Job Description

Family Support Worker

Location: Harpenden, Hertfordshire (travel around the local area, some homeworking)

Contract: Part time, 30 hours per week worked across 4 or 5 days, term time only

Salary: The salary range for this post is H6 (29,540-31022 pro rata)

The Harpenden Plus Partnership of Schools is seeking a compassionate, skilled and proactive Family Support Worker to join our dedicated and awarding winning team on a term-time only basis. The team works closely alongside 23 schools to support local families, and this highly valued role involves providing practical, emotional and targeted support to children, young people, and their families.

As a Family Support Worker, you will:

Build trusting relationships with families and provide early help to address their diverse and challenging needs; Offer practical support with routines, boundaries, positive discipline, behaviour management, parenting strategies, financial hardship and accessing specialist services; Work collaboratively with families to complete assessments, identify needs, develop bespoke, outcome-focused support plans, and monitor progress in their home or school; Deliver evidence-based interventions and emotional well-being courses for children and parents/carers; Liaise effectively with a wide range of external professionals, including working closely with local schools, health, social care and voluntary organisations to ensure a coordinated, multi-agency approach to family support; Act as the lead professional on FFAs and in TAFs for a caseload of families, recognising potential safeguarding concerns and escalating them appropriately in line with local multi-agency safeguarding procedures. Maintain accurate, confidential case notes and ensure safeguarding is at the heart of your work;
The role will be based in our office at Sauncey Wood Primary school for 30 hours per week and the successful applicant will need to commit to occasional flexible working. We offer a supportive, friendly team environment with regular supervision.

This is a rewarding role where you will make a genuine difference to families' lives by offering practical, emotional, and tailored support so we are looking to appoint someone who:

Has direct experience of working with children, young people, or families in a supportive capacity; Has proven ability to manage a demanding and varied caseload, prioritising tasks effectively; Has a strong understanding of child development, parenting strategies, and the challenges faced by families; Is empathetic, patient, and able to communicate with people from all backgrounds; Can remain calm and objective when dealing with challenging, stressful, or confrontational situations; Has experience in facilitating Protective Behaviours courses and nurturing parenting courses; Has a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding procedures and child protection legislation and policy; Is competent and confident in the use of IT such as Word, Excel, and office software; Is reliable, well-organised, proactive and can think creatively to help families overcome challenges. Is a friendly team player who is confident working independently and managing a varied caseload; Holds a relevant qualification at Level 3 or equivalent in an area such as childcare, social care, youth work, education and has completed comprehensive facilitator training. Has a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work-related travel.
If you have the relevant experience and are committed to supporting children and families, we look forward to receiving your application. Calls or emails to discuss the post in more detail are welcome on 07908 459540 or hfitzakerly@saunceywood.herts.sch.uk

Closing date for applications: 12th January 2026 via Teach in Herts www.teachinherts.com & initial interviews for early applicants on the morning of Wednesday, 17 December 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Sauncey Wood Primary School is committed to safeguarding children and young people.? All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check and reference and medical pre-employment checks.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 460.00-484.00 per week

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking On-site parking Work from home
Education:

A-Level or equivalent (required)
Experience:

working with families: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person