Purposes of the job

To coordinate and provide high-quality home-visiting family support for an allocated caseload of families experiencing isolation, disadvantage or complex and overlapping challenges. The postholder will build purposeful relationships, complete whole-family assessments, agree achievable plans and help families strengthen wellbeing, parenting confidence, relationships, routines, resilience and connection to their communities.

Working as part of the family support team, the postholder will coordinate appropriate volunteer involvement, review progress and work with partner services where necessary. They will maintain consistently high standards of safeguarding, professional boundaries, quality assurance and factual case recording.

The role is designed around approximately 80% family and volunteer support activity and 20% essential administration and factual recording. The balance may vary week to week depending on family circumstances, safeguarding needs, and service priorities. It is a rewarding role that also requires emotional self-awareness and resilience

Main Responsibilities

1. Referral, Assessment & Family Support

• Receive allocated referrals and manage an agreed caseload in partnership with the Family Support Manager, raising capacity or risk concerns promptly.
• Visit families in their homes and undertake proportionate whole-family assessments that identify strengths, protective factors, needs, risks, existing networks and what matters most to the family.
• Agree clear, realistic and measurable support plans with families in line with the Home-Start model, reviewing priorities as circumstances change.
• Provide purposeful, practical and emotionally attuned support while a family’s longer-term support pathway is established, without creating dependency or replacing specialist services.
• Help families identify workable solutions, build confidence and make use of their own strengths, relationships and community resources.
• Respond calmly and professionally when families are distressed, ambivalent or facing change, while remaining clear about the purpose and limits of HSCL support.
• Complete regular reviews with families and volunteers, recognise progress from the family’s starting point and agree next steps, onward connections or planned endings.

2. Volunteer Matching, Support & Supervision

• Work with the Volunteer Coordinator and Family Support Manager to make safe, thoughtful matches based on family needs, volunteer strengths, practical considerations and identified risks.
• Prepare and introduce volunteers to families, clarify the support plan and provide regular, recorded supervision and reflective support.
• Monitor volunteer wellbeing, boundaries, practice, reliability and progress, recognising good work and identifying support or development needs.
• Respond promptly to concerns, changes or difficulties in the volunteer-family relationship in collaboration with the Family Support Manager.
• Contribute family-support knowledge and practice examples to volunteer preparation, development and learning where required.

3. Safeguarding, Risk & Professional Practice

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults at all times, following HSCL procedures and local safeguarding arrangements.
• Recognise indicators of harm, escalating need or changing risk; record concerns factually and take timely action through consultation, escalation and referral.
• Maintain compassionate but clear professional boundaries, confidentiality and information-sharing practice, including when families’ circumstances are emotionally affecting.
• Complete and update risk assessments, lone-working arrangements and safety plans where required, and communicate relevant information appropriately.
• Use supervision, reflective discussion and agreed debriefing arrangements to test professional judgement, process emotional impact and maintain safe, effective practice.
• Take responsibility for personal wellbeing and professional development by recognising early signs of strain, seeking support and responding constructively to feedback.

4. Recording, Outcomes & Quality Assurance

• Maintain accurate, timely, relevant and factual case records using HSCL’s electronic recording systems, clearly distinguishing observation, family views, professional judgement and agreed action.
• Use Microsoft Office and online systems confidently for communication, case management, calendars, outcome monitoring and reporting, and learn new platforms as required.
• Record starting points, reviews, outcomes, significant changes and onward connections so that family progress and service quality can be evidenced.
• Complete the administrative requirements attached to family and volunteer support within agreed timescales and contribute reliable information to audits, funder reports and quality assurance processes.
• Work in accordance with data protection, information-sharing, health and safety, equality and organisational policies.

5. Partnership & Community Engagement

• Communicate effectively with referrers and partner agencies, ensuring families understand and consent to information sharing except where safeguarding duties require otherwise.
• Attend relevant multi-agency meetings, contribute proportionate family information and follow through agreed actions when required.
• Help families access suitable community, health, education, welfare and specialist services through information, supported introductions and warm referrals.
• Identify recurring gaps, barriers and emerging family needs and share learning that can improve HSCL services and local partnerships.

6. Organisational Contribution

• Contribute practical ideas, family insight and learning to service development, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Participate fully in team meetings, regular supervision, reflective practice, training and continuing professional development.
• Support an open team culture by sharing relevant information, asking for help when needed and offering appropriate support to colleagues.
  Undertake reasonable additional duties consistent with the purpose and level of the role.

Work context

You will be based at our head office in the centre of Chorley and be part of a passionate and supportive team. The role involves community-based work across multiple local authority areas. The postholder will work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Flexibility is required to respond to recruitment cycles and training schedules.

The role is an essential car user post and requires the use of a vehicle

Home-Start Central Lancashire is a fast-moving organisation, and therefore an employee’s duties may be varied from time to time. The post holder accepts that they may be asked to undertake any other work or duties as may reasonably be required within the scope of and commensurate with the nature of the post as and when required.”

Please refer to the guidance notes and person specification before you complete the application form and return it to jennifer@homestartcentrallancs.org.uk 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews on the following dates: Thursday 22nd October and Thursday 27th October 2026

Successful candidates will be subject to DBS checks and required to provide 2 references.

This job description is current as of September 2026

Purposes of the job

To coordinate and deliver high-quality early years support as part of HSCL’s family support team, through parent-and-child group sessions and family home visiting. The role will nurture the development and wellbeing of the whole family, strengthen parents’ understanding and confidence, and advance preschool children’s development in line with Early Years Foundation Stage principles and HSCL’s strengths-based, trauma-informed approach.

The postholder will help children and parents build on their strengths, reduce barriers to participation and make progress from their individual starting points. They will contribute to improved school readiness and local early years outcomes without duplicating the responsibilities of nurseries, schools, health professionals, or statutory assessment services.

Main Responsibilities

1. Early Years Group Delivery

• Plan, coordinate and facilitate welcoming, structured early years groups for parents and carers with children aged 0–5, including HSCL initiatives such as Budding Spirits where commissioned.
• Deliver developmentally appropriate sessions informed by EYFS principles, evidence-based early years practice and trauma-informed approaches.
• Create a warm, inclusive and engaging environment that is responsive to disability, neurodivergence, developmental difference, culture, literacy and family circumstances.
• Use play, conversation, movement, routines and shared activity to strengthen communication, personal, social and emotional development, physical skills, independence, curiosity, concentration and positive learning behaviours.
• Model activities and interactions for parents, explaining clearly what each activity supports and how learning can continue through affordable, everyday opportunities at home.
• Contribute to improved school-readiness and local EYFS outcomes by helping children build secure foundations for nursery, school and later learning.
• Observe and record children’s participation and developmental progress from their individual starting points, using proportionate tools and agreed outcome measures.
• Ensure group resources are safe, stimulating and well-maintained.
  

2. Family Home-Visiting Support

• Receive allocated referrals and develop a whole-family understanding of strengths, needs, protective factors and barriers in partnership with the family and Family Support Manager.
• Build safe, trusting and purposeful relationships with families through regular support in their own homes, following HSCL lone-working, safeguarding and recording procedures.
• Agree meaningful goals with parents and provide practical, strengths-based support that advances the child’s development while nurturing parental confidence, family relationships, routines and wellbeing.
• Make early development information accessible, demonstrate low-cost activities and help parents recognise the learning already taking place through everyday family life.
• Observe the child within their family context, respond sensitively to possible developmental or SEND concerns and help parents describe and seek appropriate support for their child’s needs.
• Support families who are not initially able to attend groups to build confidence and, where suitable, progress into community or early years provision when they are ready.
• Review progress with families and in supervision; support warm referrals or onward connections to groups, libraries, Family Hubs, health, nursery, school-transition or specialist services when appropriate.

3. Parent Partnership & Whole-Family Development

• Recognise parents and carers as partners and the most enduring influence on their children’s development.
• Explain child development, attachment, behaviour, emotional regulation, safeguarding and early-learning expectations in clear, relevant and non-judgemental language.
• Model practical approaches including responsive interaction, language-building, co-regulation, predictable routines, play and supported independence.
• Listen to parents’ lived knowledge, priorities and ideas and adapt support so that it is culturally respectful, realistic and achievable for the family.
• Build parents’ confidence to notice progress, identify concerns, advocate for their child and continue developmentally supportive activity beyond HSCL involvement.

4. Working with Volunteers

• Work with the Volunteer Coordinator and Family Support Manager to identify, prepare and support volunteers contributing to early years provision.
• Contribute early years insight to volunteer matching and introductions where volunteers will support young children and their families.
• Provide appropriate day-to-day guidance, reflective support and feedback to volunteers working within allocated groups or family support.
• Model inclusive, safe and developmentally appropriate practice and help volunteers recognise children’s strengths and progress.
• Share relevant observations and concerns through agreed supervision, safeguarding and escalation arrangements.
• Contribute to volunteer preparation training where relevant.

5. Safeguarding, Recording & Outcomes

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults at all times.
• Use HSCL’s electronic recording systems confidently to maintain accurate, timely and proportionate family, child, group and volunteer records.
• Agree and record individual starting points, priorities and outcomes with families; use observation, parent feedback and consistent tools to review progress.
• Identify emerging safeguarding, developmental or family concerns, record them clearly and follow HSCL procedures for supervision, escalation and referral.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, health and safety and risk management procedures.

Contribute reliable information to monitoring and evaluation reports for managers, funders and trustees, including reach, engagement, developmental progress, parent confidence and onward connections.

6. Partnership, Progression & Community Engagement

• Build effective relationships with referrers, health visitors, Family Hubs, libraries, early years settings, nurseries, schools and specialist professionals.
• Represent HSCL at relevant local early years networks.
• Help families make supported transitions and warm connections into the provision most appropriate for their child and circumstances.
• Identify gaps and barriers in local provision and contribute practical ideas to improve accessibility, progression and early years’ service development.

7. Organisational Contribution

• Contribute early years knowledge, family insight and learning from delivery to HSCL’s early intervention strategy and continuous service improvement.
• Support clear, inclusive promotion of early years groups, home-based pathways and family support opportunities through community and digital channels.
• Attend team meetings, supervision and training.
• Undertake reasonable additional duties consistent with the role.

Work context

You will be based at our head office in the centre of Chorley and be part of a passionate and supportive team. The role involves community-based work across multiple local authority areas. The postholder will work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Flexibility is required to respond to recruitment cycles and training schedules.

The role is an essential car user post and requires the use of a vehicle

Home-Start Central Lancashire is a fast-moving organisation, and therefore an employee’s duties may be varied from time to time. The post holder accepts that they may be asked to undertake any other work or duties as may reasonably be required within the scope of and commensurate with the nature of the post as and when required.”

Please refer to the guidance notes and person specification before you complete the application form and return it to jennifer@homestartcentrallancs.org.uk 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews on the following dates: Thursday 22nd October and Thursday 27th October 2026

Successful candidates will be subject to DBS checks and required to provide 2 references.

This job description is current as of September 2026

Job Description

To lead the recruitment, training, development and engagement of volunteers across HSCL, ensuring they are confident, supported, competent and connected to the organisation’s values and strategic vision.

The postholder will build and nurture a vibrant volunteer community, strengthen retention, and ensure volunteers are well-prepared to support families safely and effectively.

Main accountabilities

1. Volunteer Recruitment

• Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies to attract volunteers from diverse communities.
• Build partnerships with local organisations, community groups, colleges and businesses to promote volunteering opportunities.
• Represent HSCL at promotional and networking events.
• Manage safer volunteer recruitment processes including applications, interviews, references and DBS checks in line with safeguarding policy.
• Maintain accurate recruitment records using organisational systems.

2. Volunteer Training & Development

• Plan, organise and deliver engaging volunteer preparation training programmes.
• Adapt training to meet different learning styles, literacy levels and needs.
• Identify ongoing development and support needs of volunteers.
• Organise refresher training and thematic workshops as required.
• Monitor mandatory training compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and report on outcomes to senior leadership.

3. Volunteer Engagement & Retention

• Create and facilitate peer support opportunities (e.g., volunteer coffee mornings, reflection sessions, group check-ins).
• Proactively support volunteer wellbeing, confidence and motivation.
• Develop volunteer recognition and appreciation initiatives.
• Gather volunteer feedback and contribute to service improvement.
• Work closely with the Family Support Manager to address volunteer-related concerns promptly and appropriately.

4. Systems, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate volunteer records using HSCL recording systems and databases.
• Produce reports on recruitment, retention, training and engagement metrics.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, and risk management procedures.
• Work within agreed budgets for recruitment and training activities.

5. Partnership & Organisational Contribution

• Develop positive relationships with external agencies and voluntary sector partners.
• Support the promotion of volunteering through social media and community engagement activities.
• Attend team meetings, supervision and training as required.
• Undertake reasonable additional duties appropriate to the role.

Additional responsibilities

• Attend in-house and relevant external training courses, as agreed with the CEO.
• Practice and comply with all aspects of Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Charity’s current Health and Safety policies.
• Undertake any reasonable tasks from time to time at the CEO’s request, as may be deemed appropriate within the scope of the post.
• Attend networking and promotional events as requested.

Work context

You will be based at our head office in the centre of Chorley and be part of a passionate and supportive team. The role involves community-based work across multiple local authority areas. The postholder will work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Flexibility is required to respond to recruitment cycles and training schedules.

The role is an essential car user post and requires the use of a vehicle

Home-Start Central Lancashire is a fast-moving organisation, and therefore an employee’s duties may be varied from time to time. The post holder accepts that they may be asked to undertake any other work or duties as may reasonably be required within the scope of and commensurate with the nature of the post as and when required.”

Please refer to the guidance notes and person specification before you complete the application form and return to jennifer@homestartcentrallancs.org.uk 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews on the following dates: Thursday 22nd October and Thursday 27th October 2026

Successful candidates will be subject to DBS checks and required to provide 2 references.

This job description is current as of September 2026