At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with SEND and their families in home and school settings.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Open to flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments for disabilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of children and families with SEND.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification or substantial experience in supporting SEND families.
The predicted salary is between 32070 - 34359 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: Hinckley Children and Family Centre, Granville Road, Hinckley LE10 0PP
Salary: £32,070 - £34,359 per annum (pro rata for part-time) (pay award pending)
Working Hours: 37 per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 13th July 2026
Interview Date(s): 27th July 2026
About the Role
This role is ideal for individuals who are adaptable, calm, and curious, with a strong passion for supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). If you thrive in a varied and fast-paced environment, this could be the role for you.
Our SEND Family Support Workers provide direct support to children and families both in the home and within school settings. The role involves completing assessments and reviews, delivering parent drop-in sessions, and offering practical advice and strategies to support SEND-related behaviour management.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.
Requirements
- Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject, e.g. social care, health or childcare, OR substantial experience in providing direct support to SEND families that clearly demonstrates your experience, skills, competencies and knowledge.
- Knowledge of SEND and the impact a SEND diagnosis will have on a young person and family, including a working knowledge of key areas such as housing, benefits including DLA and PIP, education, EHCPS and school allocations, primary health care, etc. Combined with awareness of issues which may have an impact on the lives of families such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, poverty, housing.
- Experience of working with families experiencing difficulties in parenting or behaviour management and the ability to engage children, parents, wider family and support networks, along with the skills to work with a range of professionals and engage in multi-disciplinary work.
- Able to prioritise a demanding workload, taking a consistent approach to responding to children, young people, their families and other professionals.
- Ability to manage and maintain spreadsheets and report on data and quality assurance.
- Evidence-based practice showing demonstrable improvement in outcomes for children, young people and families, with a proven ability to recognise Child Protection issues and Safeguarding practice.
- An understanding of the impact of discrimination on the lives of those from minority ethnic communities and others that experience social exclusion, and an ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Other Considerations
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part-time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Contact Information
Kerry Straw, Team Leader
Telephone: 07526927940
Email: kerry.z.straw@leics.gov.uk
SEND Family Support Worker employer: Golearnleicestershire
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for SEND Family Support Workers at the Hinckley Children and Family Centre. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working options, and a focus on making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families, this role provides a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the community while developing your professional skills.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Family Support Worker
✨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 Golearnleicestershire.
✨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 Golearnleicestershire!
✨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 Golearnleicestershire, 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 Golearnleicestershire 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 SEND Family Support Worker
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 Golearnleicestershire:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Golearnleicestershire! 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 Golearnleicestershire
✨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.
