At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful support for vulnerable families using a strengths-based approach.
- Company: Join a dedicated team making a difference in Lancashire.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous pension, flexible hours, and up to 32 days off.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in family support and strong decision-making abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 40777 £ per year.
Salary £36,363 - £40,777 Per annum | Permanent | Full Time - 37 hours per week
We’re looking for a passionate and skilled Senior Family Support Worker (Family Intensive Support) to lead high-impact work with some of Lancashire’s most vulnerable families. We have two permanent posts, one in Chorley and one in Lancaster.
Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of Family Intensive Support (FIS) using a strengths-based, whole-family approach
- Modelling outstanding practice
- Provide reflective supervision, guidance, and oversight to Family Support Workers
- Support high-quality assessments, planning, and interventions that drive real outcomes
- Build confidence and consistency across the team through coaching and professional leadership
Qualifications
- Highly experienced in family support, safeguarding, and early help practice
- Skilled in assessment, whole-family working, and evidence-based interventions
- Confident in leading, coaching, and developing staff
- A strong decision-maker with sound professional judgement
- Passionate about achieving the best outcomes for children and families
What We’re Looking For
- Lead with empathy, curiosity, and confidence
- Balance hands-on work with team leadership
- Challenge and support colleagues to deliver their best work
- Bring resilience and determination to complex situations
Legal and Disclosure
The post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Successful candidates will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a ‘disclosure’. You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.
Benefits
Generous local government pension, flexible working, up to 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to discounts through our benefits platform.
Equality and Diversity
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and celebrate diversity. We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
Senior Family Support Worker – Family Intensive Support | Lancaster and Chorley employer: Lancashire County Council
Join a dedicated team as a Senior Family Support Worker in the heart of Lancashire, where your passion for supporting vulnerable families will make a real difference. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, with generous benefits including a local government pension, flexible working hours, and ample annual leave. Here, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful initiatives while fostering a collaborative environment that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Family Support Worker – Family Intensive Support | Lancaster and Chorley
✨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 Lancashire 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 Lancashire 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 Lancashire 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 Lancashire 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 Senior Family Support Worker – Family Intensive Support | Lancaster and Chorley
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 Lancashire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lancashire 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 Lancashire 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.