Early help Practitioner

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title Early Help Practitioner Position Number(s) Department Family Services Section or Service Early Help Grade Range C DESIGNATION: Responsible to: Senior Practitioner/Area Manager Employees directly supervised (if applicable) : N/A Family Tree: JOB PURPOSE: DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: DIMENSIONS: The Early Help service aims to identify families that need support at the earliest opportunity. Early Help Practitioners will support a caseload of families with children (0-19yrs) in order to build their strengths and help them overcome issues. The service is developing a more integrated model of practice that involves a ‘Whole Family’ approach that will continue to utilise motivational interviewing skills and will more systematically measure progress using the Family Outcomes Star. The purpose of the role will be to support families to build capacity, resilience and independence so that they are able to have the best start or are able to overcome issues before they become so serious that specialist or statutory services are needed. Delivery will be through integrated family hubs and from a variety of venues. Early Help Practitioners will have the skills which will enable them to support a range of needs in a family. In addition, workers will bring with them a range of experience and backgrounds which will be utilised through appropriate allocation of cases and sharing skills across the Early Help Team. To provide holistic support to a caseload of families. To undertake whole family assessments, coordinate network meetings and undertake regular reviews with families. To deliver one to one sessions with parents and with the children (age appropriate) using solution focused and motivational interviewing techniques. To meet with parents and/or their children at their home, school or other setting. Provide short term practical support that is able to help families engage in services (e.g. escorting parents to children’s centres, bringing young people to youth/play services) Ensure that parents, children and young people’s views are captured and included in plans. To work in partnership with other services regarding the support for families (e.g. Schools, Children’s Social Care, Health Visiting, CAMHS etc) To deliver parenting interventions both on a one-to-one and group work basis. To work as a reflective practitioner in order to identify issues and improve practice. To seek guidance on casework via case supervision, group case discussion and reflective forums. To be committed to models of practice including the Outcomes Star, case discussion and supporting the wider team in identifying joint approaches in the way forward for complex cases Prioritise cases and summarise progress in preparation for supervision and other panel meetings. To make sure assessments and plans for families are leading to clear outcomes and that those outcomes are captured at review and closure of a case. To work across the borough as the need arises and from various locations such as Schools, Children’s Centres and Health settings. To liaise with social workers regarding cases that have emerging safeguarding issues and where pieces of joint work have been identified. To keep up to date regarding local provision so that families have clear exit support plans that link them in with the voluntary sector, play/youth services, children’s centres and other voluntary sector provision. As required develop and deliver group work, accredited projects, and evidence based programmes aimed at supporting children, young people and families to build on their strengths and overcome specific issues. To be the designated link worker with a number of settings, which may include schools, children’s centres, play centres, and youth provision. This will involve taking referrals, making assessments, coordinating or carrying out packages of support; working with groups of parents, children or young people; and seeking creative ways of joining up support for children, young people and families. Ensure that assessments and plans are holistic and look to identify strengths and needs across a family and cover a wide range of areas including (but not exhaustive) health, risky behaviour, school attendance/behaviour/achievement, troubled families criteria and parenting needs Closely monitor cases where there is poor school attendance to ensure parents are aware of their legal responsibilities to have their children in full time education. In these circumstances Early Help Practitioners are expected to work in close partnership with the school and agree a plan to improve attendance with the family which is reviewed regularly. Where cases of poor school attendance fail to improve consult with line manager to consider a referral for prosecution and prepare necessary paperwork/witness testimony Provide support around under 5’s related issues as appropriate, including the co-facilitation of group work. Ensure case notes are concise, accurate, outcome focused and reflect the current status of a case. To be fully aware of child protection issues when working with families and be able to implement safeguarding procedures as necessary. To maintain up to date knowledge of policies, practices, and procedures, and of the legal framework within which the service operates To ensure that data and information about children, young people and families is secure, that the Council’s data protection policies and procedures are followed, and that information sharing protocols are observed To work flexibly on occasion, including outside office hours, in order to meet service requirements. To make sure assessments and plans for families are leading to clear outcomes and that those outcomes are captured at review and closure of a case To work across the locality and from various locations such as Schools, Children’s Centres, Health and Community settings The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job profile are indicative of the role. However, they are not exhaustive and may be subject to change. In addition, you will be required to undertake other reasonable duties as directed by your manager Compile reports/case studies for meetings, audits or inspections Recruiting Managers : The following values and behaviours are essential criteria in each post and must be addressed directly by candidates. The Guidance Notes on values and behaviours for managers give example questions to probe candidates in the interview and application stages of the recruitment process. Values & Behaviours The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has identified four key behaviours and values that should be demonstrated by all council employees. Successful candidates will show the ability to meet these behaviours. Candidates applying for managerial/leadership roles should also demonstrate two additional leadership behaviours. A Equal Opportunities Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Council policies in relation to Equal Opportunity, Customer Care and service delivery, and the ability to implement these policies in the workplace. B Qualifications Essential : • Recognised qualification in a related discipline (inc. family support, early years, youth work, youth justice, social care etc Desirable: Experience and qualification in systemic practice C Skills; Experience and Attitude Essential: Ability to build trusted and responsive relationships with children, young people and families who need extra support Experience of working with families with complex needs and a sound understanding of threshold management Good communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to write concise and understandable assessments and other records Good IT skills and experience with using databases Knowledge of issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children, child protection issues and evidence of training completed Excellent understanding of both ‘strengths based’ and ‘outcomes focused’ work, with a demonstrable knowledge of appropriate and effective evidence-based problem-solving interventions with children, young people and families Proven ability in the effective use of assessment frameworks and tools to produce appropriate, sound, evidence-based assessments of needs, strengths and of risk, and use these to produce outcomes-focused support plans that are reviewed and updated appropriately Proven ability to work autonomously and to use the authority of the role appropriately Proven ability to work under pressure, and to manage and prioritise your own workload Substantial understanding of diversity and equal opportunity issues, including anti discriminatory practice and how this impacts on service users Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills with ability to write clear and concise reports Good level of computer literacy, knowledge and proficiency in the use of the case management system and Microsoft Applications including e-mail, client database and basic word processing. Substantial experience of working with children and families, preferably within a local authority setting, demonstrating a clear understanding of the range of issues that impact on children and young people’s lives Demonstrable experience of working effectively with colleagues and partner agencies Demonstrable experience of working with vulnerable children and young people and families within a Children’s Service, voluntary sector or other relevant, accredited setting to improve their outcomes. Experience of working with a range of agencies as the key lead professional to ensure a ‘team around’ approach. Managing a varied caseload of children across the age range and their families Desirable: Experience of systemic practice Our Values & Behaviours D PUTTING COMMUNITIES FIRST We put local people at the heart of decision making in everything we do. We seek to include and involve: all voices matter. We provide quality services that are responsive, effective and efficient. We listen to everyone and value the personal experiences of people in our communities and of each other. We adopt a fair, and involving approach regardless of any way in which an individual is different to us. The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour: I actively involve and include the communities that I serve in my work. I shall reflect the views of the communities in my daily work. I shall improve the service I provide through seeking feedback from others. I demonstrate empathy in my interactions with others. I am honest and transparent about the decisions I take. I follow through on the actions I say I will take and take ownership for communicating the outcome. Our residents will feel that: I have been included I can see how my views have been taken into account I can see improvements and developments based on my input E RESPECT The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour: • I adapt my approach to take account of all differences and cultures in the community and with colleagues. • I ensure I am equitable and fair by including those who are quiet or may not be able to represent themselves. • I communicate in a way that is respectful, encourages involvement and meets people’s needs. Our residents will feel that: I feel my culture and background are respected. I have confidence that action is being taken. I feel I am being treated fairly. F INTEGRITY We act with openness, honesty, compassion, responsibility and humility. We let people know what we are doing and communicate why and how decisions have been made. The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour: Our residents will feel that: I am told when something is not possible and the reasons why are explained to me. I feel my perspective is listened to and understood. I feel my views are valued. G WORKING TOGETHER We work together and in partnership with everyone that has an impact on the lives of our residents. We want to understand, learn from each other and continually adapt. The following example s are indicators of effective behaviour: • I work with others to provide an effective service for residents, local communities and other departments within the Council. • I seek ways to work with other departments to deliver a seamless service and find opportunities to improve. • I seek out opportunities to learn from my colleagues and build on good practice. Our residents will feel that: I can get my issue resolved without being passed around departments. I find it easy to access the services that I need. I feel the Council is open to new ideas.