Job Description

Family Support Worker, Alternative Provision Task Force - Children's Services

Location -

Borough wide but collocated at Sale waterside and Trafford alternative education provision

. 2nd floor Waterside House Sale waterside Sale M337ZF

Salary range

Band 6, 34,434 - 36,363 per annum

Working Pattern Full time, 36.25 hours per week Mon - Friday 8.00 am 4.30 pm

We will offer flexibility where we can if you are interested in a role, please speak to the recruiting manager about what flexibility they might consider

.

Many of our colleagues can work from home for one or more days a week and/or they flex the hours they work. We call this SMART working, and it gives you the option to flex your days and hours so you can fit your work around your life and life around your work.

Contract type

Fixed Term

Temporary End Date

31/08/26 This role is temporarily funded from the DfE change programme

Application deadline 10/11/25

Interview date

20/11/25

Interview type

In person

About the Role

Trafford is moving towards a new model of Family Help which recognises that all families need the right help at the right time, from the right professional. This role is embedded in Alternative Provision Task Force and provides targeted help to families of children meeting the criteria for support and who will benefit from an intensive family support offer. This will be done through multi-agency family plans.

Your Main Priorities

Undertaking a holistic assessment of need and co-ordinating a tailored package of support. Using a multi-agency approach and bringing together relevant services to ensure the right help is provided for children and families.


Assessing risk and formulating multi-agency plans to meet families' needs.


Being committed to working in a whole family way through the development of effective relationships with parents and their family members using a restorative practice approach.


Working in partnership with families who are experiencing challenging situations/circumstances, to achieve positive outcomes for the whole family. Key duties


Managing and co-ordinating an identified caseload of families who may have complex needs, delivering appropriate evidence-based interventions in partnership with families, carers, and other professionals, to ensure that a support package is in place to meet their needs.


Working proactively with families to gain their trust and respect providing support and empowerment. Encouraging their engagement with identified services and recognising the barriers to this, including adverse childhood experiences, to avoid crisis and escalation where possible. About the Role


Assessing and managing risk, working with children and their families, identifying wider support networks to minimise risk and enhance support, and encouraging those affected to adopt safer practices.


Using a range of direct work approaches to capture the voice of children, which allows their wishes and needs to be included in planning. Developing timely family help plans with each family. Building on their achievements and challenging perceptions whilst empowering the individual/families to achieve their goals through the co-ordination of appropriate services to support them and improve outcomes for children and young people.


Maintaining regular contact with children and families and working with them in their home or other community venues for an agreed period of time.


Empowering families to make sustainable changes through a strength-based and solution-focused approach, while challenging family norms and activities where necessary to improve outcomes for children and young people in the family.


Understanding demographic and diversity to develop plans that are culturally sensitive to meet children's and families' needs.


Working collaboratively with partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.


Maintaining accurate and up-to-date case notes/records using electronic case/information management systems.


Supporting the Team Leaders to ensure the Family Help model is delivered effectively and meets set targets, whilst demonstrating successful outcomes for families.


Undertaking as required, any other duties appropriate to the level of the post that may arise from time to time.

About you

Qualifications and Professional Development

Level 3 qualification in relevant subject matter area (e.g. Health, Education, Social Work, Youth Justice, Early Years, Community, Mental Health)


Level 2 qualification in Safeguarding Adults and Children


Commitment to personal and professional development Experience and Knowledge About You


Previous experience of using practice models and tools to assess risk and needs, and develop family plans with families and individuals e.g. Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP 2), Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)/Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) risk management tools, Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) risk assessment


Experience and understanding of adverse childhood experiences, and the trio of vulnerabilities around Mental Health, Substance misuse and Domestic abuse, and how these impact on children and young people


Knowledge of child development and children's needs along with an understanding of positive parenting and of risk factors and safeguarding concerns to children and vulnerable adults


Knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance and Early Help principles in relation to child protection, prevention and safeguarding procedures


An understanding of the impact of discrimination on the lives of those from global majority communities and others that experience social exclusion


Experience of case management, developing innovative family plans in partnership with families and developing informed solutions


Experience of collaborative multi-disciplinary work to achieve a common goal for families bringing about a positive change and improve outcomes for children and young people


An understanding of GDPR principles Skills and abilities


Able to work independently, including lone working


Able to remain solution focused and work pro-actively whilst maintaining resilience in challenging environments


Analytical and assessment skills; able to review and challenge information/situations, demonstrating empathy when problem solving or providing a relational practice approach with families


Strong organisational and time management skills; ability to prioritise effectively to meet competing targets/deadlines and able to multi-task in a busy environment


Excellent communication skills (verbally and written); able to receive and relay complex information to colleagues/stakeholders, and present information in a way that is understandable to a wide range of audience Interpersonal skills; able to build and maintain effective working relationships, engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and building trust and confidence


Competent in using Microsoft 365 and maintaining databases and systems to accurately record case files and report/present data


Able to work effectively as part of a team and supporting and sharing learning with colleagues

Special Conditions

Enhanced DBS required


Car user/full driving license required


Willing and able to travel to sites within the Trafford borough


A flexible approach in a challenging working environment working as part of a duty rota.


Working outside of core hours to complete visits/direct work may be required

About us

Trafford Council and its partners in the public, private and third sectors have a Vision which sees us working together to close inequality gaps and maximise Trafford's huge potential.

Our vision: Trafford where all our residents, businesses and communities thrive.

Trafford is a lively, prosperous place to put down roots and build a career. The council and Trafford schools employ around 8,000 people, who are central to making the area great. In return for their commitment, the council offers its employees development opportunities, as well as a fair and flexible workplace. The council is a Living Wage Employer.

Additional Information

Please note the advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications so, please do not delay in submitting your application.

Contact Details

Michael McLaughlin Michael.mclaughlin@trafford.gov.uk

APST Manager

01619118222

About the benefits

You will be welcomed into a friendly environment where your personal and professional development will be encouraged. You will have the opportunity to work and grow in a people-centered and values-based organisation that promotes a positive permission culture. Your opinions matter so you will have the opportunity to shape how we do things here at Trafford.





To learn more about Trafford as a place to work visit and to view more about our awards and benefits please visit: Trafford - Benefits | www.inploi.com (greater.jobs)

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment - greater.jobs | www.inploi.com



For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Please note we are not a licensed sponsor and we won't be able to support with your work visa.

Privacy Notice - The Council needs to hold and process information about employees, workers and other individuals as appropriate, for various reasons. With the General Data Protection Regulations coming into force we have in place a new privacy notice for staff, contractors, volunteers, trainees, those on work experience and job applicants. To find out more, please click here: Recruitment & Employment Privacy Notice (trafford.gov.uk)