Family Support Worker x3

Part Time (15 hours / 2 days) Permanent position 2x Full Time (37 hours) Fixed Term positions (to cover a secondment and maternity leave)
South Bristol Children’s Services are hoping to appoint to three Family Support Worker posts, based at Symes House, Hartcliffe, BS13 0EE.
The role involves work with children on child in need and child protection plans. The children and their families are supported through working to a clear, regularly reviewed plan.
A significant element of the post is supervising and accurately recording family time between children in care and their parents.
Other aspects of the role are parenting support, direct work with children and transporting children to appointments.
You would work alongside social workers and professionals from other agencies and receive close and regular supervision from a team manager.
You will need to have experience in working with children and families and an understanding of the role statutory children’s services play in their lives. Many families living in the area experience disadvantage and poverty; an understanding of equalities and the importance of recognising diversity is essential.
You will need good communication skills, a capacity to work as a committed team member as well as proven ability to be organised, flexible and work under pressure.
You will need to be confident in undertaking direct work with children and young people and committed to working in partnership with families and multiagency colleagues.
An understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by families who experience poor mental health, addiction and domestic abuse is also necessary. Many of our parents are under stress and have complex problems so you will need to be able to work with people that present as threatening and angry on occasion; skills in de-escalation and the ability to negotiate in highly charged situations are therefore an important quality for a family support worker.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Why Bristol City Council?
Have a look at our short film about Bristol – City of Hope. City of Hope – We Are Bristol.
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation.
Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our values file (bristol.gov.uk) and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application. It is Bristol City Council’s practice to request references for candidates that have been offered a job. However, if you are applying for a job that requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check then we will request your references once you have been invited to an interview.
If you would like to talk over the opportunity available, please do contact Nicola McGrath Deputy Service Manager South on 0117 3576178.
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.