Job description

The Edge of Care intervention teams offer support to families where children are on the edge of care because of neglect and safeguarding concerns, where there are behavioural issues, and/or concern about parenting capacity. Often families find it easier to relate to the non- statutory workers and will buy into the programme of support on offer.

The teams also offer support to families where there are housing issues, substance abuse, domestic abuse, school refusal, mental health, or physical ill-health. The workers aim to provide intensive support at times of crisis providing a service that empowers the child and family, builds on their sense of self-worth and gives practical and emotional support. The team build effective relationships, resulting in the ability for the worker to motivate and influence parental behaviours using structured, evidence-based interventions that enable families to develop problem solving skills, build resilience and achieve positive, sustainable behaviour change.

We understand that only a small number of parents wilfully neglect their children and that often parents find themselves in unenviable situations where they feel overwhelmed and helpless. Following referral to the team we make an appraisal of the situation, is the child physically safe, nurtured, and happy? What do we need to do to support the family in making positive change? What strengths do we need to reinforce and build on?

The role will include:

• One-to one intense work with children and parents
• keeping children safely out of care
• improving children’s educational attendance, behaviour, and attainment
• reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the family
• improving employment outcomes for young people and parents
  cost-effective to provide

We work with a range of partner agencies in the statutory, voluntary, and private sector to provide services to meet the needs of our children and young people. This includes looking at health, education, training, employment, and placement needs.

We have a full time permanent post in our team which is based in the North of the city. You will need to have a knowledge of The Children’s Act and Leaving Care legislation as well as experience of being able to deal with conflict and challenging behaviour appropriately.

You will need to have English GCSE Grade 9-4 or equivalent, QCF Level 4 in Child care or significant experience of direct working with vulnerable children and families and working with multi-agency partners.

Further information available from:

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.

Job details Job reference REQ004094 Date posted 10/03/2026 Application closing date 01/04/2026 Location Sheffield Salary Grade 6 £33,143 to £37,580 Package Permanent for 52 weeks per year Contractual hours 37 Basis Blank Job category/type Children's Social Care