At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families with complex needs and build positive relationships.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, committed to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Join a Disability Confident Employer with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification or substantial experience in social care or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 35451 - 39165 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: Market Harborough Family hub Coventry Rd, Market Harborough LE16 9BX
Salary: £35,451- £39,165 per annum (pro rata for part-time) (pay award pending)
Working Hours: 37 Per week
Contract Type: Fixed term for 12 Months
Closing Date: 24th June 2026
Interview Date(s): 7th July 2026
About the Role
Targeted Family Help Melton and Harborough are looking for a Keyworker who is flexible, willing to have challenging conversations with families, to build positive relationships with young people and their families and have a can-do attitude. Do you have experience of providing direct support in the home to children and families with complex needs? Do you have experience of identifying and delivering appropriate evidence-based interventions to families and experience of working with issues of conflict and confrontation and an ability to diffuse difficult situations? If so, we would love to hear from you.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post. For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.
About You
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- Hold a Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject, e.g. social care, health or childcare, OR substantial experience in providing direct support to families that clearly demonstrates the experience, skills, competencies and knowledge outlined below.
- Experience of providing direct support in the home to children and families with complex needs which may include mental health, offending, substance misuse, domestic violence, and abuse, and/or educational issues.
- Experience of identifying and delivering appropriate evidence-based interventions e.g. solution focussed brief therapy, the Freedom Programme, parenting programmes, brief intervention, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based approaches, motivational interviewing.
- Knowledge and awareness of issues which may have an impact on the lives of families such as domestic violence and abuse, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, poverty and housing.
- Awareness and understanding of ‘good enough parenting’ and relationship between poverty and social deprivation and to be able to hold a compassionate position but still hold protection of children as the priority.
- Be able to recognise ‘cumulative harm’ and risk indicators of different forms of harm – sexual, physical, emotional and neglect.
- Ability to work proactively, persistently, and persuasively with families who may not be willing to engage with services, using a range of techniques that encourage active participation.
- Ability to build professional confidence and resilience, good working relationships with families, ability to overcome barriers to them engaging, recognising reasons for resistance to change, where tensions can exist.
- Along with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with children and adults, focusing on hearing and capturing the child’s voice.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part-time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Munira Bhula, Team Leader for Melton and Harborough Family Help Email: Munira.Bhula@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally. If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you.
Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
For tips on how to write your statement, see the How to Apply section on our career site. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Key Worker - Intensive Support in Market Harborough employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusivity. With flexible working options and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally while engaging in meaningful work that directly supports families in need. The council's dedication to employee growth and its status as a Disability Confident Employer further enhance its appeal as a workplace where everyone can contribute and succeed.
Contact Details:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Worker - Intensive Support in Market Harborough
✨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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group 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 Key Worker - Intensive Support in Market Harborough
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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group! 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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨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.
