Support Worker, Child Development​/Support

Job title:

Support Worker

Job Type: Zero Hours (Bank Staff)

Company: ISWP Assessment Services, part of the ISWP Group

Salary scale: £13 per hour

Reporting into:
Social Work Manager

Service:
Children and Families

Location:

Kingston Upon Thames

ISWP Assessment Services are recruiting for support workers to take on zero-hour roles in the Kingston Upon Thames and are willing to commute. ISWP Assessment Services is a leading innovative company, providing independent assessment services, family contact supervision, welfare visits and parenting work. This role would require the support worker to complete a combination of the following tasks.

Contact supervision describes time spent by the child with significant family members, particularly birth parents with whom the child does not live with. The contact supervision will take place in the community, contact centres or in the family’s home. Some work requires collection and handovers of the child, in some cases with transport of children expected of the support worker.

• Supervise and support contact sessions between children and family members in line with care plans.
• Ensure a safe, neutral, and child‑focused environment during supervised contact.
• Observe and record the quality of interactions, noting any concerns or significant events.
• Promote positive family interactions while maintaining appropriate boundaries and safety protocols.
• Prepare clear, factual, and timely reports for use in court proceedings or case reviews.
• Work closely with social workers, guardians, and other professionals to support contact arrangements.
• Support children before, during, and after contact sessions to ensure emotional well‑being.
• Manage challenging behaviours and de‑escalate conflict during sessions, if necessary.
• Always uphold confidentiality and safeguarding procedures.
• Assist in planning and scheduling contact sessions, including transportation if required.

Parenting work requires working with children and young people, working with parents involved with social services to develop good parenting practices in their homes. This work needs focus on the baby/child’s needs and wellbeing as priority, with input in the areas of budgeting, organisation and time management education and support for the parents.

• Provide round‑the‑clock, in‑home parenting support to families with newborns or young children.
• Support parents in establishing safe routines for feeding, sleeping, and infant care.
• Model and encourage positive, responsive parenting techniques in real‑time.
• Monitor the physical and emotional well‑being of children, intervening appropriately if concerns arise.
• Work in partnership with families to build parenting confidence and resilience.
• Observe and report any safeguarding or welfare concerns in line with safeguarding procedures.
• Support families during times of crisis or high need, offering practical and emotional assistance.
• Collaborate with health visitors, social workers, and other professionals to ensure coordinated care.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of all interactions, progress, and interventions.
• Promote a nurturing and safe home environment that supports child development and attachment.

Welfare visits are taken place at homes of families involved with social services where there may be welfare concerns for the children. These visits are to check and report on the child’s general appearance and well‑being as well as their living conditions and environment including people who the child is exposed to.

• Conduct regular home and welfare visits to assess the well‑being of children and families.
• Build trusting relationships with families to provide practical and emotional support.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and report them in line with local authority procedures.
• Work closely with schools, social workers, and other professionals to coordinate care and support.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and produce timely reports following each visit.

• Satisfactory clearance of an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS, formerly CRB)
• Proof of right to work in the UK
• Ability to demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other peoples’ behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs
• Good report writing
• Good English language skills
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Ability to travel effectively to different locations; driving licence and access to a vehicle is preferred but not essential
• Flexibility – You must be willing to work evenings and weekends
• Previous experience would be advantageous but not essential as full training will be given

Note this post is exempt from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c.53) as it involves contact with children and vulnerable adults.