Voices North Keyworker, Northern HSCT area (maternity cover)

Information on the experience and qualifications required for the post are outlined in the application pack. Interviews with successfully shortlisted candidates are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 08 and Wednesday 09 August 2017.

Salary: NJC Points 23 – 25 (£21,268 – £22,658)

Base: Start360 Ballymena office

Remit: Northern HSCT area

Probation: You will serve a probationary period of six months.  This may be extended if considered appropriate

Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)

Contract: Fixed-term until end of August 2018

Background to the Project

Voices North provides support for children, young people and families affected by parental substance misuse.  It is a PHA-funded service covering the Northern HSCT area. The Service supports children and young people who are misusing substances, as well as those of substance-misusing parents who are on or at risk of being placed on child protection register; or placed in/at risk of being placed in care.

The Service offers multi-component therapeutic interventions and support, including:

• Therapeutic mentoring;
• Counselling;
• Therapeutic group work;
• Therapeutic play skills;
• Brief 1-1 support (parents);
• Support group sessions (parents);
• Support to access/engage with support/specialist services;
• Systemic family work; and
• Family support residential.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide support and interventions to children, young people and families at risk due to parental substance misuse, delivering appropriate person-centred interventions;
• Manage a caseload of clients from social services, with regular case review;
• Carry out detailed assessments of clients’ needs and support them appropriately, using validated tools prescribed by Start360 and all of the expertise available within Start360’s other services;
• Develop care plans, in agreement with social services and each client, based on identified need;
• Deliver therapeutic group work and support programmes along with other members of the team;
• Ensure the health, safety and welfare of all clients is paramount at all times;
• Work in collaboration with other team members and social services, to ensure a seamless service for young people and their families;
• Assist other staff in supporting children, young people and families in crisis due to parental substance misuse issues;
• Support parents/carers and family groups affected by substance misuse;
• Keep up to date with new developments in the care and support of children, young people and families affected by parental substance misuse issues and ensuring best practice is maintained;
• Develop innovative ways of working with children, young people and families and support each client’s individual intervention;
• Develop and maintain professional and effective relationships with all stakeholders: young people, families, statutory, community and voluntary organisations young people and their families;
• Develop processes through which young people can inform and shape the development of the Service;
• Record all client work on Start360’s Client Information System;
• Provide monthly statistics and progress reports as required by the Service Delivery Manager;
• Attend 6 weekly reviews and annual appraisals with the Service Delivery Manager;
• Participate in team and organisational meetings, training, conferences, and maintain own professional development;
• Help the creation of a relaxed and friendly atmosphere which will maintain and enhance the quality of care to each client and maximise their opportunities for choice;
• Contribute to the overall evaluation of the project; and
• Carry out other responsibilities that may be required, as commensurate with the post.