Your New Organisation
Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.
Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.
Your new role
Southend City Council are looking to appoint a full-time experienced Early Help Support Practitioner within a fixed term capacity until August 2027.
The Family Help Practitioner position is designed to provide high-quality planned family support, including crisis response work with families, children, and young people.
The team offers full family intensive interventions to families in Southend with complex needs. The Family Support Practitioner will hold a case load of families, and lone work in clients’ homes and the community across Southend. They will work in a restorative way to complete whole family assessments and be expected to manage their own diary, carry out frequent home visits and, as the Lead Professional, they will arrange and chair review multi-agency meetings.
This role is part of the Families First Partnership Programme, which aims to improve the support provided to children and their families through strong partnership working.
Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week.
Duty is 1 week out of 6.
Whilst driving is not essential for the position, you do need to be able to get around the city with ease.
What you’ll need to succeed
To be shortlisted for this position, it is essential that you are educated to degree level and/or hold a relevant professional qualification in social care.
You must have experience with pre-birth cases up to 18 years old.
You will have previous experience of case holding and of working with adults and children in a lone working environment, as many interventions are delivered in the community and family home. You will need to demonstrate excellent assessment, planning skills and be familiar with working towards sustainable outcomes.
You should have experience of completing assessments and plans with families which support change and promote better family wellbeing.
You will benefit from having knowledge of the Supporting Families Programme.
What you’ll get in return
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the “Why Work For Us?” tab.
What you need to do now
If you are interested in this role, please click ‘apply online’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
If you would like a copy the Job Description, please Click here
Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.
All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.
The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.
