At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families with complex needs through evidence-based interventions.
- Company: Join Leicestershire County Council's expanding Targeted Family Help team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Empower families and create positive change in your community.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification or relevant experience in supporting families.
The predicted salary is between 35451 - 39165 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield LE3 8RA (Various locations across the County)
Salary: £35,451 – £39,165 per annum (pro rata for part-time) (pay award pending)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 9th August 2026
Interview Date(s): Over 3 days – 24th August, 27th August, 2nd September – face to face at County Hall
About the Role
Targeted Family Help is expanding, and we are looking for additional Key workers to join teams across the county, including our Disabled Children’s Team. These opportunities arise from service growth and the implementation of social work reforms.
Key responsibilities include:
- Build positive relationships with children, young people, and families.
- Confidently navigate challenging conversations and manage conflict while de-escalating difficult situations.
- Deliver evidence-based interventions such as solution-focused brief therapy, the Freedom Programme, parenting programmes, brief intervention, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based approaches, and motivational interviewing.
- Apply knowledge of issues such as domestic violence, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, poverty, and housing to support families.
An enhanced barred list DBS check is required for this post.
About You
To apply, you must be able to demonstrate how you meet the following criteria:
- A Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject and/or experience of providing direct support in the home to children and families with complex needs (including mental health, offending, substance misuse, domestic violence, abuse, and educational issues).
- Experience identifying and delivering appropriate evidence-based interventions (e.g., solution-focused brief therapy, the Freedom Programme, parenting programmes, CBT-based approaches, motivational interviewing).
- Knowledge and awareness of issues impacting families such as domestic violence, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, poverty, and housing.
- Understanding of the impact of discrimination on minority ethnic communities and others experiencing social exclusion, and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Awareness and understanding of “good enough parenting” and the relationship between poverty, social deprivation, and the need to protect children as a priority; ability to recognise cumulative harm and risk indicators of sexual, physical, emotional, and neglect harm.
- Ability to work proactively, persistently, and persuasively with families who may not be willing to engage, using a range of techniques that encourage active participation.
- Capability to build professional confidence and resilience, foster positive working relationships with families, and overcome barriers to engagement; strong communication skills in both children and adults, focusing on hearing and capturing the child’s voice.
Location Preference
Please specify which locality you wish to be considered for in your personal statement: County Hall (Disabled Children’s Team), West localities (Blaby, Oadby & Wigston, Northwest Leicestershire, Hinckley and Bosworth), or East localities (Charnwood, and a combined locality across Melton and Harborough).
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 role and service requirements.
Contact Details:
Leicestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Worker - Intensive Support in Glenfield
✨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 Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire 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 Key Worker - Intensive Support in Glenfield
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 Leicestershire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire 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.
