At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families facing challenges through hands-on, therapeutic assistance and relationship-building.
- Company: Unlocking Potential, a charity dedicated to empowering children and families.
- Benefits: Enhanced sick leave, family leave, income protection, life assurance, and medical cash plan.
- Other info: Join an inclusive team that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive, dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in early help, family support, or community roles is preferred.
Unlocking Potential is the charity that supports schools and communities to ensure no child or family struggles alone with their social, emotional and mental health needs. We provide flexible, over-time, multi-disciplinary therapeutic support that meets children and families where they are, and enables them to feel safe, understood and the best version of themselves.
Our Vision Everyone feels supported, equipped and able to achieve their potential.
Our Mission Our mission is to provide tailored therapeutic support to more children, while training the practitioners of the future to build holistic, resilient social systems that equip children and their families with the confidence, tools, and skills to thrive at school and within their communities.
Values
- Individual: Everything we do is about the individual and what is right for them – no two children, families or schools are the same.
- Innovative: We look for new solutions, evolving our thinking and approach – ensuring the use of bold, co-designed practice.
- Collaborative: We choose to work with others to find the best solutions – we are stronger together.
Our Family Support Programme
We launched our Family Support Programme in September 2025, initially as a three year pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue the service beyond this. This service offers flexible, relationship-based support to families facing a range of challenges, helping them navigate systems, strengthen protective factors, and improve outcomes for children. Operating across extended hours, the service is accessible and responsive, with a strong focus on early intervention, collaboration, and building trust with families.
About the role
We are looking for a skilled and compassionate Family Support Worker to join our new Family Support Service, supporting families initially across our partner schools in Wandsworth (with the aim of expanding the service beyond this over time). This is a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative early help service from the outset, working within a small, dynamic team to make a tangible difference to the lives of children and their families. As a Family Support Worker, you will deliver flexible, hands-on, and therapeutically minded support to families facing multiple and complex challenges. You will build trusted relationships through home visits, school meetings, and practical support - empowering parents and carers to strengthen routines, manage behaviour, improve attendance, and access services. Your role will be guided by detailed needs assessments and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes with each family. Working closely with schools, health and social care professionals, and other local partners, you will contribute to effective, joined-up support for families. Using a restorative approach, you will help build resilience and give families the tools they need to make informed decisions and sustain positive change. This role is ideally suited to someone with experience working in early help, family support, or community-based roles. You will be confident working independently in family homes, committed to safeguarding, and motivated by making a real difference in children’s lives. You'll also benefit from high-quality supervision, therapeutic reflective practice, and a supportive team culture that values learning, collaboration and compassion.
Other Information:
How to apply: In line with safer recruitment practices, to apply for this role please complete an application form by following the link on our online recruitment portal. As part of the application, you will be asked to upload your CV and a personal statement which should clearly demonstrate (giving relevant examples) how you meet the requirements of the person specification.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all those who work with us to share this commitment. It's a criminal offence for a person to apply to work with a group from which they have been barred from working. We follow safer recruitment practices in line with KCSIE including (but not limited to): online checks at interview stage, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, satisfactory references, a medical check, proof of qualifications and right to work in the UK.
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging: Our children and families and staff come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we value the unique contribution that each individual can bring to UP. We have a diverse and inclusive team, and we strongly believe that this is vital to our work. We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, and we do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics. We ensure that candidates and employees are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential.
We want you to have everything you need to make an informed application, if something is unclear, you would like more information, or if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application process, then please get in touch.
Example Benefits:
- Enhanced sick leave
- Enhanced family leave
- Income Protection Policy
- Life Assurance Policy
- Medical Cash Plan
- EAP service
Family Support Worker employer: UP-Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the families they serve. As a Family Support Worker in Wandsworth, you will have access to comprehensive benefits, including enhanced sick and family leave, alongside opportunities for professional growth through high-quality supervision and therapeutic reflective practice. Join a dynamic team committed to making a meaningful impact in the community, where your contributions are valued and your development is nurtured.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support 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 UP-Unlocking Potential.
✨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 UP-Unlocking Potential!
✨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 UP-Unlocking Potential, 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 UP-Unlocking Potential 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 Support Worker
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 UP-Unlocking Potential:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to UP-Unlocking Potential! 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 UP-Unlocking Potential
✨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.
