Family support worker

Family support workers help families in times of need. They give practical and emotional help. They work for social services departments of local authorities or other agencies which offer similar social support.

Also known as:

• Support worker – family

Work activities

There are a variety of reasons that lead families to need the services offered by family support workers (FSWs). These could include:

• Housing issues.
• Financial issues.
• Needing help with childcare.
• Lack of wider family support.
• Mental health issues.
• Issues related to drug or alcohol misuse.

FSWs meet with a family, or more usually, the parent/s to find out what difficulties they are experiencing and how the FSW might be able to help them. At the initial meeting, the FSW explains the service on offer and gives some basic advice. After spending time talking with the family, they will then begin to put together a plan for how the needs of the family can be met. Visits are made to people in their own homes or clients meet with the FSW at the support service’s office/centre. The day-to-day work varies according to the needs of each family. Tasks might include:

• Helping parents with budgeting and money management.
• Assessing parenting skills and planning help, where necessary.
• Helping with children’s learning and development.
• Preventing problems escalating, or new problems arising.

FSWs empower families to improve their situation. They use their knowledge of local services and resources to help families achieve their goals. FSWs keep detailed records and reports of their work with each family. In some circumstances, they may need to present some of their findings in court, in a case concerning child protection, for example. FSWs who work for a local authority social services department are likely to support the work of social workers. Alternatively, they may have cases referred to them by social workers. FSWs receive regular supervision from their manager or supervisor. Some FSWs work during evenings or at the weekend. Travel in the local area is likely.

Personal qualities and skills

As a family support worker, you need:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• A positive attitude when you are faced with difficulties.
• Wide knowledge and understanding of the local resources available to help the families you work with.

You should be able to:

• Work well under pressure.
• Ask the right questions to find out the information you need.
• Get across information that can sometimes be difficult for people to understand.
• Work through conflict sensitively and come up with effective solutions.
• Negotiate with agencies such as social services and education and training providers.
• Work effectively with a wide range of people, including service users, other members of your team and other professionals, such as social workers, youth offending team workers and healthcare workers.

Travel throughout the local area is usual, therefore a full driving licence can be a requirement of the job.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for family support workers vary depending on employer and duties. FSWs earn in the range of £19,000, rising to around £35,000 with experience.

FSWs typically work 36-38 hours per week. Shift work, early starts and late finishes are usual in some posts. Some employers offer flexitime working, and part-time and temporary work is also possible.

Opportunities for family support workers occur throughout the UK. Employers include local authority social services departments and charitable organisations, such as the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, on job boards, on employers’ websites, on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

While there are no strict entry requirements to this type of work, employers usually expect you to have a level 3 work-based qualification in a relevant subject, such as social care or childcare. A level 4 (higher) apprenticeship in the role of children, young people and families practitioner can be a good way into this role. At least one year’s experience of working with young people or families is important. This experience usually needs to be from a paid position, but voluntary work may also be taken into consideration. Employers are also likely to require you to have knowledge of relevant laws relating to children and/or vulnerable adults.

Once employed, you will usually receive relevant training. This will be in areas such as child protection, drug and alcohol misuse and legal issues. You may also work towards relevant qualifications.

With experience, it’s possible to progress to supervisory and management positions. Some family support workers move into social work, after gaining the relevant qualification.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

There are no strict educational requirements for entry to this job. Most successful entrants have a relevant level 3 work-based qualification or equivalent, however. To get onto a higher apprenticeship, you’ll need two A-levels and GCSEs in English and maths. For most posts, you will need a full, clean driving licence.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills and abilities gained in a relevant paid or voluntary capacity are an advantage. Employers look for a practical, responsible approach to work and the ability to relate to a wide range of people.

Colleges usually consider adult candidates who don’t have the regular entry requirements. Check the admissions policy of the college that runs the course you’re interested in.

A range of colleges and universities offer courses in Health and Social Care at undergraduate and postgraduate level including with part time/flexible and distance learning study options.

Related careers

• Social work assistant
• Social worker