Description Do you want to make a positive difference to children’s lives? Are you empathic, organised, kind and assertive? If you have answered ‘yes’, you might be suited to the role of Community Family Worker (CFW). We are pleased to advertise for a Community Family Worker to join our large and busy service. The countywide teams are based in Newhaven, Hailsham and Hastings. The Looked-After Children's Community Family Work (Contact) Service offers reunification family support and supervised contact for children looked after in East Sussex. CFWs encourage positive relationships between children and their birth-families during the period in which assessment is undertaken and decisions are made about a child's future. We promote play, healthy eating and respectful boundaries in the course of our intervention. The CFWs usually have an interested observer and reporter role however at times the CFW may be asked to pro-actively lead contact, provide suitable opportunities for a child's development and model appropriate parenting styles. Neutrality and accuracy about what is seen and heard is imperative. A written recording of the contact or family support session is always prepared within tight timescales and is typically used as evidence in Court. Supervised contact and family support are arranged within Safeguarding and Care Plans determined by Legal and LAC Independent Reviewing processes. This is an essential car user position. In return we offer regular, reflective supervision, guidance and support. There is always a strong base to return to, providing humour and support when CFWs have been working independently. Recording is undertaken on the LCS system which requires a good standard of written English and IT skills. We provide the opportunity for training and development following a period of thorough induction. The successful candidate will be a warm and motivated individual with clear professional boundaries and the capacity to work with families to written agreements under Children's Services policy and protocol. Community Family Work is at times challenging and sometimes requires emotional resilience therefore our new colleague will need to be a great communicator, empathic listener, flexible problem-solver and must have excellent time management skills. Further candidate criteria is listed below: Knowledge of the impact on children’s lives of disruptive, neglectful or abusive experiences and how children may be helped to overcome them. Knowledge of parenting techniques Knowledge of behavioural issues for children who have experienced emotional, physical or sexual harm or neglect. Experience of direct work with parents and children, for example, youth work, nurseries etc. Ability to drive across the county, including transport of children as contracted car user. To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests. Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information. For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page. Interviews will take place in person at Silverlands Centre, Chichester Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN38 9BG on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October 2025. Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details. This is an ideal entry level position to Children’s Social Care and was recently re-graded to welcome both more and less experienced applicants. We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page. Vocational Training through Apprenticeships is now available to our staff, ranging from entry level to degree level qualifications. You can talk to the hiring manager and the apprenticeship team about what qualifications would be relevant to you and this job role, and if it is possible to support you in apprenticeship training. For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact Sharon Harper (Senior Social Worker) at sharon.harper@eastsussex.gov.uk or by telephone on 01424 7248 For a team that supports me, choose East Sussex.