Family Worker Link Role - Galleywood

The post holder will be expected to operate flexibly, working out of normal office hours when required, to best meet the needs of the service users. Family Solutions was established across Essex to work holistically with disadvantaged families, with complex needs to enable them to make significant and sustainable positive changes to their lives. The Family Worker (Link Role) is a key role within the service and will work closely with families to build strong relationships, based on respect and positive regard. Each Family Worker (Link Role) has a key area of responsibility which includes developing an area of interest and assisting other team members with work relating to this area. We are currently wishing to appoint a Family Worker (Link Role) to lead in mental health issues. The post holder will be required to provide specialist advice and support and co-ordinate provision of support from other services and partner agencies, as required. The post holder will be expected to have or be able to develop considerable knowledge of their thematic area and act as a source of advice, guidance and support to team colleagues, through (for example) one-one support, leading subject matter development sessions and being the main link within the team to organisations relating to the thematic role they hold. Family Workers (Link Role) will be expected to be able to share their extensive generic knowledge around working with families with multiple and complex needs with colleagues, support in case discussions and mentor and guide colleagues in the team with less experience. Family Workers (Link Role) will be expected to work with families whose needs are complex and provide a range of interventions to affect good outcomes. Family Workers (Link Role) will feel confident to make appropriate decisions about the direction and actions required to move a case forward on a day to day basis and have the ability to recognise when key decision regarding risk/concerns need to be discussed/shared with supervisor or manager. Role Specific Accountabilities Working alongside children, young people and their families to change areas of their lives which may mean they have reduced life chances. Provide both practical and specialist advice as well acting as a lead coordinator for additional support services where appropriate Working as part of a Family Solutions team undertake holistic assessment of family needs and help identify how outcomes can be achieved, ensuring that assessments and intervention plans fully reflect family and young person's views and aspirations. Provide specific practical, personal and emotional support to families in their homes or other settings as part of an agreed plan, which will be reviewed jointly with families, leading to achievement of agreed and sustainable family outcomes. Undertake programmes of work to support children and families to develop their skills to resolve issues and problems themselves, provide them with information and accompany them when needed to help them access other local provision Lawfully share information and work with colleagues and partners to ensure effective planning and delivery of services to families. Participate actively in regular supervision to review work and ensure effective interventions for families. As part of this, take part in regular professional development sessions designed to ensure that the principles of effective practice are fully embedded in service delivery. Follow SET Child Protection procedures, ensuring that swift discussion takes place with Practice Supervisor or Team Manager when child protection or other public protection concerns arise. Maintain a high standard of practice reflecting a value-based approach to working with children and their families. Ensure all work is recorded accurately, and in a timely fashion using agreed Systems Follow the Council's Equal Opportunity Policy and Diversity Strategy and observe the standard of conduct which prevents discrimination taking place Follow the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Council's Health and Safety Policy and all locally agreed safe methods of work Knowledge, Skills and Experience Ideally educated to degree level or to NVQ Level 6 in a relevant area, such as social or youth work, or able to evidence equivalent level of knowledge, skills and underpinning theoretical knowledge through extensive experience in the field of work. Significant practical experience of working with families with multiple and complex needs whilst maintaining a focus on outcomes. Evidence of a commitment to on-going professional development and to the principles of evidenced based practice. Be able to demonstrate a track record of building and sustaining positive professional relationship with individuals and families with multiple and complex needs. Experience of applying a solution focused approach and providing practical advice and support to families to enable them to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes Ability to work in partnership with others to maximise outcomes for families in line with the Family Solutions operating principles Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills, reliability and good time management skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately In the context of your role you are required to be mobile throughout an operational area to ensure that you fulfil, effectively, the duties and requirements of your post as set in the job profile and person specification. Hence, a driver licence and vehicle are required unless it is possible to travel effectively throughout the area by public transport