At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in overcoming challenges and creating positive change in their lives.
- Company: Join Hillingdon Council, dedicated to improving children's futures.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, generous holidays, mental health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building strong community relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience with families and children; NVQ Level 3 or above preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
Could you help a family change their future?
About the role
We're looking for a passionate and motivated
Family Development Worker to support children and families across Hillingdon. We currently have two fixed‑term opportunities available - one for
6 months and one for 12 months
Working within Family Hubs, Children's Centres, family homes and the wider community, you'll help families overcome challenges, build confidence and create positive, lasting change.
This is a role where you'll build trusted relationships with families, deliver practical support and interventions, and help parents develop the skills and confidence to support their children's learning, development and wellbeing.
No two days are the same.
One day you may be delivering a group programme for parents, the next you could be supporting a family through an Early Help plan, attending a Team Around the Family meeting or helping parents access specialist services.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Working directly with families to identify needs and provide targeted support.
- Delivering evidence‑based interventions and family support programmes.
- Supporting young children's learning, development, health and wellbeing.
- Acting as Lead Professional and coordinating Early Help Assessments and Team Around the Family plans where appropriate.
- Providing practical advice and guidance around parenting, family routines, childcare, benefits and accessing local services.
- Supporting families of children with SEND and helping them navigate available services.
- Working closely with professionals across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector.
- Delivering activities within Family Hubs, Children's Centres and community settings.
- Supporting parents to create positive home learning environments and improve outcomes for their children.
About You
- Passionate about improving children's lives and supporting families to thrive.
- Experienced in working directly with families and young children.
- Skilled at building relationships and engaging families from diverse backgrounds.
- Knowledgeable about safeguarding and committed to keeping children safe.
- A collaborative practitioner who enjoys working alongside other professionals.
- Empathetic and resilient, able to support families through challenging situations.
- Organised and proactive, with strong record‑keeping and communication skills.
You'll ideally hold a recognised qualification at NVQ Level 3 or above in a relevant field such as social care, education, youth work or child and family development.
Join Us
This is an opportunity to be part of a dedicated team helping children get the best possible start in life.
If you believe in the power of early intervention, strong relationships and practical family support, we'd love to hear from you.
About Us
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us.
We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation.
That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work‑life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Benefits
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36‑hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non‑casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco‑friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Perkbox Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues.
Access free 24‑hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
- Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds.
We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme.
We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject tothe following pre‑employment screening:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Qualifications Check
- 5 years of Referencing
Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council.
Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
Family Development Worker in London employer: London Borough of Hillingdon
Hillingdon is an outstanding employer dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people with disabilities. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, professional development, and manageable caseloads, our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and growth. Located conveniently with excellent transport links, we offer flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package, ensuring that our social workers can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Hillingdon Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Development Worker in London
✨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 Hillingdon.
✨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 Hillingdon!
✨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 Hillingdon, 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 Hillingdon 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 Family Development Worker in London
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 Hillingdon:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Hillingdon! 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 Hillingdon
✨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.
