At a Glance
- Tasks: Support disabled children and families through innovative, strengths-based interventions.
- Company: Join the City of York Council, dedicated to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, health initiatives, and continuous training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while being part of a supportive, multi-agency team.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting families with complex needs required.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; job share opportunities encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
We are excited to be inviting applications for new roles of Family Help Support Worker within the Disabled Children’s Team. We are seeking innovative, child focused and strengths-based support practitioners to plan, coordinate and deliver interventions for disabled children, young people, and their families.
It is an exciting time to join York as successful candidate will be involved in driving a strong value base of good practice in York with embedding our new practice model, Building Brighter Futures. We are on an 18-month journey of implementation of Signs of Safety led by Andrew and Pene Turnell; as well as bespoke training in Family Seeing with Kevin Campbell, with training planned throughout 2024. Successful candidates will receive continuous training, access to knowledge banks and will be part of the leadership group to driving the Building Brighter Futures practice model forward.
As a Family Help Support Worker you will deliver strengths-based support and interventions to families. This will include supporting children and young people with child in need plans. You will be required to work innovatively to support families to build confidence and resilience in their parenting of child/ren with complex needs.
This may also include supporting children subject to child protection plans or children cared for by the local authority.
You will need specialist skills to build trusted relationships with children, families and carers using a variety of skills and tools to undertake direct work to understand and promote children’s well-being. You will need to be confident in working with children with a range of communication needs, including non-verbal communication.
It is our aim to ensure that children and families, often with complex and varying needs, receive the right help at the right time as part of a multi-agency team of support, underpinned by relationship-based practice.
If you are a creative, innovative practitioner with a passion for supporting disabled children and their families, to motivate, engage and empower those you work alongside, with a variety of skills and knowledge, then we would enjoy hearing from you.
Please note, we are not currently licenced to sponsor employees for visas, therefore are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
This post is suitable as a job share opportunity.
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: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Each role at CYC is different and your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs as part of the recruitment process. 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 and volunteers 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.
For further information or an informal discussion please contact
Name: Emma Smith, Service Manager
Tel: 07701258380
Email: emma.smith@york.gov.uk
Name: Neelam Drew, Practice Manager
Tel: 01904551295
Email: neelam.drew@york.gov.uk
Closing date: Sunday 6 July 2025 at 12 midnight
Interview date: Tuesday 15 July
Please note, we are not currently licenced to sponsor employees for visas, therefore are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
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Family Help Support Workers employer: City of York Council
Contact Detail:
City of York Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Help Support Workers
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the 'Building Brighter Futures' practice model and the 'Signs of Safety' approach. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you align your skills with the role but also demonstrate your commitment to the values and practices that the team is implementing.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience in building trusted relationships with children and families during the interview. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully engaged with families, particularly those with complex needs, to highlight your strengths-based approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your communication skills, especially in relation to non-verbal communication. Since you'll be working with children who may have a range of communication needs, being able to demonstrate your adaptability in this area will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the City of York Council's commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare. Being knowledgeable about their policies and initiatives will show your dedication to the role and your understanding of the importance of safeguarding in your work.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Help Support Workers
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of a Family Help Support Worker. Highlight key skills such as strengths-based support, relationship-building, and innovative problem-solving.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience and skills that align with the role. Emphasise any previous work with disabled children or families, and showcase your ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that demonstrates your passion for supporting disabled children and their families. Use specific examples from your experience to illustrate how you embody the values of the Building Brighter Futures practice model.
Prepare for the Interview: Anticipate questions related to child protection, communication strategies, and multi-agency collaboration. Be ready to discuss your approach to building trust with families and your understanding of the Signs of Safety framework.
How to prepare for a job interview at City of York Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Family Help Support Worker. Familiarise yourself with terms like 'strengths-based support' and 'Building Brighter Futures' to show your knowledge during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to build trusted relationships with children and families. Highlight any specific skills you have in working with children with complex needs or communication challenges.
✨Show Your Passion
Express your enthusiasm for supporting disabled children and their families. Share why this role resonates with you and how your values align with the council's commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and approach to working with families in need. Think about how you would handle various situations, especially those involving child protection plans or multi-agency collaboration.