At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families with complex needs, delivering meaningful interventions and assessments.
- Company: Join the City of York Council, rated Outstanding by Ofsted for our commitment to families.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, Local Government Pension Scheme, health initiatives, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunities for leadership, continuous learning, and community engagement await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in safeguarding and multi-agency collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
City of York Council are excited to invite you to apply for the role of Social Worker (Family Help Lead Practitioner) to join our Family Help service. This is an opportunity for you to be part of a service that values high-quality relationships, reflective supervision and systemic practice, ensuring children and families receive the right support at the right time. We are proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted, reflecting our strong leadership and commitment to children and families.
As we continue to develop in line with the Families First reforms, we are investing in our workforce and creating opportunities for you to shape and influence practice. As a Family Help Lead Practitioner, you will take a lead role in supporting children and families with complex needs, helping them and their networks build strength and safety so children can remain at home wherever possible. You will work alongside multi-agency partners to deliver effective, evidence-informed interventions while modelling high-quality practice.
This role is for qualified social workers and will include holding cases across public and private proceedings, as well as contributing to permanence planning that promotes a child’s identity, stability and sense of belonging. You will work directly with children and families, undertaking Family Help Assessments, delivering intervention and co-producing plans alongside families, their networks and professionals. You will build strong relationships and deliver meaningful direct work that promotes sustainable change.
You will also work closely with the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and partners across education, health and the voluntary sector, ensuring a joined-up, whole-family approach in line with the Families First reforms. At City of York, we are committed to your development and progression. You will benefit from clear career pathways, a strong learning and development offer, and high-quality reflective supervision. We will support you to grow your skills, take on leadership opportunities and progress your career as part of an ambitious, forward-thinking service.
At the heart of our work is our Building Brighter Futures practice model, promoting a relational, strengths-based, systemic and restorative approach. This includes Signs of Safety, family group decision‑making, and our Safe and Together approach to domestic abuse. We are looking for you as an experienced and motivated social worker who is passionate about working with children and families and committed to strengths-based and relational practice.
You will need experience working with children and families, including safeguarding, strong skills in risk assessment, child development and multi‑agency working and the ability to lead practice, support colleagues and promote high standards. This role forms part of the implementation of the Families First reforms, which will come into effect on 1 October 2026. Should you be successful in securing an offer of employment, your start date will be on or after this date, subject to the completion of all required pre‑employment checks, including DBS clearance.
This post is suitable as a job sharing position. 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.
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.
The Council is highly 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.
Closing date: 9 August 2026 at 12 midnight. Interview date: TBC.
Social Worker (Family Help Lead Practitioner) employer: City of York Council
City of York Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the professional growth of its employees. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a strong focus on health and wellbeing, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on children's lives but also ensures a balanced and fulfilling work experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Family Help Lead 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 Social Worker (Family Help Lead 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.
