Job Description

Early Help Worker - 12 month Fixed Term Contract
We have two exciting opportunities available for motivated and experienced Early Help Workers to join us as key members of the Integrated Early Help Service here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a part-time, 12 month fixed term contract. One contract is 22 hours per week and the other 33 hours per week.
As an Early Help Worker, you will be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children aged 0 to 18 years. You will manage a defined caseload and work with children, young people and their families to reduce risks associated with poor outcomes for children, including pre-birth. As a lead professional you will complete 'whole family' Early Help Assessments to gain an understanding of the children and family's needs and develop a time-limited action plan to help the family achieve identified outcomes. This includes ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard and modelling positive parenting and co-parenting.
You will work closely with other support services including Children's Social Care, Schools, Early Years, Health and Domestic Abuse services to coordinate wrap around, strength-based support for families. You will take a lead professional role in organising and chairing 'Team Around the Family' meetings to ensure that plans are effective and families are making progress with healthy change and increased resilience.
Benefits:
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it's a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
xe2xadx90 A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
xe2xadx90 Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme
xe2xadx90 An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
xe2xadx90 A range of local & lifestyle discounts
xe2xadx90 Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
xe2xadx90 Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
xe2xadx90 And much more!
Key Responsibilities:

• To be able to engage and work effectively with children and families at the point of need to reduce risk factors associated with poor outcomes for children and promote positive outcomes
• To use a range of creative tools to provide accurate whole family assessments and deliver creative intervention sessions that will help the family to achieve positive change
• To build positive relationships with other professionals/agencies and organise Team Around the Family (TAFs) meetings to create multi-agency, whole family action plans that detail what the family and the professionals will do to achieve the outcomes
• To keep accurate records on WBC's case recording system that evidence the quality and impact of the work being delievred, within appropriate timescales
• To follow all policies and procedures and work in accordance with WBC's values to safely meet the needs of children, young people and families who live in the borough

Candidate Requirements:

• Experience of working with children (0 to 18 years) and families
• Experience of managing a caseload of families with complex needs
• Excellent communication skills, be creative, resilient and adaptable to change
• A personal robustness to be able to cope with the demands of the role and an ethos of partnership and collaboration
• Full UK driving licence

Our Area:
Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We're home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!
Alternatively, for an informal discussion please contact: Beccy Franklin, Assistant Team Manager at beccy.franklin@wokingham.gov.uk or Jo Hewitt, Assistant Team Manager at jo.hewitt@wokingham.gov.uk
Closing date: Sunday 18th June 2025, 11pm
Interview dates: Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th June 2025
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer. '