Family Support Worker

The Southwark Team is a city-wide service that are looking for a Higher-Level Family Support Worker to join our team. The teams are motivated and require a support workers who can drive evidence-based practice and create a positive environment which encourages open discussion and innovation, supports performance and builds capability. As a Higher Level Family Support Worker, you will deliver evidenced based interventions to positively affect changes that safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. You will be required to establish a high standard of practice in the Southwark Team space that provides a timely response to children, young people and their families and achieves family outcomes. You need to be able to work collaboratively with, children, young people and families and other professionals to achieve this aim. The role will require you to act as a champion in a specific practice area such homeless of young people, family relationship breakdowns, mental health, substance misuse, child sexual/criminal exploitation, and contextual safeguarding concerns and supporting delivery of workshops and providing advice and support where relevant.
You will be accountable for maintaining and improving practice and performance in line with professional development targets as agreed with the line manager through supervision.

We have been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection. This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children's Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.

This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham so you must reside within a suitable commutable distance around Birmingham and have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship.

About you:

• Experience of direct work with children, young people and families.
• Knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and the Children Act 1989 (including Section 17 and Section 20 duties).
• Understanding of the Southwark judgment and its implications for practice with 16–17 year olds.
• Ability to engage resistant families and manage challenging behaviour in a constructive way.
• Strong communication, mediation, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work flexibly, including some evenings/weekends, to meet young people’s needs.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Experience of working in housing, youth justice, or homelessness services.
• NVQ Level 3 or above in Children & Young People, Social Care, or a related field. (desirable)
• Knowledge of local community resources and services available to young people and families.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the job early should we reach the required number of applications, therefore please ensure you submit your application and supporting statement early to avoid any disappointment.