At a Glance
- Tasks: Support parents and carers with advice, advocacy, and engagement activities.
- Company: Join Acorns, a dedicated organisation helping families in North Tyneside and Northumberland.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for training and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your skills and confidence.
- Qualifications: A good general education level 3; experience with vulnerable groups is essential.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to work creatively and collaboratively in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 18752 - 20188 £ per year.
Job Description
Family Support Worker
Location: Office-based in North Shields
Responsible to: CEO
Hours: 22
Salary: £23,690 – £25,235 (pro-rata for part-time hours)
Main purpose of the post:
- To offer support, information and advice to parents and carers who have been referred to Acorns services, in North Tyneside and potentially into Northumberland
- To provide or facilitate advocacy for parents/carers seeking help from, or needing support with dealing with other agencies
- To support the Family Support Service Co-ordinator to develop enrichment and engagement activities for parents and carers
- To support and develop volunteers to provide enrichment and engagement activities for parents and carers
- Support parents/carers on a 1-1 basis to develop their confidence and emotional wellbeing and reduce their sense of isolation
- Manage own caseload by maintaining accurate and confidential records of all cases, monitor outcomes and work in a proactive manner to support and further develop service provision
- Develop methods to elicit the views of parents/carers and prepare reports that will feed into the evaluation of the service
- Produce reports highlighting positive areas of work, case studies, areas of concern and summary of outcomes, when required
- Plan and deliver training and awareness raising sessions to multi-agency teams and service users
- Prepare accurate monitoring reports and statistical information
- Participate in regular training opportunities
- To respect diversity and support clients to access services on an equitable basis
- To comply with Acorns equal opportunity statement at all times
Administration:
- To provide regular reports as required
- To record appropriate data
- To maintain accurate paper and electronic records as required
Equal Opportunities:
- To comply with and implement Acorns equal opportunities statement at all times.
- To respect diversity and support clients to access services on an equitable basis.
Please Note: This job description is not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible approach to the tasks, which may vary from time to time following discussion with line management. Any variations, however, will be in keeping with the general profile of the post.
Person specification
Qualifications – Essential
- A good general level of education to level 3
Qualifications – Desireable
- Qualification in information advice and guidance, e.g. NVQ
- IDVA Qualification
Assessed by application, certificates, interview
Experience and Knowledge – Essential
- Experience of working with vulnerable client groups
- Experience of case work and record keeping including recording case notes
- Experience of advocating on behalf of service users
- Knowledge and experience of child protection procedures and confidentiality
- Competent user of IT systems
- Experience of multi-agency partnership working
- Knowledge of domestic violence and the effects on victims and children
Experience and Knowledge – Desirable
- Knowledge of legal frameworks/court legislation for domestic violence
- An understanding of the relevant socio-economic factors in the local area
- An understanding of local services and agencies in order to signpost service users effectively when required
- Use of CRM systems to manage and record client work
Assessed by application, certificates, interview
Skills and Abilities – Essential
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Enthusiastic, self-motivated approach with ability to think creatively and apply initiative
- Able to work constructively as part of a team
- Ability to manage time effectively, work under pressure and to deadlines while maintaining high standards of work
- Flexibility to work outside of ordinary office hours if required
- Commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and the empowerment of individuals
- To work with service users in a non-judgemental manner
Skills and Abilities – Desirable
- Analytical and report writing skills
Assessed by application, certificates, interview
Family Support Worker employer: Acorns (North Tyneside)
Contact Detail:
Acorns (North Tyneside) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local services and agencies in North Tyneside and Northumberland. Understanding the landscape of support available will not only help you in your role but also impress us during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience with vulnerable client groups by preparing specific examples of your past work. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully advocated for service users and managed casework, as this is crucial for the Family Support Worker role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of child protection procedures and confidentiality. Being well-versed in these areas will demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding and your ability to handle sensitive situations effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your interpersonal and communication skills in detail. Think of scenarios where you've worked as part of a team or engaged with service users, as these skills are essential for building trust and rapport in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Family Support Worker role. Emphasise your experience working with vulnerable client groups and any advocacy work you've done.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting parents and carers. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage caseloads, maintain records, and work collaboratively with multi-agency teams.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list any qualifications related to information advice and guidance, such as NVQIDVA. If you have knowledge of child protection procedures or domestic violence frameworks, make sure to include that as well.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, highlight your interpersonal and communication skills. Provide examples of how you've worked constructively in a team and managed time effectively under pressure, as these are crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorns (North Tyneside)
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Family Support Worker, empathy is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've supported vulnerable clients in the past. This will demonstrate your understanding of their needs and your ability to connect with them on a personal level.
✨Know the Local Services
Familiarise yourself with local services and agencies that you might need to signpost clients to. Being able to discuss these resources during the interview shows that you're proactive and knowledgeable about the community you'll be serving.
✨Highlight Your Advocacy Experience
Since advocacy is a significant part of this role, come ready to discuss your experience advocating for service users. Share specific instances where you successfully navigated complex situations on behalf of clients.
✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills
This position requires collaboration with various agencies. Be prepared to talk about your experience working in multi-agency teams and how you contribute to a positive team dynamic, especially under pressure.