Job Description Family Support Worker

Transcription

1 Title: Family Support Worker Location: Honiton & Axe Valley Children s Centres Reward Band: Project Staff 1 SAN CRB Level Required: Enhanced Reporting to: Job Purpose: Family Support Coordinator To provide support to children, young people and families which will seek to: Improve parenting capacity Increase aspirations and motivation of families to take up formal and informal education, volunteering and employment opportunities Improving family function with children feeling more secure and parents more confident in their parenting abilities To work in partnership with children, young people and families to plan and implement coordinated and child focused support which improves identified outcomes To robustly capture outcomes and outputs of the service for both internal and external reporting requirements To assist the work of the Family Support Co-ordinator in delivering individual pieces of Family work to families in the home and/or centre and hold a caseload of families Key Activities: To signpost, and where appropriate refer, parents to other services delivered by other agencies To record all contact and activities with service users to The Children s Society standards and as required for monitoring and evaluation of the programme. To work in partnership with internal colleagues & external agencies to fill the gaps in provision for groups who find it difficult to access

2 services To take part in Team Around the Child (TAC) meetings, complete Common Assessments (CAFs) and act as Lead Professional with support from senior staff if required (undertaking training for these where necessary) To attend safeguarding core group meetings and case conferences with support from senior staff (undertaking training for these where necessary) To share information and concerns with the Centre Leader, or with parents as appropriate, to support children and their families and to adhere to The Children s Society policies in all aspects of their role but with particular regard to Child Protection and Safeguarding. To assist the work of the team to ensure that the Children s Centre is welcoming and supportive to parents and children through participation at team meetings, supervision and participating in appropriate training To assist the work of the centre by identifying gaps in service and ensuring that all groups and events are accessible to families from a range of experiences, backgrounds and lifestyles To assist, when appropriate, in supporting volunteers at the Children Centre To contribute to the goals and targets of The Children s Society, and to ensure that the voices of our service users are heard within The Children s Society, and other relevant bodies To assist the team by providing absence cover when necessary and carrying out other duties as appropriate To work with children and young people to enable them to have a voice and influence in our work Attainments: In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have: Experience

3 Substantial experience as a practitioner in providing 1:1 family support, and group interventions to children and their families / carers, including those identified as being vulnerable, with confidence in using a child centred approach (essential) Experience of listening, advocacy, negotiation and communication with/for children, young people and families (essential) Experience of multi-agency working (essential) Qualifications A relevant NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification, or willingness to undertake this, or in the absence of this, the post holder should be able to demonstrate competence derived from substantial practical experience (essential) Training in evidence based parenting programmes (desirable) Work based knowledge A knowledge of the ethos and role of children s centres (essential) A knowledge of child development (essential) Sound knowledge of safeguarding and health & safety issues in relation to children and young people (essential) Knowledge of issues impacting on vulnerable children, young people and families (essential) Skills Basic IT skills to communicate in an office that uses Microsoft Office applications, or willingness to train quickly (essential) The ability to listen to and involve young children and parents in decision making processes (essential) The ability to co-deliver accredited parenting programmes and group work (desirable) The ability to make informed assessments of need and risks, and to formulate appropriate plans (essential) Excellent recording skills (essential) In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate the following behaviours: Behaviours: Leaders 1. Be an active ambassador for the organisation both internally and externally. 2. Be relied on as a Subject Matter Expect in own field.

4 3. Be an engaged and positive team member. 4. Strive for and deliver excellence in own work. 5. Think creatively and be open to new ways of doing things. Authentic 1. Contract, in advance, with others where resources need to be deployed from other areas of the organisation. 2. Practice what we preach and actively review own work to ensure that we say what we do and do what we say. 3. Be reliable and dependable always ensuring that appropriate action is taken to keep issues on track, escalating where this is appropriate. Accountable 1. Be impact-oriented, evidence-based and results-focussed in own work, considering the difference actions will make. 2. Taking ownership for own actions, delivering on time to budget and learning from mistakes and striving for self-improvement. 3. Support the development of evidence bases for decisions and/or new pieces of work. 4. Support ongoing monitoring and evaluating of what we do in a meaningful and constructive way. Collaborative 1. Work effectively with colleagues across the organisation and wider team members to contribute to team goals and wider organisational outcomes. 2. Engage in, and actively seek out, new information from across the organisation. 3. Investigate presenting issues and work with others to co-create and co-produce effective solutions. 4. Communicate in an appropriate, inclusive way. Treat all individuals encountered on a professional basis in a nonjudgemental basis and with respect and warmth. 5. Understand and demonstrate agreed organisational behaviours. Committed 1. Be self-motivated and consistently deliver on own objectives. 2. Be receptive to feedback and deliver agreed actions on time to budget. 3. Recognise, respect and support difficult decisions. 4. Comes up with solutions and holds oneself to account. Challengers

5 1. Be open to constructive feedback and personal improvement. 2. Support successes in direct peer group and beyond. 3. Be willing to work outside of own comfort zone, including being flexible and adaptable to change. 4. Positively challenge and engaging others in discussions. Enterprising 1. Use initiative and creatively look for alternative ways of working while utilising resources and data already available. 2. Be change-oriented and embrace new ways of working. 3. Actively participate in areas outside of immediate environment and respond positively to new opportunities. 4. Engage with confidence in positive conversations about the work that we do. This post has the following special circumstances: Special Job Circumstances: Regular travel for which private vehicle mileage applicable Some lone working created by the work pattern of other members of staff Willingness to undergo training, which may involve overnight stays. The post holder may be expected to be available to work occasional evenings and weekends and compensated for by time off in lieu The post holder must comply with the Society s policies and procedures at all times and attend training updates as required. (Please note: if you have difficulty meeting these conditions because of a disability or family circumstances the appointing manager will discuss it with you in order to consider reasonable adjustments to the job or working conditions) So that you personally can succeed in this role and The Society you will require: Relevant Personal Characteristics: Job Description Agreement: a) An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation b) At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the Children s Society s commitment to keeping children and young people safe. This job description is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake. It may be changed from time to time to meet changing

6 circumstances. It does not form part of your Contract of Employment. Job Holder s Signature: Date Manager or Director of Department Signature: Date