Support Worker

To contribute to the delivery of an effective Children's Social Care Service as part of a Departmental team continuously improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

To be responsible for providing practical and social support for children, young people and families. This includes contributing to care packages, recognising serious risk, promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and young people to make informed decisions.

To contribute to managing the reputation of the service and the Council, complying with national and service procedures and guidance.

MAIN DUTIES

1. Contribute to assessment, care planning and reviews ensuring a child centred focus and empowering children, young people and their families

2. Undertake direct work with children, young people and their families in their homes and the community in a manner which safeguards and promotes positive outcomes for children and young people in line with agreed Children Assessment Framework Plans, Children in Need and Child Protection Plans.

3. Promote contact for children and young people, who are looked after, with their birth family members, providing supervision and assessment in accordance with the Care Plan.

4. Identify and assess levels of risk and need and with support, deliver protective and/or supportive services for children at risk, in need and/or looked after. Take responsibility for reporting of risk properly through the line management structure.

5. Communicate effectively and confidently in a range of situations.

6. Undertake welfare visits to family homes and ensure children are safeguarded within the community, identifying risk and reporting Safeguarding issues in line with Legislation and Policy and Procedures.

7. Stay overnight in the family home (in emergencies) to prevent the child being accommodated

8. Monitor and deliver using evidence based tools, including agreed parenting programmes.

9. Support the involvement of children and young people in decisions affecting their lives and support them to make informed decisions. Including the delivery of Life Story work and running support groups.

10. Promote the wellbeing and resilience of children and young people through demonstrating an understanding of child development, emotional identity and self-esteem.

11. Demonstrate inclusive practice in relation to identity and diversity, challenging any issues of concern.

12. Work co-operatively with colleagues and in partnership within the Council and across agency boundaries including statuary, voluntary and local community and faith groups.

13. Advise and refer or signpost to other services in line with support plan.

14. Attend and represent the department at a range of meetings including CAF meetings, LAC reviews and case conferences.

15. Produce accurate reports that may be used in Court and be prepared to give evidence if required

16. Be responsible, as specified in Service Guidance for accurate, timely and up to date data entry on all cases including:
- data entry on ICS and any other electronic tools or database
- data required for specific PIs/targets

17. Ensure that expenditure on cases is properly authorised and recorded.

18. Contribute to the development of the service through team meetings, Service and Council events.

19. Prepare for and attend Performance and Development Reviews, supervision sessions and staff meetings and make use of all available learning and development opportunities.

20. Ensure that client information data is lawfully gathered, accurate, up to date and only divulged in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the local government common law duty of confidentiality. Failure to apply these duties can lead to the individual or the Service facing court proceedings.

21. Undertake any other duties as directed from time-to-time to meet the exigencies of the service.

GENERAL

This job description is a representative document. Other reasonable similar duties may be allocated from time to time commensurate with the general character of the post and it's grading.

This job description applies to a number of jobs within Children's Social Care, the team (and office location) that staff undertaking this job description are allocated to could change at the discretion of management following consultation with individual post holders.

In addition to his/her principal duties the post holder will be expected to contribute more widely to the overall development of the Service and the Council. You may be required to be available to contribute to the Out of Hours Service.

All employees are responsible for the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy so far as it affects them, their colleagues and others who may be affected by their work. The post holder is also expected to monitor the effectiveness of the health and safety arrangements and systems to promote appropriate improvements where necessary.

All employees are expected to be committed to the Equality and Diversity policy and assist in removing the barriers to service delivery and employment to enhance a positive equality culture.

Please read the guidance notes before completing your application form. Please demonstrate, with examples, how you meet the criteria for the post, as set out below., Level 3 qualification relating to working with Children and Young People

C
Experience

Demonstrable skills, knowledge and aptitudes

Demonstrable skills, knowledge and aptitudes
Knowledge and understanding of child development and family dynamics.

Knowledge of issues affecting children's and young people's vulnerability and resilience.

Ability to communicate effectively and undertake direct work with children and young people.

Ability to write accurate records and reports

Ability to effectively undertake partnership working with children, young people and families.

Ability to meet the demands of the service and produce work to a high standard within set timescales.

Ability to be solution focused in relation to case work and service development, resolving familiar routine problems autonomously.

Ability to follow through on agreements with children, young people and families and demonstrate empathy.

Ability to take advantage of, and use, information technology.

Ability to work within professional and ethical standards including the HCPC codes.

Knowledge of appropriate legislative frameworks, statutory guidance and processes for Looked After Children and Children subject to Child Protection Plans

Knowledge of the Assessment Framework and other relevant assessment and planning tools., This post is registered as exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and in accordance with the Police Act; the successful candidate must be able to obtain satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring service (DBS) in order to be appointed to the post. In this respect a criminal record check will be undertaken prior to confirmation of appointment., Commitment to own professional development.

Ability to understand and demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity., We are looking for Family Support Workers to join our Children with Complex Needs social work service to support families, particularly those with children on the edge of care. A large part of the work will be to support a child with complex needs in order to enable him to remain in the care of his nan. Applicants should be experienced in working in complex care and have excellent communication skills so they can talk and sing with this lovely, happy boy. We are looking for applicants who take a trauma-informed, patient, kind and attentive approach to their work. Applicants will be required to have the flexibility to work weekends as well as some mornings and/or evenings through the week.

£16.14 per hour
Trinity Road, Bootle, L20 3NJ
Community Services,
Temporary