At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and young people to improve their lives and prevent statutory intervention.
- Company: London Borough of Harrow, dedicated to community welfare.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, meaningful work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Empower families and young people while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, and a relevant degree or qualification.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
London Borough of Harrow is looking for a Keeping Families Together (KFT) Coach to join its KFT Team, to prevent children and young people from escalating into statutory services and avoiding children becoming looked after wherever possible and appropriate.
You will be working with young people (predominantly 11-18 years, some under 10 yrs) and their families with complex, chronic needs or who are hard to reach to improve their outcomes and effect positive change. In addition, you will be responsible for providing urgent and rapid support that helps parents to strengthen their parenting capacity and bring about positive changes of behaviour, to enable children to continue living within their family networks with minimum statutory support.
When supporting young people, you must ensure they have access to the service they are referred to, and are engaged in a range of learning, leisure, recreational and sports activities to meet their individual needs.
The successful post holder will co‑work and hold a caseload of approximately 8-10 families at any one time; therefore, you will be expected to work unsociable hours including occasional evenings as and when required.
About You
- Knowledge of child development and relevant legislation, policy and practice.
- Ability to communicate effectively with young people and vulnerable adults and motivate them to address issues that affect their daily lives.
- Significant experience of working with children, young people and families with complex and multiple needs.
- Experience of working within or in conjunction with Statutory Services.
- Ability to co‑produce stretching work goals and targets with families.
- Ability to motivate children, young people and adults.
- Ability to respond in a rapid and calm manner to crisis/complex situations applying solution-focused techniques and approaches.
- Degree/post‑grad dip or equivalent: Social Work, Psychology, Systemic/Family Therapy, Youth Justice etc.
- Working unsociable working hours including occasional evenings.
- Able to travel widely and frequently across the borough for business purposes.
Keeping Families Together Coach employer: Harrow Council
The London Borough of Harrow is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for its Keeping Families Together Coaches. With a strong emphasis on employee development, you will have access to ongoing training and growth opportunities while making a meaningful impact in the lives of families and young people within the community. The borough's commitment to flexible working hours and a focus on work-life balance ensures that you can thrive both personally and professionally in this rewarding role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Keeping Families Together Coach
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Harrow Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Harrow Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Harrow Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Harrow Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Keeping Families Together Coach
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Harrow Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Harrow Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrow Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
