Job number
LBC04972
Contract Type
Fixed Term / Secondment
Posting End Date
7 June 2026
Job Area
Education (not schools)
Salary: £33,143 – £36,363 a year pro rata
Hours per week: 37
Contract type:
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Family Support Worker to work as part of the Alternative Provision Multi Disciplinary Specialist Team (APMDST), that sits as part of the Inclusion Service. You will provide support to families and in particular, where children and young people are at risk of exclusion or experiencing barriers to education.
You will deliver a comprehensive, child-centred service to children, young people and their families. In this role, you will work directly with families to assess needs, provide targeted support, and help improve outcomes, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
You will play a key role in building strong, trusting relationships with families while working collaboratively within a multi-agency framework. A strong commitment to teamwork is essential, as you will contribute to effective partnership working both within your immediate service and across the wider Children’s Directorateas well as with corporate colleagues, elected members, and external organisations.
Key Responsibilities
Attend and contribute to multi‑disciplinary triage meetings, providing a strong family‑focused perspective
Work directly with children, young people and families to identify needs, strengths and risks
Build trusted relationships with families to promote engagement, resilience and positive outcomes
Deliver targeted support such as parenting work, practical assistance, and signposting to services
Liaise effectively with schools, Alternative Provision settings, social care, health, and other partner agencies
Maintain accurate records, assessments and support plans in line with organisational procedures
Support early help and prevention approaches to reduce escalation to statutory services
Uphold safeguarding responsibilities and contribute to risk management planning
The role involves close collaboration with a range of partners, including , education providers, children’s social care services, youth and probation services, health professionals, and both statutory and independent agencies. Through this integrated approach, you will help coordinate support, share expertise, and ensure families receive holistic and consistent care tailored to their individual needs.
Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
We are looking for an empathetic Family Support Worker with experience of working with young people and families, ideally within education, early help or social care, and with specialist knowledge of SEND / SEMH challenges You will have strong communication and active listening skills, and be able to in partnership to build relationships with children, young people, and families at all levels. You will bring a patient, non-judgemental approach and the ability to adapt to a range of situations confidently influencing and supporting both internal colleagues and external partners
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, as part of the multi-disciplinary specialist team. to reach informed decisions about the right support for children, young people and families. You will work in partnership with a wide network of professionals and directly with families, including parents, carers, and young people, to plan and deliver meaningful support that improves outcomes.
You will be confident in undertaking complex family assessments, producing clear and concise reports, and developing effective plans focused on safeguarding and support. Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage your own workload are essential, alongside the capacity to make informed decisions - particularly in situations where child protection is a priority - with appropriate guidance.
We are seeking someone who can work proactively and innovatively, contributing to service improvement, prioritising competing demands, and supporting the effective delivery of services. You will also be comfortable using IT systems as part of your day-to-day work and committed to identifying and challenging discrimination, promoting equality and inclusion in all aspects of your practice.
A sound understanding of child development, behaviour, and the impact on family dynamics is essential. Applicants should hold a minimum Level 3 qualification in a relevant field such as childcare, social care, youth work, counselling, or education (or equivalent experience). This role requires regular home visits and a flexible approach to working hours, including occasional evenings, to meet the needs of families.
If you are passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families and thrive in a supportive, collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply and join us in delivering meaningful change.
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.
The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough
Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.
On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:
- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 19.2 per cent (at April 2026) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!
Our ‘How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply
