Targeted Early Help Support Practitioner (2 Posts)

Barnsley Council; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnsley Council is seeking a Targeted Early Help Practitioner to join the Integrated Front Door team. The post focuses on responsive early help for children, young people and families, coordinating with Social Care, Police, Health, Education and partners.

The role requires a Level 4 qualification or substantial relevant experience, excellent communication, and the ability to work across multiple agencies to ensure timely, right‑sized support for families in Barnsley.

Qualifications

• A level 4 qualification in a relevant field or substantial relevant experience.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage families.
• Experience chairing or attending multi‑agency meetings.

Responsibilities

• Respond to Contacts/Referrals from multi‑agency partners.
• Work within the Integrated Front Door with partners to assess needs.
• Gather information, analyse risk and determine next steps.
• Commit to engaging families using a strengths‑based approach.

Skills

Communication skills

Multi-agency collaboration

Experience with children and families

Education

Level 4 qualification

Job description

50146722 50146723

Directorate: Children's Services | Service: Children & Family Social Care

Position reference: 50146722 50146723

Directorate: Children's Services | Service: Children & Family Social Care

Salary: £36,581 - £39,481

Working Arrangements: Agile Working, with a minimum of 3 days in the office

This is a full-time role. We are committed to supporting work–life balance, and requests for flexible working, including job share, will be considered in line with the needs of the service. Given the requirement for continuity of support to service users, any flexible working arrangements would need to ensure consistency in case management.

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

See our range of Employee Rewards: Employee rewards and benefits

Closing date: 02/10/2026 at 23:59

The successful candidate will be required to speak English to an appropriate standard.

This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check

If you are currently living overseas or have lived overseas in the last five years please be aware, if you are the preferred candidate for the post, you will be required to apply for an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in. If you experience difficulty in obtaining an overseas criminal record check please email [e-mail]

This post requires a Police Vetting Check

Prospective employees will be required to apply for a Police Vetting Check, Please note that this doesn’t supersede the DBS check. Recruitment Vetting provides the Police service with an assurance as to the integrity and reliability of persons seeking employment within the police community.

When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.

Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.

At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be.

We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.

There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and now’s the perfect time to join our excellent Integrated Front Door team as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities.

• We’re an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.
• Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.
• If you join the team you’ll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we’ll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.
• We’ll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
• There’s so much happening in our thriving borough and your talent and skills will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
• Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.

About The Post

Like all of us here at Barnsley Council, you care about families. You’ll relish this opportunity to play a key part in ensuring that effective integrated services are provided to families and children across the 0-25 years age range, offering targeted early help support as part of the team around the family, working holistically to achieve positive outcomes.

Creativity, ambition and a focus on people. That’s what matters at Barnsley Council. Our award-winning council is on an exciting journey of change. It’s all about putting local people at the heart of everything, listening to and doing good for our communities. We’re now more innovative, more efficient and provide better value for money. The changes are clear to see - from new businesses and jobs, to improving school results and to investment and development of our Town Centre and surrounding areas.

Your role in our journey

We're looking to recruit a highly motivated, enthusiastic and committed Targeted Early Help Support Practitioner to join our service to work within our integrated Front Door Service (IFD). The Integrated Front Door provides an integrated pathway for all concerns about child safety or welfare. We are a co-located service with partners from Social Care, Police, Health, Education, Domestic Abuse Services, and Probation.

Our Front door is dynamic, has excellent partnership relationships and strong links with community-based resources. We work closely with our Social Care Service to ensure children receive the right level of help at the right time. It’s an exciting time to join us, as we are developing new ways of working and are transitioning to a Conversational Approach in the Front Door over the coming weeks.

As a Targeted Early Help Practitioner sitting within the IFD, you will respond to Contacts/ Referrals from multi agency partners and members of the public .

You will be an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner , with substantial relevant experience of working with children, young people and families and will have a clear understanding of thresholds for intervention. You will be able to gather information, analyse risk and identify levels of need to inform decisions in relation to next steps. You will have experience of working alongside multi-agency colleagues and will utilise their expertise to inform decisions which are proportionate. You will be committed to engaging families and to working within a strengths-based approach.

We are looking for someone with passion and drive to improve the outcomes and lived experience of children within Barnsley. You will be able to work at pace to ensure decision making is timely . You will know what good looks like and

In return, you will be welcomed into a friendly and nurturing environment, with visible managers, who will support your professional development and help you succeed.

What you’ll need

A level 4 qualification in a relevant field or substantial relevant experience of working with children, young people and families in their homes as well as within the wider community. You will also have experience of chairing and attending multiagency meetings to formulate plans to ensure that the families you work with receive the best possible support.

Your communication skills, flexible approach and flair for building relationships will really set you apart.

Why work for us?

We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.

We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.

At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #InclusiveHiring #SecondChances