Family Support Practitioner

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 29 days

Bank holidays

Pension up to 5%

Life assurance

Blue Light Card discounts

Professional training

Flexible parental leave

Job summary

Action for Children in Paignton, Devon, seeks a Family Support Practitioner on a permanent part-time basis (25 hours per week). Salary is £26,006.84 per annum (pro rata from April 2026). Interviews will be held 4th and 5th March 2026.

You will work with families across Torbay, providing practical and emotional support and coordinating with partner agencies. You’ll have NVQ Level 3 in early years or equivalent and experience in safeguarding, home visits, and family services.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in early years or equivalent with at least two years post qualifying experience (preferred).
• Knowledge of developmental trauma, attachment theory, emotional regulation and attunement.
• A sound knowledge of the impact trauma can have on children's life outcomes.
• Hold a full driving license and have access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate support for children, young people, and families through various interventions (one-to-one, group, or community based).
• Provide high-quality service based on individual assessments of need.
• Maintain effective communication and relationships with colleagues, children, young people and their families.
• Respond appropriately to safeguarding and build relationships with other professionals and partner agencies.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Ability to travel

Full driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 3 in early years or equivalent

Job description

• Vetting Level Required DBS Enhanced Adult & Children

Role Description

Family Support Practitioner

Salary:£26,006.84 per annum ( pro rata - from April 2026)
Location:Paignton, Devon
Contract/Hours:Permanent/Part Time – 25 hours per week

Interviews: to be held on the 4 th and 5 th of March 2026

• 29 days annual leaveplusbank holidays(over 7 weeks paid leave a year for full time workers)and theoption to buy or sellleave
• Professional qualifications and excellenttraining
• Flexible maternity, adoption, andpaternitypackages
• Up to5% employer contributionandlife assurancecover
• Blue Light Card eligibility withdiscounts at15,000 national retailers

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be 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

Join Action for Children and an exciting partnership with Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, supporting the 0 to 19 Torbay initiative.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys a varied role, has a good sense of humour, and wants to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families.

You work directly with families across Torbay, Torquay and Brixham, offering practical and emotional support. This includes one to one family support and parenting, domestic abuse, substance misuse and wider family challenges.

You'll have experience and family support or similar role, strong communication skills, a good understanding of safeguarding, experience of home visits, the ability to work independently as part of a team and the flexibility to travel across the locality.

You’ll complete assessments, create personalised support plans and work closely with partner agencies to ensure families get the right help at the right time.

Please note that this role does involve working occasionally on Saturdays

About the Service

We aim to safeguard and promote good health for all children in the Paignton, Torbay, Torquay and Brixham area whilst providing comprehensive local care to those in need together with support for their families.

How you could make a difference

• Coordinate support for children, young people, and families through various interventions (one-to-one, group, or community based) Via face to face, online, or telephone delivery.
• Provide a high-quality service based on individual assessments of need
• Maintain effective communication and relationships with colleagues, children, young people and their families
• Respond appropriately to Safeguarding.
• Build strong relationships with other professionals and partner agencies to promote strength-based approach.
• Keeping accurate records of interactions and progress is also important.

Let’s talk about you

• NVQ Level 3 in early years or equivalent with at least two years post qualifying experience (preferred)
• Knowledge of developmental trauma, attachment theory, emotional regulation and attunement
• A sound knowledge of the impact trauma can have on children's life outcomes
• A positive and caring attitude with excellent interpersonal skills
• The ability to prioritise and manage workloads
• Ability to work alone as well as within a team
• A strong work ethic in a fast-paced and challenging environment
• Hold a full driving license and have access to a vehicle

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 children don’t.

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

We've been 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’ll be here.

Wework hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things.

Weactivelyencourageapplications frompeople withBlack, AsianandMinority Ethnicbackgroundsandpeople with adisability,as these groupsare under-represented within Action for Children.

Menarecurrentlyunder-represented within our Children Service roles.We’d like to change that.So,we reallyencouragemen to applyforany ofour Children Serviceroles.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

See below for further information about working with us: