Family Support Worker and DSL (Papworth Everard)

Outcomes First Group; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Cambridge is seeking a Family Support Worker to provide essential support to pupils and families. You will lead safeguarding efforts and work closely with staff and external agencies to ensure a nurturing environment. Ideal candidates will have relevant experience and a passion for helping young people thrive. This role also supports a 4-Day Working Week initiative, enhancing work-life balance.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a similar pastoral, safeguarding, or family support role is highly desirable.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding and child protection across the school.
• Support staff in understanding statutory safeguarding responsibilities.
• Build strong relationships with pupils to identify and remove barriers.
• Monitor and analyze attendance data to support pupils.
• Manage referrals to local authority social care.
• Contribute to the development of school policies.

Skills

Experience in pastoral support

Strong relationship building

Knowledge of child protection

Ability to analyze data

Job description

Overview

This is a unique and rewarding role for someone passionate about making a real difference in the lives of pupils and their families. As a Family Support Worker and DSL, you will provide vital support to families, helping to remove barriers to learning, and ensuring pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs thrive both at school and beyond. You will also take lead responsibility for safeguarding across the school, ensuring that every child is safe, protected, and supported to achieve their potential. You will work closely with staff, families, and external agencies to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where pupils feel secure and valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding and child protection across the school, including strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings.
• Support staff in understanding their statutory safeguarding responsibilities.
• Build strong, positive relationships with pupils to identify and remove barriers to learning and attendance.
• Monitor and analyse attendance data, identify concerns, and implement strategies to support pupils returning to school.
• Manage referrals to local authority childrens social care or the Channel programme as required, guiding staff through the process.
• Work closely with colleagues, families, and external agencies to provide a holistic support service for pupils.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of school policies and ensure staff can access and apply safeguarding procedures effectively.

Previous experience in a similar pastoral, safeguarding, or family support role is highly desirable. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic, supportive environment, enjoys working collaboratively, and is committed to improving the lives of young people and their families.

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so youll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

About the employer and environment

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance and were putting wellbeing first. Thats why were proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether its already in place or just around the corner, now is the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Papworth Hall School is in the picturesque village in Cambridgeshire. It is within close proximity to Huntingdon and Cambridge. Our new specialist school caters for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs and has the capacity for 30 students. For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care. We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the fifth year running.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• Your Wellbeing Matters access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package thats right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.