Family Keyworker in London

The Family Wellbeing Service aims to provide help to families early, to prevent difficulties becoming worse. The service works with children and families from 0 to 18 years old. The service has family key workers who work directly with children and families, providing advice, help and support. They will work with families up to three months and where more intensive support is identified a maximum of up to 6 months.

The post holder will deliver an intensive, targeted, high quality whole-family service for Bexley families who are identified as having children and young people who are at risk of poor outcomes and/or at risk of escalating to high need statutory services. This specialist role forms part of the Family Wellbeing Service. The post holder will need to be experienced in supporting families displaying challenging behaviour to bring about positive change for them and have experience of multi-agency working to support families.

This generic role requires the post holder to have transferable skills and to work flexibly across a range of specialisms e.g. parental domestic violence, parental mental health, parental substance mis-use and children at risk of school exclusion. The role requires a dedicated and specialist worker who works alongside families providing both practical support and advice. Families engaged within the service will range from high complex need through to low need.

Through the process of completing a comprehensive assessment of need, the worker will help families to make their own decisions about the changes they need to make, work with families to develop a SMART family support plan and then support the implementation of this plan. By working in a family centred and holistic way staff will ensure improved outcomes and life chances for children and families of London Borough of Bexley (LBB).

The post holder will be required to deliver input and training in specific areas of specialist work to colleagues and other professionals in support of the objectives of the service. No direct supervisory responsibility however, there may be requirement to assist in induction and training of peers and new employees.

The Post holder will need to have significant experience in a relevant field (which may include):

• Social Work
• Teaching
• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Youth Work
• Counselling
• Probation
• Health Professions
• Education
• Early Years

A minimum of 2 years' experience of working with families, children and young people in need and/or child protection. Experience of working within a multicultural community and setting. Knowledge and understanding of current issues in family policy and practice. Knowledge and understanding of legislation as it affects children, young people and their families, including: Children Act 1989, Children's Act 2014, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and relevant education legislation.

Experience of applying evidence based approaches and theoretical frameworks in undertaking assessments and developing interventions for children and families. Evidence of providing practical advice and support to families to enable them to achieve positive and sustainable change and improving outcomes. Awareness of equality issues in relation to disadvantaged groups and an ability to apply strategies which promote equal access to services and opportunity. Experience of managing risk, safeguarding and child protection, within the context of integrated multi-agency working.

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award-winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.

We will offer you in return a package that includes a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays.

As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council's existing employees. The Council's Secondment Scheme can be found here. If this option is of interest, please contact the recruiting manager.

We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.