At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead trauma support services and ensure high-quality, inclusive support for those in need.
- Company: A caring organisation making a real difference for families affected by missing loved ones.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, family-friendly perks, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a welcoming team dedicated to helping others and promoting best practices.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while supporting vulnerable individuals and communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading trauma-informed support services and strong team management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 € per year.
Salary: £50,000 per annum. 35 hrs per week. Location: Hybrid – Offices are based in London, and there is a high degree of flexibility. Permanent.
The impact you will have:
As the Head of Support Services you will lead on 121 trauma support and peer support services, ensuring these are high quality, safe, accessible and inclusive, and responsive to needs. You will lead a team of staff and volunteers, ensuring they are well trained and supported. You will promote best practice around involving people with lived experience in the design and delivery of services and a strong approach to evidencing outcomes. Their Support Services offer emotional, practical and peer support to people with missing loved ones, as well as to young people affected by criminal exploitation and their parents or carers. They provide confidential, tailored help for anyone experiencing the trauma of missing or exploitation, offering expert guidance and opportunities to connect with others who understand what they are going through.
About You:
- Significant experience of leading services providing high quality, trauma-informed emotional and practical support;
- Strong team management experience with proven ability to develop staff and volunteers;
- Demonstrable experience of safeguarding children and adults at risk of harm;
- Experience of setting aims and outcome objectives / key performance indicators for services and reporting against them to key stakeholders;
- Proven ability to reach vulnerable and underserved groups to develop services which meet their needs;
- Comfortable and skilled at supporting people experiencing trauma and ambiguous loss;
- Advocacy skills and the ability to develop others in how to advocate with other agencies in support of service users;
- An understanding of the emotional impact on families of having a missing loved one;
- Knowledge of the particular risks faced by missing and exploited children and young people;
- Right to work in the UK.
What you will get in return:
A friendly and supportive place to work – it’s a welcoming, caring organisation which really makes a difference to people affected by the issue of missing throughout the UK. They offer generous paid holidays, a range of enhanced family friendly benefits and are happy to talk about flexible working in most roles.
Closing date: 3rd June 2026. They reserve the right to close this vacancy early if they receive sufficient interest, so they encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Interviews: 11th June 2026.
Head of Support Services employer: Hireful
As the Head of Support Services, you will join a compassionate and dedicated team in a hybrid work environment based in London, where flexibility is highly valued. The organisation prioritises employee well-being with generous paid holidays and enhanced family-friendly benefits, fostering a supportive culture that empowers staff and volunteers to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by trauma and exploitation. With a strong commitment to professional development and advocacy, this role offers a unique opportunity to lead transformative support services while contributing to a cause that truly matters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Support Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and understanding their mission. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their values, especially around trauma-informed support and advocacy.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams, supported vulnerable groups, and achieved positive outcomes. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Support Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading trauma-informed support services. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Support Services, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Team Management Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, it’s crucial to demonstrate your team management experience. Share specific examples of how you’ve developed staff and volunteers in the past, and how you’ve created a supportive environment for them.
Highlight Your Advocacy Experience:We’re looking for someone who can advocate effectively for service users. Be sure to include any experiences where you’ve successfully supported vulnerable groups or worked with other agencies to improve outcomes for those in need.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We encourage you to apply through our website as soon as possible, especially since we might close the vacancy early if we get enough interest. Get your application in and show us what you’ve got!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hireful
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of the Head of Support Services role. Familiarise yourself with trauma-informed care and the specific needs of vulnerable groups. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in training and supporting staff and volunteers, as well as any initiatives you've implemented to improve service delivery. This will illustrate your capability to lead effectively in this role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Outcomes
Think about how you've set aims and objectives in previous roles. Be prepared to discuss how you've measured success and reported outcomes to stakeholders. This will show that you have a results-oriented mindset and can contribute to the organisation's goals.
✨Empathy is Key
Given the sensitive nature of the work, be ready to talk about your understanding of trauma and the emotional impact on families. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to connect with those affected by missing loved ones or exploitation. This will highlight your suitability for the role.
