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- Tasks: Support children and families by making crucial early help decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on children's social care and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work collaboratively with various agencies and enjoy a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
Working arrangements: 2 days in the office per week. Extra may be required and expected when needed.
We work with children, young people and families across Reading to deliver children’s social care, early help and prevention, education services (including SEND), fostering and adoption, the Youth Offending Service and traded services with schools.
About the role
As an Early Help Practitioner, you will undertake front‑door screening and early help decision‑making within a fast‑paced safeguarding environment. The role involves applying threshold decisions within tight timescales, reviewing referrals and historical involvement, completing chronologies, and liaising directly with families and professionals to determine appropriate support pathways. You will work closely with internal and external partners across agencies, contribute to 24‑hour decision‑making, maintain high‑quality recording, and ensure families are clearly informed and signposted to services. The post holder will provide consultation and advice to practitioners, escalate safeguarding concerns when necessary, attend meetings and reflective practice sessions, and support continuous service improvement. A strong commitment to inclusive, anti‑discriminatory practice, high professional standards, safeguarding legislation, and ongoing professional development is essential.
Responsibilities
- Apply threshold decisions and review referrals and historical involvement on a front‑door screening basis.
- Complete chronologies and maintain high‑quality recordings.
- Provide direct liaison with families and professionals to determine appropriate support pathways.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners across agencies, including education, health, voluntary sector, police and other agencies.
- Contribute to 24‑hour decision‑making and attend meetings and reflective practice sessions.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns, support continuous service improvement and ensure families are informed and signposted to services.
- Give consultation and advice to practitioners and act as a role model for continuous improvement.
- Lead a motivated team, drive performance, and contribute to operational delivery and continuous improvement of the service.
About you / Qualifications
- Experienced Early Help Worker or worker in a similar field.
- Substantial experience in children’s services including early help, education, and youth work.
- Strong understanding of front‑door interventions and screenings.
- Strong skills in risk assessment, case management and quality assurance.
- Confidence working with data to drive performance and improvement.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Proactive, resilient approach and the ability to manage pressure effectively.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Leadership qualities that empower others, promote equality and inclusion, and ensure high‑quality service delivery.
Benefits
- Competitive salary.
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus.
Early Help Practitioner in London employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Help Practitioner in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of children's services, especially those who work in early help. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of safeguarding legislation and front-door interventions. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend or mentor to boost your confidence and ensure you can articulate your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! When you get the chance to meet with hiring managers or during interviews, highlight your experience in risk assessment and case management. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made a positive impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to support families and children.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Help Practitioner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Early Help Practitioner role. Highlight your relevant experience in children's services and any specific skills that match the job description. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in risk assessment, case management, and communication have made a difference in your previous roles. We love seeing real examples of your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate clarity, especially in a fast-paced environment like ours!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can process your application smoothly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join us at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of an Early Help Practitioner. Brush up on your knowledge of front-door screening processes, risk assessment, and how to apply threshold decisions. Familiarity with safeguarding legislation will also give you a leg up!
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to share specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in children’s services. Talk about situations where you’ve successfully collaborated with families and professionals, or how you’ve managed competing priorities under pressure.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated complex information to families and colleagues in previous positions.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Highlight your commitment to professional development and service improvement. Share any training or reflective practices you’ve engaged in, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to enhancing the service at the organisation.