Experienced family support worker, working with children? (Temporary) in Redditch

Tyre Hill House is an aspirational residential family centre providing assessment and support for parents and children who need intensive, round-the-clock support while questions about parenting capacity, child safety and sustainable care are understood.

Many of the families who come to Tyre Hill will have experienced adversity, trauma, care experience, domestic abuse, mental health difficulty, substance misuse, learning needs or social isolation. Our aim is to provide assessments that are safe, fair, structured and child-centred, while also giving parents clear support, teaching and feedback.

This includes residential family support, social work assessment, psychology, parenting and early years expertise, domestic abuse, substance misuse, and dedicated support for care-experienced parents.

The role of the Senior Family Support Worker (SFSW) is to be a positive role model when working directly with families and Family Support Workers (FSW). Where necessary, providing on-the-job training, mentoring, coaching to support the growth and development of FSWs. The SFSW is responsible for supporting FSWs in the planning of day-to-day activities, ensuring they have support and oversight whilst on shift.

The SFSW will offer support and guidance as and when required to FSWs throughout any given shift and when necessary, contact emergency services and the on-call manager. The SFSW will be responsible for attending handovers between shifts, ensuring clear and accurate communication is passed onto staff.

SFSWs will complete the day-to-day work with families, observing and assisting with the assessments in order to promote, strengthen and develop parenting skills and to promote the welfare of the child at all times. They will be key in creating a supportive and learning environment for the parents whilst ensuring parents can prioritise the safety and welfare needs of their children. Where this is not happening, they will take appropriate steps to safeguard children in line with Tyre Hill House safeguarding procedures.

This support will be delivered in individual sessions or as part of group work. In line with the Family Assessment Plans, provide families with support on every aspect of daily life, health and wellbeing to include basic baby care, feeding and eating, sleeping, budgeting, safety, discipline, routines, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle choices.

Ensure the safety and welfare of children remains central to the assessment/intervention process. To take the Key Worker role in the development, implementation and monitoring of individual family’s Assessment Plans. To observe, supervise and record family interaction, child behaviour, parental motivation and parental ability to meet the needs of the child.

To provide day-to-day support and guidance to staff, reporting incidents and concerns to the manager, contacting on-call support out of hours and contacting emergency services when and if required. To mentor, support and coach FSWs to ensure consistent high standards of care and practice are embedded throughout the service.

To develop and maintain good working relationships with parents and other family members and professionals including GPs, health visitors and Local Authority Social Workers. To provide a service that empowers parents to care for their own child with knowledge and confidence, valuing and respecting the strengths, experiences, and background of the families.

Where required, to assist in childcare duties to enable parents to access individual and group sessions. To accurately, promptly and fully record all relevant data on ClearCare (Tyre Hill House database), in line with policies and procedures, taking into account health & safety and risk management requirements and the legal processes that govern the work of Tyre Hill House.

To maintain and develop up-to-date relevant skills and knowledge of current legislation and policies. Identify learning and development needs through supervision and appraisals. To attend and actively make use of supervision and appraisal meetings. To undertake training as the Registered Manager deems necessary and to complete this training in a diligent manner.

To maintain a safe environment, the fabric of the building, its grounds and equipment complying with health & safety and other legal requirements. To encourage staff and families to care for their surroundings and make best use of the available resources.

When mentoring or coaching FSWs, identify potential training needs and areas of development within the probation period. To use community resources where appropriate. To understand and comply with statutory and regulatory (Ofsted) specific standards and regulations. To read and understand Tyre Hill House policies and procedures and ensure their operation within the centre.

Relevant professional qualification or demonstrable experience in social care, leaving care, youth work, family support, advocacy, housing, education, children and families, or a related field. Safeguarding children training at an appropriate level. Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to care experience, trauma, safeguarding, child protection, family support, advocacy or practical independence.

The final mix of appointments and contracted hours will be determined following recruitment and agreed in line with service requirements and the approved staffing budget. The role will require a full disclosure barring service (DBS).