At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise support workers and manage a small caseload to empower individuals and families.
- Company: Join Family Action, a leading organisation dedicated to supporting families for over 150 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, matched pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in supervising or mentoring practitioners and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 14299 - 15692 £ per year.
Job Description
Senior Practitioner, LifeSkills Intensive
Service: LifeSkills
Location:Teesside (Stockton-on Tees, Middlesbrough, Guisborough) - We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details
Hours: 18.5 hours per week (part-time)
Salary:£28,598 - £31,384 FTE per annum (£14,299 - £15,692 per annum for part-time, 18.5 hours per week)
Contract type: Permanent
Family Action & the Role’s Impact:
At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.
We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the
importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our expanding LifeSkills Intensive team. You will offer supervision and management oversight to support workers primarily in your geographical area. You will be able to retain your practice experience and hold a small caseload and will be part of a wider supportive LifeSkills team.
LifeSkills supports individuals and families to build their confidence, social networks, financial and employability skills. LifeSkills Intensive provides 1-1 support to those that are furthest away from employment, education and training. This service is funded by our corporate partnership with Barclays.
Main Responsibilities:
· To line manage and supervise support workers in a specific geographical area
· Support with the management of referrals into the service, both in terms of service promotion and also decision making /allocation.
· To oversee and develop the service offer and ensure that this is having a positive impact.
· To hold a small caseload.
Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):
- Experience of supervising, coaching ,mentoring or supporting practitioners.
- A sound understanding of safeguarding issues.
- Strong communication skills and aptitude for building relationships.
- Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service –Enhanced.
Benefits:
- An annual paid leave entitlement that commences at 25 working days, rising each April by one day, subject to a maximum of 30 working days plus bank holidays / of 30 working days plus bank holiday pro rata
- up to 6% matched-pension contributions
- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
- cycle to work scheme
- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities
We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.
To Apply:
- Please apply via our website by following the link and clicking the “Apply Now” link below the advert to fill out our digital application form
- Closing Date: Monday 20th October 2025 at 23:59
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.
We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role, and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.
*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.
Senior Practitioner in Stockton-on-Tees employer: Family Action
Family Action is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting individuals and families through challenging times, with a strong focus on professional development and employee well-being. Located in Teesside, we offer flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative environment that fosters growth and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner in Stockton-on-Tees
✨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 Family Action.
✨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 Family Action!
✨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 Family Action, 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 Family Action 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 Senior Practitioner in Stockton-on-Tees
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 Family Action:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Family Action! 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 Family Action
✨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.