Family Support Worker

Durham County Council; North East; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in North East England is seeking dedicated Family Workers to provide essential support to vulnerable children and families. The role involves collaborating with social workers, implementing evidence-based interventions, and using a Signs of Safety approach to improve family outcomes. Candidates should have experience in this field and, if necessary, will be supported in obtaining a relevant Level 3 qualification. Flexible working options are available, contributing to an excellent work-life balance.

Benefits

27 days holiday, increasing to 32

Option to purchase additional leave

Flexible working arrangements

Company pension contributions

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Recent experience in supporting vulnerable children and families.
• Experience in evidence-based intervention practices.
• Ability to facilitate groups and handle safeguarding concerns.

Responsibilities

• Work within Families First Service with vulnerable children and families.
• Utilize the Signs of Safety approach for assessments.
• Empower families to identify and meet their needs.

Skills

Supporting vulnerable children and families

Delivering planned interventions

Group facilitation

Responding to safeguarding issues

Education

Relevant Level 3 qualification

Job description

Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!

We are looking for Family Workers (1x 37 hours, 1x 18.5 hours) for our teams based in Stanley and Newton Aycliffe.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

You will work in our Families First Service with our most vulnerable children, young people and families. You will work alongside social workers and other professionals to deliver practical interventions that support families, help keep children safe and enable them both to thrive.

You will develop and use a range of approaches to build an effective working relationship with parents and families, to enable positive change to take place for themselves and their children; to work with parents to empower them to identify, acknowledge and meet their own and their children’s needs, develop life skills, make and sustain effective change and reduce vulnerability.

You will use a Signs of Safety approach and ‘Team around the Family’ processes to contribute to whole family assessments and family plans.

You will be joining us at a fantastic time. Inspectors have just judged our Children’s Services as outstanding. You can read the full report here.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

• Recent experience of working and supporting vulnerable children and families in the home and community settings
• Experience of delivering planned interventions using evidence-based practice leading to improved outcomes
• Experience of group facilitation and responding effectively to safeguarding issues and concerns.

If you don’t already have a relevant level 3 qualification we can support you to achieve it.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

The successful applicant for this post will be required to apply for a Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

IS THIS THE ROLE FOR YOU?

It’s a great idea to speak to us before you apply. To find out more about the post, please contact Hayley Nesbitt, Team Manager by [e-mail].

REWARDS AND BENEFITS

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look at our Rewards and Benefits.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.

We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Take a closer look at our approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held week commencing 12 January 2026.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

HOW TO APPLY

In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27 (option 2), or the Recruitment Team via email at [e-mail].

We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice.

Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered with North East Jobs, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your email after the closing date for notification from [e-mail] as you will not be notified by any other means. Please ensure you check your junk mail.