Early Help Worker (Unit) - Intensive Family Support in Maidstone

Kent County Council's Intensive Early Help Service aims to promote family resilience, not reliance. It means taking action to support a child, young person or their family early in the life of a presenting issue or as soon as it emerges. Support can be required at any stage in a child's life. Our vision is that families will receive Intensive Early Help services in a timely and responsive way, so that children and young people are safeguarded, and their educational, social and emotional needs are met.

Guiding principles

• Build on families' existing resources and strengths with a culture of high aspiration and empathy.
• Build family wellbeing and resilience that leads to sustained change.
• Listen to the voice of children, young people and families and use their voice to shape our support.
• Join up services to support families at the right time and in the right place, with a focus on reducing transitions.

About the role and main responsibilities

The successful candidate will work within an Intensive Early Help Unit which is composed of a Unit Lead, Senior Early Help Worker(s) and Early Help Workers supported by an administrative officer. Working together using a strengths-based systemic approach, the unit undertakes written assessments, creates family plans, and conducts direct work with children, young people and families of all ages who require intensive support for multiple and complex issues.

You are applying for positions within the West Kent area. We currently have a vacancy in Maidstone District. This role requires you to assess the needs and develop intervention plans that aim to prevent the need to involve a specialist service. You will support children, young people and their families who are impacted by a broad range of issues and your interventions will include:

• Issue-based direct work with children and young people to promote change and work in partnership with other services to get the best support for families.
• Parenting support to reduce the negative impact on children and young people's physical development, emotional wellbeing, enhance their learning and life chances.

The issues impacting on the lives of children and young people may include: Domestic Abuse, Parental Mental Health, Substance Misuse, Learning Needs, Finances and Poverty, Emerging Neglect plus many more.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

You will hold a relevant diploma (or level 3 equivalent) and/or have evidence of relevant experience in childcare, health, social care, youth justice, education, youth work or another relevant field with experience of working with children or families within one of these areas. Having the ability to create a rapport and build relationships with children, young people and families, you will be able to gather and interpret information from a range of sources. You will be required to access computer-based recording systems and therefore will need to confidently use IT software and equipment. You will have knowledge of safeguarding and child protection and relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks. You will be flexible in your approach and committed to helping to develop creative ways of working. You will be willing to learn, work collaboratively to innovate, aid transformation and find new solutions, and take personal and professional responsibility for your actions and performance.

Work that works for you and us

Let's talk flexibility! KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.

As a KCC Employee there are significant benefits such as continued professional development, a quality Local Government Pension Scheme and access to Kent Rewards which provides discounts on many local and national brands for services and products.