Permanent, Full Time
Permanent, Part Time 18.5 hours per week
We have two Family Support Worker vacancies in our friendly, busy office at Symes House in Hartcliffe. There are ten Family Support Workers and a team leader in the office. The post is based within the Safeguarding teams alongside social workers and keyworkers. In addition, the Family Support Workers meet regularly with the Senior Family Support Worker for peer support.
The role has two key components. The first is working with children and parents to help them make changes as part of the plan developed by the social worker or key worker for the family. The second component is supervising family-time between children and their parents when the children are in care. This involves collecting children to and from their foster home, transporting them to the venue, supervising the time the parent spends with their child, recording the key events and on occasion having to use authority to guide a parent if they are not following the plan for the session.
You will need to have experience in working with children and families and an understanding of the role statutory Children’s Services play in their lives.
We are working with an increasingly diverse population, and our families are from a variety of backgrounds; some families experience multiple disadvantage and discrimination. An understanding of equity, an ability to respect diversity and the skills to support families experiencing challenges is essential. An understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by families who experience poor mental health, addiction and domestic abuse is also necessary.
You will need good verbal and written communication skills, a capacity to work as a committed team member as well as an ability to be organised, flexible and work under pressure. We offer a supportive environment with a commitment to the training and development of our staff, regular supervision, and team meetings. You need to be confident in talking to children and young people and working in partnership with families and multiagency partners.
Please note that this role requires an Enhanced DBS Check and sponsorship is not available for the role.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.
Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, milage for travel and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you will be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our values and would like to be part of our service, please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you will need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Katrina Murphy Area Manager South [email protected]
Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black and racially minoritised candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.
The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
