Thatcham Park CE Primary School / Grade/Salary Range: F/G -
£19,742 - £27,123 (pro-rata)
Job Title: Family Support Worker / Responsible to: HT
JOB PURPOSE
To contribute to the improvement in outcomes for children 5-11 years living in the school’s area by ensuring that the needs of children and their families are identified and met.
To ensure that appropriate services are provided or referral to other services is facilitated.
To support and encourage a healthy and positive lifestyle for children and their families, addressing such issues as: under achievement, poor attendance and punctuality, healthy lifestyles, challenging behaviour, family and peer relationships, bullying, domestic violence, bereavement and loss, parenting support, young carers, practical living advice and information on issues such as childcare, play and leisure services.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct work
· To work directly with individual children and families to promote positive intervention, support, advice, information, practical and emotional support on sensitive and confidential matters
· To be able to signpost appropriate services as and when required
· To visit parents at home when required and to offer services from venues across the reach area
· To assess need using the Help for Families strategy in liaison with school staff,parents, existing multi professional networks and to develop effective service responses
· Liaise with multi professional networks to arrange group work and more informal events for children and parents/carers on issues that benefit from this approach e.g. anger management, parenting skills, adult literacy support, study support, after school and breakfast clubs etc
· To support parents’ participation in their children’s development and education
· To consult and involve children/parents and carers in service developments
Within school:
· To work under the direction of the Headteacher or designated member of staff
· To contribute to the development and implementation of initiatives within the school that support good behaviour, good health and emotional well-being
Within the community:
· To establish effective working relationships with schools, childcare providers, children and parents
· To establish effective relationships and networks with other agencies including police, social care, health, housing, voluntary and community services etc
· To ensure that there are well developed links between the Children’s Centre, Early Years & Childcare, local secondary schools and Family Learning Services
· To link to the Integrated Locality Team or to other professional early intervention networks as these develop
Administrative
· To maintain written records for children and families as directed by the Headteacher
· To complete and/or contribute to Common Assessments of children and where required produce short relevant reports
Personal and professional development
· To take up and use regular agreed professional supervision
· To adhere to the practice standards relevant to the post
· To participate in the programme for Performance Management
· To participate in internal and external staff training and development
· Other
· To undertake additional duties as required
SCOPE OF JOB (Budgetary/Resource control, Impact)
The postholder will work in the context of relevant legislation and West Berkshire Council policy and procedures.
The work area is subject to frequent change, requiring clarity about priorities.
The postholders effectiveness in the role depends on interagency working with education, health and other relevant agencies.
The postholder will have regular contact with service users and their carers and departmental staff including Head teachers and senior managers in other agencies.
There is no budgetary responsibility.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Thatcham Park CE Primary / Job Title: Family Support Worker
KEY CRITERIA / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Qualifications And Training / NVQ3 or above
IT literate / Diploma in Social Work
Training/qualification to run specific groups for children and parents such as Incredible Years and Boost
Competence Summary
(Knowledge, abilities, skills, experience)
Progression through salary grades will depend on worker’s ability to demonstrate competencies potentially those arrowed from ‘desirable’ to ‘essential’ / 2-3 years experience of working with children/young people and their families in a paid or voluntary capacity
Experience of working with children under 5
Experience of working with people with challenging behaviour and evidence of ability to manage this successfully
Negotiation skills
Good communication skills - verbal, listening and observation
Able to think creatively and to problem solve
Ability to make independent judgements and exercise initiative within agreed limits
Organisational ability and accurate record keeping skills
Sound knowledge and understanding of child development and the needs of children
Awareness of the impact of family social and environmental factors on the life chances of children and young people
Understanding of the issues around keeping children and young people safe
Ability to develop respectful relationships with children, young people and their families
Ability to support people in distress/crisis
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
Ability to liaise effectively with a range of colleagues and professionals / Experience of working with a variety of different agencies
Experience and ability in dealing with complex situations involving young people, families and staff
Ability to assess the needs of children and their families.
Ability to write clear comprehensive and legible reports.
Ability to prioritise own workloads and to recognise own coping mechanisms
Work-related Personal Requirements / Working hours will need to be flexible
Need for flexibility in fulfilling job and requirements and in the evolving nature of the job
Car driver/daily use of a car
Willingness to fully participate in line management and supervision meetings
Able to work on own initiative
Appreciation of the value of team work
Ability to work calmly under pressure
Sense of humour
Other Work Requirements
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