At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide emotional and practical support to families with children facing life-threatening illnesses.
- Company: Join Rainbow Trust, a leading charity dedicated to supporting families in need.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, a company car, and generous annual leave plus training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a Best Companies Two-Star rated organisation focused on employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives while growing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in child health, education, or social care is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 24000 € per year.
Location: Greater Manchester region
Closing date: 14 June 2026
Interview dates: Interview Date to be confirmed
Salary: £24,000 pa + Company Car (with an approximate retail value of £23,000-26,000, taxable benefit in kind of £6-£8K) and other excellent benefits
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.
About the role:
We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker for a fixed term period of up to 12 months, on a full-time basis (35 hours, 5 days per week), to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Greater Manchester Care Team. Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Greater Manchester Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs‑led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.
Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.
Location: This role covers Greater Manchester region.
- An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care
- A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly
- Practised in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines
- Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)
- A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates
- A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.
What we offer:
We are a Best Companies Two‑Star rated organisation, an outstanding place to work! We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:
- Flexible working hours to balance home and working life
- Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing and a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand
- Company car for front line care posts
- 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 days to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)
- Time off in Lieu
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts
- Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes
- Recruitment bonus scheme for recommending friends
- Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross‑organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year
- Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%
- The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping
- Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth
- Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, introduction to play, drawing and talking training.
There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post. Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Family Support Worker (Maternity Cover up to 12 months) - Greater Manchester employer: Rainbow Trust Children
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Greater Manchester. With flexible working hours, comprehensive employee benefits, and robust training programmes, we prioritise the wellbeing and professional growth of our staff while making a meaningful impact on families facing challenging circumstances. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values compassion and collaboration in delivering high-quality support services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker (Maternity Cover up to 12 months) - Greater Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the social care and education sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for a Family Support Worker role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Rainbow Trust and their mission. Think about how your experience aligns with their values and the specific needs of families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Be ready to share your stories that highlight your skills and compassion.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or family member to do mock interviews with you. Focus on common questions for Family Support Workers, and don’t forget to showcase your emotional intelligence and practical skills. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Rainbow Trust team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Worker (Maternity Cover up to 12 months) - Greater Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting families shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in helping those facing tough times, so share any relevant experiences that highlight this.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the Family Support Worker role. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on communicating your qualifications and experiences effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rainbow Trust Children
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Family Support Worker inside out. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of families dealing with life-threatening illnesses, and be ready to discuss your relevant experience in child health, education, or social care.
✨Show Your Empathy
This role requires a warm and inclusive approach. Prepare examples of how you've built supportive relationships in previous roles, especially in emotional environments. Highlight your experience in providing bereavement support and how you’ve helped others cope with grief.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a persuasive communicator, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively. Think of instances where you’ve successfully communicated with teams or volunteers, and be ready to share how you can contribute to high-quality service delivery.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your practical knowledge of child protection and data sharing. Brush up on relevant guidelines and be prepared to discuss how you would handle sensitive situations while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.
