At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families visiting loved ones in prison, creating a welcoming environment.
- Company: Join Pact, a supportive organisation dedicated to improving family connections.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference during challenging times for families and children.
- Qualifications: Experience working with people facing difficulties and calm handling of situations.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
Join us as a Family Support Worker (Visits Centre Assistant) at HMP Birmingham, where you will play an important role in supporting families visiting their loved ones in prison. Based in the visitor centre, you’ll help create a welcoming and supportive environment for adults and children. From offering information and guidance to organising activities for children and ensuring refreshments are available, you’ll contribute to making visits as positive and stress-free as possible. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You’ll support families during what can often be a challenging time, using your experience of working with people facing difficulties to handle situations calmly and sensitively. You’ll also work closely with colleagues and partner agencies, ensuring safeguarding and child protection procedures are followed at all times. Your input will help us continue to improve our family support services. If you’re organised, approachable, and passionate about making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Responsibilities:
- Assist and support families during visits to prison, providing information and guidance.
- Organise activities for children and ensure refreshments are available.
- Answer queries on the phone and manage bookings.
- Work closely with colleagues and partner agencies to maintain safeguarding and child protection procedures.
- Contribute to ongoing improvement of family support services.
Qualifications:
- Experience of working with people facing difficulties.
- Calm and sensitive handling of challenging situations.
Location: HMP Birmingham (visitor centre).
This post is subject to a 6‑month probationary period, verification of identity and proven right to work in the UK, satisfactory references from previous employers covering a 3‑year period, declaration of any unspent criminal convictions (and where appropriate a satisfactory risk assessment), Prison Vetting and a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Note that being bankrupt or having County Court Judgements may affect your ability to be successfully vetted to work in a prison.
What we offer:
- Pact offers a range of benefits including a free advice, information and counselling service, contributory pension, corporate eye care scheme, cycle to work scheme and generous holiday entitlement.
- Opportunity to attend training events to further develop yourself as a professional training and interventions worker.
- Thorough induction process and support from a friendly and enthusiastic team.
Equal Opportunity: Pact is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applications including those with a criminal conviction (appointment to post is subject to a risk assessment).
Family Support Worker employer: Prison Advice and Care Trust
Pact is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment at HMP Birmingham. As a Family Support Worker, you will benefit from a comprehensive induction process, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a range of employee benefits including a contributory pension and generous holiday entitlement. Join a dedicated team that values your contributions and is committed to making a positive impact on families during challenging times.
Contact Details:
Prison Advice and Care Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of family support or social work. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet professionals and learn more about the role. You never know who might have a lead on a job or offer valuable advice!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your interview skills! Get a friend or family member to do a mock interview with you. Focus on how you would handle challenging situations, as this role requires calmness and sensitivity. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s your turn to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, let them know why you care about supporting families during tough times. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application, so make sure you submit it directly on our platform. This way, you’ll be in the best position to catch our attention and show us why you’re the perfect fit for the Family Support Worker role.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting families shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in challenging situations, so share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure to answer any questions directly and avoid unnecessary jargon. This helps us understand your qualifications and enthusiasm quickly!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the Family Support Worker role. Highlight your experience working with people facing difficulties and how it relates to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We love seeing how you connect your skills to our needs!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do, so why not get started today?
How to prepare for a job interview at Prison Advice and Care Trust
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Family Support Worker. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges families face when visiting loved ones in prison and think about how your experience can help address these issues.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
This role requires a calm and sensitive approach. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported individuals or families in difficult situations. Highlight your ability to handle challenging scenarios with compassion.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about their family support services and how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the position is the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since you'll be working closely with colleagues and partner agencies, be ready to discuss your teamwork experiences. Share specific instances where collaboration led to positive outcomes, especially in safeguarding and child protection contexts.
