Family Support Worker - Assessment Team

This role has a starting salary of £12,504.80 per annum, based on a 14.4 hour working week (£31,262 full time equivalent).

We are excited to be hiring a new Family Support Worker to join our fantastic Assessment team based in Guildford. Our team has a positive and supportive culture where children and high standards of practice are at the heart of all we do. As the role is only 14.4 hours per week the expectation is that this would primarily be office based, though flexibility around this can be discussed.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

The South West Assessment Team work closely with colleagues within the quadrant and partner agencies to ensure that children and families receive the right service within their timescales. The South West is a team who enjoys a positive and supportive culture where relationships within the team and with partner agencies are amongst our priorities. We work with families and have a strength based approach, with children at the heart of all we do.

About the Role

You will be supporting Social Workers in the team, working intensively and planning with the young person, family or carers and other agencies and services. Supporting children and families to achieve their potential will be central to all you do. You will undertake direct work with children, parenting, and potentially group work. You will need to be able to work in partnership and use your skills to engage with children in a meaningful way.

As a member of our team, you will be working alongside partners, agencies and the voluntary sector to support children and their families in the community. Surrey Children's Service provides training to ensure competence and professional development. We will ensure that you receive a full induction and monthly supervision.

You will need to have experience of working with children and young people and be able to show us how this work has resulted in positives outcomes. You will also have the ability to engage with families, carers and children, as well as support Social Workers in managing risk and effecting positive change. Good written and verbal communication skills are also required for this role.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Achievement of Vocational Qualifications Level 3/4, or equivalent in relevant fields, with experience of working with children and their families
• An understanding of relevant legislation affecting working with Children, including The Children Act (1989) and the Children and Families Act (2014)
• A commitment to working with children to improve the quality of their lives
• The ability to plan, manage, and prioritise a caseload
• The ability to work effectively and flexibly as part of a team and a willingness to provide guidance and assistance to less experienced or more junior members of staff.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 27th February 2024 with interviews to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.