At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children in making positive changes and supervise family time.
- Company: Join Bristol City Council, a supportive and diverse workplace.
- Benefits: Generous salary, training opportunities, pension scheme, and annual leave.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families and children.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, strong communication skills, and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 29064 - 31022 £ per year.
We have two Family Support Worker vacancies in our friendly, busy office at Symes House in Hartcliffe. There are ten Family Support Workers and a team leader in the office. The post is based within the Safeguarding teams alongside social workers and keyworkers. In addition, the Family Support Workers meet regularly with the Senior Family Support Worker for peer support.
Responsibilities:
- Work with children and parents to help them make changes as part of the plan developed by the social worker or key worker for the family.
- Supervise family-time between children and their parents when the children are in care, including collecting children to and from their foster home, transporting them to the venue, supervising the time the parent spends with their child, recording the key events.
- Use authority to guide a parent if they are not following the plan for the session.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Experience working with children and families and an understanding of the role statutory Children’s Services play in their lives.
- Understanding of equity, ability to respect diversity and skills to support families experiencing multiple disadvantage, discrimination, poor mental health, addiction and domestic abuse.
- Good verbal and written communication skills, a capacity to work as a committed team member, ability to be organised, flexible and work under pressure.
- Confidence in talking to children and young people and working in partnership with families and multi-agency partners.
Please note that this role requires an Enhanced DBS Check and sponsorship is not available for the role.
Benefits:
- A supportive environment with a commitment to the training and development of our staff, regular supervision, and team meetings.
- A generous rewards package, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, mileage for travel and a generous annual leave allowance.
Equal Opportunity:
Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black and racially minoritised candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit. We are a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Katrina Murphy, Area Manager South, katrina.murphy@bristol.gov.uk.
Family Support Worker x2 in Bristol employer: Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Family Support Workers at Symes House in Hartcliffe. With a strong commitment to staff development, generous benefits including a Local Government Pension scheme, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker x2 in Bristol
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bristol City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bristol City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Bristol City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bristol City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Worker x2 in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bristol City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bristol City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bristol City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
