Family Support Worker

The Links Academy Trust is seeking a flexible Family Support Worker to provide targeted, early-intervention support to vulnerable families across St Albans, Harpenden, Welwyn, Hatfield, and Hertsmere. Managing an active caseload, the successful candidate will work directly in family homes and school environments to address barriers to education, tackle issues like poor attendance and risk-taking behaviour, and model positive family dynamics. Key responsibilities include creating tailored support plans, delivering practical parenting guidance on routines and behaviour, helping with benefit applications (e.g., DLA, PIP), and coordinating with multi-agency partners through Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings. This is an emotionally demanding yet highly rewarding role split between office-based case management and active community outreach. Candidates must possess exceptional communication skills, deep empathy, strong safeguarding knowledge, and the ability to maintain professional boundaries under pressure. The position requires a clean criminal records disclosure and the ability to travel across all Links Academy sites. Please note: The interview panel will include both current and former parents. Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to meet with them and answer a number of real-life scenario-based questions. These questions will draw on their experiences and explore the types of support they would value from a Family Support Worker. We are recognised as a ‘School of Character’ and encourage Responsibility, Respect and Resilience. These are characteristics we expect of all of our students and staff regardless of their role within the school. The Links Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We will also require two appropriate references. As part of the recruitment process on line checks will be carried out on shortlisted candidates. Any other comments: We reserve the right to appoint during the recruitment process - Support Staff: Numeracy and literacy skills to NVQ level 2 or GCSE grades: A-C/9-4