Family Support Worker - Adolescent, CE & Missing Team
Job Description
Job Title: Family Support Worker
Salary: £33,531 - £38,052
Grade: D
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 Hours per Week
About the department
Are you experienced working with young people looking for a new challenge?
We are looking for dynamic, passionate, and experienced worker to join our established Adolescent Team. If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of young people, this might be the perfect role for you!
This is an opportunity to shape bespoke services for young people on the edge of care. Join us in our mission to build safety, offer intensive support, and make a lasting impact on the lives of young people and their families.
About the Role
To work as a member of the Adolescent Team to provide support to young people and their families at the edge of care due to contextualised safeguarding concerns.
To support and deliver specialist targeted intervention to young people and their families
To work as a Lead Professional as part of a ‘team around the family’.
To support the development, delivery and co-ordination of an agreed plan
To promote the use of community-based services to enable families to find local solutions and build resilience to sustain agreed outcomes.
What We’re Looking For
- Worker with a passion for working with adolescents aged 14-17.
- Individuals who understand the complexities faced by young people vulnerable to entering care due to home relationship breakdowns, child exploitation, or outcomes from the youth justice system.
- We welcome applicants who are alternatively qualified to bring additional specialist support.
DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level is required for this role.
Benefits of Working with Us
- Innovative Approach: Be a part of a team that values both traditionally and alternatively qualified workers, ensuring that support is intensive, creative, and most importantly, led by the young person.
- Protected Low Caseloads: Our multi-disciplinary team work collaboratively and intensively, allowing you to build meaningful relationships and provide focused support.
- Continuous Learning: We encourage out-of-the-box thinking and offer numerous opportunities for professional growth and development.
Rated outstanding across all areas in our most recent Ofsted Inspection.
Thurrock has a friendly and supportive Children Services Department and we work within the Signs of Safety model, use a contextual safeguarding approach and are passionate about developing social work staff with a good training and development offer.
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Staff discounts and local offers
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
Important Dates
Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 12th February 2026
Closing Date (Internal & External): 22nd February 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 2nd March 2026
Additional Information
For any role related questions please contact the hiring Adolescent, CE & Missing manager Seema Moules - SMoules@thurrock.gov.uk
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
About us
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council
Salary range
- £33,531 - £38,052 per year