Pre‑Birth Family Worker – Children and Young People
Ref: 001235
Contract: Fixed Term (12 months)
Salary: £31,537 – £34,434 per annum (Grade 5)
Hours: 36.66 per week
Based: Children and Young People Directorate, Oldham Council, Spindles Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1LF
Closing Date: Thursday 29th January 2026
Interview Dates: TBC
Role Overview
A pre‑birth family worker provides intensive support to expectant parents to ensure a baby has a safe and healthy start. The role involves conducting assessments, identifying risks, and collaborating with families and other agencies to build a support plan. Working with parents to build skills and address issues such as domestic abuse or substance misuse, the worker helps plan for the baby’s care before and after birth and aims to prevent escalation by intervening early.
The post holder will manage a caseload of families, working with other relevant agencies as required. Committed to strength‑based approaches, the worker will build trusting relationships with families, helping them develop resilience, self‑reliance, and improve family life and children’s outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide intensive support to help parents achieve and maintain the changes needed to provide safe and appropriate care for their baby.
* Strengthen parenting skills: Help parents develop their parenting skills and build a strong bond with their unborn child through practical advice and activities.
* Coordinate with other professionals: Liaise with other agencies and professionals, such as midwives, health visitors, and social workers, to provide a coordinated approach.
* Advocate and navigate services: Assist families in accessing support services and paperwork, acting as an advocate for them.
* Plan for birth and beyond: Work with parents to develop a clear plan for the birth and the baby’s care after birth, communicating any concerns from the beginning.
* Promote early intervention: Ensure support is in place before the baby is born to prevent future problems and ensure a better start for the child.
* Work in a person‑centred way using creative therapeutic methods to understand their lived experience and deliver interventions that keep children happy, healthy and thriving.
* Prepare, write and record assessments, case notes, contacts and written reports accurately, promptly and in accordance with Oldham Family Connect and wider local and national protocols.
Key Requirements
* NVQ Level 3 in a related subject or at least 3 years’ experience working with children and families.
* Good knowledge of child development and childcare practice, respecting cultural differences.
* Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
* Effective communication and partnership working with many different partner organisations.
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Our Values and Behaviours
Our core values – Proud, Ambitious, Together – are supported by the following behaviours:
* Work with a resident focus
* Support local leaders
* Committed to the borough
* Delivery high performance
* Take ownership and drive change
Benefits Package
* 25 days annual leave, increasing after 5 and 10 years of service
* Option to purchase additional annual leave
* LGPS pension scheme with optional shared cost voluntary contributions
* Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active
* Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating out, travel, etc.
* Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work
* Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme offering 24‑hour access to advice and support
* Staff recognition and celebration events
* Peer support groups
Inclusive Recruitment
We may make adjustments such as flexible working, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace. If you are an applicant with a disability, aged 24 or under, in or currently in care, a carer, a former or serving Armed Forces member, or have participated in the GM Elevate Programme, you will be guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Data and Privacy
For details of how we use your data please see our privacy notice.
Important Information
Please note that should a vacancy released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it may be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.
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