Job Introduction
Starting salary for this role rom 1st April 2026 is £34,434 (pro rata for part-time colleagues)
This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.
Internal colleagues are also normally appointed at the bottom of the band, unless moving within the same profession and skill level, where the pay band is the same they can be appointed to the existing pay point.
Learn more in our ‘More than just a job’ brochure on our careers site.
BCP Council is looking for a dedicated and compassionate family support practitioner to join our Fostering special guardianship support team.
Due to expansion in our service, we have an exciting opportunity to join our team. We are looking for a family support practitioner to work within our specialist Special Guardianship support service which sits within the Fostering, Kinship and Supported lodgings service. You will also collaborate with the work being undertaken for BCP’s Kinship Care strategy, to provide high quality support for all kinship carers, ensuring partnership working across all relevant agencies.
About the Role:
As a Family Support practitioner in the Special Guardianship Support team, you will provide vital support to children, young people and their carers, working closely with all other professionals.
The Special guardianship support team provides the following services:
- Full family needs assessments
- Advice, guidance and signposting
- Assistance in relation to supporting positive family time
- Access to therapeutic services
- Support groups, family fun days and general social activities.
We work closely with special guardians, supporting them with the challenges they face in providing care for someone else’s child. We want to ensure the family environment remains positive for both the child and family.
If you are a reflective, proactive family support practitioner who is interested in broadening your horizons, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career. You will work alongside a team of highly skilled and motivated individuals. You will deliver high-quality support and will have the opportunity to utilise creativity as we continue to develop the Kinship service within BCP Council.
Your role will involve:
- Building strong relationships with children, young people, their careers and families to support positive outcomes.
- Direct work with any family member, including training in topics such as PACE parenting, attachment theory and emotional literacy.
- Supporting and facilitating support events for the families.
- Use of excellent interpersonal skills and be committed to working in collaboration with colleagues and partners across children’s services to achieve an effective and efficient service
- Undertaking/supporting robust high-quality assessments of current need and ongoing support need, in line with the requirements of the relevant legislation
- Writing, sourcing and reviewing of Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund applications. This could include home visits and direct work with children, ensuring the voice of the child is heard in all decision making.
- The core functions of the role will be that of the Family Support Practitioner.
What We’re looking for:
- Experience of working with complex referrals and challenging casework and have high quality skills in analysis of risk and decision making.
- Experience working with Children, Young People, and Families in a Support or Care setting.
- Be willing to develop confident presentation skills.
- Have a commitment to continuous professional development.
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- A passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families.
- To have your own mode of transport (essential car user).
- Able to work creatively in a fast-paced team and confidence in multi-tasking, prioritising and working to time scales.
- High level of computer literacy and a good level of understanding using Microsoft Excel.
- Desirable – a qualification in play therapy or similar.
Job Requirements
- Enhanced DBS check
- Ability to travel across BCP and Dorset council areas using own transport.
- There can be occasional out of county work.
For an informal discussion about the role above, please contact:
Samantha Hayward Team Manager Special Guardianship Support Team at samantha.hayward@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work.
We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.
From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need.
It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible.
If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP
About BCP Council
BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.
Our Benefits
A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council
At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.
Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at (Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page)
Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you
More About us | Working for BCP
DBS
BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Role Profile for more details.
