Higher Level Family Support Worker

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families?

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Lead Practitioner (Coordinator) – Family Help to join the Birmingham Pathfinder team on a 25 month Fixed Term Contract.

This is a front line, practitioner led role, working directly with children, young people and families who require targeted early help. Lead Practitioners (referred to as Coordinators within Pathfinder) act as the named Lead Practitioner, coordinating assessment, planning and multi‑agency intervention for families with identified needs. The role also includes a core school‑coordination function, working closely alongside Pathfinder schools to translate emerging concerns into effective Family Help support and ensuring joined‑up working between home, school and partner agencies.

You will be supported through reflective supervision and professional oversight from a Practice Supervisor and will be part of a values‑driven, collaborative and learning‑focused team.

Who Are We?

Working within Birmingham Children’s Trust, Birmingham Pathfinder is a place‑based, school‑anchored early help partnership working alongside children, young people, families and communities to prevent escalation, strengthen relationships and improve outcomes.

Our work is rooted in nurture, shared authority, relational practice and social justice. We believe in working with families, not to them – embedding psychologically informed, trauma‑aware and strengths‑based practice within schools and neighbourhoods.

Pathfinder brings together education, early help, safeguarding and community support to provide timely, coordinated help to families when needs first emerge.

To learn more about our work and values, visit www.birminghampathfinder.org.uk.

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.

Key Responsibilities

As a Lead Practitioner (Coordinator), you will be:

• Act as the Lead Practitioner for an allocated caseload of children, young people and families
• Build strong, trusting and purposeful relationships using psychologically informed, relational and trauma‑aware practice
• Undertake needs‑led Family Assessments, with guidance from a Practice Supervisor
• Develop, deliver and review multi‑agency Family Help Plans, focused on strengths, safety and sustainable change
• Ensure the voice, wishes and lived experience of children and young people inform all assessments and plans
• Act as a named Pathfinder link practitioner for allocated schools working alongside school staff to respond to emerging concerns around wellbeing, attendance, behaviour and family needs
• Support schools to understand Family Help pathways, thresholds and processes whilst attending and contributing to relevant school‑based meetings where appropriate
• Coordinate Family Help activity that originates from school concerns, ensuring alignment between school, family and community‑based support
• Chair and contribute to multi‑agency meetings to implement and review Family Help Plans and work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure timely, joined‑up support
• Identify safeguarding concerns, assess risk and escalate appropriately to protect children and young people
• Complete high‑quality assessments, plans and reports within required timescales
• Maintain accurate, timely and analytical case recording in line with statutory and organisational requirements
• Contribute to sustainability planning so families can maintain progress beyond Pathfinder involvement
• Work reflectively and accountably, taking responsibility for improving practice through supervision and learning whilst attending supervision, team meetings, training and reflective practice sessions
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, challenging discrimination and valuing difference

What will you need?

• NVQ Level 4 in Working with Families with Complex Needs, a Social Work qualification, or an equivalent relevant qualification (completed or working towards)
• Experience delivering evidence‑based support to children, young people and families
• A track record of completing assessments that identify need, risk and strengths and inform intervention
• Experience of multi‑agency working and coordinating support across services
• Strong communication, organisational and analytical skills
• A clear understanding of safeguarding, inequality and the impact of poverty and adversity on families
• The ability to build purposeful relationships and manage complex situations with sensitivity and resilience
• To be able to work flexibly, including occasional work outside normal office hours

Why Join Birmingham Pathfinder?

• To be part of an innovative, values‑led early help model rooted in schools and communities
• To do meaningful, preventative work that supports families before issues escalate
• Receive high‑quality reflective supervision and professional support
• Work collaboratively with schools and community partners
• To be part of a service that values learning, reflection and practitioner voice

Our Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service and 35 days after 10 years of service.
• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme which gives you the chance to drive a brand-new car for an affordable fixed monthly amount as part of a salary sacrifice initiative. With no deposits or credit checks required a range of all-inclusive driving packages
• Free on-site parking at our offices on One Avenue Road (Aston) and Lifford House (Stirchley). We also provide onsite electric car charging ports which are free to use!
• Full access to our amazing internal employee benefits scheme including, Occupational Health services, Rewards Schemes, Benefits discounts (including the Blue Light Card), Health & Fitness and Personal Wellbeing support and much more!
• You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme in line with the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Onboarding Process:

Please note as part of our onboarding process, the successful candidate will be required undergo a series of background checks with Experian Including Experian DBS, Right to Work, and Digital ID verification. These are essential pre-employment requirements.

Benefits

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.