Family Support Worker – Post Adoption in Chelmsford

This is a 2‑year fixed‑term role within the Post‑Adoption Team. The role is centred on delivering effective Social Work for adopted children, supporting their identity, attachment relationships, and stability within the adoptive family while maintaining meaningful connections with birth family.

Direct activities include individual and group work for adopted children and their families, facilitating contact arrangements, providing practical, personal and emotional support, promoting health and development, and delivering training events, support groups and workshops for adopters across Essex.

Job Purpose

Children and Families is recognised as a service where social work can develop and prosper. The role promotes the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families, protecting them from neglect and abuse by working collaboratively with partners to deliver early help, family support and effective Social Work interventions.

Service and Functional Accountabilities

• Collaborate with Social Workers to plan, promote and deliver activities and interventions supporting children, young people and families.
• Build strong, effective relationships with children/young people, adopters and partners, adopting strengths‑based practice.
• Maintain professionalism to contribute to confidence in Children’s Social Care.
• Highlight and act on safeguarding issues.
• Liaise with internal and external professional partner agencies, including across Adopt East and the Regional Adoption Alliance.
• Contribute to team and professional network meetings, providing information to build understanding of the child’s needs.
• Record work and activities in accordance with Children & Families policies, including case records on Mosaic.
• Engage in individual and group supervision with managers and practice leads.
• Work collaboratively across the service and partner agencies to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Deliver support in line with the plan agreed by the case‑holding Social Worker; usually time‑limited with measurable impact.
• Define annual objectives and targets within the performance management framework.
• Work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Educated to RQF level 3 (A Level/NVQ/BTEC) or equivalent by experience.
• Experience building strong relationships with children and families, delivering training and facilitating group sessions.
• Excellent communication skills, able to build strong partnerships and collaborate to deliver joint outcomes.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of Children’s Act 1989 and 2004 and other relevant legislative and policy guidance.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in the relevant professional area.

Requirements

• Mobile throughout a wide operational area; driving licence and access to a vehicle (or alternative means) required.
• DBS Check; registration with the DBS Update Service is the responsibility of the employee.

EEO and Equality

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people; diversity is key to our success. Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and commits to interview all disabled applicants under the Job Interview Scheme. We also commit to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. Qualification certificates should be brought to interview.