Job Description

Job Purpose

Working as part of the Early Help team to provide a high quality and comprehensive Family Help service within one of the Family Hubs in accordance with the organisational needs, policy, and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines.

Working with families on an individual basis and in group settings apply a Think Family Work Family approach where there are children aged 0-18 accessing universal services &/or in need of family help (and up to 25 where there are special educational needs or disabilities or where there is a specific duty of care).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to and lead formulations and early help plans, within a multiagency context where families are identified as in need of early help.
• Utilise the Leeds Practice Model to enable effective formulation, intervention, planning and ongoing evaluation of a family’s needs to achieve positive goal-based outcomes.
• Work in accordance with relevant city strategies including the Early Help Strategy, Children and Young People’s Plan, Children and Young people’s Social Care strategic plans, the Supporting Families Framework, the Best Start Strategy and the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
• Contribute to and manage an appropriate caseload, co-ordinate the planning, development, implementation, and review of individual support plans and manage, prioritise, and respond to families with urgent needs.
• Engage with families in a positive, respectful and responsive manner using a restorative and relational approach.
• Have an understanding of child/young person’s developmental needs and develop interventions and plans accordingly accessing other specialist advice and intervention as required.
• Attend Child Protection Conferences, Core Group Meetings, court proceedings or other relevant meetings as required and contribute to the assessment and care planning for children/young people and families with support and guidance.
• Contribute to and lead on early help registration, assessment, plan, and review within meaningful time scales.
• Be appropriately responsible for the safety and welfare of the children/young people in your care, working as part of a team in providing a safe environment for the children/young people and families in all settings.
• Maintain accurate, meaningful, and up to date records and ensure necessary information is shared appropriately, accurately, and concisely in line with current guidance, accessing and fully utilising appropriate electronic recording systems.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to support and assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Responsibility for opening and securing buildings, where appropriate and necessary.
• Actively engage in own professional development through the early help workforce development plan and participation in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Work within a multi-agency context, working with health, education, social care, youth services, police and communities ensuring all relevant agencies are involved in assessment and plans.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies, procedures and practice in relation to e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

NVQ qualification at level 3 or above approved by the relevant sector skills body in one or more of the following areas: Early Years childcare & /or education, Health, Social Care, Youth Work, or Adult Learning support.

Personal Specification

Essential Requirements

It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following: Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate.

Skills Required

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas and travel throughout Leeds City Council boundaries, moving location within the service working at different sites /areas depending on need.
• Able to work flexible hours.
• Able to respect sensitive and confidential information.
• Able to use IT systems including Microsoft packages, e.g. word, excel and databases.
• Able to use management information systems e.g. Mosaic, SCMS, Core Plus.
• Able to plan/prepare and implement a range of family support interventions.
• Able to work independently, using your own initiative and managing your own time effectively.
• Able to communicate effectively with children and young people, parents and carers and work in partnership with parents, at all times respecting their views, valuing their experience and building on their strengths.

Knowledge Required

• Understanding of challenges faced by disadvantaged families.
• Understanding of effective assessment and formulation processes.
• Understanding of child protection issues and safeguarding.
• Understanding of problematic behaviour and strategies of intervention.
• Awareness of cultural diversity and the challenges associated with different geographical areas of the city.
• Knowledge about the developmental needs of children and young people appropriate to the service area.
• Understanding of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, security, confidentiality and data protection.
• Understanding of the importance of multi-agency and multidisciplinary relationships and partnership working.

Experience Required

• Of paid or unpaid work with children, young people and families in a community setting which may include needs around learning, behavioural and emotional difficulties.

Behavioural And Other Characteristics Required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City