Senior Family Help Practitioner in Ipswich

Address: Ipswich IP1 2BX / Felixstowe IP11 2JB / Lowestoft NR33 0EQ - Hybrid

Salary: £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available

Contract: Permanent

Reimagine the possibilities

Are you an experienced practitioner looking for your next step in Children and Young People's Services? This is an exciting internal development opportunity for practitioners who are passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children and families and are ready to take on greater responsibility within Family Help.

Your role and responsibilities

• Act as Lead Professional for allocated children and families, coordinating support and interventions to improve outcomes.
• Undertake Family Help Assessments and contribute to Child in Need and Child Protection planning where appropriate.
• Hold a complex caseload, managing risk and supporting families to make sustainable improvements in their lives.
• Build strong working relationships with children, families, carers and partner agencies.
• Chair multi-agency meetings and family network meetings to review progress and coordinate plans.
• Use Suffolk Signs of Safety and Wellbeing principles to support strengths-based, solution-focused practice.
• Provide advice, guidance and role-modelling to colleagues, supporting continuous improvement across the team.
• Support peer supervision, mentoring and learning activities to strengthen practice.

About the team

At Suffolk County Council, we aspire for every child in Suffolk to live their best life. The Children and Young People's Directorate continues to improve and develop services that deliver sustainable change for children, young people and their families. Family Help Teams are multi-disciplinary teams made up of social workers and alternatively qualified practitioners, supported by two Team Managers. They undertake assessments and planning for children receiving Targeted Early Help, Child in Need and Child Protection services and support children when they first enter care. This is a supportive and collaborative service that values professional development, high-quality practice and continuous learning.

What you will need

• A Level 5 qualification, or equivalent knowledge and experience in a relevant area of work.
• Experience of direct work with children, young people and families.
• Experience of supporting families where safeguarding concerns exist.
• Knowledge of solution-focused approaches, including Signs of Safety.
• The ability to assess risk, manage complex situations and support positive change for families.
• Confidence in building relationships, influencing others and working collaboratively with a range of professionals and agencies.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Due to the nature of this role, you will be required to have a driving licence and access to personal transport.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don't meet every requirement, we would love to hear from you.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information, please contact Steve Blaney, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01502674649 or emailing steve.blaney@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

• Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
• Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
• Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 14 September 2026. Interview date: 22 and 23 September 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.