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Family support worker
Family support workers help families with long or short term problems.
Average salary (a year)
£19000
Starter
£35000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
36.0 to 38.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
away from home
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; volunteering; applying directly
College
You could do a level 3 diploma in health and social care or children and young people's workforce.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-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
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
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).
Direct Application
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
More Information
Further Information
You can find out more about careers in support work from Think Care Careers.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Other Requirements
For many roles you may be expected to have a driving licence with no penalty points.
Related Restrictions
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
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
Working environment
You could work at a school, in an office, at a client's home or in a court.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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