Early help lead worker

Job Description

Early Help Lead Worker – Swansea City Council

• Location: Gorseinon (SA4 4FE)
• Pay: £18.35 per hour (PAYE) or £21 per hour (self-employed)
• Working Pattern: 37 hours per week | Monday–Friday
• Contract length: Temporary – 3 months (with potential extension to 6 months)
• Must be able to travel between family homes and community settings

About the Role

Swansea City Council are seeking 3 experienced Early Help Lead Workers to join their Early Help Service based in Gorseinon.

This is a needs-led, family-focused role supporting children, young people and families who are experiencing difficulties, with the aim of preventing issues escalating into statutory intervention.

You will hold a caseload of families, acting as their main point of contact and working directly with them to build trust, identify strengths and needs, and develop effective, outcome-focused support plans.

The role is rooted in a whole-family approach, using the Signs of Safety / Signs of Wellbeing framework, and requires strong partnership working across education, health, housing, youth services and social care.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of vulnerable children, young people and families
• Undertake comprehensive Early Help assessments, including risk analysis
• Lead and coordinate Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings
• Develop, deliver and review intervention and support plans
• Carry out regular home visits and community-based interventions
• Advocate for children and ensure their voice is central in all planning
• Work collaboratively with schools, health professionals, housing and partner agencies
• Maintain accurate, timely case records and reports using WCCIS
• Deliver creative, solution-focused interventions to improve outcomes
• Support group work and early intervention programmes where required
• Work flexibly, including occasional evening work to meet family needs

About You

We are looking for candidates with strong Early Help, family support or youth work experience who can confidently manage complex cases and build meaningful relationships with families.

You will ideally have:

• Experience in Early Help, family support, youth work, social care or similar
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience working with risk and need
• Experience completing assessments and developing support plans
• Confidence working with partner agencies in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Ability to engage and motivate families facing complex challenges
• Experience working in home and community settings
• Strong IT and case recording skills (WCCIS experience essential)
• Knowledge of the Signs of Safety / Signs of Wellbeing framework

Essential Requirements

• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle
• Ability to travel between family homes and community settings
• WCCIS trained (or demonstrable experience using similar systems)
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures

Working Pattern

• Based at the Gorseinon hub each morning (SA4 4FE)
• Work includes home visits, school meetings, and community-based support
• May include occasional evening/early evening assessments to meet family needs