At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need, working directly with children aged 0-18 and collaborating with various agencies.
- Company: Join a vibrant Targeted Early Help Team in Barking & Dagenham.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional training, career development, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Be part of a changing borough with a young population and exciting opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families and children in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families is beneficial; enthusiasm and teamwork are key.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant Targeted Early Help Team in the role of Family Support Worker. The job is rewarding and challenging, working with children predominately 0-18 years, and their families to provide frontline targeted support when families are in need. We work with families who have a range of needs and challenges and provide intervention, working in partnership with the families and other agencies, like schools, health providers and the voluntary sector, to help families to move on with their lives. We work in the community, in family homes, family hubs and other community settings.
About you
It is beneficial to have experience working with children and families, especially babies and young children, providing support and completing meaningful direct work to ensure positive outcomes for children are met. The successful candidate will work with a range of families, on a 1-2-1 basis and in group settings. You will be responsible for the completion of the families Early Help Assessment along with completing meaningful direct work and leading on Team Around the Family Meetings ensuring that positive outcomes for children are achieved. Most importantly, flexibility, a willingness to learn and work as part of a team and enthusiasm are all important attributes. You will be working alongside multi-agency partners to provide robust assessment, short term intervention and review to meet the needs of the family. You will be required to complete accurate and timely records and reports to support and evidence the work with the family.
About us
Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes.
We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people. We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger.
As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do. Our values, known as DRIVE, shape how we work:
- Deliver our best every day – and do what we promise
- Respond in a prompt, positive way to our community’s needs
- Inspire others with our attitudes and actions
- Value people for who they are and what they can do
- Engage with others to improve our resilience and flexibility
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.
Family Support Worker (Rapid Response) employer: London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative work culture that prioritises community impact and employee development. As a Food Hub Project Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to drive meaningful change in food distribution while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a supportive environment that values your contributions to tackling poverty and enhancing resilience in our borough.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker (Rapid Response)
✨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 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
✨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 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham!
✨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 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, 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 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Barking and Dagenham! 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 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
✨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.
