Family Service Worker

Employer: Cheshire East Council
Service Area: Children's Services and Family Support
Location: Various locations across the Borough of Cheshire East

About the Role

Cheshire East Council is seeking a committed and proactive Family Service Worker to support children, young people and families through early intervention and preventative services.

The successful candidate will work in partnership with families, Children's Services and other agencies to deliver evidence-based programmes designed to address emerging difficulties, strengthen family relationships and improve outcomes for children aged 0–19.

You will undertake holistic family assessments, develop tailored support plans and deliver appropriate interventions to help families overcome challenges at an early stage. The role focuses on empowering families, promoting children's welfare and ensuring vulnerable children and young people receive timely and effective support.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with Children's Services and partner agencies to coordinate and deliver targeted family support programmes.

• Provide timely interventions to children, young people and families aged 0–19, delivering support at locations and times that meet their needs.

• Deliver evidence-based programmes and interventions that promote positive family relationships and improve outcomes.

• Undertake holistic assessments of family circumstances using appropriate assessment tools.

• Develop, implement, monitor and review individual family support plans.

• Identify children and families experiencing difficulties and provide early help to prevent concerns from escalating.

• Prioritise vulnerable children and young people, including families who may be harder to reach.

• Empower families to identify their needs, participate in decision-making and develop sustainable solutions.

• Seek feedback from children, young people and families to ensure services respond effectively to their needs.

• Collect and maintain accurate data to support service monitoring, performance management and evaluation.

• Maintain comprehensive case records and prepare reports as required.

• Work in accordance with statutory requirements, departmental policies, safeguarding procedures and equality and diversity standards.

• Recognise safeguarding concerns and promptly escalate issues to the appropriate manager or professional.

• Participate in supervision, training and professional development to maintain and improve practice.

• Undertake other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the role, as required by the Council.

Essential Skills and Experience

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Experience supporting children, young people and families in a family support, early help, community or children's services setting.

• An understanding of early intervention and preventative approaches to family support.

• Experience assessing family needs and contributing to or developing individual support plans.

• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection principles.

• The ability to identify emerging concerns and escalate risks appropriately.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to engage families experiencing complex challenges.

• Experience working collaboratively with multi-agency professionals and partner organisations.

• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

• The ability to maintain accurate case records, collect data and prepare reports.

• A commitment to empowering families, promoting children's welfare and achieving positive outcomes.

• An understanding of equality, diversity, confidentiality and professional boundaries.

• A willingness to undertake relevant training and participate in regular supervision.

Key Competencies

Family-centred practice: Build positive relationships with families and provide practical, personalised support.

Assessment and intervention: Identify family needs, plan appropriate interventions and monitor progress.

Safeguarding: Recognise concerns, understand risk and follow the correct escalation procedures.

Partnership working: Collaborate effectively with social workers, education, health professionals and other agencies.

Empowerment: Encourage families to participate in decisions and develop the skills and confidence to manage challenges.

Recording and reporting: Maintain accurate, confidential records and contribute to service evaluation.