We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and motivated Family Worker (G8) to join our Birth to Settled Adulthood Service. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Birth to Settled Adulthood team, working with children and young people aged 0–25 with a range of developmental and physical conditions, and those who are neurodivergent, supporting them to achieve their full potential in everyday activities.
As a Family Worker, you will take a lead role in supporting families with complex needs, helping them to build resilience, improve family functioning, and achieve sustainable positive change. The key focus of the role is working within children's social care legislation, particularly the Children Act 1989 and Children and Families Act 2014 incorporating Parent/Carer Assessments in relation to specialist short breaks, and undertaking Child in Need (CiN) and Early Help work.
You will provide direct interventions and coordinate support plans through completing Child and Family Assessments, Child and Family Plans and Reviews, Preparation for Adulthood Plans, linking with CYPCC, and working within appropriate frameworks. Whilst the primary focus is on CiN and Early Help, you may also be required to undertake direct work with children, young people, and families who are supported through Child Protection Plans.
Your role will include completing Preparation for Adulthood Plans with young people and their families/carers. A Preparation for Adulthood Plan focuses on how a young person is developing their independence. You will offer information, advice, and guidance to support this process and inform the plan. These plans are completed with young people from age 14 onwards and provide an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with young people and their families to understand what their needs may be in adulthood and how they can be supported to be as independent as possible.
You may also be required to complete adult Care Act assessments and undertake other adult social care activities, including Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interests decisions.
Much of our work is multi-disciplinary and requires a coordinated response between services. This includes working alongside Health, Children and Young People's Continuing Care, SEN Case Workers, specialist schools, and other clinical and therapeutic practitioners. We also work closely with colleagues in Adult Services to ensure young people are supported to transition successfully into adulthood.
The cohort of young people we work with requires exceptional skills, including the ability to work with pre-verbal children and children who use AAC, alongside undertaking direct work using tools such as PEIC-D.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertake direct work with children, young people, and families experiencing a range of complex challenges.
- Lead on Family Help Assessments at CIN and Early Help levels of need and develop outcome-focused support plans.
- Manage a caseload of families requiring intensive intervention and support.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure coordinated and effective service delivery.
- Chair and contribute to multi-agency Review Meetings and other multi-agency forums.
- Maintain accurate and timely records in line with service requirements and statutory guidance.
- Identify safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action to protect children and vulnerable family members.
- Take a lead role in Family Network Meetings.
- Take a lead role in Preparation for Adulthood Plans.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience of working directly with children, young people, and families.
- Demonstrates a strong understanding of safeguarding, child development, and family support interventions.
- Has experience of working with families facing issues such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health difficulties, school attendance concerns, and parenting challenges.
- Is confident in building effective professional relationships and engaging families who may be difficult to engage.
- Has excellent communication, assessment, and report-writing skills.
- Can work independently while contributing positively to a supportive team environment.
- Is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children, young people, and families.
Essential Requirements
- Relevant qualification in Childcare, Family Support, Youth Work, Social Care, Education, or a related field.
- Experience of delivering family support interventions.
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practice.
- Ability to travel across the service area as required.