Family Support Officer - Volunteer

The Family Support Officer will support children and families by providing guidance, early intervention, and practical assistance. Working with safeguarding and clinical teams, they will help identify needs, improve access to services, and contribute to positive outcomes and family wellbeing.

This role will strengthen Transforming Autism’s ability to safeguard and support families through early intervention and practical assistance. The Family Support Officer will help identify needs early, respond to safeguarding concerns, and ensure families can access the right services without delay.

They will also improve coordination between families, staff, and external agencies, helping to prevent issues escalating and promoting consistent safeguarding practice. Overall, the role supports better outcomes for children and families by ensuring timely, joined‑up and effective support.

• Experience supporting children, young people and families in a professional or voluntary capacity.
• Experience working within education, health, social care, family support, SEND, youth work or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding children and promoting welfare.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by families of autistic children and children with additional needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive and trusting relationships with families.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Strong organisational and record‑keeping skills.
• Commitment to strengths‑based, family‑centred and trauma‑informed practice.
• Commitment to Transforming Autism's values and neurodiversity‑affirming approach.
• Knowledge of SEND systems and the EHCP process.

Remote

• Act as a first point of contact for families requiring additional support.
• Build positive, trusting and professional relationships with children, parents and carers.
• Provide practical information, advice and guidance regarding available services and support pathways.
• Support families to access health, education, social care and voluntary sector services.
• Assist families in understanding referral processes and available local resources.
• Signpost families to specialist support services where appropriate.
• Promote resilience, family strengths and positive outcomes through strengths‑based practice.
• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Practitioner, assessing concerns raised by colleagues and taking appropriate action; including referral to statutory services where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate safeguarding records in accordance with organisational policies.
• Participate in safeguarding case discussions and reviews.
• Escalate concerns promptly in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of safeguarding plans.
• Liaise with professionals from education, health, social care and voluntary organisations as appropriate.
• Support coordination of services around families with multiple support needs.
• Attend meetings and contribute information to support safeguarding and family support planning.
• Promote effective partnership working to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Contribute to the development of family support resources and guidance materials.
• Support safeguarding audits, quality assurance activities and service improvement initiatives.
• Promote best practice in family support and safeguarding across the charity.