Family Link Keyworker - Children with Disabilities - Croydon Council
Salary: Grade 8 £38,934 - £40,755
Permanent - 36 hours per week
The Opportunity
The postholder will deliver an intensive, targeted and high-quality whole family service for Croydon families who are identified as having disabled children and disabled young people who are at risk of poor outcomes or within statutory service
Through the process of completing a comprehensive assessment of need, the worker will help families to make their own decisions about changes they need to make. Work with families will be through SMART planning and support, enabled by the use of the Strengthening Families approach. By working in a family centred and holistic way staff will ensure improved outcomes and life chances for children and young people with disabilities and their families.
The team will support babies, children, young people with disabilities and their families that live or access services within the Borough or Croydon children that are placed outside the Borough. It will be necessary, on occasion to work with families in other parts of the borough to ensure timely access to services.
To contribute to the delivery of a service for families who are identified as having children and young people with disabilities who are at risk of poor outcomes or require high need intervention
Work in an integrated and partnership focused way with families and other agencies through the delivery of a defined practice model in order that families increase their capacity to function in the community without the need for intensive support.
Support to families with multiple and complex needs where intensive support is required
Engage and sustain families in the programme to ensure improvements in their resilience and autonomy, improving outcomes and preventing escalation of their issues
To take the Lead Professional role and maintain a caseload of families, ensuring timely and effective intervention to maintain progress.
To work as part of a team consisting of practitioners with multi-agency experience in order to support identified children, young people and families to access learning and services within their local community.
To use the Strengthening families approach as a framework to support families, babies, children and young people to access services in their community including early learning and schools
About You
Significant experience or qualification in a relevant field which may include Social work, Teaching, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Youth Work, Counselling, Probation, Health professions, Education, Early Years.
Knowledge and understanding of recent research and evidence-based practice in relation to working with families
Knowledge of evidence based approaches to direct and intensive work with families with babies, children and Young People with multiple and complex needs (desirable physical or learning disabilities).
Knowledge of research and evidence base of factors that affect babies, children, young people and their families who are experiencing difficulties
Be able to work independently and directly with families in a range of environments, including their homes, including outside \'core\' working hours.
Deliver support strategies that will enable the family to take responsibility for their progress and build their resilience and autonomy.
An ability to undertake practical tasks with families, such as cooking, setting family routines, setting boundaries and modelling positive parenting strategies
Benefits
You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:
Highly competitive compensation package
Accredited Systemic Practice training
A range of CPD opportunities
29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more
A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%
Continuing Professional Development - genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career
Management development programmes
Investment into your wellbeing
Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, Retail Discounts and more)
We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance.
To view the Family Link Keyworker role profile click here
Closing date: 11th June :59pm
Disclaimer Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check which allows them to work with children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Link Keyworker - Children with Disabilities in Croydon
✨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 Croydon.
✨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 Croydon!
✨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 Croydon, 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 Croydon 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 Croydon:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Croydon! 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 Croydon
✨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.
