Early Help Worker

Job Description

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Early Help Worker

Job Purpose

The Family Support Worker / Early Help Practitioner will engage and empower children, young people (0–19 years), adults, and families through a strengths-based, solution-focused approach, ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.

The postholder will assess needs, coordinate multi-agency support, deliver targeted interventions, safeguard children and vulnerable adults, and help families build resilience and independence. Working within a Family Hub environment, they will act as a key point of contact for families, promoting access to universal, voluntary, and statutory services while supporting positive and sustainable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Family Support and Intervention

• Manage and progress a caseload of children, young people, and families to achieve positive outcomes.
  
• Conduct Early Help Assessments to identify strengths, needs, risks, vulnerabilities, and safeguarding concerns.
  
• Develop, implement, and review outcome-focused family support plans in partnership with families.
  
• Deliver one-to-one and group-based interventions tailored to identified needs.
  
• Empower families to identify solutions, build resilience, and improve wellbeing.
  
• Support parents in understanding child development and strengthening family relationships.
  
• Promote children's education, attendance, and engagement through restorative and strengths-based approaches.
  

Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
  
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, following organisational policies and procedures.
  
• Assess risks and ensure appropriate referrals are made to statutory and specialist services where required.
  
• Undertake home visits to assess needs, monitor progress, and provide support.
  

Partnership and Multi-Agency Working

• Coordinate and participate in Team Around the Family meetings, reviews, and other multi-agency forums.
  
• Build effective working relationships with schools, early years providers, health professionals, housing services, and voluntary sector organisations.
  
• Share information appropriately to ensure coordinated support for families.
  
• Promote Early Help principles and contribute to a partnership approach where early intervention becomes everyone's responsibility.
  

Family Hub Support and Community Engagement

• Support the day-to-day operation of the Family Hub and ensure a welcoming environment for families.
  
• Provide information, advice, guidance, and signposting to relevant services and community resources.
  
• Promote Family Hub services through events, community engagement activities, social media, and marketing initiatives.
  
• Develop knowledge of available local services and maintain up-to-date information resources.
  
• Organise and support consultation activities to gather feedback and understand community needs.
  

Record Keeping and Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely case records, assessments, plans, reviews, and case notes.
  
• Record outcomes, progress, and exit strategies in line with service standards.
  
• Ensure compliance with Data Protection legislation, confidentiality requirements, and information-sharing protocols.
  
• Adhere to policies, procedures, quality assurance frameworks, and professional standards.
  

Professional Development

• Participate in supervision, team meetings, training, and continuing professional development activities.
  
• Keep up to date with legislation, safeguarding requirements, and best practice guidance.
  
• Contribute to service improvement and the development of Family Hub provision.
  

Essential Experience

• Experience of working directly with children, young people, and families in a support, education, social care, health, or community setting.
  
• Experience of undertaking assessments and developing support plans.
  
• Experience of delivering interventions to individuals and groups.
  
• Experience of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
  
• Experience of multi-agency working and partnership collaboration.
  
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and case management systems.
  
• Ability to engage hard-to-reach families and build positive professional relationships.
  
• Experience of providing information, advice, guidance, and signposting services.
  

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within Early Help, Family Hubs, Children's Services, or Family Support Services.
  
• Experience delivering evidence-based parenting or family support programmes.
  
• Experience supporting families with issues such as attendance, behaviour, budgeting, health, and wellbeing.
  

Essential Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in Childcare, Children's Services, Social Care, Early Years, Youth Work, Health, Education, Community Work, or a related field.
  
• Evidence of safeguarding training and ongoing professional development.
  

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 4 or above qualification in a relevant discipline.
  
• Early Help Assessment or Family Support-related qualification.
  
• Training in restorative practice, solution-focused practice, or family intervention approaches.
  

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children, young people, and families.
  
• Excellent assessment, planning, and problem-solving abilities.
  
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and procedures.
  
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
  
• Effective partnership and networking skills.
  
• Strong organisational and record-keeping abilities.
  
• Good IT skills and ability to use case management systems.
  
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and family-centred practice.
  

Special Requirements

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work-related travel (where required).
  
• Willingness to work across multiple Family Hub locations.
  
• Enhanced DBS check required.
  
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately.
  
• Flexibility to attend training, meetings, and community events as required.
  

Additional Information

• Pay Rate: Limited/Umbrella – £22.68 per hour
  
• Location: 39 Caradoc Road, Seaforth, Liverpool, Merseyside, L21 4NB, United Kingdom
  
• Working Hours: 36 hours per week
  
• DBS Requirement: Enhanced DBS check required
  
• Travel Requirements: The postholder may be required to travel between Family Hub locations and community settings in line with service needs.
  
• Contract Type: Agency/Temporary (subject to client requirements)
  
• Compliance Requirements: The successful candidate must comply with safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, and relevant council policies and procedures.
  
• Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly
  
• Start Date: Immediate start available
  
• Closing Date: Applications closing soon – early applications are encouraged
  

Requirements
• Experience of working directly with vulnerable young people, children in care, care leavers, or young adults. • Experience of managing a caseload and developing support plans. • Experience of providing practical, emotional, and advocacy support. • Experience of working in partnership with multiple agencies and stakeholders.