Family Support Practitioner

Family Support Practitioner.

Salary:25000 per annum pro rata.

Location:Based in our office in Antrim Northern Ireland.

Contract/Hours:Full-Time working 37 hours a week on a fixed term contract until 30th June 2026 with possible extension subject to continued funding.

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata 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.

A bit about the role

There are 4 Family Support Hubs in the Northern Area all led by Action for Children. A Family Support Hub meeting takes place in each of the Hub Areas Each month.

1. - Antrim/Ballymena

2. - Ballymoney/Coleraine/Moyle

3. - Carrickfergus/Larne/Newtownabbey

4. - Magherafelt/Cookstown

Each Family Support Hub is made up of community. Voluntary and statutory organisations who deliver services to children / young people (0-17 years) and their families. Each FS Hub aims to link referral families with the most appropriate service to meet their needs. The Hub works in partnership with families listen to their needs and will help them access the support service best suited to them. We are unable to accept referrals for any child or young person who has current involvement with either Social Services or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as this is above our early intervention remit.

This is a highly rewarding role and you will be a vital member of the team carrying out telephone assessments with families and linking with referrers to gather additional information relevant to the referral. Your role as family support practitioner will also involve sharing assessment information at monthly Hub meetings and carrying out follow up tasks after Hub meetings to send referrals on to appropriate support services as agreed at the Hub meetings. All information must be recorded in childrens case files and outcome information must also be recorded on the Hub database.

Please note the Family Support Hub service does not do direct work with children/young people and families.

FS Hubs is an outreach service working across the Northern Trust area. Primarily you will be covering the Ballymena/Antrim Hub and could be based in either our Antrim or Larne office. At times you may need to assist with other FS Hubs so need to be flexible as part of the FS Hub team.

How youll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the Family Support Practitioner role are.

• Managing a caseload within the Ballymena/Antrim locality.

• Responsible for assessing the familys needs.

• Liaising with the families and other agencies.

• Undertaking home visits where necessary.

• Attending meetings as required including to present cases at monthly meetings.

• Ensuring all records are kept up to date.

Lets talk about you

Ideally you will have:

• Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 or above or equivalent/related health counselling or social care qualification.

• Experience of direct work/engagement with children and families.

• Good report writing skills.

• Good working knowledge of safeguarding.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Excellent IT skills including use of Microsoft (Outlook Excel Word and PowerPoint).

• Registration or the willingness to register with NISCC.

• Full valid UK driving licence with access to a car. 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: quoting reference 11979.

Closing Date: Monday 13th October 2025.

Please note:Interviews are planned to be held on Wednesday 15^th and Thursday 16^th October 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.

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