At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, improve attendance, and organise community events.
- Company: Walliscote Primary School, a caring and inclusive environment in Weston-super-Mare.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and community engagement in a supportive school setting.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team dedicated to empowering families and enhancing children's lives.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, strong communication skills, and a commitment to safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Walliscote Primary School, located at the heart of Weston-super-Mare, is seeking an outstanding family support worker to join our caring and committed team. This is a rewarding opportunity to work closely with children, families, staff and external agencies to improve outcomes, strengthen relationships and help every child succeed.
The successful candidate will work closely with pupils and their families, providing support across a wide range of needs. A key focus of the role will be to improve pupil attendance, working proactively with families to identify and overcome barriers to regular school attendance. You will build strong, trusting relationships with families, offering practical guidance and support to help establish positive routines and promote engagement with school life.
This role also offers the opportunity to play a central part in developing our community provision. You will lead and organise regular events such as weekly coffee mornings and reading cafés, creating welcoming opportunities for families to engage with the school, access support, and build connections with others. You will also contribute to the planning and delivery of wider community events that celebrate and strengthen our diverse school community.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. As a deputy designated safeguarding lead, you will work closely with the safeguarding team, external agencies and social care to ensure that children and families receive the right support at the right time. You will support families through a range of challenges, including bereavement, family separation and establishing effective routines at home, and will confidently signpost and connect families with relevant services and support networks.
We are looking for someone who is empathetic, resilient and highly organised, with excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to safeguarding and inclusion. The ideal candidate will be able to work collaboratively with school staff, external partners and families, demonstrating sensitivity, professionalism and a solution-focused approach.
- Has experience working with children, young people and families
- Builds strong, trusting relationships with empathy and professionalism
- Has excellent knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures
- Is highly organised, proactive and solution-focused
- Can work confidently with external agencies and multi-agency teams
- Has strong communication, report writing and IT skills
- Is passionate about inclusion, attendance and improving outcomes for children
- Can remain calm and resilient in challenging situations
If you are committed to improving the lives of children and families and want to work in a school where community matters, we would love to hear from you.
Walliscote Primary School and ELAN are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS and safeguarding checks. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.
Family Support Worker employer: Walliscote Primary School
Walliscote Primary School is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of both its staff and students. Located in the vibrant community of Weston-super-Mare, we offer a supportive work culture where family support workers can thrive through professional growth opportunities, collaborative teamwork, and meaningful engagement with families. Our commitment to safeguarding and inclusion ensures that every employee plays a vital role in making a positive impact on children's lives, while also enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
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 Walliscote Primary School.
✨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 Walliscote Primary School!
✨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 Walliscote Primary School, 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 Walliscote Primary School 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 Walliscote Primary School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Walliscote Primary School! 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 Walliscote Primary School
✨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.
