate, specialist care. Our Family Support teams include senior social workers, child and family workers, play specialists and other experts, working hand‑in‑hand with clinical colleagues across our two hospices, in hospitals, and in homes and communities across Scotland.
We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Family Support to shape and lead the full breadth of these services - from child & family support and therapeutic activities to bereavement, spiritual care and financial wellbeing. Your leadership will ensure families receive holistic, responsive and trauma‑informed support wherever and whenever they need it.
About the Role
Reporting to the Director of Nursing and Family Support, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership across all CHAS family support services
- Lead teams across hospices, hospitals and community settings
- Act as CHAS’s Safeguarding Lead, offering expert oversight and driving safe, compassionate practice organisation-wide.
- Champion continuous improvement, helping families make the most of their precious time together
- Strengthen resilience and support families navigating life-altering adverse experiences.
About You
You will bring:
- Significant leadership experience in children’s services, operating confidently at senior level
- A professional social work qualification, with deep knowledge of GIRFEC, UNCRC and Scottish policy
- Expertise in child protection, safeguarding, and adult support and protection
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in emotionally complex environments
- Excellent partnership skills, working across HSCPs, local authorities, NHS and the third sector
- A compassionate, values‑driven approach that supports wellbeing, reflection and professional growth
- Confidence in shaping high‑quality, impactful services
- SSSC registration
Why CHAS?
For the families we support, time is precious - and the work you lead will help families live it fully. Our 2024–2028 Strategic Plan commits us to providing unwavering care from the moment a child is diagnosed through living well, dying well, and beyond into bereavement. As Head of Family Support, you will play a pivotal leadership role in bringing this strategy to life for our family support workforce - shaping services, developing people, and ensuring the highest standards of safe, compassionate and effective care.
We offer:
- Broad national impact: Influence practice across Scotland and contribute to sector‑wide improvement.
- Flexibility: Based at one of our central CHAS sites: Kinross, Balloch, Edinburgh or Glasgow, with frequent presence in our hospices. This role will require Scotland-wide travel to CHAS sites, local authority and NHS settings and office locations, as well as attendance at external events.
- Professional growth: A visible, national leadership role with space and support to excel.
- Generous holidays: 35 days, rising to 40 after five years.
- Pension: Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme for Scotland, administered by Lothian Pension Fund or continued membership of the NHS Scotland Pension Scheme (if applicable)
- Comprehensive benefits: Including life assurance, wellbeing support, employee assistance programme, discount schemes such as Blue Light and Perkbox, and incremental pay progression.
How to Apply
If this role inspires you, we’d love to hear from you. Follow the link to find more information including recruitment pack, full list of benefits, contact details to arrange an informal chat with the hiring manager, and support with the recruitment process. To apply you will be asked to answer a couple of questions and submit your CV or complete our full application form. This role requires a Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check. Provisional interview date: 31 March.
Head of Family Support in Kinross employer: CHAS
Contact Detail:
CHAS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Family Support in Kinross
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the sector, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CHAS and understanding their mission inside out. We want you to showcase how your values align with theirs. Think about specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to support families in challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. We recommend focusing on your approach to multidisciplinary teamwork and how you’ve championed continuous improvement in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to support you throughout the process, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Family Support in Kinross
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting families shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and their families, so share personal experiences or motivations that drive you.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your leadership experience and expertise in children's services. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills in safeguarding, partnership working, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your written responses clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured answers that directly address the questions asked. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your passion and qualifications come across without fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the recruitment process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at CHAS
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into CHAS’s mission and values. Understand how they provide support to families and children facing life-shortening conditions. This knowledge will help you articulate how your leadership can align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your past leadership roles in children's services. Highlight your experience in multidisciplinary teams and how you've navigated emotionally complex environments. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively at a senior level.
✨Emphasise Compassionate Care
Since the role focuses on providing trauma-informed support, be ready to discuss your approach to compassionate care. Share stories that illustrate your values-driven approach and how you've supported families through challenging times.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about safeguarding and child protection scenarios. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them. This preparation will show your readiness to act as CHAS’s Safeguarding Lead.