MHST Family Support Worker L3 - MIAT

Role Overview

The Mental Health Improving Attendance Team (MIAT) Family Support Worker plays a vital role in supporting children, young people and their families where mental health needs are impacting school attendance. Working as part of Nottingham City's Mental Health Improving Attendance Team, the role focuses on building trusting relationships with families, identifying barriers to attendance, working closely with schools across the City and delivering practical, strengths-based support to help children and young people re-engage with education.

The ideal candidate for the MIAT Family Support Worker role will be a compassionate, resilient and motivated professional with a strong ability to build rapport with children, young people and families. You will be confident in managing home visits, engaging families in often challenging circumstances, and developing trusting relationships that support meaningful change. You will be comfortable working independently, using your initiative to manage a varied caseload, prioritise effectively and make informed decisions, while also recognising the importance of collaboration.

Cases within MIAT are often complex, involving multiple barriers to attendance and wellbeing. The successful postholder will be determined, solution-focused and persistent in exploring creative and practical ways forward. You will demonstrate resilience and professionalism when faced with challenges, maintaining a child- and family-centred approach and a commitment to achieving sustainable resolutions that improve attendance and mental health outcomes.

• Ability to build strong trusting relationships with children, young people, and schools.
• Confidence and professionalism in carrying out home visits and working within family homes in a sensitive and respectful manner.
• Experience or understanding of working with families where mental health, emotional wellbeing and attendance concerns are present.
• A solution-focused and flexible approach, with a commitment to achieving positive and sustainable outcomes for families.
• Good communication and organisational skills, including accurate record keeping and information sharing.
• A relevant qualification at Level 3 or above in a related field (e.g. Children and Young People, Health and Social Care, Education, Youth Work, Family Support, Mental Health or equivalent) or demonstrable equivalent experience working with children, young people and families in a support, education, early help or mental health-related role.
• Whilst driving is not a compulsory requirement, the postholder must be able to travel independently to undertake home visits and attend meetings across Nottingham City.

• A degree in a relevant subject such as Psychology, Social Work, Education, Youth and Community Work, Health and Social Care, Mental Health or a related discipline.
• Relevant training in mental health, emotional wellbeing, trauma-informed practice or family support interventions.
• Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development (CPD).
• Understanding of children and young people's mental health and emotional wellbeing and the impact on school attendance.
• Knowledge of barriers to attendance and early intervention approaches to support re-engagement.
• Awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and working within multi-agency systems.
• Ability to build rapport and engage families, including undertaking home visits confidently and sensitively.
• Strong ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing a varied and complex caseload.
• Resilience and determination to work with complex cases and persist in finding effective, child-centred solutions.

This post is covered by the statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) (English Language Requirement for public sector workers) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for the role. A DBS enhanced check for a regulated activity is required for this post. Nottingham City Council is Disability Confident and shall offer an interview to any applicant who declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.

We offer competitive pay, generous leave entitlement, and a pension scheme. We strive to create an innovative, inclusive and progressive work culture where everyone is supported to do and be their best. For more information about the benefits available to employees, please refer to the Council's benefits page.