Community Family Worker

Do you want to make a positive difference to children’s lives? Are you empathic, organised, kind and assertive? If you have answered ‘yes’, you might be suited to the role of Community Family Worker. We are pleased to advertise for a Community Family Worker to join our large and busy service. The countywide teams are based in Newhaven, Hailsham and Hastings. The Looked-After Children's Community Family Work (Contact) Service offers reunification family support and supervised contact for children looked after in East Sussex. Supervised contact and family support are arranged within Safeguarding and Care Plans determined by Legal and LAC Independent Reviewing processes. CFWs encourage positive relationships between children and their birth-families during the period in which assessment is undertaken and decisions are made about a child's future. We promote play, healthy eating and respectful boundaries in the course of our intervention. The CFWs usually have an interested observer and reporter role however at times the CFW may be asked to pro-actively lead contact, provide suitable opportunities for a child's development and model appropriate parenting styles. Neutrality and accuracy about what is seen and heard is imperative. A written recording of the contact or family support session is always prepared within tight timescales and is typically used as evidence in Court. This is an ideal entry level position to Children’s Social Care and was recently re-graded to welcome both more and less experienced applicants. The successful candidate will be a warm and motivated individual with clear professional boundaries and the capacity to work with families to written agreements under Children's Services policy and protocol. Community Family Work is at times challenging and sometimes requires emotional resilience therefore our new colleague will need to be a great communicator, empathic listener and flexible problem-solver. CFWs must have excellent time management skills. This is an essential car user position. In return we offer regular, reflective supervision, guidance and support. There is always a strong base to return to, providing humour and support when CFWs have been working independently. Recording is undertaken on the LCS system which requires a good standard of written English and IT skills. We provide the opportunity for training and development following a period of thorough induction. To apply for this role please follow the

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button above. When completing your application be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education or personal interests. Interview dates:

15/16 January 2025 at Hailsham Family Resource Centre, Dunbar Drive, Hailsham BN27 3UW. We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page. For an informal discussion, please contact Sue Dawes on 01424 724850. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to

http://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check . Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad. Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only. If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above. East Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. All applications are treated on merit.

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