Early Help Practitioner

Manchester City Council; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26-31 days

Pension scheme

Flexible working

Cycle scheme

Employee discounts

Job summary

Manchester Enterprise Academy in partnership with Manchester City Council seeks an Early Help Practitioner to support pupils aged 11–16 and their families. You will assess needs, plan intervention, and collaborate with statutory and voluntary agencies to improve learning and wellbeing.

You will work within a school setting, receive training and supervision in the first year, and contribute to safeguarding and data-driven outcomes while ensuring inclusive practice and diversity are valued.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children aged 11–16 and families.
• Ability to conduct thorough assessments and develop effective support plans.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and relevant guidance (Working Together 2014, MSCB).

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relations with pupils to understand needs and promote positive outcomes.
• Provide advice and support to pupils to access local and national services.
• Develop plans using individual needs to reduce vulnerability and risk.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to support independence for vulnerable residents.
• Maintain up-to-date records to aid data collection and performance management.
• Promote diversity and equal access in employment, services and communications.
• Safeguard duties; handle confidential issues and report concerns as required.
• Follow child protection policies and report concerns to appropriate person.

Skills

Experience with children

Assessment planning

Advice and support

Safeguarding

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

NVQ Level 4 in Health & Social Care or equivalent

Job description

About The Role

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week

Number of Positions: 1

Qualifications Required: Qualified to NVQ L4 or higher in Health & Social Care or related subject or equivalent experience.

Start Date: 16th November 2026

Salary: £34,237 - £37,563 per annum

We currently have an exciting opportunity for Early Help Practitioner to join our fantastic team at Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA)

Main purpose of the job:

We know that pupils gets help sooner, they stand a better chance of improving their situation and preventing the need for longer term support or statutory intervention.

The role of the Early Help Practitioner is to support pupils and families to identify and assess need, through having conversations with children, young people and their families and planning with them to address these needs.

Although based in our school you will work closely with Manchester City Council Children's Services and Early Help Hub, the team will provide training and supervision for the first year.

Key responsibilities will include

• Establish and maintain a relationship with pupils to challenge their existing patterns of behaviour. Work proactively with appropriate stakeholders to assess the individual's needs and ensure positive outcomes.
• Provide support and advice to pupils which gives them the opportunity to engage with appropriate local and national authority organised and community based services.
• Work with colleagues and stakeholders to produce plans that use pupils individual needs to identify and reduce their vulnerability to risk situations.
• Closely work with partner agencies and stakeholders by contributing and participating in new initiatives to support independence and opportunities for vulnerable residents of Manchester.
• Ensure all records, processes and systems are up to date and maintained to assist with data collection and performance management.
• Through personal example, open commitment and clear action, ensure diversity is positively valued, resulting in equal access and treatment in employment, service delivery and communications
• Take appropriate responsibility and action for safeguarding, be aware of confidential issues and maintain as appropriate
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection reporting all concerns to an appropriate person

About the Candidate

We're looking for:

• An Early Help Practitioner to join our school to assist pupils and families to engage with support services provided by both statutory and voluntary agencies, ensuring that pupils are appropriately supported and therefore able to participate actively in their learning and thrive.
• You will need to demonstrate recent experience working with children aged 11-16 and previous experience in a family support or related role.
• You will need to evidence the ability to conduct thorough assessments and develop effective support plans and a good understanding of relevant legislation and statutory guidance including; Working Together 2014, MSCB Safeguarding Procedures, Domestic Abuse awareness, Children Act 2004, Children and Families Act 2014.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

• High quality CPD for all roles
• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and 15% for support staff
• Good holidays - teachers as per School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document; non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
• Flexible working options - we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
• Mental Health First Aid in every school
• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Visit our website to learn more about our Trust: prospere.org.uk

About Us

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You'll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone.

Benefits we offer

• Up to 26 days' annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years' service
• Buy up to two extra weeks' leave
• Up to 3 days' volunteering leave
• A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
• We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
• A defined benefit pension scheme
• Enhanced parental and carers leave
• Employee discounts and perks

Learn more at Careers - Manchester City Council

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, younger learners and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. The above post will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here

This post is also subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and other pre-employment checks where applicable.

We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.