At Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy, we believe in supporting not just our children, but their families too. We are seeking an empathetic and committed Family Support Worker to join our inclusion team. You will play a vital role in strengthening family-school relationships and ensuring every child has the support they need to thrive.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of families in our community.  We know the importance of a child knowing that there is someone who champions and believes in them whatever happens.

Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy is a wonderful school located in the heart of Bilsthorpe. The school emphasises high expectations, a warm, nurturing environment, and welcomes families and the wider community as part of its culture. For example, it was described in its latest inspection as “an inclusive and caring … supportive oasis” for pupils.

Emotional wellbeing is a priority: the school has achieved recognition as a “Thrive School of Excellence” for its whole-school approach to relationships and children’s emotional health.

Community events play a strong role — the school hosts activities such as family fun events and firework nights bringing together children, parents and local residents.

 We have a commitment and passion to ensure that every child has the support, care, guidance and challenge to set them on the right path.   We value the relationships we have with our children and their families and see the importance of working in a partnership together.

You will be joining a strong and supportive staff team who are creative and innovative and provide the best learning opportunities for all of our pupils. We are always striving to develop, learn and improve our practice and our pastoral offer is central to this being successful. 

No two days will be the same, it is a varied, exciting, challenging and rewarding role.

You will be able to build trusting relationships with children and their families by offering a non-judgmental, listening ear and offer advice and guidance appropriately.  This might be supporting a child who is struggling to come into school that morning, providing support internally through our pastoral offer or signposting families to external agencies. You will be involved in working with other agencies that work to support families and be part of creating packages of support.

As part of the classroom support responsibilities, you will assist teachers in delivering engaging and inclusive lessons, helping to facilitate pupils’ learning across a range of subjects. The role involves providing targeted one-to-one or small group support for children with additional needs, helping to manage classroom behaviour, and encouraging positive interactions among pupils.  You will also support the emotional wellbeing and social development of children, contributing to a nurturing learning environment. 

As part of your role you will be part of our Designated Safeguarding Team, lead by our Head Teacher and other member of the Senior Leadership Team.  This will involve responding to any safeguarding issues that our children may face following the school policies and procedures, attending social care meeting and monitoring these families in school to ensure that they are safe and cared for.

You will also be responsible for the daily monitoring of our children’s attendance.  This will involve working with the families to identify any barriers they are facing which is impacting on attendance and using the ATTEND Framework to provide support.  If you are not familiar with this training will be given. 

Maintaining accurate and confidential records of family interactions, support provided, and any concerns raised will be essential and you will work alongside the Family Support Worker and SENDCO to complete referrals and other paperwork needed to access support. 

We are looking for someone who has:

·       Care: passionately cares about the welfare of children and their families and always puts children at the heart of all they do

·       Strong Communication Skills: the ability to engage positively with families, colleagues and external agencies, both in person and in writing.

·       Empathy and Patience: a sensitive, compassionate approach to supporting families facing challenges.

·       Organisation Skills: capable of managing multiple caseloads and keeping clear, thorough records.

·       Understanding of Child Development: awareness of emotional, social, and developmental needs of children and young people.

·       Experience: experience working with children and families in social work, childcare, family support, or a related field.

·       Positivity: is a happy positive person who looks for solutions not problems and will roll up their sleeves and get stuck in

We can offer you:

• A fantastic working environment, in a team that works together for the benefit of children in our school
• Support from experienced staff who care passionately about the children and families they work with
• A school who values pastoral and academic care equally and recognises the importance of both to enable children to achieve their very best
• An opportunity to be part of a supportive, developmental partnership
• The opportunity for quality Continuous Professional Learning
• Pensions scheme with generous employer contributions.
• An organisation committed to supporting and enabling all staff
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme, offering specialist support including counselling, financial support, and legal advice.

Application Details

Early application is strongly encouraged, as we reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the closing date.

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applicants. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.

 If you would like to apply for this role please arrange a visit to the school so you can see more of what we offer and the role that you would be applying for.  If you are unable to visit then please contact the school office to arrange a telephone call with our Head Teacher, Sarah Camish. 

We are really looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you as part of our team.