• Suffolk County Council – Sudbury Uplands Offices, York Road, Sudbury CO10 1NF - Community based
• £27,711 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• 37 hours per week
• Permanent

We are passionate about improving the future for our customers and communities. If you are too, join us as a Family Support Practitioner and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people.

This is both a rewarding and challenging role large rural localities.

Your role and responsibilities

• work directly with children and families, enabling them to make improvements in their life
• develop a solution focused approach, developing plans and interventions with families
• identify risk and safeguarding concerns and escalate appropriately
• build supportive relationships between families, carers, children, and external agencies
• identify resources, groups and any further forms of support which will be beneficial for the family.

You will need

• experience of working directly with children and young people and/or a relevant qualification
• an understanding of the challenges families face, and ability to communicate effectively with diverse needs
• to be able to work in partnership with families and other agencies to achieve the best outcomes for the family
• to be confident in holding meetings with families and professionals, writing plans and reviewing progress
• to supervise contact between children and their parents where there may be a court process.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

For more information

Please contact Claire Stock for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01787 315928 or emailing: claire.stock2@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Describe a scenario where you identified risks and developed an intervention strategy. How did you ensure the safety and support of the children involved?
   
2. Discuss an example of a time when you have responded to a safeguarding concern involving a child or young person. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
   
3. Demonstrate how you manage and prioritise workloads under pressure and a flexible approach to working practices.
   
4. Discuss a time when you have supported a young person who was difficult to engage. How did you build and maintain effective relationships and include multi-agency partners and family networks. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?
   
5. Discuss a time when you had to build and maintain effective relationships with multi-agency partners or professional groups. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412.  If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 9 April 2025.

Promoted as JOTW (Job of the Week) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).