Family Support Practitioner
Description
Family Support Practitioner (Toy, Book and Library bus service).
Salary: £26,006.84 per annum, pro rata.
Location: Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
Contract/Hours: Permanent, Part-time (working 30 hours a week).
Benefits:
Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave pro rata and the option to buy or sell leave.
1 well-being day per year.
Cycle to work scheme.
Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles.
Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages.
Up to 7% employer pension contribution and life assurance cover.
Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers.
Vulnerable children in the UK need your help
Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.
Last year, we helped more than 687,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.
Why Action for Children?
Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.
About the service
Ballymena & Little Steps Sure Start provides a range of health, play & learning and parenting support services to children, from pre-birth up to four years, and their families. The project comprises a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary team and works in close partnership with a range of local Statutory, Voluntary and Community service providers to promote effective service delivery in response to the needs of the expectant parents, children and families across the designated SureStart areas. Sure Start services are provided from 3 centre bases across the localities, within the home setting or through outreach settings.
A bit about the role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative and community-focused individual to deliver our Toy, Book and Library Bus Service for children aged 0–4 years old and their families. This exciting role provides opportunities to support early learning, play and family engagement by bringing toys, books and learning resources directly into communities.
The successful candidate will create welcoming and inclusive experiences that encourage children to develop a love of books, learning and play from an early age while supporting parents and carers with ideas and resources to promote child development at home.
How you'll help to create brighter futures
Deliver a mobile toy, book and library bus service within the local community.
Plan and facilitate engaging early years sessions for children aged 0–4 years and their families.
Promote overall development and learning through play.
Build positive relationships with families, community groups and partner organisations.
Manage the loan, return and maintenance of resources.
Ensure the vehicle, equipment and resources are safe, organised and well-presented.
Record attendance, monitor service usage and contribute to reporting requirements.
Support outreach activities and community events to raise awareness of the service.
Maintain safeguarding, health and safety and organisational policies at all times.
Let’s talk about you:
Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care, Early Years Childcare or equivalent.
Experience of working with families and children and supporting their individual needs.
A thorough understanding of child protection and Safeguarding.
An understanding of the physical, intellectual, linguistic, social and emotional growth as part of child development.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds to build strong and collaborative relationships.
Strong record keeping skills to complete assessments, service plans and reviews.
Good IT skills.
The ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
A flexible and positive approach to community-based work.
Full driving licence and ability to drive a sprinter van.
What We Offer
A rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on children's early development.
Ongoing training and professional development.
A supportive and collaborative working environment.
Opportunities to build strong community partnerships and help families thrive.
Closing date: Thursday 22nd October 2026.
Interviews will be conducted face to face week commencing 2nd November 2026.
Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
To be eligible for this position you must complete an Access Ni Enhanced Disclosure.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.
A copy of the Access Ni Code of Practice can be found here.
Policies on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders & Access Ni Disclosure Handing Policy are also available on demand.
Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism
At Action for Children, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we are taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve.
We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently under-represented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities.
We also encourage applications from men, who are under-represented in our Children’s Services roles. We recognise that people hold multiple identities, and we value the richness this brings to our team.
Want to know more about Action for Children?
Find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.
Job Description
See below for further information about working with us:
AfC Commitment Statement
Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet