Smile SureStart Family Support Worker

JOB SUMMARY

The role of the Family Support Worker is to offer personal and practical support to families, children and their significant carers. In doing this the Family Support Worker will carry out home visits. The aim of this support will be to develop parent’s self-esteem and self-confidence and to link them into a wider social and community network. The Family Support Worker will have a remit to develop models of good practice with the full range of parent/child relationships that children experience, Mothers, Fathers, Teenage parents, Carers etc.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To carry out planned home visits to families who have requested support.
2. To work with children and families to enhance the child’s development and support parents’ understanding of their crucial role in this.
3. To develop and implement an action plan for support and intervention in partnership with each family.
4. To work in a confidential and professional manner that recognises the importance of the welfare and safety of children and their families.
5. To maintain appropriate records and file appropriately.
6. To monitor and evaluate progress in line with Sure Start monitoring and evaluation systems.
7. To offer one on one information and support and signpost to specialist services where appropriate.
8. To promote parents participation in training and information sessions provided by Sure Start and also within the local community.
9. To accompany parents whenever necessary to enable their participation in local programmes and services.
10. To plan and deliver group programmes and sessions with a specific focus on dads and/or male carers
11. To work as a member of the Sure Start team, attend team meetings and contribute to the ongoing development of the programme.
12. To undertake training as required by the Sure Start project. 
13. To facilitate information sessions for parents in a group setting.
14. To liaise with The Sure Start team, and other voluntary, statutory, community and private agencies to ensure complementary services are utilized.
15. To promote the SureStart aims and objectives and ensure that good practice guidelines are adhered to at all times.
16. To consult with appropriate agencies involved with families to ensure consistency of support.
17. To carry out any other duties which may be reasonably requested

Ashton is an Equal Opportunities employer you are expected to adhere to the Equal Opportunities / Policy throughout the duration of your employment.

The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are not meant to be definitive nor restricted and may be modified to meet changing needs.  It should be notes therefore that duties, designation and location of the post might be subject to change in the future to meet the changing requirements of the service.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Qualifications and experience

• NVQ Level 3 in Early Years care and Educations or Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• Minimum of one years experience of working in a community or home visiting environment with families and young children

Knowledge:

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of community development
• Knowledge of the issues facing families in the Smile SureStart areas

Abilities:

• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the needs of young children and families
• Good Listening and communication skills
• Valid driving license and access to transport appropriate for the post.  (Consideration will be given to candidates, who because of a disability, cannot hold a driving license but they must have access to a mode of transport that allows them to fulfill the duties of the post).

Desirable Criteria:

• A recognized qualification in community development work
• Experience of delivering training/programmes to parents, especially dads/male carers
• IT skills
• Experience of working within SureStart programme