Nursery World - All about the role of ... Family support outreach worker

Family support outreach workers (FSOWs) are employed by children's services as part of the Sure Start Children's Centre initiative to improve the health, education and wellbeing of children and families through the integration of services.

Working as part of a team under the direction of the centre manager, the role is threefold:

Where families have complex needs, the FSOW works with the social care service, community nurse, specialist health service or substance misuse service. Families may have financial or marital problems, abuse of drugs or alcohol, a parent who is in hospital or in prison, and a lack of parenting skills.

The FSOW works a flexible 37-hour week and may need to be available at times when the family is together. Attendance at evening and weekend meetings is occasionally required. Accurate record-keeping is essential, with adherence to relevant policies on confidentiality and information sharing.

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