Family Worker with Additional Needs Focus

Title of Post: Family Worker with Additional Needs Focus Reports to: Family Support Coordinator Accountable to: Project Manager Salary: £24,024 pa – Under review on 1st April 2025 Location: Colin Sure Start offices, Stewartstown Road, Belfast Hours: 35 hours per week, 9am 4:30pm Mon – Fri SUMMARY OF ROLE Sure Start is a government health programme that provides a range of support services for parents and children under the age of four, who live in disadvantaged areas across Northern Ireland. It aims to support parents from pregnancy and to give children the best start in life. Colin Sure Start covers the wards of Colin Glen, Derriaghy, Kilwee, Poleglass and Twinbrook in outer west Belfast. The role of the Family Worker with Additional Needs Focus: To provide a supportive service within the home and community setting focused on the needs of families and children with additional and/or complex needs. To organise and implement a stimulating and varied programme of activities for children with additional and/or complex needs aged 0-4. To offer support, assistance and information to parents/carers, the wider staff team, and other professionals in relation to Colin Sure Starts Additional Needs support services. The role will require engagement with families individually, in the home and within group settings in order to enhance the quality of life, play and learning opportunities of children with additional needs or requiring additional support within the Colin area. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Family Support and Programme Facilitation To meet with and contribute to the ongoing assessment of the needs of children with additional and/or complex needs who have registered with or been signposted to Colin Sure Start, to support the development of care plans in conjunction with management to provide a tailored package of appropriate support. To provide a safe, stimulating and varied programme of play and learning opportunities for children under 4 years with identified additional and/or complex needs, suitable to individual childrens age and stage of development and appropriate to their best interests. To assist in the development of support groups specific to children with additional/complex needs, e.g. Play & Grow, Bright Stars and supporting our Little Rainbows groups, ensuring that a holistic family approach is employed tailored to the needs of children. To deliver direct programmes of support with children and families in their own home to improve outcomes for children with additional and/or complex needs. To ensure a child-centred and welcoming environment at all Sure Start programmes and activities. To contribute to the planning, delivery and monitoring of home and group-based support programmes that have an additional needs focus. To establish supportive relationships with parents enabling them to develop their childrens potential and to develop & deliver programmes that promote and actively encourage parent-child interaction. To support parents/carers in enhancing parenting skills and their understanding of childrens development, including positive parenting, effective behaviour management strategies, routines, positive play and supporting parent and infant mental health. To enable and support parents/carers to access statutory and voluntary services and facilities. To review family care plans, targets and outcomes regularly with line management, in partnership with parents/carers, and other health professionals where deemed appropriate. To provide advice, information and support to families to access services e.g. parenting programmes, workshops, and events within Sure Start, as well as signposting to other relevant services in the community. To work collaboratively with the wider Sure Start team to provide information and advice on supporting children with additional/complex needs and the services we provide. To guide and support the wider Colin Sure Start team in consultation with management in relation to ensuring that signposting, observation, planning and evaluation takes into consideration children with additional/complex needs. Operational To develop an understanding and knowledge of the local area, including local services/facilities and support systems for families and a working knowledge of the local community profile. To develop working relationships with key professionals in services supporting children with additional needs To work in conjunction with the Colin Sure Start team to maintain an up-to-date understanding of the groups and services offered by Colin Sure Start which can be distributed locally to support families and meet their needs. To actively promote and maintain excellent working relationships, and work collaboratively with all staff, children, parents/carers and partner agencies to ensure fully integrated service delivery. To contribute towards the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of Colin Sure Starts services and activities. To contribute to the development of appropriate resources (e.g. leaflets, Newsletters, online content). To assist with the planning, preparation and facilitation of Colin Sure Start programmes and groups, including events and summer activities in collaboration with the wider Sure Start team. To contribute towards the working practices within Colin Sure Start that increase the engagement of families. To be responsible for the timely and accurate completion and submission of data, both on hard copy format and online relating Sure Start Play and all relevant associated quality monitoring checks. General To write up reports and produce statistical evidence of work undertaken reflecting outcomes for children and families. Provide reports and information as required by the organisation, as well as for external bodies when requested to do so by management. Actively promote the work of Colin Sure Start through regular liaison and good communication with community, voluntary and statutory agencies. To proactively promote Sure Starts services ensuring maximum impact on community Ensure confidentiality of information relating to children and their families is maintained at all times; by using accurate recording systems, adhering to all data protection, records management and confidentiality policies and procedures of the organisation. Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, new policies and good practice. Comply with all Colin Sure Start policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols and codes of conduct. To be willing to provide support to other teams or services within Colin Sure Start when deemed necessary. Participate in supervision, appraisal and appropriate training where required. Be willing to work flexibly to suit the needs of the organisation and community. To undertake any other relevant duties as considered appropriate by the Sure Start Coordinator or Management Committee. FAMILY WORKER WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS FOCUS PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION Essential: NVQ Level 3 childcare or equivalent AND at least one years experience working in an organisation providing early years (0-6 years) services or family support services OR NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care AND at least two years experience working in an organisation providing early years (0-6 years) services or family support services ESSENTIALEVIDENCED AT INTERVIEW Experience of providing group-based programmes of support to parents or carers Desirable: Experience of working with children with additional needs or learning difficulties Experience of using early intervention strategies of support for children with additional needs aged 0-4 KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING Essential: Knowledge of the skills required in working with parents and children and Understanding of Early Years Demonstrable ability to facilitate programmes of family support Demonstrable ability or experience of carrying out home based support Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding processes and responsibilities SKILLS & APTITUDES Essential: Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to empathise with the needs of families and children and communicate effectively with service users in an appropriate and professional manner Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with children, parents/carers, colleagues and a range of professionals Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative Desirable: Competent IT skills to include proficient use of MS Office, Internet Explorer and email OTHER Essential: The candidate must hold a full and current driving license valid in the UK with access to a car on appointment ESSENTIALEVIDENCED AT INTERVIEW Willingness to work flexibly MISSION & VALUES ESSENTIALEVIDENCED AT INTERVIEW Respect for the vision, mission and core values of Colin Sure Start and committed to the ethos and principles of community development.