At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform children's lives by providing essential support in a residential setting.
- Company: Compass Community, dedicated to putting children first with integrity and care.
- Benefits: Health and wellbeing support, increased holiday, life assurance, and referral bonuses.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to positive outcomes for children and families.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 2 years' experience in children's care and Level 3 Health & Social Care qualification.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 46000 £ per year.
About The Role
Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child? Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fix what needs fixing, together.
This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it.
We are looking for 12 month Fixed-Term Family Support Workers for a 7-bedroom Residential Family Assessment Centre in Sowerby Bridge. This will be a busy and challenging role and therefore you will have commitment and dedication to providing high quality support to family and staff in line with OFSTED regulations. You will also be required to have excellent safeguarding standards and a strong ethos of providing effective support to families to achieve positive outcomes.
As a Family Support Worker you will work within a multi-disciplinary team to provide support to Parent & Child placements in a residential setting. You will provide one-to-one support to Parent and Child families in accordance with their individual care plan, which will include encouraging the development of life skills and independence along with safe and appropriate childcare skills.
Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Requirements
- At least 2 years’ experience of working in a Children’s Residential, Early Years or Children’s Social Care setting.
- Level 3 – Health & Social Care (Child/Young People or Parent & Child)
- Good knowledge and experience of safeguarding and working with complex families
- Ability to communicate effectively in complex or challenging situations with families
Preferable Skills and Knowledge
- Experience of partnership working with families and external agencies, preferably in a Safeguarding or Looked after Children’s Teams.
What We Can Offer You
- Discounts & Awards – Access to our health and wellbeing support platform. Receive cashback for various medical and wellbeing appointments and treatments with our MediCash scheme, as well as the chance to win up to £150 in vouchers every month from our REACH Awards.
- Life Assurance Scheme – 3 x annual salary after successful completion of your probation review.
- Health and Wellbeing Day – Additional day’s leave to support your mental health.
- Increased Holiday – 224 hours holiday increasing gradually to 248 hours after 4 years’ service.
- Referral Scheme – Earn up to £3,250 by recommending a foster carer or up to £1,000 by recommending a full-time staff member.
Our recruitment process aims to create and maintain a safe workforce and contains robust vetting procedures. The successful applicants will be offered a role subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.
Compass is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fixed Term - Family Support Worker
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Compass Fostering, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Fixed Term - Family Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Compass Fostering. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Compass Fostering. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Fostering
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Compass Fostering.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Fixed Term - Family Support Worker role at Compass Fostering, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Compass Fostering that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
