Family Support Worker in Epsom

Salary: £26,000 to £28,500 per annum (dependent on experience)

Service: Residential Family Assessment Centre

Reports to: Senior Practitioner / Lead Practitioner / Deputy Manager

Role Purpose

The Practitioner role represents a progression from entry-level practice and requires increased autonomy, professional confidence, and responsibility within the organisation's therapeutic residential family centre. The post holder plays an active and integral role in supporting mothers and babies, contributing directly to structured parenting observations and assessments, and maintaining high standards of safeguarding and recording practice.

Practitioners are expected to demonstrate a sound understanding of trauma-informed care, attachment, and risk, and to apply this understanding consistently in day-to-day practice. The role requires the ability to balance emotional support with appropriate professional challenge, promote parental capacity and resilience, and contribute meaningfully to assessment evidence that informs decision-making for families.

The Practitioner supports the organisation's overarching aim of safeguarding babies, strengthening early attachment, and supporting parents to make sustainable change within a therapeutic and assessment-led environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Care, Support and Therapeutic Practice
  • Support mothers and babies in their daily routines in a manner that is safe, nurturing, predictable, and emotionally containing.
  • Actively promote parental responsibility, confidence, and independence while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
  • Support parents during emotionally challenging moments using trauma-informed, non-judgemental approaches.
  • Contribute to a therapeutic environment that prioritises safety, trust, consistency, and emotional regulation.
• Observation, Assessment and Recording
  • Undertake regular, structured parenting and interaction observations in line with the organisation's assessment framework.
  • Accurately record observations using clear, factual, and balanced language that distinguishes fact from interpretation.
  • Contribute to structured assessment evidence, ensuring consistency and reliability in reporting.
  • Maintain high-quality daily logs, handover notes, and records that meet regulatory and organisational standards.
• Safeguarding and Risk Management
  • Maintain a clear and proactive understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and thresholds.
  • Identify early indicators of risk or concern relating to babies, parents, or the wider environment.
  • Escalate safeguarding concerns immediately and appropriately in line with the organisation's safeguarding procedures.
  • Support the implementation of risk management strategies within placement plans.
  • Work within professional boundaries at all times, recognising the importance of boundaries in safeguarding and therapeutic work.
• Multi-Disciplinary and Team Working
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues across shifts to ensure continuity of care and assessment.
  • Contribute constructively to handovers, team meetings, and reflective discussions.
  • Support the consistent implementation of care plans, assessment plans, and routines.
  • Communicate professionally and respectfully with visiting professionals under guidance from senior staff.
• Professional Development and Practice Standards
  • Engage fully in supervision, reflective practice, and ongoing training.
  • Demonstrate openness to feedback and a commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Apply learning from training and supervision into daily practice.
  • Uphold the organisation's values, ethos, and therapeutic model at all times.
• Policies, Procedures and Professional Conduct
  • Adhere to all the organisation's policies, procedures, and codes of conduct.
  • Work in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance, and regulatory requirements for residential family centres.
  • Maintain confidentiality and data protection standards, understanding when information sharing is required for safeguarding purposes.
  • Represent the organisation professionally and appropriately at all times.

Essential Requirements

• Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Children and Young People, or a related field (or commitment to working towards this).
• Basic knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and babies.
• Willingness to learn, develop, and work under supervision.
• Emotional resilience and the ability to work within an emotionally demanding environment.
• Ability to follow structured routines, guidance, and direction.
• Basic written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Requirements

• Previous experience in a care, family support, early years, or residential setting.
• Awareness of trauma-informed or attachment-focused approaches.
• Interest in developing a career within therapeutic or assessment-based residential services.