Senior Support Worker

Cradlefin Consultants are recruiting for a Senior Support Worker joining a team where you will work flexibly with children and their families, mostly within their homes and in their communities. Our client works with families at times that are helpful for them, most Solution Focused sessions therefore take place with families in their homes in the afternoons and early evenings. You may be required to undertake planned work on occasional Saturdays where it is a best fit for families.

This position is based in in Chelmsford, with the expectation that you would support work in other quadrants in Essex as Business need requires. Salary: £25,395.00 up to £32,131.00 per year.

Job Responsibilities:

• To undertake Solution Focused intervention with whole families, whilst working jointly with DBIT colleagues, in order to support families stay together wherever possible and safe to do so
• To liaise and maintain close links with other agencies/services working with a family ensuring consistency of approach and avoiding duplication of response
• To record work and activity in accordance with the service’s procedures and policies
• To write reports for relevant meetings for families and as part of the DBIT (Divisional Based Intervention)
• To attend relevant meetings, including Child in Need meetings and Child Protection meetings in order to positively contribute to an overall understanding of the family and to help plan future intervention
• To maintain high standards of professional practice and personal behaviour so as to develop confidence for the family and individual child/young person in the effectiveness and value of the social work service
• To work collaboratively with DBIT colleagues, frontline Social Workers, Managers and other professionals so as to contribute to the overall work of the organisation and improved outcomes for children
• To participate in professional supervision in accordance with Children and Families policy and DBIT supervision processes
• To support and attend planned activities facilitated by the DBIT service for families, includes one residential activity per year where an overnight stay may be required
• To attend training and development events as deemed necessary for the effective discharge of the role and an understanding of the wider work of the Children and Families Service
• To work in line with ECC Equality and Diversity policy and procedures and Children and Families Anti-Racist strategy
• To work flexibly as required by Business needs
• Hold a current driving licence and have access to a car for business purposes
• Be committed to evidence-based practice
• To be available for your DBIT teams telephone duty system (5pm-9-00pm Monday to Friday on a rota basis)
• To undertake the role in accordance with Health and Safety and related policies
• To undertake any other tasks which might from time to time be required within the overall grading and responsibility of the post

Person Specifications:

• NVQ Level 3 – Caring for Children and Young People or equivalent qualification or work-based experience
• Familiarity with the Children Act 1989, 2004
• Ability to work in line with Essex Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures
• Experience/Knowledge/Interest in the Solution Focused approach
• Experience of working in a supportive relationship with children, young people and families
• Experience in planning activities for children, young people and parents
• Knowledge of Child Development
• Have an understanding of issues that can impact on children and families – e.g., poverty, disability and bereavement
• First Aid Certificate, desirable but not essential

This role with the D-BIT Service will require staff to work a basic 37-hour week (Mon – Fri) but also to be able to work flexibly, which will include some planned evening and occasional planned weekend work.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

If you’re ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role where you can truly make a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and let’s start the conversation.