JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE: Targeted Family Support Worker

LOCATION: West Leeds

RESPONSIBLE TO: Project Manager, Senior Practitioner

AREA/TEAM: Children & Young People’s Services

ROLE OVERVIEW:

To support families with children aged 5-16 years who are impacted by parental drug and alcohol misuse.

The role will be based within Barca’s Children and Young People’s Service and work closely with internal and external services.

To manage and deliver restorative family interventions that aim to achieve improved outcomes for the children, young people and the wider family who are affected by drug and/or alcohol use.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The post holder is responsible to the Project Manager and Senior Practitioner for overall individual performance and day to day duties.

The post holder will work closely with internal and external agencies within the area.

The post holder will support children, young people and families using a restorative approach.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

·  Manage a service user case load and assess and review ongoing support needs using the Outcome Star Assessment Tool.

·  Identify key needs of children and parents and link into other services to co-ordinate a suitable package of support to improve family outcomes.

·  Support children and their siblings who may be/are at risk of social isolation, low attendance/attainment and at risk of becoming NEET; using a range of interventions such as small group work and one-to-one support.

·  Support families to improve barriers they may be facing such as housing issues, debt, and engagement in recovery.

·  To develop and maintain a high level of knowledge of evidence based practice in family interventions including restorative practice, Family Group Conferencing

·  Contribute and lead when necessary to any action plans/meetings affecting the needs of the child e.g. Early Help Assessments and Social Care Plans.

·  To complete all relevant service documentation including accurate recording, monitoring and evaluation of delivery.

·  To establish effective links with partner organisations, clusters and local communities.

·  Undertake individual risk assessments as well as activity and site risk assessments.

·  To ensure a proactive approach to Safeguarding of Children and Young People and Families applied to all cases.

·  To work alongside existing provision being delivered by BARCA-LEEDS as well as a range of other agencies and professionals.

·  To advocate on behalf of young people on issues of concern to them.

·  To ensure that priority is given to embedding Voice and Influence in service design, delivery, evaluation and planning.

·  To comply with all relevant monitoring and evaluation and produce information required for reports.

·  To be willing to take part in training relevant to both individual and team development.

·  To attend staff meetings as required.

·  To continually be aware and up to date on the development of policies, legislation and working practices as relevant to the Children and Young People’s Service and Barca-Leeds.

·  To work within all Barca-Leeds relevant policies and practices.

COMPETENCIES (BEHAVIOURS NEEDED FOR THE ROLE)

Please refer to the Barca-Leeds Competency Framework for a description of the behaviours expected at the level identified below.

COMPETENCY / Level Expected
Client Focus / 2
Communicating & Influencing / 3
Managing & Developing Performance / 2
Decision Making / 2
Planning & Organising / 2
Problem Solving / 3
Knowledge & Expertise / 3
Drive for Achievement / 2
Working within Teams / 2

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential / Desirable
Training, Experience & Qualifications
·  Dip HE or NVQ Level 3 in Social Work, Youth and Community, Playwork, Community Studies, Family Support or equivalent.
·  At least 3 years’ experience working with vulnerable children and young people aged between 5-16yrs.
·  Holds a full UK driving licence.
·  Managing a caseload of clients.
·  Completing comprehensive assessments and developing interventions plans with families.
·  Developing and running issue based group work.
·  Delivering one-to-one support with children and young people.
·  Monitoring and Evaluation
·  Working in an anti-oppressive setting
·  Working using a variety of settings using a range of positive activities to support children/young people.
·  Work alongside other agencies to support children/young people / ·  MIDAS Trained.
Knowledge & Skills
·  Issues of disadvantaged/social exclusion facing young people.
·  Ability to communicate well with children, families and partner agencies.
·  Ability to facilitate a range of issue based interventions and family led opportunities to improve outcomes.
·  Recognise the impact of risk taking behaviours.
·  Ability to assess risk and act appropriately.
·  Ability to recognise and act upon the needs of vulnerable children and young people.
·  Recognise the importance of accurate monitoring and recording in all work.
·  Safeguarding Processes and Child Protection Issues
·  Equal Opportunities
·  Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people and families.
·  Group and individual work skills.
·  Computer literacy.
·  Creativity and ability to work on own initiative.
·  Ability to work unsociable hours when required.
·  Ability to engage children/young people and families and work in a restorative manner – in particular looking voice and influence. / ·  Advocacy on behalf of children/young people
·  Knowledge of key partners in West Leeds.
·  Experience using Outcome Star Assessment Tool.
·  Experience leading Early Help Plans.
Personal Qualities
·  Positive and proactive attitude.
·  Solution focussed.
·  Non-judgmental and a sympathetic attitude to people living in disadvantaged communities.
·  Client focussed.
·  Empathetic.
·  Resilient.
·  Ability to reflect.
·  Motivated and enthusiastic.
·  Able to work according to organisational policies and procedures.
·  Ability to work as part of a team.

May 2017