Family Support Practitioner

Peripatetic- Across all The Outdoors School Sites (Crediton, Shillingford, South Brent & Tiverton), including travel to family visits. (Company will allow an element of home working.)

About the outdoors group

The Outdoors Group School is an Independent Special School that is based solely outside in a woodland setting for learners with SEMH and ASD needs. We believe in developing the whole learner, not just their academic ability. We use a project-based method, allowing the learner to be completely autonomous, whilst contributing to a well-rounded education based on skills for lifelong learning and personal development.

The school caters for KS2, KS3 and KS4 learners and aims to provide a space for learners to develop skill sets and a growth mindset that they have been unable to in previous settings. We work closely with learners’ support networks, both professional and familial and try to create a holistic and engaging place for learners to grow.

The Outdoors School opened in September 2019 and due to its successes, we are increasing learner numbers and adding extra roles to support the learners, and families of school therefore looking for more people to join our team.

As Family Support Practitioner, you are expected to be part of the school’s safeguarding team and support the Family Support Lead, in the areas listed below. Parental influences have a powerful effect upon children’s attitudes, achievements and life outcomes. The role is to assist in working in partnership with families, parents, carers and learners in a school context to enable our learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, to have full access to educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning and participation.

The Outdoors School is in alternative way to education which delivers a unique and innovative education to learners. Our approach to learning allows learners to feel empowered and appreciated.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. This post requires a DBS check & PRICE Training. (PRICE Training is provided as part of the induction process, PRICE is our behaviour approach.)

If you are interested in joining our motivated team to work in a new innovative setting, in the outdoors, we look forward to receiving your application.

Main Duties:

As Family Support Practitioner, you are expected to support the Family Support Lead in the following areas:

Areas of responsibility:

• Reporting concerns: Recognise how to identify signs of abuse and when to make a referral. Respond appropriately and promptly to disclosures or concerns relating to the well-being of a child. Refer allegations or cases of suspected abuse to the relevant investigating agencies, ensuring they have access to the most relevant up to date information. Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as required. Support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme. Refer cases to the police as and when necessary.
• Multi Agency working: Attend and contribute effectively to Child In Need meetings, Early Help, and planning and review meetings. Liaise with the LA and follow up any referrals made. Support on Early Support Assessments.
• Training: Attend relevant training on an annual basis. In addition, attend staff meetings/briefings forums/roadshows to reinforce and enhance safeguarding knowledge and practice. Be pro-active in identifying training needs and inform the Family Support Lead. Keep up to date with safeguarding guidance and policies.
• Record Keeping: Understand the policy and procedures in relation to record keeping. Maintenance of all safeguarding files, including transit, storage and archiving of files. Maintenance and upkeep of the ‘SchoolPod’ Safeguarding Database. Maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality whilst liaising with relevant professionals. The work must be completed methodically and to deadlines and the programme of work. There will be a high level of interaction with learners and outside agencies. Contact with learners/parents can be routine matters. Extensive use of Display Screen Equipment.
• Additional information relating to working conditions: The post holder may be required to transport families and/or learners and will need their own transport available. The post holder may undertake home visits or offer appointments where they may be exposed to unpredictable behaviour and unpleasant environments. There is a risk of acquired infection, verbal or physical abuse. The post holder may work unsupervised with learners of all ages.

Other Requirements

• Attends mandatory training.
• Responsible for the health, safety and welfare of themselves and others.
• To be responsible for the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children.
• To be a team player and contribute within your own capabilities towards the school ethos.
• The post-holder may from time to time be required to carry out other duties commensurate with the role.
• Engage in staff supervision and appraisal process.
• Engage in critical reflective practice and participate in CPD opportunities, developing and sharing ideas and best practice for training and delivery.
• Ensure that learners experience a supportive and positive staff team at all times.

person specification

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Good communication and listening skills.
• Build and maintain rapport with adults and children.
• Calmness under pressure and when dealing with challenging or confrontational behaviour.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• A good understanding of the challenges faced by the families you help.
• Organisation and problem-solving skills.
• Resilience and the ability to cope with emotionally draining and traumatic situations.
• A positive, non-judgemental, empathetic, and sensitive approach.
• Effective teamwork skills, as you will often be acting within a multidisciplinary service or multi-agency network.
• Ability to have challenging conversations and always placing the interests of the child at the forefront of all decision making.
• A good understanding of how best to support students’ wellbeing.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).
• Knowledge of behaviour intervention and support practices.
• Knowledge of inter-agency working.
• Experience of working with learners with challenging behaviour outdoors.
• Understanding of the TAF systems & processes.

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrate a commitment and passion for the Forest School ethos.
• Resilience to working outdoors in all weathers.
• Enthusiasm and drive for improvement.
• Ability to work successfully as part of a team.
• Commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
• Commitment to safeguarding and safe practice.
• Commitment to Equal Opportunities.
• Determination and the highest expectations of work and behaviour.
• Sense of humour.
• Forward-thinking.

Qualifications & Training

• 5 GCSE’s grade A-C or equivalent.
• Willingness to undergo training the organisation feels is appropriate.
• Enhanced DBS disclosure will be required.
• Outdoor, Adventure or Forest School specific paediatric First Aid.