Social Workers/ Family Help Lead Practitioners (Case Holding - CIN & CP)

Children's Social Work Matters; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

City of York Council in York invites applications for Family Help Lead Practitioner roles within the Family Help Service. You will work directly with children and families, undertaking assessments, delivering interventions and co-producing safety plans to keep families together where possible.

Join a forward-thinking service committed to Families First reforms, flexible and hybrid working options, reflective supervision, and strong partnership working with health, education and the voluntary

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children and families and safeguarding.
• Strong risk assessment, child development and multi-agency working skills.
• Ability to lead practice and support colleagues, promoting high standards.

Responsibilities

• Undertake Family Help Assessments and deliver interventions.
• Co-produce plans with families, networks and professionals.
• Lead practice and supervise colleagues to maintain high standards.
• Support children through pre-proceedings and court processes.
• Work with Multi-Agency Child Protection Team to ensure joined-up approach.

Skills

Child safeguarding experience

Risk assessment

Multi-agency working

Leadership in practice

Education

Social Work degree

HCPC registered

Job description

Join an Outstanding Children's Service and help shape the future of Family Help

At York we are proud to be rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, reflecting our strong leadership and commitment to children and families.

As one of the first local authorities to implement the Families First reforms, we are ahead of many councils in shaping our future service. This means we can offer applicants greater certainty about how our Family Help Service will be structured from October, giving you the confidence to join a stable, forward-thinking organisation where you'll be part of delivering the future of children's services.

We are investing in our workforce and creating opportunities for you to shape and influence practice and have opportunities for experienced and motivated qualified social workers (Family Help Lead Practitioners) within our Family Help Service. You'll become part of a team that values strong relationships, reflective supervision and systemic practice, ensuring children and families receive the right support at the right time.

The Role

You will work directly with children and families who are supported under Child in Need and Child Protection, undertaking Family Help Assessments, delivering intervention and co-producing plans alongside families, their networks and professionals.

This will involve building strong relationships and delivering meaningful direct work that promotes sustainable change. You will hold children going through pre-proceedings and undertake work through both private and public court proceedings to develop long-lasting plans for them whilst promoting family connections and safety planning to keep them at home wherever possible.

You will also work closely with the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and partners across education, health and the voluntary sector, ensuring a joined-up, whole-family approach in line with the Families First reforms.

You will take a lead role in supporting children and families with complex needs, helping them and their networks build strength and safety so children can remain at home wherever possible delivering effective, evidence-informed interventions while modelling high-quality practice ensuring a joined-up, whole-family approach in line with the Families First reforms.

Applicants should be experienced in working with children and families, including safeguarding, strong skills in risk assessment, child development and multi-agency working and the ability to lead practice, support colleagues and promote high standards.

Career Development

At York we are committed to your development and progression. You will benefit from clear career pathways, a strong learning and development offer, and high-quality reflective supervision.

We will support you to grow your skills, take on leadership opportunities and progress your career as part of an ambitious, forward-thinking service.

Flexible Working

We offer flexible working arrangements including job share, part time working, compressed hours and hybrid working (in discussion with your manager) to help you enhance your work life balance and family friendly policies to support you balancing work and outside commitments and family life.

Comprehensive Staff Benefits

Our staff benefits package offers a wide range of health and wellbeing support, including access to counselling services, discounted gym memberships, travel to work incentives such as cycle lease and car lease scheme.

Annual leave: 25 days paid annual leave per year, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus an extra 5 days for foster carers

Travel Links

York is a small city with excellent transport links including several park and ride sites getting you straight into the city centre, purpose-built cycle paths and York Rail Station is a few minutes’ walk from our award-winning city centre offices.

Please note, we do not have a sponsorship licence to sponsor individuals for visas to work in the UK, therefore we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

https://www.york.gov.uk/LivingInYork

https://www.itravelyork.info/

Online Recruitment Events

These online events offer you the chance to learn more about our new structure and how we in City of York are implementing the Families First Programme. You will hear about our values and how you can expect to be supported in your work through our staff benefits and flexible working options as well as through the provision of assistive technology, manageable caseloads and high quality training and supportive supervision

City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.

This post is suitable as a job sharing position.

Closing date: 29th November 2026 at 12 midnight

Interview date: TBC - we will be reviewing applications on a weekly basis and contacting shortlisted applicants to arrange interviews as quickly as possible.