Early Help Gateway Officer

Bradford Children and Families Trust; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

LG Pension

Wellbeing support

Professional development

Career progression

Job summary

Bradford Children and Families Trust is inviting applications for an Early Help Gateway Officer within the Integrated Front Door. The role involves screening, triaging contacts and coordinating access to support for children, young people and families across Bradford.

You will work in a hybrid model (Sir Henry Mitchell House) with three days on-site and be part of a busy, proactive team dedicated to early intervention and prevention.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or Diploma Level 3 in Health and Social Care, Children and Young People’s Services, or equivalent.
• Experience of working with children, young people and families in relevant settings.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, and Early Help processes.

Responsibilities

• Receive, screen and triage contacts from professionals, families and partners.
• Assess need, risk and vulnerability to identify appropriate support.
• Coordinate access to services with Family Hubs, health, education, police and social care.
• Provide guidance on Early Help pathways and referral processes.
• Maintain accurate, timely records using case management systems.
• Prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication skills

Multi-agency collaboration

Record keeping

Prioritisation

Education

NVQ Level 3 / Diploma Level 3

Tools

Electronic records systems

Job description

Job IntroductionEarly Help Gateway Officer2 * 37 hours per week & 1* 18.5 hours per week, Based in Sir Henry Mitchell House, Hybrid – 3 days per week based in Sir Henry Mitchell House or other locations as required.Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.We are fully committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.About the RoleBradford Children and Families Trust is looking for passionate, motivated and child-centred individuals to join our Early Help Gateway Team within the Integrated Front Door (IFD).This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of Bradford's Early Help system, supporting children, young people and families to access the right support at the right time. As an Early Help Gateway Officer, you will play a crucial role in screening and triaging contacts, assessing levels of need and coordinating access to support services across the district.The Early Help Gateway is the front door to Bradford's Early Help offer, working closely with Family Hubs, education settings, health services, police, Children's Social Care and voluntary and community sector organisations to ensure children and families receive timely and effective support.This is an exciting time to join the service. In recent years, significant improvements have been made across the Integrated Front Door, including:Strengthened multi-agency partnership working across Bradford.Improved pathways between Early Help, Family Hubs and Children's Social Care.Enhanced decision-making processes and access to support for families.Increased focus on prevention and early intervention.Investment in workforce development, learning and reflective practice.Strengthened quality assurance arrangements and service improvement activity.Development of innovative approaches to triage, screening and service coordination.The Early Help Gateway Team is a dynamic, fast-paced and supportive team that works collaboratively to improve outcomes for children and families. No two days are the same, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in a challenging and rewarding environment.Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.You’ll also:Receive, screen and triage contacts from professionals, families and partner agencies in line with Bradford's Continuum of Need and Risk Identification Tool.Assess need, risk and vulnerability to identify the most appropriate support and intervention for children and families.Work closely with Family Hubs, education settings, health services, police, Children's Social Care and voluntary and community sector organisations to coordinate support.Provide advice, guidance and consultation to professionals regarding Early Help pathways, support services and referral processes.Support the implementation of Bradford's Early Help and Prevention Strategy by promoting early intervention and prevention.Work collaboratively with Duty Social Workers and wider Integrated Front Door partners to ensure children and families receive a coordinated response.Build positive and effective relationships with children, families and professionals, promoting strengths-based and restorative approaches.Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, risk assessed and escalated appropriately in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.Maintain accurate, timely and high-quality records using electronic case management systems.Contribute to the development of local partnerships and promote awareness of available Early Help services across Bradford.Support informed decision-making for children with additional needs, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).Prioritise workload effectively within a busy environment, ensuring service standards and deadlines are met.Participate in supervision, appraisal, training and continuous professional development activities.To be successful in this role you will need:Essential QualificationsA relevant qualification at NVQ Level 3 (pre-2011), Diploma Level 3 in Health and Social Care, Children and Young People's Services, or an equivalent qualification.Alternatively, significant experience of paid employment working with children, young people and families.Essential Experience, Knowledge and SkillsExperience of working with children, young people and families within an Early Help, education, health, social care or related setting.Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, child in need processes and the Early Help agenda.Understanding of thresholds of need and the importance of timely intervention.Experience of working within a multi-agency environment and developing effective professional relationships.Ability to gather, analyse and evaluate information to support sound decision-making.Experience of supporting children and families who may be experiencing crisis, vulnerability or additional needs.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Experience of using electronic recording systems and IT applications to maintain accurate records.Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively within a fast-paced environment.Strong organisational skills with attention to detail and commitment to qualityEssential BehavioursDemonstrates a commitment to anti-discriminatory practice, equality, diversity and inclusion.Maintains professional boundaries and demonstrates resilience when working with complex situations.Builds positive relationships with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies.Works collaboratively to ensure children remain at the centre of decision-making.Demonstrates a restorative and strengths-based approach in practice.Is flexible, adaptable and responsive to changing service demands.Shows professional curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.Is passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people and families through early intervention and prevention.Why Join Us?The role within the Integrated Front Door continues to evolve, making this an exciting opportunity to be part of the ongoing development of Bradford's Early Help and Prevention offer. You will join a dedicated and supportive team committed to delivering high-quality services and ensuring children and families receive the support they need, when they need it most.Help us ensure every child and family gets the right help, at the right time, from the right service.You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidaysExcellent Local Government pensionFamily-friendly policies and enhanced parental leaveHealth & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counsellingProfessional development and career progression opportunitieswe are a National Living Wage employerFor full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.To arrange an informal discussion, please contact [e-mail] Date: 1st NovemberShort listing: 2nd NovemberInterviews: 12th NovemberSalary SO1 - SCP 23-25 £35,570 - £37,563 per annumJob Reference 639Contract Type Full Time / PermanentClosing Date 1 November, 2026Job Category Localities & IFDLocation Bradford, United KingdomPosted on 16 October, 2026