Job Description

Family Support Practitioner

Salary: £26,006.84 per annum ( pro rata - from April 2026)
Location: Paignton, Devon
Contract/Hours: Permanent/Part Time – 25 hours per week

Interviews: to be held on the 4th and 5th of March 2026

Benefits:

29 days annual leave plus bank holidays (over 7 weeks paid leave a year for full time workers) and the option to buy or sell leave  
Professional qualifications and excellent training
Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages  
Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover  
Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

Join Action for Children and an exciting partnership with Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, supporting the 0 to 19 Torbay initiative.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys a varied role, has a good sense of humour, and wants to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families.

You work directly with families across Torbay, Torquay and Brixham, offering practical and emotional support. This includes one to one family support and parenting, domestic abuse, substance misuse and wider family challenges.

You'll have experience and family support or similar role, strong communication skills, a good understanding of safeguarding, experience of home visits, the ability to work independently as part of a team and the flexibility to travel across the locality.

You’ll complete assessments, create personalised support plans and work closely with partner agencies to ensure families get the right help at the right time.

Please note that this role does involve working occasionally on Saturdays

About the Service

We aim to safeguard and promote good health for all children in the Paignton, Torbay, Torquay and Brixham area whilst providing comprehensive local care to those in need together with support for their families.   

How you could make a difference

Coordinate support for children, young people, and families through various interventions (one-to-one, group, or community based) Via face to face, online, or telephone delivery.
Provide a high-quality service based on individual assessments of need
Maintain effective communication and relationships with colleagues, children, young people and their families
Respond appropriately to Safeguarding.
Build strong relationships with other professionals and partner agencies to promote strength-based approach.
Keeping accurate records of interactions and progress is also important.

Let’s talk about you

NVQ Level 3 in early years or equivalent with at least two years post qualifying experience (preferred)
Knowledge of developmental trauma, attachment theory, emotional regulation and attunement
A sound knowledge of the impact trauma can have on children's life outcomes
A positive and caring attitude with excellent interpersonal skills
The ability to prioritise and manage workloads
Ability to work alone as well as within a team
A strong work ethic in a fast-paced and challenging environment
Hold a full driving license and have access to a vehicle

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t.

By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us create change that really matters. And when we succeed, we’ll recognise what you did to make a difference.

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.

Will you join us?

How to apply

If you require any support to apply, please contact: Shannon Neander on 01923 361518 or recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk and quote reference 12680.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things.

We  actively  encourage  applications frompeople withBlack, AsianandMinority Ethnicbackgroundsandpeople with adisability,as these groupsare under-represented within Action for Children.

Men are currently under-represented within our Children Service roles. We’d like to change that. So, we really encourage men to apply for any of our Children Service roles.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

Find us on X, Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Management Competency Framework

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet

Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services