Family Support Worker

Salary:24309.07 per annum pro rata which equates to 22338

Location:Ballymena

Contract/Hours: Part-time (working 34 hours a week) on a fixed term contract until 31^st March 2026

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
• Flexible maternity adoption and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15000 national retailers discounts.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family youll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year we helped more than 687000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. Its the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that when we work together we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable childrens lives.

About the service

Ballymena & Little Steps Sure Start provides a range of health play & learning and parenting support services to children from pre-birth up to four years and their families. The project comprises a multi-agency multi-disciplinary team and works in close partnership with a range of local Statutory Voluntary and Community service providers to promote effective service delivery in response to the needs of the expectant parents children and families across the designated SureStart areas. Sure Start services are provided from 3 centre bases across the localities within the home setting or through outreach settings.

A bit about the role

As a Family Support Worker youll join our team providing high quality evidence based and holistic interventions for families in the perinatal period and throughout their parenting journey with SureStart. This includes group work and programmes as well as offering home visits and phone calls for additional parenting support. You will have access to a wide range of training opportunities including Action for Childrens extensive e-learning.

Normal working hours are 9am 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am -1pm on Friday but there may be occasional evening work to meet the needs of the service

How youll help to create brighter futures

As a Family Support Worker youll be:

• Undertaking a range of home visits including promotional visits social emotional and practical parenting support and / or developing play skills with children aged under 4 years and their parents/carers.
• Supporting families to attend centre-based services facilitating various parenting support programmes and signposting families to other relevant services ensuring good links with local statutory and voluntary services.
• Engaging with families with children from pre-birth up to the age of 4 in the catchment area
• Assessing families needs and creating service plans in partnership with them to achieve their desired outcomes
• Being responsible for the planning development and delivery of individual and group-based services which support families in providing their children with the best start in life.

Lets talk about you

Ideally you will have:

• Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social Care Early Years Childcare or equivalent.
• Experience of working with families and children aged under 4 years.
• A thorough understanding of child protection and Safeguarding.
• An understanding of the physical intellectual linguistic social and emotional growth as part of child development.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds to build strong and collaborative relationships.
• Strong record keeping skills to complete assessments service plans and reviews.
• Good IT skills.
• The ability to travel across Antrim and Ballymena on a regular basis. The job requires the ability to travel according to the needs of the job with reasonable adjustments if required according to the Equality Act.

Contact:Emma Goodwin onor email us atquoting reference 11535.

Please note: Interviews are planned to be held on Monday 28^th July 2025.

Good to know

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for thisrole.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details CV Supporting Statement & Information Equality & Diversity Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. Wed love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if youd rather we didnt.

To be eligible for this position you must complete an Access Ni Enhanced Disclosure

Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.

A copy of the Access Ni Code of Practice can be foundhere.

Policies on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders & Access Ni Disclosure Handing Policy are also available on demand.

Diversity equality and inclusion

At Action for Children were dedicated to building a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace.

Weactivelyencourageapplications from Black Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Dont meet every single requirement

If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with the job description wed love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role or another role within the Action for Children family.

Want to know more about Action for Children

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Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet