A Motherwell based organisation that came together to address a need for support to be offered to carers are looking for Family Support Workers to add to their team. Governed and staffed by carers or former carers, they are now contracted by University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council to provide services to carers living in North Lanarkshire. They are the Information and Advice Service for carers and professionals, support short breaks (Carer Breather) through a Carer Support Network, and provide a Family Support Service for families where there is a child or young person in education who has an additional need for support.
35 hours per week
Duration ; Permanent
Purpose of Post
1. To have a key role in the operational delivery and development of the organisation’s key objectives for the Neurodevelopmental Family Support Service, commissioned by North Lanarkshire Council (Education & Families), working closely with the Manager, the Board of Directors, and key partners.
2. To work as part of the ND Family Support team to offer support and co-ordination in the delivery of an overarching family support service in North Lanarkshire. This will include close partnership with Education & Families NL and the Neurodevelopmental Team, as a link between children and young people and their carers and a range of community-based services. The post will provide person-centred, targeted support and interventions to children and young people in need of support and their carers accessing the service. A key part of the role will be to work with the community and voluntary sector and other partners to link children and families into wider community supports, and provide direct information, advice and support to families including emotional and practical support, psychoeducation and the provision of thematic group work where identified.
Reports to and supported by: Family Support Lead
DUTIES:
Key Areas of Activity As a Family Support Worker:
1. To contribute to the planning and implementation of targeted intervention including information and supportive programmes for children and young people with a Neurodevelopmental profile and/or emotional and behavioural challenges and their parents/carers.
2. To develop good working knowledge of available, relevant, services and projects in the local area to enable signposting and referrals.
3. To provide early supportive interventions and access to other services as required, including 1:1 support and interventions to Children & Young People.
4. To maintain effective working relationships within multi-agency, child focused services, including Education & Families, CAMHS, NLC Community Hubs, Social Work and Community and Voluntary Sector.
5. Work in an open and collaborative manner with families, respecting their individuality and always protecting their confidentiality.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of the need for and participate in the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of any interventions.
7. Contributing to the provision of reports including statistical information using agreed recording tools to detail work activity and outcomes.
8. Be aware of and compliant with all Education & Families / NHS Lanarkshire / North Lanarkshire Carers Together policies, procedures, and local guidance, e.g., child protection, health and safety.
9. Undertaking training, as identified by the Family Support Lead and/or Manager to support and develop your role.
10. Undertaking occasional evening and weekend work.
11. Promoting and implementing the aims, objectives, and commitment to carers of North Lanarkshire Carers Together.
12. Woking with relevant organisations to ensure a consistency of information that is accessible, proportionate, and tailored to individual carers needs.
13. Supporting the development and dissemination of information for carers and professionals around the work of North Lanarkshire Carers Together.
14. The provision of a signposting and referral service through incoming enquiries and other key areas of activity that links carers into a range of supports appropriate to their needs.
15. Participating in meetings and forums relating to the work of the post including supervision, staff team meetings and development sessions.
16. Undertaking any other tasks that the Family Support Lead and/or Manager may deem are appropriate to the role.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Good standard of general education
Experience working in health, social care, education, or 3rd Sector
Able to demonstrate effective and meaningful involvement with neurodivergent children or those with social, emotional, and behavioural needs and their families
Experience of working on own initiative
Experience of working as part of a team
Childcare or health care knowledge acquired through qualifications or training
Skilled networker and comfortable in multi-agency meetings and networks
Ability to produce and contribute to written reports in line with organisational and partner requests
Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrating ability to
Empathise with carers and young carers
Actively listen in a one-to-one supportive conversation
Initiate and sustain positive working relationships
Present ideas concisely and clearly
Good IT skills with experience in relevant Microsoft Packages.
Confident self-starter, who can manage and organise their own workload to achieve outcomes and outputs within a defined timescale
Evidence of an empathetic, non-judgmental attitude
Willingness to travel
Willingness to work out with normal office hours
Ability to work effectively from home
Full clean driving license and access to a car
Ongoing clear Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) registration
DESIREABLE REQUIREMENTS:
Relevant degree or qualification in Childhood/Youth Development, Children & Families, Autism or Counselling/Therapeutic interventions
Experience of facilitating group work to children and/or parent carers
Experience of working with children with additional support needs
Understanding of the issues, challenges and barriers that face unpaid carers
Skilled in the use of Charity Log
Skilled in the use of JotForm
If you are a registered client with Routes To Work, please contact your caseworker to apply. If you are not a registered client, please contact us to check you are eligible for this opportunity.
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