Family Support Worker

BCP Salary Band 7 (SCP 19-25, £32,061-£36,363 FTE), actual salary £28,161 – appointments will be made at the starting point of the salary range.

The position is for 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks per year.

It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Linwood School is an Ofsted graded Outstanding SEND school operating from a number of locations within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. We are an outward facing centre of excellence in the area. Our values speak of respect, support, inclusivity, positivity, harmony, excellence and responsibility, all underpinned by our actions and personal accountability.

We are seeking to appoint a Family Support Worker to play a significant pastoral role in our highly successful school. The role will involve working with parents/carers, pupils and other agencies to develop partnerships between the school and families to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children and their families.

Mainly based at Linwood Campus in Winton, the Family Support Worker role can involve working flexibly across multiple school and outreach sites to support students and parents. The successful candidate will also be required to undertake occasional, planned visits to students’ homes to support engagement and individual learning programmes, in line with safeguarding and lone‑working policies.

There is a genuine occupational requirement for the postholder to have access to a vehicle for work purposes due to the multi-site working environment. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess families’ needs and identify concerns to inform effective support planning.
• Develop and deliver tailored family support plans using accredited programmes.
• Build positive, person‑centred relationships that empower families to make change.
• Deliver evidence‑based parenting programmes in group and one‑to‑one settings.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to coordinate holistic support.
• Maintain accurate records, complete reports, and identify and escalate safeguarding concerns.

Requirements:

• NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline relating to children and families, or equivalent.
• Some knowledge of statutory framework and legislation relevant to family support, including assessment frameworks.
• Knowledge of policies, processes and procedures relating to family support, and understanding of best practice.
• Understanding of issues and factors that contribute to poor outcomes for families and children.
• Some knowledge of child development, family dynamics and childcare practice, as well as methods for managing challenging behaviour.
• Experience of working with children, young people and families.
• Some experience of undertaking assessments and delivering support interventions.
• Ability to prioritise own work and managing own time effectively.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with families.
• Ability to communicate clearly, using empathy and understanding.

If you have any questions or would like to have an informal conversation about the role please email Tina McGovern, DDSL on tinamcgovern@linwood.bournemouth.sch.uk

The role is subject to a 6-month mandatory probation during which there is an expectation that all new colleagues attend Monday after school training sessions to enhance their work in school and their skill levels. A list of training dates and topics is provided upon commencement.

For further information about our school and the different needs of our students, please refer to our website where you will find information about each of our campuses: www.linwood.bournemouth.sch.uk

In addition to the benefits provided by BCP Council, Linwood School also provides:

• An Employee Assistance Programme to support staff wellbeing
• After-school training sessions to support staff development
• Career development
• Long Service Awards.

Safeguarding Commitment

Linwood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and an overseas criminal record check if they have lived or worked outside the UK in the past 10 years. Employment offers are also subject to satisfactory references, health assessments, and right-to-work checks. All Linwood School staff are expected to adhere to our policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding and child protection, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Guidance for adults working with children and young people in an education setting.

Commitment to Diversity

At Linwood School, we take pride in being an equal opportunities employer that champions a diverse workforce. We actively seek and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, recognising that a rich tapestry of experiences enhances our ability to support our diverse student population. Our commitment to diversity not only fosters a sense of belonging but also strengthens the learning environment for everyone involved.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.  If the role is exempt, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed, and if they are disclosed, we cannot take them into account.