Family Support Practitioner

Action for Children; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave options

Wellbeing day

Leadership opportunities

Family leave flexibility

Life assurance & employer pension

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Action for Children is recruiting a Family Support Practitioner in Plymouth. You will work with children, young people and families to deliver parenting programmes, wellbeing support and practical help in the home.

The role requires safeguarding focus and multi-agency collaboration across Green Ark and Manor Street Family Hubs, with some evening/weekend work. The post is a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2028, full-time (37 hours per week).

Qualifications

• Level 3+ qualification in social care, health education or early years is required.
• Experience supporting children and families in engaging ways and maintaining professional boundaries.
• Confident in multi‑agency work environments and safeguarding procedures.
• Experience with case management, assessments, planning and reviews to ensure positive outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and direct support for children, young people and families.
• Deliver parenting programmes, behaviour strategies and emotional wellbeing support.
• Safeguard children and report concerns following policy and procedures.
• Work with partner agencies to keep children at the centre of the work.
• Collaborate with families and colleagues to achieve positive outcomes.
• Listen to children and families to support their needs.

Skills

Qualifying in social care/health ed/ey

Case management

Multi-agency collaboration

Home visits

Family engagement

Youth work (desirable)

Education

Level 3+ qualification in social care/health education/early years

Job description

Family Support Practitioner

Salary: £26,800 per annum

Location:Plymouth, Devon

Contract/Hours: Fixed Term until 31 March 2028 – Full-time 37 hours per week

Benefits:

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave. consideration of continued service leave balance
• 1 wellbeing day per year
• Excellent support and leadership opportunities
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers

Interviews to be held on 9th November 2026

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us andyou’llbe part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods.See howyour skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit abouttherole

Our Family Support Practitioner role is integral to the Family Hub network.As aFamily Support Practitioner, you will work with Children and their families to help overcome challenges, improve wellbeing and build stronger, safer home environments. You will deliver parenting programmes, behaviour strategies, emotional wellbeing and help with practical skills within the home. You will work across Green Ark Family Hub & Manor Street Family Hub, as well as the wider city area as needed. We see the role incorporating some planned evening and/or weekend working.

About the service

Green Ark & Manor Street Family Hubs are open to the whole community, offering a welcoming and supportive environment for families.

We work in partnership with a range of local services, including health visitors, midwives, nurseries, and schools, to ensure families receive the best possible support.

Our Family Hubs play a vital role in helping children and families access early support, giving every child the best start in life.

Services for Under-Fives Include:

• Child and family health services
• Parenting programmes and antenatal support
• Free early years education opportunities
• Stay and Play sessions
• Step by Step sessions (for child development support)

Support for Parents:

• Practical workshops
• Access to volunteering opportunities to support pathways into employment

What you do could make a difference

As a Family Support Practitioner, you will co-ordinate and direct the support to children, young people and families and will make a difference by:

• Providing a high-quality service to children, and their families by understanding their needs and delivering appropriate interventions.
• Delivering to groups as well as working with families on a one-to-one basis.
• Achieving the highest standards of safeguarding, whether through supporting the children and their families who meet our service, or by appropriately reporting concerns about any child.
• Working in partnership with other agencies to keep children at the centre of our work.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues and families to achieve positive outcomes.
• Listening to children, and families.

Let'stalk about you.

Ourjob description for the FamilySupportPractitioneroutlines therequirementsof the role but the ‘must-haves' are:

• Level 3 or abovequalification in socialcare, healtheducation,or early years.
• Experience of supporting children and families in an engaging manner and to maintain independent professional relationships, boundaries.
• Confident in communicating and working within a multi-agency social care, early years or health environment and applying safeguarding procedures
• Experience of managing cases, in accordance with agreed procedures and completing assessments, planning and reviews to ensure positive outcomes, whilst keeping accurate and concise records.
• Ability to undertake home /site visits, ensuring compliance with lone working policies and procedures.
• Experience of working with Youth Clubs (desirable)

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many childrendon’t.

By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience,you’llhelp us create change that really matters. And when we succeed,we’llrecognise what you did to make a difference.

We'vebeen driven by love totake actionfor children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need,hasn’t. Soas long aschildren need us,we’llbe here.

Will you join us?

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.

Want to get to know Action for Children better?

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