Family Time Practitioner

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave and benefits

LGPS pension

Travel and wellbeing benefits

Pay progression and annual increments

Training and career development

Flexible working opportunities

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Family Time Practitioner to join our safeguarding teams. You will supervise and facilitate Family Time sessions, observe interactions, and work with social workers to meet children's needs, across centres, hubs, and in family homes.

You'll also transport children when needed, conduct home visits, and help with safeguarding duties, bringing a compassionate, calm approach and clear communication to diverse families. DBS checks will be required.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and families in a supportive role.
• Strong observational and assessment skills are required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills essential.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children.
• Full valid driving licence and access to personal transport with business insurance.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and facilitate Family Time sessions, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for children and their families.
• Observe and assess interactions between children and their parents, offering feedback and support where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of observations and outcomes from each session.
• Collaborate closely with Social Workers and other professionals to ensure the needs of children and families are met.
• Support Family Time sessions in various settings, including Family Time Centres, Family Hubs, community venues, or within family homes.
• Transport babies and children to and from Family Time sessions, sometimes across wide geographical areas, including out-of-county locations.
• Conduct home visits and provide practical support to families involved in care proceedings or safeguarding plans.

Skills

Experience with children and families

Observational and assessment skills

Communication and interpersonal skills

Calm under pressure

Safeguarding commitment

Driving licence and own transport

Job description

When you join us as a Family Time Practitioner, you'll be part of a team that empowers its people to explore new ideas, create meaningful connections, and shape the future of Suffolk. Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• supervise and facilitate Family Time sessions, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for children and their families
• observe and assess interactions between children and their parents, offering feedback and support where appropriate
• maintain accurate and detailed records of observations and outcomes from each session
• collaborate closely with Social Workers and other professionals to ensure the needs of children and families are met
• support Family Time sessions in a variety of settings, including Family Time Centres, Family Hubs, community venues, or within family homes
• transport babies and children to and from Family Time sessions, sometimes across a wide geographical area, including out-of-county locations
• conduct home visits and provide practical support to families involved in child in need plans, care proceedings, or court processes.

Your dedication and compassion will help create positive experiences for families and contribute to their overall well-being.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement

• Tell us about a time you supported a child or young person during a difficult situation. How did you ensure their safety and emotional wellbeing?
• Give an example of a time you had to de-escalate a challenging situation with a parent or carer. What strategies did you use?
• This role involves transporting children across a wide geographical area. Can you describe how you manage your time and ensure children are transported safely and calmly?
• Tell us about a time when you identified a safeguarding concern. What actions did you take, and what was the result?
• How do you ensure your communication is clear, respectful, and appropriate when working with families from diverse backgrounds?

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

Requirements

• experience working with children and families in a supportive role
• strong observational and assessment skills
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• the ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations
• a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• a full valid driving licence and have access to personal transport with the need for business insurance.

At Suffolk County Council, we're reimagining what local government can achieve. We're a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation, collaboration, and making a real difference in our communities. As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

Benefits

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day