Family Services Practitioner

LOCATION: London
REPORTS TO: Manager of Services for Families & Young People
CONTRACT: Part-time, permanent, 28 hours
SALARY: £24,490 (£30,612 FTE)
HOURS: 28
BENEFITS: Pension, Season Ticket Loan, Childcare vouchers, EAP, Cycle to Work Scheme
CLOSING DATE: Monday 12th February 2024 at 11:59 pm

Are you interested in being part of a team that delivers positive and sustainable change for children and families?

Are you a committed and experienced practitioner who understands the challenges associated with families who are facing disadvantage?

Our clients Family Services team is growing and they are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to help build resilience and improve long-term outcomes for children and their families using a holistic, whole-family approach.

They work to prevent and tackle youth and family homelessness. Too often homelessness at a young age is repeated and compounded in later years. Their renewed vision is to increase their focus on young people, children, and their families. To value every individual, nurture their potential, and help people thrive.

Working independently and as part of a team, you will plan and support safe, creative, inclusive, and appropriate play and learning opportunities for children and young people from a range of age groups. You will assist in the planning and delivery of whole family fun activities that build on togetherness, confidence, access to opportunities, and resilience whilst ensuring that activities are carried out in a safe and responsible manner.

WORK PATTERN DURING SCHOOL TERM TIME

Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am-5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am-5:30pm
Friday 9:30am-5:30pm

Although Saturday 9:30 am-5:30 pm during school term time is essential, there is some flexibility in the weekday shifts and we would be happy to discuss this further at the interview.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PERIODS

Their programme during the school holidays changes. The number of hours per week (28) will not change but candidates should note that this job will require flexibility and changes to the weekly rota in order to meet the needs of their clients e.g. no Saturday working but working across the week during the day.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

• Minimum level 2 or the equivalent of a recognised qualification in playwork or working with children and young people across the ages e.g. Play Work, Children, and Young Peoples Workforce 0-19
• Current Safeguarding qualification or agreement to renew within a timeframe.
• Experience working with children, young people, and parents.
• A thorough understanding of Equality and Diversity
• Awareness of Health & Safety and practical hygiene issues
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability, flexibility, and willingness to take on other responsibilities or duties as deemed necessary by the Service Manager
• Good organisational, record-keeping, and planning skills
• Good digital literacy with a range of IT skills (including experience in Word, databases, emailing, and using the internet as a research tool.
• Evidence of a strong commitment to the Centre’s mission, values, and behaviours including having a positive attitude to working within a diverse team and with a diverse client group

DESIRABLE:

Knowledge of other language(s) (e.g. Amharic, Arabic, BSL)
An understanding of the challenges facing families with social, economic, or personal needs

To apply, please submit a CV and your answers to the below 3 questions:

• Do you have an accredited qualification in either Playwork or a qualification from the Children and Young Peoples Workforce 0-19?
• Do you have knowledge and understanding of the Playwork principles, and could you briefly explain how these have been put into practice in any of your previous work?
• Do you have experience working in a community setting with children and families? Please give short examples of your experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Holidays: 24 days, 26 after one year’s service, 28 after two years’ service
• Notice Period: One month
• Pension: The Centre provides a stakeholder pension scheme and will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.
• Probation Period: 6 months
• A Season Ticket Loan is available.

You may have experience in the following: Family Support Worker, Child and Family Services Specialist, Family Assistance Coordinator, Family Case Manager, Family Advocate, Family Intervention Specialist, Family Outreach Worker, Child and Family Advocate, Family Counselor, Family Resource Specialist.

REF-211248