At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children to improve school attendance and engagement in learning.
- Company: Join School-Home Support, dedicated to helping children thrive in education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, employee assistance, life assurance, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with ongoing training and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and support families in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in family support or education is a plus, but passion is key!
Location: Birmingham
Salary: £22,274 - £24,796 per annum (This role is term-time only, the salary is in line with working weeks)
Vacancy Type: This is a fixed term position until 12 April 2027, 5 days per week term time only - 35 hours per week plus inset days
Closing date: Monday 3 August 2026
Our mission at School-Home Support is simple. We get children and young people back in school ready to learn, whatever it takes. Is this a mission for you? Yes? Then read on.
We are looking for a Family Support Practitioner to join our team and to make a difference in children’s lives every single day. As the Family Support Practitioner, you will be based at the setting and work in close partnership with school staff to deliver a programme of casework to promote and improve educational outcomes for the children and their families we support. You will also focus your support to help improve attendance, punctuality and engagement in learning.
Purpose of role
To work with families, parents, carers, young people and the school to improve school attendance and enable children and young people to have full access to educational opportunities and overcome the barriers to learning. This may include working with the wider family and community.
Based at Ark Boulton Secondary school, the family support practitioner will work from a child centred approach and primarily be concerned with developing and maintaining good working relationships with parents/carers, children and young people, teachers, head teachers and various educational support staff and other agencies. The workload is varied and is negotiated with the schools prior to the appointment of the SHS Practitioner.
Level of contact with children and young people
The responsibilities of the post require the post-holder to have substantial, unsupervised and daily contact with children, young people and their families and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. SHS will organise and pay for this certificate.
Colleagues of School-Home Support (UK) to share tasks, information and good practice, colleagues throughout the organisation who may be in a position to assist with, or require help from the SHS Practitioner in the fulfilment of the role. This includes colleagues in both schools and the Central Office. This is not a definitive list.
Main responsibilities and tasks
- To provide targeted work with children and young people who are currently or are at risk of becoming persistently absent, supporting them to improve their school attendance and engagement in learning.
- Work with parents/carers in a school context, supporting them and building their engagement with their child’s learning.
- To design and/or facilitate a flexible range of programmes of intervention to support parents/carers of children identified as vulnerable.
- To undertake outreach work which may include home visits, to offer a flexible support service in accordance with the SHS lone worker policy, in order to improve parental engagement with the school and with the child’s learning.
- To act as advocate, mediator and negotiator in confrontational situations, maintaining communication with young people, parents/carers, schools and other agencies. This will include initiating and participating in meetings to discuss and develop ways of resolving problems.
- To provide targeted support on a one to one basis or for small groups with parents/carers, children and young people through either self-referral or school staff referral.
- To advise and inform parents/carers about relevant local services and where appropriate to make referrals to other agencies.
- To support parents/carers to engage with local agencies and support services identified to remove barriers in school engagement and improve school attendance.
As an employer, we offer:
- Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential support for you and your family
- Life assurance for added financial security
- Pension scheme
- A structured induction programme with training throughout your first 6 months to help you feel confident and supported in your role
- Regular supervision and reflective practice to support your wellbeing and professional development
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families
- A supportive and collaborative team environment where your experience and ideas are valued
- Opportunities to build strong relationships with schools and communities through varied and rewarding work
School-Home Support takes very seriously the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We are committed to ensuring our safeguarding procedures reflect statutory responsibilities, government guidance and comply with best practice. Our policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances and we therefore take all necessary steps to protect them.
Interview dates:
1st Stage Interview: 5-12 August 2026 (online interview)
2nd Stage interviews: September 2026
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for School-Home Support, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
Family Support Practitioner (School-based) in Birmingham employer: School-Home Support
At School-Home Support, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the contributions of our team members. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility, while our commitment to professional development ensures that employees have ample opportunities for growth within the charity sector. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community, all while enjoying a supportive and collaborative work culture in the heart of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Practitioner (School-based) in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to School-Home Support, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Practitioner (School-based) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of School-Home Support. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at School-Home Support. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at School-Home Support
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with School-Home Support.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Family Support Practitioner (School-based) role at School-Home Support, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show School-Home Support that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
