At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families under Special Guardianship Orders, promoting stability and positive outcomes.
- Company: Dudley Council, dedicated to safeguarding and improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, professional development, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and access to extensive training resources.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, strong communication skills, and a commitment to safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 32046 - 32046 £ per year.
Family Support Worker (Special Guardianship Support Service) Making a difference where it matters most. Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and supporting families to thrive? We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Family Support Worker to join our Special Guardianship Support Service. This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with children living under Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs) and their carers, helping to promote stability, resilience and positive outcomes. You will provide practical and emotional support to children and families, ensuring they have access to the services, guidance and interventions they need to succeed.
About the Role As a Family Support Worker, you will work alongside Special Guardians, children, birth family members and a range of professionals to deliver targeted support that promotes safe, stable and nurturing family placements. The role is highly varied and includes:
- Providing direct support and intervention to children and Special Guardians.
- Updating annual financial assessments and Special Guardianship Support Plans.
- Delivering wraparound support to families experiencing challenges.
- Undertaking direct work with children to promote wellbeing, resilience and positive identity.
- Supporting Special Guardians to understand and respond to trauma, attachment difficulties and challenging behaviour.
- Leading and facilitating support groups and training sessions.
- Working closely with Social Workers, schools, health professionals and partner agencies.
- Advocating for children and ensuring their wishes and feelings are heard.
- Undertaking community-based visits and lone working in accordance with service requirements.
- Contributing to assessments, reviews and multi-agency planning.
About You We are seeking an enthusiastic and resilient individual who:
- Has experience of working with children, young people and families.
- Understands safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
- Can build positive and trusting relationships with children and carers.
- Has excellent communication, recording and organisational skills.
- Is able to work independently whilst contributing positively to a wider team.
- Can effectively engage with a range of professionals and partner agencies.
- Is committed to improving outcomes for children and supporting family permanence.
Knowledge of Special Guardianship, kinship care, attachment and trauma-informed practice would be advantageous, as would experience of supporting carers and vulnerable children.
What We Offer In return, we offer:
- A supportive and experienced team environment.
- Regular supervision and professional development opportunities.
- Access to a wide range of training and learning opportunities.
- Flexible and agile working arrangements.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Enhanced family-friendly and occupational sick pay schemes.
- Employee wellbeing support and counselling services.
- Local government pension scheme and a range of employee benefits and discounts.
Join Us This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and families, helping Special Guardianship placements remain safe, stable and successful. If you are committed to supporting children to achieve their full potential and want to be part of a service that values relationship-based practice, we would love to hear from you.
Dudley Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata) or Onsite full time.
Family Support Worker - Special Guardianship Support Service in Brierley Hill employer: Hurst Green
Dudley Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises diversity and inclusion while empowering employees to make a meaningful impact in the community. With opportunities for professional growth and development within the Homelessness Prevention and Response Team, you will be part of a dedicated group committed to improving the lives of vulnerable adults in Dudley Town Centre. Join us to contribute to innovative prevention strategies and enjoy a fulfilling career in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker - Special Guardianship Support Service in Brierley Hill
✨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 Hurst Green.
✨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 Hurst Green!
✨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 Hurst Green, 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 Hurst Green 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 Family Support Worker - Special Guardianship Support Service in Brierley Hill
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 Hurst Green:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hurst Green! 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 Hurst Green
✨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.
