Family Support Worker in Basildon

Permanent, Full Time £26,284 to £33,256 Per Annum

Location: Basildon

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: Monday 21st September 2026 at 11.59pm.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.

The Role

• Work closely with families to build strong relationships, based on respect and positive regard.
• Hold their own caseload, utilising support from their supervisor and colleagues about the direction and actions required to move a case forward on a day-to-day basis.
• Refer decisions regarding risk or significant concern to their manager or practice supervisor.
• Work alongside children, young people, and their families to change areas of their lives which may mean they have reduced life chances.
• Provide both practical and specialist advice as well acting as a lead coordinator for additional support services where appropriate.
• Work as part of a Children in Care team to undertake holistic assessment of family needs and help identify how outcomes can be achieved.
• Ensure that assessments and intervention plans fully reflect family and young person’s views and aspirations.
• Provide specific practical, personal, and emotional support to families in their homes or other settings as part of an agreed plan.
• Undertake programmes of work to support children and families to develop their skills to resolve issues and problems themselves.
• Lawfully share information and work with colleagues and partners to ensure effective planning and delivery of services to families.
• Participate actively in regular supervision to review work and ensure effective interventions for families.
• Follow SET Child Protection procedures, ensuring that swift discussion takes place with Practice Supervisor or Team Manager when child protection or other public protection concerns arise.
• Maintain a high standard of practice reflecting a value-based approach to working with children and their families.
• Ensure all work is recorded accurately, and in a timely fashion using agreed Systems.
• Follow the Council's Equal Opportunity Policy and Diversity Strategy and observe the standard of conduct which prevents discrimination taking place.
• Follow the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Council's Health and Safety Policy and all locally agreed safe methods of work.
• Participate in regular appraisals and identify and respond to your own and team development needs.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of research, departmental policies, and procedures, and to have in depth knowledge of legislation and guidance relevant to providing services to children and families.

The Experience You Will Bring

• A qualification such as NVQ level 3 in Children and Families or equivalent knowledge and skills from experience working in a related field.
• Evidence of working directly with children and families accessing statutory/ non-statutory services.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and awareness of the principles of evidenced based practice.
• Able to provide practical advice and support to families to enable identified families to achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills, reliability, and good time management skills.
• Awareness of relevant legislation such as Children Act 1989, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and relevant education legislation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

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.