Three Wings Trust

Job Description and Person Specification

JOB TITLE:Parent and Family Support Officer

REPORTS TO:Chief Executive

Salary Scale: NJC SO1/SO2 £24,646 to £28,636 (SCP 29 to 34) plus £1,755 OLW

Scale effective 1.4.11

Hours:Full time or Part time - Hours to be agreed

Full time is35 hours per week (post may be pro rata subject to funding)

JOB PURPOSE: To support families with children with additional needs in challenging situations in a holistic way which:

  • promotes the best interests of the whole family
  • empowers parents to manage their challenges
  • improves parenting and the family environment for the child with additional needs
  • involves all family members in a constructive way
  • encourages access of wider services, facilities and support
  • enables progress as a family collaborating in mutual support
  • to evaluate support provided and intervention to provide evidence based outcomes

APPROACH

Taking a staged approach to working with individual families involving:

  1. Referral

-taking the referral and completing paperwork and deciding if appropriate

  1. Assessment

-Meeting with the family to develop a good relationship, insight into the key issues and goals, approach and outcomes agreed with the family

  1. Working Contract and timescale

-establishing the mode of working and timescale with the family and contract signed by case worker and family

  1. Intervention

-structured input focused on progressing goals and outcomes

  1. Regular reviews

-as per agreed timescale – probably 3 and 6 monthly – agreeing new goals and approaches

  1. Discharge

-discharge meeting and forms, agreeing any final actions.

Developing parent support groups, advice and information sessions, training and activities which provide support and development to families. Referring, and linking in to other services including the befriending, sitting and activities services provided by Three Wings Trust.

Activities may include organising holiday activity programmes for children with additional needs

Contributing to Three Wings Trust information and advice initiatives, including producing newsletters, website and events.
Person Specification

Necessary:

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Skills:

1Excellent personal communication, listening and relationship skills with parents, children and professionals

2Understanding of child development and family dynamics

3Person and family centred approach

4Investigatory, analytic and counselling skills able to deal with complex situations

5Ability to advocate strongly for families

6Strong networker able to work with professionals and agencies

7Clear understanding of child protection issues, strategies and responsibilities

8Organisational and administrative skills

9Able to work independently, resiliently and efficiently on own initiative

Qualifications

-NVQ3 or above in health, social care or related subject

Experience

-Delivered direct support services in front line family, voluntary sector or children’s contexts

Desirable

Skills

– driving licence

-Facilitation and training skills

-understanding of clinical governance approach to effective working and outcomes

Qualifications

– in child care, behaviour management, family work, education, person centred planning, counselling or social work

Experience

– Working in or with local children and family services

- understanding of available children and family services

- working with children and families with learning and behaviour challenges

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Judy Weleminsky 2.4.12

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