The Children’s Society is a leading children’s charity committed to making childhood better. We work with children across the country, providing the right support at the right time. We commissioned The Good Childhood® Inquiry; the UK's first independent national inquiry into childhood. Its aims were to renew society's understanding of modern childhood and to inform, improve and inspire all our relationships with children.

The Children’s Society manages 3 Children’s Centres in Swindon providing high quality services for families of children under 5. We are seeking an enthusiastic new Family Link Worker (mainly Outreach) for our Salt Way Children’s Centre.

For this position you will have Level 3 qualifications relevant to the post or equivalent experience. You will have experience of working with families, and/or children in early years and an ability to work under your own initiative within a small & busy team.

You are welcome to visit Salt Way Children’s Centre to chat informally with the Centre Manager about these positions. Please contact: Kay Kane, Salt Way Children’s Centre, Pearl Road, Middleleaze, Swindon, SN5 5TD, or telephone: 01793 465364.

The post is 16 hours per week.

Interviews will be held 12 April 2010.

As well as a strong commitment to your development, we offer a generous holiday entitlement, a contributory stakeholder pension, childcare vouchers and flexible working.

Charity Registration No. 221124
We strive to be an equal opportunities employer. 

Family Link Worker (mainly Outreach) (16 hours)

Location:

Salt Way Children’s Centre, Swindon

Reward Band:

Project Worker 1 (£15,973 - £18,195 p.a pro rata)

Job purpose: 

• To assist in the provision of accessible Children’s Centre Services throughout the reach area to all families of children aged 5 and under
• To assist in the delivery of family support services to parents and carers

Reporting to:

Centre Manager

Key activities: 

• To assist the Children’s Centre Manager in delivering a range of services in accordance with the Children’s Centre Core Offer, including co-delivery of parenting programmes
• To help identify, develop and promote practical, accessible ways of providing targeted services to families within the centre and throughout the reach area
• To support parents, carers and children in achieving their outcomes through developing & implementing Family Plans
• To work in partnership with internal colleagues & external agencies to fill the gaps in provision for groups who find it difficult to access 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 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 help support individuals and groups to participate in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of services delivered under the Children’s Centre Core Offer
• To assist the Centre Manager in developing and implementing evaluation methods to demonstrate the outcomes and impact of the Children’s Centre work 
• To assist the Centre Manager 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

Attainments:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualifications relevant to the post, or demonstration of equivalent competence derived from substantial experience

Experience

• Experience of supporting families with their children in early years

Skills

• The ability to listen to and involve young children and parents in decision making processes
• The ability to co-deliver accredited parenting programmes and group work
• The ability to make informed assessments of need, and to formulate appropriate plans
• Basic IT skills to communicate in an office that uses Microsoft Office applications, or willingness to train quickly

Work Based Knowledge

• Understanding of social exclusion & experience of inclusive practice
• Basic knowledge of safeguarding and health & safety issues & practise

Core Competencies:

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

• Leading Others
  • Participates fully as a member of a team
• Innovation
  • Improve work methods to achieve higher levels of efficiency
  • Learns from experience
• Communicating with Others 
  • Communicate effectively with others in own area on day-to-day matters
• Building and Maintaining Partnerships
  • Maintain friendly, helpful and supportive relationships with immediate colleagues
  • Participates fully in team activities
• Managing Resources
  • Supports the efficient use and takes responsibility for sustaining of resources
  • Shares relevant information with others
• Providing Service to Others
  • Provide services to others, internal and external 
  • Treats others with respect and dignity
  • Complies with safeguarding requirements
  • Works in partnership with children and young people
  • Works in partnership with children and young people so their views and ideas are listened to and taken seriously
• Managing Yourself
  • Take steps to improve performance
  • Takes initiative and is aware of own learning needs
• Agreeing and Meeting Targets
  • Focus on what needs to be done
  • Meet service and quality standards
  • Act in line with specific directions

Special Job Circumstances:

This job has the following special circumstances:

• Occasional travel outside of Swindon
• There will be a need to work some evenings and weekends
• Enhanced CRB check is required

(If you have difficulty in 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)

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role and The Society you will require:

• An understanding and commitment to the mission, vision, principles and values of the organisation and ability to challenge those that have not been met as yet
• An ability to take on the responsibilities of lone working
• A commitment to the safeguarding of children & young people in accordance with The Children’s Society Safeguarding policies and the local safeguarding statement
• A commitment to diversity, equality & dignity in working relationships and practice
• A flexible, adaptable & emotionally resilient approach to changing priorities and demands
• An ability to work effectively within multi-agency teams
• An ability to carry out all duties in accordance with The Children’s Society Health & Safety policies and the local Health And Safety statement & procedures