Pre-Birth Family Worker in Oldham

A pre-birth family worker's role is to provide intensive support to expectant parents to ensure a baby has a safe and healthy start, by conducting assessments, identifying risks, and collaborating with families and other agencies to create a support plan. This involves working with parents to build skills, address issues like domestic abuse or substance misuse, and plan for the baby's care both before and after birth. They aim to prevent escalation by providing support early and working with families to achieve and sustain positive changes.

The post holder will have responsibility for a case load of families, working with other relevant agencies as required. Committed to using strength-based approaches, the post holder will build trusting relationships with families that enable challenge and support; they will help build resilience, self-reliance, and improve family life and children’s outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide intensive support to help parents achieve and maintain the changes needed to provide safe and appropriate care for their baby.
• Strengthen parenting skills: Help parents develop their parenting skills and build a strong bond with their unborn child through practical advice and activities.
• Coordinate with other professionals: Liaise with other agencies and professionals, such as midwives, health visitors, and social workers, to provide a coordinated approach.
• Advocate and navigate services: Help families navigate and access other support services and paperwork, and act as an advocate for them.
• Plan for the birth and beyond: Work with parents to develop a clear plan for the birth and the baby's care after birth, communicating any concerns from the beginning.
• Promote early intervention: Work to ensure support is in place before the baby is born to prevent future problems and ensure a better start for the child.

Working in a person-centred way using creative therapeutic methods to understand the lived experience of children, and deliver interventions to ensure children are happy, healthy and thriving. To prepare, write and record assessments, case notes, contacts and written reports accurately, promptly and in accordance with Oldham Family Connect and wider local and national protocols as required.

Key Requirements:

• An NVQ level 3 in a related subject or at least 3 years’ experience working with children and families.
• A good knowledge of child development and childcare practice, respecting cultural differences.
• Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in partnership with various partner organisations.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Our Benefits Package:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service.
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups.

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.