- Suffolk County Council – Riverside, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ - Community based
- £26,421 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- 18.5 - 37 hours per week
- Permanent
Posts available
- Post 1 - 18.5 hours per week
- Post 2 - 37 hours per week
When you join the Waveney Family Support Team as a Family Support Practitioner (FSP) , we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you’re motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
As a Family Support Practitioner, you will:
- support and communicate with young people and with their families to facilitate and create positive change
- hold your own caseload where you will be using the Suffolk’s Signs of Safety framework to assess, plan, and review support regularly. Being able confidently challenge concerns and connect families with support that exists around them to help strengthen their situation, is fundamental to this role
- respond to the needs of the family by identifying and delivering evidence-based interventions both on a one-to-one basis, as part of family work and in the facilitation of group work
- have opportunities to learn and develop within your role with regular training opportunities which you will be encouraged to pursue.
Collaborative working, building networks and maintaining positive relationships is essential in this role, you will:
- lead on regular family review meetings with other key professionals
- be part of exploring wider networks and encouraging family support
- be part of identifying risk and safeguarding concerns which will be accurately recorded and escalated accordingly in a timely response. When statutory intervention is required, you will work with the guidance of social care, social workers, and health to support families in a unified response
- work in collaboration with others, actively building relationships and networks with other professionals, services, and the community
- play a vital role in facilitating Family Time; supporting children to maintain safe links and connections with significant adults in their life through supervision.
If you have a drive and passion to support positive change for young people and their families, we would like to hear from you.
You will need
- a suitable practitioner-level qualification at Level 3 or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work
- to be confident in communicating with a range of people with the ability to convey ideas and key messages. You will be able to adapt your communication approach dependant on the audience and their individual needs
- to be flexible in your approach and balance the variety in the role as a Family Support Practitioner
- to have a strong understanding of the written word and be confident with IT, skills which are necessary to keep accurate and timely record
- a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the positive welfare of children, young people, and their families
- a passion to make changes and to advocate for children and their families.
We hope you will bring a willingness to learn new skills and to share existing knowledge and experience with the team.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
We are a friendly, diverse, and supportive team all sharing the same passion to work together to make meaningful differences within our communities. Whilst being committed to our work and the support we offer families we ensure we find time to support each other and learn together.
All new starters will have a buddy and a full induction into the role, alongside shadowing opportunities.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report
For more information
Please contact Rachel Murray (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling: (01502) 674948 or emailing: Rachel.Murray@suffolk.gov.uk.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.
1. Tell us about a time when you had to build rapport and trust with a challenging family. How did you approach this, and what was the outcome?
2. Tell us about a time when you collaborated with multiple agencies to support a family. How did you ensure effective communication and coordination?
3. Give an example of when you've had to adapt your communication style to meet the needs of a child or family member. What approach did you take
4. Describe a time when you had to manage a demanding caseload whilst meeting all deadlines. How did you prioritise and organise your work?
5. Give an example of when you've had to use evidence-based interventions to address a family's needs. How did you select and implement the intervention?
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 14 November 2024
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).