Overview
These newly established roles are a unique opportunity to be able to offer trauma-informed support, psychoeducation and mentoring to children and young people referred to the CATS service. The majority of children referred are adolescent males with significant trauma histories. The roles involve working with those who are alleged to have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour, and also with their siblings. A key part of the role is using interpersonal skills and creativity to connect with young people who may not have had positive experiences with others. You may be required to offer practical and emotional support, deliver manualised psychoeducational material and help build up their “good lives” by strengthening opportunities for positive social interactions in the community. The roles require the ability to work with families who are open to Children’s Social Care and often under significant stress, as well as with multi-agency networks.
The post holders will receive a comprehensive induction including opportunities to shadow and co-work, with in-house specialist training and regular supervision from the team\'s Mental Health Practitioner (a qualified Social Worker). There are ongoing opportunities for co-working and participating in regular team case discussions. The post holders will join a well-established team who are passionate about the service and the work we undertake. Travel around the county is required, including areas not easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes are available; having a driving licence is highly desirable.
Salary: £29,540 to £32,061 per annum (pro rata: £17,724 to £19,236 for 22.2 hours part-time). Contract: Permanent. Working pattern: 1 x Full time (37 hours/week), 1 x 0.6 Part time (22.2 hours/week). For the part-time role, days can be flexible except Wednesday (team meeting day). Location: Based at County Hall North, Horsham, with countywide coverage.
Following the transfer of our specialist psychological services into West Sussex County Council, we are recruiting two permanent Child and Family Workers to the Consultation Assessment & Treatment Service (CATS) within the Psychological Hub. CATS provides a range of psychological services, including internal support for social workers and practitioners, specialist psychological assessments and therapeutic interventions for children, young people and families/carers where concerns have been raised about harmful sexual behaviour. This is an exciting time to join as we widen our service offer within Children\'s Social Care, including consultation, training and reflective practice groups.
Responsibilities
* Provide trauma-informed support, psychoeducation and mentoring to children and young people referred to CATS, including direct work with those who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour and their siblings.
* Engage and intervene in partnership with children/young people, their families and other external agencies to effect positive and lasting change.
* Offer practical and emotional support, deliver manualised psychoeducational material and help build up children\'s and young people\'s opportunities for positive social interactions in the community.
* Work with families open to Children\'s Social Care and with multi-agency networks, often under significant stress.
* Attend a comprehensive induction, opportunities to shadow and co-work, and participate in regular team case discussions.
* Travel independently around the county; driving licence is desirable.
Experience & Skills
* Good communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
* Ability to analyse and interpret information to manage casework with children/young people and families, assess needs, set objectives and review progress.
* Ability to engage with children/young people, their families and external agencies to effect positive change.
* Ability to prioritise and manage own workload to meet deadlines and achieve clear goals.
* Ability to maintain clear, accurate records and produce case reports and correspondence for meetings, conferences, court panels and other agencies.
* Sound and accurate IT skills, including report writing, maintaining accurate records, confidentiality and information protection.
* GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent qualification/experience at this literacy/numeracy level.
* QCF Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People\'s Workforce (or equivalent), or demonstrable equivalent experience.
* Significant experience of using a range of direct work interventions with children, young people and families.
* Valid and full driving licence.
Here at West Sussex County Council, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We are ambitious for our children and our workforce and are dedicated to improving our services. We welcome applications from everyone to build a diverse and talented workforce, reflecting the communities we serve. The recruitment approach is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and have the best possible chance of success.
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