Family Support Worker

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Swadlincote; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A dedicated role for a Family Support Worker is available to assist vulnerable pupils and their families in overcoming barriers to education and achieving personal growth. This position involves collaborating with multiple agencies, providing essential support, and empowering families within the educational framework. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and relevant experience in social work or education to effectively engage with the community.

Qualifications

• Experience in working with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with families and children.
• Understanding of safeguarding practices.

Responsibilities

• Support vulnerable pupils and their families, empowering them to become independent.
• Conduct individual assessments and provide casework as needed.
• Establish relationships with families and facilitate workshops.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Education

Relevant social work or education qualification

Job description

Family Support Worker’s work is primarily to:

Be a named Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and support the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Foster the participation of vulnerable pupils and their families in the social and academic processes of the academy. Support vulnerable pupils and their families to become more independent and resilient, overcoming barriers to learning and engagement. Empower vulnerable parents/carers to take a greater role in their children’s learning, thereby improving standards of achievement for vulnerable pupils.

Family Support Workers work with pupils and their families who have been identified as vulnerable due to:

• Social, emotional or behavioural issues
• Personal/family trauma/concerns
• Involvement with outside agencies

Support for Vulnerable Families

Support pupils’ and their families to overcome barriers to learning and engagement. Undertake individual assessments with vulnerable families as appropriate. Provide casework with pupils and their families who need more intensive family support to prevent escalation to social care intervention. Promote good school attendance and challenge parents of pupils who are persistent absentees. Provide a supportive link between families and teaching staff. Initiate and support the Early Help process, taking the role of Lead Professional as appropriate. Support referral processes where needed. Visit, signpost, and support families to appropriate community resources, working in partnership with external agencies including multi-agency teams, social care, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), health, and the police. Establish and maintain relationships with individual pupils and groups. Identify and facilitate appropriate workshops/courses for individual or groups of parents, including recognised parenting programmes. Provide regular ‘drop-in’ social events for parents/carers. Adopt the school’s ‘open door’ policy, being available to listen, offer advice, and either provide or signpost further support. Provide a point of contact for identified pupils and their families during school holidays. Liaise with outside agencies to support individual children and their families. Attend meetings, reviews, and case conferences as appropriate. Plan and manage own workload.

Support for School

• Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and parents
• Attend regular well-being meetings with colleagues
• Contribute to the maintenance of pupil safety and wellbeing
• Contribute to maintaining pupil records
• Communicate effectively with teaching staff to share information that will enable meeting pupils’ needs
• Attend Team around the School meetings with colleagues and outside agencies
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of support in relation to pupil achievement, attendance, and behaviour alongside family engagement in school and support for their child’s educational achievement
• Support professional development of colleagues as appropriate
• Challenge negative behaviours and attitudes

Support for Wider Community Role

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals
• Attend meetings to review and support wider community initiatives
• Review and develop own professional practice