At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families from pregnancy to age two through engaging activities and guidance.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, the UK's leading children's charity, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Access to training, development, and career progression in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and commitment to safeguarding essential.
- Why this job: Shape the first 1,000 days of a child's life and promote wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in a relevant field and experience with families and children.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 36840 £ per year.
Sandwell (Oldbury, Smethwick, Tipton, Rowley Regis, Wednesbury & West Bromwich)
Barnardo's is a key partner delivering Sandwell's Best Start Family Hubs, supporting families from pregnancy through to a child's second birthday — a critical time for development, health and emotional wellbeing.
We’re looking for a passionate Start for Life Practitioner to support babies and families to thrive through high-quality, accessible and community-based services.
About the Role
You will work directly with parents and carers, delivering universal and targeted support to improve outcomes during pregnancy and early childhood. You’ll act as a trusted point of contact, helping families navigate services while promoting wellbeing, early development and positive relationships.
Key Responsibilities
- Support families from pregnancy to age two through 1:1 and group-based interventions
- Deliver sessions such as baby groups, baby massage and wellbeing activities
- Promote parent–infant bonding, attachment and early development
- Provide guidance on infant feeding, healthy lifestyles and emotional wellbeing
- Signpost families to health, education and community services
- Engage parents through events, outreach and community activities
- Work closely with midwives, health visitors, early years and partner agencies
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to assessments and reporting
What We're Looking For
- Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant field
- Experience supporting babies, children and families
- Experience delivering group programmes and 1:1 support
- Good understanding of child development
- Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection
- Ability to work in a multi‑agency environment
- Strong communication and report‑writing skills
What You’ll Bring
- Passion for improving outcomes for young children and families
- Empathy, resilience and a non‑judgemental approach
- Ability to build trust and engage diverse communities
- A proactive, flexible and team‑focused mindset
Why Join Barnardo's?
- Be part of the UK's leading children's charity
- Make a real difference during the earliest and most important years
- Work in a collaborative, community‑focused environment
- Access to training, development and career progression
Additional Information
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required
- Enhanced DBS check required
- Commitment to safeguarding is essential
If you’re passionate about giving every child the best start in life, we’d love to hear from you.
Note: Due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend you apply for this role as soon as possible.
Start For Life Practitioner (23205) in Smethwick employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. With a strong focus on community engagement and collaboration, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and career progression. Working in Sandwell, you will have the opportunity to contribute to vital services during a child's critical early years, all while being part of the UK's leading children's charity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Start For Life Practitioner (23205) in Smethwick
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by BARNARDOS.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like BARNARDOS.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at BARNARDOS.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at BARNARDOS. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Start For Life Practitioner (23205) in Smethwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of BARNARDOS. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Start For Life Practitioner (23205), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of BARNARDOS. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
