Family Support Worker

Family Support Worker
Salary: £26,000 to £28,500 per annum (dependent on experience)
Service:
Residential Family Assessment Centre

Reports to:

Senior Practitioner / Lead Practitioner / Deputy Manager

Role Purpose

The Practitioner role represents a progression from entry-level practice and requires increased autonomy, professional confidence, and responsibility within the organisation therapeutic residential family centre. The post holder plays an active and integral role in supporting mothers and babies, contributing directly to structured parenting observations and assessments, and maintaining high standards of safeguarding and recording practice.

Practitioners are expected to demonstrate a sound understanding of trauma-informed care, attachment, and risk, and to apply this understanding consistently in day-to-day practice. The role requires the ability to balance emotional support with appropriate professional challenge, promote parental capacity and resilience, and contribute meaningfully to assessment evidence that informs decision-making for families.

The Practitioner supports the organisations overarching aim of safeguarding babies, strengthening early attachment, and supporting parents to make sustainable change within a therapeutic and assessment-led environment.

Key Responsibilities

Care, Support and Therapeutic Practice

Support mothers and babies in their daily routines in a manner that is safe, nurturing, predictable, and emotionally containing

Actively promote parental responsibility, confidence, and independence while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries

Support parents during emotionally challenging moments using trauma-informed, non-judgemental approaches

Contribute to a therapeutic environment that prioritises safety, trust, consistency, and emotional regulation

Observation, Assessment and Recording

Undertake regular, structured parenting and interaction observations in line with the organisations assessment framework

Accurately record observations using clear, factual, and balanced language that distinguishes fact from interpretation

Contribute to structured assessment evidence, ensuring consistency and reliability in reporting

Maintain high-quality daily logs, handover notes, and records that meet regulatory and organisational standards

Safeguarding and Risk Management

Maintain a clear and proactive understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and thresholds

Identify early indicators of risk or concern relating to babies, parents, or the wider environment

Escalate safeguarding concerns immediately and appropriately in line with the organisation safeguarding procedures

Support the implementation of risk management strategies within placement plans

Work within professional boundaries at all times, recognising the importance of boundaries in safeguarding and therapeutic work

Multi-Disciplinary and Team Working

Work collaboratively with colleagues across shifts to ensure continuity of care and assessment

Contribute constructively to handovers, team meetings, and reflective discussions

Support the consistent implementation of care plans, assessment plans, and routines

Communicate professionally and respectfully with visiting professionals under guidance from senior staff

Professional Development and Practice Standards

Engage fully in supervision, reflective practice, and ongoing training

Demonstrate openness to feedback and a commitment to continuous improvement

Apply learning from training and supervision into daily practice

Uphold the organisations values, ethos, and therapeutic model at all times

Policies, Procedures and Professional Conduct

Adhere to all the organisation policies, procedures, and codes of conduct

Work in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance, and regulatory…