Family Support Worker
Salary: £26,000 to £28,500 per annum (dependent on experience)
Service: Residential Family Assessment Centre
Reports to: Senior Practitioner / Lead Practitioner / Deputy Manager
Role Purpose
The Practitioner role represents a progression from entry-level practice and requires increased autonomy, professional confidence, and responsibility within the organisation therapeutic residential family centre. The post holder plays an active and integral role in supporting mothers and babies, contributing directly to structured parenting observations and assessments, and maintaining high standards of safeguarding and recording practice.
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate a sound understanding of trauma-informed care, attachment, and risk, and to apply this understanding consistently in day-to-day practice. The role requires the ability to balance emotional support with appropriate professional challenge, promote parental capacity and resilience, and contribute meaningfully to assessment evidence that informs decision-making for families.
The Practitioner supports the organisations overarching aim of safeguarding babies, strengthening early attachment, and supporting parents to make sustainable change within a therapeutic and assessment-led environment.
Key Responsibilities
Care, Support and Therapeutic Practice
Support mothers and babies in their daily routines in a manner that is safe, nurturing, predictable, and emotionally containing
Actively promote parental responsibility, confidence, and independence while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
Support parents during emotionally challenging moments using trauma-informed, non-judgemental approaches
Contribute to a therapeutic environment that prioritises safety, trust, consistency, and emotional regulationObservation, Assessment and Recording
Undertake regular, structured parenting and interaction observations in line with the organisations assessment framework
Accurately record observations using clear, factual, and balanced language that distinguishes fact from interpretation
Contribute to structured assessment evidence, ensuring consistency and reliability in reporting
Maintain high-quality daily logs, handover notes, and records that meet regulatory and organisational standardsSafeguarding and Risk Management
Maintain a clear and proactive understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and thresholds
Identify early indicators of risk or concern relating to babies, parents, or the wider environment
Escalate safeguarding concerns immediately and appropriately in line with the organisation safeguarding procedures
Support the implementation of risk management strategies within placement plans
Work within professional boundaries at all times, recognising the importance of boundaries in safeguarding and therapeutic workMulti-Disciplinary and Team Working
Work collaboratively with colleagues across shifts to ensure continuity of care and assessment
Contribute constructively to handovers, team meetings, and reflective discussions
Support the consistent implementation of care plans, assessment plans, and routines
Communicate professionally and respectfully with visiting professionals under guidance from senior staffProfessional Development and Practice Standards
Engage fully in supervision, reflective practice, and ongoing training
Demonstrate openness to feedback and a commitment to continuous improvement
Apply learning from training and supervision into daily practice
Uphold the organisations values, ethos, and therapeutic model at all timesPolicies, Procedures and Professional Conduct
Adhere to all the organisation policies, procedures, and codes of conduct
Work in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance, and regulatory requirements for residential family centres
Maintain confidentiality and data protection standards, understanding when information sharing is required for safeguarding purposes
Represent the organisation professionally and appropriately at all timesEssential Requirements
Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Children and Young People, or a related field (or commitment to working towards this)
Basic knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and babies
Willingness to learn, develop, and work under supervision
Emotional resilience and the ability to work within an emotionally demanding environment
Ability to follow structured routines, guidance, and direction
Basic written and verbal communication skillsDesirable Requirements
Previous experience in a care, family support, early years, or residential setting
Awareness of trauma-informed or attachment-focused approaches
Interest in developing a career within therapeutic or assessment-based residential services