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.

We require two part time Family Support Workers (each working 25 hours per week) for our new Children’s Centres, 1 based in and around Overton and 1 based in and around Stockbridge where you’ll deliver family support and outreach services on an individual or group basis. You’ll actively support the work of the Children’s Centre team and ensure all services are improving outcomes for children.

You’ll need experience of direct work with children and of work with a range of agencies. This should be complemented by an NVQ Level 3 or a recognised relevant professional qualification.

This contract is initially to 31st March 2011 with an option to extend until 31st March 2014.

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

Interviews will be held late September, early October.

All recruitment documents are available in alternative formats. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

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

Family Support Worker (part time)

Location:

Hampshire Children’s Centre

Reward Band:

Project Staff I – SAN £15973 - £18195 pa pro rata

CRB Level Required:

Enhanced

Reporting to:

Centre Co-ordinator

Job Purpose:

• To deliver Family Support and Outreach services on an individual/group basis to families to assist parents in developing their parenting skills and to meet the Children’s Centre core offer.
• To work with other professionals to promote integration and prevent duplication of service to ensure a consistent approach for families.

Key Activities:

• To provide a comprehensive, holistic and flexible home outreach and family support service which complements and enhances current provision i.e. health visiting, social workers, etc, for expectant parents and all children under 5 and their families and particularly with those in need of additional support
• To link work to that of Midwives and Health Visitors, and to provide information and support on breastfeeding, nutrition, hygiene and safety
• To work closely with other agencies, making referrals to them where universal or specialist intervention is appropriate
• To help children and their families to develop skills, knowledge and self confidence which enable them to respond to issues affecting them
• To work within the CAF framework, including the role of Lead Practitioner as appropriate
• To hold a caseload of targeted families as agreed by Line ManagerTo undertake other duties as appropriate to the post as requested by the organisation
• To provide supervision for volunteers as required
• To have a knowledge of safeguarding procedures and ensure the implementation of safeguarding across the service
• To work as part of a team within the 6 Children’s Centre’s
• To participate in and contribute to recording, monitoring and evaluation practices and processes and the administration tasks of the Children’s Centre including the Delivery Plan
• To work with the Children’s Centre staff to support parents to become actively involved on the Advisory Board
• To abide by and keep updated of the policies and procedures of The Children’s Society with particular regard to including all children and keeping children safe from harm
• To prepare for and participate in regular supervision and annual performance management reviews in relation to professional practice and development
• To develop and implement new initiatives that add value to the Children’s Centre services
• To work with children 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

• Experience of direct work with children and families from a range of background in a variety of settings. Previous experience includes work with a range of agencies and would include for example the voluntary and statutory sectors

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 minimum recognised professional qualification in one of the following areas:
  • Childcare
  • Social work
  • Health
  • Education
  • Early years

Work based knowledge

• Experience in working closely with and supporting families
• Understanding of ‘Every Child Matters’
• Understanding of child related legislation

Skills

• Excellent communicator, both written and oral
• Competent in the use of computers and software such as
  • MS Word
  • MS Excel
  • MS Outlook
• Excellent team player
• The ability to empathise with parents/carers and young children

Core Competencies:

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

Providing service to others

• Provide services to others internal and external
• Treats others with respect and dignity
• Works in partnership with children and young people
• Complies with safeguarding requirements

Communicating with others

• Communicate effectively with others in own area on day to day matters

Managing yourself

• Take steps to improve performance
• Takes initiative and is aware of own learning needs

Building and maintaining Partnerships

• Maintain friendly, helpful and supportive relationships with immediate colleagues
• Participates fully in team activities

Agreeing and meeting targets

• Focus on what needs to be done
• Meet service and quality standards
• Act in line with specific directions

Innovation

• Improve work methods to achieve higher levels of efficiency
• Learns from experience

Leading others

• Participates fully as a member of a team

Managing resources

• Supports the efficient use and takes responsibility for sustaining of resources
• Shares relevant information with others

Safeguarding children and young people

• To be able to identify safeguarding issues
• Be able to report and describe safeguarding concerns to a line-manager

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Travel within the area is a feature of this post as it will be required to transport equipment and visit a large number of families. For people with disabilities, access to suitable transport, and for others the use of a car, will be a requirement
• Occasional travel within the Southern area is required
• Willingness to undergo training and attend meetings and events, which may involve overnight stays or travel
• The post holder will be expected to be available to work evenings and weekends. Hours will be planned in advance 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)

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

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

• An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation
• 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.

Please state on your application form which location you are interested in - Overton or Stockbridge.