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Cannock, Staffordshire (Hybrid)
£50,000 - £55,000 per year
Full-time
Permanent
Job description

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.

About Newlife
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.

What you'll be doing
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.

Your key responsibilities
Lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of Early Intervention and Play Services
Develop and implement service strategies that support organisational priorities, growth and sustainability
Champion play, early intervention and inclusive practice as tools for improving outcomes
Ensure lived experience and co-production are embedded within service design, delivery and evaluation
Develop strong relationships with early years providers, healthcare professionals, local authorities and sector organisations
Contribute to funding bids, business cases and partnership proposals
Provide effective leadership and development for teams
Contribute to the wider strategic leadership of Newlife as a member of the Charity Leadership Team
What you'll bring
Qualifications & Training

Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience in Education, Occupational Therapy, Play Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy
Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to early years, education, disability, family support or service leadership
Knowledge & Experience

Significant experience of leading and developing services within early years, education, disability, family support, health or community settings
Experience of managing teams and service performance
Experience of delivering services that improve outcomes for disabled children and their families
Experience of developing programmes or interventions that support child development, participation and wellbeing
Experience of working across health, education and social care systems
Experience of partnership working with professionals, commissioners and sector partners
Experience of service improvement, safeguarding, quality assurance and risk management
Experience of service growth, business development or income generation
Experience of co-production, participation or embedding lived experience within service development
Experience of developing business cases, funding proposals or service development initiatives
Experience of strategic planning and organisational development
Skills

Strong understanding of child development, disability and the importance of early intervention
Knowledge of inclusive practice and strategies to supporting disabled children and their families
Knowledge of play-based approaches to learning, development and participation
Understanding of integrated working across health, education and social care
Understanding of co-production and lived experience approaches
Strategic leadership and people management skills
Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
Strong organisational, analytical and project management skills
Knowledge of safeguarding, governance and regulatory requirements
Commitment to inclusion, equity and family-centred practice
Passion for improving outcomes and opportunities for disabled children and their families
Leadership Expectations

Early Years qualification or relevant professional qualification
Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), SEND reforms and code of practice and related therapy frameworks
Experience of community-based play, early intervention or family support services
Experience of developing inclusive play opportunities for disabled children
Experience of digital or technology-enabled service delivery
As a member of the Charity Leadership Team, contribute to the strategic leadership and development of Newlife
Act as an ambassador for the charity and its values
Foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement
Lead by example and demonstrate Newlife's values in all aspects of work
Support organisational growth, innovation and sustainability
Work collaboratively across departments to maximise impact, reach and opportunities for disabled children and their families
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.

Application resources
Organisation
Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children View profile Organisation type Registered Charity Company size 101 - 500

The UK’s largest charitable provider of specialist equipment for disabled children.

Posted on: 03 August 2026
Closing date: 31 August 2026 at 23:30
Tags: Autism, Learning Disability, Youth / Children

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.