Child Contact Supervisor

The role of a supervised contact facilitator is to observe the interaction between parent(s) and child(ren) under the care of the Local Authority, and private proceedings.
As a contact supervisor, you are there to accurately record progress the family are making and to look for evidence of this. In addition to this, you are also looking at how contact is working in line with the Every Child Matters Agenda and this evidence needsto be compiled in a factual observation based report. Facilitators should be aware they could be called upon to attend court and answer questions on some or all of the reports they have provided. The ideal applicant will need to have experience of workingwith children and families, ideally in an observational or supportive role.
Key responsibilities:

- To observe the contact session and make appropriate notes.
- It is not appropriate for the contact facilitator to enter into long conversations with the adult having contact.
- The contact facilitator may offer advice to the adult having contact if it is felt necessary due to the child/ren needs not being met.
- It is only as a last resort that the contact facilitator should take over the care of the child whilst there is another adult having contact present in the room.
- If the adult does have to leave the room briefly, the supervisor will then be responsible for the child for the brief period that the adult having contact is out of the room.
- It is the role of the contact facilitator to accurately record the factual content of the contact sessions and to give evidence in court as required.
- It may be necessary for the contact facilitator to attend meetings relating to children such as - LAC (Looked after Children) Reviews or Child Protection Conferences.
- In care proceedings cases, the contact facilitator may also be called to give evidence.
- The Contact Facilitator must provide the Contact Manager with notes made during contact.
- The Facilitator is responsible for ensuring he/she has read the family’s referral prior to the commencement of contact and ensure you have all the correct spellings of the family and children’s date of birth for the reports.
- Facilitators must be aware they might be required to work with the family outside of contact to support the success of the contact, this must include handovers to carers/extended family members.
- Should a child make disclosure during contact, this must be reported to the Centre Manager immediately so they can inform the relevant authority to ensure the child’s welfare is met.
- Ensure at all times data protection and confidentiality is kept and all discussions are accurately recorded.
- Attend supervision as requested by the Centre Manager.
- Attend regular staff meetings and raise any agenda points relevant to the job role of a facilitator.
- All facilitators must familiarise themselves with policies and procedures.
- Facilitators need to read and be responsible for acting on the guidelines issued to them in the handbook.
This is a temporary, part time role with work available from Monday - Saturday with the majority of the work taking place on a Saturday. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and be a car driver.