At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families by providing guidance and connecting them to early help resources.
- Company: Join Norfolk County Council's dedicated Communities & Partnerships team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in family support and strong IT skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 34811 - 34811 £ per year.
Do you have a good knowledge of issues impacting families and pathways of early help support? Do you have experience of capturing conversations and sharing information, advice and guidance to meet a family’s needs? Are you confident using IT packages such as Teams, SharePoint and caseload management systems?
We are looking for an Early Help Adviser to join our small but busy team based at the family hub in North Walsham. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Communities & Partnerships team within Norfolk County Council’s Children’s Services as part of a dedicated link into the new Family Hub arrangements for Norfolk. The role is full-time (37 hours per week) covering North Norfolk. The role is mainly telephone based with some face-to-face contact with families when they attend the Family Hub.
You will be a key part of our prevention and early help workforce promoting and supporting the development and safeguarding of children, young people and families. You will be working alongside local partners, district community programmes and initiatives to support the needs of families with an age range of 0-19 and up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
About The Role
You will be required to:
- Support families and partner organisations to navigate pathways to early help and support through the Family Hub network where it has been determined that targeted/statutory intervention is not required.
- Work directly with the public & partner organisations, receiving verbal, written, and face-to-face requests for support, which are briefly assessed to determine the most appropriate response to presenting needs.
- Undertake proportionate information gathering with both internal and external colleagues to provide high-quality outcome focused support, advice and guidance to partners, children, young people and their families. This includes identifying local organisations and Universal Services that can support children, young people and families in preventing them from requiring targeted/statutory Children’s Services intervention and/or to assist them in returning to accessing a universal service pathway.
- Liaise with internal and external partners to support families in identifying their own natural network of support, involving friends and family members to be part of their plan, helping to reduce the need for professional involvement, where possible.
- Promote and encourage the use of an Early Help Assessment and Plan (EHAP) to provide a more co-ordinated approach to support for the family, building on existing strengths and identifying ways to reduce the presenting concerns.
- Ensure children and young people are adequately protected in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) and departmental policy and procedures and relevant legislation.
For an informal discussion regarding this vacancy please contact Melanie Perry on 01603 306286.
These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:
- Competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
- Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need.
- Financial benefits such as ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
- A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
- Relocation expenses (where applicable)
- An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.
- Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
- Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
- A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job
You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.
Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.
We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.
Redeployment closing date: 1 September 2026 at 23:55
All other applicants closing date: 8 September 2026 at 23:55
Early Help Advisor - North in North Walsham employer: Norfolk County Council
Norfolk County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to training opportunities and resources to enhance your skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children in the community. Located in Norwich, this role provides the unique advantage of working within a collaborative environment that values partnership with schools and families, ensuring a rewarding experience for all involved.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Help Advisor - North in North Walsham
✨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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Early Help Advisor - North in North Walsham
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 Norfolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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.