At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families with children aged 0-5, focusing on early relationships and wellbeing.
- Company: Join the City of York Council, dedicated to community welfare and family support.
- Benefits: Generous leave, health initiatives, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for continuous learning and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building strong community connections.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in relevant field and experience with early child development.
We are excited to recruit five Best Start Family Practitioners to form a new, dynamic team delivering early help across York. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a neighbourhood‑based service supporting families with children aged 0–5, with a focus on 3–4‑year‑olds.
You will build trusted relationships with families, providing practical, evidence‑informed support to strengthen early relationships, routines, wellbeing and the Home Learning Environment, helping children achieve a strong foundation for school. Each practitioner will work within a defined locality, managing a targeted caseload and acting as a lead professional where appropriate.
You’ll deliver flexible, strengths‑based support through approaches such as coaching, modelling and guided play, while working closely with partners including health, early years and community services to ensure families receive the right support at the right time. You will also support the delivery of parenting programmes, contribute to community engagement activities, and play a key role in building local networks of support.
About You
- Level 3 qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field
- Strong knowledge of early child development (0–5)
- Experience working relationally with families
- Skilled in multi‑agency working and outcome‑focused planning
This is a hybrid role, combining community‑based work with families and flexible home working. It also requires some evening/weekend working and an enhanced DBS check.
As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1. Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team.
City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings.
Best Start Family Practitioner employer: City of York Council
City of York Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Best Start Family Practitioners. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, staff are encouraged to grow through continuous Learning & Development opportunities. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while community engagement initiatives ensure that employees can make a meaningful impact in the lives of families across York.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Start Family Practitioner
✨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 City of York 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 City of York 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 City of York 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 City of York 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 Best Start Family Practitioner
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 City of York Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to City of York 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 City of York 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.
