Family Help Lead Practitioner (Targeted Support Service)
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Family Help Lead Practitioner to play a central role in delivering the new national Family Help model. This is an exciting opportunity to shape early and targeted support for children and families at the earliest point of need.
As a Family Help Lead Practitioner, you will be responsible for assessing requests for family support, ensuring families receive the right help at the right time. You will also hold and coordinate support for children subject to Child in Need (CIN), working closely with partners to deliver meaningful, relationship‑based interventions.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Assessing family support requests — assessing new families to determine the most appropriate level of support under the Family Help model.
- Leading Child in Need work — coordinating CIN plans, undertaking direct work with children and families, and ensuring timely reviews and progress.
- Delivering early and targeted help — providing practical, strengths‑based interventions that build resilience and reduce the need for statutory intervention.
- Multi‑agency partnership working — working collaboratively with schools, health, police, and community partners to ensure a coordinated response.
- Using evidence‑based practice — applying trauma‑informed, restorative and relational approaches in all work with families.
- Contributing to the new Family Help model — helping shape and embed new ways of working as part of national social care reforms.
- Ensuring high‑quality recording and analysis — producing clear assessments, plans and reviews that reflect the voice of the child and demonstrate impact.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about supporting families, confident in assessing risk, and skilled at building strong, trusting relationships with families.
You Will Bring
- Experience in early help or social care
- Strong assessment and analytical skills
- Knowledge of Child in Need processes
- Ability to work collaboratively with partners
- Commitment to strengths‑based, relational practice
A social work qualification is not essential, but experience in safeguarding, early help, youth work, family support, or similar roles is required.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a forward‑thinking service implementing national reforms.
- Work in a supportive, reflective environment with strong supervision.
- Access high‑quality training in restorative practice, trauma‑informed approaches, and family‑led planning.
- Make a real difference to children and families at the earliest point of need.
We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.
As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
For more information or an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Poppy Carroll by email poppy.carroll@plymouth.gov.uk.
Closing Date - Monday 22 June 2026
