At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster families directly in their homes, providing hands-on assistance and guidance.
- Company: Hackney Council, dedicated to creating safe and loving environments for children.
- Benefits: Professional development opportunities, flexible working, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and anti-racism in child welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working closely with families in your community.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in a child-related field or equivalent experience in social care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Fixed Term Contract / Secondment Opportunity until 31 March 2028
Are you passionate about helping foster families thrive? In Hackney, we believe every child deserves a safe, stable, and loving home. Our Fostering Service is dedicated to supporting our incredible foster carers so they can provide the best possible care for Hackney’s care‑experienced children and young people. We are looking for Fostering Family Support Practitioners who are resilient, empathetic, and ready to roll up their sleeves. This isn’t a desk job—you will be in the heart of our community, working directly in foster homes to provide the practical and evidence‑based support that keeps families together and stable.
Role
- Deliver Hands‑on Support: Use systemic and behavioural approaches to help carers manage complex behaviours and daily parenting challenges.
- Be the Voice of the Child: Build genuine rapport with children and young people, ensuring their wishes and feelings are at the centre of every plan.
- Collaborate: Work alongside schools, health services, and youth hubs to wrap a network of support around our families and carers.
- Assess and Observe: Provide key insights and high‑quality reports that contribute to the holistic assessment of a child’s needs and safety.
- Be Flexible: Adapt your schedule to meet families when they need you most – whether that’s an early morning routine or an evening check‑in.
About You
You are someone who doesn’t just see a ‘case’ – you see a family. You are comfortable working independently, making informed decisions, and staying calm under pressure.
Requirements
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in a child‑related discipline, or an equivalent level of demonstrable professional experience and training in a social care, youth work, education, or fostering environment.
- Experience: Substantial experience working directly with children and families, ideally within a social care or fostering context.
- Skills: A good understanding of child development and the ability to balance risk with protective factors.
- Workload Management: Proven ability to multitask and prioritise effectively in a fast‑paced environment, ensuring that both administrative tasks and direct family interventions are delivered to a high standard.
- Communication: Good report‑writing skills and the ability to build quick rapport with both children, young people, families and professionals.
- Values: A commitment to systemic and trauma‑informed practice that is rooted in anti‑racism. With an understanding of, and eagerness to advocate against intersectional inequalities to ensure that every child, regardless of their background or identity, receives equitable support and the opportunity to thrive.
An Enhanced DBS Check is required for this role.
Why Hackney?
Hackney Children’s Social Care is a place where innovation is encouraged and professional development is a priority. You will join a team that values your clinical insights and provides the supervision you need to grow. We don’t just place children; we build futures. We need practitioners who are as committed to our carers as our carers are to our children.
How To Apply
If you have the resilience, heart, and skill set to support Hackney’s fostering community, we want to hear from you. As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation. We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs. To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application. As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description. This application process replaces a supporting statement. Prior to applying for a vacancy for a secondment opportunity, please liaise with your line manager and inform them of your interest in applying for the role.
Closing date for applications: 19 April 2026 (22:59) Interview date: 06 and 08 May 2026
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender re‑assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under‑represented in our workforce. The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk
Fostering Family Support Practitioner – Children and Families Service employer: London Borough of Hackney
Hackney Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its staff. With a strong emphasis on professional development, innovation, and community engagement, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. The Council values diversity and offers flexible working options, ensuring that every team member feels valued and included while contributing to a brighter future for Hackney's residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Family Support Practitioner – Children and Families Service
✨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 London Borough of Hackney.
✨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 London Borough of Hackney!
✨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 London Borough of Hackney, 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 London Borough of Hackney 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 Fostering Family Support Practitioner – Children and Families Service
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 London Borough of Hackney:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Hackney! 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 London Borough of Hackney
✨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.
