Job description

Job Title: Supporting Families Caseworker

Salary: £24,500

Hours: Full-time,35 hours per week

Responsible to: Supporting Families Manager

Summary

This post will be equally divided between two projects. Responsibilities will therefore be split between the areas set out below:

(i)Providing information, advice and support to parent/carers of both children and adults with learning disabilitiesand/orAutism. In line with our main objectives, specific areas of support will be around:

  • The best start in life
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Life’s transitions
  • Income maximisation

(ii)Providing information, advice and support to family carers aged 65+ and referring them onto other caseworkers where necessary. As well as developing and increasing older carers’ involvement and participation in activities and groups.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Casework, information, advice and support

Offer support, advice, information and signposting to meet the needs of parents/ carers using our services. This will include:

  • With supervision from the Supporting Families manager, prioritise and manage casework for parents and carers. Operate a waiting list and work within agreed targets, timescales and outcomes when delivering 1:1 appointments.
  • In order to offer appointments to working parents/carers, the post holder may occasionally be required to be available outside of normal office hours. This will be arranged and agreed in advance.
  • Support and assist with applications for a range of welfare benefits and income maximisation claims e.g. DLA, PIP, ESA 50, and other disability/carers benefit applications.This will involve support through letter writing and gathering evidence.
  • Support and assist withfinancial assessments andcarers assessments.
  • Provide complex information to parent/carers face to face, by telephone and email and other accessible formats. Work creatively with parents/carers to resolve language or communication barriers.
  • To work with and support parents/carers to fill out evaluation forms on completion of all casework/group work.
  • To complete monitoring information/reports in line with funders requirements when requested by your manager.
  • Complete and record allwork/appointments in the Supporting Familieselectronic diary.
  • Log and update any work with families promptly onto our Charity Log database.
  • Deliver and develop group activities and workshops, parent forums and telephone advice.
  • Working together with the Older Carers’Outreach and Engagement Coordinator to produce monitoring reports and in delivering funders’ targets.
  • Assist parents/carers in a person centred way and in line with the Supporting Families service ‘tell us once’ approach.

Partnership Working/Outreach

  • Contribute toproactive outreach work to reach hidden parent/carers who have not previously used the service. Promote participation and engage new carers with the serviceand other Centre 404 projects, as well asdevelop family carer networks.
  • Promote our services and work with other professionals to develop better partnership working and an integrated approach to the provision of services for carers of adults with a learning disabilityand/orAutism.
  • Maintain effective partnerships with localminority community groups and organise joint appointments and outreach information sessions
  • Work with the team to develop and promote peer networks for older carers to assist with reducing social isolation and stress
  • Assist the Information and Engagement Co-ordinator with updating Centre 404 newsletters and online/social media resources.

General

  • Adhere to all Centre 404 policies and procedures and to the requirements of funding organisations. This includes Safeguarding and Data Protection policies.
  • To follow all Supporting Families policies and procedures in working towards and maintaining the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) quality mark.
  • Promote and adhere to Centre 404 Equality and Diversity and Equal Opportunities policies and contribute to an accessible and welcoming work environment
  • Maintain confidentiality of information relating to families, volunteers, staff and any sensitive issues relating to the work of the organisation
  • Assist and supervise volunteers where required and adhere to Centre 404 values in relation to supporting volunteers
  • Contribute to your personal and professional development by attending regular support and supervision sessions and training as identified by your line manager in relation to your role and responsibilities
  • Be flexible and available to work evenings and weekends in accordance with the needs of the post and the organisation as a whole
  • Attend staff meetings and other committees when requested
  • Aim to meet targets as set and agreed with your line manager in relation to your personal development and the progress of the volunteer and development of projects
  • Attendance at the annual AGM, assisting at fundraising functions, events and staff away days as required. Assist with and participate in Supporting Families Service social events and activities. Time off in lieu will be given for activities outside of normal working hours.
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties as commensurate with the aims of the post and as requested by management.

Person Specification

(E) Essential requirements(D) Desirable requirements

Physical/personal attributes / Willingness to work flexible hours including a rota of weekends and evenings and be able to travel to a variety of locations / E
Qualifications / Educated to degree level/social work qualification. / D
Good basic education and training, including 5 GCSEs or equivalent, or relevant experience as detailed in the point directly below. / E
Experience/knowledge / At least 2 years’ experience providing advice and support services to parent/carers of any age and/or adults with learning disabilities and/or Autism. / E
Knowledge and experience of disability related welfare benefits and income maximisation for families / E
Knowledge and/or experience of providing advocacy support services to parent/carers / E
Experience of completing assessments and associated paperwork with parents/carers and/or people with a learning disability, and working knowledge of Direct Payments and Personal Budgets / E
Understanding of, and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people
/ E
Experience of delivering quality support and casework, in person, by phone and through written or electronic correspondence / E
Experience of developing and delivering successful social activities/groups/events / E
Skills/Abilities / Ability to follow legislation and related guidance and incorporate it into daily practice / E
High level of interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with parent/carers from a range of different backgrounds and professionals at all levels / E
Excellentverbal and written communication skills and the ability to record and detail work accurately on a case management database / E
Excellent organisational skills including ability to prioritise and work to deadlines / E
Good working knowledge of relevant Microsoft Office programmes and the ability to use database systems / E
Self-motivated and flexible with the ability to work effectively on your own initiative and as part of a team / E
Other / Commitment to concepts of inclusion and diversity and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately / E