The Role

The purpose of this role is to work alongside frontline teams to support the delivery of Supervised Contact between parents and children. Child and Family Support Workers work in conjunction with qualified social workers to deliver bespoke pieces of targeted intervention work with children, young people and their families and ensure that when contact needs to be supervised between parents and children it is safe, supported, and in the children's best interests. Supervised Contacts contribute to the future planning for children and young people and the reports may be submitted to court; therefore, skills of observation, grammatical accuracy and recording are essential.

The post holder may also directly undertake a range of other activities with children, young people and families, for example by providing practical and/or emotional support to promote improved physical and mental health and social development and well-being.

The post holder will work across all frontline services, including Assessment and Intervention, Family Support and Protection and Children in Care but the role and the priority of work is based within the Supervised Contact Service. The work can be complex, demanding and emotionally challenging and the post holder is required to work with dedication, transparency and resilience.

Role Specific Accountabilities

* Undertake activity & interventions as agreed by the case holding social worker, which support the plan for the child, young person & 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 ECC Children's Social Care Services.
* Liaise and work collaboratively with internal and external professional partner agencies as relevant to the case (e.g. 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 & 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 & 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 Family Operations policies & procedures, including case records on Mosaic.
* Work collaboratively with other Child & 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.

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.