Job Description

Family Support Worker/Social Work Assistant (Direct Payments – Children with Disabilities Team)

Location: Weston-super-Mare

North Somerset Council

Contract: Initial 5 months

Rate: £22 per hour (Umbrella)

Team: Children with Disabilities / Direct Payments Service

About the Role North Somerset Council is seeking a Family Support Worker / Social Work Assistant to join its expanding Direct Payments Service within the Children with Disabilities Team. This is a non-finance role focused on supporting families, reviewing care packages, and ensuring effective use of direct payments to meet children’s needs.

You will work alongside another Direct Payments Officer, supporting families to manage and review their direct payment arrangements, ensuring care plans remain appropriate and effective.

Key Responsibilities

Work directly with children with disabilities and their families

Review and monitor direct payment packages

Support care planning and needs assessments

Conduct occasional home visits

Liaise with families, professionals, and internal teams

Present cases and updates at resource panels

Ensure accurate and person-centred recording of information

Support the ongoing development of the Direct Payments ServiceEssential Requirements

Experience working with children with disabilities or within SEND services

Understanding of care planning, assessments, and review processes

Experience or knowledge of direct payments or personal budgets (desirable)

Ability to work with families in a supportive and professional manner

Strong communication and organisational skillsDesirable

Familiarity with LCS (Liquidlogic Children’s System)

Previous experience in a local authority children’s services setting

Experience attending or contributing to multi-agency panelsFull training will be provided where needed.

Important Note This is not a finance role. The focus is on safeguarding, support planning, and ensuring effective delivery of care packages through direct payments