At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in crisis and lead interventions to improve their well-being.
- Company: Bristol City Council, dedicated to helping children and families thrive.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families and children in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or related fields, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 35412 - 39152 £ per year.
Job reference: VAC008479
Date posted: 26/06/2026
Application closing date: 10/07/2026
Location: Ridingleaze House, Ridingleaze, Bristol, BS11 0QE
Salary: BG10: £35,412 - £39,152
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full time
Job category/type: Social Care Full Time, Fixed Term until 1st September 2028
At the heart of everything we do are the children and families of Bristol. We will help families to achieve the change they want to see for themselves and their children. We believe that children should live with their family or someone who knows them best. We act when children need to be protected from harm and we do everything we can to make sure that children in our care and care leavers are set up for life.
Our new operating model will support us to work together to create the conditions for our teams to feel supported, have the time they need to work intensively with children and families, access good training, feel psychologically safe and listened to, whilst experiencing healthy challenge to thrive in their roles in our joint vision with children and families.
Main function/duties of the role:
- To undertake support and intervention with families, providing direct support to adults and children who require intensive and coordinated family help and support to meet their needs, or where a family may be in crisis.
- Lead on the intervention for those children as the lead professional and use knowledge and expertise in a range of issues that affect family functioning, to undertake assessment, planning and review, working in partnership with the family and multi-agency network to improve outcomes for children.
- Support change in the family system to enable families to use existing family support systems, promoting choice and independence to prevent children from experiencing harm or abuse within their communities and families.
Practice frameworks and approaches:
- Signs of Safety is the framework we use to assess and respond to harm.
- Systemic Social Work Practice provides the theories to understand the complexity of an individual’s experiences and the influence they have on their ability to make and sustain change.
- Relationship based Practice means strengthening relationships between people as well as strengthening social connections within communities.
- Contextual Safeguarding enables us to assess and respond to harm that affects children outside their families.
Day in the life of a Family Help Keyworker:
The role is varied and no day is the same. You will be managing a caseload of families, and as part of this you may be carrying out specific pieces of direct work, either with the children or parents. You may be using creative activities to capture a child’s voice, or meeting with parents to explore their network. You will be chairing Team Around the Family meetings, so you may head to a school and conduct this meeting alongside the family and professional network. You will be well supported in this role, so could head back to the neighbourhood office for 1:1 reflective supervision. There are regular team meetings so you may start the day landing with your colleagues, or connecting for peer support before your first visit.
Please note that this role is also subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Contract and working arrangements:
For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment. For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to. If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from young people, Black and racially minoritised, Disabled, LGBTQ+ and Male candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit. The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
Family Help Keyworker in Bristol employer: Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to supporting the children and families of Bristol through a collaborative and nurturing work environment. With a strong focus on employee well-being, ongoing training, and professional development, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in their communities while enjoying a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. Working at Ridingleaze House offers the unique advantage of being part of a team that prioritises psychological safety and healthy challenge, ensuring that every keyworker can thrive in their role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Help Keyworker in Bristol
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bristol City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bristol City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Bristol City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bristol City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Help Keyworker in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bristol City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bristol City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bristol City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
