At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide emotional and practical support to families with children facing life-threatening illnesses.
- Company: Join Rainbow Trust, a charity dedicated to supporting families in need.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, generous leave, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and robust training opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives during their toughest times.
- Qualifications: Experience in child health, education, or social care is essential.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 26000 £ per year.
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.
About the role:
We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker on a full‑time basis (35 hours, 5 days per week) to deliver a high‑quality family support service as part of our Kentown Team to families in the local area, at a time when they need it most. Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Kentown Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs‑led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child or young person has a life threatening or terminal illness. You will enjoy responsibility for managing your own schedule, remaining flexible to the needs of the families on your caseload. Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change – and how best to help others deal with its impact.
What we are looking for:
- An experienced child health, education or social care professional – applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care.
- A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly.
- Practised in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection – you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines.
- Practical and people‑oriented – you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MS Office).
- A persuasive and open communicator – you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high‑quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates.
- A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people, and their families aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.
What we offer:
- Control over your own schedule, based on the needs of families on your caseload, to balance home and working life.
- Company car for front line care posts.
- Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%.
- 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part‑time).
- The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping.
- Time off in Lieu.
- Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross‑organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year.
- Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline.
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts.
- Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes.
- Recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme.
- Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth.
Development opportunities:
As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trust’s strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation. Our Family Support Workers are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, and Introduction to Play.
About us:
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life‑threatening or terminal illness to make the most of their time together, providing expert practical and emotional support where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.
Additional information:
There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver licence to accommodate the team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment. Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One‑Star rated organisation.
Kentown Family Support Worker employer: Broughton Group
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With flexible scheduling, comprehensive benefits including a company car, generous annual leave, and robust training programmes, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of families facing challenging circumstances in East Lancashire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kentown Family Support Worker
✨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 Broughton Group.
✨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 Broughton Group!
✨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 Broughton Group, 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 Broughton Group 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 Kentown Family Support Worker
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 Broughton Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Broughton Group! 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 Broughton Group
✨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.
