Family Support Worker - Finglas Family Support Service

General Information

What does the Finglas Family Support project do?

• Undertake initial family assessments on behalf of Tusla Child and Family Agency.
• Undertake one to one therapeutic work with children and their families.
• Individual work with children through the medium of some activity to address behavioural and emotional difficulties.
• Group work with the purpose of developing social skills, reducing isolation and creating fun.
• Parent support one to one discussion, home visits, Parent and Toddler group and practical help in setting family routines, housing maintenance and budgeting.
• Parenting interventions specifically aimed at improving parenting skills, accessing learning, self development and careers opportunities.
• Act as an advocate for individuals and the community.

Where we work:

The catchment area is Finglas West, Dublin 11.

What will the Family Support Worker do?

The post holder will offer practical advice and support to families to develop their skills to meet their children’s needs on an ongoing basis, e.g. budgeting, home management, hygiene and nutrition, play, behaviour management etc.

The Family Support Worker will deliver group work programmes to children in the community i.e. morning clubs, afterschool groups, stay and play groups.

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Job Description

Post:	Family Support Worker
Location:	Finglas Family Support Service
Responsible to:	Project Leader
Works with:	Children, families, other Barnardos staff and other agencies

 

Job purpose

To work with families to develop the skills to fully meet their children’s needs.

Core Job Requirements

• To identify the needs of families referred to the post in conjunction with the key worker and other project staff and family.
• To prioritise need and devise an intervention plan in consultation with the Project Leader.
• To offer practical advice and support to families to develop the skills to meet their children’s needs on an ongoing basis, e.g. budgeting, home management, hygiene and nutrition, play, behaviour management, etc.
• To network with other agencies in consultation with the key worker to ensure an integrated approach to family needs.
• To review progress on an ongoing basis with the Line Manager and adapt intervention plan accordingly.
• To facilitate activity groups for parents and children in conjunction with volunteers..
• To be vigilant for signs or concerns of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect or regarding the welfare of children. To immediately bring any concerns to the attention of the child’s Key Worker and the Designated Person and in keeping with Barnardos Child Protection Policy.
• To record concerns promptly and accurately.
• To assist project staff in the delivery of other programmes within the project.
• To gather information statistics and prepare reports as required, including administration of databases as appropriate to the role.
• To identify and document to line manager any unmet needs of children/young people/carers/families within the service and to participate in the advocacy work of the agency.
• To supervise students and volunteers where necessary and to ensure they are aware of all Barnardos policies and compile placement reports as appropriate.

Requirements Specific to this Post

• Knowledge of Children’s First and Child protection procedures.
• Knowledge of and ability to support parents in parenting skills.
• Experience of delivering group work programmes to children in the community i.e. morning clubs, afterschool groups, stay and play groups.
• Ability to work on own initiative.

Requirements of all Barnardos staff

• Commitment to the purpose of Barnardos and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations.
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager.
• To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Barnardos as a whole.
• To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner.
• To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required.
• Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
• Participate in and engage with a performance management programme.
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role.
• To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or local Health & Safety Officer.
• To be vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of children and to bring them to the attention of the Barnardos Designated Person in a timely manner, in keeping with the Barnardos Child Protection policies.
• To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate.
• To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time.
• To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal.

Note: This Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.

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Person Specification

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work with children and families in disadvantaged communities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to assist families to develop their own skills and not to create dependency.
• Understanding the issues of confidentiality and working in the community and the ability to establish appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to work as part of a team and work co-operatively with other agencies.
• Mature capacity to work with flexibility and sensitivity.
• Ability to identify and appropriately address child protection concerns.

Experience

A minimum of two year’s experience of working with children and families who experience disadvantage is essential.

(work experience means paid employment, not training courses/student placements)
Relevant voluntary work may be considered.

Qualification

• FETAC Level 5 in working with children is essential.
• Good computer skills are essential, experience of electronic record keeping.
• Experience of delivering group work programmes to children in the community i.e. morning clubs, afterschool groups, stay and play groups is essential.
• Training in specific parenting and group work approaches, along with knowledge of child development will be an advantage.

 

• Full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured car is essential

 

• The postholder is initially assigned to work in our Finglas Family Support Project, Dublin 11 but may be required in the future to work in other locations in the Dublin area in line with organisational needs.

 

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