At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care to have meaningful family time and assist social workers with care plans.
- Company: Essex County Council, dedicated to safeguarding and supporting families.
- Benefits: Flexible working, support for unpaid carers, and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families during challenging times.
- Qualifications: NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent experience in social care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
- Support Worker - Family Time and Support Service - North
- Permanent, Full Time
Working Style
Interview Date: 11th and 12th August 2026.
Children and Families is recognized as a service where social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion; promoting the development and well‑being of children, young people, and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse.
Child and Family Support Workers work within the Family Time and Support Service, ensuring that children and young people in care have safe and meaningful Family Time with their family members, as well as working alongside frontline teams and Qualified Social Workers to deliver bespoke, targeted intervention work in accordance with the care plans and to vulnerable children and families.
This work will normally be time‑limited, with measurable impact and meeting assessed needs.
- Accountabilities
- Support children and young people in care to have safe and meaningful family time with their family members, in accordance with their care plans.
- Support social workers to implement and monitor care plans, and write reports where required, delivering interventions for children and families.
- Maintain high standards of professional practice and contribute to continuous improvement across the service.
- Highlight issues and implement plans to safeguard a child.
- Build strong, effective relationships with service users, providing practical advice and support to enable children and families to sustain change and function effectively within the community.
- Work collaboratively across the service with internal and external professional partner agencies to ensure improved outcomes for children and families.
- Provide information and advice regarding involvement with third‑party agencies relevant to the needs of the service user (e. g., benefits agencies, immigration, housing).
- Participate in meetings, reviews, case conferences, and court hearings to provide information, insight, and evidence.
- Write effective reports that can be used in professional meetings, forums, and court.
- Achieve specific individual and shared targets and objectives defined annually within the performance management framework.
- The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development and in‑depth knowledge in relevant professional areas.
- Experience of building strong, effective relationships with children and families during times of challenge and crisis.
- Experience of observing, facilitating, and reporting on Family Time.
- Experience of undertaking direct, activity‑based work with children and families where required.
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues impacting children, young people, and families, leading them to require support.
- Knowledge of legislative and policy guidance applicable within Social Care settings.
- Proven track record of working with partners and external agencies.
- A certificate in First Aid and/or knowledge of Sign Language is desirable.
Benefits
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
Disability Confident
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader.
We are committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme, provided they meet the minimum requirements of the role.
Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We also interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role.
Safeguarding Commitment
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.
Requirements
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 being able to do so in an emergency.
A driving licence, car, or alternative means of meeting the mobility requirements of the role is essential.
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Support Worker – Family Time And Support Service – North employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. With flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development, staff are encouraged to grow within their roles, all while contributing to a vital service in the heart of Chelmsford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker – Family Time And Support Service – North
✨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 Essex County 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 Essex County 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 Essex County 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 Essex County 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 Support Worker – Family Time And Support Service – North
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 Essex County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Essex County 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 Essex County 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.
