At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families affected by imprisonment, providing one-to-one emotional support.
- Company: Join Ormiston Families, a compassionate organisation dedicated to improving lives in the East of England.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Travel across Cambridgeshire required; commitment to safeguarding is essential.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team creating lasting change for vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting children and families, with strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 25880 - 25880 £ per year.
Full-time, permanent position; 35 hours per week
Salary is £25,880 per annum
Based in Cambridgeshire
At Ormiston Families, we believe everyone in the East of England deserves to feel happier, stronger and understood. For more than 45 years, we've been supporting children, young people and families to overcome challenges, improve emotional wellbeing and build brighter futures. Everything we do is rooted in our values of collaboration, compassion and effectiveness, and we're proud to work alongside people rather than simply for them, creating lasting change through trusted relationships, early intervention and evidence-based support.
An estimated 192,912 children every year have a parent in prison in England and Wales, and 10,000 visits are made by children to our public prisons every week. The award-winning Breaking Barriers service works with Children, Young People (CYP), and Families who have been affected by the imprisonment of a parent or close family member. Our service offers one-to-one support to Children and Young People to maintain a connection with the imprisoned parent/loved one (where appropriate), support their emotional wellbeing, and build resilience to enable them to reach their full potential. The work we do plays a critical role in helping to reduce reoffending rates and improve outcomes for children and young people.
You will provide outcome-based support designed to address the needs of children and young people with a parent/carer or close family member in prison who may feel isolated or excluded in their home and community, ensuring that these programmes meet individual needs and further the aims of Ormiston Families. You will carry out initial assessments with parents/carers and partner agencies following referrals to the service and identify and agree on individual outcomes for children and young people.
You will work one-to-one in the home, schools, online, and other community settings, coordinating packages of support with CYP, with other agencies where appropriate, that meet the complex needs of children and young people, reduce risks, improve safety, and work towards emotional well-being and development.
We are looking for an experienced practitioner confident in supporting children, young people and families to join our dynamic, ambitious team. You will need to be organised and self-motivated and have a passion for improving the outcomes for children/young people. You will need to be prepared to travel within the County of Cambridgeshire to enable you to carry out the direct work with Children, Young People, and Families. You will need to have a UK driving licence and access to a vehicle as travel across the county is required.
For further information and to apply, please visit our website.
Closing date for applications: 12:00pm, Wednesday 11th November 2026
Safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role: Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Senior Practitioner - Breaking Barriers Cambridgeshire employer: Ormiston Families Careers
Supporting Smiles, part of Ormiston Families, is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a collaborative and compassionate work culture. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer regular supervision and ongoing professional development opportunities, ensuring that our team members are well-equipped to provide meaningful support to children and families. Located in Norwich, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while maintaining a focus on delivering impactful mental health services across Norfolk and Waveney.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Breaking Barriers Cambridgeshire
✨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 Ormiston Families Careers.
✨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 Ormiston Families Careers!
✨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 Ormiston Families Careers, 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 Ormiston Families Careers 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 Senior Practitioner - Breaking Barriers Cambridgeshire
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 Ormiston Families Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ormiston Families Careers! 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 Ormiston Families Careers
✨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.
