Family Support Worker

Interview date: TBC

Mount Grace School in conjunction with DSPL 6 are looking to appoint a Specialist Family Worker to support families with children and young people. The post will be part of the Hertsmere Schools Partnership Family Support team and covers the Potters Bar, Borehamwood and Hatfield villages area.

• To provide early intervention family support for vulnerable families with school age children, to develop their parenting skills in order to improve the social and emotional development, ability to learn and the health of their children.
• To support parents of children who have been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder
• To work in partnership with families to prevent needs escalating to require intervention by more specialist services.
• To work in partnership with other agencies where appropriate eg: social care, health, police.

• To work with families (identified by schools in the Schools’ Partnership) in their own homes and in schools giving targeted time limited support which will provide appropriate information, advice, practical and emotional support to parents and carers such that it enhances their ability to care for their children and provide a safe, nurturing home. This may include outreach work and home visits.
• To work with parents/carers, school staff and directly with children to increase children’s ability to enjoy being at school, to develop social and safety skills, to learn effectively and to be active, valued members of the school and wider community.
• To advise and inform parents/carers about relevant local services and where appropriate make referrals to other agencies to access specialist support to increase their capacity to support their child’s learning.
• To support the common assessment framework, and help ensure that service users receive co-ordinated multi-disciplinary support by establishing and maintaining effective liaison with colleagues including health services, social care and other statutory and voluntary agencies. This may involve supporting schools with administrative processes around eCAF.
• To co facilitate parenting workshops and courses across the Partnership if required.
• To support the monthly parents support group for parents of children with ASD/ADHD if required.
• To keep records of your work and adhere to guidelines on confidentiality and information sharing. Provide monitoring information and case studies to the Schools’ Partnership as required.
• To work flexibly as required by the Schools’ Partnership to take part in meetings and school events to promote and support the work of the family support service.
• To attend training, supervision (including clinical supervision) and development opportunities as directed by line manager in order to develop skills and knowledge and keep up to date with developments in family support work.
• Be aware of and comply with all policies and procedures, in particular safeguarding, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection and report all concerns to an appropriate person.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary.

The successful candidate will have:

• Completed three modules of Working with Parents, Level 3 City & Guilds awards or equivalent - or be willing to undertake
• At least one year’s experience of providing direct family work to children, young people and carers
• Experience of working in partnership with schools or working in a school setting
• Experience of providing sensitive, non-judgemental and empowering support for parents, children and young people
• Knowledge of integrated Processes including CAF, team around the family
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills
• A confident and professional approach to working with parents, colleagues and other professionals from a range of backgrounds and good verbal, written, listening and presentation skills
• A full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes

Staff will be employed by Mount Grace School on behalf of the partnership and DSPL 6. Although the post is based at Mount Grace School in Potters Bar, most of your time will be spent out in the local community, therefore it is essential you hold a valid UK driving licence.

Join us in making a difference! Apply now to become a Family Support Worker at Mount Grace School, supporting families with children and young people across Hertsmere.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Online search checks will also be carried out on all shortlisted candidates.

Closing date: 11 January 2025 at 5pm