INTERNAL JOB – this vacancy is only available to Torfaen County Borough Council employees and agency workers currently engaged with the council.
SOCIAL CARE AND HOUSING
FAMILIES FIRST
FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER – INTENSIVE INTERVENTION TEAM
Grade 6 £22,658-£25,951 Points 25-29
CONTRACT - Temporary, until 31 March 2020. Full Time
This is an exciting opportunity to take a key role in delivering Torfaen Family Support Programme.
We have created a team to deliver outcomes with families who have significant needs but do not meet the threshold for statutory intervention, we are looking for a motivated professional Family Support Worker to join the team. Your professional expertise will add to the holistic approach designed to support families to improve outcomes.
Your professional expertise will form part of a multi agency team approach works with identified families to provide holistic and coherent support to improve outcomes of the children. Experience of partnership working is essential.
We require a dynamic individual to take a key role in delivering this programme. If you believe in attention to detail, are passionate about delivering outcomes, have leadership skills and enjoy variety then this job is for you.
A demanding and rewarding role this requires a highly motivated and energetic person with a successful background. It is an opportunity for a positive and proactive individual to thrive.
For an informal discussion regarding this vacancy please contact Simon Rushton, Families First Programme Manager on 01495 766476 or
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure & Barring Service.
Application forms and further information can be obtained from and returned to; The Recruitment Team, Floor 4, Civic Centre, Pontypool, Torfaen NP4 6YB or Telephone 01495 742308. E Mail: or alternatively visit the internal website SWOOP to view and download an application form
Closing Date: 12 Noon on 29th January 2018
Post Ref: REQ001523-2901
Position DetailsPosition Title: Family Support Worker – Intensive Intervention Team
Grade: 6 (SCP 25-29)
Section: Families First / Service Area: Social Care and Housing
Responsible To: Assistant Team Manager (Intensive Intervention Team) / Responsible For: N/A
Office use only
Job Evaluation ID 2193 / Date Issued: 23 May 2017
Job Purpose
The Family Support Worker roles are responsible for providing and coordinating effective, individualised support to families (children, young people and parent/carers) who have not been able to sustain positive change following receipt of support from a range of agencies.
Family Support Workers will work with families with a range of needs to empower them make positive changes to their lives.
Working together with other key programmes such as Flying Start, Communities First and Supporting People, the Family Support Programme aims to improve outcomes for children by working with the whole family, supporting families before they require statutory intervention.
A key part of the role is to undertake a holistic assessment of family need. This is used to identify the needs of the family group, to identify the support that is required and to develop a clear Family Plan with demonstrable outcomes.
Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Take a lead role in supporting and empowering families to make sustained positive changes to their lives by;
· Coordinating and implementing packages of support for families (children, young people, parents/carers), including the provision of direct support to families / individual family members as part of the family plan.
· Undertaking holistic assessments of need for families.
· Working with families and professionals to develop a coordinated, family focussed, plan of support.
· Liaising with statutory and voluntary sector agencies in the provision of support for families.
Perform all the functions of the post consistent with legislation and within the policies, strategic aims, plans standards, procedures and guidelines of Torfaen County Borough Council.
To perform the work allocated by the Team Manager to the required standard.
To assist in the evaluation of the service by ensuring consultation and feedback from services users.
Detailed Profile:
Coordinating and implementing packages of support for families (children, young people, parents/carers), including the provision of intensive, direct support to families / individual family members as part of the family support plan.
· Establish rapport and build a respectful and honest relationships with families
· Communicate effectively with children, young people and their parents/carers, ensuring that their views and wishes are heard and recorded accurately in the family assessment and plan. This includes speaking to children and young people alone.
· Ensure that documentation for families is provided in a user friendly way
· When appropriate, to advocate on behalf of the family as agreed by the Team Manager.
· Work in a transparent way
· Produce written and verbal reports based on an analysis of complex information.
· Support the family throughout the duration of the support package and transition
· Maintain appropriate case management records
· Work flexibly to meet the needs of families (this will include working in evenings and weekends, as required by line management)
· Disengage from work with service users and others in an appropriately and timely fashion.
To undertake detailed assessments of need for families.
· Gather, analyse, evaluate and summarise information from children, young people, parents/carers and agencies to provide a holistic assessment of the family needs.
· Understand the context of child development, parenting capacity and family and environmental factors in which to establish the needs of families.
To work with families and professionals to translate assessments into effective and innovative family support plans.
· Empower and support families to make positive changes to their lives
· Help families to identify formal and informal support networks.
· Negotiate and refer families to appropriate support
· Assist the family in accessing appropriate resources and support.
To liaise with statutory and voluntary sector agencies in the provision of support for families.
· A close working relationship with our partner agencies is essential to respond effectively to the needs of our families including effective decision making for further intervention if required
· It is important that the post holder works with all teams whose focus is to support families especially Team around the Family (TAF) to engage around relationship transition with the families.
Resources/Equipment/Material
Responsible for the safe keeping and security of a Laptop and a smartphone.
Supervision/Management of People
To be available to take part in regular formal supervision and performance appraisal with the Team manager.
To take part in identifying individual development and training needs with the Families First Programme Manager and to be committed to attending appropriate training and development opportunities.
Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience
Knowledge of Torfaen’s policies and procedures as they relate to Children’s Services.
Understands and demonstrates the principles of confidentiality.
To work within the policies and procedures of the Council including recognising the duty to protect vulnerable adults, children and young people.
Understands and demonstrates commitment to the Council's Equal Opportunities policies.
Demonstrate commitment to on-going personal development.
Special Working Conditions
To undertake training appropriate to the job role.
This post will entail some evening work for after school provision and special events such as the annual options evening?
General
· To observe confidentiality in all aspects of work.
· To participate in the service area’s supervision process and/or Corporate Appraisal process.
· To demonstrate a willingness to undertake training development and learning opportunities to improve skills.
· Comply with and support others to observe Health and Safety Act 1974 procedures and processes.
· To adhere to the terms of the Alternative Working Strategy should the post be eligible.
· To work within the Councils’ policy and procedures in respect of equal opportunity, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practices.
· To accept that this job description may be periodically subject to review.
· To undertake any other duties and/or times of work as may be reasonably required of you, commensurate with your grade or general level of responsibility within the organisation, at your place of work or based in any other establishment.
For office use only
Shortlisted By:
Name of Candidate: / Date:
Please note you will need to meet the essential criterion to be invited for interview.
Requirements / Selection MethodEssential or Desirable / Score / Tested at Interview and/or Application Form
Education/Qualifications/Knowledge
1.1 NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in an appropriate subject / E / A
Experience
2.1 Understand and respect confidentiality, and the importance of managing personal and sensitive information in a professional manner. / E / A
2.2 Up to date knowledge of current legislation in relation to children and young people. / D / A
2.3 Good understanding of the range of issues that can affect children, young people and their parents/carers / E / A
2.4 Understanding of the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and their Families / E / A
2.5 Understanding of the role and purpose of supervision. / D / A
2.6 To view change in service needs positively and encourage/support a positive attitude in others. / D / A
2.7 To have knowledge of corporate policies and procedures and to work in accordance with them. / D / A
2.8 Understanding of the 1989 Children Act / D / A
2.9 Knowledge of Children’s Services / E / A
2.10 Experience of working with children, young people and their families. / E / I/A
2.11 Experience of working with people in complex family situations. / E / I/A
2.12 Experience of empowering and supporting people to make positive changes to their lives / E / I/A
2.13 Experience of working in crisis and within difficult situations. / D / I/A
2.14 Experience of successfully using Motivational Interviewing techniques with individuals. / D / I/A
2.15 Experience of undertaking an assessment using a holistic tool such as the JAFF (Joint Assessment Family Framework) / D / I/A
Skills and Abilities
3.1 Effective problem solving skills / E / I/A
3.2 Skills in working with groups / D / A
3.3 Family mediation skills / D / I/A
3.4 Able to develop and maintain good working relationships with adults, children and young people. / E / I/A
3.5 Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with adults, children and young people. / E / A
3.6 Ability to work in situations where there maybe conflict. / E / I/A
3.7 Possess effective report writing skills / E / A
3.8 Possess keyboard skills, and an understanding of the need for accountability in recording accurate and timely case records. / E / A
3.9 Able to work to tight deadlines. / E / A
3.10 Ability to work in partnership with agencies and families in assessing/planning / E / I/A
3.11 Able to work flexibly and out of hours and occasionally on weekends. / E / A
Personal Attributes
4.1 Have the ability to use own initiative. / E / I/A
4.2 Work effectively as part of a team. / E / A
4.3 Ability to carry out tasks within a busy, frequently changing work environment. / E / A
Circumstances
5.1 Flexible attitude, coupled with the ability to adapt approach within changing situations. / E / A
5.2 To be prepared to work flexible hours, within and beyond the boundaries of the authority, including evenings and weekends. / E / A
5.3 Have a full driving license and access to a vehicle / E / A
5.4 Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check / E / A
Total Short Listing Score
Score key: 0 = Not Met Criteria 1 = Fully Met Criteria