Reconnect Family Support Worker

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Reconnect Family Support Worker to join our Strengthening Family Connections Team.

The Strengthening Family Connections Team are responsible for working alongside families, where children and young people are at risk of entering care or are in the process of being reunified with their families. Your work will focus on strengthening family relationships, promoting stability, and helping to build safe and supportive home environments.

At the heart of this role is a relational and trauma-informed approach, recognising that building trust, safety, and meaningful connections is essential to achieving long-term positive outcomes for children and families.

You will work collaboratively with families to develop and implement individual family plans, delivering structured 1:1 direct work and providing intensive support throughout the week, including duty evenings and occasional weekends as required. Your approach will be flexible, responsive, and tailored to the specific needs of each family.

Key Responsibilities

• Work directly with children, young people, and their families to strengthen and rebuild relationships, often in the context of trauma, conflict, or separation.
• Provide intensive, flexible support through individual family plans, offering a blend of practical and emotional interventions to improve outcomes.
• Support family reunification work, ensuring a safe and supported return home for children.
• Deliver 1:1 direct work with parents/carers and children to develop parenting skills, emotional regulation, routines, and positive communication.
• Apply a trauma-informed approach to all work, recognising the impact of adverse experiences and helping families to build resilience and healing.
• Work collaboratively and inclusively, ensuring all voices are heard – especially those of children and young people – and that plans are shaped by their lived experiences.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, including Child in Need (CiN) and Child Protection (CP) meetings, and take the lead in reviewing family progress.
• Maintain accurate, reflective records and contribute to assessments and reports.
• Work relationally to build strong, trusting connections with both families and professional networks, recognising that meaningful change happens in the context of safe and supportive relationships.

Core Values

• Relational: We believe that change happens through connection. Building respectful, consistent, and compassionate relationships is at the heart of everything we do.
• Trauma-Informed: We understand the impact of trauma and adversity on families and use this understanding to inform our approach, reduce re-traumatisation, and promote healing.
• Connection-Focused: We work to build and strengthen connections — between children and their families, within communities, and across professional networks — to create safety and belonging.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about outcomes for children and Families, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria

• You will be qualified at Level three or above in the relevant field
• Have experience with working with children, young people and families
• Have strong organisational and planning skills with a flexible working approach
• Have good interpersonal skills with the ability to build good relationships
• Ability to be curious in your approach and values anti discriminatory practice

Desirable Criteria

• Be confident in the delivery of 1-1 and group intervention
• Have experience of working with children who are care experienced

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Laura Mitchell-Miles, Family Wellbeing Manager, laura.mitchell-miles@n-somerset.gov.uk – 07469406057 or Gayle Bennett , Strengthening Family Connections Team Leader at gayle.bennet@n-somerset.gov.uk

Interview Dates

Monday 3 November 2025 and Tuesday 4 November 2025

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.