Lead family support worker jobs

About us

Join our team at the MPS Society, one of the leading rare genetic disease charities in the UK aiming to transform the lives of individuals and their families affected by MPS, Fabry and other related lysosomal diseases.  This is a rare opportunity to join our Support & Communities teams who provide direct support, practical guidance and other patient focused activities to over 1500 members and their families, UK-wide. 

Our Support Team raise awareness both within the MPS community and external agencies, offering information, advice, support, and advocacy in a range of areas including clinical management, health and social care, housing, education, transition, independent living, palliative care, and bereavement.  

Ideal candidate

As a Senior Support Officer, you will primarily be responsible for raising awareness and providing a high-quality support and advocacy service to our members and their families.   You will be a relationship builder who cares about the community we serve and ensures that the individual (or family) remains at the centre of support.  You will have experience in multi-agency working and an in-depth understanding of the needs of those with disabilities, their families and carers.  Demonstrable experience and knowledge of health and social care, education and relevant assessment processes are essential. 

As deputy safeguarding lead officer for both shildren and vulnerable adults you will take the lead in the absence of the safeguarding leads and be confident sharing your knowledge with new recruits through mentoring.

You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to uphold best practice, challenge poor policy and inappropriate decisions.  Excellent IT skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to tight timescales are essential.  You will be self-motivated and highly organised, juggling many strands of work. 

As part of a small, dedicated team, you will have a positive attitude and a willingness to work collaboratively with your colleagues and external parties to raise awareness, advocate for our membership, as well as supporting the delivery and development of services for the MPS Society community.

Whilst a relevant qualification within health & social care, education or a related field is desirable, other knowledge and work experiences may be equally as valuable in this role. Prior knowledge of MPS and related conditions is not required however a special interest in neurology and working with individuals with neurological disabilities is advantageous.  In-depth support and training to develop expertise in MPS and related conditions, and the needs of those affected by these progressive, life-limiting conditions will be provided.   

What we can offer you

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time hours)
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

This is a full-time role (35 hrs per week) however part time hours, with a minimum of 28 hrs per week may be agreed for the right candidate.  Salary will be pro-rata for part-time.

The main duties, responsibilities and essential requirements of this role can be viewed on the attached job description.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham office each week. As part of the role, UK wide travel is necessary. This may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays.  You may also occasionally be required to attend evening or weekend conferences and events. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked are fairly compensated.

We encourage candidates to visit the MPS Society website to learn more about us and the community we serve.  Alternatively, if you would like an informal chat about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Bethanie Pentecost.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

The MPS Society is a charity that provides a range of care, support and activities for children and adults at risk throughout the UK. This is provided through our dedicated support and advocacy service, telephone helpline, clinical research, online activities and forums, annual events, patient expert meetings, focus groups and conferences.  MPS staff, trustees and volunteers may be asked to be involved in the delivery of its regulated services and activities. 

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Due to the sensitive nature of the duties undertaking, the post holder will be expected to undertake a DBS check as part of the recruitment process and for this to be reviewed on a regular basis. 

Next steps: 

Applications:  Please provide your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 750 words) outlining your understanding of how rare, complex and progressive conditions such as Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), including their neurological impacts, can affect individuals and families across the life course. In your response, please describe the experience, skills and approaches you have developed that would support you to carry out the Senior Support Officer role, including (where relevant) supporting people with complex needs, working across health, education and social care systems, and providing advice, advocacy or casework support.

Kindly note, applications received without a supporting statement will not be considered. 

Closing Date:   Whilst we have an initial closing date of 20th March, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview and assessment.

1st interviews:  Initial virtual interviews will be held end March/early April.

2nd interviews: Final face-to-face interviews and assessments will be held on 16th & 17th April at MPS House, Amersham.

Overall Purpose of the Role

Youth Action Alliance (YAA) exists to support the personal and social development of young people in Kensington and Chelsea and neighbouring boroughs, helping them build resilience, confidence, and skills for the present while shaping positive futures.

We are seeking an experienced, values-driven male youth worker to lead the Staying Connected & Boys Project. This is a key role combining strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, focused on engaging boys and young men aged 11–19 (up to 21, subject to funding) who may be facing multiple challenges.

The post holder will design, deliver, and grow a high-quality, trauma-informed programme that provides safe, trusted spaces through weekly group sessions, one-to-one mentoring, targeted interventions, education attainment, Advice, guidance, and signposting, Off‑site trips, enrichment activities, and holiday provision. The role supports young people to remain connected to education, training, positive relationships, and their wider community, while playing a central role in shaping YAA’s youth offer and driving meaningful, lasting change.

You will play a key role in leading the day–to–day delivery of the service, providing effective management and leadership to a team of Early Help support workers and Early Help Development Workers. As the Service Manager, you will be required to work in partnership with the Operational Manager to support the strategic development of the integrated service offer for children and families living in the West of Birmingham. You will be required to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders and actively engage in local and district meetings and with Birmingham Childrens Trust. As the Service Manager, you will be working as a part of a management team and be accountable for the quality standards in the service, building and sustaining professional relationships with all stakeholders.You will play a key role in leading the day–to–day delivery of the service, providing effective management and leadership to a team of Early Help support workers and Early Help Development Workers. As the Service Manager, you will be required to work in partnership with the Operational Manager to support the strategic development of the integrated service offer for children and families living in the West of Birmingham. You will be required to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders and actively engage in local and district meetings and with Birmingham Childrens Trust. As the Service Manager, you will be working as a part of a management team and be accountable for the quality standards in the service, building and sustaining professional relationships with all stakeholders. 

This is an exciting role working with the guidance of the Peer Coordinator and in partnership with the London Joint Working Group, local substance use services, the Harm Reduction Peer Support Lead  will support the delivery of a peer led needle and syringe program (NSP) across the borough of Hackney at SWERVE the Harm Reduction Hub. This will include supporting delivery of the service and developing relationships and partnership working with local statutory and voluntary service providers who provide support and care for our potential client group.

The Female Harm Reduction Peer Support Lead will assist in the delivery of secondary NSP provision, naloxone distribution and educational workshops to communities where women are in need including outreach from the Hackney Harm Reduction Hub to for example sex workers, BAME communities, LGBTQI and people who suffer domestic and gender based violence, with a view to enhancing harm reduction provision across the area.

The role is only open to women, in accordance with the sex-based exemptions of the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1. 

Both full time and part time applicants will be considered.

We are recruiting a Young Adult Carers (YAC) Support Worker to join the East London YACs Project, delivered in partnership between Carers Centre Tower Hamlets and City & Hackney Carers Centre. 

About Us 

Carers Centre Tower Hamlets has supported unpaid carers for over 25 years, providing advice, advocacy, wellbeing activities and hospital-based support to carers of all ages. We are rooted in our community and committed to tackling inequality, reducing poverty and improving carers’ life chances. 

City & Hackney Carers Centre has been supporting carers in Hackney and the City of London since 1996. They provide information, peer support, emotional wellbeing services and specialist programmes for carers across the life course. Together, our organisations bring deep local knowledge, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to co-production. 

Through this joint project, we are building a cross-borough service that reduces isolation, improves wellbeing and creates real opportunities for young adult carers aged 16–25. 

About the Role 

Young adult carers often balance education, employment and relationships alongside caring for someone they love. Many experience isolation, stress and limited opportunities. 

This role is about creating safe spaces, building peer networks and supporting young people to shape their futures. 

You will: 

• Provide one-to-one support to young adult carers across Tower Hamlets and Hackney 

• Co-facilitate weekly peer support groups 

• Deliver outreach in colleges, community settings and partner services 

• Organise respite activities, workshops and trips 

• Support young people to access education, employment and wellbeing services 

• Contribute to a co-produced programme designed with young adult carers 

You will help deliver clear project outcomes, including supporting at least 120 young adult carers per year and enabling 80% to report improved wellbeing and reduced isolation. 

About You 

We are looking for someone who: 

• Has experience working with young people aged 16–25 

• Can build trust quickly and facilitate engaging group sessions 

• Understands the pressures faced by young carers 

• Is organised and confident managing a caseload 

• Is committed to equality, inclusion and youth empowerment 

Are you looking for a new Challenge?

Do you have experience of working within drug services and with volunteers?

Do you have relevant experience? This might be alcohol, injecting drug use, viral hepatitis or other liver disease. Have you supported anyone who has?

We are looking for self-motivated individuals who like to be part of a team but equally can work on their own. The post holders must have a desire to make a difference in promoting hepatitis awareness & liver health among services and affected communities and by increasing access to hepatitis treatment and liver disease care. We are looking for a passionate and skilled peer lead who will work on the Community Liver Health Bus and in community outreach locations in North Central London 

We are a patient-led organisation – you will be working in an environment where the patient/service user/client is placed at the centre of all that you do.

The post holder is required to hold a clean driving licence.

Job Title: West London Family Support Worker 

Salary: £25,353.06

Team: Family Support Team

Hours: 30

Location: Based at Shooting Star House (Hampton), This role will be working across sites and in the community

About Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Family Support Team at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or whose child has died. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, our teams support families across Surrey, north-west London and south-west London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.

About the role

Family Support Workers (FSW) are the frontline of our care. Each FSW holds a caseload of end-of-life and bereaved families. They get to know their families, and check-in regularly with phone calls and home visits and can provide enhanced emotional support where required through more regular contact and interventions. Our FSWs tell families about the many services they can access at Shooting Star, assess their needs and make recommendations to our multi-disciplinary team. They  support families of different ethnicities and families living in poverty, helping our service be as accessible as possible.

Our FSWs work closely with our Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, Transition Team and our Care Events Team. Weekly MDT meetings bring the team together to think of ways to help families in crisis. The work is varied and creative, taking place at the hospices, in family homes and hospitals, allowing the support to be where the families need it. Our Family Support Workers are hugely appreciated by the families we support.

The ambition of our strategy is to ensure every family affected by a life-limiting condition, or the sudden death of a child, has access to the specialist care that they need. Day to day duties are:

• Being the on-site duty FSW, welcoming families on site, monitoring email inboxes and answering the Family Support Line.
• Helping with support groups and family events
• Providing on the spot emotional support, sometimes in a crisis where a calm and supportive response is required.
• Visiting newly bereaved families in their homes.
• Supporting families staying at our Christopher’s hospice (booked stays and end of life).
• Attending various locations over the course of a week: hospice, hospital, family homes.
• Building connections with families from different backgrounds, delivering culturally sensitive care.
• Helping safeguard families at risk of harm.
• Acting as an ambassador for Shooting Star’s Specialist Bereavement Service, supporting other care team members with their learning and delivery of the bereavement pathway, and continually seeking ways to improve what we offer families.

The post holder will need to have a UK driving license.

The hours are predominantly worked 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Once a month, the FSW will work a weekend day (with advance notice). This is in place of a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that week.

About you

This role requires experience of working with children and families who have experienced hardship, or those with complex needs. You should have a calm, positive manner, conveying empathy whilst maintaining professional boundaries. We are looking for someone passionate about supporting children and families.

Please see the attached job description for more information about this opportunity at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

What we offer

In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include:

Pension scheme

• NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions
  
  Annual leave

• 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
• 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service
  
  Contractual benefits

• Generous sick pay scheme
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
• Flexible working arrangements
• Death in service benefits
• Reimbursed professional membership fees
• Eye care
• Employee referral scheme
• Blue Light discount card
  
  Health and wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health
• Mindfulness sessions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Mental Health First Aiders

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Also, we are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.

We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.

Anticipated Start Date: 06/04/2026

We are recruiting for a family support worker and we would like to hear from you if you have a Level 3 qualification or substantial work experience related to social care, social work, family support or early help. The ideal candidate will also have experience working with children, adolescents and families and have knowledge of parenting skills.

The role of the  Family Support Worker is to directly support, maintain and develop the network around the child, liaising, building relationships and communicating between multiple agencies and multi-disciplinary roles, these include, the local authority, social workers, family members, carers and significant others and the child in placement.
Within the community, the role is closely linked with each child in placement and will closely work with the Community Director and the senior management team to ensure that it meets the therapeutic and educational needs and interests of each child. This will necessarily include working closely with professionals and developing their expertise in a psychoanalytic-systemic approach to care, education and treatment.
Responsibilities include:

• Ensure that plans for the process of assessment, co-ordination and delivery of placement and family support and transition plans are developed and managed on a day to day basis to agreed standards.
• Co-ordinate and facilitate contact arrangements, linking with networks and families in a manner which is integrated with the community’s existing relationship and contribute to and develop its professional effectiveness.
• Contribute to the holistic assessment of needs of children, families and networks.
• Devise and develop tailored packages of support based on assessment.

Childhood First is committed to safeguarding children. Appointments will be subject to a satisfactory DBS Disclosure and references.

Would you like to make a lasting difference in the lives of children affected by domestic abuse? Join an award-winning trauma recovery service provider that is passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and families.

Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) is a lifeline for children healing from the trauma of domestic abuse. From April next year, we’re expanding our service and looking for new Support Workers to join our team – helping guide children and families on their healing journey.

Position: Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Worker

Location: Homebased with frequent travel. Role covers casework activity across Oxfordshire area including Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and the wider Oxfordshire area.

Contract: Permanent part time – 18.5 hours per week, weekdays.

We’re open to discussing working patterns that match both your needs and our service delivery. We’re also open to discussing an opportunity for 24 hours.

Salary range: £12,868 - £15,727 pro-rata per annum (full time equivalent range £25,735 - £31,453 per annum) 

About the role:

As a Support Worker you will play a significant role in supporting children and families affected by domestic abuse, some of your key responsibilities will include:

· the completion of assessments to understand the needs of families

· delivering group work for children and parents

· provide 1-2-1 sessions to children and families most in need

· supporting our families through providing outreach support

About you:

A successful Support Worker will need a good understanding of domestic abuse and the impact on children and families (or an interest in working in this field), with experience of delivering groupwork programmes for vulnerable parents and/or children.

If this sounds like you please apply today to join a collaborative and dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful.           

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those with personal lived experience of domestic abuse or from underrepresented communities, who meet the essential role requirements.

For more information about our BB4K service please visit our website where you will also find contact details and information about how to apply.

Closing date: 9am, Fri 27 February 2026      

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Family Support Worker, Family Key Worker, Children’s Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Key Worker, Recovery Worker, Assistant Support Worker, IDVA Independent Domestic Violence Advocate, ISVA Independent Sexual Violence Advocate, etc. 

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.

All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.

As Youth Worker you will use your experience of working with children and young people to:

• Work alongside the Youth Coordinator to develop and deliver an agreed project plan that meets the requirements of funders and local team priorities, in line with Diabetes UK processes and policies.
• Support young people and volunteers to understand and grow their strengths and skills, empowering them to take action, support others and make change happen.
• Continuously improve our impact and engagement with young people and the diabetes community, identifying opportunities to share learning and good practice across teams.
• Work with colleagues to grow and enhance our engagement with young people, creating opportunities for long term relationships and involvement of young people in the wider work of the charity.

Family Support Worker

We are looking for a Family Support Worker to join a vibrant and brave grassroots organisation led by Gypsy and Traveller people in West Yorkshire.

Our client is an established and award-winning civil society organisation with a national profile, recognised as being innovative, brave and creative. 

Position: Family Support Worker

Location: Cross Green, Leeds

Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week

Salary: £27,097 per annum pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 18th March 2026

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small and committed team in Bradford as a Family Support Worker. You will deliver outreach across Bradford to build relationships and trust providing access to activities, information and support. You will support families holistically, across a wide range of issues, removing barriers to support and supporting families to understand and navigate processes. You will support families to build protective factors and to have their voices heard.

Working with Members, you will:

• Deliver community-based outreach including activities that promote wellbeing to Gypsy Traveller children and families in Bradford in houses, in yards, on local authority sites and on the roadside
• Support families in accessing provision such as education, welfare rights, health, housing, domestic violence, mental health and emotional wellbeing services
• Support families to overcome practical, cultural, and language barriers ensuring a flexible and responsive approach
• Support families who have an early help assessment or plan to understand and navigate the process
• Work collaboratively with the other Family Support Services and multi-agency partners
• Apply a Whole Family Approach that addresses the needs of all family members holistically, including parents, carers, and children.
• Ensure that the voices and needs of children and young people are heard encouraging their voice in service design and delivery
• Support families to develop problem-solving skills, build protective factors, and reduce long-term dependency on services including timely exit from support

About You

We are looking for someone with experience of working with children and/or young people who are/have experienced trauma and with experience of and writing reports (for example for monitoring and evaluation purposes).

You will also be able to record information in a fact based and timely manner and have experience of working in a support-based role and building long lasting and trusting relationships.

About the Organisation

Our client is a vibrant and brave grassroots organisation led by Gypsy and Traveller people in West Yorkshire. This is an established and award-winning civil society organisation with a national profile.  Recognised as being innovative, brave and creative.  The overall aim of the charity is to improve the quality of life for Gypsies and Travellers through addressing inequalities in homes, health, education, and employment, financial and social inclusion. There are a number of community-facing and strategic projects to achieve aims including advocacy, community development and youth work.

Other roles you may have experience include Family, Child, Children, Family Support Worker, Child Support Worker, Children Support Worker, Family Support, Child Support, Children Support. #INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Overview

CGL Buckinghamshire Children and Family Worker

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each person as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Buckinghamshire Service for you to join a dynamic team committed to supporting children and young people who have been affected by someone else’s drug and/or alcohol use. The role of a Children and family Worker will support children and young people under the age of 18 on a one-to-one basis in a confidential space. The role will deliver a wide range of interventions/ education though activities, such as games, arts and crafts and emotional wellbeing resources. The role will utilise a young person-centred approach, empowering them to explore situations which they feel they have little control over to support them to lead a safe, happy, and healthy life.

The role will work in partnership and liaise with other young people services throughout Buckinghamshire, to provide holistic support to young people accessing the service. We need to record information about what we do, so enjoying a bit of admin work and attention to detail is important, but most of the time you’ll be enjoying working with young people from all backgrounds, making a difference to their lives. You will be required to work flexibly across operational sites as required so must hold a full UK driving license and have access to a car. Don’t worry, there is a wide array of training and development opportunities to help support you in your work.

Where: This role will be based across Buckinghamshire County

When: We're looking for the right person to join our team ASAP on a permanent contract

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary: £27,861.26 - £32,002.35 per annum, pro rata

Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About the role: 

• To holistically support CYP affected by parental substance misuse, using a range of interventions including group work, 1:1 work, whole family interventions, safety planning and safeguarding working closely and proactively with the family unit to support positive and sustainable outcomes.
• Identify families in conjunction with other agencies, who will benefit from a Think Family / Whole family approach, negotiating participation and engagement with the programme of care.
• Identifying and responding effectively to potential safeguarding issues. 
• Reducing drug and alcohol related harm to young people and the wider community. 
• Working with young people to support positive, holistic outcomes in relation to their health and wellbeing, enabling them to lead safe, healthy, and purposeful lives: reducing risk and increasing resilience 
• Working flexibly across sites where required

About you: 

• Experience of working with young people and knowledge of the issues they face 
• Knowledge of safeguarding concerns in relation to children and young people and the Fraser Competence framework 
• Have an excellent understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience of working within a related field 
• Knowledge of working with evidence-based practice around young people’s substance misuse treatment services and methods, including relevant best practice guidance 
• An accomplished communicator, both verbal and written with a high degree of personal IT competency 
• Be able to accurately update and maintain records and to work to deadlines for the submission of information, e.g., reports 
• Have excellent team working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a highly cooperative approach to supporting colleagues in delivering service objectives 

What we will give to you: 

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days” 
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 
• A friendly and supportive team 
• Training, career development & progression opportunities 
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role. 

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions. 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Interview Date

2/3/2026

Closing Date

20/2/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Family Support Worker - Greater Manchester

Maternity Cover up to 12 months

£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)

Greater Manchester region

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker for a fixed term period of up to 12 months, on a full-time basis (35 hours per week), to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Greater Manchester Care Team.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Greater Manchester Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

We are a Best Companies Two-Star rated organisation, an outstanding place to work! We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· Company car for front line care posts

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Time off in Lieu

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes

· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, introduction to play, drawing and talking training.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

Please visit our website and apply online.

Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.

Interviews will take place at our Greater Manchester Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Kentown Family Support Worker

£24,000 annual salary plus Company Car (additional benefit of approx. £5K), 5% employers pension contribution and 25 days annual leave.

To Cover East Lancashire

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Kentown Team.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Kentown Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care.

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly.

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines.

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator, you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people, and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, this includes.

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· Company car for front line care posts

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes, as well as a recommend a friend recruitment bonus

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees. If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our website.

We also have a fantastic learning and development programme - the Anne Harris skills development programme - in which we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be the best they can be, and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Workers are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, and Introduction to Play.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs, with all family support workers having a foundation level of skills within their first year.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of their time together, providing expert practical and emotional support where they need, it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Interviews will take place via Teams or in person with a date to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate the team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation.