Family Support Practitioner

Suffolk County Council; Bury St Edmunds; Hybrid; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Family Support Practitioner to join the Forest Heath Family Support Team. This role involves engaging with children and families, assessing needs, and providing support in collaboration with multi-agency partners. The position offers a competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement

Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme

Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related annual pay progression

Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge

Qualifications

• Suitable practitioner level qualification at Level 3 or equivalent experience in relevant area of work.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• A passion to support and advocate children and families.

Responsibilities

• Communicate and engage with children of all ages and their families.
• Identify risks and safeguarding concerns and escalate immediately where appropriate.
• Support families with complex situations under guidance of professionals.

Skills

Communication

Engagement

Relationship Building

Advocacy

Creativity

Education

Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

• Suffolk County Council - Bury St Edmunds (work base), Suffolk IP33 3YU - Community based
• £27,711 per annum
• 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
• Permanent

We're focused on making a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk. How? By listening to our people learning from what they say and creating a culture of mutual respect, where everyone works together to achieve great things. As a Family Support Practitioner in the Forest Heath Family Support Team, covering Newmarket, Mildenhall and Brandon. You'll be as keen to collaborate and build a bright future as we are. So, to make a positive impact, connect with us and connect with a fantastic career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• You will communicate and engage with children of all ages and their families.
• Use Suffolk signs of safety principles, disciplines and tools when assessing, planning and reviewing.
• Maintain up-to-date records and data using electronic devices and systems as directed and provide reports as required.
• Actively build relationships and networks with multi-agency partners.
• Identify risks and safeguarding concerns and escalate immediately where appropriate.
• Provide information and signposting for children, young people and families to relevant universal and specialist services in the local area and beyond.
• Support families with complex situations where statutory intervention is required under the guidance of a Social Worker, Lead Professional or Health Colleagues as appropriate.
• Actively build relationships and networks with other professional groups and services in the locality.
• Regularly engage and support young people from diverse backgrounds across Forest Heath, empowering them to share their experiences.
• Carrying out Family Time, which is about supporting children to see adults in their lives in a safe way through supervision.

You will need

• Suitable practitioner level qualification at Level 3 or equivalent experience in relevant area of work.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• A willingness to learn new skills and share existing knowledge and learning.
• A passion to support and advocate children and families.
• A fresh approach to working with all people regardless of their lived experience and provide honest, non-judgemental approach.
• A creative, caring and friendly approach.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

We are a friendly, fun team who all work together to ensure that we are hearing the voices of children and young people, ensuring that their lived experiences are at the heart of our services.

We cover the Forest Heath area which is over three towns including Newmarket, Mildenhall and Brandon (as well as the villages in between).

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

For more information

Please contact Pete Southerill (Practice Manger) (he/him) or Emma Smith (she/her) Practice Lead for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01284 758610 or emailing [e-mail] [e-mail] .

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 - Click Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template .

1. Can you describe a time when you had to engage with a child or family who was initially reluctant to communicate? How did you build rapport and ensure effective communication?
2. Describe a situation where you had to work with multiple agencies to support a family. How did you ensure effective collaboration and communication among all parties involved?
3. Can you provide an example of a time when you identified a safeguarding concern? What steps did you take to escalate the issue and ensure the safety of the child or young person?
4. Advocacy is a key part of this role. Can you describe a situation where you had to advocate for a child or family? What was the outcome, and how did you ensure their voices were heard?
5. Working with children and families requires a creative and caring approach. Can you provide an example of how you used creativity to solve a problem or support a family in a unique way?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or [e-mail]

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 2 June 2025

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .