Head of Listen to Families (London)

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Be the voice that drives change. Be the bridge between families and prison healthcare.

For too long, families and carers have been shut out of the prison healthcare system, unable to support their loved ones when they

need it most. Yet, their knowledge, experience, and insight are invaluable. When families are involved, outcomes improve—for

prisoners, families, the NHS, and the criminal justice system as a whole.

That’s where Listen to Families London comes in. This groundbreaking project, commissioned by NHS London, is transforming how

prison healthcare services engage with families and carers. Over the past two years, we’ve gathered the voices of more than 1,500

people, ensuring their experiences shape better healthcare in prisons.

The Role

Champion Lived Experience, Drive Real Change

We are looking for an inspiring individual to take this pioneering initiative to the next level. This is a rare opportunity to

work at the intersection of healthcare, justice, and lived experience—ensuring that families and carers are not just heard, but

listened to.

You will lead a dynamic project that operates in a quarterly cycle of listening, feedback, and action—working directly with

families, NHS teams, prison services, and policymakers to make real, lasting improvements in prison healthcare.

At the heart of this project is our Family Team—a group of people with lived experience of supporting loved ones in prison. You

will ensure their voices remain central to everything we do, consulting and involving them at every stage.

What We’re Looking For

We need a strategic thinker, a powerful communicator, and a fearless advocate.

You’ll have

1. Experience leading service user involvement or public voice programmes.

2. A deep understanding of the criminal justice system, prison healthcare, or both.

3. The ability to engage with families from diverse backgrounds—understanding their struggles, frustrations, and hopes.

4. Confidence to work at a senior level, influencing NHS decision-makers and challenging the system where necessary.

5. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience—whether you’ve had a family member in prison, or have

been in prison yourself.

Why This Role Matters

This is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to challenge, influence, and change the way prison healthcare services work. If

you are passionate about amplifying the voices of families, breaking down barriers, and creating a more just and compassionate

system, we want to hear from you.

Join us. Be the voice that makes a difference. Apply today.

Organisation

Pact is a highly respected independent charity, working across England and Wales to develop and deliver a range of innovative

services. We provide practical and emotional support to prisoner’s children and families, to prisoners and those who have

resettled back into the community. Our work is founded on core values, the first of which is a belief in the innate dignity of

every human being, and our work focusses on human relationships, family and community. We are committed to achieving high

standards of quality in all that we do.

What we offer

Pact offers a range of benefits including a free advice, information and counselling service, contributory pension, corporate eye

care scheme, cycle to work scheme and generous holiday entitlement. You will have the opportunity to attend training events to

further develop yourself as a professional training and interventions worker. You will undergo a thorough induction process and be

supported by a friendly and enthusiastic team.

How to apply

If you feel that you meet the requirements of this exciting new role please complete an application form by clicking the `apply

now` button.

Other information

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applications including those with a criminal conviction (appointment to

post is subject to a risk assessment).

This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period, verification of identity and proven right to work in the UK, satisfactory

references from previous employers covering a 3-year period, declaration of any unspent criminal convictions (and where

appropriate a satisfactory risk assessment), Prison Vetting and a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that being

bankrupt or having County Court Judgments may affect your ability to be successfully vetted to work in a prison.