Kids' Worker in Dartford, Kent

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. We are looking for a part-time Children and Families Worker to play a pivotal role in our Domestic Abuse Service in Merton.

The role focuses on building positive and supportive relationships with women and their children, empowering them to work towards their goals through a strengths-based approach. This includes creating, implementing, and reviewing personalised support plans in collaboration with service users and external agencies, while also advocating on their behalf when needed.

• Assisting mothers with parenting skills
• Signposting them to appropriate services
• Offering targeted support to families facing issues such as domestic abuse

Ensuring the safeguarding of children and maintaining confidentiality at all times are central to the role, alongside working within relevant policies and procedures. Additionally, the position emphasises the importance of children's development and wellbeing by providing educational, recreational, and interactive play opportunities both during term time and holidays. Service users and children are encouraged to actively participate in shaping projects through consultations, feedback, and creative engagement.

The role also involves promoting community involvement by networking, fundraising, and collaborating with statutory and voluntary organisations. Ultimately, the work contributes towards the five key outcome areas: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution, and achieving economic wellbeing.

This is a part-time role with a specific working pattern. We value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this in your application. This role is restricted to female applicants under Schedule 9 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010 due to the nature of the work.

The ideal candidate will bring optimism, resilience, and a non-judgemental, anti-discriminatory approach when supporting women and children. A calm manner, empathy, and compassion are essential, particularly when working with service users who have experienced trauma or domestic abuse. In addition, the post holder must be skilled in partnership working with statutory, voluntary, and community agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes for families.

Strong problem-solving abilities, accuracy in processing and sharing sensitive information, and a clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities are vital. The role also requires flexibility to travel between service premises and to accompany clients when necessary. Success in this position relies on being able to manage responsibilities effectively within a structured and often pressured environment, while always keeping the wellbeing and empowerment of families at the centre of practice.

Hestia is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and values the skills, abilities, talent, and experiences that different people and communities bring to our organisation. We are proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for.

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children, and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.