Child and Family Support Worker

Hampshire County Council; Havant; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Assured Employee Assistance

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a Child and Family Support Worker for its Children's Reception Team in Havant. You will be the front door to Children's Services, handling referrals and providing safeguarding-led support to families and professionals.

You will gather information and make informed recommendations in a fast-paced environment. You will build collaborations with families, colleagues and partner agencies to ensure timely access to services and positive outcomes for children and

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people and families, including those with complex needs.
• Understanding of child protection legislation and safeguarding procedures.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills.
• Ability to organise information and exercise sound judgement on referrals.
• Proficient IT skills with accurate record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to referrals, enquiries and requests for support from professionals, families and the public.
• Gather, review and record information to support screening, decision-making and recommendations.
• Use a child-centred approach to identify needs and risks, making recommended actions.
• Build relationships with families and partner agencies to support timely access to services.
• Provide a professional, responsive service and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Experience with children and families

Safeguarding procedures understanding

Communication & negotiation

Information organisation & judgement

IT skills

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.