Family Community Support Worker

**Family Community Support Worker**

**Salary: £20,000-£23,500 (dependent upon experience)**

Full time 35 hours (Variable hours 7 days a week)

27 days holiday per annum + Bank Holidays

Head Office based in Leeds but the role covers Yorkshire (areas to be confirmed)

**Job Summary**: An exciting opportunity at Candlelighters which will continue to develop and grow. The role is responsible for being a key contact to our families in Yorkshire (areas to be confirmed) while liaising with professionals, charities and services in the area. You will be expected to run all services, projects and events in these areas but also be part of the development of locally based services, feeding into our research. The role will continue to develop and grow over time.

**Line Manager**:Head of Family Support

**Key relationships**:Providing a key contact for all families, volunteers and professionals in the community. Working within the family support team but also with the wider multi-disciplinary team over at the Leeds Children’s Hospital. Working alongside other Candlelighters Community Support Workers.

**Principal Responsibilities**
- Responsible for the planning, promoting and delivery of projects, support groups, events and services in the areas assigned
- Working alongside the Candlelighters Family Support team, Social Work team and Outreach team to ensure families receive the financial, emotional and practical support that they require
- Responsible for collating feedback from families and professionals and feeding into the overall research lead for Yorkshire
- Responsible for recruiting and managing Family Network Volunteers in areas assigned
- Strengthen and build relationships with key health professionals, charities and services in areas assigned
- Be an advocate for Candlelighters, promoting services and signpost families to other support/health professionals/services in their area
- Working alongside key health professionals to identify the most appropriate support for families. This may be on the wards, in clinic, in the community or at home
- Develop links within the shared cared treatment centres in areas assigned
- Support families through their fundraising journeys as and when appropriate - needs led by the family
- To actively contribute to the development of the role

**Knowledge**:
**Essential**
- 5 GCSE’s C’s or above including English and Maths.
- Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures

**Desirable**
- Knowledge of community support services available to families
- Knowledge of childhood cancer
- Knowledge of Microsoft packages
- Knowledge of Databases

**Skills**:
**Essential**
- Good communication and listening skills
- The ability to build and maintain rapport with adults and children
- Remain calm and professional under pressure
- Be flexible and adaptable as you will be required to work evenings and weekends
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries
- Be proactive and have the ability to work independently
- Experience of working with a variety of people of all ages and backgrounds
- Resilient and the ability to cope in emotional situations
- Awareness of own coping mechanisms
- Commitment to making a positive difference to the lives of our families
- A positive, non-judgemental, empathetic and sensitive approach
- Effective team work skills
- Ability to work under own initiative
- Competent IT skills in order to record and maintain accurate data
- The ability to maintain expert knowledge of the services we offer as well as local provisions
- Trustworthy
- Creative
- Good timekeeping and attendance

**Desirable**
- Have a good understanding of the challenges faced by the families affected by childhood cancer.

This particular role is not suitable for family members who are currently receiving support from Candlelighters. This is to ensure they are given the best possible care and support without any potential conflict of interest.

Previous applicants need not apply.

**The closing date for the post is ongoing**

We operate a 2 stage interview due to the sensitive nature of the environment incorporating an interview and a taster session as outlined below:
**_Stage 1_** - Formal Interview with the Community Support Worker
- Team Leader & Head of Family Support.

**Date TBC**

**_Stage 2_** - Taster day and Interview with a Family Member. This will consist of a tour of the ward and clinic. Meeting staff and spending time in the family support centre.

**Date TBC**

**Application Feedback**

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £20,000.00-£23,500.00 per year

COVID-19 considerations:
Masks encouraged if social distancing is not possible. Social distancing required. Hand washing/ sanitizing it encouraged upon entrance to the office. Sanitizer and wipes provided on desks and each station to be wiped after use.