Family Support Practitioner

**Suffolk County Council, Ipswich IP1 5PF, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ**:

- **£24,496 **per annum (pro rata if part time)**:

- **37 or 18.5 per week**:

- **Fixed term 12 months**

We are committed to flexible working, so please read the Job and Person Profile to find out about the types of flexible working available for this role.

We have roles available across **Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Lowestoft**. Although generally you will cover your locality there will be an expectation that you will supervise contacts throughout Suffolk and further afield as roles will be peripatetic. Please see the locality map link below.

2.5 fte - West Suffolk - 1.5 Stowmarket & 1.0 West Suffolk House
2.5 fte - North Suffolk - Riverside Lowestoft
1.0 fte - South Suffolk
- Landmark House

**Job Details**

Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people in Suffolk?

Would you like to work in an incredibly varied, challenging, and rewarding role?

Do you have a suitable practitioner-level qualification at Level 3 or equivalent experience in the relevant area of work experience of supporting children and young people?

**Your role and responsibilities**

You will:

- supervise contact with family members for children and young people who have care orders or are in court processes
- write reports contributing information to be used in court
- be required to work hours throughout the day including some evenings
- be required to transport children, so you must hold a full valid driving licence and have access to personal transport with business insurance
- act as a catalyst for change working directly alongside children, young people, and their families, writing reports, and working together with social workers to enable the best outcomes.

**You will need**:

- the ability to develop positive relationships with children and families who are experiencing some challenging and stressful difficulties, ensuring children remain safe and supported
- proven and relevant knowledge and experience in working directly with children and their families on a range of intervention, development, attachment, play, and learning
- to recognise and appropriately respond to safeguarding and risk issues.

**We will offer you**

Opportunities for career development supported by induction, in-house training, and experience into children and young people services and the world of social work.

**T**ravel and workplace requirements**

We positively encourage the use of technology to communicate, but in this role, you will need to travel to locations away from your contractual base, so you must either hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to meet the travel requirements of this role, please speak with the contact detailed below.

This role is mainly based in the **community**; however, you may also have the opportunity to work from home occasionally and you will have an office base. Please speak with the contact detailed below if you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements. **#LI-Hybrid**

**For more information**

For an informal discussion, please contact:
Bury St Edmunds/Stowmarket - **Marie Miller (she/her) **by calling **(01449) 745155** or **Phill Pugh (he/him) **by calling** 01284 758288**

Ipswich - **Sarah Dixon (she/her)** by calling** (01473) 263376**

Lowestoft - **Caren Elvin** **(she/her) **by calling (**01502) 674752**

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

**We offer a fantastic, inclusive working environment including diverse and active staff networks, great flexible working options and many benefits, as well as the opportunity to improve the lives of Suffolk residents.**

Benefits include:

- Performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- The opportunity to join a large, diverse organisation, with career opportunities across our services
- A supportive culture, underpinned by our **WE ASPIRE values**:

- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Up to 28 days annual leave entitlement, plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- An occupational sick pay scheme
- Learning and development opportunities, including a range of work-based apprenticeships
- Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
- A range of **staff networks** centred around equality groups
- Plus more