Job Title:
Family Support Worker / Service: Adults and Community Wellbeing
Post Number: PECL / Division: Prevention &Commissioning
Grade: 4 / Business Unit/Section:
Universal Prevention Services - Children
Overall Purpose of Job:
In partnership with other agencies, deliver effective targeted, Children’s Centre activities to encourage families to raise aspirations, achieve positive outcomes and give their children aged -9months to 11yrs the ‘Best Start’.
Main Responsibilities:
1.  /

To target, recruit and register parents to Children’s Centres and encourage them to participate in a range of activities, groups and events.

2.  / To organise and facilitate multi- agency activities, groups and events across the locality incorporating relevant risk assessments for Children & families
3.  / To visit targeted groups of families with children, in their homes to provide them with information advice and guidance on the use of universal services e.g. welfare benefits, voluntary sector services, Family Information Service , libraries etc
4.  / Encourage parents to become involved in community activities and parent training, building self esteem and confidence, whilst empowering them to participate in parent’s forums, volunteering and other groups.
5.  /

Liaise with other voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure families continue to access the correct universal information/services

6.  / Assisting parents to ensure their child remains healthy by promoting breastfeeding, registering with a doctor/ dentist, attending antenatal appointments, undertaking immunisations, delivering the MEND programmes in relation to obesity etc.
7.  /

Participate in and contribute to OFSTED inspection processes.

8.  /

Support the delivery of evidence based parenting courses to groups of parents.

9.  / With supervision, assist in assessment processes for individual children, and their families e.g. 2yr assessment, Foundation Stage Profile, Common Assessment etc
10.  / Be aware of safeguarding duties and responsibilities, responding appropriately as and when necessary.
11.  / To participate in multi-agency meetings, accompanied, if required.
12.  / To record information accurately, adhering to relevant policies, and contribute to the evaluation and monitoring of projects.
13.  / To be inclusive in practice and celebrate and embrace diversity
Knowledge, Skill and Experience Required:
·  NVQ level 3 or above in Early Years, Family Support or similar relevant qualification, or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience
·  Good communication skills recognising the need to communicate appropriately and effectively with parents/carers, team members and other professionals.
·  Knowledge and understanding of child development including awareness of strategies, which promote positive behaviour, and positive interactions.
·  Good interpersonal skills.
·  Knowledge of the expectations of Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Centres
·  Knowledge and understanding of Referral & Assessment processes
·  Experience of working with children and their families.
·  Knowledge of legislation in respect of safeguarding.
·  Basic Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance e.g. Health and Safety, Childcare Act etc.
·  Basic Knowledge and awareness of ICT and ICT skills.
·  Ability to adapt to changing situations.
·  Able to work in a range of settings to provide a positive/stimulating environment, actively contributing to the planning, monitoring and reviewing of activities, groups and events.
·  Ability to work on own initiative where appropriate to role and as part of a team.
·  Time management and organisational skills.
·  Able to maintain a variety of records and maintain confidentiality at all times.
·  Experience of community working.
·  The ability to transport themselves around North Lincolnshire
Creativity and Innovation:
·  To develop and create resources to meet the needs of individuals and groups of children& Young people and/or parents/carers to promote life skills.
·  To contribute to the further and ongoing development of service activity.
Decision Making:
·  Contributes towards decision-making within the team and/or with other professionals but will not be responsible for key decision-making.
·  Responds appropriately to children/ young person / parent /carer attempts to communicate their needs.
·  Responds to “on the spot” incidents without direct contact with other members of staff and performs on a daily basis decisions ensuring a safe environment.
Contacts and Relationships:
Children & Young People/Parents/Carers
·  Enables access to the planned activities, groups, and events and meets the identified needs of children & parents/carers.
·  Works proactively with colleagues from other agencies.
·  Acts as a positive role model working in a professional and non-judgmental manner.
·  Acts as an advocate to enable access to mainstream services.
·  Undertakes universal home visits (sometimes alone but may be accompanied by another member of staff).
·  Takes part in appropriate meetings.
Other Staff·  Works in an integrated way with other staff/agencies seeking advice and support as appropriate.
Responsibility for Resources: (to include approximate value, sole or shared responsibility and for what percentage of their working hours away from their designated base)
·  None
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work Demands:
·  Working at short notice, including evenings and weekends, as required.
·  Providing practical support to young people
Physical Demands:
The post-holder will be required to lead play/training sessions where the setting up of equipment is required and young children may be present therefore bending and standing is expected. e.g. the setting out of toys
Working Conditions:

Normal council working conditions in community and public sector buildings. Additionally the post holder will be required to travel to and work in family homes. Out of office work could be up to 50% working hours.

Working in clients homes exposed to potentially unhealthy/hazardous environments, public and pets.
The post holder will be expected to transport themselves in an efficient manner around North Lincolnshire
Work Context:

The working environment can be unpredictable and challenging, there may be risk of verbal or physical aggression.


Position in Organisation:
Indicate how many staff the post is directly accountable for:

Does the postholder manage the posts N/A

OR
Does the postholder supervise the posts N/A
Are posts in more than one location?
Is the supervision/management shared with another post in the structure?
Please indicate which post(s) ______

Please indicate which is post





Note:

Post holders will be expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties, which reasonably correspond to the general character of the post and are commensurate with its level of responsibility. This job description is provided for guidance only and does not form part of the contract of employment.

Date of Job Description …………………………….

Date copy sent to Post holder …………………………….

Created on 10/05/2013 09:12