Family Support Worker

Larwood School; East Ham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing benefits

Staff recognition scheme

Counselling access

Job summary

Larwood School seeks a passionate SEN Family Support Worker to join our team. You will support pupils with SEMH needs, collaborate closely with families, and coordinate with external agencies to secure the best outcomes.

The role emphasizes safeguarding, information sharing and building trusted home–school partnerships. Ideal candidates will have experience with EHCP processes, a background in SEN or SEMH, and a strengths-based approach to parental engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) processes.
• Experience in a special school or SEMH support is advantageous.
• Ability to engage positively with families and carers.
• Proven track record in safeguarding and information sharing.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils, families and carers.
• Act as a link between families and school, guiding to appropriate support.
• Coordinate family meetings and prepare relevant paperwork while keeping records.
• Support EHCP reviews and contribute to appropriate provision.
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead duties and safeguarding compliance.
• Promote effective information sharing with external agencies.

Skills

Communication skills

SEMH experience

Family engagement

Multi‑agency liaison

Confidentiality

DSLS experience

Job description

About us

Larwood School is a dynamic and successful primary special school for boys and girls with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. As part of Brighter Futures Educational Trust, we are committed to providing an inclusive, nurturing and supportive environment in which every child is encouraged to achieve, believe, expect and enjoy.

All our pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and benefit from our highly structured, personalised approach to learning and development.

We are proud of our innovative and continually evolving curriculum, which is designed to engage, inspire and meet the individual needs of our pupils.

Following our Ofsted inspection in November 2022, we were judged to be Good in all areas, with Outstanding for Behaviour.

Our school is exceptionally well resourced, with small class sizes of no more than nine pupils. Each teaching group benefits from a dedicated teacher and teaching assistant, ensuring that pupils receive the individual attention and support they need.

We offer a wide range of specialist provision and interventions, including bespoke support programmes, counselling, animal-assisted therapy and an interactive thematic curriculum.

We also provide outreach support to primary schools across Stevenage, sharing our expertise in behaviour management and effective support strategies.

All staff receive training in Hertfordshire STEPS, our approach to positive behaviour management and de-escalation.

The opportunity

We are seeking to appoint a passionate, dedicated and resilient SEN / Family Support Worker to become an integral part of our team.

This is a vital role within our school, supporting pupils with social, emotional and behavioural needs and working closely with their families to secure the best possible outcomes.

You will act as an important link between home, school and external agencies, helping families access the guidance, support and services they need.

Building positive, trusting relationships with parents and carers will be central to this role. You will need excellent communication and organisational skills, a compassionate approach and the confidence to work with families who may be experiencing challenging circumstances.

Above all, you will share our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and that strong partnerships between home, school and other professionals can make a lasting difference.

Key responsibilities

The precise scope of the role will be agreed with the successful candidate. However, the post is expected to include the following responsibilities:

Family and parental support

• Build positive, supportive and trusting relationships with pupils, parents and carers.
• Act as a key link between families and school, addressing issues that may affect learning, behaviour and wellbeing.
• Meet with individual families to provide advice, guidance and signposting to appropriate support services.
• Actively promote and facilitate parental engagement in children's learning, development and education.
• Provide families with relevant information about local support services, statutory provision and available guidance.
• Support families through challenging circumstances, ensuring they feel listened to, valued and supported.

Multi-agency working and safeguarding

• Liaise effectively with external professionals and agencies to ensure appropriate support and provision for pupils and families.
• Organise, coordinate and facilitate family-based meetings, including preparing relevant paperwork and maintaining accurate records.
• Contribute to Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reviews and support the implementation of appropriate provision.
• Undertake the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), overseeing safeguarding arrangements for pupils in pathways and during holiday periods.
• Promote effective information sharing between school, families and external agencies, maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are dealt with promptly and in accordance with school policies and procedures.

Admissions, transitions and communication

• Support elements of the school admissions process, ensuring relevant information is gathered and shared with staff before pupils are admitted.
• Promote positive transitions for pupils, considering individual needs and identifying appropriate transition programmes and support.
• Ensure communication between home and school is effective, timely and accessible, using a range of communication methods.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records and share relevant information appropriately.
• Attend Senior Leadership Team meetings when required.
• Promote the active and purposeful involvement of other professionals to secure high‑quality provision and appropriate care for pupils.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage positively with children, parents and carers.
• Has experience of supporting children with social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• Has a sound understanding of the challenges faced by children with special educational needs.
• Has experience of working collaboratively with families and external agencies.
• Understands the importance of effective multi‑agency working and information sharing.
• Can build positive, trusting relationships with families, including those experiencing challenging circumstances.
• Has experience of supporting children and families through periods of transition.
• Is organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
• Can maintain confidentiality and demonstrate sound professional judgement.
• Is resilient, flexible and able to respond positively to the changing needs of pupils and families.
• Shares our commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and improving outcomes for every child.

Essential experience

Experience and knowledge of special educational needs and EHCP processes, including involvement in EHCP reviews, are essential for this role.

Experience of working in a special school or supporting pupils with SEMH needs would be an advantage. However, candidates with relevant experience in mainstream education or family support settings are also encouraged to apply.

What we can offer you

At Larwood School, we recognise that our staff are our greatest asset. We are committed to supporting your wellbeing, professional development and career progression.

As part of our team, you will benefit from:

• Health and wellbeing: Direct access to a doctor at a time and location that suits you through Educational Mutual.
• Staff recognition: A dedicated attendance reward scheme.
• Additional support: Access to counselling and physiotherapy, subject to scheme conditions.
• Professional development: A dedicated training programme and a wide range of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.
• Career progression: Support and opportunities to undertake further study, including Master's degree programmes.

You will also join a supportive, dedicated and enthusiastic team who are committed to making a real difference to the lives of children and their families.

Join our team

If you are passionate about supporting children with additional needs, building strong relationships with families and helping pupils achieve the very best outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

This is an opportunity to take on a rewarding and influential role in a school where relationships, wellbeing and individual achievement really matter.

Come and be part of Larwood School and Brighter Futures Educational Trust, where together we can make a difference and help every child achieve, believe, expect and enjoy.

Safeguarding and safer recruitment

Larwood School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

All appointments are subject to rigorous safer recruitment procedures. Successful applicants will be required to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and checks with previous employers, in accordance with statutory safeguarding requirements.

We are committed to creating a safe, secure and nurturing environment where every child is protected, valued and supported.