Working as a Grant Delivery Administrator at Family Fund

Family Fund’s Grant Delivery Team process families’ applications from beginning to end. We catch up with Stephen, one of Family Fund’s Grant Delivery Administrators, to hear more about his role.

What is a typical day like in the Grant Delivery Team?

The first job of the day usually involves checking applications: Across all our schemes and programmes, the Grant delivery department receives over 2000 applications a week, so we are dealing with huge numbers.

We mostly receive online applications and there are plenty of tasks to complete to get the application started on its award journey. These can include data entry, checking the information against our eligibility and policy criteria, or making the award for the requested grant items. When processing an application, we also sometimes need to contact the family who is applying, to request more information.

Safeguarding is an important element throughout, and we always look out for things that might need referring to our safeguarding team. This part can be sad and challenging to read. But it highlights how necessary it is to support families, and to protect vulnerable children and young adults as much as possible.

If I am in the office, I also have some different jobs to do, such as scanning documents, putting together the application packs before they go out to families, and finding files requested for other jobs. And of course, we also have other general office tasks such as sorting the post or filing documents away.

What do you enjoy about your role?

I like the variety of the role and the teamwork. Everyone is friendly and supportive at Family Fund.

I like the grant awarding stage the best. You really get a sense of what a difference grants can make to the lives of families with disabled children, who are so stretched financially. There is a lot of information to deal with in the job, which can be frustrating and overwhelming at times. But it can also be exciting to get your teeth into. Speaking to families is rewarding; I like to find out what they need and how we can help. It offers a sense of community and engagement that makes it feel real.

What do you enjoy about Family Fund?

As a part-time worker I feel as valued as everyone else. From an HR point of view, I think the pay and leave allowance is fair. It’s important in these financially challenging times. Team leaders are approachable and supportive, despite pressures of their own. Inclusion and staff wellbeing are areas that Family Fund are really focused on which is important to me. I appreciate the opportunity to work from home too. It helps to create a better work/life balance, and Family Fund are positive about this new way of working.