JOB DESCRIPTION
 

Job title:                       Early Help Support Worker

Service:                        Birmingham Early Help Project

Salary:                         Grade 2 (upper) Point 16-19

Hours:                          37 hours per worker                                  

Location:                      Birmingham , (Ladywood and Perry Barr District)

Responsible to:            Project Co-ordinator    
 

Summary of job:

Project focuses on providing an Early Help response across Birmingham, working in an integrated manner to ensure that children and their families receive the right help at the right time through a district-based Early Help offer.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

To work in partnership with Birmingham Children’s Trust in two partnered districts, to network and coordinate a package of support to families asking for help

To link to local organisations and community groups to see if they can support the families seeking Early Help  

To work with colleagues in other voluntary sectors to ensure that support for families is provided.  

To engage with a diverse range of service users and partner organisations to support all aspects of project delivery.  

To contribute to the evaluation methods to measure the effectiveness of the project, incorporating support and advice from relevant partner organisations.  

To keep accurate case recordings and provide case studies to evidence the impact the service is having on the local community.  

To hold a case load, and provide short, sharp early help intervention for families referred into the locality.  

Complete Early Help Assessments, in line with Right Help Right Time Thresholds.   

To complete home visits as part of the intervention and work in local community settings.  

To provide practical support where applicable, such as delivery of food parcels, funds to address fuel poverty, advice surgeries.       

To be able to evidence Family Action’s values at all times, which underpin Family Action’s mission of ‘building stronger families’ by: Being people focused Reflecting a ‘can do’ approach. Striving for excellence in everything we do Having mutual respect for everyone we work with, work for and support through our services.   

To ensure you have an understanding of, and comply with Family Action’s procedures for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.  

To ensure the implementation of Family Action’s Equality & Diversity Policy and Ethical Policy in every aspect of your work and positively promote the principles of these policies amongst colleagues, service users and other members of the community.  

To comply with Family Action’s Health and Safety Policy, Data Protection Policy and to protect your own and others’ health, safety and welfare.  

To work flexibly as may be required by the needs of the service and carry out any other reasonable duties as required.  

Person Specification

Educated to NVQ Level 3, as a minimum or above with a recognised professional qualification in social work, health, education or equivalent, and evidence of a commitment to continuing learning and professional development. 

Excellent ICT skills (particularly Microsoft Word and Outlook email and experience of using database software.  

Skills, knowledge and aptitude for building and maintaining professional relationships with families and professionals.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience of using a range of different methods and models of engagement with children, young people, parents, carers and/or families in the community.  

Using negotiation skills where necessary with an ability to communicate, negotiate and influence a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.  

Proven experience of working with a diverse range of communities and inter-agency working and the importance of working together principles.  

An excellent understanding and awareness of the impact of disadvantage and social exclusion and a commitment to promoting inclusion and equality of opportunity for all.  

Experience of establishing and sustaining a broad range of professional partnerships and engaging, as well as consulting, with service users and stakeholders through effective collaboration and communication skills.  

Ability to develop creative and innovative practice, with the ability to plan, set priorities and work on own initiative.  

Ability to travel, as required by the post and willingness to work flexibly.  

Understanding of the needs of families/individuals, and of the impact of disadvantage and social exclusion and a commitment to and willingness to promote inclusion and equality of opportunity for all.  

Significant experience of working within a community multi-agency setting and effective partnership working.  

A good understanding of Early Help, child development and the benefit of parental involvement.  

A sound knowledge of other services available to support children and families.  

Good assessment, planning and record keeping skills and a thorough understanding of safeguarding and thresholds.  

Good knowledge of relevant national and local legislation and guidance in particular Think Family, Children’s Centres, Birmingham Forward Steps and Family Hubs.  

A confident and professional approach to working with service users and colleagues and excellent verbal, listening and presentation skills, including basic IT skills.  

Experience of working at a level to promote the needs of the organisation and the communities we work with.  

Ability to prioritise and organise workload effectively.  

Willing to offer some flexibility in work hours.  

Driving licence and use of a vehicle is essential.  

Able to evidence Family Action’s values at all times, which underpin Family Action’s mission of ‘building stronger families’ by: Being people focused Reflecting a ‘can do’ approach Striving for excellence in everything we do Having mutual respect for everyone we work with, work for and support through our services