Family Support Practitioner

Action for Children; Ballymena; Remote; GBP 2.000 - 3.000; Teilzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

29 days leave plus bank holidays pro‑r

Training & development

Pension with up to 7% employer

Staff discounts & Blue Light Card

Flexible maternity/adoption/paternity

Zusammenfassung

Action for Children Ballymena is seeking a Part-time Family Support Practitioner to deliver the Toy, Book and Library Bus service for children aged 0–4 and their families. You’ll promote learning through play and support outreach within Sure Start communities.

The role requires a Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent, safeguarding knowledge, and a valid driving licence to operate a sprinter van. 30 hours per week, permanent contract, based in Ballymena.

Qualifikationen

• Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience working with families and children.
• Understanding of child protection and safeguarding.
• Ability to engage with diverse people and build relationships.
• Strong record-keeping for assessments and reviews.
• Good IT skills for reporting and planning.
• Ability to work independently with a varied workload.
• Flexible, positive, community-based approach.
• Full driving licence and ability to drive a sprinter van.

Aufgaben

• Deliver mobile toy, book and library bus to local communities.
• Plan and run early years sessions for 0–4s and families.
• Promote development and learning through play.
• Build relationships with families and partner organisations.
• Manage loan, return and maintenance of resources.
• Ensure vehicle and equipment are safe, organised, and well-presented.
• Record attendance and support reporting requirements.
• Support outreach activities and community events.

Kenntnisse

Diploma Level 3 Health & Social Care

Experience with families and children

Safeguarding

Communication skills

Record keeping

IT skills

Independent worker

Flexible attitude

Driving licence

Ausbildung

Level 3 Diploma Health & Social Care

Tools

Drive sprinter van

Jobbeschreibung

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

Salary: £2,006.84 per annum, pro rata.

Location: Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

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

Benefits

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata, with up to 5additional days for continuous service andoption 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 makea 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 projectcomprises 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.

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, communitygroupsand 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 arereported to line manager.

• Ensure the vehiclemaintains 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.

Closing date

Thursday 22nd October 2026.

Interviews will be conducted face to face week commencing2nd November 2026.

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for thisrole.

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 experiencedoesn'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.

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet