The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory is recruiting to the newly created role of Head of Practice and Policy, which will lead and deliver programmes and projects which create impact for children and families. 

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory is an organisation that seeks to improve the lives of children and families by using data and research to hold up a mirror to children’s and families’ experiences of family court and their circumstances pre- and post- court proceedings.  

Acknowledged as a trusted source of information about the family justice system, we have worked closely with judges, lawyers, social workers, families and policy makers to improve practice for children and families, convening discussion between different professional groups and supporting new innovations. 

The focus of our work is set out in an ambitious strategy and its progress is recorded in our 5 year impact report. 

This newly created role will lead and deliver programmes and projects which create impact for children and families in line with the Nuffield FJO’s strategic goals.  This will include designing and leading on specific workstreams that seek to bring about improvements in outcomes for children and families, utilising data and research evidence commissioned or collated by the Nuffield FJO.  

The postholder will also influence practice and policy through a wide range of activities such as: convening discussions between professionals (including those within children’s social care, the justice system, health and wider family support services), presenting research findings, producing spotlight papers for practitioners/policy makers, briefing journalists and looking for other opportunities to shape emerging policy or collaborate with changemakers and stakeholders in this space. 

This role will also contribute to the continued review and development of the organisation level Theory of Change and project specific theories of change by contributing insights, experience and knowledge, alongside other colleagues. 

You will have a track record of influencing change at national or local level to improve the lives of children and you will be adept at translating academic evidence into practice advice. You will have a highly credible reputation with national and local policy makers and be experienced in building effective partnerships to secure change. 

For further information about the role, please click here to download the full job description (PDF).  

About us 

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory improves the lives of children and families by putting data and evidence at the heart of the family justice system. It's funded and hosted by the Nuffield Foundation, an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance educational opportunity and social well-being.   

The Foundation funds research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare and Justice. We are also the founder and co-funder of Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the Ada Lovelace Institute.   

Further information and how to apply 

The closing date for applications is 09:30am (GMT) on Monday 20th January 2025, with interviews expected to take place on Monday 3rd February 2025.

You will be required to complete some questions as part of this application process, and you are also required to upload an up-to-date copy of your CV. The Applied platform lets you save an application and resume it ahead of submitting before the application deadline. 

Should you need to make an application in a different format or require any adjustments as part of the application process, please get in touch with us: recruitment@nuffieldfoundation.org 

We are committed to inclusive working practices and during the application process we commit to:  

• As a Disability Confident employer, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the essential criteria for the job.

• making any reasonable adjustments – for example providing documents in different formats, arranging for a sign language interpreter for interviews etc  

• paying for travel costs (and any childcare or care costs) for interviews where in-person attendance is required  

Our benefits package includes:  

• Consideration of requests for part time and/or flexible working (eg compressed hours arrangements, job sharing etc)  

• 28 days holiday per annum and all public holidays (with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days).  

• A salary exchange pension scheme that offers employer contributions of up to 11%.  

• Life assurance scheme.  

• Family leave policies that provide an enhanced level of pay.  

• Cycle to work scheme and loans towards season tickets.  

• Frequent opportunities for learning and development (including options for coaching and mentoring, and reading weeks) 

• Support with your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including an employee assistance provider, a private GP service, personal health reviews with Bupa, a will and funeral planning service and a staff network of trained Mental Health First Aiders. 

• Staff peer groups and social networks.