Family Support Worker
Location
MalvernWest Midlands
United Kingdom
Date Published:
2025-08-13Online to:
2025-10-12Pound 20.00 HOUR
Family Support Worker
About the Company:
Our client has a Family Assessment Centre in a large property within its own extensive grounds, located in a rural village near Malvern, Worcestershire. The property has been renovated to a very high standard and reflects a welcoming, warm, therapeutic environment for parents and their children. The house has the capacity to accommodate up to eight families and comprises of individual apartments and several communal areas promoting a spacious and private environment. The home has extensive indoor and outdoor facilities which include a large playroom, a sensory room, and garden spaces with play equipment.
They are a unique centre in that they work solely with parents who are/or have been 'looked after' and are therefore care experienced. Research confirms that care experienced parents are disproportionally more likely to have their children removed. Our client understands that often these parents personal experience of positive parenting is minimal, they would have experienced varying levels of trauma, and they are less likely to have extended family to support them as a new parent.
Our clients aim is to provide care experienced parents with the knowledge, skills and support which leads to children not being removed. They know for some parents this will not be achievable, and where this is not possible, they aim for parents to leave with on-going support. Their main priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of the children.
Main Responsibilities:
The role of the Family Support Worker (FSW) is to work directly with families, senior support workers and social workers to assist in implementing the Family Assessment Plan. The FSW completes the day-to-day work with families, observing and assisting with the assessments in order to promote, strengthen and develop parenting skills and to promote the welfare of the child at all times.
The FSW will be central in creating a supportive and learning environment for the parents whilst ensuring parents can prioritise the safety and welfare needs of their children. Where this is not happening, they will take appropriate steps to safeguard children in line with the company safeguarding procedures.
The role of the FSW is to encourage, teach and model positive parenting with families. This can include activities such as bathing, feeding, playing and dealing with discipline and behavioural difficulties. This support will be delivered in individual sessions or as part of group work.
The FSW will, on occasion, provide childcare to enable the parent to attend group and individual sessions.
Key Responsibilities:
In line with the Family Assessment Plans, provide families with support on every aspect of daily life, health and wellbeing to include basic baby care, feeding and eating, sleeping, budgeting, safety, discipline, routines, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle choices
To ensure the safety and welfare of children remains central to the assessment / intervention process
To participate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of individual family's assessment plans
To observe, supervise and record family interaction, child behaviour, parental motivation, and parental ability to meet the needs of the child
To undertake individual sessions as directed by the Family Assessment Plan
To develop and maintain good working relationships with parents and other family members and professionals including GPs, health visitors and Local Authority Social Workers
To ensure that all documentation is completed and is evidence based, providing clear reflection of the circumstances and presenting issues.
To provide a service that empowers care experienced parents to care for their own child with knowledge and confidence, valuing and respecting the strengths, experiences, and background of the families
To provide structured feedback to parents during and at the end of each session
To work with parents sensitively and in a non-judgemental manner, using communication skills when challenged
To assist in the delivery of group and individual sessions with families
To plan and prioritise workload within established timeframes, ensuring written records are kept up to date
Where required, to assist in childcare duties to enable parents to access individual and group sessions
To accurately, promptly and fully record all relevant data on the company's database, in line with policies and procedures, taking into account health & safety and risk management requirements and the legal processes that govern the work of the company
To maintain and develop up to date relevant skills and knowledge of current legislation and policies. Identify learning and development needs through supervision and appraisals
To attend and actively make use of supervision and appraisal meetings
To adopt a therapeutic PACE approach (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy) and trauma informed principles when working with families and colleagues
To understand and comply with statutory and regulatory (Ofsted) specific standards and regulations
To undertake training as the Registered Manager deems necessary and to complete this training in a diligent manner
To maintain a safe environment, maintaining the fabric of the building, its grounds and equipment, complying with health & safety and other legal requirements
To make best use of the available resources and to use community resources where appropriate
To read, understand and follow the company policies and procedures
To report to the senior support worker, social worker, Registered Manager, or in their absence, the Responsible Individual, in the event of awareness of concerns in respect of families or staff
To represent the company in a professional manner at all times
Essential Skills:
Ability to demonstrate good written and verbal skills
Sound IT skills - including Microsoft Office and computer-based record keeping systems
Ability to listen and observe interactions between parents and their children
Ability to plan, record and evaluate through recording and written reports
Ability to prioritise own workload
Be approachable, friendly and work as part of a team and as an individual
Be able to work openly and honestly within the team
Ability to respond to the varying needs of families in a non-judgemental way with warmth and sensitivity
Ability to interact effectively with vulnerable adults and children, demonstrating empathy and understanding
Ability to build and develop excellent working relationships with families and colleagues
Ability to work in partnership with colleagues and professionals working with the family, such as Social Workers and Health visitors
Ability to remain calm in emergency situations
Ability to defuse volatile situations
Ability to work in a fast paced / busy environment
Ability to use supervision as a space for case management, reflection and growth
Desirable knowledge:
To have knowledge and understanding of current legislation of working with children and families
Awareness of child protection and safeguarding procedures
Experience of working directly with children and families
Experience of using models and tools of practice when working with families
Knowledge of child development and needs
Understanding of issues that can impact parenting, i.e. domestic abuse, mental health, drug and alcohol misuse
Experience of partnership and multi-agency working
Previous experience in a residential setting
Qualifications:
NVQ Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma or equivalent or other relevant qualification or prepared to work towards
English (language) equivalent to GCSE D or above desirable
Other:
Prepared to work shifts, including nights, weekends and bank holidays and to 'sleep in'
MUST have a full driving licence
To undertake other duties as identified by the management team
Package:
Salary of GBP28,000
12.5hrs shift (07.00 - 19.30 hrs / 19.00 - 07.30 hrs) with a working pattern of:
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
2 x Day shifts, 2 x Days off, 2 x Day shifts, 2 x Days off, 2 x Night shifts, 3 x Days off
Summer start date TBC
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: GBP28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Company pension
Free parking
On-site parking
Application question(s):
Do you have experience of working with families in a support worker role?
Do you have Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma or equivalent or prepared to work towards
Are you able to work the required shift patterns, including nights?
Experience:
Family Support Work: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
Our client has a Family Assessment Centre in a large property within its own extensive grounds, located in a rural village near Malvern, Worcestershire. The property has been renovated to a very high standard and reflects a welcoming, warm, therapeutic environment for parents and their children. The house has the capacity to accommodate up to eight families and comprises of individual apartments and several communal areas promoting a spacious and private environment. The home has extensive indoor and outdoor facilities which include a large playroom, a sensory room, and garden spaces with play equipment.
They are a unique centre in that they work solely with parents who are/or have been 'looked after' and are therefore care experienced. Research confirms that care experienced parents are disproportionally more likely to have their children removed. Our client understands that often these parents personal experience of positive parenting is minimal, they would have experienced varying levels of trauma, and they are less likely to have extended family to support them as a new parent.
Our clients aim is to provide care experienced parents with the knowledge, skills and support which leads to children not being removed. They know for some parents this will not be achievable, and where this is not possible, they aim for parents to leave with on-going support. Their main priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of the children.
Main Responsibilities:
The role of the Family Support Worker (FSW) is to work directly with families, senior support workers and social workers to assist in implementing the Family Assessment Plan. The FSW completes the day-to-day work with families, observing and assisting with the assessments in order to promote, strengthen and develop parenting skills and to promote the welfare of the child at all times.
The FSW will be central in creating a supportive and learning environment for the parents whilst ensuring parents can prioritise the safety and welfare needs of their children. Where this is not happening, they will take appropriate steps to safeguard children in line with the company safeguarding procedures.
The role of the FSW is to encourage, teach and model positive parenting with families. This can include activities such as bathing, feeding, playing and dealing with discipline and behavioural difficulties. This support will be delivered in individual sessions or as part of group work.
The FSW will, on occasion, provide childcare to enable the parent to attend group and individual sessions.
Key Responsibilities:
In line with the Family Assessment Plans, provide families with support on every aspect of daily life, health and wellbeing to include basic baby care, feeding and eating, sleeping, budgeting, safety, discipline, routines, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle choices
To ensure the safety and welfare of children remains central to the assessment / intervention process
To participate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of individual family's assessment plans
To observe, supervise and record family interaction, child behaviour, parental motivation, and parental ability to meet the needs of the child
To undertake individual sessions as directed by the Family Assessment Plan
To develop and maintain good working relationships with parents and other family members and professionals including GPs, health visitors and Local Authority Social Workers
To ensure that all documentation is completed and is evidence based, providing clear reflection of the circumstances and presenting issues.
To provide a service that empowers care experienced parents to care for their own child with knowledge and confidence, valuing and respecting the strengths, experiences, and background of the families
To provide structured feedback to parents during and at the end of each session
To work with parents sensitively and in a non-judgemental manner, using communication skills when challenged
To assist in the delivery of group and individual sessions with families
To plan and prioritise workload within established timeframes, ensuring written records are kept up to date
Where required, to assist in childcare duties to enable parents to access individual and group sessions
To accurately, promptly and fully record all relevant data on the company's database, in line with policies and procedures, taking into account health & safety and risk management requirements and the legal processes that govern the work of the company
To maintain and develop up to date relevant skills and knowledge of current legislation and policies. Identify learning and development needs through supervision and appraisals
To attend and actively make use of supervision and appraisal meetings
To adopt a therapeutic PACE approach (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy) and trauma informed principles when working with families and colleagues
To understand and comply with statutory and regulatory (Ofsted) specific standards and regulations
To undertake training as the Registered Manager deems necessary and to complete this training in a diligent manner
To maintain a safe environment, maintaining the fabric of the building, its grounds and equipment, complying with health & safety and other legal requirements
To make best use of the available resources and to use community resources where appropriate
To read, understand and follow the company policies and procedures
To report to the senior support worker, social worker, Registered Manager, or in their absence, the Responsible Individual, in the event of awareness of concerns in respect of families or staff
To represent the company in a professional manner at all times
Essential Skills:
Ability to demonstrate good written and verbal skills
Sound IT skills - including Microsoft Office and computer-based record keeping systems
Ability to listen and observe interactions between parents and their children
Ability to plan, record and evaluate through recording and written reports
Ability to prioritise own workload
Be approachable, friendly and work as part of a team and as an individual
Be able to work openly and honestly within the team
Ability to respond to the varying needs of families in a non-judgemental way with warmth and sensitivity
Ability to interact effectively with vulnerable adults and children, demonstrating empathy and understanding
Ability to build and develop excellent working relationships with families and colleagues
Ability to work in partnership with colleagues and professionals working with the family, such as Social Workers and Health visitors
Ability to remain calm in emergency situations
Ability to defuse volatile situations
Ability to work in a fast paced / busy environment
Ability to use supervision as a space for case management, reflection and growth
Desirable knowledge:
To have knowledge and understanding of current legislation of working with children and families
Awareness of child protection and safeguarding procedures
Experience of working directly with children and families
Experience of using models and tools of practice when working with families
Knowledge of child development and needs
Understanding of issues that can impact parenting, i.e. domestic abuse, mental health, drug and alcohol misuse
Experience of partnership and multi-agency working
Previous experience in a residential setting
Qualifications:
NVQ Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma or equivalent or other relevant qualification or prepared to work towards
English (language) equivalent to GCSE D or above desirable
Other:
Prepared to work shifts, including nights, weekends and bank holidays and to 'sleep in'
MUST have a full driving licence
To undertake other duties as identified by the management team
Package:
Salary of GBP28,000
12.5hrs shift (07.00 - 19.30 hrs / 19.00 - 07.30 hrs) with a working pattern of:
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
2 x Day shifts, 2 x Days off, 2 x Day shifts, 2 x Days off, 2 x Night shifts, 3 x Days off
Summer start date TBC
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: GBP28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Company pension
Free parking
On-site parking
Application question(s):
Do you have experience of working with families in a support worker role?
Do you have Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma or equivalent or prepared to work towards
Are you able to work the required shift patterns, including nights?
Experience:
Family Support Work: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person