Family Support Worker and DSL
| Posting date: | 26 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 10 October 2025 |
| Location: | Papworth Everard, Cambridge |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Acorn Care and Education |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 290891FAJ |
Summary
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 #teamOFG.
Job Title: Family Support Worker and DSL
Location: Papworth Hall School, Papworth Everard CB23 3RD
Salary: £26,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start: October 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
As part of our continued growth, we are thrilled to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Family Support Worker and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join our close-knit team at Papworth Hall School, part of Options Autism.
About the Role
This is a unique and rewarding role for someone passionate about making a real difference in the lives of pupils and their families. As a Family Support Worker and DSL, you will provide vital support to families, helping to remove barriers to learning, and ensuring pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs thrive both at school and beyond.
You will also take lead responsibility for safeguarding across the school, ensuring that every child is safe, protected, and supported to achieve their potential. You will work closely with staff, families, and external agencies to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where pupils feel secure and valued.
What You'll Do
Lead safeguarding and child protection across the school, including strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings.
Support staff in understanding their statutory safeguarding responsibilities.
Build strong, positive relationships with pupils to identify and remove barriers to learning and attendance.
Monitor and analyse attendance data, identify concerns, and implement strategies to support pupils returning to school.
Manage referrals to local authority children’s social care or the Channel programme as required, guiding staff through the process.
Work closely with colleagues, families, and external agencies to provide a holistic support service for pupils.
Contribute to the ongoing development of school policies and ensure staff can access and apply safeguarding procedures effectively.
Previous experience in a similar pastoral, safeguarding, or family support role is highly desirable.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic, supportive environment, enjoys working collaboratively, and is committed to improving the lives of young people and their families.
About Us
Papworth Hall School is in the picturesque village in Cambridgeshire. It is within close proximity to Huntingdon and Cambridge. Our new specialist school caters for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs and has the capacity for 30 students.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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 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.
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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 #teamOFG.
Job Title: Family Support Worker and DSL
Location: Papworth Hall School, Papworth Everard CB23 3RD
Salary: £26,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start: October 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
As part of our continued growth, we are thrilled to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Family Support Worker and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join our close-knit team at Papworth Hall School, part of Options Autism.
About the Role
This is a unique and rewarding role for someone passionate about making a real difference in the lives of pupils and their families. As a Family Support Worker and DSL, you will provide vital support to families, helping to remove barriers to learning, and ensuring pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs thrive both at school and beyond.
You will also take lead responsibility for safeguarding across the school, ensuring that every child is safe, protected, and supported to achieve their potential. You will work closely with staff, families, and external agencies to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where pupils feel secure and valued.
What You'll Do
Lead safeguarding and child protection across the school, including strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings.
Support staff in understanding their statutory safeguarding responsibilities.
Build strong, positive relationships with pupils to identify and remove barriers to learning and attendance.
Monitor and analyse attendance data, identify concerns, and implement strategies to support pupils returning to school.
Manage referrals to local authority children’s social care or the Channel programme as required, guiding staff through the process.
Work closely with colleagues, families, and external agencies to provide a holistic support service for pupils.
Contribute to the ongoing development of school policies and ensure staff can access and apply safeguarding procedures effectively.
Previous experience in a similar pastoral, safeguarding, or family support role is highly desirable.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic, supportive environment, enjoys working collaboratively, and is committed to improving the lives of young people and their families.
About Us
Papworth Hall School is in the picturesque village in Cambridgeshire. It is within close proximity to Huntingdon and Cambridge. Our new specialist school caters for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs and has the capacity for 30 students.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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 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.
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