Family Support Worker (Family Help) Central Locality in Hereford

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Family Support Worker to join our team, working directly with vulnerable children, young people, and their families across a range of settings, including homes, schools, colleges, and community environments. This is a rewarding opportunity to deliver evidence-based, therapeutic interventions that support positive outcomes for children and young people, including those with special educational needs, physical disabilities, and life-limiting conditions.

Working as part of the Families First Programme, you will play a key role in supporting whole-family approaches, collaborating closely with social workers and partner agencies to assess needs, coordinate support, and implement effective plans. As a Family Help Lead Practitioner, you will have responsibility for writing Family Help Assessments, leading Family Help review meetings, delivering interventions as part of the Family Help plan and ensuring that families receive timely, joined-up support that promotes resilience, stability, and long-term wellbeing.

This is a dynamic and rewarding role supporting vulnerable children, young people and families through direct, relationship-based and restorative practice. You will work 1:1 using a range of evidence-based approaches to assess needs, build resilience and improve outcomes. Managing a complex caseload, you will complete Family Help Assessments (including Section 17), develop SMART plans, and lead Family Help review meetings at Targeted Early Help or where appropriate Child in Need level.

You will play a key role in coordinating multi-agency support, making referrals in line with local thresholds, and working closely with partners to ensure effective interventions. This includes safeguarding responsibilities, completing specialist assessments (e.g. Young Carers), and advocating for children and families to ensure their voices are heard. You will also deliver parenting programmes, engage family networks, and creatively support children and young people, including those with additional needs to access education, positive activities and appropriate services.

The role requires strong organisational skills, communication skills, professional judgement and a commitment to high-quality recording and data management. You will contribute to multi-agency meetings, provide written and verbal reports, and maintain accurate, timely records. With opportunities to develop specialist expertise, the post also includes participation in supervision, training, and, where required, court processes, making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families across the community.

You hold a Level 4 qualification (or above) in a relevant field such as health, education, child development, youth work or social care, with a strong commitment to continued professional development. You have experience working with children, young people and families, including lone working, and a sound understanding of the challenges they face within social care and Early Help frameworks. You bring proven experience of managing complex caseloads, acting as a lead worker, and coordinating multi‑agency support to achieve positive outcomes.

You are confident in using evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as motivational interviewing and solution-focused practice, and ideally have experience delivering parenting programmes (e.g. Triple P or Solihull). You are skilled at building strong, trusting relationships, ensuring the voice of the child is heard, and advocating effectively on behalf of families. You have the ability to complete high-quality assessments, reports and plans, and can confidently chair multi‑agency meetings.

You demonstrate excellent communication, organisational and IT skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and work both independently and collaboratively. You understand safeguarding responsibilities and can identify, assess and respond appropriately to risk, including exploitation and complex needs. You are confident in challenging partners and providers constructively to ensure high standards of support. You are highly motivated, adaptable and resilient, with a flexible approach to working hours and environments, including travel across the county and working in family homes. You have access to your own transport and are prepared to work evenings and weekends where required.

We offer a salary range of HC07 £32,061 - £36,363 per annum (£25,995 to £29,483 per annum pro rata), professional development with protected time and budget to develop yourself and your career, enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), clear pathways for career progression, 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, flexible working options, an Employee Assistance Programme, payment of professional membership fees, and various employee benefits.

At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire – where your work truly matters.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks.

To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role.