At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families by responding to urgent enquiries and providing essential guidance.
- Company: Join Leicestershire County Council, a dedicated team making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive environment for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal development and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of safeguarding and help create positive outcomes for children and families.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 3 in Childcare or equivalent, with strong teamwork and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 28605 - 31029 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield LE3 8RA
Salary: £28,605 - £31,029 per annum (pro rata for part time) (Pay award pending)
Working Hours: 22.2 hours per week (3 days Mon/Tues/Wed)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 2nd August 2026
Interview Date(s): 11th August 2026
About The Role
Are you passionate about protecting children and supporting families? We are looking for committed, collaborative people to join our team as Support Workers for the Children and Families Service. You will be at the forefront of safeguarding, handling initial reports of abuse or neglect, assessing risk, and passing vital information to social workers and other professionals. Your contribution will be essential in helping vulnerable children and families receive the support they need.
Our team works in a fast‑paced, modern environment, dedicated to making a real difference. You’ll work alongside children’s social care, targeted family help, health professionals, police and partner agencies. In this role, you will be supervised monthly by qualified social work staff and benefit from reflective social work POD meetings that encourage development and collaboration. We value adaptability and teamwork; you must be able to manage pressure, work to tight timescales and communicate effectively with both professionals and the public.
The role involves responding quickly to enquiries and referrals about children’s social care, including urgent cases that may require escalation to the police, and offering high‑quality advice to families in accordance with established thresholds. It requires collaborative teamwork with both internal colleagues and external partner agencies to secure the best outcomes for children and families, ensuring communication is clear and support pathways are effective. The position requires individual accountability for managing casework, meeting deadlines and ensuring electronic records are accurate and up to date. Support workers are expected to provide guidance to families, direct them to appropriate resources and services, and to escalate concerns when necessary, adhering to departmental protocols. Additionally, the role includes supporting other professionals by explaining service thresholds, referral processes and offering basic behaviour management advice.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post. For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex‑offenders, please see our policy statement.
About You
Please ensure that you cover all 7 points in your application and provide clear examples and evidence of how each point has been met.
- NVQ level 3 in Childcare Qualification (NNEB/NVQ3) or Equivalent
- Be able to demonstrate your ability to promptly respond to enquiries and concerns relating to children and families and to provide high‑quality advice to families in line with established thresholds.
- Have proven experience of working collaboratively within a team and with external partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
- Be able to evidence accountability for casework, ensuring all tasks are completed accurately and within deadlines, and that electronic records are kept up‑to‑date according to departmental standards.
- Demonstrate ability to deliver guidance and advice to families, effectively signposting to self‑help resources and services, and know when to escalate cases for additional support as appropriate, following departmental scripts and protocols.
- Have experience in supporting professionals by explaining service thresholds and referral processes, providing information about available services and offering guidance on basic behaviour management strategies.
- Have excellent communication skills, adaptability, professionalism and proficiency in ICT and have experience in working with members of the public, children’s services or customer services and a commitment to upholding safeguarding and confidentiality.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Flexible Working
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. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
Contact: Helen Rhind – Assistant Service Manager First Response
Telephone:
Email:
E‑E‑O Statement
Leicestershire County Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment in accordance with our commitments to diversity and inclusion and without regard to age, race, gender, disability or any other protected characteristic.
Benefits
Benefits information is available on the council website.
Support Worker - First Response in Glenfield employer: Leicestershire County Council
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at County Hall in Glenfield, Leicester. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, we provide opportunities for meaningful contributions to the community, particularly in supporting children and young people with additional needs. Our inclusive work culture promotes flexibility, collaboration, and innovation, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a real difference in education and inclusion.
Contact Details:
Leicestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - First Response 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 Support Worker - First Response 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.
