Job Introduction
The Family Assessment and Support Team provides a range of assessment and intervention services for the wider Children's Social Care teams.
The Family Support worker role involves providing direct work to children and their parents who are open to Children's Social Care and subject to Child in Need, Child Protection plans or in Care Proceedings with a focus on improving the safety, lived experience and outcomes of children who are at risk of harm, abuse or neglect.
The Family Support Workers work 365 days a year on a 4 week shift pattern. Workers will have a dual role to often lone work, undertaking direct work in family homes, children's centres, community or schools. Workers need knowledge and skills in delivering evidenced based parenting interventions/protective behaviours support. At weekends you will work as part of a small team, completing visits to children deemed at high risk of harm and in need of urgent monitoring or support, as well as supporting Emergency Social Work Team.
The role is mainly site-based and requires enhanced DBS checks as well as use of own car for business use. The role attracts a 5% enhancement on basic salary due to an alternate working pattern of alternate weekends, with 2-3 late shifts (1-9pm) each month. The rota pattern is a fixed 4 weekly pattern with a midweek rest day in lieu of weekend working.
This is a great role for workers seeking to gain experience in preparation for careers in Social Work or people needing days off midweek.
Main Responsibility
- Be able to work shifts on a set 4 week rota, including working alternate weekends and a minimum of 2-3 bank holidays throughout the year, for which double time/lieu day is paid. Shifts are either 9-5pm or two-three 1-9pm shifts per 4 weeks and the role attracts an Alternative Working Pattern enhancement of 5% of salary.
- To work with children and their parents in a variety of settings including family homes, community settings and schools.
- Direct work with families to deliver evidence-based parenting interventions to address and reduce the impact of abuse, neglect, and trauma.
- To provide advice, guidance, practical and emotional support to children and families as part of a clear plan of intervention to ensure that those involved are adequately safeguarded.
- To transport children and parents when required to appointments, meetings and placements.
The Ideal Candidate
- Good verbal and written communication skills and IT skills.
- Ability to work flexibly alongside other agencies/professionals as well as independently manage own workload and be comfortable in working alone with individuals and family groups.
- Possess emotional and physical resilience to work with children at risk of abuse, neglect and harm with a focus on improving safety and life outcomes.
- Demonstrable experience of direct work skills with children and families and knowledge of evidenced based parenting interventions.
- Ability to communicate clearly and build positive relationships with vulnerable children and adults often during times of family stress and crisis.
Interviews will be held on 16th November 2022.
For enquiries please contact Deputy Manager Kay Newman or Senior Practitioner Nicola Brand on 01908 253232.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 18.8%.
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years. From April 2023 this will increase to 28, and 32 days after 5 years.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, Apprenticeship Programmes (junior and senior), coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cashplan.
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
- Childcare Subsidy.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.
Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.
Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.
