Family Support Practiioner - Ref: CH02221
Salary G7: £27,041 - £31,346 pro rata to hours worked
Part time - 18.5 hours per week

Providing the ‘Right Help and the Right Time’ to children, young people and their families here in Walsall is at the heart of everything we do.

We have an exciting opportunity for a part-time Early Help Family Support Practitioner to join the Early Help Team within the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life from pre-birth, the foundation years through to the teenage years.

Walsall’s Early Help Partnership recognises that an effective Early Help offer is not the responsibility of one single agency; it requires a partnership approach from all stakeholders working with children, young people and their families and the community, it’s

 ‘Everyone’s Business and Responsibility’

The MASH is made up of a co-located team including Children’s Services, Police, Health, Education Welfare, Probation and Black Country Women’s Aid who work together to screen referrals and discuss with other professionals the support required, a collective understanding and analysis of needs and risks of children and young people in Walsall, by sharing information held within their respective agencies and agreeing a high quality and timely response to the child or young person’s needs.

What is the job role?

The main and principal role of the Early Help Practitioner within the Hub is to be the main point of contact for partners and parents/cares across the Walsall borough to provide self-help advice, and assistance regarding Early Help and services available across the partnership, to consider and triage all referrals and completed Early Help Assessments to ensure that requirement for a multi-agency support service is needed and in line with the Walsall Safeguarding Partnerships  Right Help Right Time threshold guidance.

You will work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders building on existing partnerships and ensuring the appropriate services are taking the lead role in supporting children, young people and their families.

Who are we looking for?

• Are you committed in making sure the right support is provided to children and young people to provide the best life changes and opportunities for their future?
• Do you have the skills and abilities to understand their presenting needs and characteristics of children, young people, and their families?
• Do you have the ability to identify and negotiate with partners who would be best placed to be the Lead Professional, holding the baton for children and young people and to ensure positive outcomes are achieved?
• Are you a good communicator, co-ordinator and have the ability to work on your own initiative with a ‘can do attitude’?
• Are you ready for a new challenge, in a busy but rewarding environment?
• Are you experienced working with vulnerable children, young people and their families, working in a multi-disciplinary setting and hold the relevant level 4 qualification and/or substantial experience of working with children, young people and families in a relevant field, including early years, social care, health or school settings?

If YES, then we would like to hear from you.

For more information about this role, please contact Fiona Woodhouse, Mobile number 07534 153693 or Email: Fiona.Woodhouse@walsall.gov.uk

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers.  The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people.  

View Job Description and Employee Specification

View Information for Applicants

Closing date: Thursday 5th  August 2021

Interview date: 8th & 9th September 2021