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- Tasks: Support children and families through supervised contact and family support sessions.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving children's lives in East Sussex.
- Benefits: Enjoy regular supervision, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a rewarding social care role.
- Qualifications: Empathy, organization, and strong communication skills are essential; experience is a plus.
- Other info: Ideal for entry-level candidates; flexible hours and essential car user position.
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Do you want to make a positive difference to children’s lives? Are you empathic, organised, kind and assertive?
If you have answered ‘yes’, you might be suited to the role of Community Family Worker.
We are pleased to advertise for a Community Family Worker to join our large and busy service. The countywide teams are based in Newhaven, Hailsham and Hastings.
The Looked-After Children’s Community Family Work (Contact) Service offers reunification family support and supervised contact for children looked after in East Sussex.
Supervised contact and family support are arranged within Safeguarding and Care Plans determined by Legal and LAC Independent Reviewing processes.
CFWs encourage positive relationships between children and their birth-families during the period in which assessment is undertaken and decisions are made about a child’s future. We promote play, healthy eating and respectful boundaries in the course of our intervention. The CFWs usually have an interested observer and reporter role however at times the CFW may be asked to pro-actively lead contact, provide suitable opportunities for a child’s development and model appropriate parenting styles. Neutrality and accuracy about what is seen and heard is imperative. A written recording of the contact or family support session is always prepared within tight timescales and is typically used as evidence in Court.
This is an ideal entry level position to Children’s Social Care and was recently re-graded to welcome both more and less experienced applicants.
The successful candidate will be a warm and motivated individual with clear professional boundaries and the capacity to work with families to written agreements under Children’s Services policy and protocol. Community Family Work is at times challenging and sometimes requires emotional resilience therefore our new colleague will need to be a great communicator, empathic listener and flexible problem-solver. CFWs must have excellent time management skills. This is an essential car user position.
In return we offer regular, reflective supervision, guidance and support. There is always a strong base to return to, providing humour and support when CFWs have been working independently. Recording is undertaken on the LCS system which requires a good standard of written English and IT skills. We provide the opportunity for training and development following a period of thorough induction.
To apply for this role please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above. When completing your application be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education or personal interests.
Interview dates: 15/16 January 2025 at Hailsham Family Resource Centre, Dunbar Drive, Hailsham BN27 3UW.
We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.
For an informal discussion, please contact Sue Dawes on 01424 724850
for work that makes a difference
Community Family Worker employer: East Sussex County Council
Contact Detail:
East Sussex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Family Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the principles of safeguarding and family support. Understanding these concepts will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview and show that you're ready to engage with families in a meaningful way.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have working with children or families, even if it's informal. This could include volunteering, mentoring, or personal experiences that showcase your empathy and ability to connect with others.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss scenarios where you've had to use your problem-solving skills or emotional resilience. Think of specific examples that illustrate how you handled challenging situations effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Since this role requires excellent time management skills, be ready to talk about how you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively. Consider sharing tools or methods you use to stay organized.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Family Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Community Family Worker. Make sure you can relate your experiences to the key aspects of the role.
Tailor Your Application: When writing your application, specifically address how you meet the criteria in the person specification. Use examples from your work or life experience that demonstrate your empathy, organizational skills, and ability to communicate effectively.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize your time management skills, emotional resilience, and any experience you have with children or families. Mention your IT skills and proficiency in written English, as these are essential for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A well-written application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at East Sussex County Council
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Community Family Worker, empathy is key. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you demonstrated understanding and compassion towards children and families in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Organizational Skills
Highlight your ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple tasks. Discuss any relevant experiences where you successfully organized activities or managed schedules, especially in a family or community setting.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss how you would approach difficult conversations with families while maintaining professionalism.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and emotional resilience. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, focusing on maintaining neutrality and accuracy.
