Family Help Lead Practitioner - Children with Disabilities

Family Help Lead Practitioner (FHLP) Children with Disabilities Service

Work alongside families. Create change that lasts. Make a difference where it matters most.

We’re looking for passionate, skilled and compassionate practitioners to join our Family Help service as Lead Practitioners in our Children with Disabilities Service.

This is a role for people who want more than just a job, people who are committed to building meaningful relationships, working alongside families, and making a lasting difference to children and young people, including those with additional needs and disabilities.

If you believe every child deserves to be seen, heard, understood and supported to thrive in their own family and community, we want to hear from you.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.

About the Role

As a Family Help Lead Practitioner, you will work directly with children, young people and their families to provide early help and targeted support that improves outcomes and keeps children safe at home wherever possible.

You will:

• Build strong, trusting relationships with children, young people and their families
• Complete holistic, strengths-based assessments that recognise the lived experiences of children, including those with disabilities and additional needs
• Work in a trauma-informed and relational way that keeps the child’s voice central
• Develop and coordinate whole-family plans that are meaningful, achievable and focused on sustainable change
• Deliver evidence-informed interventions that build resilience and strengthen family networks
• Work closely with multi-agency partners, including education, health and community services
• Advocate for children and families, helping them navigate systems and access the right support at the right time

This is a frontline role where your work has a real and visible impact—helping children live safely, flourish within their families, and experience stability and belonging.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll be someone who:

• Has experience working with children, young people and families in a supportive or safeguarding context
• Brings a strong commitment to relational, strengths-based and trauma-informed practice
• Can build rapport quickly and have honest, respectful and compassionate conversations
• Is confident coordinating plans and working across multi-agency systems
• Is reflective, resilient and motivated to continuously develop your practice

Most importantly:
We’re looking for people who genuinely care, people who see the child beyond circumstances or diagnosis, who are curious, empathetic and determined to make a difference.

Working with Children with Disabilities

In Cheshire West and Chester, we are ambitious for all children.

You will work with children and young people with a range of needs, including those with disabilities, ensuring that:

• Their communication needs are understood and responded to
• Their strengths, interests and identity are recognised and celebrated
• Their voices shape the plans around them
• Families are supported to navigate services and reduce barriers
• Practice is inclusive, equitable and tailored to individual need

Your approach will recognise that families caring for children with disabilities may experience additional pressures—and you will work alongside them with sensitivity, respect and creativity.

Why Work With Us?

We know this is important and demanding work, so we are equally committed to supporting you.

You’ll benefit from:

• Regular, meaningful supervision and a strong reflective culture
• A supportive, team-based environment where colleagues look out for each other
• Access to learning and development, including specialist training
• Opportunities to grow and progress your career
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Generous annual leave and local government benefits

Above all, you’ll be part of a service that values relationships, prioritises children, and supports practitioners to do their best work.

Why This Work Matters

Children and families can face many challenges, especially when navigating complex systems or living with additional needs.

Your role will help ensure that:

• Children’s voices are heard and valued
• Families are empowered and supported
• Barriers to support are reduced
• Change is meaningful, sustainable and led with compassion

This is your opportunity to be part of something meaningful, challenging and deeply rewarding. 

Interested?

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference and be supported to do your best work, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and be part of a service that puts children, families and relationships first.

For an informal conversation please contact Senior Manager Sarah Banks, View email address on jobs.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or Head of Service Viki Mannion, View email address on jobs.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Please note that this job is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

To find out more information about what it is like to work for Cheshire West and Chester Council including our rewards and benefits please see 

No candidate will meet every single requirement - if your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!

Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment.  Please see the  Equality Policy for more information.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £13.45 per hour for all contracted hours.

For any technical enquiries please email  View email address on jobs.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and quote job reference number in all correspondence.