Children and Family Support Worker

To develop and deliver family support and play sessions to children, young people and their mothers in refuge and the community. To lead on domestic violence awareness raising sessions with children/young people and professionals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support Work: To work in partnership with mothers/carers to identify children and young people’s support needs and to ensure those needs are met.
• To undertake needs analysis for each child and young person, to ascertain the level of support needed and the type of activities required to meet their needs.
• To develop and deliver a comprehensive programme of one-to-one and group therapeutic and play sessions, and shared activities within refuge.
• To provide school holiday play schemes in refuge.
• To supervise and accompany children and young people on trips and visits outside of refuge.
• To provide one to one support and family support with families living in the community.
• To seek approval of all programmes with the refuge manager and ensure that these are discussed with other relevant members of the staff team before implementation.
• To participate in the development of informative literature for women and children, including a children’s introduction pack, which is to be kept up-to-date.
• To purchase/hire such equipment as necessary to undertake programmes within budgetary constraints and with approval from the refuge manager.
• To carry out appropriate methods of communication with women, children and young people living in refuge to keep them informed about opportunities and updates on work that is taking place, including house meetings.
• To carry out detailed monitoring and evaluation of all support work, and keep an accurate record of notes and comments in line with relevant legislation.
• To communicate regularly with mothers/carers about the work with their children.
• To support mothers/carers to enable them to meet the schooling, health and social care needs of their children.
• To link with health workers, schools, nurseries, social workers and to implement procedures for referral to other agencies.
• To work with the BSWA floating support and resettlement teams to identify the needs of women and their children leaving refuge after being offered permanent accommodation.
• To advocate on behalf of children, where necessary, throughout adhering to Child Protection procedures.
• To ensure that Health and Safety records are kept up to date.

• Administration: To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems.
• To ensure that adequate records are kept for all service users.
• To keep accurate records of financial transactions in line with BSWA’s procedures.
• To provide monthly reports to the Refuge Manager about work that has taken place, feedback from service users and produce statistical information about participation.
• To contribute to the preparation of reports for funders.

• Communication: To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the refuges, staff, volunteers and service users by maintaining BSWA communication records, following safety procedures, attending team meetings.
• To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager.
• To develop a professional working relationship with external agencies.

• Premises and Equipment: To ensure that all play areas, equipment and activities comply with Health and Safety requirements, the Children Act and other relevant legislation.
• To deliver inductions and orientation to all children and young people entering the refuge.
• To offer support and training to volunteers and ensure that they are aware of all legal Health and Safety requirements.

• Training: To deliver positive relationships and domestic violence awareness programmes in local schools and youth groups.
• To raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence on women and children and of BSWA services through the delivery of training and briefing sessions to agencies and community groups.
• To work alongside colleagues to organise in-house training and information sessions on a range of issues for service users.

• General: To maintain the confidentiality of the women, children and young people using the service.
• To maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to the organisation.
• To offer an equal service to all women and children regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation, adhering to BSWA’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
• To maintain an awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence on a national and local level with a particular reference to those related to working with children and young people.
• To work within BSWA and local multi-agency safeguarding procedures.
• To ensure the efficient use of resources at all times.
• To work within BSWA policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA.
• To participate in the development and annual appraisal of a personal individual development plan with the line manager.
• To identify and attend training relevant to the post in agreement with your line manager.
• To participate in 24 hour on call cover and provide emergency cover where needed.
• To participate in multi-agency work.
• To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise incidentally, develop, or be assigned commensurate with the post.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications for the above vacancies is Wednesday 24th August at 12 noon. Interviews will take place week commencing 5th September.

If you are interested please download a recruitment pack from www.bswaid.org and return completed forms to: Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid, Central Administration, Ryland House, 44-48 Bristol Street, Birmingham, B5 7AA or email to recruitment@bswaid.org. Large print documents are available on request.