Family Support Practitioner

Action for Children; Antrim; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave pro rata

Training & development

Pension with employer contribution

Job summary

Action for Children in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, is seeking a part-time Family Support Practitioner to run a Toy, Book and Library Bus for 0–4s and families. The role focuses on early learning through play, safeguarding, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), strong communication skills, and a valid driving licence to operate a sprinter van. Role offers training and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience working with families and children.
• Strong understanding of child protection and safeguarding.
• Understanding of child development across physical, cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional domains.
• Excellent communication and IT skills; able to engage people from all backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
• Full driving licence and ability to drive a sprinter van.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a mobile Toy, Book and Library Bus Service in the local community.
• Plan and run early years sessions for 0–4 year olds and families.
• Promote development and learning through play.
• Build positive relationships with families, groups and partners.
• Manage loan, return and upkeep of resources and ensure safety of vehicle and equipment.
• Record attendance and support reporting requirements.
• Support outreach activities and community events to raise awareness.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Independent working

Flexible approach

Experience with families and children

Child safeguarding knowledge

Understanding child development

Driving licence

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care

Job description

Job Description

Family Support Practitioner (Toy, Book and Library bus service).

Salary: £26,006.84 per annum, pro rata.

Location: Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Contract/Hours: Permanent, Part-time (working 30 hours a week).

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
• Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers' discounts.

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 687,000 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.

About the service

Ballymena & Little Steps Sure Start provides a range of health, play & learning and parenting support services to children, from pre-birth up to four years, and their families. The project comprises a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary team and works in close partnership with a range of local Statutory, Voluntary and Community service providers to promote effective service delivery in response to the needs of the expectant parents, children and families across the designated SureStart areas. Sure Start services are provided from 3 centre bases across the localities, within the home setting or through outreach settings.

A bit about the role

We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative and community-focused individual to deliver our Toy, Book and Library Bus Service for children aged 0-4 years old and their families. This exciting role provides opportunities to support early learning, play and family engagement by bringing toys, books and learning resources directly into communities.

The successful candidate will create welcoming and inclusive experiences that encourage children to develop a love of books, learning and play from an early age while supporting parents and carers with ideas and resources to promote child development at home.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• Deliver a mobile toy, book and library bus service within the local community
• Plan and facilitate engaging early years sessions for children aged 0-4 years and their families.
• Promote overall development and learning through play.
• Build positive relationships with families, community groups and partner organisations.
• Manage the loan, return and maintenance of resources.
• Ensure the vehicle, equipment and resources are safe, organised and well-presented.
• Record attendance, monitor service usage and contribute to reporting requirements.
• Support outreach activities and community events to raise awareness of the service.
• Maintain safeguarding, health and safety and organisational policies at all times.
• Maintain the Toy, Book and Library bus to ensure all pre and post road trips are completed.
• Ensure service of the vehicle and repairs are reported to line manager.
• Ensure the vehicle maintains and clean and presentable appearance at all times.

Let's talk about you:

• Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care, Early Years Childcare or equivalent.
• Experience of working with families and children and supporting their individual needs.
• A thorough understanding of child protection and Safeguarding.
• An understanding of the physical, intellectual, linguistic, social and emotional growth as part of child development.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds to build strong and collaborative relationships.
• Strong record keeping skills to complete assessments, service plans and reviews.
• Good IT skills.
• The ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
• A flexible and positive approach to community-based work.
• Full driving licence and ability to drive a sprinter van.

What We Offer

• A rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on children's early development.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities to build strong community partnerships and help families thrive.

Contact: [e-mail] quoting reference 13531.

Closing date: Thursday 27th August 2026.

Interviews will be conducted face to face week commencing 31st August 2026.

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

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

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 found here.

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

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

Find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet