Family Help Specialist — Hybrid & Flexible Work

North East Combined Authority; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Learning & Development

Health & Wellbeing Support

Job summary

Gateshead Council is recruiting for a Family Help practitioner to provide frontline support to families using a whole-family approach. You will collaborate with social care, education, health and community partners to deliver early help and build resilience.

The role focuses on safeguarding, risk assessment, and multi-agency planning, with opportunities for flexible hours and hybrid working across localities in Gateshead.

Qualifications

• A Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant field such as family support, early years, youth work, social care or housing.
• Experience of working with children and families in need or at risk, including delivering interventions and managing caseloads.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding procedures, child development and the key issues affecting vulnerable families.
• Ability to assess needs, manage risk and contribute to effective multi-agency plans and interventions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage families and work collaboratively with professionals.
• Good organisational skills, including managing workload, recording casework and using IT systems effectively.
• A full driving licence with access to transport, and the flexibility to work across localities and outside standard hours where required

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, frontline support to families through intervention, coordination of services and a whole-family approach.
• Lead and contribute to the Family Help process, including participation in multi-agency meetings such as Strategy and Child Protection Conferences.
• Undertake Family Help Assessments and develop multi-agency support plans in partnership with families and professionals.
• Identify, assess and manage risk in line with safeguarding procedures and child protection frameworks.
• Deliver practical support, advice and advocacy to families, helping them build capability and resilience.
• Facilitate parenting programmes and group interventions in community and home settings.
• Maintain accurate, timely records and contribute to quality assurance and performance frameworks.
• Work flexibly (including evenings and weekends where required) as part of a responsive, locality-based service.
• Contribute to a culture of reflective practice, learning and continuous improvement across the Families First team.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Driving licence

Flexibility

Time management

Education

Level 3 qualification (family support / social care etc.)

Tools

IT systems

Job description

Gateshead Council is recruiting for a Family Help practitioner to provide frontline support to families using a whole-family approach. You will collaborate with social care, education, health and community partners to deliver early help and build resilience.

The role focuses on safeguarding, risk assessment, and multi-agency planning, with opportunities for flexible hours and hybrid working across localities in Gateshead.