Bedford - Senior Practitioner

The work we do plays a critical role in helping to reduce reoffending rates and improve outcomes for children and young people.

The role of the post holder is to provide outcome-based support designed to address the needs of children, young people with a parent/carer or close family member in prison who may feel isolated or excluded in their home and community, ensuring that these programmes meet individual need and further the aims of Ormiston Families.

To carry out initial assessments with parents/carers and partner agencies following referrals to the service and identify and agree individual outcomes for children and young people.

To work one to one in the home, schools and other community settings coordinating packages of support with CYP, with other agencies where appropriate, that meet the complex needs of children and young people, reduce risks, improve safety and work towards emotional well-being and development.

We are looking for an experienced practitioner confident in work with children, young people and families to join our dynamic, ambitious team. You will need to organised and self-motivated and have a passion for improving the outcomes for children/young people.

You will need to have a UK driving licence and access to a vehicle as travel across the county is required.

Ormiston Families is one of the leading charities working with children, young people, and families in the East of England. We take early and preventative action to support families to be safe, healthy, and resilient.

Responsibilities of a Senior Practitioner:

• To plan, evaluate and deliver a range of needs led one to one intervention across the county, using a trauma informed approach that place children and young people participation at the heart of the service/support.
• To create safe space for children and young people to express their feelings and emotions and build positive memories.
• Undertake collaborative and sensitive assessments of their needs and strengths to agree their goals and create and provide an evidence base for your support.
• Take an effective, flexible, and intensive approach to engaging with children, young people and families, recognising that their complex and traumatic histories can make service engagement difficult.
• Provide direct support to children, young people and families on the waiting list, supporting them to work through the pre-service information and activities.
• Maintain clear and effective records of work with children, young people and families as set out within the Ormiston Families policies and procedures.
• Build and maintain a strong network of professionals from a variety of providers, including statutory services, for the purpose of generating referrals and creating options for additional support for Children.

Skills and experience of a Senior Practiitoner:

• A relevant qualification (minimum level 4) e.g., Childhood Studies, Youth work, Play/Art Therapy, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Teaching, Family Support.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the relevant role, Social Work, Family Work, Children’s Mental Health, Youth work.
• An awareness of equal opportunities and an ability to address discrimination.
• Hold a clean driving licence and have access to a vehicle
• Experience of working directly with children, young people and their families.

Benefits of a Senior Practitioner:

• Cycle to work scheme.
• 27 days annual leave (Part-time employees receive a pro-rata allowance according to the number of hours they work per week.).
• Ability to buy or sell up to 5 days annual leave.
• Group life assurance.
• Pension, up to 9% employer contribution when matched by employee.
• Sponsorship opportunities for employees who have completed their probationary period and been in post for at least 12 months to undertake nationally accredited or chartered certification awarded by professional associations.

We are an equal opportunities employer, we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.