At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need and help them navigate challenging situations.
- Company: Join the passionate team at The Gingerbread Centre.
- Benefits: Living wage, 22 days annual leave, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable families.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in relevant fields and experience with children and families.
Join our dedicated team and experience a rewarding career supporting families in need at The Gingerbread Centre. Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want to be part of a team that makes a difference to homeless and vulnerable families? We are looking for a passionate and experienced Family Support Worker to join our growing team, delivering Tier 2 Community Family Support across Newcastle and Staffordshire Moorlands.
This is more than a job – it's a chance to stand beside families in their most challenging moments and help them to get the right help at the right time. Working in homes and communities, you'll provide tailored early help support to prevent issues from escalating.
As the named Lead Worker for each family, you'll coordinate joined-up care with partners including Family Hubs, schools, health services and voluntary groups. You'll assess needs, write action plans, carry out regular reviews, deliver hands-on support, and help families achieve sustainable change.
You will need:
- NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in health, early years, education, social care or similar.
- At least 1 years' experience working with and supporting children and families.
- Confidence in partnership/multi-agency working with sound knowledge of services available to support children and families.
- Ability to communicate with other agencies.
- Strong organisational and written skills.
- The ability to engage with families who may be resistant or feel anxious.
- The ability to engage with families who have experienced trauma.
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle with business insurance.
- Knowledge and understanding of a range of family issues affecting children's outcome.
Salary: £13.72 per hour
Hours of work: 30-hours per week, Monday to Friday (days can be flexible)
Location: Rothesay Court, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent
Closing Date for Applications: Monday 10th August 2026
Date of Interviews: To be arranged
Please Note: In situations where a significant response is received, the closing date may be brought forward.
Gingerbread Family Support is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS.
Working for us has many benefits including:
- All our employees are paid the living wage or above.
- All staff have enhanced DBS checks.
- We offer a contributory Pension Scheme, after 3 months employment.
- We provide 22 days paid annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata).
- We have excellent training & learning opportunities.
- Good working environments, ensuring staff have access to refreshments.
The Gingerbread Centre is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all areas of the community. Gingerbread is proud to have the Investors in People Award.
Family Support Worker in Longton employer: The Gingerbread Centre
At The Gingerbread Centre, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of homeless and vulnerable families. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through excellent training opportunities, while our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our competitive benefits package, including a living wage, generous annual leave, and a contributory pension scheme. Join us at Rothesay Court in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, where you can be part of a passionate team that truly makes a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker in Longton
✨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 Gingerbread Centre.
✨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 Gingerbread Centre!
✨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 Gingerbread Centre, 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 Gingerbread Centre or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Gingerbread Centre:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Gingerbread Centre! 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 Gingerbread Centre
✨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.
