Job Title: Family Support Worker (Family Help)
Central Hereford Locality
Salary: HC07 £32,061 - £36,363 per annum
Contract: Fixed Term to 2 July 2027
Hours: 37
Location: Plough Lane, Hereford
Closing date: 14 July 2026
Introduction
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Family Support Worker to join our team, working directly with vulnerable children, young people, and their families across a range of settings, including homes, schools, colleges, and community environments. This is a rewarding opportunity to deliver 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.
Working as part of the Families First Programme, you will play a key role in supporting whole-family approaches, collaborating closely with social workers and partner agencies to assess needs, coordinate support, and implement effective plans. As a Family Help Lead Practitioner, you will have responsibility for writing Family Help Assessments, leading Family Help review meetings, delivering interventions as part of the Family Help plan and ensuring that families receive timely, joined-up support that promotes resilience, stability, and long-term wellbeing.
The Role
This is a dynamic and rewarding role supporting vulnerable children, young people and families through direct, relationship-based and restorative practice. You will work 1:1 using a range of evidence-based approaches to assess needs, build resilience and improve outcomes. Managing a complex caseload, you will complete Family Help Assessments (including Section 17), develop SMART plans, and lead Family Help review meetings at Targeted Early Help or where appropriate Child in Need level.
You will play a key role in coordinating multi-agency support, making referrals in line with local thresholds, and working closely with partners to ensure effective interventions. This includes safeguarding responsibilities, completing specialist assessments (e.g. Young Carers), and advocating for children and families to ensure their voices are heard. You will also 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.
The role requires strong organisational skills, communication skills, professional judgement and a commitment to high-quality recording and data management. You will contribute to multi-agency meetings, provide written and verbal reports, and maintain accurate, timely records. With opportunities to develop specialist expertise, the post also includes participation in supervision, training, and, where required, court processes, making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families across the community.
About You
- You hold a Level 4 qualification (or above) in a relevant field such as health, education, child development, youth work or social care, with a strong commitment to continued professional development
- You have experience working with children, young people and families, including lone working, and a sound understanding of the challenges they face within social care and Early Help frameworks
- You bring proven experience of managing complex caseloads, acting as a lead worker, and coordinating multi-agency support to achieve positive outcomes
- You are confident in using evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as motivational interviewing and solution-focused practice, and ideally have experience delivering parenting programmes (e.g. Triple P or Solihull)
- You are skilled at building strong, trusting relationships, ensuring the voice of the child is heard, and advocating effectively on behalf of families
- You have the ability to complete high-quality assessments, reports and plans, and can confidently chair multi-agency meetings
- You demonstrate excellent communication, organisational and IT skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and work both independently and collaboratively
- You understand safeguarding responsibilities and can identify, assess and respond appropriately to risk, including exploitation and complex needs
- You are confident in challenging partners and providers constructively to ensure high standards of support
- You are highly motivated, adaptable and resilient, with a flexible approach to working hours and environments, including travel across the county and working in family homes
- You have access to your own transport and are prepared to work evenings and weekends where required
To arrange an informal discussion, or ask any questions about the role, please contact
[email protected]
We Offer
A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Salary range of £32,061 - £36,363 per annum
- Professional development: protected time and budget to develop yourself and your career
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
- Flexible working: including the 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)
- Pick your perks - our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong.
At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together.
Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England’s most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community.
Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference.
It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care.
If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire - where your work truly matters.
Herefordshire Council Plan
The Council plan sets out how we will make our contribution to achieving a better and more successful Herefordshire, please see the link below to find out more:
Herefordshire Council Plan 2024-2028
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: [email protected].
If you’re shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, our Children & Young People Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
For more information on our Employee Network Groups please view our dedicated recruitment website: www.spiritofherefordshire.com.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks.
How to apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role.
Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile! If you are successfully shortlisted, the C&YP Recruitment Team will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox - check your spam/ junk folder too.
Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!