Family Support Worker

Isebrook School; Kettering; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing support

Employee benefits

Professional development

Inclusive school community

Trauma-informed training

Job summary

Isebrook School is seeking a dedicated Family Support Worker to join our specialist setting for 11-18 students. You will work with families to remove barriers to engagement, promote wellbeing and connect them with the right services, using a trauma-informed approach.

You will build trusted relationships with students, families and carers, support attendance and transitions, and collaborate with colleagues across the school to foster inclusive home–school partnerships and positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people and families in education, health, social care or community settings.
• Understanding challenges faced by families of children and young people with SEND.
• Knowledge of attachment, ACEs and trauma-informed practice.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families and carers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Calm, resilient and solution-focused in demanding situations.
• Commitment to inclusion and supporting every student and family.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team while managing own workload.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key point of contact for families, offering guidance, support and advocacy.
• Build trusting relationships with students, families and carers.
• Identify strengths, needs and barriers to engagement with families.
• Support attendance, wellbeing and positive outcomes for students.
• Provide practical and emotional support during challenging periods.
• Signpost and facilitate access to external services and community resources.
• Contribute to Family Help Conversations and multi-agency meetings.
• Support transition points for students and families.
• Collaborate with school teams to ensure coordinated support.
• Develop family engagement opportunities, workshops and initiatives.

Skills

Experience with families

SEND awareness

Trauma-informed

Relationship building

Communication skills

Resilience

Inclusion mindset

Team collaboration

Job description

Help Change Lives Through Relationships, Understanding and Support

At Isebrook School, we believe that strong relationships with families are fundamental to helping our students achieve positive outcomes. We are seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate and resilient Family Support Worker to join our dedicated team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a specialist setting supporting young people with a range of learning needs and their families. The successful candidate will play a key role in removing barriers to engagement, promoting wellbeing, and helping families access the support they need to thrive.

Central to this role is a commitment to working through a trauma-informed lens, recognising the impact that adversity, attachment needs and life experiences can have on students and families. We are looking for someone who can build trust, foster connection and work collaboratively to empower families and promote positive change.

The Role

As our Family Support Worker, you will:

• Act as a key point of contact for families, offering guidance, support and advocacy.

• Build strong, trusting relationships with students, families and carers.

• Work proactively with families to identify strengths, needs and barriers to engagement.

• Support attendance, wellbeing and positive outcomes for students.

• Provide practical and emotional support to families during challenging periods.

• Signpost and facilitate access to external services, community resources and specialist support.

• Contribute to Family Help Conversations and multi-agency meetings where appropriate.

• Support transition points for students and families.

• Work closely with a number of teams across the school to ensure a coordinated approach to support.

• Develop family engagement opportunities, workshops and initiatives that strengthen home-school partnerships.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Has experience working with children, young people and families in education, health, social care or community settings.

• Understands the challenges faced by families of children and young people with SEND.

• Has knowledge of attachment, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed practice.

• Can build positive relationships based on trust, empathy and respect.

• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Is calm, resilient and solution-focused, even in challenging situations.

• Is passionate about inclusion and ensuring every student and family feels valued and supported.

• Can work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team while managing their own workload.

Our Approach

At Isebrook, we recognise that behaviour is a form of communication and that students' experiences can have a significant impact on their engagement, wellbeing and success. Our trauma-informed approach focuses on understanding what may lie behind behaviours, building emotional safety, strengthening relationships and helping students and families develop the skills and confidence needed to flourish.

We are committed to working alongside families, not doing things to them, but with them. We want our Family Support Worker to walk alongside our families and support them.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of young people and their families.

• A supportive and caring staff team.

• Ongoing professional development, including training in trauma-informed practice and SEND.

• A welcoming and inclusive school community.

• Access to wellbeing support and employee benefits.

• The chance to contribute to the continued development of a growing and ambitious special school.

About Isebrook School

Isebrook School is a specialist provision for 252 awesome students aged 11-18 with a range of learning needs. We are committed to providing a nurturing, ambitious and personalised education that enables every student to achieve their potential, develop independence and prepare for adulthood. Partnership with families is at the heart of everything we do, and this role is integral to ensuring that students and families receive the support they need to succeed.

Safeguarding Statement

Isebrook School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, online checks and all other safer recruitment checks.

Isebrook School is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a UNICEF UK Silver Rights Respecting School, we are committed to placing children's rights, wellbeing and voice at the heart of everything we do. This award recognises our dedication to creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive and respectful environment where all students are valued, listened to and empowered to thrive.

Join us in making a lasting difference by supporting students and families to overcome barriers, build resilience and achieve their full potential.

Closing Date Monday 16th November at 12 noon

Interview Date Wednesday 18th November