At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in crisis, helping to repair relationships and prevent breakdown.
- Company: Join Birmingham Children’s Trust, dedicated to supporting vulnerable families.
- Benefits: Earn £15.80 per hour with a small caseload for focused support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with parents and young people is essential; driving licence required.
- Other info: Potential for ongoing work after the initial 3-month contract.
Pay: £15.80 per hour
Location: Lifford House, Birmingham (South team, with potential citywide cover)
Client: Birmingham Children’s Trust
Hours: Full-time, Mon-Fri 36.5 hours per week
Start Date: ASAP
Contract: 3 months plus ongoing
Car driver required
About the Role:
We’re looking for a Family Support Worker to join the Edge of Care Service at Birmingham Children’s Trust. This is a rewarding but challenging role, working directly with families and young people aged 8–18 who are at serious risk of entering care. You’ll be supporting families in crisis, helping to repair relationships, reduce conflict, and prevent breakdown. Support is delivered intensively, mainly in the home, with weekly visits (or more when needed). Caseloads are kept small—up to 6 families—so workers can provide focused, meaningful help.
Who You’ll Work With:
- Children at risk of care or struggling to return home from care
- Young people missing from home or at risk of exploitation
- Families facing breakdown due to conflict, lack of control, or unmet additional needs
- Children excluded from or at risk of exclusion from school
- Families dealing with the ‘toxic trio’: domestic abuse, mental health issues, and substance misuse
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Providing crisis intervention and emotional support
- Using approaches like NVR (Non-Violent Resistance), PACE, and Mentalisation
- Writing weekly progress reports for each family
- Attending statutory meetings
- Completing one duty shift per week
- Supporting citywide where needed
Who We’re Looking For:
- Someone with solid experience working directly with parents/carers and young people
- A confident communicator who can manage crisis situations
- A car driver (essential for this role)
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and working with neurodiverse children is a plus
If you are interested or know of anyone who may be, send your CV to Kat at Service Care Solutions.
Service Care Solutions also offers a £250 referral bonus! So if you know of anyone who would be perfect for this position and they are placed into work, you will receive £250 for the referral once their probationary period has been completed.
Family Support Worker employer: Service Care Solutions - Social Work
Contact Detail:
Service Care Solutions - Social Work Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by families at risk of entering care. Understanding the dynamics of the 'toxic trio'—domestic abuse, mental health issues, and substance misuse—will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have in crisis intervention or working with neurodiverse children. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar situations in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication skills by preparing to discuss how you would approach building relationships with families in crisis. Think about strategies you would use to engage parents and young people effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Since this role requires a car driver, ensure you mention your driving experience and availability during the interview. Being able to travel for home visits is crucial, so emphasise your readiness to meet this requirement.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Family Support Worker. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous work with families, children, or in crisis situations. Mention specific examples where you successfully managed conflict or provided support.
Showcase Communication Skills: As a Family Support Worker, strong communication is key. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, especially in challenging situations. Include examples of how you've done this in past roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Service Care Solutions - Social Work
✨Show Your Passion for Family Support
Make sure to express your genuine interest in working with families and young people. Share any personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue this role, as it will demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that showcase your experience with crisis intervention and supporting families. Discuss how you've successfully managed challenging situations and the techniques you've used, such as NVR or trauma-informed practices.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
As a Family Support Worker, effective communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how you would handle difficult conversations with families and young people, showcasing your ability to remain calm under pressure.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team you'll be working with. Inquire about the support systems in place for workers and how success is measured within the Edge of Care Service. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you.