Individual Role – Unique Characteristics

This document is to be used in conjunction with the general role profile

Directorate / Children’s Services
Unit / FOSTERING /ADOPTION
Job title / HOMESTAYS ADVISOR (NEW PROFILE )
Role Profile Level / PCD5A
Date / 9 JUNE 2014
Post Group Number / 4686

Purpose

Cumbria Homestays Scheme is a new Service that is based within the Fostering Team. It forms the integral part of Cumbria County Council’s (CCC) response to the government’s ‘Staying Put’ agenda. It will have a number of ‘bed’ spaces around the county. The bed spaces are in the form of lodgings in private households. These households (Providers) are recruited to provide accommodation for young people who are leaving the county’s Child Looked After system and others as appropriate (Children in Need, Adoption breakdowns, mother and baby placements) . The service will be staffed by Homestays Advisors.

Key responsibilities

·  Ensures that the Homestay Service (Supported Lodgings) is fully operational.

·  Take responsibility to recruit, monitor and support Providers. They will develop and enhance the Homestays Service to meet the needs of Care Leavers and other Young People, whom the department considers are in need of this service.

Staff Management Responsibilities

Supervision of Homestays Providers and their placements

Resources Responsible for

Support to Homestays Providers and their placements

Job Working Circumstances

This is a countywide service and the successful applicant may be expected to travel throughout the county.

Office location will be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Person Specification

Directorate / School / Children’s Services
Unit / Team
Job Title
Job Family Role Profile Level
Date
Post Group Number
(to be added by Pay and Reward team)
Essential / Desirable
Qualifications / Degree or NVQ 4 (or equivalent) / DipSw or equivalent, or Dip community and Youth teaching qualification.
Knowledge / Knowledge of young people in the looked after system.
Knowledge of Welfare and housing benefits.
Knowledge of Housing and tenancy issues.
Knowledge of safety issues. / Awareness of current practice/legislation relating to supported lodgings/care leavers/Staying Put agenda
Relevant Experience / Experience in assessing, monitoring and supporting individuals in new experiences.
Experience in providing training to others. / Developing new services.
Awareness of current practice/legislation relating to supported lodgings/care leavers/Staying Put agenda
Skills / Demonstrate ability to manage a caseload.
Ability to undertake objective assessments.
Ability to plan work and meet deadlines.
Good communication skills especially with young people.
Good standard of computer skills competent in word, excel and power point.
Ability to work on in partnership with other agencies.
Ability to negotiate contracts and agreements.
Ability to manage media and be a spokesperson for the service.
Able to work unsupervised.
Willingness to travel throughout the county on a regular basis. / Ability to assimilate legislative change.
Knowledge of broad Child Care Legislation.
Awareness of vulnerability of young people.
Awareness of family and social systems as they affect young people.
Training / Demonstrate a clear commitment to professional development though training.
When required, to register and undertake the necessary training to acquire the PQ Child Care Award.
Ability to provide training to others.
Personal Skills / To present oneself in all settings as a professional representation of the department. / Ability to support and contribute to the professional development of colleagues.
Other / Flexible working hours, it is likely that this post will involve travelling and working some evenings and weekends.
Enhanced Disclosure through DBS.

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