Job Profile: Family Support Worker

Family Support Worker is an important social care role. Also known as family liaison workers, or parent support workers, or family support practitioners, they offer practical and emotional support to families experiencing short-term difficulties.

For example, you may have heard on the news last week that persistent absence from school is higher than pre-Covid levels. There are many reasons for this, including parental ill health, which can make it difficult for parents to get their children up and ready for school; and housing issues, which mean families are sometimes moved by the council away from the school where their children attend. On the other hand, sometimes the children themselves have mental health difficulties which make attending school challenging. Family support workers can help these children and families.

The BBC reported on the work of a school family liaison worker called Hayley, who works with families experience housing difficulties and homelessness and the impact of that on children and their education - School absences: The school picking kids up from home to boost attendance

Some simple things practical things that Hayley does, includes picking up and driving children to school to ensure they attend. She can also make referrals to other services that can support the family, as well as assessing their needs and working with them to try and help them solve some of their problems. Family support workers can help families out in their homes, or provide parenting courses in local children's centres. Many schools are now employing family liaison workers, to bridge the gap between home and school life.

The type of help and support offered by family support workers is called 'early help', which is aimed at supporting families early on, before their issues escalate and formal social care interventions are required, such as taking a child into care. As such, the role is important in safeguarding children.

The role is varied, and there are opportunities to work in specialised areas, such as special educational needs and disabilities. You can learn more here Prospects: Family support worker

Many family support workers are employed by charities, such as Action for Children and Barnardo's.