The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
x2 - 12 months fixed term contract
We’re looking for a dedicated and compassionate Family Worker to join our Family Help Service, supporting children, young people and families to achieve positive and lasting outcomes.
To work as part of a Family Help team providing effective family support interventions.
To work with and support a caseload of families to achieve positive outcomes, undertaking whole family assessments, enabling Family Led Decision Making and team around the family meetings, co-producing outcomes-focused plans with the young person/family to conduct reviews to ensure positive and sustained progress is being made.
Act as the main point of contact and advocate for families needing support, coordinating services to address needs early and prevent escalation. Build trusting, culturally humble relationships, working closely with young people and families, in partnership, to ensure all family members’ needs are met in the context of Reading’s Practice Framework.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
You’ll play a hands-on role supporting families with a range of needs, working collaboratively to improve outcomes and prevent issues from escalating.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:
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Holding a caseload and acting as the Lead Practitioner for families
- Undertaking whole family assessments and developing outcome focused plans
- Delivering direct work and evidence-based interventions with children, young people and parents
- Facilitating Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings and supporting family led decision making
- Building strong, trusting relationships with families, including those who may be reluctant to engage
- Work closely with multi agency partners including schools, health services and social care
- Deliver parenting programmes within the Family Hub
- Ensure the voice of the child is central to all plans and interventions
- Monitor and review progress to ensure positive, sustained outcomes
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to service performance and quality
About you
You’ll be passionate about supporting families and confident working in a fast-paced environment with children, young people and parents facing a range of challenges. You’ll be someone who builds trust easily, stays calm under pressure and is motivated to make a real difference.
You’ll bring:
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A Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) and relevant parenting programme training
- Experience working with children, young people and families in a support setting
- Experience within a safeguarding and multi-agency environment
- Strong assessment, planning and organisational skills
- The ability to manage a caseload and prioritise effectively
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Confidence delivering group work and structured interventions
- A resilient, solution-focused approach, particularly in challenging situations
- The ability to work collaboratively with partners and colleagues
- A strong commitment to inclusion, equality and continuous professional development
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
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Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact
[email protected],
[email protected]
Closing Date: Thursday 18th June 2026
Interview Date: Thursday 25th June 2026
Interview Process: To be Confirmed
