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Family Worker

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
England, Essex, Chelmsford
Salary
Negotiable
Closing date
25 Nov 2019

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Job role
Support Worker
Contract Type
Full time
Please note this is a fixed term contract for 12 months

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda - one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We're immensely proud of our flexible working options.

In ECC we are "Serious about Social Work" and fully embrace alternatively qualified practitioners as part of this. Having recently won the Best Social Work Employer of the Year Award 2018 and been awarded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted this is an exciting time to join us. As if that wasn't enough, Essex has also been announced as a Partner in Practice by the Department of Education, and the Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA) is the only Local Authority team in the country to be accredited by BASW as a CPD provider. We have invested in our workforce and created a positive environment for our workers to make a difference and achieve change for our most vulnerable children and families through direct relationship-based practice. We have supported our staff to understand systemic theoretical framework and models underpinning our interventions; to have access to the right tools, equipment and resources; and also, the right supervision, training and learning opportunities they need to be strong practitioners.

Family Solutions was established across Essex to work holistically with disadvantaged families, with complex needs to enable them to make significant and sustainable positive changes to their lives.

The Family Worker will work closely with families to build strong relationships, based on respect and positive regard.

Holding their own caseload, Family Workers will utilise support from their supervisor and colleagues about the direction and actions required to move a case forward on a day to day basis and refer decisions regarding risk or significant concern to their manager or practice supervisor.

Working alongside children, young people and their families to change areas of their lives which may mean they have reduced life chances. Provide both practical and specialist advice as well acting as a lead coordinator for additional support services where appropriate

Working as part of a Family Solutions team undertake holistic assessment of family needs and help identify how outcomes can be achieved, ensuring that assessments and intervention plans fully reflect family and young person's views and aspirations.

  • Provide specific practical, personal and emotional support to families in their homes or other settings as part of an agreed plan, which will be reviewed jointly with families, leading to achievement of agreed and sustainable family outcomes.
  • Undertake programmes of work to support children and families to develop their skills to resolve issues and problems themselves, provide them with information and accompany them when needed to help them access other local provision.
  • Lawfully share information and work with colleagues and partners to ensure effective planning and delivery of services to families.
  • Participate actively in regular supervision to review work and ensure effective interventions for families. As part of this, take part in regular professional development sessions designed to ensure that the principles of effective practice are fully embedded in service delivery.
  • Follow SET Child Protection procedures, ensuring that swift discussion takes place with Practice Supervisor or Team Manager when child protection or other public protection concerns arise.
  • Maintain a high standard of practice reflecting a value-based approach to working with children and their families.

Skills and Knowledge

  • Ideally a qualification such as NVQ level 3 in Children and Families or equivalent knowledge and skills from experience working in a related field as well as evidence of working directly with children and families accessing statutory/ non-statutory services.
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development and aware of the principles of evidenced based practice.
  • Able to provide practical advice and support to families to enable identified families to achieve sustainable outcomes
  • Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills, reliability and good time management skills
  • Awareness of relevant legislation such as Children Act 1989, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and relevant education legislation.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately
  • In the context of your role you are required to be mobile throughout an operational area to ensure that you fulfil, effectively, the duties and requirements of your post as set in the job profile and person specification. Hence, a driver's licence and vehicle are required unless it is possible to travel effectively throughout the area by public transport.
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.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact Recruitment on 0333 013 5888



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