Senior Practitioner - Family Support

Ackerman Pierce; Ealing; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Ackerman Pierce is seeking a Qualified Social Worker to join the Families First Initial Support Team in England. You will provide early help to families, assess needs, and coordinate with multi-agency partners to ensure timely, appropriate support and safeguarding.

You will advise colleagues, apply thresholds under the Children Act 1989, and promote strengths-based, family-led practice with thorough case recording and outcome planning.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with strong children and families experience.
• Good knowledge of safeguarding, assessment and early intervention.
• Experience working with complex families and multi-agency partners.
• Strong understanding of thresholds and the Children Act 1989.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of the Families First Initial Support Team providing early help and targeted support.
• Undertake timely assessments and identify needs, strengths and risks.
• Provide professional advice, consultation and practice guidance to colleagues.
• Coordinate multi-agency support and ensure families receive right help at the right time.
• Apply appropriate thresholds and escalate safeguarding concerns promptly.
• Promote family-led, strengths-based and relationship-focused practice.
• Ensure high-quality case recording, planning, visits and outcomes.

Skills

Social work

Safeguarding

Assessment

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Social Work / recognised social work qualification

Job description

Key Duties:

• Work as part of the new Families First Initial Support Team, providing early help and targeted support to families.
• Undertake timely assessments and identify children and families’ needs, strengths and risks.
• Provide professional advice, consultation and practice guidance to colleagues.
• Coordinate multi-agency support and ensure families receive the right help at the right time.
• Apply appropriate thresholds and ensure safeguarding concerns are identified and escalated promptly.
• Promote family-led, strengths-based and relationship-focused practice.
• Ensure high-quality case recording, planning, visits and outcomes in line with statutory requirements.
• Contribute to developing and embedding the new Family First/Pathfinder model of practice.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Qualified Social Worker with strong children and families experience.
• Good knowledge of safeguarding, assessment and early intervention.
• Experience working with complex families and multi-agency partners.
• Strong understanding of thresholds and the Children Act 1989.
• Ability to provide consultation, guidance and support to practitioners.
• Strong communication, analytical and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to strengths-based, family-led and preventative practice.