Family Support Worker

This role will be based on the main campus, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner.

We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

The University of Leeds is one of the top 75 universities in the world. We have a truly global community, with more than 39,000 students from 170 different countries and over 9,000 staff of 100 different nationalities. Established in 1904, we have a strong tradition of academic excellence, reflected in first-class student education, along with world-leading research that has a real impact around the globe.

‘Creativity and Communication’ is an arts-based research study in Kenya, Uganda and the UK. The focus is on how individuals within families and communities communicate with one another and helps or hinders communication. Our previous research has found that this is an issue that troubles children, youth and adults and causes personal and social stress. We want to understand how the arts might be able to help communities explore this problem and its root causes and enable communities to seek solutions to these challenges. We see arts as important in unleashing personal and social empowerment, as well as being an important activity.

This project will work in Kisumu in Western Kenya; in Jinja city in Uganda and in Lincoln Green in Leeds (UK). It will work at 3 levels: among 36 volunteer family groups in each setting; in schools which the community members attend; and in volunteer community-based groups in each setting. All those involved will be aged 12+. The project is led by Professor Jane Plastow at the University of Leeds, UK, working closely with partners in Kenya, Uganda, and the UK.

The candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

This is a 0.2 post that has specific scheduling to ensure training is undertaken and recruitment of families and setup is complete. This will be negotiated with the candidate upon appointment but will include a 5 day full time training period, 3 months at 2 days per week followed by 1 day per week for the remaining period. Work will be completed by November 2026.

What we offer in return 

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year! 
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary 
• Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance 
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls. 
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team. 
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available. 

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Jane Plastow, Professor of African Theatre

Email: [email protected]

Location: Leeds - Main Campus

Faculty/Service: 

Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Cultures

School/Institute: School of English

Category: Administrative and Clerical Support

Working Time: 20%

Post Type: Part Time

Contract Type: 

Fixed Term (until 30 November 2026 to complete specific time limited work.)

Downloads: Candidate Brief