Website Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid

Children and Family Support Worker

POST: Children and Family Support Worker (maternity cover)
HOURS OF WORK: 37 hours *(Due to the nature of this post the post holder will be expected to work after school, early evenings, school holidays and weekends & you will be required to participate in a 24 hours on call rota)
SALARY: £31, 537

JOB PURPOSE:

To develop and deliver family support and play sessions to children, young people and their mothers in refuge and the community. To lead on domestic violence awareness raising sessions with children/young people and professionals.

RESPONSIBLE TO: The Refuge Manager

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SUPPORT WORK:

To work in partnership with mothers/carers to identify children and young people’s support needs and to ensure those needs are met
To undertake needs analysis for each child and young person, to ascertain the level of support needed and the type of activities required to meet their needs
To develop and deliver a comprehensive programme of one-to-one and group therapeutic and play sessions, and shared activities within refuge
To provide school holiday play schemes in refuge
To supervise and accompany children and young people on trips and visits outside of refuge
To provide one to one support and family support with families living in the community
To seek approval of all programmes with the refuge manager and ensure that these are discussed with other relevant members of the staff team before implementation
To participate in the development of informative literature for women and children, including a children’s introduction pack, which is to be kept up-to-date
To purchase/hire such equipment as necessary to undertake programmes within budgetary constraints and with approval from the refuge manager
To carry out appropriate methods of communication with women, children and young people living in refuge to keep them informed about opportunities and updates on work that is taking place, including house meetings
To carry out detailed monitoring and evaluation of all support work, and keep an accurate record of notes and comments in line with relevant legislation
To communicate regularly with mothers/carers about the work with their children
To support mothers/carers to enable them to meet the schooling, health and social care needs of their children
To link with health workers, schools, nurseries, social workers and to implement procedures for referral to other agencies
To work with the BSWA floating support and resettlement teams to identify the needs of women and their children leaving refuge after being offered permanent accommodation
To advocate on behalf of children, where necessary, throughout adhering to Child Protection procedures
To ensure that Health and Safety records are kept up to date

ADMINISTRATION:

To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems
To ensure that adequate records are kept for all service users
To keep accurate records of financial transactions in line with BSWA’s procedures
To provide monthly reports to the Refuge Manager about work that has taken place, feedback from service users and produce statistical information about participation
To contribute to the preparation of reports for funders

COMMUNICATION:

To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the refuges, staff, volunteers and service users by:
- maintaining BSWA communication records
- following safety procedures
- attending team meetings
- To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager
- To develop a professional working relationship with external agencies

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT:

To ensure that all play areas, equipment and activities comply with Health and Safety requirements, the Children Act and other relevant legislation
To deliver inductions and orientation to all children and young people entering the refuge
To offer support and training to volunteers and ensure that they are aware of all legal Health and Safety requirements

TRAINING:

To deliver positive relationships and domestic violence awareness programmes in local schools and youth groups
To raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence on women and children and of BSWA services through the delivery of training and briefing sessions to agencies and community groups
To work alongside colleagues to organise in-house training and information sessions on a range of issues for service users

GENERAL:

To maintain the confidentiality of the women and children using the service and, in all matters, relating to the organisation
To offer an equal service to all women and children regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation
To work within BSWA policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA
To work within BSWA and local multi-agency child and adult safeguarding procedures
To work within BSWA’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise and commensurate with the post

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September.

Application email: recruitment@bswaid.org

Our website: Jobs Archive – Birmingham Solihull Women’s Aid

To apply for this job email your details to recruitment@bswaid.org.

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Children and Family Support Worker

Children and Family Support Worker