Family Support Worker

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance - and we're putting wellbeing first.

That's why we're proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW - and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it's already in place or just around the corner, now's the perfect time to join .

Job Title: Family Support Worker

Location: Orchards Manor, Near Kings Lynn, Downham Market, PE34 3HT

Salary: £25,089 per annum (Not pro rata)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start: January 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

We're thrilled to be opening Orchards Manor School, a brand-new Options Autism provision near Downham Market - and we're looking for a compassionate, proactive Family Support Worker to be part of our founding team.

This is an incredible opportunity to help shape the culture of a new school dedicated to supporting children and young people with autism and complex needs. At Orchards Manor, we're creating a safe, nurturing environment where every pupil - and their family - can flourish.

If you're someone who builds trust through empathy, listens without judgment, and believes in the power of strong family-school partnerships, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As a Family Support Worker, you'll play a key role in promoting the wellbeing of pupils and their families. This is a diverse, people-focused role where no two days are the same - blending family support, safeguarding, and attendance work to ensure every young person receives the care, understanding, and opportunities they deserve.

You'll be a bridge between home and school, helping families overcome barriers, access resources, and build brighter futures.

Key Responsibilities

Family Support:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with students and their families to understand their unique needs and challenges.
• Provide emotional support, counselling, and guidance to families facing various issues, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health concerns, or housing instability.
• Assist families in accessing community resources and services to address their specific needs.
• Consider and develop concepts such as training offers that can create lifelong change for the families we support.

Liaison and Collaboration:

• Work effectively in collaboration with the whole school team and current family support lead.
• Act as a bridge between the school, students, families, and external agencies, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Attend meetings with parents, teachers, counsellors, and other professionals to discuss student progress, challenges, and support plans.
• Build close links with Adult Education re delivery of family learning sessions and well-being sessions and Read Easy (support for parents who are unable to read)

Safeguarding:

• Identify and report cases of child safeguarding concerns, abuse, neglect, or potential harm promptly and in accordance with established protocols.
• Collaborate with the school's safeguarding team, local authorities, and child protection agencies to ensure appropriate interventions and follow-up actions.

Who We're Looking For

You'll bring:

• Proven experience supporting children, families, or young people - ideally within education, social care, or a similar setting
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality practices
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Empathy, patience, and resilience - with a genuine passion for helping families thrive
• A collaborative approach, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team

About us

Orchards Manor School, part of Options Autism, is a brand-new specialist school opening near King's Lynn in Downham Market. The school will cater for up to 72 pupils aged 5 to 16 with a variety of complex needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

Orchards Manor is an independent specialist school where the curriculum is thoughtfully designed around the specific needs of autistic learners and those with related needs. Education is supported by a fully integrated on-site clinical team, ensuring a holistic, person-centred approach to learning and wellbeing.

At Orchards Manor, we are committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you'll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you'll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that's right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100's of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

You'll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales