At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the delivery of therapeutic standards and co-ordinate governance processes.
- Company: Join Family Action, a respected charity transforming lives since 1869.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Fully home-based role with part-time hours and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on therapeutic practices while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and policy development, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 19581 - 21694 £ per year.
Home-based (UK) with occasional national travel
About Us
At Family Action, we transform lives by providing practical, emotional, and financial support to those experiencing poverty, disadvantage, and social isolation. Since 1869, we have been building stronger families, and today, we work with over 60,000 families across more than 150 community-based services. We also support thousands more through national programmes and grants, ensuring everyone has the tools to overcome challenges and thrive. We are now undertaking an ambitious organisation-wide programme to strengthen and unify standards, governance and workforce expectations across all counselling and psychotherapy services. Bringing together clinical leads, service managers and senior practitioners, the Therapeutic Practice & Service Standards Development Programme is helping shape consistent, high-quality therapeutic practice across the organisation.
We are now looking for a Development Officer to join us on a part-time basis, working 22.5 hours per week for an 18 month fixed-term contract.
The Benefits
- Salary of £32,635 FTE per annum, rising to £36,158 FTE per annum (Pro-rated £19,581 to £21,694.80)
- Additional £480 per year home-based allowance
- An annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays
- Up to 6% matched-pension contributions
- Flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment
- Enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
- Eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
- Cycle to work scheme
- Investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities
This is an exciting opportunity for a project or service development professional with experience drafting or co-ordinating policies, frameworks or guidance development to join our nationally respected charity. You will have the chance to play a pivotal role in our ambitious organisation-wide programme, building valuable expertise while helping shape the future of therapeutic practice and clinical standards. And, with a part-time schedule of just 22.5 hours per week and a fully home-based setup, you’ll have the flexibility to shape your work around life’s priorities, creating a healthier balance without compromising on career fulfilment or meaningful work.
The Role
As a Development Officer, you will support the delivery of our Therapeutic Practice & Service Standards Development Programme, helping strengthen and unify standards, frameworks and guidance across our counselling and psychotherapy services. Working closely with senior clinical leads, service managers and therapeutic teams, you will help co-ordinate governance processes, consultations and multi-stakeholder working groups that support consistent, high-quality therapeutic practice across the organisation. You will also contribute to the drafting and refinement of policies, supervision models and workforce standards, while supporting research synthesis, implementation guidance and workforce monitoring to help strengthen and unify practice standards across our therapeutic services.
Additionally, you will:
- Maintain project plans, action logs, risk registers and dependency maps
- Support reporting to governance forums and senior stakeholders
- Co-ordinate feedback processes, consultations and document version control
- Support the development of practical tools, templates and implementation resources
- Maintain workforce registration and membership tracking data
- Co-ordinate learning events, workshops and briefing materials
About You
To be considered as a Development Officer, you will need:
- Strong project management or service development experience
- Experience drafting or co-ordinating policies, frameworks or guidance
- Strong written communication skills, including report and guidance writing
- The ability to analyse and synthesise information from multiple sources
- The ability to build positive relationships with clinical and operational leaders
- A relevant degree or equivalent experience in a related sector, such as counselling, social care, mental health, clinical governance or service development
The closing date for this role is 21st June 2026.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for an interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required. We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us, and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children, and we strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role, and we will reimburse your travel costs if you attend an interview in person.
So, if you’re ready to step into a role with real impact as a Development Officer, please apply via the button shown.
Development Officer – Therapeutic Practice & Service Standards employer: Webrecruit
Family Action is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, we provide extensive benefits including generous annual leave, a home-based allowance, and opportunities for ongoing training, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and impactful work in the therapeutic sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Officer – Therapeutic Practice & Service Standards
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of therapeutic practice and service standards. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Family Action and their mission. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you articulate why you're the perfect fit for the Development Officer role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on articulating your project management experience and how it relates to the role. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Officer – Therapeutic Practice & Service Standards
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for therapeutic practice shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in people's lives and how your values align with ours at Family Action.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in project management or service development. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've drafted policies or frameworks, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Clear and Concise:Strong written communication skills are key for this role. Keep your application clear and to the point, using straightforward language that showcases your ability to analyse and synthesise information effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Webrecruit
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with Family Action's mission and the specifics of the Therapeutic Practice & Service Standards Development Programme. Understand their approach to therapeutic practice and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your project management and policy drafting experience. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully coordinated frameworks or guidance in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your fit for the Development Officer position.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with the interviewers. Show your ability to foster positive relationships with clinical and operational leaders by engaging in a friendly yet professional manner. This is key in a role that requires collaboration.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the organisation's future plans. Inquire about the challenges they face in unifying standards across services, which shows your genuine interest and strategic thinking regarding the Development Officer position.
