Family Help Practitioner

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX, Hybrid
• Salary: £29,542 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

We’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Family Help Practitioner and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• Contribute to the Adoption Support and SGO Newsletter and organise local meetings, support groups, events and parties.
• Provide mediation between birth family and SGO’s around contact.
• Undertake Life story work.
• Provide emotional support to highly complex individuals (child or parent).
• Monitor and review commissioned therapeutic services.
• Manage requests for activities to provide respite for families

You will need

• A relevant level 3 practitioner qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work.
• A strong commitment to Suffolk’s WE ASPIRE values.
• An understanding of early intervention, prevention and child development.
• Experience working directly with children and families, including those with complex needs or safeguarding concerns.
• Confidence in delivering evidence‑based interventions and working creatively to help families make changes.
• The ability to identify risks, communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Take a look at what makes our Ideal Worker, shaped by the voices of young people: find out more.

The team

You’ll be joining a busy, friendly and supportive team, passionate about making a positive difference for children and families across Suffolk. We work directly with children who have been adopted or are living under a Special Guardianship Order, providing support tailored to their individual needs.

We also work closely with the Stage 2 Adoption Assessment Team as children are linked and matched for adoption. You’ll be part of a creative and committed team where colleagues work together, share ideas and support one another.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in ourWorkforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Karen Harrison, she/her, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01284 758652 or emailingkaren.harrison@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

1. Give an example of when you built a trusting relationship with a child, young person, parent or carer who was initially reluctant to engage and were able to then work directly with that child or family to achieve a positive change.
2. Give an example of when you identified a safeguarding concern or risk involving a child. What action did you take?
3. Describe a time when you supported a family experiencing complex relationships, disagreement or conflict. How did you work towards a constructive outcome?
4. Describe a time when you worked with other professionals or services to provide coordinated support to a child or family.

Please note: Without the requested supporting documents, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read ourguidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 18 November 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

About us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).