At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, helping them access vital services in their community.
- Company: Join North Yorkshire Council's innovative Children and Families Service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting developments in services with potential for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families during their crucial early years.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, strong communication skills, and knowledge of child development.
The predicted salary is between 27254 - 29064 £ per year.
We are looking to recruit enthusiastic, resilient and highly motivated individuals to join our Children and Families Service as part of North Yorkshire’s ambitious Best Start in Life Programme. This is an exciting opportunity to support children and families during the crucial early years, helping them access the right support, at the right time, in their local communities.
About the role
As a Best Start in Life Family Navigator, you will work alongside children and families, particularly those with children aged 0-5, helping them access support through Best Start Family Hubs, community services and wider early help provision. You will play a key role in connecting families to local services, reducing isolation, promoting child development and strengthening family resilience. Working alongside colleagues, health professionals, early years providers, schools, voluntary and community sector organisations, you will provide support and guidance to families, helping them navigate services and engage with opportunities that support positive outcomes for children. You will deliver targeted interventions, outreach activities and group work programmes focused on parenting, early language development, child development and school readiness.
North Yorkshire’s Children and Families Service has developed a highly effective Strength in Relationships Practice Model, and you will work within this strengths-based, relationship-focused approach, building on the strengths of children, families and communities to achieve sustainable change.
Can you demonstrate:
- Experience of working with children, young people and families.
- Knowledge of child development and the factors that influence children’s outcomes.
- An understanding of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Experience of delivering activities, interventions or group work with children and families.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to motivate and support families to make positive changes.
- The ability to work collaboratively with partners and local communities.
Then we’d like to hear from you. It is an exciting time in Children and Young People’s Services in North Yorkshire as we continue to develop our Best Start in Life Programme, and wider Early Help offer. Alongside this, we are planning our approach to the Families First Partnership Programme and social care reforms. Work is underway to prepare for implementation from 2027 and, as a result, some future service realignment may take place. Posts will be based across North Yorkshire, with delivery taking place within Best Start Family Hubs, community venues, outreach locations and family homes. We promote flexible working where appropriate to support effective service delivery.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Sue Wadsworth, Senior Early Help Consultant at sue.wadsworth@northyorks.gov.uk.
Children and Families Support Worker – Best Start in Life Family Navigator in Northallerton employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Kirklees Metropolitan Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Childcare Lawyers in Northallerton. With hybrid working options and a strong commitment to employee growth, the council fosters a culture of collaboration and professional development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in children's services.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children and Families Support Worker – Best Start in Life Family Navigator in Northallerton
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan 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 Kirklees Metropolitan 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 Kirklees Metropolitan 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 Kirklees Metropolitan 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 Children and Families Support Worker – Best Start in Life Family Navigator in Northallerton
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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan 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 Kirklees Metropolitan 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.
