Family Support Worker

**PURPOSE OF JOB**: To deliver SureStart services to parents\parents to be and children through home visiting, developing and delivering parenting and personal development programmes and networking with relevant organisations.

**ESSENTIAL CRITERIA**

**Qualifications**

Minimum Level 3 Diploma in Health, Social Care or Children’s Care Learning and Development, Early Years Care & Education, Early Childhood Studies or equivalent

**Experience**

A minimum of two years’ post qualifying paid employment working with parents within a family support or early years setting

**Other**

Hold a current full driving license and /or* have access to a form of transport which allows the post holder to fulfil the duties of the post.
- this refers to any applicant who has declared that they have a disability which prohibits them from driving

**Skills / Abilities**

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Use own initiative

Ability to represent agency and network with other agencies

Ability to deliver individual and group parenting programmes

Ability to write reports and keep manual and computerised records of work completed.

**Knowledge**

Knowledge of SureStart

Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the issues facing parents and their children in the SureStart areas

Experience of working to and understanding of a child protection policy

**DESIRABLE CRITERIA**

**Experience**

HND Working with Children and Families

Experience of facilitating parenting programmes

Experience of working in a SureStart project

**MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

1. To work as part of the SureStart team to achieve the SureStart aims and objectives.

2. To carry out registration home visits to newly referred families.

3. To work with parents\parents to be and develop positive working relationships to ensure their family’s needs are identified and met.

4. To visit families in their homes and to deliver homebased interventions promoting healthy relationships and to provide support and connections with appropriate SureStart services.

5. To develop appropriate support packages in response to the needs of families and work on an individual basis with parents\parents to be\parents and children, to deliver information, offer support, encouragement and motivation where appropriate.

6. To provide emotional and practical support for families, through one to one support sessions, development and facilitation of group work and parenting programmes as required.
- To signpost parents, to SureStart services and to local community, voluntary and statutory agencies as required.

8. To work with colleagues to identify needs of families and children in the community and work as part of a team to develop services to address these needs.

9. To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

10. To liaise closely with other professionals and service providers were appropriate and liaise with a range of statutory, voluntary and community organisations to maintain effective partnerships.

11. To work alongside Partnership Agencies to deliver services.

12. To work within and adhere to the policies and procedures of SureStart Shantallow, Shantallow Community Support Partnership and Resource Centre Derry.

13. To inform Line Manager of any untoward events, accidents or complaints in accordance with Policies and Procedures.

14. To observe strictly the principle of confidentiality as outlined in the Policies and Procedures.
- To comply with and implement Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures.

16. To contribute to formal safeguarding meetings if required.

17. To attend and contribute to monthly supervision meetings, appraisals, Allocation and Team Meetings.
- To maintain appropriate and accurate records in keeping with policies and procedures and implement monitoring and evaluation systems which will enable the SureStart Management team to monitor service levels and outcomes.
- To work towards all Sure Start targets as set out in the Business Plan.

20. To contribute to the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of service provision in relation to meeting needs and achieving outcomes.

21. To contribute to the development of services within the project. To participate in audit and standard setting.

22. To attend appropriate training identified by either Line Manager or self, designed to enhance skills base, hereby assisting the development of the project.

23. To undertake any other duties deemed necessary within the scope of the position held.

**Job Types**: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 15 months

Pay: £14.73 per hour

Expected hours: 16 per week

**Benefits**:

- Canteen
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/12/2024
Reference ID: FSW/12/24