At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with families and communities, providing support and guidance to those in need.
- Company: Join Warwickshire County Council's dedicated Children and Families Service.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, wellbeing days, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative team focused on early intervention and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and help shape the future of social care.
- Qualifications: Experience in family support and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 37338 - 44962 £ per year.
The Early Support Team is seeking an experienced full-time Family Support Worker to join our countywide service. Building on the success of the Early Help team, we aim to expand our community-based family support offerings and enhance community capacity for early intervention. The ideal candidate will be confident in engaging with the community, speaking to groups of children, families, community groups, and professionals, providing immediate advice and guidance.
Role includes:
- Family Support drop-ins at Children and Family Centres and other community venues.
- Operating the Family Support line to deliver direct interventions and provide immediate advice and guidance.
- Supporting the delivery of parenting programmes alongside the Family and Relationship Team as needed.
- Allocating children and families for direct interventions and initiating Early Support in exceptional circumstances.
- Providing proactive Early Support to children, young people, and families, including:
- Young parents under 21 years old.
- Children under 5, especially those not meeting developmental milestones.
- Supporting families to wait well while referrals to services like RISE, CAMHS, or wider CWPT services are processed.
The Early Support team comprises 8 FTE Family Support Workers working across five districts/boroughs. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of Warwickshire's initiative as one of the seven areas implementing the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme. Join us to help shape the future of children's social care. Discover why we are rated well by Ofsted.
If you are passionate about building strong relationships with families, consider joining Warwickshire’s Children and Families Service.
Our Offer includes:
- Supportive management with recognition and a focus on wellbeing and workload through robust supervision.
- A Volunteering & Wellbeing Day, generous annual leave, and an extra day at Christmas.
- A Refer a Friend scheme for some roles, subject to Terms & Conditions.
Join Warwickshire’s Children and Families Service to build meaningful connections with families.
We are committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults. Successful applicants will undergo pre-engagement checks, including a DBS check. We adhere to the DBS code of practice and our own policies regarding criminal offences and assessments.
The Fluency Duty requires candidates to speak and advise in accurate spoken English.
Closing date: 19th May 2025
Interview date: 27th May 2025
Family Support Worker employer: Warwickshire County Council
Warwickshire County Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Family Support Workers. With a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth, our team is passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across Warwickshire. Join us to be part of a collaborative culture that values your contributions and prioritises the voices of young people in care.
Contact Details:
Warwickshire County Council Recruitment Team
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 Warwickshire County Council.
✨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 Warwickshire County Council!
✨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 Warwickshire County Council, 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 Warwickshire County Council 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 Warwickshire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Warwickshire County Council! 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 Warwickshire County Council
✨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.
