What Employers Look for in Family Support Worker Jobs
If you’re thinking about a fresh start in care, a family support worker role could be an opportunity to use the experience you already have in a new setting.
Family support workers play an important role in supporting children, young people and families through a range of circumstances. Because of this, employers are looking for more than just qualifications and previous job titles. Your experience, approach and ability to build positive relationships can all make a difference.
But what exactly are employers looking for when recruiting family support workers?
Ready for something new?
Experience supporting children, young people or families
Previous experience working with children, young people or families can be a great starting point for a family role.
This could include experience in care, education support work, residential settings, community services or other related roles.
You may already have developed skills that can transfer into family support, even if your previous job title wasn’t family support worker.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills
Building trust is an important part of supporting families.
Employers may look for people who can communicate clearly, listen to others and develop positive professional relationships with children, young people, parents and other professionals.
Every family is different, so being able to adapt your communication style and approach to the individual you’re supporting can be valuable.
Patience, empathy and a person-centred approach
Family support can involve working with people experiencing or difficult circumstances.
Employers may therefore look for candidates who can remain patient, understanding and supporting while keeping the needs of the child or family at the centre of their work.
Having empathy doesn’t mean simply understanding someone’s situation. It can also mean being able to provide consistent support without judgement.
An understanding of safeguarding
Safeguarding is an important part of working with children and young people.
Family support workers need to understand their responsibilities around keeping children and vulnerable people safe, recognising potential concerns and following the appropriate procedures.
Depending on the role, employers may also look for relevant safeguarding knowledge or training.
Reliability and teamwork
Family support often involves working alongside other professionals and organisations, so being reliable and able to work as part of a team is important.
You may work alongside social workers, teachers, care professionals, healthcare workers and other support services.
Being able to communicate effectively with colleagues, follow agreed plans and contribute positively to a wider support network can all be important parts of the role.
A willingness to learn and develop
You don’t necessarily need to have every skill or piece of experience from day one.
A willingness to learn, take on feedback and develop your skills can be just as important. Training and ongoing development can help you build your confidence and knowledge as you progress in your role.
If you’re already working in care, education, support work or a related setting, you may have more transferable experience than you realise.
Could your experience open the door to family support?
A fresh start doesn’t always mean starting from scratch.
This experience you’ve gained in your current or previous role could give you a strong foundation for a move into family support work. Whether you’re looking for a different setting, new responsibilities or simply want to explore where your experience could take you next, it’s worth looking at the opportunities available.
Interesting in Family Support Work?
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