Neurodiversity Family Support Worker in Sunderland

This exciting new role will give you the opportunity to work alongside a range of ND expertise in the city. Working closely with colleagues, children and their families you will help us to better understand the challenges they face when children have additional needs and help shape our work to meet these needs.

Your new RoleAs a Family Support Worker, you will work alongside a range of neurodiversity professionals, as well as children, families and practitioners, helping them to better understand neurodevelopmental differences and identify the support that can make a positive difference.Reporting to the Service Lead, you will provide high-quality information, advice and guidance to children, families and professionals. You will help practitioners across the workforce to map a child's individual profile, understand their needs and develop appropriate plans to support them.

You will have the opportunity to build positive relationships with families and professionals, helping them navigate the challenges and celebrate the successes of neurodiversity. Your work will contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people while supporting earlier and more effective intervention.

This is a varied role, and occasional evening and out-of-hours working will be required.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for neurodiverse children and young people and who understands the difference that timely, practical support can make to families.

You will have a nationally recognised qualification such as NVQ Level 4, another higher-level qualification, or equivalent relevant experience. You will have up-to-date knowledge of neurodiversity and a good understanding of the impact neurodevelopmental differences can have on children and their families.

You will have experience of working directly with children, young people and families and be confident working collaboratively with a range of professionals.

Experience of delivering training to parents or professionals would be an advantage.

You will also need to be a car driver with access to transport, or otherwise be able to travel effectively around the city to meet the requirements of the role.

Working Arrangements

You will be expected to work from the office base at the civic offices twice a week in line with the council's hybrid working policy.

Interview date

Monday 15th December 2026

We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant.

We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Safeguarding

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.