Family Worker

Family Worker

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
The Children's Society

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support families and young people at risk, making a real difference in their lives.
  • Company: Join The Children’s Society, a trusted organisation helping children for over 140 years.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 36 days of annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and a matched pension scheme.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal development await you.
  • Why this job: Be part of a passionate team and gain skills while impacting the community positively.
  • Qualifications: Experience with families is key; relevant qualifications are a bonus but not essential.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Permanent with Funding until 31st March 2027, 35 hours a week. Benefits include but are not limited to:

  • 36 days’ annual leave, inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
  • We match up to 8% pension
  • Free counselling service
  • Opportunities to develop and widen your skills
  • 2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation

About us: The Children’s Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need. Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children, young people and families. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value-driven team changes the lives of children in this country for the better, and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.

About the role: You’ll play a key part in our Manchester Missing Service delivering support to families, parents/carers and young people, who have had missing episodes and are at risk of exploitation. You will be part of a passionate team, and will have access to ongoing training, and will be making a real impact on the lives of children and young people.

Key skills and experience:

  • Experience of working with families
  • Relationship building skills
  • Negotiation and influencing skills
  • Ability to plan and manage own workload
  • Communication skills – specifically for: communicating with young people and parent/carers where there may be barriers (e.g. language/learning need), communicating around sensitive issues, and communicating with a range of professionals and stakeholders
  • Presentation and facilitation skills and ability to produce publicity and educational materials
  • An ability to monitor, record and evaluate the work of the project
  • IT skills, particularly using Microsoft Office software package and case recording systems online

Qualifications: A qualification relevant to working with parent/carers and young people e.g. degree in social work, certificate in youth and community work, or related NVQ is desirable but experience is more important.

Closing date: Midnight on 9th July. Interviews: TBC. The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation. In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details. AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You’re welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.

Family Worker employer: The Children's Society

The Children’s Society is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With generous benefits such as 36 days of annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and opportunities for professional growth, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across Manchester. Join a passionate team dedicated to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable young people, while enjoying a fulfilling career with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Children's Society

Contact Details:

The Children's Society Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Family Worker

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 The Children's Society.

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 The Children's Society!

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 The Children's Society, 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 The Children's Society 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 Worker

Communication Skills
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Flexibility
Compassion
Emotional Support
Teamwork

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 The Children's Society:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Children's Society! 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 The Children's Society

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.