Family Support Worker (male)

The Rainbow Project

From 22221 To 23708
35.00

HERe NI and The Rainbow Project wish to recruit a male Family Support Worker to support the delivery of Same-Sex Family Project in Northern Ireland.

Job Title: Family Support Worker

Salary:  £22,221 (P/A)

Hours: 35 per week, ability to work evenings and weekends is essential                       

Annual Leave:  28 days annual leave plus statutory days

Contract: Fixed term until June 2020 subject to funding

Responsible to: HERe NI Board of Directors

Reports to The Rainbow Projects Director

HERe NI and The Rainbow Project seek to recruit a man to this post. The lawful recruitment of a male for the post falls within the exemption stated in Article 10 of the Sexual Discrimination (NI) Order 1976 (as amended) HEReNI and The Rainbow Project welcome applications from men who were not assigned male at birth.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The role of the Family Support Worker will be to provide personal and practical support to same sex families. They will work with the HERe NI Family Support Worker and staff team to establish a support network, facilitate relevant activities and provide information, practical support and services that meet the needs identified for same sex families. The Family Support Worker will develop relationships with families through home visitation and group engagement and encourage their active participation in accessing services. All services and support will be designed and delivered in line with the aims and objectives specified in funding received, through supporting and promoting the wellbeing and development of children and young people aged under 12 yrs and their parents/significant carers.

 

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

  1. To work with the HERe NI Family Support Worker in designing and delivering programmes that are based on the expressed needs of same sex families and which support parental involvement in the development of children.
  1. To provide practical and emotional support to same sex families in their own home and within the community.
  1. To support and encourage parents to develop skills that will help them meet the needs of their children.
  1. To contribute to the capacity of same sex family support project by building networks with other agencies working with families and children.
  1. To support families in accessing other local support services.
  1. To assist in keeping records to ensure the project is meeting its monitoring and evaluation requirements.
  1. To work in a confidential and professional manner that ensures client welfare and safety is of paramount importance.
  1. To respond to the need for flexible working hours, including possible early mornings, evenings and weekends.
  1. To participate in meetings and supervision and to access relevant training opportunities as appropriate.

 

Job Activities

  • To deliver programmes which promote children’s health and well-being and parental understanding of their critical role in this.
  • To undertake a consultation with children each year.
  • To work within a system of home visits to support same sex families.
  • To work with the HERe NI Family Support Worker to implement a support package in response to the needs of same sex families.
  • To deliver information to parents relating to development, education and parenting in appropriate ways and in response to need.
  • To encourage parents and their children to avail of other support services.
  • To facilitate group discussions and overcome barriers to communication.
  • To implement existing examples of good-practice approaches to promoting parent-child interaction.
  • To provide regular home visitation and outreach support to children / same sex families.
  • To liaise with a range of community, statutory and voluntary agencies as and when required.
  • To work in an integrated manner with other members of The Rainbow Project and HERe NI team.
  • To contribute to on-going monitoring and evaluation of service provision in relation to meeting needs and achieving outcomes.
  • To maintain records and administration to HERe NI and The Rainbow Project standards, including computerised records.
  • Carry out need and risk assessments.
  • Any other duties as reasonably required.

 

Essential Criteria

  • A minimum NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education, Education, Health and Social Care or equivalent.
  • A minimum of three years experience of designing and delivering family support programmes.
  • At least three years proven experience, gained in the last five years, of providing Family Support Services to multiple families on a 1-1 basis in a home environment.
  • Proven experience of effectively managing a busy caseload.
  • A working knowledge or proven experience in working with sex families and their children.
  • A proven knowledge of family and child support services and issues in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors.
  • Proven experience of facilitating and supporting groups and working with parents and children on a 1-1 basis.
  • Demonstrable ability to work sensitively and effectively with children, young people and their families.
  • Demonstrable evidence of good oral and written communication skills, including report writing.
  • Ability to deal and effectively communicate with a wide range of people.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and build solid working relationships.
  • Experience of working independently and using initiative to deal with complex issues.
  • Flexible approach to working hours as evening and weekend work will be required.
  • Ability to use ICT packages.
  • Experience and understanding of Safeguarding legislation and policies.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it is necessary for HERe NI and The Rainbow Project to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed

 

 

 

Closing Date

Friday / 03 June 2016
1:00pm

Contact Details

John O'Doherty

The Rainbow Project
Belfast LGBT Centre
Belfast
BT1 2DX
United Kingdom