Family Support Practitioner

Action for Children; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave

Wellbeing day per year

Support and leadership opportunities

Flexible maternity/paternity/adoption

5% employer pension contribution and 2

Job summary

Action for Children in Plymouth invites applications for a Fixed Term Family Support Practitioner (37 hours per week) until 31 March 2028. The role supports families through parenting programmes, wellbeing, and practical home-based help across Green Ark and Manor Street Family Hubs.

You will work evenings/weekends as needed, build safeguarding practice, and collaborate with local services to keep children safe and thriving. Interviews on 9 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting children and families in an engaging manner and maintaining professional boundaries.
• Confident in communicating and working within multi-agency environments and safeguarding procedures.
• Experience of managing cases and completing assessments with clear records.
• Ability to undertake home or site visits, with lone working considerations.

Responsibilities

• Providing a high-quality service to children and families by understanding needs and delivering appropriate interventions.
• Delivering to groups as well as working with families one-to-one.
• Safeguarding to the highest standards and reporting concerns when needed.
• Working with partners to keep children at the centre of our work.
• Collaborating with colleagues and families to achieve positive outcomes.
• Listening to children and families.

Skills

Experience with families

Communication skills

Safeguarding procedures

Case management

Home/site visits

Education

Level 3+ qualification in social care/health/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 and you'll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

Our Family Support Practitioner role is integral to the Family Hub network. As a Family 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

• 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's talk about you.

• Level 3 or above qualification in social care, health education, 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 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 to take action for 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. So as long as children need us, we'll be here.

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 also encourage applications from men, who are under-represented in our Children's Services roles.