At a Glance
- Tasks: Support separated children and families, helping them navigate complex systems and access vital resources.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Children's Trust, where children and families are at the heart of everything we do.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, flexible working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families every day.
- Qualifications: Experience with children or families, strong communication skills, and a commitment to safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 32916 - 46000 £ per year.
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do. We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About the role
An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Children in Care Service based in the Northampton area for a Family Support Worker within the Separated Children and No Recourse to Public Funds to be part of a team building meaningful relationships with children and their families helping them grow, prosper and achieve. This is a large and busy team that works with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (under 18) and with families who have no recourse to public funds. You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-agency environment, working alongside social workers, education, health, police and other professionals to deliver tailored support. Your work will help safeguard children, promote positive outcomes and empower children and families to build independence and resilience. You will be based in Northampton, but will be required to move effectively across the county and beyond if required.
What will you be doing?
- The primary focus of work will be with children and families who are subject to no recourse to public funds and from time to time you will be required to undertake some work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in care.
- You will work directly with children, young people and families to improve outcomes and safeguard their welfare.
- Supporting separated children and families with no recourse to public funds, you will help them navigate complex systems and access appropriate support.
- You will visit families in their homes and within the community to assess needs and provide targeted interventions.
- Contributing to multi-agency meetings, reviews and care planning you will ensure coordinated, effective support.
- You’ll monitor progress against plans, complete assessments and maintain accurate, up-to-date records.
About you
You’re passionate about supporting children and families and thrive in a role where no two days are the same. You bring empathy, resilience and a strong commitment to safeguarding. You will have:
- Experience working with children, young people or families in a support or similar role.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of professionals.
- The ability to assess needs, analyse situations and plan appropriate interventions.
- Good organisational skills and confidence in managing your own caseload.
- Basic IT skills, with experience of maintaining accurate records and reports.
- An understanding of relevant legislation, including safeguarding and children’s services frameworks.
- A commitment to equality, inclusion and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people.
You’ll be someone who can remain calm under pressure, adapt to changing situations, and always keep the needs of children at the heart of everything you do. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check.
When applying please ensure your supporting statement details how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification as this will be used for shortlisting. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education.
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils. Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be. We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed. At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria. Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.
Family Support Worker - Separated Children in Northampton employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
At Northamptonshire Children's Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the well-being of our workforce and the families we serve. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering extensive learning and development opportunities alongside a generous benefits package that includes 28 days of annual leave, a Local Government Pension Scheme, and flexible working arrangements. Join us in Northampton, where your contributions will directly impact the lives of children and families, all while being part of a compassionate and inclusive team.
Contact Details:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker - Separated Children in Northampton
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust!
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust, 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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust 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 Support Worker - Separated Children in Northampton
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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Northamptonshire Children's Trust! 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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨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.
