Family Help Practitioner

Suffolk County Council; Leiston; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Family Help Practitioner to support children, young people and families toward positive, lasting change. You will lead casework, conduct home visits, and coordinate with social workers and health colleagues to deliver practical and emotional support.

The role involves safeguarding, developing plans with families, and contributing to multi‑agency meetings. A driving licence is required, and hybrid community-based working is available across multiple locations

Qualifications

• a Level 4 practitioner qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work
• a strong commitment to Suffolk’s WE ASPIRE values
• an understanding of early intervention, prevention and child development
• experience working directly with children and families, including those with complex needs or safeguarding concerns
• confidence in delivering evidence‑based interventions and working creatively to help families make changes
• the ability to identify risks, communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals.

Responsibilities

• act as the lead professional for families, building trusted relationships and working collaboratively to understand needs and develop meaningful plans
• carry out home visits, assessments and planned interventions, using the Signs of Safety and Wellbeing framework to guide your approach
• provide practical and emotional support, helping families navigate early signs of social, emotional, health or behavioural issues
• work alongside social workers, health colleagues and other agencies to provide coordinated support
• maintain clear, accurate and timely case records, making sure every child’s story is captured respectfully and professionally
• recognise safeguarding concerns and elevate them appropriately with support and oversight from management
• organise your own workload, problem solve effectively and contribute to group or multi-agency meetings.

Skills

WE ASPIRE values

early intervention understanding

experience with children and families

delivery of interventions

risk identification & communication

driving licence

Education

Level 4 practitioner qualification

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Hybridand community basedin either Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU, Ipswich IP1 5PB, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ and Leiston 1P16 4HE
• Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As aFamily Help Practitionerin theFamily Help Team, you will see the direct impact of your work on the children, young people and families that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Family Help Practitioner, you will play a key role in supporting children, young people and families to achieve positive and lasting change.

In this role you will:

• act as thelead professionalfor families, building trusted relationships and working collaboratively to understand needs and develop meaningful plans
• carry outhome visits, assessments and planned interventions, using the Signs of Safety and Wellbeing framework to guide your approach
• provide practical and emotional support, helping families navigate early signs of social, emotional, health or behavioural issues
• work alongside social workers, health colleagues and other agencies to provide coordinated support
• maintain clear, accurate and timely case records, making sure every child’s story is captured respectfully and professionally
• recognise safeguarding concerns and elevate them appropriately with support and oversight from management
• organise your own workload, problem solve effectively and contribute to group or multi-agency meetings.

Every day, you will be helping families move towards strength, resilience and safety.

You will need:

We hope you will bring:

• a Level 4 practitioner qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work
• a strong commitment to Suffolk’s WE ASPIRE values
• an understanding of early intervention, prevention and child development
• experience working directly with children and families, including those with complex needs or safeguarding concerns
• confidence in delivering evidence‑based interventions and working creatively to help families make changes
• the ability to identify risks, communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals.

Due to the nature of this role, you will be required to have a driving licence and access to personal transport. If you feel you can meet these travel requirements through other suitable means, please contact the Hiring Manager before applying to discuss.

Take a look at what makes our Ideal Worker, shaped by the voices of young people: find out more.

The team

You will join one of our dedicatedFamily Help Teams - multi‑disciplinary groups of social workers and practitioners committed to improving outcomes for children and young people across Suffolk.

We work creatively, collaboratively and with compassion, always striving to ensure every child can live their best life.

Hybrid working, community engagement and flexible approaches are all part of how we operate.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are 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

For a casual chat about the role/s, please email: [e-mail] or contact Steve Blaney by calling 07742 505342.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 30 September 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

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