At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and professionals by providing advice and guidance through various channels.
- Company: Essex County Council, committed to inclusivity and community support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, support for unpaid carers, and employee benefits.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26284 - 33256 £ per year.
This role ensures the Single Point of Entry is accessible to professionals, members of the public and families. Advisers collaborate with senior staff to deliver prompt and appropriate responses, handling enquiries and requests for support via telephone and email. You will gather information and record it in line with procedures and legislation, providing advice and guiding families to the right level of support.
Accountabilities
- Manage the Children and Families Hub team.
- Understand customer needs and deliver best outcomes, demonstrating ECC values and behaviours.
- Work flexibly and collaboratively across structural boundaries.
- Own your training and development, identifying and participating in relevant activities.
- Think creatively, challenge norms, and inspire continuous improvement.
- Identify and mitigate risks, including health and safety and business continuity.
- Participate in project or process teams under the new operating model, ensuring high-quality cross-functional output.
- Provide accurate information, advice and guidance via telephone or email, following effectiveness guidance.
- Work with colleagues, seek support, and prioritize safeguarding referrals.
- Record information correctly and lawfully, in accordance with data protection legislation and ECC policy.
- Identify families’ needs, complete records and refer to relevant teams within the Hub.
- Act as a link adviser to a themed or geographic area, maintaining a directory of local services.
- Adapt to changing circumstances; duties may change at the discretion of management.
Experience You Will Bring
Essential
- Knowledge of current national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures, including effective support guidance, Children’s Act and Working Together Guidance.
- Good general level of education including English at GCSE grade A-C, or equivalent abilities.
- Experience communicating by telephone and electronically recording information in line with data protection legislation.
Desirable
- Understanding of high-quality customer care and information provision, and awareness of barriers for hard-to-reach groups.
- High level of interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, engaging appropriate audiences.
Benefits
- Support for unpaid carers.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Employee benefits through Essex County Council.
EEO Statement
Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and commits to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements. We also interview veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements.
Additional Information
For further details on the role, please email ami.fosker@essex.gov.uk.
Children and Families Advisor – C&F Hub in Colchester employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Children and Families Advisors in Colchester. With flexible working arrangements, a commitment to employee development, and a focus on community impact, staff are empowered to grow professionally while making a meaningful difference in the lives of families. The council's dedication to diversity and support for unpaid carers further enhances its reputation as a desirable workplace.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children and Families Advisor – C&F Hub in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of children and families support. Attend local events or online webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for roles like Children and Families Advisor and practice your responses. Think about how your experiences align with the job description and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have any relevant certifications or training, make sure to highlight them during your conversations. This role is all about understanding safeguarding legislation and providing top-notch support, so let’s make that clear!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference in the lives of families.
We think you need these skills to ace Children and Families Advisor – C&F Hub in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Children and Families Advisor. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of communication, whether by phone or email, be sure to demonstrate your strong interpersonal skills in your written application. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention any experience you have with safeguarding legislation or working with families. This will help us see that you’re not just a good fit for the role, but that you also understand the context of the work we do.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on current national and local safeguarding legislation, including the Children’s Act and Working Together Guidance. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you understand the framework within which you'll be working.
✨Demonstrate Customer Care Skills
Prepare examples of how you've provided high-quality customer care in the past. Think about situations where you’ve engaged with hard-to-reach groups or handled difficult enquiries. This will help you illustrate your interpersonal and communication skills during the interview.
✨Show Flexibility and Collaboration
Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked flexibly and collaboratively in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you’ve adapted to changing circumstances or worked across different teams to achieve a common goal.
✨Practice Effective Communication
Since this role involves communicating via telephone and email, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable with discussing your experiences and answering questions.
