About UP
Unlocking Potential deliver high performing therapeutic programmes and education provision for children and young people with SEMH needs. We work in collaboration with families, communities, and other partners to ensure that children and young people access the interventions they need to thrive.
Mission
We work collaboratively with communities to enable children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs to unlock their full potential
Values
Trust
We build trust by being honest, transparent, and accountable in the way we work with children and young people, staff, and partners and by providing services and programmes whose outcomes are measurable and evidenced based.
Collaborative
Relationships are at the heart of our work. We prioritise communication and collaboration with partners, families, and communities, believing that by working together we create more effective and holistic outcomes for children and young people.
Empowering
We co-create opportunities for our children, young people, parents/carers and staff to actively participate in decision-making that influences change. We promote the voices of children and young people in our organisation and the wider community.
Nurturing
We provide a nurturing approach based on safety and space for creativity, exploration, and growth. We support and care for our children, young people, and staff to realise their potential.
Impact
We are committed to measuring our impact through a data driven method to develop our programmes and make a greater difference to the lives of children, young people, and their parents and carers.
Overview
We will be launching our new programme from September 2025, initially as a pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue beyond this.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Family Support Manager to play a pivotal role in establishing our new Family Support programme. Your initial focus will be leading on the development of the service, implementing policies and procedures, building referral pathways, and recruiting a team of skilled Family Support Workers.
Once the service is established, you will manage a high-quality programme providing support and guidance to families facing complex challenges. Your role will involve overseeing a team of Family Support Workers, case management, fostering effective collaboration with internal and external multidisciplinary teams, and leading the service under a shared vision to ensure the well-being of children and their families.
Using a restorative approach, you will develop strong relationships to support families and empower them to take an active role in their own support plans and interventions, helping them build resilience and make informed decisions. A commitment to safeguarding excellence will be at the heart of everything you do.
This role would be an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker or an experienced professional with a background in setting up and developing family support services. It offers a genuine opportunity to shape a new service and build an impactful team to make a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
Thank you!
The Organisation:
The Hardman Trust is the only charity in England, Wales and Scotland focusing on the unique needs of people on long term sentences.
People facing decades of prison time often completely lose connection with their family and friends on the outside. Depending on the prison, there may be limited access to rehabilitative programmes and educational courses until later in the sentence. It can be hard to maintain hope, and direction, or create meaningful plans for the future.
People leaving prison after 10 years will have different needs to those leaving after 10 months. The world has changed – there are different habits and new social norms. Prices have gone up, technology has evolved, neighbourhoods look different, and the workplace has changed. It takes time to adjust.
To find out more about The Hardman Trust, visit our website.
The Role:
The Hardman Trust is at an exciting point in its development as it celebrates the arrival of its new team, the realisation of its first ever organisational strategy and looks forward to the next phase of its journey.
Our successful multi-year applications to the Lottery (Reaching Communities), City Bridge Trust and Bromley Trust means we will continue to be part-funded by them until 2027. Deeply rooted in the criminal justice sector, we plan to develop further our programme of support for those on long sentences both within and, we hope, beyond prison too; we aim to extend the reach and deepen the impact of our support and grants; and attract new partnerships with funders and like-minded third sector organisations. Last year we completed a merger with another charity which has expanded our reach and capacity.
Person Specification:
You will bring the following skills and experience to the role:
- Demonstrable senior leadership and management experience
- Proven experience of strategic planning, financial and human resources management
- Experience of managing organisational budgets and maximising resources
- Understanding of funding applications as well as knowledge and experience of generating funds from a variety of sources
- Experience of troubleshooting, decision making and resolving problems creatively
- Understanding the prison environment and its challenges.
- Understanding and practical knowledge of the funding landscape in the UK
- Demonstrable business experience and financial acumen
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and networking skills
- Instinct for and experience of the principles and practice of partnership working
- Considerable skill at articulating information both verbally and in writing with authenticity, impact and enthusiasm
- Experience of working in the charitable sector
Please download our Candidate Information Pack for the person specification and more information on the role.
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for this fantastic opportunity, please provide the following with your application:
- An up-to-date CV
- A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, outlining your experience, motivations and suitability for the role.
All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Russam. All applications should be uploaded via the Russam website.
If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Melissa Baxter - Managing Partner, Charities.
Application Closing Date: Monday 9 June 2025
Interviews with The Hardman Trust:
First interviews (online): 23 and 30 June 2025
Second interviews (in-person in central London): 4 July 2025
