Role Purpose
The Woodbridge Family Centre is recruiting for the position of Community Senior Support Practitioner. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality, family-centred support to children, young people, and families in the community. The post holder will provide guidance, early intervention, and practical assistance to families experiencing challenges, helping them to build resilience, improve outcomes, and sustain positive changes. In addition, the Senior Support Practitioner will act as a mentor to Junior support staff, contributing to service development and ensuring best practice is maintained.
Key Responsibilities
· Provide direct support to families, including home visits, one-to-one sessions, and group work.
· Assess the needs of children, young people, and families, developing tailored support plans.
· Support families in accessing community resources, education, health, and social care services.
· Work collaboratively with schools, social workers, health professionals, and other agencies.
· Act as a point of escalation for complex cases, offering guidance to junior support staff.
· Maintain accurate case records, reports, and safeguarding documentation in line with policies.
· Contribute to team meetings, service reviews, and multi-agency case discussions.
· Provide mentoring, training, and support to less experienced team members.
· Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed and risks are appropriately managed.
· Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
Person Specification
Essential
· Relevant qualification in Social Care/Social Work, Youth Work, Family Support, or related field (NVQ Level 4 or equivalent).
· Minimum 5 years of experience working with children, young people, or families in a support capacity.
· Strong knowledge of safeguarding practices, child protection, and early intervention frameworks.
· Ability to manage complex cases and provide supervision/mentoring to junior staff.
· Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
· Strong organisational and record-keeping skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
· Understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable families and strategies to address them.
· Ability to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends.
· Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.
Desirable
· Experience working in a multi-agency setting.
· Knowledge of local community services and referral pathways.
· Training in trauma-informed practice, parenting programmes, or mental health first aid.
Key Competencies
· Empathy and emotional resilience.
· Leadership and mentoring ability.
· Problem-solving and decision-making.
· Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
· Ability to empower and motivate families towards independence.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: From £27,300.00 per year
Benefits:
* Gym membership
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site parking
Education:
* Diploma of Higher Education (required)
Experience:
* Knowledge of safeguarding practices & child protection: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
* 5 years of experience working with children & young people (required)
Work Location: In person