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 a competitive salary, company car, generous leave, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and robust training opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in child health, education, or social care is preferred.
Kentown Family Support Worker £24,000 pa + Company Car and other excellent benefits. To Cover East Lancashire. 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 on a full-time basis (35 hours, 5 days per week), to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Kentown Team to families in the local area, at a time where they need it most. Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Kentown 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. You will enjoy responsibility for managing your own schedule, remaining flexible to the needs of the families on your caseload.
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.
What we’re looking for:
- 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.
- Practiced 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:
- Control over your own schedule, based on the needs of families on your caseload, to balance home and working life.
- Company car for front line care posts.
- Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%.
- 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 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time).
- 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.
- Time off in Lieu.
- Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year.
- Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline.
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts.
- Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes.
- A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme.
- Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth.
If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our why work with us page on our website.
Development opportunities:
As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation. Our Family Support Workers 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, counselling skills, and Introduction to Play.
About us:
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of their time together, providing expert practical and emotional support where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.
How to apply:
To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online. Closing date 14th June 2026. Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application. Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
Additional information:
Interviews will take place via Teams or in person with a date to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate the team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment. Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Family Support Worker in Blackburn employer: Rainbow Trust
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Family Support Workers in East Lancashire. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous benefits including a company car, extensive training opportunities, and a commitment to personal growth, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of families facing challenging circumstances. Join us in our mission to provide vital support where it is needed most, while enjoying a rewarding career with a Top 10 Charity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker in Blackburn
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the social care and education sectors. You never know who might have a lead on a Family Support Worker role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Rainbow Trust and understand their mission. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their values and how you can contribute to their amazing work.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your past experiences in child protection and bereavement support to the table. Real-life stories can make a huge impact during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Rainbow Trust team.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Worker in Blackburn
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 your commitment.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique challenges families face, so connect your background to our needs.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see how you fit into our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details 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
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, 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 how your experience aligns with these challenges.
✨Show Your Empathy
This role is all about building supportive relationships. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've provided emotional support or helped families through tough times. Let your genuine interest in helping others shine through!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations you might face as a Family Support Worker. Think about how you would handle sensitive topics like grief and loss, and be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
