Child and Family Support worker

Interview dates: 3^rd and 8^th October 2025 

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us having received our 2^nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

The Role 

Give practical, personal and emotional support to enable children and their families to meet assessed needs to maintain and promote their health, physical, mental and social development and well-being. This may include domestic tasks and providing transportation where necessary. This breaks down into four areas of work:

• Child focused care packages: For example independent living skills, communication and play.
• Respite: to enable family activity to take place by working with child and/or siblings, that could not otherwise occur.
• Work with carers: For example teaching role alongside carers, supporting carers in areas of emotional difficulties around a child’s disability.
• Statutory work: For example, supervised Family Time, feeding into assessments for court. This may include domestic tasks as part of reunification work where necessary. 

Job Purpose 

To carry out agreed plans to support children and their parents/carers that will meet the assessed needs of the family in order to provide children with a safe environment which meets their development needs. 

To act on behalf of the Social Services Department in fulfilling statutory obligations under the Children Act 1989. 

Accountabilities 

• Liaise with others, e.g. Coordinator, parents/carers, Community Nurses, Child Psychologists, fieldworkers, Schools involved to ensure assessed needs are met within the agreed plans for the child and their carers.
• Contribution where required to the overall assessment, ongoing monitoring and reassessment of need.
• Maintaining records and writing reports as required in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.
• Attending meetings as required by Line Manager e.g. reviews, planning meetings, Child Protection Conferences.
• To supervise Family Time, attend court and give evidence where required.
• To maintain an awareness of relevant information and resources that my assist children and their carers.
• To keep abreast of practice developments through reading and attending training courses.
• To be aware of and act within the Essex Child Protection Guidelines as outlined in “Interdisciplinary Child Protection Guidelines”.
• To undertake any other appropriate duties that may be required which are commensurate with the grade of the post.
• Familiarity with the Children Act 1989 and other relevant legislation
• Follow the Council's Equal Opportunity Policy and Diversity Strategy and observe the standard of conduct which prevents discrimination taking place
• Follow the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Council's Health and Safety Policy and all locally agreed safe methods of work
• Undertake at the discretion of the Team Manager, such other activities as may from time to time arise which are consistent with the nature of the job described above
• Able to provide practical advice and support to families to enable identified families to achieve sustainable outcomes
• Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills, reliability and good time management skills
• Awareness of relevant legislation such as Children Act 1989, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and relevant education legislation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately
• Hold a current driving licence and have access to a car for business purposes
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
• Be committed to evidence-based practice, using Solution Focused Approaches and systemic theory.
• Be contactable by telephone.
• To be able to work on own initiative as occasionally there is a need for lone working.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Experience of working in a supportive relationship with children, young people and families.
• Experience in planning activities and programmes for children, young people and parents.
• Knowledge of Child Development.
• Have an awareness of problems and issues that can impact on children and families – e.g., poverty, disability and bereavement.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent essential
• NNEB or equivalent.
• First Aid Certificate desirable
• Sign Language – Makaton or BSL desirable

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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