Family Support Practitioner

12 month fixed-term contract, Term-Time, 40 weeks per year

Start Date:

April, 2026

Hours:

37.5 Organisation:
The Outdoors Group Closing Date: 15/02/2026

Location:

Peripatetic
- Across all The Outdoors School Sites (Crediton, Shillingford, South Brent & Tiverton), including travel to family visits. (Company will allow an element of home working and milage can be claimed.) About the outdoors group

The Outdoors Group School is an Independent Special School that is based solely outside in a woodland setting for learners with SEMH and ASD needs. We believe in developing the whole learner, not just their academic ability. We use a project-based method, allowing the learner to be completely autonomous, whilst contributing to a well-rounded education based on skills for lifelong learning and personal development.

The school caters for KS2, KS3 and KS4 learners and aims to provide a space for learners to develop skill sets and a growth mindset that they have been unable to in previous settings. We work closely with learners’ support networks, both professional and familial and try to create a holistic and engaging place for learners to grow.

The Outdoors School opened in September 2019 and due to its successes, we are increasing learner numbers and adding extra roles to support the learners, and families of school therefore looking for more people to join our team.

As Family Support Practitioner, you are expected to be part of the school’s safeguarding team and support the Family Support Lead, in the areas listed below. Parental influences have a powerful effect upon children’s attitudes, achievements and life outcomes. The role is to assist in working in partnership with families, parents, carers and learners in a school context to enable our learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, to have full access to educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning and participation.

The Outdoors School is in alternative way to education which delivers a unique and innovative education to learners. Our approach to learning allows learners to feel empowered and appreciated.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. This post requires a DBS check & PRICE Training. (PRICE Training is provided as part of the induction process, PRICE is our behaviour approach.)

If you are interested in joining our motivated team to work in a new innovative setting, in the outdoors, we look forward to receiving your application.

• Recognise how to identify signs of abuse and when to make a referral.
• Respond appropriately and promptly to disclosures or concerns relating to the well-being of a child.
• Refer allegations or cases of suspected abuse to the relevant investigating agencies, ensuring they have access to the most relevant up to date information.
• Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as required.
• Support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme.
• Refer cases to the police as and when necessary.

• Attend and contribute effectively to Child In Need meetings, Early Help, and planning and review meetings.
• Liaise with the LA and follow up any referrals made.
• Support on Early Support Assessments.

• Attend relevant training on an annual basis. In addition, attend staff meetings/briefings forums/roadshows to reinforce and enhance safeguarding knowledge and practice.
• Be pro‑active in identifying training needs and inform the Family Support Lead.
• Keep up to date with safeguarding guidance and policies.

• Understand the policy and procedures in relation to record keeping.
• Maintenance of all safeguarding files. This includes transit, storage and archiving of files.
• Maintenance and upkeep of the ‘School Pod’ Safeguarding Database.
• Maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality whilst at the same time liaising with relevant professionals.
• The work must be completed methodically and to deadlines and the programme of work.
• There will be a high level of interaction with learners and outside…