Job summary

We're looking for a compassionate and experienced Social Worker to join our Family Support Team. This is an opportunity to use your professional expertise in a role that is both rewarding and impactful, helping families overcome complex challenges while ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are upheld.

Main duties of the job

As our Social Worker, you'll be a specialist resource for families and colleagues, providing expert advice, advocacy and practical support to families caring for a child with a life-limiting condition. You'll work closely with families facing complex social, emotional and practical challenges, helping them access the support they need and empowering them to navigate difficult situations with confidence.

You'll also play a key role within our multidisciplinary team, sharing your expertise, supporting safeguarding practice, developing colleagues and helping shape and improve services for children, young people and their families

About us

At Rainbows, we care for babies, children and young people with serious and Life shortening conditions, and the families who love and care for them. Every day, our teams provide expert care, emotional support and practical guidance when it matters most.

Details

Date posted

13 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£21,912 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

TA60

Job locations

Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Help families navigate some of lifes most challenging moments and make a lasting difference.

What you'll be doing

• Managing a specialist caseload of families requiring complex social work intervention.
• Providing advocacy, information and support around benefits, housing, statutory services and family rights.
• Working alongside families, attending meetings and building effective relationships with professionals and partner agencies.
• Supporting safeguarding practice alongside our Safeguarding Lead.
• Delivering training, supervision and professional guidance to colleagues.
• Building strong partnerships across the East Midlands to ensure families can access the right support at the right time.
• Contributing to service development, quality improvement and best practice across Rainbows.

About you

We're looking for someone who is:

• A registered Social Worker with Social Work England.
• Experienced in supporting children, young people and families with complex needs.
• Skilled in advocacy, safeguarding, assessment and partnership working.
• Confident working autonomously whilst being a valued member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Passionate about empowering families and improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Committed to learning, development and sharing knowledge with others.

Ready to make a difference?

If you're a passionate Social Worker looking for a role where your expertise can have a real and lasting impact on babies, children, young people and their families, we'd love to hear from you.

For an informal chat about the role please get in touch with Sarah Maskery, Safeguarding Lead [email protected]

Job description Job responsibilities Help families navigate some of lifes most challenging moments and make a lasting difference. What you'll be doing Managing a specialist caseload of families requiring complex social work intervention. Providing advocacy, information and support around benefits, housing, statutory services and family rights. Working alongside families, attending meetings and building effective relationships with professionals and partner agencies. Supporting safeguarding practice alongside our Safeguarding Lead. Delivering training, supervision and professional guidance to colleagues. Building strong partnerships across the East Midlands to ensure families can access the right support at the right time. Contributing to service development, quality improvement and best practice across Rainbows. About you We're looking for someone who is: A registered Social Worker with Social Work England. Experienced in supporting children, young people and families with complex needs. Skilled in advocacy, safeguarding, assessment and partnership working. Confident working autonomously whilst being a valued member of a multidisciplinary team. Passionate about empowering families and improving outcomes for children and young people. Committed to learning, development and sharing knowledge with others. Ready to make a difference? If you're a passionate Social Worker looking for a role where your expertise can have a real and lasting impact on babies, children, young people and their families, we'd love to hear from you. For an informal chat about the role please get in touch with Sarah Maskery, Safeguarding Lead [email protected]

Person Specification

Social Worker

Essential

• BA Social Work, MA Social Work, Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) or Diploma in Social Work (Dip. SW)
• Registration with Social Work England
• Post qualifying experience including completion of ASYE (where applicable)
• Experience of working with children, young people and families or young adults
• Experience of working with people with a health care need.
• Experience of community and/or lone working
• Understanding of legislation and practice guidance applicable to children and young people up to 19 with disabilities.
• Understanding of principles and procedures for accessing local authority services as well as local thresholds.
• Understanding of bereavement and loss
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with families in crisis
• Ability to assess the support needs of children/young people and families
• Ability to use own initiative and work autonomously
• Effective communication skills
• Good team work and leadership skills
• Car driver with access to vehicle
• Understanding of Equal Opportunities

Desirable

• Practice Educator
• Experience of working with families that include someone with palliative care needs
• Experience of mentoring/supporting others
• Experience of building relationships across difference services and professionals involved in supporting a family.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of working with children or vulnerable adults who need safeguarding
• Experience chairing group supervision
• Experience of using SystmOne or other information management systems.
• Understanding and experience of trauma informed practice.

Person Specification Social Worker Essential BA Social Work, MA Social Work, Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) or Diploma in Social Work (Dip. SW) Registration with Social Work England Post qualifying experience including completion of ASYE (where applicable) Experience of working with children, young people and families or young adults Experience of working with people with a health care need. Experience of community and/or lone working Understanding of legislation and practice guidance applicable to children and young people up to 19 with disabilities. Understanding of principles and procedures for accessing local authority services as well as local thresholds. Understanding of bereavement and loss Ability to build and maintain relationships with families in crisis Ability to assess the support needs of children/young people and families Ability to use own initiative and work autonomously Effective communication skills Good team work and leadership skills Car driver with access to vehicle Understanding of Equal Opportunities Desirable Practice Educator Experience of working with families that include someone with palliative care needs Experience of mentoring/supporting others Experience of building relationships across difference services and professionals involved in supporting a family. Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team Experience of working with children or vulnerable adults who need safeguarding Experience chairing group supervision Experience of using SystmOne or other information management systems. Understanding and experience of trauma informed practice.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

Address

Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.rainbows.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

Address

Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.rainbows.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)