At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need by providing advice and connecting them with essential services.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a champion for diverse communities and family support.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, pension scheme, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic outreach role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families and children in your community.
- Qualifications: Strong people skills and a passion for helping families thrive.
The predicted salary is between 38748 - 39915 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK's first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Do you have a passion for working with families and helping them overcome challenges? Are you confident building positive relationships, providing advice and support, and working alongside a range of professionals to achieve the best outcomes for children and families? Do you have strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload while remaining compassionate and family-focused? If so, this could be the role for you.
What's the role?
The Family Navigators will work with wider, multi-agency teams of professionals to be the first point of contact for families and young people coming into Family Hubs for advice and support. The Navigators will be proactive in finding ways to engage families who would benefit from, but do not visit Family Hubs, e.g., through outreach to spaces where seldom heard groups can be found. They will assess the initial needs of families and assist them by signposting and referring to the relevant services that will support the family's needs.
What's in it for you?
- Excellent training and development opportunities
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
What we're looking for
As we have three vacancies to fill we are looking for people who are passionate about making a difference for children, young people and families. You will have excellent people skills, be confident building relationships with families and partner agencies, and be able to provide practical support and guidance tailored to individual needs. You'll be organised, proactive and committed to helping families access the right support at the right time, ensuring they feel listened to, valued and empowered.
Location
Family Navigators are based within Family Hubs and communities across Lewisham, providing face-to-face support to children, young people and families. This is an outreach-focused role, and you will work across various locations in the borough, building relationships with families and partner services to ensure support is accessible where it is needed most.
Special conditions
- Out of Core hours and Weekend working is required for this job
- The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check
Salary
£38,748 - £39,915 per annum (Scale 6). N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Family Navigator (Pathfinder) in City of London employer: Lewisham Council
Join Kender Primary School in Lewisham, where your role as a SEND Teaching Assistant Apprentice will not only contribute to the development of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities but also immerse you in a vibrant, culturally rich community. With dedicated mentoring, high-quality training, and opportunities for permanent employment, you'll thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment that champions diversity and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Navigator (Pathfinder) in City of London
✨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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Family Navigator (Pathfinder) in City of London
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 Lewisham Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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.
