Helen Dent is the Chief Executive of Family Action, an organisation which provides:

• Home and project based support for families with complex needs
• Community based services for people with enduring mental health problems
• Financial help for individuals and families who have fallen through the safety net of the welfare state

These services are provided across England. Family Action also has an active campaigning programme and gives particular priority to child poverty. In the past 10 years, Family Action has taken over the services of Newpin, Family Service Units and several one-off services.

Helen Dent has spent much of her career focussed on looking after and promoting the best interests of children and families. Helen started her career as a residential social worker and manager and lecturer in social policy. She then moved into strategic planning at the London Borough of Enfield and as an Assistant Director in Cambridge County Council. In 1990 Helen decided to join the voluntary sector, firstly as Director of Policy and External Affairs at Action for Children in 1990 and then joined Family Action as Chief Executive in 1996.

Helen is a Trustee of Child Poverty Action Group, Children England and End Child Poverty. She was formerly a trustee of NCVO and a Non Executive Director of Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Economic and Social Research Council.