At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families with complex needs and help them achieve positive outcomes.
- Company: Join West Sussex County Council, a diverse organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, a generous pension, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on families' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree or experience in supporting families in crisis.
The predicted salary is between 36581 - 36581 £ per year.
Salary: £33,63 to £36,581 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time (37 hours per week)
Location: Horsham area
We are looking for a Family Support Key Worker to join our Horsham team, working within our local hub system to deliver high level support to families who have complex needs. Family Support Keyworkers deliver intensive support to families in need as part of the Early Help offer, and this is achieved by working closely and intensively with whole families using a single-family plan, with agreed outcomes that the family and professionals will work towards. Through this system we address issues facing the whole family, improve outcomes for children and reduce dependence on high cost, specialist support services.
As a Family Support Keyworker you will engage with hard-to-reach families, working flexibly, creatively and in partnership with multi-agency stakeholders in order to meet the needs of the children and their families. This may include outside of office hours on occasions. You will have good working knowledge of legislation and practice relating to children, alongside an understanding of current issues experienced by families. You will have demonstrable experience of working with children and families and will be able to evidence supporting those with complex needs, as well as experience of effective partnership working. You must be able to travel throughout the county occasionally, including locations that are not always accessible by public transport, so a driving licence and access to a car is essential.
Key Skills (used for shortlisting):
- Ability to listen to adults and children who have experienced trauma and have complex needs and to use excellent interpersonal skills in order to build an effective relationship with the families.
- Analytical and judgmental skills in order to interpret complex situations and information from families to make assessments.
- Excellent crisis management skills with the ability to recognize the individual needs of families.
- Ability to create an environment where families are empowered to make positive change.
- The ability to build rapport quickly with people participating in services and remain up to date with changes in best practice and available support mechanisms.
- Ability to accurately record information in excel spreadsheets and web databases.
- Ability to use a variety of screening tools.
Qualifications and/or experience:
- Relevant qualification, degree level preferably, in a relevant subject, or demonstrable experience in a paid or unpaid capacity of providing support to people in stressful and difficult situations.
- Demonstrable experience of working with families in crisis in order to provide support, especially those with complex and chronic difficulties.
- Experience of interpreting families’ needs and assisting families to access appropriate support services.
- Experience of working in a team environment and multi-agency working.
- Experience of working within a frame of confidentiality.
- Experience of applying relevant legislation, policies and procedures to individual pieces of work.
- Valid and full driving licence and access to a vehicle/ability to travel around the county independently.
About Us: West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents every day. Through our Early Help Service, we will work with children, families, and young people to help ensure that every person is supported to achieve his or her potential.
Benefits: As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do. Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:
- Employer Pension Contribution: 15% (this alters per annum on the 1 April each year).
- Annual leave: 27 days holiday + Bank holidays = 35 days.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, five years referencing, and an occupational health check. Equity, inclusion, and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve.
Family Support Keyworker in Horsham employer: West Sussex County Council
West Sussex County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises community impact and employee wellbeing. With opportunities for professional development and a focus on strengths-based approaches, you will be empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in the beautiful surroundings of West Sussex.
Contact Details:
West Sussex County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Keyworker in Horsham
✨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 West Sussex County 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 West Sussex County 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 West Sussex County 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 West Sussex County 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 Support Keyworker in Horsham
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 West Sussex County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to West Sussex County 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 West Sussex County 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.
