Family Support Practitioner

Action-For-Children; Antrim; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Over 7 weeks paid leave

Well-being day

Cycle to work

Training & professional development

Flexible parental leave

Employer pension contribution up to 7%

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Action for Children is recruiting a Family Support Practitioner to work with families in the Coleraine/Ballymoney/Moyle areas, primarily from an Antrim-based office. The role involves engaging with young people aged 10–17 and their families, providing one-to-one support in outreach settings and developing service plans to improve mental health and family functioning.

You'll join a dedicated CFSS team, requiring a Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equivalent), travel by car, and registration

Qualifications

• Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 or above or equivalent/related health, counselling or social care qualification.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team providing services to families and children aged 10-17 years.
• Experience of working with various issues particularly low-level mental health issues (anxiety, self-harm, low mood) and low esteem etc.
• Good working knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Access to a car & Business Insurance cover. The job requires the ability to travel according to the needs of the job, with reasonable adjustments, if required, according to the Equality Act.
• Registration with NISCC or the willingness to register.

Responsibilities

• Supporting young people to overcome and better manage difficulties they are facing by assessing needs, agreeing a service plan, carrying out agreed work and reviewing on a regular basis.
• Carrying out assessments and devise action plans to work towards achieving positive outcomes.
• Carrying out individual work with young people aged 10 to 17 and their parents/ carers on an outreach basis.
• Updating and maintaining digital records.

Skills

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Education

Health and Social Care Diploma (Level 3+)

Job description

Family Support Practitioner.

Salary: £26,006.84 per annum.

Location: Antrim Office - working across the Northern Trust area but primarily covering the Coleraine/Ballymoney/Moyle areas.

Contract/Hours: Permanent (subject to funding).

Full-time -37 hours per week (generally Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm but some flexibility may be required).

Benefits:

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave.
• 1 well-being day per year.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles.
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages.
• Up to 7% employer pension contribution and life assurance cover.
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

Choices Family Support Service (CFSS) aims to support young people aged 10-17 years and their families to overcome and manage issues regarding mental health, family breakdown, emotional health and difficulties regarding education. CFSS provide one-to-one support for young people, family work and parental support. We aim to enable young people to make positive choices and express ambitions for the future.

As a Family Support Practitioner, you'll be working with families experiencing complex challenges and will need to be creative in your approaches in engaging families who may be avoidant and resistant to your efforts.

CFSS is an outreach service working in families' homes which works across the Northern Trust area however this role is primarily to cover the Coleraine/Ballymoney/Moyle areas. It can include some early evening work to suit working parents.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the Family Support Practitioner role are.

• Supporting young people to overcome and better manage difficulties they are facing by assessing needs, agreeing a service plan, carrying out agreed work and reviewing on a regular basis.
• Carrying out assessments and devise action plans to work towards achieving positive outcomes.
• Carrying out individual work with young people aged 10 to 17 and their parents/ carers on an outreach basis.
• Updating and maintaining digital records.

Let's talk about you

• Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 or above or equivalent/related health, counselling or social care qualification.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team providing services to families and children aged 10-17 years.
• Experience of working with various issues particularly low-level mental health issues (anxiety, self-harm, low mood) and low esteem etc.
• Good working knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Access to a car & Business Insurance cover. The job requires the ability to travel according to the needs of the job, with reasonable adjustments, if required, according to the Equality Act.
• Registration with NISCC or the willingness to register.

Closing Date: Monday 28th September 2026.

Interviews will take place on Monday 5th October 2026 face to face in our Antrim office.

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

To be eligible for this position you must complete an Access NI Enhanced Disclosure

Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.

A copy of the Access Ni Code of Practice can be foundhere.

Policies on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders & Access Ni Disclosure Handing Policy are also available on demand.

Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism

At Action for Children, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we are taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve.

We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently under-represented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities.

We also encourage applications from men, who are under-represented in our Children's Services roles. We recognise that people hold multiple identities, and we value the richness this brings to our team.

Find us on Linkedin, FacebookorYouTubeto get to know us better.