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- Tasks: Support families and children through safeguarding, providing expert advice and outreach services.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Via West Berkshire, dedicated to community transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working options, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and substance misuse, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Diverse workplace committed to inclusion and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Family safeguarding sees specialist adult-focused practitioners – with expertise in substance misuse – integrated within children’s safeguarding teams. This exciting and rewarding role will provide you with significant scope for growth and innovation.
This senior role will provide you with the opportunity to be part of this integrated team, carrying a reduced specialist caseload whilst also providing support, advice and oversight to your colleagues in the wider Via West Berkshire Service in safeguarding caseloads and matters.
The role will involve:
- Providing expert advice and information and training to the multi-disciplinary team.
- Providing advice and information to parents/service users.
- Providing harm reduction triage assessment, motivational interviewing and brief and extended interventions.
- Providing an outreach service to parents whose children are subject to Child in Need or Child Protection plans.
The child and family substance misuse workers refer those who require structured treatment into the main pathways within Via West Berkshire.
Recovery focused, mutual aid, peer mentors and ongoing recovery activities have been identified as fundamental to building recovery capital and supporting a client’s recovery journey.
Supervisory responsibilities include providing line management, support, advice and guidance to an internal team of safeguarding practitioners and acting as named safeguarding lead for Via West Berkshire Service.
The core hours of this role will be Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm, but there may be some occasional out of hours work which would be considered on a rota basis.
Location: 1 Station Road, Newbury, RG14 7LP. The post is predominantly based in Newbury, but some travel across the County will be required. This role is integrated within children’s safeguarding teams so the role will require co-location. Due to the nature of this role and geographical area, it would be advantageous to have a driving licence.
Why should you apply?
- To be an integral contributor in our mission to transform the lives of our service users.
- To help enact positive change within the community and wider public space.
- Be part of a high-performance team that is focused on quality and welcomes innovation.
- To benefit from our competitive salary and benefits packages and professional development opportunities.
- Full time, part time/job share, and flexible working applications are welcomed and will be considered in conjunction with hybrid models.
Via welcomes enquiries from everyone, and we value diversity in our workplace. Our commitment to promoting diversity and developing a workplace environment where all staff are treated with dignity and respect is central to our recruitment process. We are a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people.
Appointment to all Via posts are subject to satisfactory completion of our safeguarding checks including DBS and we follow safer recruiting principles.
Family Safeguarding Senior Practitioner employer: Via Westminster Drug Project
Contact Detail:
Via Westminster Drug Project Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Safeguarding Senior Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the safeguarding team and their recent projects. This will help you connect your experience with their work and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your motivational interviewing skills! Since this role involves providing harm reduction triage assessments, brush up on your techniques. You might even want to role-play with a friend to get comfortable discussing sensitive topics.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership abilities! As a Senior Practitioner, you'll be guiding others. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully led a team or mentored someone, and be ready to share those stories during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are excited about joining us. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
We think you need these skills to ace Family Safeguarding Senior Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the role and how your experience fits in.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your skills and experiences relate specifically to the Family Safeguarding Senior Practitioner role. Highlight relevant examples that show off your expertise in safeguarding and substance misuse.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of what you want to say. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit!
Submit Through Our Website: Remember, we only accept applications via our website, so make sure you use the application form provided. Don’t wait too long to apply, as we might close the advert early if we get enough applications!
How to prepare for a job interview at Via Westminster Drug Project
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of family safeguarding and substance misuse. Familiarise yourself with the latest practices and frameworks in these areas, as well as the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in safeguarding and working with multi-disciplinary teams. Think of specific examples where you've provided support or advice, and how you've contributed to positive outcomes for families. This will help you illustrate your capability to take on the senior practitioner role effectively.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, and how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the position aligns with your career goals.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations related to safeguarding and substance misuse. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios and your approach to them, including harm reduction strategies and motivational interviewing techniques. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
