Family Support Practitioner

Action-For-Children; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Training opportunities

Pension

Staff discounts

Blue Light Card

Job summary

Action for Children is hiring a Family Support Practitioner for the Waterside Family Support Hub in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. This permanent/part-time position offers 30 hours per week with flexible days and hours discussed at interview.

You will link with professionals and families to provide guidance, signpost services, and build networks with Hub partners across the Western Health and Social Care area. Training and development opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 or above or equivalent/related health, counselling, or social care qualification.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to safeguarding, risk management and child protection policies to ensure safety of all children.
• Attend meetings and collaborate with statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Coordinate Hub meetings and build network relationships to support families.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Driving licence

Report writing

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Health and Social Care qualification

Job description

Family Support Practitioner.

Salary: £26,006.84 per annum pro rata.

Location: Waterside Family Centre and Waterside Family Support Hub, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Contract/Hours: Permanent/Part -Time, working 30 hours a week,(days and hours can be discussed at interview).

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.

A bit about the role

The role of Family Support Practitioner is a permanent /part-time role working 30 hours per week and this role is within Action for Children’s Waterside Family Support Hub (WFSH). In this role the Family Support Practitioner links directly with professionals and referred families to offer guidance and signposting to appropriate services and supports in the community, based on identified needs.

The WFSH is part of a network of Hubs in the Western Health and Social Care area, supporting children aged 0-17 yrs, and their families to access early intervention services and supports when they need it most. Part of your role will be developing services and relationships with Hub partners, other multi-agency partners, co-ordinating Hub meetings for your specific service, and building relationships and knowledge of the network of agencies and services in the community to support children and families referred to the WFSH.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the Family Support Practitioner role are:

• Adhering to safeguarding, risk management, and child protection policies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children attending the service.

• Be aware of the general issues and concerns that affect young people currently and be open for training if required.

• Attend internal and external meetings as directed by your line manager and collaborate and work in partnership with all statutory and voluntary agencies.

• Be clear on the importance of keeping files up to date as required by the organisation.

Let's talk about you

Ideally you will have:

• Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 or above or equivalent/related health, counselling, or social care qualification.

• Experience of direct work/engagement with children and families.

• Good report writing skills.

• Good working knowledge of safeguarding.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Excellent IT skills including use of Microsoft (Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

• Registration or the willingness to register with NISCC.

• Clean UK Driving Licence and use of a car is essential for this role.

Contact: [e-mail] quoting reference 13590.

Closing Date: Monday 6th September 2026.

Please note:Interviews are planned to be held on the 14th of September 2026 face to face in Londonderry.

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

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion

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

Weactivelyencourageapplications 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?

Job Description

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet