Family Support Worker

Action for Children; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave/Leave options

Well-being day

Cycle to work scheme

Professional development opportunities

Flexible family leave packages

Pension contribution

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Action for Children is seeking a Part Time Family Support Worker in Londonderry to enhance outcomes for children under four and their families. The role focuses on early years support, community engagement, and safeguarding within Waterside Sure Start services.

You will conduct home visits, run parenting programmes, and create service plans with families to achieve positive outcomes, travelling within the catchment area as needed.

Qualifications

• Diploma Level 2 in Early Years or similar subject.
• Experience of working with children and families and identifying their needs.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with children, young people and their families.
• Awareness of safeguarding concerns and ability to follow reporting procedures.
• Experience of group work programmes.
• Access to a car and ability to travel as required.
• Registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC).

Responsibilities

• Undertaking home visits including promotional visits, social, emotional and practical parenting support.
• Developing play skills with children under 4 and their parents/carers.
• Facilitating parenting support programmes and signposting families to services.
• Engaging with the community and families with children in the catchment area.
• Planning, developing and delivering individual and group services to support children’s start in life.

Skills

Excellent communication

Safeguarding awareness

Group work experience

Car owner

NISCC registration preferred

Education

Diploma Level 2 in Early Years

Job description

Family Support Worker.

Salary: £25,949 per annum pro rata.

Location: Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

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

Benefits:

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave.
• 1 well-being day per year.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles.
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages.
• Up to 7% employer pension contribution and life assurance cover.
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers.

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.

About the role

Waterside Sure Start is funded by the Department of Education, delivers high‑quality early years support to children aged 0–4 and their families across six local catchment areas. Our work focuses on early learning, child health, and positive family relationships.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

As a Family Support Worker, you will play a key role in improving outcomes for young children and their families by…

• Undertaking a range of home visits including promotional visits, social, emotional and practical parenting support and / or developing play skills with children aged under 4 years and their parents/carers.
• Facilitating parenting support programmes and signposting families to other relevant services ensuring good links with local statutory and voluntary services.
• Engaging with the community and families with children from pre-birth up to the age of 4 in the catchment area.
• Assessing families' needs and creating service plans in partnership with them to achieve their desired outcomes.
• Being responsible for the planning, development and delivery of individual and group‑based services, which support families in providing their children with the best start in life.

Let's talk about you

• Diploma Level 2 in Early Years or a similar subject.
• Experience of working with children and families and identifying their needs.
• Excellent communication skills to be able to engage and work with children, young people and their families.
• An awareness and an ability to identify and act upon safeguarding concerns with clients and to follow agreed reporting procedures.
• Experience of group work programmes.
• Access to a car. The job requires the ability to travel according to the needs of the job, with reasonable adjustments, if required, according to the Equality Act.
• Registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC).

Are you a team player with strong communication skills, experience working with families, and solid knowledge of child protection?

Are you committed to high‑quality practice, collaborative working, and achieving positive outcomes for children under four and their families?

Then we look forward to hearing from you.

Closing Date

Tuesday 20th October 2026.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 28th October 2026 face to face at Waterside.

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.

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 know more about Action for Children?

Find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet