At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise contact meetings and support families in need, ensuring child safety and welfare.
- Company: Care First Recruitment Ltd. is dedicated to supporting children and families across London.
- Benefits: Competitive pay from £16.85 to £18 per hour, flexible shifts, and valuable experience.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining hands-on experience in social care.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families required; relevant qualifications in social work or care preferred.
- Other info: Roles available in various London Boroughs; must pass Enhanced DBS check.
Care First Recruitment Ltd. are currently recruiting for both these roles for various London Boroughs.
Family Contact Supervisors
Contact supervisors observe contact meetings between children and their parent/guardian. The child would have been placed into the care of the local authority due to safeguarding issues. The contact meetings could take place either within a designated contact centre or could be community based, the contact supervisor would ensure that the contact meeting is supervised as per the instructions of the local authority.
Specifics:
- To work as part of a team, carrying out duties as required by centre based or community-based contacts
- To supervise, observe and record contact sessions with the needs and safety of the child as a priority
- Taking the appropriate action to protect the safety of the children or parents and promote their welfare intervening where this is threatened and terminating contact when necessary
- Support children and young people to manage expectations of contact
- Write comprehensive reports on each contact
- Ability to use IT equipment
- Immediately report to the centre any concerns of a child protection nature in accordance with policy and procedure
- Attend staff meetings or team meetings if required
Candidates are required to have practical experience working with children, young people & families. Qualification within the social sector preferred.
Family Support Workers
Family Support Workers are social care professionals who provide assistance and guidance to children and families in need. Duties of a Family Support Worker usually vary based on the setting.
The Family Support Worker is required to work alongside Social Workers to plan and provide the support client needs, like helping them improve their home management or parenting skills. You may be required to show parents how things can be done, then support them until they can do these things on their own.
By providing support to children, young people and families it will:
- Improve parenting capacity
- Increase aspirations and motivation
- Improving family functions with children feeling more secure and parents more confident in their parenting abilities
- To work in partnership with children, young people and families to plan and implement coordinated and child focused support
Essential skills required:
- The ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with children and adults
- The ability to build good relationships with families
- The ability to help parents develop the skills they need to run their home
- A non-judgmental approach
- Report writing
All applicants must have a right to work in the UK, satisfactory references for the immediate 5 years and an Enhanced DBS.
Schedule: Mixed rotas (day shifts, evening shifts, weekdays and weekends available)
Ability to Commute: London (required)
Work Location: In person
Pay: Starting from £16.85 per hour, up to £18 p/hr depending on client
Candidates will need to have a Child Care, Social Work, Social Care, Counselling, Youth Work, Teaching or Relevant Qualification. Candidates will compulsorily need to pass a background check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS certificate).
Contact Detail:
Carefirst Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Contact Supervisor, and/or Family Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges faced by children and families in care. Understanding the context of safeguarding issues will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the social care sector. Attend local events or workshops to connect with others who work in family support roles, as they may provide insights or even referrals for job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential scenario-based questions in interviews. Think about how you would handle various situations involving children and families, as this will showcase your practical experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific London Boroughs you are applying to. Understanding their policies and community resources can give you an edge in interviews and show your commitment to working in that area.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Contact Supervisor, and/or Family Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience working with children, young people, and families. Emphasise any qualifications in social work or related fields, and include specific examples of your skills in communication and relationship building.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the specific requirements of the Family Contact Supervisor or Family Support Worker roles. Mention your understanding of safeguarding issues and your approach to supporting families, showcasing your non-judgmental attitude and ability to build trust.
Highlight Report Writing Skills: Since report writing is a key part of these roles, provide examples of your experience in writing comprehensive reports. Detail how you ensure accuracy and clarity in your documentation, which is crucial for child protection.
Prepare for Interview Questions: Anticipate questions related to safeguarding, conflict resolution, and your approach to working with families. Be ready to discuss scenarios where you've had to intervene for the safety of a child or support a family in crisis.
How to prepare for a job interview at Carefirst Recruitment Ltd
✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine interest in working with children and families. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue a career in this field, as it will demonstrate your commitment to child welfare.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle sensitive situations. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully managed challenging scenarios involving children or families, and be ready to discuss your thought process.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
Both roles require collaboration with other professionals. Be prepared to discuss how you've worked effectively in teams before, particularly in social care settings, and how you can contribute positively to a team environment.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in these roles. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and sensitively, especially when discussing difficult topics. Show that you can communicate well with both children and adults.