Family Support Worker; Family Locality

About The Role

Herefordshire Council is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Family Support Worker to join the Families First Programme, working directly with vulnerable children, young people and their families across homes, schools, colleges and community environments.

This role offers evidence‑based, therapeutic interventions that support positive outcomes for children and young people, including those with special educational needs, physical disabilities and life‑limiting conditions.

• Job Title: Family Support Worker (Family Help) Central Locality
• Salary: HC07 £ 32,061 – £36,363 per annum (£25,995 – £29,483 pro rata)
• Contract: Fixed Term until 31/08/2028
• Hours: 30
• Location: Plough Lane, Hereford
• Closing Date: 19 July 2026

Work 1:1 with families, managing a complex caseload, completing Family Help Assessments (including Section 17), developing SMART plans and leading review meetings at Targeted Early Help or child‑in‑need level.

Coordinate multi‑agency support, make referrals to meet local thresholds, and engage partners to ensure effective interventions. Safeguard responsibilities include completing specialist assessments (e.g. Young Carers) and advocating for children and families.

Deliver parenting programmes, engage family networks, and creatively support children and young people, including those with additional needs, to access education, positive activities and appropriate services.

Maintain accurate, timely records, contribute to multi‑agency meetings, and provide written and verbal reports. Participate in supervision, training and, where required, court processes.

• Level 4 qualification (or above) in health, education, child development, youth work or social care.
• Experience working with children, young people and families, including lone working, within social care and Early Help frameworks.
• Proven experience managing complex caseloads and coordinating multi‑agency support to achieve positive outcomes.
• Confidence in evidence‑based therapeutic approaches such as motivational interviewing and solution‑focused practice; experience delivering parenting programmes (e.g. Triple P or Solihull) is desirable.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, ensuring the child’s voice is heard and advocating effectively on behalf of families.
• Excellent communication, organisational and IT skills, able to prioritise workloads and work independently or collaboratively.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and ability to assess and respond to risk, including exploitation and complex needs.
• Capability to challenge partners and providers constructively to maintain high standards of support.
• Highly motivated, adaptable, resilient and able to travel across the county, including working in family homes and evenings or weekends.
• Own transport and willingness to work evenings and weekends.

• Competitive salary and holiday entitlement.
• Contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, including enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Professional development – protected time and budget.
• Clear career progression pathways.
• Annual leave: 31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays; optional purchase of an additional 10 days per annum.
• Flexible working – potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 access to support and counselling.
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements).
• Retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits – access to savings, cash‑back and discounts.

• Disability‑Confident scheme inclusion.
• Armed Forces Covenant support for veterans and reservists.
• Support for Herefordshire care leavers.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Selected candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre‑employment checks.

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