Family Support Manager

Role Title

Family Support Manager

Reporting to

Head of Service

Location

ChAPS Autism Ark, Northwich

Hours

37.5 per week (full time)

Salary

£27,202.03

Contract

Permanent, employed

Role Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Family Support Manager to lead our family support services department. The Family Support Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of programs and initiatives designed to provide practical and emotional support to families affected by autism. This role requires strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by families living with autism.

Tasks

Key Responsibilities

•  Program Development: Develop and implement a comprehensive range of family support programs and services, including support groups, workshops, counselling services, and practical resources.
• Team Leadership: Provide leadership, supervision, and support to a team of family support workers, counsellors, and volunteers. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that promotes teamwork, creativity, and professional growth.
• Member Engagement: Build and maintain positive relationships with families affected by autism. Act as a point of contact for families seeking support, guidance, and information about available services and resources.
• Needs Assessment: Conduct assessments to identify the specific needs and challenges of families living with autism. Develop personalised support plans and strategies to address the unique needs of each family.
• Advocacy and Empowerment: Advocate for the rights and needs of individuals with autism and their families. Empower families to access community resources, navigate systems, and advocate for themselves and their loved ones.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments within the organization, as well as external partners and stakeholders, to coordinate services, share resources, and promote a holistic approach to supporting families affected by autism.
• Training and Education: Develop and deliver training sessions, workshops, and educational materials for families, professionals, and community members on topics related to autism awareness, understanding, and support.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of member interactions, program activities, and outcomes. Prepare reports and presentations as required by funders, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.

Purposes of the job

• To maintain high standards of practice in supporting families within ChAPS services in line with the charities ethos.
• To ensure equality of opportunity, fairness and diversity in all aspects of work.
•  To implement good safeguarding practice in all areas of work.
• To contribute to the effective day to day operation of the family support activities across all ChAPS activity.
• To ensure all admission, risk assessments and support is in place and communicated to the team. 
• Receiving referrals and assessing needs of families across the charity.
•  Introducing families to appropriate support (such as signposting to specialist services or matching a family with volunteer support).
• Ensuring support to families is reviewed at regular intervals and are openly communicated with.
• Providing direct support to families when there are no volunteers available or where additional needs have been identified.
• Attending professional group meetings when necessary in order to support families and promote good working relationships with other agencies working alongside the family.
• To undertake designated responsibilities to safeguard and promote children and vulnerable adult welfare.

Managing Volunteers

• Recruiting, selecting and preparing suitable support workers and volunteers.
• Matching and introducing support workers and volunteers to families.
• Contribute as directed to the delivery of the ChAPS activities in full and to a high standard to all prospective volunteers
• Providing support, supervision and initial and on-going training opportunities for support workers and volunteers.

Supporting activities work

• Undertaking work to support the strategic management, development and future funding of the family support schemes.
• Supporting the implementation and review of all ChAPS policies and procedures.
• Complying with ChAPS administration, monitoring and financial systems.
• Promoting the work of ChAPS and promote the positive engagement for families and wider members.
• Contributing to and supporting the development of the ChAPS network locally, regionally and nationally.

Working in Partnership

• Ensuring appropriate liaison with referrers and other professionals.
• Networking appropriately within the community.

The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties that fall within the nature of the role and responsibilities of the post as detailed above.

Person Specification

• Professional experience of working with children and families (e)
• Working regularly within a community environment (e)
• Success in developing and sustaining partnership working (e)
• Leadership of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults (e)
• Recruitment and line management experience (e)
• Volunteer management (d)
• Working within a charity with vulnerable children and adults (e)
• Ownership of strategic planning (e)
• Ability to keep accurate and up to date records (e)
• Full clean Driving Licence (Car) (e)
• Able to work in a busy environment where change is a constant feature (e)
• Knowledge of Inclusion, Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding policy (d)