At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children aged 5-18, helping them achieve independence.
- Company: Join South Gloucestershire Council, a supportive and community-focused local authority.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing support, and staff discounts on various services.
- Other info: Strong team ethos with manageable caseloads and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families and children in your community.
- Qualifications: Professional qualification in family work or related field is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 39152 £ per year.
Senior Support Worker Families Plus 5-18
Location Locality Hub - Kingswood
Salary Range £36,363 - £39,152
Hours 37.00
Job Description
How you\'ll make a difference
Working alongside children and families as a Senior Support Worker, you will help them recognise the small steps of progress they make and how they\'ve achieved that themselves. Your work will help families get to the point where they are able to do things by themselves, without the need for professional support.
What you will be doing
- Carrying out whole family assessments, you will provide advice and guidance to families, establishing plans where appropriate. You’ll ensure that our services are effective and supportive for families with children/young people predominately aged 5-18.
- It will be your responsibility to review and monitor early help plans, responding to the changing of needs and renegotiating where appropriate in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
- It is expected that you will provide support and mentoring to support workers, including those who are new to the team and those who are need of some support in a specific area of practice. You may be required to contribute to or lead on an area of specialism within the team or across the wider preventative services.
- Regularly, you will liaise and work with contacts from different sectors, ensuring that communication is effective so knowledge and best practice is shared.
What we need from you
- It is essential you hold or be working towards a professional qualification e.g. degree, NVQ 4 or equivalent in family work, working with children or education.
- You will have a willingness and ability to communicate and engage with a wide range of people, on occasions this will require you to take time and be patient.
- Given the nature of the role, you must be empathetic and have a good sense of judgement, knowing when and how to support, empower, listen, challenge or even step back.
- Given the complexity of working with families and the level of emotions that can be displayed, you must be resilient despite knockbacks and frustrations.
What you need to know
- You will be required to travel widely within the authority so you must either have a current driving license and provide a car or have access to appropriate means of travel.
- Business insurance will need to be added to your current car insurance policy.
- Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post.
Interviews will be held on 8th October 2025.
How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
- As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
- We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
- We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.
- What is special here is the strength of the team ethos. We are a relatively small local authority, so managers know staff well. They can plan their services to ensure teams have manageable caseloads and have effective supervision so feel supported to make decisions which are right for the children and young people they work with.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
- We\'re building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
- We\'re working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life.
- We\'re investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.
We\'ve achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.
We’re making a difference, be part of it!
To view the full job description, please note this job description is available internally as described by this posting.
Senior Support Worker Families Plus 5-18 in Bristol employer: South Gloucestershire Council
At South Gloucestershire Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values each team member's contributions. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring you have the skills needed to make a meaningful impact in the lives of families and children. With generous benefits, manageable caseloads, and a strong team ethos, you'll find a rewarding environment where your efforts truly make a difference in the community.
Contact Details:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker Families Plus 5-18 in Bristol
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at South Gloucestershire Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from South Gloucestershire Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like South Gloucestershire Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at South Gloucestershire Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Worker Families Plus 5-18 in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to South Gloucestershire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Gloucestershire Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Gloucestershire Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
