Job Purpose:

To improve the outcomes and life chances of children, young people and their families in Leicestershire by:

•  Working in partnership with families, in their homes and in the wider community

•  Developing effective relationships and using strength based approaches to help, motivate and encourage behaviour change that will lead to a positive difference to people’s lives

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject, e.g. social care, health or childcare, OR substantial experience in providing direct support to families that clearly demonstrates the experience, skills, competencies and knowledge outlined below.

• Experience of providing direct support in the home to children and families with complex needs which may include mental health, offending, substance misuse, domestic violence and abuse, and/or educational issues

• Experience of identifying and delivering appropriate evidence-based interventions e.g. solution focussed brief therapy, the Freedom Programme, parenting programmes, brief intervention, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based approaches, motivational interviewing

• Experience of working with issues of conflict and confrontation and an ability to diffuse difficult situations

• Experience of working in a multi-agency environment

• Experience of carrying out assessments, support planning, formulating action plans and reporting outcomes

• Knowledge and awareness of issues which may have an impact on the lives of families such as domestic violence and abuse, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, poverty, housing

• An understanding of the impact of discrimination on the lives of those from minority ethnic communities and others that experience social exclusion, and an ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds

• Understanding of, and compliance with, information sharing protocols and confidentiality

• Ability to work proactively, persistently and persuasively with families who may not be willing to engage with services, using a range of techniques that encourage active participation

• Ability to manage allocated cases and ensure plans are developed with families and have clear outcomes that are measurable and also understandable for the child and their family

• Ability to build professional confidence and resilience, good working relationships with families, ability to over-come barriers to them engaging, recognising reasons for resistance to change, where tensions can exist. Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with children and adults, focusing on hearing and capturing the child’s voice.

• Use of positive whole family approaches to build on parent, family and child strengths and develop resilience, self-reliance and independent action

• Ability to demonstrate initiative and commitment to operate with minimal supervision in supporting families

• Ability to motivate and inspire colleagues from a range of agencies to work together in the best interests of families, service providers and the wider community

• Ability to understand and practice appropriate and legal information sharing within and between agencies and the family

• Understanding the importance of being persistent and consistent in applying interventions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to produce reports, maintain records, and provide data for monitoring purposes

• Proven ability to recognise Child Protection issues and Safeguarding practice

• The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post

• An understanding of, and commitment to Equal Opportunities, and the ability to apply this to all situations

• Must be able to perform all duties and tasks with reasonable adjustment, where appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010

• Possession of a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle and relevant insurances. However, a reasonable adjustment will be considered for an applicant with a disability.

• Ability to travel to and access a range of buildings including family homes and community venues.

• Willingness and ability to work outside usual working office hours

• The post-holder must be willing to undertake further training within an early help professional development framework

• The post-holder may be required to attend, from time to time, other training courses, conferences, seminars, or meetings as required by his/her own training needs and the needs of the service

This post is the subject of an Enhanced DBS check.

Please see the Job Description / Person Specification which are attached further down on this page.

For informal enquires please contact Louise Pettitt, Tel: 0116 305 7879, Email: Louise.Pettitt@leics.gov.uk   

• Our Vision
• JD/PS
• Applicant Guidance Notes

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.