Early Help Practitioner

Durham County Council; North East; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority council in North East England is seeking an Early Help Practitioner to support vulnerable children and families. This role involves assessing needs, delivering high-quality interventions, and facilitating group activities. The ideal candidate should have relevant experience and a Level 3 qualification in Children's Services. Competitive salary and benefits are offered, including generous holiday allowances and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salaries and holidays

Flexible work arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Employee benefits portal

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Recent experience supporting vulnerable children and families in home/community settings.
• Experience of group facilitation.
• Delivery of interventions leading to improved outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Work with children and families to assess needs and deliver interventions.
• Refer and signpost to additional services as needed.
• Deliver parenting programmes and holiday activities.

Skills

Experience with vulnerable children

Group facilitation

Delivery of planned interventions

Education

Level 3 qualification in a relevant Children's Services field

Job description

Durham County Council are on a continuous improvement journey in relation to its Early Help service. We are one of 75 Local Authorities who are part of the National Family Hubs programme, and have transformed our Family Centres into Family Hubs.

This makes it an exciting time of change and development. During the recent Local Authority Ofsted inspection, Family Hubs were highlighted and the Authority given an over all Outstanding rating.


Family Hubs provide a universal ‘front door’ to families, offering a ‘one-stop shop’ of family support services across their social care, education, mental health, and physical health needs, with a comprehensive Start for Life offer for parents and babies at its core.

We currently have one fulltime permanent and one fulltime temporary role until 31/3/26.


WHAT IS INVOLVED?
As an Early Help Practitioner, you will work with children, young people, and families, assessing their needs and delivering high quality interventions on a one to one or group basis, and refer/signpost to other services which can support their needs.

Our family hubs provide a range of support to our local communities including parenting programmes, holiday activities as well as integrating with colleagues from midwifery, health visitors and other key services to provide families with a start of life offer that meets their family’s need.

Early Help Practitioners deliver parenting programmes and holiday activities providing food from our Family Hubs to support our local communities, as well as working in an integrated way with colleagues from midwifery, health visiting and other services, to provide families with a Start for Life offer that fits their family's needs.


IS THIS ROLE FOR YOU?
We encourage you to contact Nicola Kerr Family Hub Team Manager on 03000 264815 or via email [e-mail] for more information or to arrange a formal discussion.


WHAT WILL I NEED?
You should have recent experience of working and supporting vulnerable children, young people and their families in the home and community settings, experience of group facilitation along with experience of delivering planned interventions leading to improved outcomes.

You will also require a Level 3 qualification in a relevant Children's Services field.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.



REWARDS AND BENEFITS
We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits

SOCIAL MEDIA
Don’t see the perfect role for you right now? Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council!

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dccjobsandcareers/
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/durhamcountycounciljobsandcareers



EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.

We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce

INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on week commencing 1st September, 2025.


We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.


HOW TO APPLY
In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.


If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email [e-mail] or telephone [phone] ( option 2 CYPS)


We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice. https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf



PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAILADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARESHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM
[e-mail]
AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.

#VPRS/161