Family Support and Children's Activity Worker (Part Time)
Salary £ £13.50 per hour (Approximately 18 hours a month term time)
Venues across South Essex (Southend, Rochford, Benfleet)
Vacancy listed 24/08/2026
Application deadline 14/09/2026
Details
Job Description: Family Support and Children's Activity Worker (Part Time)
Reports to: Business & Operations Manager

Location: Hybrid working pattern: a blend of community outreach, office-based duties, with required travel to venues, sessions, and events across South Essex. Venues may be subject to change.

Hours of work: Term Time Only 

The postholder will work during school term only:-

Every Wednesday 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm – STRM Bouldering Club at Indirock, Southend

Once per month 3.30 pm to 6.00pm – STRM Play Centre session at Monkey Bizness, Rochford

Third Wednesday of each month 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at the STRM office Benfleet – team working, administration, supervision, family follow up and service planning. 

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract – 1st October 2026 to 31st July 2027 with the possibility of extension subject to continued funding and organisational need 

Salary / Rate:  Hourly Rate £13.50 per hour (163 hours)
·         20 days annual leave (pro-rata) + bank holidays
·         Pension eligibility (in line with STRM policy)
·         Mileage reimbursement for authorised travel
·         Paid training & learning sessions
·         Carer-friendly flexibility
·         Access to Work support (equipment or adjustments where applicable)
·         Discounted carers’ breaks
·         Team-building sessions and peer support
·         Discount schemes for charity workers
 
About STRM
SEND the Right Message (STRM) is a “by parents, for parents” registered charity.
We aim to improve the lives of families across Southend, Castle Point, Rochford, and Essex where a child or young person (aged 0–25) has, or may have, special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Our vision is for parent carers, children, and young people with SEND to fulfil their potential — enabling families to live happier, healthier, longer lives. We are a neuro-affirming, family-led organisation guided by our GUIDE.

We are committed to maintaining a culture of inclusion, transparency, and trust where safeguarding, equality, and lived experience are at the heart of all we do.
  
Role Summary
To provide a consistent, welcoming and supportive STRM presence at our term-time activities, helping neurodivergent children, young people and their families feel included, understood and connected and helping families access appropriate information and support.

The role combines practical support at activities with family support, information, signposting, referrals, follow-up and administration.

The postholder will build positive relationships with families, recognise when additional support may be needed and help families connect with STRM's wider support offer.

Parents and carers remain responsible for their children throughout STRM activities.
This role does not provide childcare or replace parental/carer supervision.
 This role requires excellent organisation, strong interpersonal skills, confident communication, and the ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and kindness at all times.
 
Main Duties and Responsibilities
 
Weekly Bouldering – Indirock, Southend
  • Prepare the STRM area before families arrive. 
  • Welcome and check in children, young people and their parents/carers. 
  • Help children and young people settle and feel comfortable within the environment. 
  • Encourage participation while recognising and respecting individual needs and choices. 
  • Provide a calm and approachable STRM presence. 
  • Work appropriately alongside the bouldering instructor and Indirock staff. 
  • Be available to parents and carers who would like SEND-related information or support. 
  • Identify families who may benefit from further STRM support, signposting or referral. 
  • Promote relevant STRM activities, resources and support. 
  • Recognise and report safeguarding or welfare concerns appropriately. 
  • Complete relevant attendance, monitoring and session records. 
The climbing instructor remains responsible for delivery of the bouldering activity. Parents/carers remain responsible for their child.

Monthly Play Centre – Monkey Bizzness, Rochford
  • Prepare the STRM area/private room before families arrive. 
  • Welcome families and provide a visible and approachable STRM presence. 
  • Help children and families settle into the environment. 
  • Support families to use the STRM room as a quieter base where appropriate. 
  • Be available to parents and carers who would like information or support. 
  • Identify families who may benefit from further STRM support. 
  • Provide appropriate information, signposting and referrals. 
  • Encourage positive connections between families where appropriate. 
  • Liaise appropriately with Monkey Bizzness staff. 
  • Follow STRM and venue safeguarding, health and safety and incident procedures. 
  • Complete relevant attendance, monitoring and session records. 
 
The Play Centre is not a drop-off activity. Parents and carers remain responsible for their children throughout.

Family Support
The postholder will:
  • Listen to parents and carers in a compassionate and non-judgemental way. 
  • Help families understand the support and options available to them. 
  • Provide information about STRM services, activities, workshops and resources. 
  • Provide appropriate SEND information and signposting within the boundaries of the role. 
  • Support families to access relevant community, voluntary and statutory services. 
  • Identify families requiring additional or more individualised STRM support. 
  • Make or support appropriate referrals with consent. 
  • Arrange agreed follow-up where appropriate. 
  • Recognise when an issue should be escalated to another member of the STRM team. 
  • Maintain clear professional boundaries. 
  • Not provide legal, medical or clinical advice outside the scope of the role. 
 
Monthly Office Session – STRM Office, Benfleet

On the third Wednesday of each month during term time, 9:30am–12:30pm, the postholder will attend the STRM Office to:
  • Participate in team meetings and supervision where scheduled. 
  • Complete Lamplight records and administration. 
  • Review families requiring follow-up. 
  • Complete agreed follow-up contact, referrals and signposting. 
  • Discuss appropriate concerns with the Family Support Team. 
  • Share emerging themes and unmet needs identified through activities. 
  • Prepare for upcoming sessions. 
  • Keep up to date with STRM services and referral pathways. 
  • Contribute to monitoring and outcomes for funded activities. 
  • Undertake relevant training and reflective practice where scheduled. 
 
Administration & Monitoring
Maintain accurate attendance records. 
  • Record relevant family support interactions on Lamplight. 
  • Record signposting, referrals, actions and outcomes. 
  • Complete agreed follow-up. 
  • Maintain confidential and proportionate records. 
  • Follow STRM's GDPR and data protection procedures. 
  • Complete appropriate incident and safeguarding records. 
  • Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and family feedback. 
  • Report significant concerns or emerging needs to the Business & Operations Manager.
 
Safeguarding, Health & Safety
The postholder will:
  • Follow STRM's safeguarding policies and procedures. 
  • Recognise and promptly report safeguarding concerns. 
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries. 
  • Understand the limits of confidentiality. 
  • Follow STRM and venue risk assessments and health and safety procedures. 
  • Report accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards. 
  • Follow lone-working procedures where applicable. 
  • Complete all required safeguarding and mandatory training. 
  • Work in accordance with STRM policies, procedures and Code of Conduct. 

End-of-Contract Administration & Handover
At the end of the summer term, the postholder will be expected to:
  • Ensure all Lamplight records, attendance and outcome information are complete and up to date. 
  • Complete or appropriately hand over any outstanding family follow-up. 
  • Ensure referrals and agreed actions have been recorded. 
  • Complete end-of-project monitoring and feedback as required. 
  • Organise and return STRM activity resources and equipment. 
  • Provide a clear handover of any ongoing family support matters. 
  • Highlight any safeguarding, welfare or other matters requiring continued oversight. 
  • Contribute to an end-of-year review of the bouldering and play-centre activities. 
  • Complete any other reasonable close-down administration relating to the role.
 
Person Specification - Essential Skills & Experience
  • Experience working with children, young people and/or families through employment, volunteering or other relevant experience. 
  • Good understanding of neurodivergence and SEND. 
  • Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR, equality and inclusion. 
  • Confident using IT, digital systems, social media and the telephone to communicate professionally with families and partner organisations. 
  • Compassionate and non-judgemental approach with strong active-listening skills. 
  • Ability to communicate effectively with children, young people and parents/carers. 
  • Ability to adapt communication to different needs. 
  • Confidence providing information and appropriate signposting. 
  • Ability to recognise when additional support or escalation is required. 
  • Understanding of professional boundaries. 
  • Good organisation and time-management skills. 
  • Ability to maintain accurate records and use digital systems. 
  • Ability to work independently while contributing to the wider STRM team. 
  • Reliable and able to commit to the required term-time weekly and monthly working pattern. 
  • Commitment to STRM's GUIDE Values and neurodiversity-affirming practice. 
  • Ability to travel reliably to all required venues. 

Personal Qualities
  • Kind, compassionate and non-judgemental. 
  • Calm, approachable and trustworthy. 
  • Patient and understanding. 
  • Comfortable engaging with children, young people and adults. 
  • Respectful of different communication, sensory and regulation needs. 
  • Able to remain calm when a child or family is distressed or overwhelmed. 
  • Reliable and able to work independently. 
  • Comfortable asking for support and escalating concerns. 
  • Open to learning, feedback and reflective practice. 
  • Passionate about inclusion, fairness and empowerment. 
 
Desirable
Experience supporting neurodivergent children, young people or SEND families. 
  • Experience within a charity, community, education or family-support setting. 
  • Knowledge of local SEND and family-support services. 
  • Experience of signposting and referrals. 
  • Experience using Lamplight or another CRM. 
  • Relevant SEND, family support, youth work or community-based training. 
 
Key Working Relationships
CEO; Business & Operations Manager; STRM Family Support Team; staff and volunteers; Indirock instructors and staff; Monkey Bizness staff; parents and carers; children and young people; and relevant community organisations.

Training and Development
STRM invests in its people. All staff complete mandatory safeguarding, 

Data protection and equality training, with access to Learning and reflection sessions for personal growth, reflective practice, and professional development aligned with our GUIDE Values.

Our GUIDE Values
All staff and volunteers are expected to demonstrate STRM's GUIDE Values in the way they work with children, young people, families, colleagues and partner organisations.

The postholder must uphold these values in their communication, decision-making, safeguarding, professional boundaries and everyday practice.

Our GUIDE Values

| G – Growth | Championing radical resilience and confidence in families and communities.
| U – Understanding | Listening with kindness, empathy, and compassion.
| I – Integrity | Acting with honesty, authenticity, and transparency — building trust in all we do.
| D – Diversity | Valuing difference, welcoming everyone, and celebrating uniqueness.
| E – Encouragement | Creating safe, nurturing spaces where families feel supported to thrive.

Safeguarding Statement
STRM – SEND the Right Message Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults at risk, and families.
 
 Safer recruitment is a vital part of this commitment, and all trustees, staff, and volunteers are expected to share this responsibility and uphold our GUIDE Values in every role.

All appointments are subject to appropriate checks, including references and an Enhanced DBS, in line with STRM’s Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policies.

 Additional Information
  • Occasional work at other venues may be required.
  • Confidentiality must be maintained in line with STRM policies.
  • This is a fixed contract role however will be reviewed with the possibility of extension subject to continued funding and organisational need 

Data Protection and Privacy
When you apply for a role with STRM, we collect and process your data responsibly and transparently.
Please read our Candidate Privacy Notice to understand how we handle and protect your personal information during the recruitment process.

 
 


 
 


Benefits

• 20 days annual leave (pro-rata) + bank holidays
• Pension eligibility (in line with STRM policy)
• Mileage reimbursement for authorised travel
• Paid training & learning sessions
• Carer-friendly flexibility
• Access to Work support (equipment or adjustments where applicable)
• Discounted carers’ breaks
• Team-building sessions and peer support
• Discount schemes for charity workers

Notes

Location: Hybrid working pattern: a blend of community outreach, office-based duties, with required travel to venues, sessions, and events across South Essex. Venues may be subject to change.

Hours of work: Term Time Only

The postholder will work during school term only:-
Every Wednesday 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm – STRM Bouldering Club at Indirock, Southend
Once per month 3.30 pm to 6.00pm – STRM Play Centre session at Monkey Bizness, Rochford
Third Wednesday of each month 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at the STRM office Benfleet – team working, administration, supervision, family follow up and service planning.

apply