At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families of children with SEND, delivering effective programmes and community activities.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on safeguarding and supporting children and families in diverse settings.
- Benefits: Flexible work patterns and opportunities for professional development through training.
- Other info: Full driving licence and enhanced DBS clearance are essential for this role.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by working closely with families facing complex challenges.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in childcare, education, or social care is required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Qualifications & Training
- Level 2 Qualifications in English and Mathematics
- Relevant childcare, education, social care or health qualification to at least NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and/or considerable experience
- Up to date Designated Safeguarding Lead Training or willingness to complete this
- Training in a specialist area of parental support e.g. sleep training or a willingness to complete this
- Training as a mental health first aider or a willingness to complete this
- Nationally recognized qualification in education.
Experience
- Experience of handling complex Child Protection.
- Experience of working with families of children with SEND
- Ability to deal with difficult situations.
- Working with families and delivering effective support for families.
- Evidence of experience of direct work with children and parents within a variety of settings and from a range of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds including those who may not have previously accessed services, ideally those with learning difficulties or special needs
- Able to set up and deliver programs of family support work including group work, community activities and training as appropriate to need.
- Ability to work with children and families in a variety of settings within school, at home or in the community.
- Ability to work flexibly and supportively with parents and carers.
- Ability to work in close partnership with teachers and other professionals as well as external agencies, voluntary groups and service providers.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with children and adults, individually and in groups.
- Be tactful, diplomatic and sensitive with a good sense of humour.
- Ability to take responsibility and work on initiative within set boundaries.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills including a sensitive approach to children and adults.
- Ability to keep clear, accurate records.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Be a confident and skilled user of ICT – able to use it with children and parents.
- Be reliable and trustworthy, able to use judgement in receiving and dealing with sensitive information.
- The resilience to deal with challenging situations involving parents under stress and Child Protection issues.
- Involvement in TAF/TAC / CIN / CP meetings.
- Able and willing to speak confidently to a range of audiences.
Knowledge
- Safeguarding and child protection knowledge with up to date current practice through updates and refresher training.
- Training in community work, counselling skills, or similar.
- Training in facilitating parenting groups or experience of successful signposting.
- Thorough knowledge of statutory services and relevant children’s legislation especially child protection and safeguarding.
- An understanding of the complexities and issues the families of children with complex SEND, including those with learning disabilities and neurodivergence
- Knowledge of the education system and school attendance process.
Understanding of child psychology and barriers to learning
- Personal Qualities
- Positive view of children and young people with disabilities
- Flexible approach to supporting children and families.
- Ability to maintain a professional manner in challenging situations.
- Confidence to challenge behaviour that is outside of our policies and procedures.
- Confidence to challenge other professionals.
- Commitment to self-development and willingness to undertake further training.
Special Requirements
- No adverse criminal record and full enhanced DBS clearance
- Visiting families in their homes is an essential requirement of this post.
- Flexibility in work patterns may be required sometimes.
- Able and willing to work flexibly as part of a team
- Full driving licence
- Car owner or access to transport
Family Liaison Officer employer: Sherwood Foundation School
As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you will thrive in a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises the growth and development of both students and staff. Our commitment to professional development ensures that you will have access to ongoing training and resources, allowing you to enhance your skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children with special educational needs. Located in a vibrant community, we foster a culture of collaboration and respect, making our school an excellent place for passionate individuals dedicated to education.
Contact Details:
Sherwood Foundation School Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Liaison Officer
✨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 Sherwood Foundation School.
✨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 Sherwood Foundation School!
✨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 Sherwood Foundation School, 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 Sherwood Foundation School or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Liaison Officer
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 Sherwood Foundation School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sherwood Foundation School! 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 Sherwood Foundation School
✨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.
