Family Support Practitioner.
Salary: £25,000 per annum pro rata (From 1st April rising to £26,008.34 per annum pro rata).
Location: Based in our office in Banbridge, County Down, Hybrid Working.
Contract/Hours: Permanent/Full-Time, working 37 hours a week. Flexible days and hours are negotiable. This is a Hybrid Role.
Benefits:
* 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
* Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
* Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
* Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
* Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers' discounts.
Vulnerable children in the UK need your help
Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.
Last year, we helped more than 687,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.
Why Action for Children?
Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.
A bit about the role
A Family Support Practitioners role will be to primarily offer support to young carers through providing respite activities and offering one to one support in relation to their caring role.
They will help and advise Young Carers and their families in signposting to other appropriate agencies and support the young carer where they can. This may include advocating on their behalf, attending meetings and presenting information to professionals to highlight the role of the young carer and how it can impact them.
Along with this, being able to work as part of a team in planning and organising activities and considering the needs of the young person is paramount.
How you'll help to create brighter futures
Some key responsibilities of the Family Support Practitioner role are:
* Adhering to the Risk and safety of all children that come into our service and be aware of the safeguarding of each young person.
* Be aware of the general issues and concerns that affect young people currently and be open for training if required.
* Attend internal and external meetings as directed by your line manager and collaborate and work in partnership with all statutory and voluntary agencies.
* Being able to present information and facts regarding young carers to varied professional groups is also a part of the Family Support Practitioner role.
* Be clear on the importance of keeping files up to date as required by the organisation.
Let's talk about you
Ideally you will have:
* Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 or above or equivalent/related health, counselling, or social care qualification.
* Experience of direct work/engagement with children and families.
* Good report writing skills.
* Good working knowledge of safeguarding.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Excellent IT skills including use of Microsoft (Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
* Registration or the willingness to register with NISCC.
* Clear UK Driving Licence is essential for this role.
Contact: quoting reference 12706.
Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2026.
Please note: Interviews are planned to be held on Monday 9th March and Friday 13th March 2026 face to face in Belfast.
Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.
Talent Pool
We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion
At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.
We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.
Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.
Don't meet every single requirement?
If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.
Want to know more about Action for Children?
Find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.
Job Description
See below for further information about working with us:
Action for Children Employee Benefits
AfC Commitment Statement
Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet