At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families in refuge through play sessions and advocacy.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Birmingham Solihull Women’s Aid.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful work, and flexible hours.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable families.
- Qualifications: Experience in support work and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 33912 - 41448 £ per year.
POST: Children and Family Support Worker (maternity cover)
HOURS OF WORK: 37 hours (Due to the nature of this post the post holder will be expected to work after school, early evenings, school holidays and weekends & you will be required to participate in a 24 hours on call rota)
SALARY: £31,537
JOB PURPOSE: To develop and deliver family support and play sessions to children, young people and their mothers in refuge and the community. To lead on domestic violence awareness raising sessions with children/young people and professionals.
BSWA provides safe secure accommodation to some of the most vulnerable women and children therefore in order to ensure we provide maximum support and safety it is essential that our service is available to them 24/7. We do this through operating an on-site rota that covers weekends, evenings and bank holidays as well as a 24 hour call out system.
RESPONSIBLE TO: The Refuge Manager
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- To work in partnership with mothers/carers to identify children and young people’s support needs and to ensure those needs are met.
- To undertake needs analysis for each child and young person, to ascertain the level of support needed and the type of activities required to meet their needs.
- To develop and deliver a comprehensive programme of one-to-one and group therapeutic and play sessions, and shared activities within refuge.
- To provide school holiday play schemes in refuge.
- To supervise and accompany children and young people on trips and visits outside of refuge.
- To provide one to one support and family support with families living in the community.
- To seek approval of all programmes with the refuge manager and ensure that these are discussed with other relevant members of the staff team before implementation.
- To participate in the development of informative literature for women and children, including a children’s introduction pack, which is to be kept up-to-date.
- To purchase/hire such equipment as necessary to undertake programmes within budgetary constraints and with approval from the refuge manager.
- To carry out appropriate methods of communication with women, children and young people living in refuge to keep them informed about opportunities and updates on work that is taking place, including house meetings.
- To carry out detailed monitoring and evaluation of all support work, and keep an accurate record of notes and comments in line with relevant legislation.
- To communicate regularly with mothers/carers about the work with their children.
- To support mothers/carers to enable them to meet the schooling, health and social care needs of their children.
- To link with health workers, schools, nurseries, social workers and to implement procedures for referral to other agencies.
- To work with the BSWA floating support and resettlement teams to identify the needs of women and their children leaving refuge after being offered permanent accommodation.
- To advocate on behalf of children, where necessary, throughout adhering to Child Protection procedures.
- To ensure that Health and Safety records are kept up to date.
ADMINISTRATION:
- To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems.
- To ensure that adequate records are kept for all service users.
- To keep accurate records of financial transactions in line with BSWA’s procedures.
- To provide monthly reports to the Refuge Manager about work that has taken place, feedback from service users and produce statistical information about participation.
- To contribute to the preparation of reports for funders.
COMMUNICATION:
- To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the refuges, staff, volunteers and service users by maintaining BSWA communication records following safety procedures and attending team meetings.
- To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager.
- To develop a professional working relationship with external agencies.
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT:
- To ensure that all play areas, equipment and activities comply with Health and Safety requirements, the Children Act and other relevant legislation.
- To deliver inductions and orientation to all children and young people entering the refuge.
- To offer support and training to volunteers and ensure that they are aware of all legal Health and Safety requirements.
TRAINING:
- To deliver positive relationships and domestic violence awareness programmes in local schools and youth groups.
- To raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence on women and children and of BSWA services through the delivery of training and briefing sessions to agencies and community groups.
- To work alongside colleagues to organise in-house training and information sessions on a range of issues for service users.
GENERAL:
- To maintain the confidentiality of the women and children using the service and, in all matters, relating to the organisation.
- To offer an equal service to all women and children regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation.
- To work within BSWA policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA.
- To work within BSWA and local multi-agency child and adult safeguarding procedures.
- To work within BSWA’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
- To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise and commensurate with the post.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September.
Children and Family Support Worker in Birmingham employer: Women's Aid Federation of England
BSWA is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting vulnerable women and children, offering a compassionate work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With comprehensive training opportunities and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a supportive environment that values their contributions. Located in a vibrant area, BSWA provides a unique chance to engage with local services and initiatives, enhancing both personal and professional development.
Contact Details:
Women's Aid Federation of England Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children and Family Support Worker in Birmingham
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We think you need these skills to ace Children and Family Support Worker in Birmingham
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 Women's Aid Federation of England:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Women's Aid Federation of England! 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 Women's Aid Federation of England
✨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.
