At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a groundbreaking project to amplify family voices in prison healthcare.
- Company: Pact, a respected charity transforming lives across England and Wales.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, training opportunities, and supportive team environment.
- Other info: Encouraging applications from those with lived experience; equal opportunity employer.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change in prison healthcare for families.
- Qualifications: Experience in service user involvement and understanding of the criminal justice system.
Requirement to work from Pacts office at HMP Wandsworth 2 days per week and on site for the remaining days based on service needs. Be the voice that drives change. Be the bridge between families and prison healthcare. For too long, families and carers have been shut out of the prison healthcare system, unable to support their loved ones when they need it most. Yet, their knowledge, experience, and insight are invaluable. When families are involved, outcomes improve for prisoners, families, the NHS, and the criminal justice system as a whole. That's where Listen to Families London comes in. This groundbreaking project, commissioned by NHS London, is transforming how prison healthcare services engage with families and carers. Over the past two years, we've gathered the voices of more than 1,500 people, ensuring their experiences shape better healthcare in prisons.
The Role: Champion Lived Experience, Drive Real Change
We are looking for an inspiring individual to take this pioneering initiative to the next level. This is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of healthcare, justice, and lived experience ensuring that families and carers are not just heard, but listened to. You will lead a dynamic project that operates in a quarterly cycle of listening, feedback, and action working directly with families, NHS teams, prison services, and policymakers to make real, lasting improvements in prison healthcare. At the heart of this project is our Family Team - a group of people with lived experience of supporting loved ones in prison. You will ensure their voices remain central to everything we do, consulting and involving them at every stage.
What We're Looking For
- Experience leading service user involvement or public voice programmes.
- A deep understanding of the criminal justice system, prison healthcare, or both.
- The ability to engage with families from diverse backgrounds understanding their struggles, frustrations, and hopes.
- Confidence to work at a senior level, influencing NHS decision-makers and challenging the system where necessary.
We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience whether you've had a family member in prison, or have been in prison yourself.
Why This Role Matters
This is more than just a job - it's an opportunity to challenge, influence, and change the way prison healthcare services work. If you are passionate about amplifying the voices of families, breaking down barriers, and creating a more just and compassionate system, we want to hear from you. Join us. Be the voice that makes a difference. Apply today.
Organisation: Pact is a highly respected independent charity, working across England and Wales to develop and deliver a range of innovative services. We provide practical and emotional support to prisoners' children and families, to prisoners and those who have resettled back into the community. Our work is founded on core values, the first of which is a belief in the innate dignity of every human being, and our work focuses on human relationships, family and community. We are committed to achieving high standards of quality in all that we do.
What we offer:
- Pact offers a range of benefits including a free advice, information and counselling service, contributory pension, corporate eye care scheme, cycle to work scheme and generous holiday entitlement.
- You will have the opportunity to attend training events to further develop yourself as a professional training and interventions worker.
- You will undergo a thorough induction process and be supported by a friendly and enthusiastic team.
How to apply:
If you feel that you meet the requirements of this exciting new role please complete an application form by clicking the 'apply now' button.
Other information:
Pact is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applications including those with a criminal conviction (appointment to post is subject to a risk assessment). This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period, verification of identity and proven right to work in the UK, satisfactory references from previous employers covering a 3-year period, declaration of any unspent criminal convictions (and where appropriate a satisfactory risk assessment), Prison Vetting and a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that being bankrupt or having County Court Judgments may affect your ability to be successfully vetted to work in a prison.
Head of Listen to Families employer: PACT
Pact is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming prison healthcare by amplifying the voices of families and carers. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer comprehensive training opportunities, a supportive work culture, and a range of benefits including a contributory pension and generous holiday entitlement. Working at our HMP Wandsworth office not only allows you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others but also places you within a passionate team that values dignity, respect, and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Listen to Families
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of prison healthcare and family advocacy. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how they engage with families. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals and show them you're genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share your own experiences or those of others you've worked with. Highlight how these stories can drive change in prison healthcare. Remember, it's all about connecting on a personal level.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team and making a real impact in the lives of families and prisoners.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Listen to Families
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to hear your unique voice and experiences, especially if you have lived experience related to the role. Don’t be afraid to share your story!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description. Show us how you can be the bridge between families and prison healthcare by connecting your past roles to the responsibilities of this position.
Showcase Your Passion:This role is all about driving change and advocating for families. Use your application to express your passion for improving prison healthcare and how you envision making a difference. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about the mission!
Follow the Application Process:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right place. Plus, make sure to double-check everything before hitting send – we want to see your best work!
How to prepare for a job interview at PACT
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the criminal justice system and prison healthcare. Brush up on recent changes, challenges, and innovations in these areas. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience leading service user involvement or public voice programmes. Think of specific examples where you've made a difference, especially in engaging with families from diverse backgrounds. This will demonstrate your capability to drive real change.
✨Be the Voice of Families
Since this role is all about amplifying family voices, come prepared with insights or stories that highlight the importance of family involvement in prison healthcare. This will resonate well with the interviewers and show that you truly understand the mission of the project.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the organisation. This could include inquiries about how they measure success in family engagement or what challenges they currently face. It shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their goals.
