Job Description

Family Support Practitioner.

Salary: £26,006.84 per annum pro rata.

Location: Derry, Northern Ireland.

Contract/Hours: Fixed Term Contract for 1 year /Part -Time, working 30 hours a week

Benefits:

29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers’ discounts.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 687,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

The Family Support Worker provides intensive support to children, young people, parents, and carers who may be experiencing a range of social, emotional, behavioural, or family difficulties within the level 2 Hardiker model.

Working across the Derry and Strabane district, the role focuses on empowering families to make positive and sustainable changes through therapeutic and strengths-based interventions.

The postholder will manage a caseload of families, carrying out assessments of need, developing tailored support plans, and delivering practical and emotional support within the family home, community settings, and partner agencies. A key aspect of the role is helping parents develop effective parenting skills, strengthen family relationships, improve communication, and build resilience to achieve better outcomes for children and young people.

The role requires the use of therapeutic approaches such as trauma-informed practice, solution-focused interventions, emotional wellbeing support, and attachment-based work to address identified needs. The successful candidate will work closely with schools, health professionals, social workers, and other support services to ensure a coordinated response for families.

Accurate record keeping is essential and includes maintaining confidential case files, writing case notes and reports, monitoring progress against agreed outcomes, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding, child protection, and data protection policies. The postholder will contribute to service development through participation in team meetings, supervision, training, and the sharing of good practice, while working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve the organisation's objectives. The post holder must be able to drive, hold a valid licence and business insurance.

This role requires strong communication and relationship-building skills, the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities, and a commitment to supporting families in a respectful, non-judgemental, and person-centred manner.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the Family Support Practitioner role are:

Adhering to safeguarding, risk management, and child protection policies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children attending the service.
Be aware of the general issues and concerns that affect young people currently and be open for training if required.
Attend internal and external meetings as directed by your line manager and collaborate and work in partnership with all statutory and voluntary agencies.
Being able to present information and facts regarding young carers to varied professional groups is also a part of the Family Support Practitioner role.
Be clear on the importance of keeping files up to date as required by the organisation.

Let's talk about you

Ideally you will have:

Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 or above or equivalent/related health, counselling, or social care qualification.
Experience of direct work/engagement with children and families.
Good report writing skills.
Good working knowledge of safeguarding.
Excellent communication skills.
Excellent IT skills including use of Microsoft (Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
Registration or the willingness to register with NISCC.
Business class 1 insurance and a Clear UK Driving Licence is essential for this role.

Contact: recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13523

Closing Date: Tuesday 26th August 2026.

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 change that where it really matters.

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?

Help with your application

Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we’re taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve.

We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently under‑represented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

Find us on 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

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet