Part Time Child and Family Support Worker

Location

Chelmsford, Essex | United Kingdom

Job description

Part Time Child and Family Support Worker

Permanent, Part Time

£23,456 to £29,933 per annum, pro rata FTE

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style:  Community-based worker

Please note that the working days and hours for this role are Monday / Tuesday / Thursday - 09:00 - 17:30 and Friday - 09:00 - 16:30.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned  Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

The Opportunity:

The primary role for a child and family support worker based within the contact service is to supervise, support and facilitate contact primarily between children who are looked after by the local authority and their birth families. This may incorporate aspects of targeted intervention work which supports the overall assessment and case planning for the family. On occasions the post holder’s role may also include work within frontline teams to support the delivery of effective children’s Social Work. Child and family support workers will work in conjunction with qualified social workers to deliver bespoke pieces of targeted intervention work with the child/young person and family. This work will normally be time limited, with measurable impact and always be in accordance with the care plan, as agreed by the case holding social worker.

The post holder may need to undertake a range of activities directly with children, young people and families providing practical, personal and emotional support that meets the assessed needs and promotes improved health, physical, mental and social development and well-being.

The role will work across any frontline service, including assessment and intervention; family support and protection (including supervised contact); children in care; and children and young people with disabilities. The work can be complex, demanding and emotionally challenging and the post holder is required to work with dedication and resilience.

Accountabilities:

• Undertake activity and interventions as agreed by the case holding social worker, which support the plan for the child, young person and family, including supervised contact activity
• Build strong, effective relationships with the child, young person and family which support relationship and strengths based social work practice.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism which contribute to the level of confidence in Essex County Council’s children’s social care services
• Liaise and work collaboratively with internal and external professional partner agencies as relevant to the case (eg. occupational therapy, schools, health, mental health), to gather accurate information that informs assessment and decisions about the plan for the child
• Provide information and advice in relation to involvement/accessing of third-party agencies relevant to the needs of the child, young person and family (e.g. benefits agencies, immigration, housing), where necessary acting as an advocate
• Be a source of practical advice and support, enabling the child, young person and family to build their capability to sustain change and function effectively within the community
• Attend meetings, reviews, case conferences and court hearings (as directed by the case holding social worker) to provide information, insight and evidence which builds a comprehensive and rounded understanding of the child’s needs
• Record work and activity in accordance with Children and Families policies and procedures, including case records on Mosaic
• Work collaboratively with other child and family support workers, social workers and managers to contribute to the overall work and success of the team, and to ensure improved outcomes for children

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent.
• Experience of building strong, effective relationships with children, young people and families in times of challenge and crisis.
• Experience of undertaking direct, activity-based work with children, young people and families.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues impacting children, young people and families, and that led to them requiring support.
• Knowledge of Children Act 1989 and 2004 and other legislative and policy guidance applicable within Children’s Social Care.
• Desirable - First Aid Certificate/ Ability to Sign Language.

To read more about us please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more  about us.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to 

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email  [email protected]

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Salary

£23.46k - £29.93k per annum