At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families during Family Time sessions, fostering positive relationships.
- Company: St Helens Borough Council, a modernising council passionate about community support.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, continuous support, career progression, and a range of employee benefits.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to transforming lives and promoting inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children/families, NVQ Level 3 in relevant fields, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30872 - 37732 £ per year.
We are St Helens Borough Council. With our ILACS inspection now over and an increasingly stable workforce, it's a great time to join us! Located in the heart of the Northwest close to Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire, St Helens is a modernising Council which is passionate and ambitious for the children and families we support, our communities and our workforce.
As part of our transformation journey, we continue to build on our progress and put children firmly at the centre of our care. We can only do this because of our highly valued, skilled, and supported workforce.
Making a Difference as a Family Time Support Worker
We are seeking to recruit Family Time Support Workers to an existing stable and experienced team, within the Families Staying Together Service. The service aim is to support the most vulnerable children and families in St Helens and works closely with all teams within Children's Services, supporting those children who are a Child We Look After.
The post will be 37 hrs per week, and you will be required to work on a flexible basis (including early mornings, evenings, and weekends). The Team support children in maintaining relationships with family members where they are not able to reside with them, by supporting them within Family Time sessions.
The focus of this role is to work in partnership with families, carers and Social Work colleagues to ensure the Family Time sessions are positive and rewarding for our children and their family members. Offering support, direction and guidance within the sessions to encourage development for the families in relation to their relationships and parenting.
Providing an overview and observations of the sessions to Social Workers to support the ongoing plans for the children, providing written reports of the observed and supported sessions. The work is sometimes emotionally demanding, but always rewarding.
Flexible, positive and willing to learn, you'll be capable of communicating with people from all walks of life in a wide range of situations, remaining calm in a crisis and adapting to constantly changing situations and priorities.
To be successful in this role, experience of providing services to children and/or families with complex needs is essential, along with good record-keeping skills, the ability to construct coherent reports and contribute to and complete assessments as required. Strong mediation/negotiation skills and the ability to work in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner is a must, as is working effectively with other professionals and organisations.
NVQ Level 3 in health, education, social care, youth work or equivalent is essential. This Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to utilise existing skills and develop new ones. You will receive continuous support, development, and career progression opportunities on your journey with us. This is a hybrid position with some home working; however, the post will require you to be based at our offices in St Helens and be able to attend the St Helens area regularly as part of your work.
St Helens is a great place to work so why not visit our Children's Services web page to see what our colleagues have to say and discover our full range of in-work benefits.
Making a Difference
Whatever stage of your career, working in the public sector puts you at the heart of communities. Our workforce provides services to our residents day in and day out, making a positive impact on people's lives. We could not do this without the dedication, professionalism and strength of our workforce.
There are so many reasons to choose to work at St Helens Council including the fantastic range of employee benefits and rewards on offer.
St Helens Borough Council is officially recognised as one of the region's leading fair employers, achieving accredited status under the Liverpool City Combined Authority Fair Employment Charter. The Charter recognises the ongoing commitment to fair pay, secure work, training & progression & staff well-being whilst celebrating employers who go above and beyond for their workforce providing an inclusive and supportive environment.
Equality & Diversity
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to transform our organisation. The Council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the job, as detailed on the Person Specification, and will, for qualifying disabled candidates, make reasonable adjustments within selection.
All Council employees are required to abide by the ethical standards embodied by the 7 Nolan Principles.
Family Time Support Worker employer: St Helens Borough Council
St Helens Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. With a focus on community impact, employees in the Lead Consumer Protection & Regulatory Compliance role will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while benefiting from continuous training and growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Time Support Worker
✨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 St Helens Borough Council.
✨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 St Helens Borough Council!
✨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 St Helens Borough Council, 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 St Helens Borough Council 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 Time Support Worker
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 St Helens Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St Helens Borough Council! 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 St Helens Borough Council
✨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.
