Family Support Worker - The Parenting Network in Portsmouth

Hours: 15 - 20 hours per week

Location: Newport, Isle of Wight & community-based delivery

Salary: £10,491.00 - £13,988

Contract: 1 Year with expectation to remain in post with further funding

Reports to: Senior Coordinator

Immediate start available for the right candidate.

About The Parenting Network

The Parenting Network is a values-led, award-winning community organisation providing inclusive, accessible support for families. We work across Portsmouth, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight, delivering programmes that strengthen communities, empower parents, and create safe, welcoming spaces for families to thrive. Our services include family support groups, stay & play sessions, young parents' programmes, Dadzclub, perinatal wellbeing sessions and community outreach. Everything we do is rooted in compassion, lived experience, and a belief that all families deserve to feel connected, valued, and supported. We work closely with Family Hubs, local authorities, health services, and voluntary sector partners to ensure families can access the help they need without fear of judgement or barriers. This new Family Support Worker post will play a key role in extending that support to families who might otherwise feel overlooked or excluded.

About the Role

We are seeking a compassionate, proactive Family Support Worker to join our team on the Isle of Wight. Based from our Parenting Hub at Quay Arts in Newport, this role will focus on supporting families who may be marginalised, isolated, or facing barriers in accessing universal services. You will work across Newport and wider community settings, helping parents and carers feel confident, connected, and included within local provision. As part of the role, you will facilitate and support engaging stay and play sessions, creating welcoming environments where children can learn through play and parents can build confidence, friendships, and support networks. You will also take the lead in delivering our Young Mums Project, providing targeted support and opportunities for young mothers to build confidence, develop peer relationships, and access the support they need to thrive. The postholder will undertake outreach work within St Mary's Hospital and other community settings, promoting and facilitating our Baby Steps programme for expectant and new parents. Particular emphasis will be placed on supporting families who have experienced birth complications, neonatal care (NICU) admissions, or other challenging early parenting experiences. You will build positive relationships with parents and professionals, encourage participation, and help families access compassionate, evidence-informed support during the transition to parenthood. You will provide practical and emotional support to families, signpost to relevant services, and help strengthen community connections across the Isle of Wight. The role is hands-on, relationship-centred, and ideal for someone who is passionate about early help, community development, family engagement, and improving outcomes for children and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver weekly stay and play group sessions for parents and carers, creating welcoming, inclusive spaces that build confidence and connection.
• Provide one-to-one support meetings, offering a triage service to explore individual needs and signpost families towards appropriate services.
• Facilitate additional community-based groups, workshops, and activities designed to reduce isolation and improve engagement with universal services.
• Carry out outreach in the community, pop-up sessions, and partnership-based delivery.
• Support families to access universal provision, including Family Hubs, early years services, health appointments, community activities, and wider support networks.
• Build trust and positive relationships with families who may be isolated, marginalised, or facing barriers to engagement.
• Work alongside volunteers, supporting their involvement in community sessions where appropriate.
• Represent the organisation at local events, partner meetings, and professional forums across the Isle of Wight.
• Act as a liaison for local professionals and services, including Family Hubs, early help teams, health visitors, and voluntary sector partners.
• Collaborate closely with the wider Parenting Network teams to ensure joined‑up practice.
• Attend relevant training and contribute to reflective practice sessions.
• Maintain accurate records, tracking attendance, engagement, progress, and outcomes.
• Support basic budget tracking where required using simple digital tools.
• Provide additional support as required by the Senior Coordinator or Programme Lead.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties in line with the purpose of the role.

Person Specification

• Be warm, tenacious, and confident working independently across community settings.
• Communicate naturally and effectively with adults, children, and professionals.
• Have experience supporting families, particularly those facing disadvantage or exclusion.
• Be confident planning and delivering fun, inclusive group sessions as well as 1–1 support.
• Have a strong understanding of the challenges facing marginalised families in the local community.
• Be skilled in building professional partnerships and maintaining positive working relationships.
• Be comfortable with outreach, including meeting families in their homes and community spaces.
• Uphold the highest standards in safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, and confidentiality.
• Thrive as part of a small, passionate, values-led team.
• Be available for occasional weekend or evening delivery when required.

Essential Requirements

• Relevant experience supporting families or communities in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Ability to travel across the Isle of Wight to deliver outreach and community sessions.
• Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check.