Reports To: Learning and Pupil Support Team Leader

Job Profile

Job Title: Home Family Link Worker

Job No:CAT0088FBA

Reports to: Learning and Pupil Support Team Leader

Hours: Part-time, Term Time only

Location: The Flying Bull Academy, Portsmouth, but required to work at any location where business is conducted that is within reasonable distance of the School. You will also be required to visit children and their parents or carers within their home setting.

Function of the post:

To provide information, advice and guidance to parents/carers that enables effective support in their home, such as an enhancement of parents/carers life skills, support to overcome barriers to learning to support the child in the home, early intervention or initiatives that has a direct impact on the progress of the child in their learning and behaviour.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. In collaboration with the Learning and Pupil Support(LAPS) team and external agencies, as appropriate, assess and identify families requiring individual support, prioritising case work in accordance with the Academy’s referral system with the aim to support self-effective parenting.

1. Manage the provision of support to a number of families, working with individuals as needs determine and in line with the legal requirementswhen dealing with and sharing sensitive and confidential information which may include home visits or a meeting on site. Ensure that information and advice given is honest and accurate, referring the parent/carer, or contacting,third parties as appropriate and in line with the Academy’s policies and procedures.

1. In liaison with LAPS and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), identify group initiatives and events such as a drop-in event, or delivering the Practical Parenting Programme that enables a more effective solution to support parents/carers. This will involve the preparation and planning of the event and liaising with all relevant parties as appropriate, ensuring materials and refreshments are available.

1. In line with safeguarding requirements and the Academy’s policies and procedures, maintain secure and accurate confidential case files using the School Behaviour Watch system, liaising with the appropriate staff member of SLT or LAPS to ensure a cohesive approach to the support programme.

1. Contribute to the weekly LAPS team meetings and as agreed at the meeting, or as directed by an external party, undertake a Common Assessment Framework (CAF) audit to determine appropriate intervention strategies, implementing strategies in liaison with other professionals where nominated as the lead professional.

1. Act as CAF Champion for the academy and support team members in the completion of CAFs and the running of TAC’s/TAF’s.

1. Attend appropriate professional network meetings, conferences or similar events, contributing when required and as directed by your line manager.

1. Review and monitor the implementation programme to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that all parties are on track to meet the targets set. As directed by your line manager, undertake an investigation into the cause of any failure to meet targets set, reporting on any recommendations for further intervention strategies as appropriate.

1. To support pupils identified by the Academy as requiring additional intervention, developing effective mentoring relationships on an individual or small group basis, encouraging pupils to develop social and independence skills.

1. Support pupils with behavioural difficulties in the entry, exit and re-integration of pupils, using Team Teach strategies for de-escalation and positive handling when required.

1. Work with staff, schools and other external agencies, as appropriate, ensuring transfer of information is effective and prompt.

1. Monitor attendance of those children whose families receive support, in accordance with Academy procedures, liaising with the Pupil Inclusion and Attendance Officer to investigate the reasons for any absences.

Other duties:

You are required to undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade and content of the work as may reasonably be required of you. Therefore, the list of duties in this job profile should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. Please note that, in consultation with you, University of Chichester Academy Trust (CAT) reserves the right to update your job profile to reflect changes in, or to, your post.

Equality and Inclusion:

We believe that everyone has the right to be treated equally and that the diversity of individuals and groups should be embraced, valued, and respected. We are committed to eliminating any form of discrimination be it direct, indirect, harassment or victimisation, and to support this the Academy has a number of policies that you should ensure you are familiar with and compliant to. All policies are available from your line manager. Any breaches may lead to termination of employment.

Right to Work:

British and European Law states that a person cannot be employed to this post if they do not have permission to live and work in the UK. For further guidance and information contact the Academy’s HR Administrator.

Health Safety:

To ensure an effective and safe environment that promotes the welfare of children and staff, you will take responsibility to be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on your own work and that of others. You should familiarise yourself with the Academy’s Health and Safety policies.

Sustainability and Environment:

The University of Chichester Academy Trust is committed to sustainable development and environmental initiatives and supports the Academy in continuously seeking to find ways to improve its environmental performance. Staff are required to support these aims.

Data Protection:

You will be responsible for ensuring that workplace responsibilities are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and the Employment Practices Data Protection Code 2002, especially concerning confidentiality, treatment of personal information and records management.

Safer Recruitment:

The University of Chichester Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Staff will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure Service certification as part of the recruitment process. Further information about the Disclosure and Barring Service is available from the DBS website at

Principal Attributes and Person Specification:

Essential requirements are those, without which, the candidate would not be able to do the job. It is expected that the post holder will have the knowledge and qualifications indicated or equivalent qualifications and experience.

Desirable requirements are those which would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.

Essential / Desirable / Evidenced through
Knowledge and Qualifications / GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths
Knowledge of the operations of a primary school and the primary national curriculum
A specialist knowledge of a range of procedures for assessing needs, developing action plans and supporting families and carers, acquired through formal training or equivalent experience
Knowledge of external agencies involved in primary schools
Knowledge of the CAF and TAC/TAF process and the role of lead professional / Higher qualifications relevant to the duties of the post
Team Teach trained / Application
Documentary Evidence
Interview
Skills / Interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal that enable effective communication to a wide audience, with the sensitivity to deal effectively with complex matters or matters in emotionally demanding situations
ICT skills that enable enhanced delivery of pupil learning and that supports administrative duties
Relevant skills that support pupils to overcome barriers and promote appropriate learning behaviour
Organisational and administrative skills that enable successful time management, accurate record keeping and the facilitation of internal and external meetings / Application
Interview
References
Experience / Experience of working with families and children, ideally in a primary age range
Supporting families where children are identified as having challenging behaviouror where there are demanding situations
Maintaining individual case records
Experience of delivering effective interventions / Social Work related experience
Demonstrable evidence of successfully supporting children who have been excluded / Application
Interview
References
Personal attributes / Able to work on own initiative whilst recognising the importance of working with others as part of a team to achieve aims and objectives
Confidential, with the presence to inspire trust and motivation, adapting and acting sensitively to challenging or emotional situations
A continued interest for learning and developing skills related to the job profile
Flexible to meet the needs of the academy and its parents/carers and pupils in respect of home visits
A strong working ethos and a high level of commitment to the school, its improvement, its ethos and its values
Able to be self-reflective and manage the demanding and emotional pressures of the post / Interview
References

Updated February 2016