Family Support Worker

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join Families First as we expand our Family Support Worker workforce across Gloucestershire. This is an important time for the service as we prepare to implement the Department for Education's Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) reforms, shaping how early help and social care work together to better support families. These roles will be at the forefront of key changes in the services as we move to implement our new Family Help teams by October 2026. This means that these roles will develop to take on the statutory responsibilities and job title of the Family Help Lead Practitioner working across targeted early help and child in need later this year. This is key to reducing unnecessary changes of lead practitioner and providing continuity of support for families. If successful, you will be supported through a package of workforce development and training to build your expertise and skills. We match families to practitioner experience., As a Family Support Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting children, young people and their families, helping them build resilience and achieve positive, sustained change. Key aspects of the role include:

• delivering targeted early help interventions to vulnerable children and families
• undertaking assessments and contributing to multi-agency plans
• coordinating and delivering support using a solution-focused and strengths-based approach
• building trusted, empowering relationships with families and supporting parents through creative and engaging practice
• working collaboratively with a wide range of partner agencies and services
As a result of the FFPP reforms, this role will offer the opportunity to work more seamlessly across thresholds, helping reduce unnecessary changes of lead practitioner and providing continuity of support for families as we adopt the recommendation relating to Family Help structures across the county. What we offer
• the opportunity to be part of significant national reform and service development
• a supportive, experienced and values-led workforce
• practice underpinned by Systemic Practice and a commitment to learning and development
• meaningful work that helps prevent escalation to higher-level services
• flexible working arrangements where service needs allow
You will be joining an authority that is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for children and families, recognising the importance of reflective practice, collaboration, and professional curiosity.

We are looking for motivated and compassionate practitioners who:
• have experience working with children, young people and families in a support or intervention-focused roles
• are confident completing assessments and plans alongside multi-agency partnerships
• can build positive, respectful relationships with families facing challenge
• are flexible in your approach and able to work evenings and weekends when required
• hold a full driving licence and have access to a car
  
  Gloucestershire Children's Services is committed to working in partnership with families and communities to ensure every child has the best chance at a happy and fulfilling life. Guided by the principle of "right child, right support, right time, every time," the service is built on values of kindness, respect and fairness. Children are actively seen and heard in decision-making, and those who cannot live safely at home are given compassionate support
The workforce is skilled, collaborative and courageous-delivering evidence-based help and advocating boldly for children's futures. With a clear mission and ambitious vision, the service empowers children to shape their own lives, families and communities. We have been working hard on our recent improvement journey and excited to share our recent news that Ofsted have rated us 'Good' with elements of 'Oustanding'. County council Children's Services judged Good with Outstanding elements by Ofsted During the inspection, which took place from June 9 to 20 this year, the inspection team found the council's Children's Services to be Good in its overall effectiveness, with judgements of Outstanding in two of four categories, and good in the remaining two categories. Services showed significant improvement since the last full inspection when they were judged to require improvement in 2022. Ofsted found that 'children in care experience exceptional care and support' and that those who need help and protection 'benefit from high-quality, effective early help services'.


• between £33,143 - £36,363 per annum subject to experience
• flexible and agile working opportunities
• 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service
• option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year
• family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
• supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
• an in-house Occupational Health service
• employee discount scheme
• links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
• career development and qualification opportunities
• access to our Social Work Academy
• Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
• Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
Right child, right support, right time, every time In our recent inspection in June 2025, our Children's Services have been officially judged as 'Good' with 'Outstanding' elements. Ofsted also said 'Leaders have set out a clear vision for delivering success for children, by modelling values and creating a culture where the workforce, children and families feel valued and heard; risk is managed confidently with bottom lines clearly set out.' This marks an important step in our journey to improve outcomes for our children and young people, and we remain focused on our mission: to continue building on this success and ensure that every child and young person in our county has the opportunity to thrive. Gloucestershire offers a range of opportunities to develop your career, supported by a phenomenal Social Work Academy offer, a developing systemic practice methodology, an ambitious leadership team and an award-winning workforce. We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to be part of an authority that takes a relational approach to working with families and focuses on what needs to change in the system around a child and family to enable children to thrive, then consider a role with GCC.