Family support worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a level 3 diploma in health and social care or children and young people's workforce.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship may help you gain the skills you need to become a family support worker.

You could complete a:

• peer worker advanced apprenticeship
• children, young people and families practitioner higher apprenticeship
• early intervention practitioner higher apprenticeship

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You need to have experience to apply for training or jobs as a family support worker.

You can get experience by volunteering or finding paid work with:

• children's homes or youth projects
• nurseries
• family refuge centres
• probation services
• family community centres
• mental health services

You can find volunteering opportunities listed on Do It and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) .

DirectApplication

You can apply for family support worker jobs if you have:

• experience working with children, young people or families
• a minimum of a level 3 qualification in childcare, social work, social care, counselling, youth work or education

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• a desire to help people
• knowledge of psychology
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• customer service skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Family support workers help families with long or short term problems.

As a family support worker you could:

• work with people addicted to alcohol or drugs
• support a parent while they're in hospital or prison
• support clients who have marriage or money problems
• support a child or parent with a disability
• attend court sessions about caring for a child
• help clients develop their parenting skills

Location : You could work at a school, in an office, at a client's home or in a court.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

36 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

Career Path:

With experience and training you could:

• specialise in an area, like working with people with disabilities
• lead a team of family support workers
• manage a family centre or refuge
• move into social work