Closing Date: 30th August 2022

The Opportunity

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners, Children and Families Teams deliver a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

Support Workers work alongside frontline teams to support the delivery of effective Children's Social Work. Undertaking a range of direct activity, one to one or groupwork providing practical, personal and emotional support that meets the assessed needs, promotes improved health, physical, mental and social development.

Educated to Level 3 (NVQ or BTEC is desirable) or with activity based alternative experience, in a social care setting and experience of building strong effective relationships.

Accountabilities

The primary role for a child and family support worker based within the Supervised Contact Service is to supervise, support and facilitate Family Time between children who are looked after by the local authority and their birth families. This may incorporate aspects of targeted intervention work which supports the overall assessment and case planning for the family. On occasion, the post holder's role may also include work within frontline teams to support the delivery of effective children's Social Work. Child and family support workers work in conjunction with qualified social workers to deliver bespoke pieces of targeted intervention work with the child/young person and family. This work will normally be time limited, with measurable impact and always be in accordance with the care plan, as agreed by the case holding social worker.

Child and Family Support Workers undertake a range of activities directly with children, young people and families providing practical, personal and emotional support that meets the assessed needs and promotes improved mental and physical health, social development and well-being.

The Supervised Contact Team works across all frontline services, including assessment and intervention; family support and protection; children in care; and children and young people with disabilities. The work can be complex, demanding and emotionally challenging and the post holder is required to work with dedication and resilience

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF Level 3 (A Level/NVQ/BTEC) or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and in-depth knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Experience of building strong, effective relationships with children and families in times of challenge and crisis.
• Experience of undertaking direct, activity based and group work with children and families.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues impacting children, young people and families, leading them to require support.
• Knowledge of Children's Act 1989 and 2004 and other legislative and policy guidance applicable within Social Care settings.
• Proven track record of working with partners and external agencies.
• A certificate in First Aid and/or knowledge of Sign Language is desirable in this role.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.