Family Support Worker

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting our client in their search for a Family Support Worker to join their specialist Missing Service in Manchester. This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced family support professional to work alongside parents, carers and families affected by complex safeguarding concerns, helping them build resilience, strengthen relationships and improve outcomes for children and young people. This is a fixed term contract until March 2027, with the potential to be extended and if offering £26,100 per annum. This position will require travel across Greater Manchester, and surrounding areas (travel is expensed). For this role, we can also consider flexible working arrangements, such as part-time hours, term-time only arrangements or compressed hours, for the right candidate. 

The successful candidate will bring demonstrable experience of working directly with parents, carers, children and young people, ideally within a family support, early help, youth work, safeguarding or whole-family setting. Whilst experience supporting parents of children who go missing from home would be highly advantageous, the organisation's priority is finding someone with a proven ability to engage and support parents and carers facing challenging circumstances and who understands the complexities that can place young people at risk.

You will work closely with parents and carers of children who have experienced, or are at risk of, missing episodes, providing practical guidance, emotional support and advocacy. The role focuses on helping parents and carers better understand risk, strengthen communication and develop strategies that improve safety and reduce vulnerability.

To be successful, you will have:

• Significant experience working with parents, carers and families, ideally within a whole-family or family-centred support environment.
• A strong understanding of child exploitation, including criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation, county lines, online exploitation and contextual safeguarding.
• Sound knowledge of risk indicators, online safety concerns and the impact exploitation can have on children, young people and wider family networks.
• Experience supporting families affected by complex and sensitive issues, using a trauma-informed and non-judgemental approach.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to build trust with parents and carers.
• Experience working collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector partners, including social care, education, health and police services.
• Excellent safeguarding knowledge and an understanding of current legislation and best practice relating to vulnerable children and young people.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advocate effectively on behalf of families.

Additional requirements:

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• An active Enhanced DBS would be highly advantageous, although candidates willing to undertake the appropriate checks will also be considered.
• Flexibility to occasionally work outside standard office hours where required.

At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you require assistance with your application, please contact Shannon Sanderson, the lead consultant for this role. Please note that applications and CVs sent directly by email cannot be accepted and must be submitted through the application link to ensure they are properly recorded and considered.