Senior Children's Support Worker

JOB SUMMARY 

Job Title: Senior Children’s Support Worker

Location: Staffordshire Lichfield Office Based

Salary: £27,334  per annum

Hours of Work: 37.5 Hours per week 9am x 5pm

Open to Women only

 This post is open to women only  under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1.  We value diversity and are committed to ensuring that our organisation is an inclusive place to work. We encourage applications from women from all backgrounds and communities and actively welcome applicants from Black, Asian, or other ethnic minority backgrounds and women with a disability 

About Pathway Project

We are a domestic and sexual abuse service based in Lichfield & Tamworth, Staffordshire.

We offer a range of support services and run two refuges in confidential locations.

We have been operating for over 30 years helping adults and children overcome domestic abuse, and to build a future where they live in safety and are free from fear.

Since our founder, Kathy Coe MBE, created Pathway Project, we have helped over 25,000 people, with 5,814 hours of support provided in the last year.

We offer a wide range of services, including adult and children outreach and community support, mental health, wellbeing and financial advice.

We support the relatives of those who have experienced domestic and sexual violence and offer specialist counselling, advocacy and care to all who need us.

Pathway Project believes in working as a cohesive team and are service user led.

Our helpline is access to all and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Why work for us?

Pathway Project is an inspiring  place to be, we are a charity with big ambitions and huge energy.

We are currently evolving a bold new strategy and a passion  for excellence in service delivery.

Supported by a driven and energetic board of trustees the new Chief Executive is leading Pathway Project through their ambitious plans.

It’s a really fantastic time to join our amazing charity as we move into the next phase of our exciting journey.

We are a flexible and supportive employer, committed to the personal and professional development and wellbeing of our employees. We welcome applications from women with lived experience of domestic abuse and from minority  or under-represented groups.

We offer the following benefits:

·         25 days paid leave plus statutory holidays (pro rata)

·         A competitive pension scheme

·         Employee Assistance Programme delivered by Health Assured which offers incredible support to staff and their families

We value our colleagues and are constantly reviewing our policies and practice, looking for ways in which we can better demonstrate this. We also recognise the potential impact of working in this field and provide clinical supervision to all of our employees, whatever their role.

 About the role

This multifaceted role supports young people who are survivors of domestic abuse. The lead Children’s worker supervises one member of staff – the Children’s Worker, but works collaboratively with the Operations Team and Support Team to provide a cohesive service. No 2 days are ever the same as the needs of the young residents change so this role will suit an adaptable person who can adapt to the ever changing needs of the individuals you support.

The post holder will work with the colleagues in the children’s team  to ensure the needs of the children living at our refuges are met through a series of interventions including activities, after school clubs, play therapy and 121 support sessions. Children living within our refuges deserve the very best care, emotional and practical support that we are able to provide and this role is vital to that support.

The postholder may be creating strategic plans, delivering a creche, creating safe play spaces, organising trips and activities or providing homework support. The ages of the young people at refuge vary as does their needs so the postholder will be able to deliver in a fast paced environment where they can respond to the changing needs of the young people they support.

Being key worker for a small number of young people you will have the rewarding opportunity to support them both emotionally, physically and developmentally to navigate the path to overcoming the domestic abuse they have been subject to and make the journey to a survivor. It’s an immensely rewarding role.

DUTIES OF POST

1. GENERAL

• To plan and implement a programme of crèches, after school clubs and appointment-based childcare across the two refuges, with children of all ages on an individual or group basis.  Flexible working hours may be necessary to achieve this.
• To offer line management to the Children’s Worker  ensuring a programme of supervision and appraisals and the development of the individuals in the team.

• To empower and support children and their non-abusive parent in making their own decisions and taking control of their lives, including supporting the parent in their relationship with the children.
• To organise recreational activities including

o   Creative play schemes and activities for different age groups

o   Organising day trips and activities throughout school holidays

o   Being responsible for maintaining play facilities in the refuge and garden

o   Facilitating a young mum's group as and when required

o   Assisting with homework as and when required

o   Running a mother and toddler group as and when required

o   To signpost and support attendance of Children’s Centres services

o   Running the after-school club and breakfast club

• To refer to and liaise with other agencies as required, such as Social Services, Home Start and other voluntary agencies. To support parents to engage with these agencies to help meet their needs.
• To facilitate children’s individual learning needs.
• To implement a programme of 1-2-1 parenting with referred parents, across the two refuges. This will include theory and discussion as well as practical support such as shopping, food planning, daily routines etc.  This may help support other agency requirements.
• Administrate the present scheme within refuges, ensuring all children receive gifts for Christmas and birthdays.
• To consult with children in planning activities and events and in the general running of the services.
• Helping to arrange parties for the women and children at various festival times, where possible and according to financial limitations.
• To ensure that each child is given a welcome pack when the first move into the refuge. This must include an age-appropriate Buddy Bag.
• To find all children entering the refuge a place at local schools or nurseries and support parents to engage with education.
• To maintain Ofsted registration including compliance with regulations, ensuring that the facility meets quality standards and completing self-assessments and inspections.
• To maintain the children’s room, health and safety, toys and cleaning.

 

1.  ADMINISTRATIVE

• To complete inductions with all children entering the refuges and ensure all paperwork is completed and signed.  To add all children onto the case management system.
• To monitor, update and make accessible, information about local agencies and community resources, relating to children.
• To keep appropriate records of children and write up daily notes as is necessary and appropriate to the case management system.  To produce an Individual Support Plan for each child. 
• To complete any reports required by any funding bodies, or statutory agencies in relation to the post.
• Order all the materials for welcome packs, art and crafts and educational needs.
• Participate in regular staff meetings.  Ensure that decisions taken up regarding children’s work are followed up as appropriate.
• Ensure all relevant Health and Safety regulations are complied with.
• Attend appropriate training.
• Help to develop and support Equal Opportunities practices within the refuge, taking part in specific training if necessary
• To monitor and update all policies and procedures in line with Ofsted recommendations.
• To complete risk assessment on all aspects of the childcare provision and trips out.
• To keep all records relating to Under 5’s activities in line with early years and to share this with moms on a regular basis.

 

1. AWARENESS RAISING

• To support the team in delivering awareness raising sessions and school packs in local schools and agencies.
• To develop links with community resources that will enhance the work undertaken in the refuge with the children.
• To participate in at least 3 fundraising and networking events per year.
• To help lead on the Christmas Present Donations programme.

 

1. SAFEGUARDING

• To attend core groups and case conferences when required.
• To ensure that the Child Protection Policy is followed and to liaise regularly with the Refuge Manager and Senior Children’s Co Ordinator with updates or concerns.

• Other duties as are required from time to time in the interests of the effective provision of childcare for the organisation.

 

Person Specification

Essential

NVQ or diploma in Childcare level 4 or 4 or above

Experience of working directly with Children and delivering services to children

Experience of child safeguarding and safety  procedures

An understanding or experience of working with parents

Experience of delivery of after extra-curricular activities and outings and understanding how to plan for and deliver those activities

Demonstrable excellent customer service  delivery for all stakeholders, clients and partners.

Experience of working in an environment with confidential data

 

 

 

 

Strong commitment to team members, the work team and the wider organisation’s values and ethos.

An understanding that in small charities we often “roll up our sleeves” and support other areas to reach a team objective.

An understanding of and a commitment to equal opportunities in employment and in-service delivery.

 

Desirable

Experience of working with Children who display challenging behaviour or who have additional needs

An understanding of early years development and learning

Experience of working with families or children who have experienced domestic abuse

Excellent written skills, with experience of writing reports, guidance or briefings.

Understanding and experience of partnership working in a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary setting.

 

Other information:

Pathway Project is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes diversity across our services. All employees are required to adhere to our Equality & Diversity policies and to challenge discrimination wherever it is appropriate.

Safeguarding Statement

Pathway Project is committed to safeguarding the vulnerable adults and children who we work with. We have a range of policies and procedures in place to support us to promote a Safeguarding culture  and safe working practices. Pathway Project will employ a safer recruitment process which will include disclosure and baring service checks where applicable and references for all posts.

We strive to be as inclusive as possible and look to recruit individuals with the right skills, experience and attitude, however, for genuine occupational requirement reasons we are looking to appoint a female only for this post (exemption under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9.)

The role is subject to a 6 month probationary period.

How to apply:

For an informal chat about the role please contact Rachel at Pathway

Closing date –10pm Monday 6th January 2025  

Shortlisting will be Week commencing Monday 6th January 2025 and successful candidates notified and invited to interview

Interviews will be held Monday 13th January 2025   at  the Hope Centre Lichfield

Please complete an application form  and enclose a  CV together with a covering letter.