At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families to achieve positive change through assessments and practical interventions.
- Company: Suffolk County Council, dedicated to creating positive change in the community.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, health benefits, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with diverse career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families every day.
- Qualifications: A Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience in relevant work.
The predicted salary is between 28598 - 28598 £ per year.
At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Family Help Practitioner in the Family Help Team, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on the children, young people and families that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.
Your role and responsibilities:
- Act as the lead professional for families, building trusted relationships and working collaboratively to understand needs and develop meaningful plans.
- Carry out home visits, assessments and planned interventions, using the Signs of Safety and Wellbeing framework to guide your approach.
- Provide practical and emotional support, helping families navigate early signs of social, emotional, health or behavioural issues.
- Work alongside social workers, health colleagues and other agencies to provide coordinated support.
- Maintain clear, accurate and timely case records.
- Recognise safeguarding concerns and escalate them appropriately with support and oversight from management.
- Organise your own workload, problem-solve effectively and contribute to group or multi-agency meetings.
Every day, you’ll be helping families move towards strength, resilience and safety.
You will need:
- A Level 4 practitioner qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work.
- A strong commitment to Suffolk’s WE ASPIRE values.
- An understanding of early intervention, prevention and child development.
- Experience working directly with children and families, including those with complex needs or safeguarding concerns.
- Confidence in delivering evidence-based interventions and working creatively to help families make changes.
- The ability to identify risks, communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals.
The team:
You’ll join one of our dedicated Family Help Teams – multi-disciplinary groups of social workers and practitioners committed to improving outcomes for children and young people across Suffolk. There are also opportunities for Family Help Practitioners within our Countywide Children with Disabilities Team. If this role is of particular interest to you, or you have experience working with disabled children and their families, please make this clear in your application.
Employment Equality:
We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently under-represented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
Benefits:
- Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro-rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days.
- Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits.
- Performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase.
- Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge.
- A variety of career development opportunities across our organisation.
- Diverse and active staff networks.
- Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day.
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 30 June 2026
Family Help Practitioner in Bury employer: Suffolk County Council
At Suffolk County Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to creating positive change in the community. As a Family Help Practitioner, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that values flexibility, professional development, and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. With generous annual leave, a competitive pension scheme, and numerous opportunities for career growth, you'll find meaningful and rewarding employment while making a real difference in the lives of families across Suffolk.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Help Practitioner in Bury
✨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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Family Help Practitioner in Bury
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 Suffolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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.
