Early Help Practitioner/Family Support Worker
Job Description
About the service The Child and Family Help Team forms part of the Social Care and Early Help Directorate. The team is focused on supporting children, young people and families who need targeted early help as well as more specialist interventions, including work with children in need. Working with a range of agencies and partners, the aim of the service is to help prevent an escalation of more serious concerns and referrals into Child Protection services.
Under the guidance of a qualified social worker, the Child and Family Help Practitioner will work with children and families in either Richmond or Kingston boroughs within both the early help and statutory frameworks. They will be based in one of our main offices, youth centres or family hubs. About the role Child and Family Help Practitioner will deliver high-quality interventions aligned with AfC’s assessment, planning, and intervention framework and London Safeguarding Procedures.
The post will be required to plan, coordinate and deliver targeted support for families. The practitioner will conduct comprehensive whole family assessments, maintain clear professional boundaries, establish realistic goals with families, and meticulously record all interventions. Emphasis is placed on prioritising the well-being of children and young people in decision-making and interventions.
As the lead professional, the Child and Family Help Practitioner will coordinate and identify multi-agency partnerships (team around the child) to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people. The post holder will develop high-quality SMART plans in collaboration with children, young people, and families, following AfC’s practice model. All assessments and interventions will be recorded on case management systems.
The post holder will respond to significant events in a timely and proportionate manner, escalating to management appropriately. Should the matter step-up, the worker will maintain a professional role to support a relationship based approach with the family throughout their journey. Effective outcomes and successes in this role include positive changes to the child, young person or families situation, increased independence, reduced risk factors, and positive feedback from children, young people and families.
The Child and Family Help Practitioner plays a crucial role in promoting the well-being of children and families through proactive and preventive interventions. In all roles across AfC the post holders will be expected to develop and lead a culture of partnership and innovation, so that services are child focussed, flexible and adaptable.
