Social Worker - Family Help

Our developing Family Help service aims to provide targeted support and help to families so that children and families can thrive and more families are able to stay together. We recognise that providing the right type of support at the right time for families is key to working effectively and that lasting relationships with professionals is central to working alongside families and their networks. Working alongside families using our Restorative Model of practice, we use family led-decision making strategies and Motivational Interviewing skills to help families access creative and targeted support packages that will help to develop meaningful and lasting change for families. This includes increased capacity to manage complex parenting challenges and reducing risks within family networks and across our community. . Our Family Help service is delivered through the 'Family Safeguarding model' which delivers a whole family approach to support. Social workers and Family Help practitioners will co-ordinate the support offered to families drawing on the knowledge and skillset of experienced Child Practitioners; Drug and Alcohol practitioners' Probation Officers; Domestic Abuse Workers, and Mental Health Practitioners. The Family Safeguarding programme is used to inform our direct work with families and our model of supervision is reflective group supervision involving those practitioners involved in supporting a family. We are based centrally at Cable Plaza, Dudley Waterfront but our Family Help service is a locality-based model. Teams working closely alongside Dudley's 5 Family Hubs who provide early support to families through their links with our local partners. As the Family help service continues to develop, improved relationships between Family Help practitioners and our local partners will enable more families to be supported earlier when problems and difficulties are easier to address. We believe our children and families deserve the consistency and stability in the support provided. Our service works with families who require a single assessment, a co-ordinated plan including child protection plans and we undertake pre-proceedings and care proceedings work. We recognise that strong permanency planning for our children is key to supporting family relationships and networks, even when it is not safe for children to remain within the care of a parent. Our kinship offer is developing and we working closely with our kinship team to secure creative and supportive plans for family networks. Our service is a friendly and passionate service, always seeking to improve the best outcomes for our children and families. We offer a great opportunity to expand your skillset, knowledge, and confidence within front line help and safeguarding practice, supported by regular supervision and a committed and supportive management team. If you are passionate about working with children, are motivated to make a difference, and have a desire to help and support others, we want to hear from you!,

• supporting young people with problems
• providing a chance to talk about any problems
• giving information, advice, practical help and support in your home
• helping people to share concerns about a child or adult's safety or welfare with the right people
• helping with information about local nurseries, childminders, playgroups, parent and toddler groups, and short breaks for children with special needs
In addition to supporting families we have a duty to protect children and young people who are at risk of neglect or abuse and support them if a court decides they can no longer remain with their own family. Jobs and careers We are incredibly proud of our council and the borough it serves; it's a unique and very special place. We know that if you come and join us you'll receive a warm welcome, work with some very loyal and committed colleagues and contribute positively to making life better for our residents, businesses and visitors.