Child and Family Support Worker

Community Care Live; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Hampshire County Council’s Children's Reception Team is seeking a dedicated Child and Family Support Worker in Havant to be the frontline contact for Children's Services.

In this fast-paced, child-centred role you will gather information, assess needs, support safeguarding decisions and collaborate with families, professionals and partner agencies to improve outcomes for children and families across Hampshire.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people and families in a helping role.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures and local thresholds.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to record information accurately and handle sensitive conversations.

Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to referrals, enquiries and requests for support.
• Gather, review and record information to support screening and decisions.
• Identify risks using a child-centred approach and make safeguarding recommendations.
• Build effective relationships with families and partner agencies.
• Provide a professional, responsive service and maintain records in line with policies.

Skills

Experience with children, young people

Child protection awareness

Communication and relationship skills

Judgement and safeguarding knowledge

IT and recording information

Job description

As a Child and Family Support Worker, you'll play a vital role within Hampshire County Council's Children's Reception Team, the front door to Children's Services. Working in a fast-paced contact centre environment, you'll help ensure vulnerable children, young people and families receive the right support at the right time. By working closely with families, professionals and partner agencies, you'll contribute to informed decision-making that helps improve outcomes for children and families across Hampshire.

What you'll do

• Receive and respond to referrals, enquiries and requests for support from professionals, families and members of the public.
• Gather, review and accurately record information to support screening, decision-making and recommendations.
• Use a child-centred approach to identify and analyse strengths, needs and potential risks, making sound recommendations in line with safeguarding procedures and threshold guidance.
• Build effective relationships with families, colleagues and partner agencies to support positive outcomes and timely access to services.
• Provide a professional, responsive service, maintaining accurate records and working in line with organisational policies and professional standards.

What we're looking for

• Experience of working with children, young people and families in a helping, caring or support-based role, including those with complex needs.
• Understanding of child protection legislation, statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage sensitive conversations confidently.
• Ability to organise information, identify key issues and exercise sound judgement when reviewing referrals and enquiries.
• Sound IT skills and the ability to accurately record information.

Why join us?

• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families by supporting timely decision-making and positive outcomes.
• Join a supportive and collaborative team committed to professional development, high-quality practice and continuous learning.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice. Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.

Other job titles you may be searching for include: Family Support Worker, Children's Services Support Worker, Children's Advice and Referral Worker, Children and Families Practitioner, Early Help Worker, Children's Contact and Referral Worker.