Family Support Worker

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the South West Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a stressful and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change – and how best to help others deal with its impact.

Location:

This post will cover the South West of England, with this position focusing on Bristol and the surrounding area.

Download the full Job Description and Person Specification here:
https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/uploads/other/jobs/FSW-Job-Description-and-Person-Specification-2025.pdf

What we’re looking for:

– An experienced child health, education or social care professional – applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care
– A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly
– Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection – you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines
– Practical and people-oriented – you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)
– A persuasive and open communicator – you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates
– A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

More information can also be found in our Candidate pack here: https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/uploads/other/jobs/Candidate_Pack_Aug-24.pdf

As part of our learning and development Anne Harris skills development programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, introduction to play.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

Please visit our website to apply: https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/jobs/family-support-worker-south-west-care-team-bristol-and-surrounding-areas