Senior Support Worker – D-BIT, Connecting and Uniting Families in Chelmsford

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Support Worker to join the Divisional Based Intervention Teams (D-BIT) Connecting and Uniting Families (over 10’s) Team on a 12-month fixed term or secondment opportunity. The Connecting and Uniting Families Team (based within the D-BIT Service) is a secondary team working in partnership with front line children’s services, devising robust and structured connecting/reunification plans and supporting families intensively for a period of up to 18 months.

The team is based in Chelmsford and provides a countywide response to requests for bespoke connecting and reunification activity. Assigned caseloads are limited, reflecting our commitment to bespoke, relevant, intensive family support activity. Staff work cohesively together, providing support to families as a team with the capacity to flex and adapt as required to support our activity with families referred to the service.

This role will also encompass our Staying Close work, working with young people in, and leaving care up to the age of 25 years, supporting them to connect and or unite with their families where appropriate. Developing and strengthening these relationships aims to provide them with the ongoing connection, support and sense of belonging which will aid their transition into adulthood and beyond.

Working arrangements are flexible, with acknowledgement that a percentage of family-based activity is likely to need to take place outside of usual working hours.

As a Senior Support Worker joining the team you will work flexibly with children and their families, most within their homes and in their communities. We work with families at times that are good for them, so you would likely find yourself undertaking a considerable amount of work with families in their homes in the afternoons and early evenings. You may be required to work occasional times on Saturdays where it is a best fit for families.

You will have the opportunity throughout this secondment to develop multiple skills and knowledge, through developing your Systemic, Trauma Informed and Solution Focused practice.

• Responsible for supporting social workers and occupational therapists to implement and monitor care plans, and write reports where required, which deliver interventions for children and families.
• Responsible for maintaining high standards of professional practice which contribute to continuous improvement across the service.
• Responsible for highlighting issues and implementing plans to safeguard a child.
• Building strong, effective relationships with the service users, providing practical advice and support, where necessary and deemed appropriate; enabling children and families to sustain change and function effectively within the community.
• Work collaboratively across the service, with internal and external professional partner agencies, to ensure improved outcomes for children and families.
• Provide information and advice in relation to involvement/accessing of third party agencies relevant to the needs of the service user (e.g. benefits agencies, immigration and housing).
• Participate in meetings, reviews, case conferences and court hearings to provide information, insight and evidence.
• Writing effective reports which could be used in professional meetings, forums and court.

• Educated to NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and in-depth knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Experience of building strong, effective relationships with children and families in times of challenge and crisis.
• Experience of observing, facilitating and reporting on contact.
• Experience of undertaking direct, activity-based work with children and families where required.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues impacting children, young people and families, leading them to require support.
• Knowledge of legislative and policy guidance applicable within Social Care settings.
• Proven track record of working with partners and external agencies.
• A certificate in First Aid and/or knowledge of Sign Language is desirable in this role.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.