Family Support Worker

Social Care Today; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Local Gov Pension

Job summary

Essex County Council in Basildon, Essex is seeking a Family Support Worker to join the Children in Care team. You will work with families to build strong relationships, provide practical and emotional support, and coordinate access to services.

The role requires NVQ Level 3 in Children and Families or equivalent, strong communication and assessment skills, and mobility around Essex. Salary £26,284–£33,256 per annum plus generous leave and pension.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Children and Families or equivalent experience with children and families.
• Strong communication skills and ability to assess needs and risks.
• Ability to manage time, plan and document effectively.
• Experience working with statutory/non-statutory services.
• Willingness to travel across Essex and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

• Hold own caseload and coordinate with supervisor on actions to progress cases.
• Work with children, young people and families to improve life chances.
• Undertake holistic assessments and develop intervention plans with service users.
• Provide practical, personal and emotional support in homes or other settings.
• Share information with colleagues and partners to ensure coordinated delivery.
• Engage in regular supervision and professional development activities.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and maintain accurate records.

Skills

NVQ Level 3 in Children and Families

Communication skills

Problem solving

Time management

Assessment skills

Teamwork

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Children and Families

Job description

Permanent, Full Time

£26,284 to £33,256 Per Annum

Location: Basildon

Closing Date: Monday 21st September 2026 at 11.59pm.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.

The Role

The Family Support Worker will work closely with families to build strong relationships, based on respect and positive regard.

Accountabilities

• Holding their own caseload, Family Workers will utilise support from their supervisor and colleagues about the direction and actions required to move a case forward on a day-to-day basis and refer decisions regarding risk or significant concern to their manager or practice supervisor.
• Working alongside children, young people, and their families to change areas of their lives which may mean they have reduced life chances. Provide both practical and specialist advice as well acting as a lead coordinator for additional support services where appropriate.
• Working as part of a Children in Care team to undertake holistic assessment of family needs and help identify how outcomes can be achieved, ensuring that assessments and intervention plans fully reflect family and young person's views and aspirations.
• Provide specific practical, personal, and emotional support to families in their homes or other settings as part of an agreed plan, which will be reviewed jointly with families, leading to achievement of agreed and sustainable family outcomes.
• Undertake programmes of work to support children and families to develop their skills to resolve issues and problems themselves, provide them with information and accompany them when needed to help them access other local provision.
• Lawfully share information and work with colleagues and partners to ensure effective planning and delivery of services to families.
• Participate actively in regular supervision to review work and ensure effective interventions for families. As part of this, take part in regular professional development sessions designed to ensure that the principles of effective practice are fully embedded in service delivery.
• Follow SET Child Protection procedures, ensuring that swift discussion takes place with Practice Supervisor or Team Manager when child protection or other public protection concerns arise.
• Maintain a high standard of practice reflecting a value-based approach to working with children and their families.
• Ensure all work is recorded accurately, and in a timely fashion using agreed Systems.
• Follow the Council's Equal Opportunity Policy and Diversity Strategy and observe the standard of conduct which prevents discrimination taking place.
• Follow the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Council's Health and Safety Policy and all locally agreed safe methods of work.
• Undertake at the discretion of the Team Manager, such other activities as may from time to time arise which are consistent with the nature of the job described above.
• Participate in regular appraisals and identify and respond to your own and team development needs.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of research, departmental policies, and procedures, and to have in depth knowledge of legislation and guidance relevant to providing services to children and families.

The Experience You Will Bring

• A qualification such as NVQ level 3 in Children and Families or equivalent knowledge and skills from experience working in a related field as well as evidence of working directly with children and families accessing statutory/ non-statutory services.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and aware of the principles of evidenced based practice.
• Able to provide practical advice and support to families to enable identified families to achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills, reliability, and good time management skills.
• Awareness of relevant legislation such as Children Act 1989, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and relevant education legislation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Company: Essex County Council

Salary: £26284.00 - £33256.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension

Location: Basildon, Essex

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Support Worker