Family Support Worker - 37 hours

Torbay Council; Torquay; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a full-time Family Support Worker to provide face-to-face support for families and children in Torbay and nearby areas. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, knowledge of child development, and the ability to work independently. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience and a GCSE pass in English. The position offers an annual salary of £28,598 - £31,022.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate insight into assessing risk to ensure safe practice.
• Role requires confident spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Provide face-to-face family time for families and children in various settings.
• Work independently while maintaining safe practices.
• Engage with complex and challenging situations.

Skills

Ability to observe and engage with a child/children and adults on a 1:1 or group situation

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly, accurately and positively

Ability to give advice and support to parents/carers on issues of child development

Ability to undertake supervised contact for children and their families

Ability to maintain professional relationships with staff, clients, carers and other agencies

Ability to collate and maintain records in line with policy

Education

GCSE pass in English at Grade C or above or equivalent

Job description

Application Deadline: 6 October 2025

Department: Childrens Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £28,598 - £31,022 / year

Job Description & Person Specification

We are looking to recruit a full time Family Support Worker to join a team within Specialist Services. The role provides face to face family time for families and children, in various settings throughout Torbay and nearby areas- Newton Abbot, Exeter, Plymouth.

You will need to be motivated, and able to work independently using your initiative and maintaining safe working practices along with good recording skills and be able to implement professional boundaries. You will need to demonstrate insight into assessing risk, to ensure safe practice. Good communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills are vital in this role, as you will be working with complex and challenging situations. You may also be required to travel in-between multiple locations throughout the day.

This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by visiting the Torbay Council website.

For an informal chat please contact Eleanor Plumb on 01803 208371 or [e-mail].

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 13th October 2025.

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

• Ability to observe and engage with a child/children and adults on a 1:1 or group situation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly, accurately and positively with parents, children and colleagues.
• Ability to give advice and support to parents/carers on issues of child development.
• Ability to undertake supervised contact for children and their families and hold a caseload.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with staff, clients, carers and other agencies.
• Ability to collate and maintain records in line with departmental and Family Centre policy, e.g. diary sheets, planners, reports, files, etc.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

• Sound knowledge of child development and child protection.
• Knowledge/awareness of the theories of ‘positive self-esteem’ and ‘attachment/separation’ task centred, time-limited work with children and/or families.
• Practising knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and their Families.
• An understanding of the effects on ‘parenting’ where concerns involve disabilities/mental health/gender/abuse.
• Awareness of the concept of ‘quality protects.’

Experience & Qualifications

• Evidence of consistent pattern of learning from education, training and experience.
• GCSE pass in English at Grade C or above or equivalent.
• Experience of work in a statutory, voluntary or private capacity with children/adults/parents/carers.
• A proven ability to undertake individual and family work with children and their families/carers.
• Experience of undertaking contact/assessment work with children and/or families/carers.