Family Support Worker

Our mission is to provide opportunities for people to develop to their full potential, with a focus on children and young people and those who are vulnerable, have a disability or face disadvantage.

YMCA East Surrey is looking to recruit a qualified and experienced Family Support Worker to provide focused 1-1 and group family support for families with children and young people aged 0-19 years old (up to 25 years for young adults with additional needs). This will be delivered either at the Family Centre, out in the community or in service users’ own homes. The post holder will be required to work with families as a lone worker. All services provided will support the delivery of the Family Support Specification, which aims to enable children and families to achieve and improve outcomes.

This role requires someone with:

• A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes
• Level 3 qualification in a relevant field or obtained through significant recent work experience
• Professional experience in a relevant professional area with families and children.
• Demonstrable knowledge base regarding relevant legislation and resulting practice/procedure issues in family support services.
• Have a secure knowledge of Surrey Safeguarding Procedures and levels of need document and a willingness to be trained in the role.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage a case load working in partnership with agencies to provide integrated and planned interventions, giving advice, information, and practical and emotional support to families.
• Undertake direct work with children and their families who are assessed as requiring help and support, both at the Centre, community and in the home environment for emerging need and targeted services, offering timely support and interventions to address identified needs.
• Provide support for the family, using a variety of interventions including motivational interviewing, solution focused approaches and accredited parenting strategies.
• Deliver 1:1 evidence-based parenting programmes of support to achieve best outcomes for families and priority groups and record observations on electronic systems to the agreed standard and within agreed timescales.
• Plan, deliver and evaluate targeted services within the Family Centre and community venues.
• Deal effectively with challenging situations and the ability to be proactive to motivate and create change with complex family situations.

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about working for a charity and making a difference to the lives of the children and young people in our community. If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.

BENEFITS:

• Be part of a long-standing and well-respected charity
• Discounted childcare for permanent employees
• Gym membership and free access to all leisure facilities for permanent employees
• Eligibility for Blue Light Discount Retail Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 6.6 weeks annual leave which increases after 2 years continuous service
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme

YMCA East Surrey requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adult’s barred lists) check, along with reference checks.