Job Advert
Shape the future of play and early intervention services for disabled children while leading strategic innovation at one of the UK's most impactful disability charities.
As one of the UK's leading charities providing essential specialist equipment to children with disabilities, Newlife is dedicated to making life better - for the families we serve, and for the people who help us to make that happen.
Through grants and emergency equipment loans, we ensure children get the vital equipment they need, when they need it, while our free nurse helpline offers crucial support and information – as well as a listening ear. Our campaigns help to give children with disabilities and their families a voice, advocating for change to benefit the families we serve.
Across the whole of Newlife, our teams are crucial to our success – it's not just a job; here you'll be helping us to change lives every day.
You will lead the development and delivery of innovative services that improve the lives of disabled children and their families through play, early intervention and inclusive practice. Working closely with families, healthcare professionals, education providers and community partners, you will identify emerging needs, drive service improvement and develop approaches that increase impact, reach and sustainability.
A key focus will be shaping the future of Newlife's play offer, including Community Play programmes, Play Pods and the development of new Early Years services. You will ensure services are informed by evidence, family insight and best practice in child development, inclusion and play.
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Lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of Early Intervention and Play Services
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Develop and implement service strategies that support organisational priorities, growth and sustainability
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Champion play, early intervention and inclusive practice as tools for improving outcomes
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Ensure lived experience and co-production are embedded within service design, delivery and evaluation
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Develop strong relationships with early years providers, healthcare professionals, local authorities and sector organisations
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Contribute to funding bids, business cases and partnership proposals
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Provide effective leadership and development for teams
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Contribute to the wider strategic leadership of Newlife as a member of the Charity Leadership Team
Qualifications & Training
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Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience in Education, Occupational Therapy, Play Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy
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Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to early years, education, disability, family support or service leadership
Knowledge & Experience
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Significant experience of leading and developing services within early years, education, disability, family support, health or community settings
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Experience of managing teams and service performance
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Experience of delivering services that improve outcomes for disabled children and their families
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Experience of developing programmes or interventions that support child development, participation and wellbeing
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Experience of working across health, education and social care systems
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Experience of partnership working with professionals, commissioners and sector partners
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Experience of service improvement, safeguarding, quality assurance and risk management
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Experience of service growth, business development or income generation
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Experience of co-production, participation or embedding lived experience within service development
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Experience of developing business cases, funding proposals or service development initiatives
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Experience of strategic planning and organisational development
Skills
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Strong understanding of child development, disability and the importance of early intervention
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Knowledge of inclusive practice and strategies to supporting disabled children and their families
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Knowledge of play-based approaches to learning, development and participation
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Understanding of integrated working across health, education and social care
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Understanding of co-production and lived experience approaches
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Strategic leadership and people management skills
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Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
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Strong organisational, analytical and project management skills
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Knowledge of safeguarding, governance and regulatory requirements
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Commitment to inclusion, equity and family-centred practice
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Passion for improving outcomes and opportunities for disabled children and their families
Leadership Expectations
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Early Years qualification or relevant professional qualification
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Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), SEND reforms and code of practice and related therapy frameworks
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Experience of community-based play, early intervention or family support services
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Experience of developing inclusive play opportunities for disabled children
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Experience of digital or technology-enabled service delivery
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As a member of the Charity Leadership Team, contribute to the strategic leadership and development of Newlife
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Act as an ambassador for the charity and its values
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Foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement
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Lead by example and demonstrate Newlife's values in all aspects of work
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Support organisational growth, innovation and sustainability
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Work collaboratively across departments to maximise impact, reach and opportunities for disabled children and their families
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Demonstrate a strong commitment to the rights, inclusion and participation of disabled children and their families, ensuring their voices and experiences inform service development and decision-making
If you're ready to lead transformational change in early intervention services and make a lasting impact on the lives of disabled children and their families, we'd love to hear from you.
Please note DBS check will be required for this role.
