Children, Youth and Families Support Worker

Family Support Link is a service in Northamptonshire, working with both adults and children, that provides free and confidential support to family members, carers and loved ones impacted by another’s substance use.

The Children, Youth and Family Support Worker is responsible for managing a caseload of children and young people aged 5-17 impacted by substance use, providing client-led holistic 1:1 support. The worker will create a safe and supportive environment for children and young people to increase their understanding, learn how to set boundaries and build coping strategies, whilst also providing onwards referrals and advocacy where needed with other professionals. They will also work with partner organisations and colleagues to develop and deliver facilitated whole family discussions where appropriate, and will work alongside the team to plan, promote and facilitate activity days.

They are responsible for ensuring accurate recording of case notes and undertaking regular assessments and outcomes with clients and families. They will ensure that the families play an active role in every step of this process and feel ownership over their involvement in the programme.

They will run awareness raising and training events for communities, professionals, statutory and third sector agencies.

The Children, Youth and Family Support Worker will prioritise safeguarding by following our policy and procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• To deliver 1:1 support to a caseload of children and young people impacted by substance use.
• Undertake outcomes and assessments with clients and families.
• Develop, monitor, and run awareness sessions and training events across Northamptonshire for communities, professionals, statutory and third sector agencies.
• Ensure safeguarding is a priority, raising concerns, attending safeguarding meetings and providing reports as requested.
• To act as a positive ambassador for Family Support Link, build and maintain strong working relationships with referral agencies and services, and attend community events as directed by the management team.
• Make referrals for clients and families to other services as required and advocate for them where needed.
• Develop a relationship with families based on respect and trust, ensuring they feel ownership of their involvement with Family Support Link.
• Ensure the voice of the clients and families is heard within Family Support Link, and communities and partner agencies involved in supporting families.
• Participate and develop multi-agency partnership working and networking.
• Work with partner organisations and colleagues to develop and deliver facilitated whole family discussions where appropriate
• Plan, advertise and deliver activity days for children and young people, monitor attendance and gain feedback to help shape future events.
• Provide helpline support where needed.
• Maintain accurate, up to date records and provide regular reports and case studies as required by the management team.
• Provide flexible support options for clients to meet their needs, taking into account their location and time and date preferences.
• Work closely with the staff team at Family Support Link.
• Participate in clinical supervision, training and personal development.
• Work within Family Support Link’s and other organisations’ (where appropriate) operational policies and procedures and manage risks appropriately, including lone working and on call.

You will be expected to carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required in line with your main duties.

This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period, enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references.

Person Specification:

Knowledge and experience of direct work with families Essential

Knowledge and experience of direct work with adults Desirable

Knowledge and experience of direct work with children and young people Essential

Experience of group work Desirable

Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary services and experiences of liaising with them. Essential

Experience of multi-agency partnership working Essential

Understanding of drug and alcohol use and the impact it can have on families Essential

Understanding of safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults Essential

Excellent active listening, interpersonal and communication skills Essential

The ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise conflicting workloads Essential

Excellent presentation skills and experience of delivering presentations to communities and professionals Desirable

Competent in the use of IT, Zoom, Microsoft Office packages and databases Essential

Able to maintain accurate data records in multiple systems within agreed time frames, with an appreciation of GDPR and data recording for safeguarding purposes. Essential

Demonstrates dignity and respect for self and others at all times, with an approachable and friendly manner. Essential

Able to work effectively with partners, demonstrating drive and passion to understand and achieve joint goals and objectives. Essential

Is clear and explicit about professional and personal boundaries. Essential

A good level of written and spoken English and numeracy skills, sufficient to meet the requirements of the role. Essential

Additional factors

Can work within Family Support Link’s operational policies. Essential

Demonstrative commitment to equality of opportunity. Essential

Have full current driving licence/ business insurance and access to a vehicle for work. Essential

Be able to work flexible hours, which may include some evenings and weekends. Essential

Willingness to participate in training and development. Essential

Have a traceable work record. Essential

Additional Information About the Post:

Some evening and weekend work may be required.

The post holder will be based at Our Head Office 60 Oxford St, Wellingborough NN8 4JJ but this is a county-wide role and the post holder will be expected to travel across the county to provide support and attend events, meetings and training. (Travel expenses will be paid in accordance with Family Support Link’s policy.)

The post holder will be required to attend regular team meetings and training at Head Office.

We have adopted a hybrid working policy allowing for flexibility around home working, which needs to be agreed with the line manager on a week by week basis.