Senior Family Support Worker

Our Purpose 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.

Vision
Everyone feels supported, equipped and able to achieve their potential.

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.

Overview
We launched our new programme in September 2025, initially as a pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue beyond this. This service will offer 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 will be accessible and responsive, with a strong focus on early intervention, collaboration, and building trust with families.

The role
This is a unique opportunity to take on a senior, hands‑on role within an innovative early help service working within a small, dynamic team to make a tangible difference to the lives of children and their families. As a Senior Family Support Worker, you will deliver flexible, therapeutically minded support to families often facing multiple and complex challenges, drawing on your experience to provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced colleagues. You will build trusted relationships through home visits, school meetings, and provide practical support—facilitating parents and carers to feel empowered to strengthen routines, manage behaviour, improve attendance, and access services. Your work will be informed by detailed needs assessments and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes with each family.

Position

• Hours: Full time: 5 days, 37.5 hours per week. Including some evening and weekend work on a rota basis to meet the needs of the service.
• Contract: 1 year Fixed Term. Likely to be able to extend on a rolling annual basis for a further 2 years (Funding has been agreed for 3 years).
• Location: Hybrid: UP's London Bridge Head Office (for team meetings, team days, training and events etc), travel across London as required, remote working.
• Salary range: Circa. £35,000 - £40,000 (Dependent on experience).
• Manager: Family Support Manager.

Requirements
Please see the Job description for further information regarding the responsibilities of this role and the Person Specification.

Other information
Making your application: Interviews arranged on a rolling basis. We may close the advert early when we have adequate applications. Please make your application by submitting your CV along with a cover letter which clearly demonstrates how you meet the person specification criteria (we will be shortlisting candidates closely against the person specification). For an informal discussion, for further information, or if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application process, please contact: hr@up.org.uk

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.

Use of AI
We understand that AI tools are increasingly used in everyday life, including using them to refine CVs, personal statements, and support interview preparation. While we appreciate the responsible use of AI, it’s important that any information you submit as part of your application and assessment accurately reflects your own skills, experience and perspective. The misuse of AI will not be permitted during the interview and any associated task process itself. Candidate data is processed in line with UP’s privacy notice and Data Protection Policy.