Family Centre Worker in Basildon

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future. The Family Centre Worker will contribute to the running and development of the Family Centre, providing a range of options for families, individuals and groups, making a positive difference to the lives of children, and meeting the Function's policies and priorities.

With experience of assessing, planning and delivering targeted work for children and their parents, the role will work closely with volunteers and professionals so will need the ability to build strong partnerships.

• Undertake direct work in partnership with children, young people, their families and other professionals, with clear plans, timescales, review and evaluation processes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, other agencies and professionals, contributing to comprehensive and multi‑agency assessments of children and families, responding to assessed needs, planning, facilitating and leading group work programmes.
• Support Social Workers in the observation and assessment of family functioning, with planned work designed to alleviate identified difficulties for both parents and children.
• Work in partnership with parents to develop their practical parenting skills and abilities as parents to support and maintain the family.
• Offering childcare services to enable parents to attend one‑to‑one and group sessions, to address identified concerns.
• Develop and deliver programmes of work for children and families which support the development of their physical, intellectual, emotional and social potential.
• Develop and contribute to delivery of training for social workers around creative ways of engaging and working with children.
• Provide play opportunities that help children meet their emotional and developmental needs and which assist parent/child relationships.
• Undertake outreach work with families in the community, supporting them in crisis and assisting them in developing skills to cope with their daily lives and promote confidence and independence from professional support.

• A recognised RQF level 3 (A level) qualification in child care or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, with knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Experience of working with children, demonstrating a comprehensive and up‑to‑date understanding of all relevant child care legislation, regulation and guidance.
• Experience of assessing, planning and delivering targeted pieces of work for children and their parents, with the ability to provide non‑judgmental support and challenge.
• Experience of working closely with volunteers, professionals from other fields, outreach work and joint working with fieldwork teams.
• Experience of leading group work with children or families and parenting skills with parents.
• Knowledge of child development and understanding of effective interventions appropriate to assessed needs for parents, children and families.
• Ability to work with children across all age ranges, empowering them and their carers to enable full participation in the services of the family centre.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area, including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and being able to do so in an emergency. A driving licence and car, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means, is essential.