The Role

Are you looking for a role where you can make a meaningful change in its local community?

Do you want to be involved in helping Wandsworth families achieve their best?

Are you interested in working in a dynamic team environment where no two days are the same?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Keep in Touch team are looking to recruit a full-time permanent practitioner to join our amazing team at Wandsworth and help play a key role in supporting families and professionals within the borough!

Our goal

Our team is focused on ensuring that our communities have the information and advice to thrive and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed in their life.

About the team

The Keep in Touch team are crucial in providing the Family Information Service (THRIVE Wandsworth) where they respond to families and professionals looking for advice and information on services available within the borough. This include answering duty phone calls and emails of requests. The successful candidate will need to show initiative in learning about what is on offer from local services and develop a good understanding of the services offered by the Local Authority.

You will be working closely with a tight-knit team of practitioners from a variety of backgrounds (counselling, children’s centre, housing, social work). As a team we celebrate the shared success of our achievements and are there to support each other when needed.

You will have access to frequent training and professional development and be provided monthly supervision to ensure you are supported in achieving the best for families in your role. 

About the role

The successful candidate will work directly with assigned families to provide information, advice, advocacy and support around the identified needs of the family. This can include, but is not limited to: housing advice, referrals to local services, supporting the family to make applications for benefits, SEND supports, or nursery places, and offer remote follow up contact to ensure families are managing so that their children can reach their best potential. 

This role involves working with families and children so full DBS is required.

For further information on the role, please contact Nicole Winkelman on Nicole.Winkelman@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk  for further details.

Benefits

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home, compressed or part-time hours, term time only, job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities. In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date: 11:59pm on Sunday 7^th February 2021
• Shortlisting Date: Monday 8^th February 2021
• Interview Date: 18^th and 19^th February 2021

Useful Information: The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible. Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

Equality statement

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

How to apply

To be considered for interview your CV and supporting statement must highlight your knowledge, skills and experience listed in the Job Profile located at the bottom of the advert.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Hiring Manager by email Nicole.Winkelman@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk 

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

Attached documents

•  Thrive Keep in Touch Practitioner - Job Profile