Job Purpose
To provide direct, relationship-based support to expectant parents and their families where there are concerns regarding safeguarding, welfare or parenting capacity. The role focuses on building trust and engagement during pregnancy, delivering practical and emotional support in line with agreed care plans, and working alongside social workers and partner agencies to promote the safety and wellbeing of the unborn child.
As an independent service, Crystal Pathways works in partnership with local authority social workers and other professionals. The post holder will be supervised by their Team Leader, delivering a broad range of practical, emotional and relationship-based support to parents, and sharing observations and progress with the wider professional network to support informed decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Direct Work with Families
- Build professional, trusting relationships with expectant parents to support engagement.
- Deliver one-to-one and joint visits in line with agreed pre-birth support plans, using trauma informed and strengths based approaches.
- Provide practical guidance, emotional support and skills-based work to help parents prepare for their baby's arrival.
- Support families to access services such as parenting programmes, housing support, health services and substance misuse or domestic abuse support.
Support Planning and Recording
- Contribute to the development of pre-birth support and safety plans alongside the allocated social worker.
- Carry out agreed actions from support plans and record progress accurately and on time.
- Feed back observations, concerns, and progress to the social worker and Team Leader promptly.
Multi-Agency Working
- Work alongside midwives, health visitors, social workers, mental health services, substance misuse services and domestic abuse services.
- Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings where required.
- Support effective information sharing to inform pre-birth planning.
Safeguarding
- Recognise and promptly report safeguarding concerns relating to unborn babies.
- Follow organisational safeguarding procedures at all times.
- Ensure all practice prioritises the best interests of the child.
Recording and Reporting
- Maintain accurate, timely case notes and visit records in line with organisational policies.
- Contribute clear, factual updates for meetings and reviews as required.
Professional Practice
- Work in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance and organisational policies.
- Participate fully in individual and group supervision and reflect on feedback.
- Engage in training and continuous professional development.
Key Legislation and Guidance
The post holder will work in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance including:
- Children Act (1989) and 2004
- Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Equality Act 2010
Person Specification
Skills Required
- Excellent and demonstrative communication and engagement skills
- Ability to work in highly distressing situations and a variety of settings
- Ability to be responsive and flexible to the needs of the individual within a context of restorative practice
- Ability to make sense of a family's situation and use that understanding to shape their care and support plan
- Ability to apply a range of psychological and social theories and evidence-based approaches, e.g. Motivation Interviewing, systemic working, family working, social learning theory
- Ability to stay with enduring issues and continue to apply a strength-based approach
- Ability to engage in group and individual supervision and receive feedback on your work
- Ability to work alongside partner agencies in delivering multifaceted plans of care
Knowledge Required
- Substantial experience of working directly with children and families, for example in family support, safeguarding, early years or residential or community-based childcare settings, educated to at least Level 4 (Level 4 NVQ/Diploma or equivalent)
- Up to date professional and personal development
- Awareness of this client group and the challenges they face
Experience Required
- Experience of working directly with expectant parents and families during the pre-birth period, supporting engagement and preparation for parenthood
- Substantial experience of working directly with a range of high need young people, adults and families in community settings
- Experience of delivering complex packages of care
- Experience of receiving supervision
- Experience of working directly with a range of families and individuals who present with a range of complex needs, e.g. mental health, substance misuse, relationship difficulties and domestic abuse
Working Conditions
- Home-based with regular home visits and hospital visits
- Travel within the local authority area
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Temp to perm
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: £30,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
