Application Guide

How to Apply for Family Liaison Officer

at React

🏢 About React

React is a unique charity providing rapid, effective assistance specifically for children with potentially terminal illnesses from financially disadvantaged households across the UK. Unlike other organizations, React focuses on improving quality of life through comfort, dignity, and participation opportunities, driven by a passionate belief in every child's right to live fully. Working here means directly contributing to unrivalled support that makes tangible differences in vulnerable families' lives.

About This Role

As a Family Liaison Officer at React, you'll work directly with families facing childhood life-limiting illnesses and donors, handling administrative tasks that ensure smooth support delivery. This remote role impacts React's mission by maintaining vital connections between the charity and those it serves, requiring you to operate within React's ethos while promoting its work. You'll report to the Director and collaborate with a small team, getting involved in all aspects to help children experience comfort and dignity.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve responding to family inquiries via email or phone, updating donor records in Excel, drafting compassionate communications, and coordinating with the small React team on support delivery. You'll balance administrative efficiency with the emotional sensitivity required when working with families facing childhood life-limiting illnesses, all while working remotely from home.

🎯 Who React Is Looking For

  • A self-motivated team player with strong literacy and writing skills, able to draft clear communications for families and donors
  • Someone with excellent interpersonal skills who can show genuine sympathy for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families
  • A flexible, proactive individual comfortable working remotely on their own initiative using Word, Excel, and Outlook
  • A logical thinker who embraces React's ethos and is willing to 'roll up their sleeves' for varied administrative tasks

📝 Tips for Applying to React

1

Highlight specific experience working with vulnerable families or in charity administration, not just general office skills

2

Demonstrate your understanding of React's unique focus on children with potentially terminal illnesses from disadvantaged backgrounds

3

Include examples of handling sensitive communications that show both literacy skills and empathy

4

Emphasize your ability to work remotely with initiative, as this is a home-based role with a small team

5

Tailor your application to show how you'd operate within React's specific ethos of comfort, dignity, and participation

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your genuine sympathy for React's cause and understanding of their unique work with children facing life-limiting illnesses", 'Specific examples of administrative experience that required both literacy skills and sensitivity to vulnerable populations', "How you've successfully worked remotely or with minimal supervision while maintaining strong communication", "Your willingness to get involved in all aspects of a small charity's work and promote React's ethos"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • React's specific programs and how they deliver 'rapid effective assistance' to children with potentially terminal illnesses
  • The challenges faced by financially disadvantaged families with seriously ill children in the UK
  • React's public communications and annual reports to understand their ethos and culture
  • How small charities like React operate differently from larger organizations in the sector

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How you would handle a sensitive conversation with a family whose child has a life-limiting illness
2 Examples of administrative tasks you've managed independently while working remotely or with minimal supervision
3 Your understanding of React's specific mission and how it differs from other children's charities
4 How you balance efficiency with empathy when communicating with both families and donors
5 Your approach to 'rolling up your sleeves' in a small team environment where roles may overlap
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic applications that don't mention React's specific focus on children with potentially terminal illnesses
  • Overemphasis on corporate experience without showing understanding of charity sector sensitivities
  • Failing to demonstrate both the required literacy skills and genuine sympathy for the cause in your application

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to React!