Senior Family Support Worker

Our Client has a large property within its own extensive grounds, located in a rural village near Malvern, Worcestershire. The property has been renovated to a very high standard and reflects a welcoming, warm, therapeutic environment for parents and their children. The house has the capacity to accommodate up to eight families and comprises individual apartments and several communal areas promoting a spacious and private environment. They have extensive indoor and outdoor facilities which include a large playroom, a sensory room, and garden spaces with play equipment.
They are a unique centre in that we work solely with parents who are/or have been 'looked after' and are therefore care experienced. Research confirms that care experienced parents are disproportionally more likely to have their children removed. They know that often these parents personal experience of positive parenting is minimal, they would have experienced varying levels of trauma, and they are less likely to have extended family to support them as a new parent. Their aim is to provide care experienced parents with the knowledge, skills and support which leads to children not being removed. They know for some parents this will not be achievable, and where this is not possible, we aim for parents to leave with on-going support. Their main priority will always be the safety and well being of the children.
Job Purpose - Main Role
The role of the Senior Family Support Worker (SFSW) is to be a positive role model when working directly with families and Family Support Workers (FSW). Where necessary providing on the job training, mentoring, coaching to support the growth and development of FSW's. The SFSW will be the Key worker in assisting social workers to implement the Family Assessment Plan. The SFSW is responsible for supporting FSW in the planning of day-to-day activities, ensuring FSW have support an oversight whilst on shift. The SFSW will offer support and guidance as and when required to FSW throughout any given shift and when necessary, contact emergency service and the on-call manager. The SFSW will be responsible for attending handovers between shifts, ensuring clear and accurate communication is passed onto staff.
SFSW will complete the day-to-day work with families, observing and assisting with the assessments in order to promote, strengthen and develop parenting skills and to promote the welfare of the child at all times.
The SFSW as part of the staffing team, will be key in creating a supportive and learning environment for the parents whilst ensuring parents can prioritise the safety and welfare needs of their children. Where this is not happening, they will take appropriate steps to safeguard children in line with Tyre Hill House safeguarding procedures.
The role of the SFSW is to encourage, teach and model positive parenting with families. This can include activities such as bathing, feeding, playing and dealing with discipline and behavioural difficulties. This support will be delivered in individual sessions or as part of group work.
The SFSW will, on occasion, provide childcare to enable the parent to attend group and individual sessions.
Skills and Ability

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  Ability to demonstrate good written and verbal skills.
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  Sound IT skills - including Microsoft Office and computer-based record keeping systems.

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  Ability to listen and observe interactions between parents and their children.

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  Ability to plan, record and evaluate through recording and written reports.
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  Ability to prioritise workload of staff, self, and shift requirements.
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  Be approachable, friendly and work as part of a team and as an individual.
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  Able to work openly and honestly.
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  Ability to respond to the varying needs of families in a non-judgemental way with warmth and sensitivity.
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  Ability to interact effectively with vulnerable adults and children, demonstrating empathy and understanding.
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  Ability to build and develop excellent working relationships with families and colleagues.
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  Ability to work collaboratively with Social Workers and other professionals.
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  Ability to take the lead when making decisions or managing incidents/emergency situations.

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  Ability to defuse and de-escalate aggressive/volatile situations.
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  Ability to work in a fast paced/busy environment.

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  Ability to use supervision as a space for case management, reflection, and professional growth.

Requirements:

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  NVQ Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma or equivalent or other relevant qualification.

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  Prepared to work to achieve at least NVQ Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma in line with completion of probationary period.

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  English (language) equivalent to GCSE D or above

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  (Desirable) Freedom Programme, Parenting Programme such as Triple P and Strengthening Families.
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  Prepared to work shifts, including nights, weekends, and bank holidays and to 'sleep in' on a rota basis.

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  Prepare to support good housekeeping.

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  Hold a driving license.

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  To undertake other duties as identified by the management team.

Full time role. The salary is £32,000 per annum.