Governing Board Members

Position description

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory improves the lives of children and families by using data and research evidence to hold up a mirror to the family justice system.

The research we commission, synthesise or undertake ourselves helps to shed light on children and parents’ experiences before, during and after their cases are heard in the family court.

In publishing research, convening discussions between professionals and getting alongside innovative practice, we aim to inspire changes in practice and policy that improve children’s and families’ lives.

We are now looking to increase our impact as an organisation and we are developing a new strategy for 2026-2031 which will focus on working towards a family justice system which:

• Has a shared mission to help children and young people to thrive
• Enables children and families to participate in vital decisions about their lives
• Treats people fairly and with equity.

At this very exciting time for the organisation, candidates will join an enthusiastic and energetic board committed to the mission of improving the lives of families who come into the contact with the FJS, driven by appetite for creating positive social impact.

We are currently looking to recruit some new members to the Nuffield FJO Board as several of our existing Board members have completed their terms. We are open to applications from a variety of backgrounds, we are particularly keen to receive applications from individuals:

• Pioneering strategic changemaker(s) with experience of leading change across complex systems, ideally involving children’s services with education/police/health or similar
• Individuals with knowledge of the Welsh family justice context, including a Wales-wide view of children’s social care, family courts, Cafcass Cymru.
• Individuals with senior level experience of children’s services (ideally a current or former Director of Children’s Services)
• Government/Civil Service policy experience
• Experience of working to increase equity in access to, and experience of, public services.

To read more about this role and how to apply, please find the role specification here.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on geopolist.com