Family Support Worker

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

This is an exciting time to join Barnsley Children’s Service as we’re a council that prioritises Children’s Services, and we want every child in the borough to achieve their full potential, to be safe and happy. Because we highly value the work of our staff, we’ve approved significant additional investment, creating more posts to support the valuable work undertaken by Family Support Workers. Additionally, we have increased the management support to Family Support Workers & Social Workers at both Team Manager and Advanced Practitioner level. In the Assessment Service, we have expanded our teams from 3 to 4, which reflects our commitment to support and develop our workforce; creating smaller teams where practice can flourish. You will receive regular supervision, appraisal, training, and development opportunities, all aimed at promoting outcomes for children and supporting your career development and progression.

As part of this expansion, we are now looking to recruit a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and committed Family Support Worker to join our stable workforce. Could that be you?

As Family Support Worker’s you will be based in the social work teams alongside social workers and will report directly to the Team Manager. The role will involve undertaking tasks identified by the lead social work practitioner to provide support and assistance to children and their families. The work will be diverse and responsive to the individual needs of children and families. The role will include practical tasks as well and more specific direct work and emotional support. For example, you will have a role in leading and encouraging parent child activities to promote attachment and child development, you will provide home visits and crisis support to families. You will undertake direct one to one work with children and their parents. You will build honest and open relationships with children and families and support parents to enable them to achieve change.

The successful candidate will be innovative, creative and have the interests of the child and family at the heart of their work. You will be committed and motivated, ensuring that children and their families are prioritised. You will have experience of developing positive working relationships with children and families. You will be familiar with strengths-based approaches and will have strong clear professional boundaries. You will be able to make positive collaborative relationships with other professionals and agencies. You will be flexible, willing to work when necessary outside office hours, reliable and able to make positive relationships with colleagues and partners. You will need good written skills, excellent verbal communication skills.

We are deeply committed to achieving the very best outcomes for vulnerable children and young people in Barnsley. Children and their families are at the centre of all that we do, and we are an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ authority, with high aspirations for our children and young people.

Why it’s great to work in Barnsley:

• A highly competitive salary up to £34.434
• High quality regular supervision and support and a nurturing management team that encourages learning and development
• Flexible working arrangements
• A commitment to continuous professional development with a strong training and development offer for staff at all levels
• Good IT support and equipment
• A commitment to health and wellbeing and access to dedicated assistance programme
• Just 4 You Benefits https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/jobs/just4you/

For an informal discussion contact

Lisa Hutton at LisaHutton@barnsley.gov.uk or Alison Whittaker-Baines at AlisonWhittaker-Baines@barnsley.gov.uk