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- Tasks: Support families by creating tailored plans and delivering targeted interventions.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to improving lives in Luton.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension contributions, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, NVQ Level 3 in Child Care or equivalent required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 28114 - 30291 £ per year.
Salary: £33,143 – £36,363 a year
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
As a Family Support Worker within the Family Help West team, you will work directly with children, young people and their families to complete assessments and develop outcome-focused Family Support Plans. You will undertake regular direct work with families in the community and in service users’ homes, managing risk appropriately and responding flexibly to changing needs. You will co-produce and co-deliver support alongside families and partner agencies through a multi-agency approach, working within agreed frameworks and plans.
The role involves designing and delivering targeted interventions to support families with a range of needs, including parenting skills, self-confidence, managing challenging behaviour, parental mental health and child development. You will also develop expertise in an agreed specialist area of family support. A key responsibility will be to ensure that the voice of the child is heard, valued and reflected in all assessments, plans and interventions.
You will organise, chair and contribute to meetings, acting as Lead Professional where appropriate to coordinate and deliver effective support for adults and children who require skilled intervention to prevent escalation or deterioration in their personal or social wellbeing. You will support the delivery of targeted individual and group programmes, such as Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities and evidence-based parenting programmes.
You will work closely with statutory and voluntary sector partners across both adult and children’s services, meeting regularly to monitor progress and review outcomes for families. You will monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions, assessing how family resilience is developing and how parental capacity to provide safe, consistent and effective care is being strengthened. You will ensure the health, safety and safeguarding of children, young people and staff at all times, in line with the Council’s Safeguarding Policy.
In addition, you will support managers within the Family Wellbeing Service in the delivery of operational objectives, service plans and performance targets, contributing to continuous improvement and positive outcomes for families across Luton.
About You
You will have demonstrable experience of working with children, young people and families within a social care, education or health setting. You will be able to work effectively in partnership with professionals from your own and other agencies, and engage positively with mothers, fathers, carers, children and young people to agree, plan and carry out purposeful interventions. You will be skilled in analysing and assessing needs in collaboration with families and in producing clear, concise and accurate plans, targets and reports that focus on the wellbeing and protection of children.
You will be able to organise your workload effectively, manage competing priorities and work on your own initiative while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability. With guidance, you will be able to participate in decision-making where child protection and family support considerations are paramount. You will demonstrate a sound understanding of the impact of discrimination on individuals and service delivery, alongside a clear awareness of how deprivation, abuse and adverse experiences can affect children’s development and wellbeing. You will also have demonstrable knowledge of child and human development.
You will have undertaken relevant training related to working with children and families and hold an NVQ Level 3 in Child Care or an equivalent qualification. You will be flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work evenings and weekends when required, and travel effectively within the borough and to other locations on a daily basis. You will be able to communicate confidently and sensitively with members of the public, providing effective support, guidance and advice in clear, accurate and fluent spoken English.
About Us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents. The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce!
Application Process
Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.
On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
Benefits
- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
How To Apply
We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out! Our ‘How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application.
Family Support Worker - Family Help West in Luton employer: Luton Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Luton Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker - Family Help West in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Luton Council and their Family Help West team. Understanding their values and goals will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former Family Support Workers on LinkedIn or at local events. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about job openings before they're advertised.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you'd handle specific scenarios related to family support, risk management, and multi-agency collaboration. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Worker - Family Help West in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with children, young people, and families. Use specific examples that relate to the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We want to see your skills and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff. Bullet points can help make your key achievements stand out!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for supporting families shine through in your application. We love to see candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference in the community, so don’t hold back on sharing why this role excites you!
Proofread Before Submitting: Before hitting that submit button, give your application a thorough read. Typos and errors can distract from your message, so take a moment to ensure everything is polished. Remember, we appreciate attention to detail!
How to prepare for a job interview at Luton Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Family Support Worker inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as developing Family Support Plans and working with families in their homes. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work with children, young people, and families. Highlight how you've managed risk, collaborated with other professionals, and delivered targeted interventions. This will demonstrate your practical skills and ability to handle the challenges of the role.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
As a Family Support Worker, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you've engaged with families and professionals in the past. Use clear, concise language during the interview to showcase your communication prowess.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about potential situations you might face in the role and how you would approach them, especially regarding child protection and family support considerations.
