Early Lead Practitioner; Targeted

Position: Early Help Lead Practitioner (Targeted Early Help)
Location:

Wakefield
Service Area:
Early Help

Contract:

Agency / Contract Opportunity
Work Style:
Flexible / Locality Based

We are recruiting an experienced Early Help Lead Practitioner to join a multi-disciplinary team delivering Wakefield’s Early Help Offer. This is a key frontline role supporting children, young people and families through early intervention, targeted support and coordinated multi-agency working.

Role Overview

The post holder will provide rapid response to Early Help referrals received through the Integrated Front Door, supporting early identification of need, information gathering, and appropriate allocation.

You will act as a Lead Practitioner for Targeted Early Help, working directly with children, young people and families, and alongside partner agencies to:

* Reduce risk

* Increase resilience

* Improve outcomes for children and families

The role adopts a whole-family, strengths-based approach, ensuring coordinated, effective, and proportionate intervention.

Key Responsibilities

* Rapid response to Early Help referrals to determine immediate needs and risks

* Lead practitioner role for Targeted Early Help cases

* Case management of families with multiple and complex needs

* Undertake assessments and develop whole-family support plans

* Lead and coordinate multi-agency support packages

* Chair and lead multi-agency review meetings

* Deliver direct interventions with children and families

* Support information gathering and appropriate service allocation

* Report on outcomes in line with the Children and Young People’s Performance Framework

* Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering the Early Help Offer

* Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, national guidance and local policy

* Support risk reduction, resilience building and long-term positive outcomes

Candidate Requirements

* Significant experience in Early Help / Children & Families / Targeted Support services

* Strong case management and assessment experience

* Experience working with families with multiple and complex needs

* Multi-agency working experience

* Strong safeguarding knowledge

* Ability to lead, coordinate and manage complex support packages

* Excellent communication, engagement and relationship-building skills

* Ability to work in a fast-paced, referral-driven environment

* Professional qualification at Level 5 / Degree level (or equivalent experience)

* Enhanced DBS required

Working Arrangements

* Locality-based working across Wakefield

* Flexible work style

* Multi-agency environment

* Some evening/weekend working may be required

* Travel across the district as required

This is a high-impact role for an experienced practitioner who wants to make a real difference to children, young people and families through early intervention and coordinated support