Supervised Contact Worker

We are seeking a compassionate and professional Supervised Contact Worker to join our team, ensuring that children and families experiencing separation or complex situations can maintain safe and supportive contact with one another. The primary responsibility is to supervise contact visits between children (often in foster care or undergoing care proceedings) and their birth families, ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved parties.

As a Supervised Contact Worker, you will provide a supportive, structured, and safe environment for families to engage with one another, helping to strengthen relationships while safeguarding the children’s welfare. You will be expected to observe and report on the dynamics of these interactions and work closely with social workers, children’s services, and other professionals involved in the child’s care plan.

Key Responsibilities:

Supervision of Family Contact:

Supervise contact visits between children and their families, ensuring the safety and well-being of the child is maintained at all times.

Monitor and assess the interactions between children and family members, providing support where needed to help ensure positive outcomes.

Ensure the contact environment is safe, calm, and conducive to positive interactions.

Provide a structured approach to contacts, making sure all parties adhere to any guidelines, agreements, and professional boundaries.

Observation and Reporting:

Record detailed observations of the contact visit, noting key aspects of the interaction (e.g., the child’s behaviour, the family’s approach, the dynamics of the interaction).

Provide written reports on the contact visit, which will be used by social workers, courts, and other professionals involved in the child’s care.

Communicate any concerns or incidents immediately to the supervisor or relevant professionals.

Support and Guidance:

Offer emotional and practical support to parents and children where needed, helping families to engage in a positive manner during contact sessions.

Encourage positive communication between parents and children, guiding them in maintaining respectful and safe interactions.

Provide feedback to parents on how their interactions are observed, offering constructive feedback and suggestions where appropriate.

Safeguarding and Risk Management:

Ensure that all contact visits adhere to safeguarding protocols and that any safeguarding concerns are escalated promptly to senior staff or the relevant authorities.

Conduct risk assessments prior to contact visits, ensuring that any potential risks or issues are identified and managed appropriately.

Ensure that all relevant policies, procedures, and safety guidelines are followed during contact visits.

Collaboration with Other Professionals:

Work closely with social workers, foster carers, and other professionals to ensure that contact plans are appropriate and meet the needs of the child and family.

Attend and contribute to relevant case meetings, reviews, and other professional discussions as required.

Liaise with the child’s social worker or relevant professionals to update them on progress and any concerns related to contact visits.

Administration and Documentation:

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all contact sessions, including observations, reports, and any incidents that occur.

Ensure all contact session paperwork is completed in a timely and professional manner, following the appropriate format and procedures.

Ensure confidentiality and data protection policies are adhered to at all times when handling sensitive information.

Experience in social care, child protection, or family support work, particularly in relation to supervised contact or working with vulnerable children and families.

A relevant qualification, such as an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent, or a background in social work, psychology, or child development.

A good understanding of safeguarding procedures, child protection issues, and the legal framework surrounding child welfare and family law.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports and communicate effectively with a range of professionals and families.

Ability to observe and report on sensitive family dynamics with professionalism and objectivity.

Knowledge of child development and the needs of children in care.

A non-judgmental and empathetic approach to working with families, understanding the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges faced by parents and children.

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