FSAAL Family Worker

Dorset Council UK; Wareham; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset Children’s Services is seeking an experienced Family Worker (Grade 10) to join the Family Support and Advice Line, the Front Door to Children’s Services. You will assess information, make decisions and help families access the right support at the earliest opportunity.

You will work in a highly skilled multi-agency environment with safeguarding professionals, receive regular supervision and contribute to timely, proportionate responses to children and families.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working with children, young people and families.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and decision-making skills.
• Experience in a multi-agency environment and partner engagement.

Responsibilities

• Gather and analyse information from families and practitioners to determine appropriate responses.
• Respond to contacts and referrals via telephone and other channels.
• Record information accurately and maintain high-quality case records.
• Provide advice, guidance and signposting to local services.

Skills

Strong communication

Analytical abilities

Decision making

Partnership working

Telephone interviewing

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

Join Our Family Support and Advice Line Team

Are you an experienced practitioner with a passion for improving outcomes for children and families? Do you have the confidence and expertise to assess information, make informed decisions, and help families access the right support at the right time?

We are looking for a skilled and knowledgeable Family Worker (Grade 10) to join Dorset Children's Services' Family Support and Advice Line (FSAAL), the Front Door to Children's Services. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of how we respond to the needs of children, young people and families, ensuring that concerns are assessed effectively and that the most appropriate support is identified at the earliest opportunity.

What's in it for you?

The Family Support and Advice Line is the first point of contact for children, families and practitioners seeking support. As part of our experienced and supportive team, you will play a vital role in helping families access the right service, at the right time, preventing needs from escalating and ensuring children remain safe and supported.

In This Role You Will

• Be part of Dorset's Front Door service, making a real difference to the lives of children and families every day.
• Work within a highly skilled multi-agency environment alongside social workers, family workers and safeguarding professionals.
• Develop and apply your knowledge in safeguarding, early help and decision making.
• Receive regular supervision, support and opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Contribute to Dorset's commitment to providing timely, effective and proportionate responses to children and families.

What you can expect to be doing

As a Grade 10 Family Worker within FSAAL, you will gather, analyse and assess information received from families, practitioners and partner agencies to determine the most appropriate response for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Responding to contacts and referrals received via telephone and other communication channels.
• Using professional judgement and the Dorset Continuum of Need to make informed decisions regarding support, intervention or safeguarding responses.
• Identifying levels of risk, need and vulnerability and responding to safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Providing advice, guidance and signposting to families and practitioners regarding local services and support available across Dorset.
• Working collaboratively with partners including education, health, police, early help and social care services.
• Recording information accurately and maintaining high quality case recording.
• Supporting the delivery of early help and prevention by ensuring families can access the right support as early as possible.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings significant experience of working directly with children, young people and families and who understands the importance of effective decision making at the Front Door of Children’s Services.

You Will Have

• Substantial experience working with children, young people and families within children’s services, early help, family support or a related setting.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and decision-making.
• Knowledge of the Continuum of Need and the ability to assess information and identify appropriate responses.
• Experience of working with practitioners and partner agencies to achieve better outcomes for children and families.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to build rapport and gather relevant information over the telephone.
• Strong analytical skills and the confidence to make well reasoned decisions based on available information.
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and using case management systems.
• A commitment to delivering a high-quality service focused on children, families and positive outcomes.

If you are an experienced practitioner who thrives on professional challenge, values partnership working, and wants to make a difference from the very first contact families have with Children’s Services, we would love to hear from you.