** FAMILY WORKER WITH AN ADDITIONAL NEEDS FOCUS ** (FWAN2502)

** INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD ON TUES 25TH FEBRUARY 25 **

SUMMARY OF ROLE

The role of the Family Worker with Additional Needs Focus:

• To provide a supportive service within the home and community setting focused on the needs of families and children with additional and/or complex needs.
• To organise and implement a stimulating and varied programme of activities for children with additional and/or complex needs aged 0-4. 
• To offer support, assistance and information to parents/carers, the wider staff team, and other professionals in relation to Colin Sure Start’s Additional Needs support services.
• The role will require engagement with families individually, in the home and within group settings in order to enhance the quality of life, play and learning opportunities of children with additional needs or requiring additional support within the Colin area. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Family Support and Programme Facilitation

1. To meet with and contribute to the ongoing assessment of the needs of children with additional and/or complex needs who have registered with or been signposted to Colin Sure Start, to support the development of care plans in conjunction with management to provide a tailored package of appropriate support. 
2. To provide a safe, stimulating and varied programme of play and learning opportunities for children under 4 years with identified additional and/or complex needs, suitable to individual children’s age and stage of development and appropriate to their best interests.
3. To assist in the development of support groups specific to children with additional/complex needs, e.g. Play & Grow, Bright Stars and supporting our Little Rainbows groups, ensuring that a holistic family approach is employed tailored to the needs of children.
4. To deliver direct programmes of support with children and families in their own home to improve outcomes for children with additional and/or complex needs.
5. To ensure a child-centred and welcoming environment at all Sure Start programmes and activities.
6. To contribute to the planning, delivery and monitoring of home and group-based support programmes that have an additional needs focus.
7. To establish supportive relationships with parents enabling them to develop their children’s potential and to develop & deliver programmes that promote and actively encourage parent-child interaction.
8. To support parents/carers in enhancing parenting skills and their understanding of children’s development, including positive parenting, effective behaviour management strategies, routines, positive play and supporting parent and infant mental health.
9. To enable and support parents/carers to access statutory and voluntary services and facilities.
10. To review family care plans, targets and outcomes regularly with line management, in partnership with parents/carers, and other health professionals where deemed appropriate.
11. To provide advice, information and support to families to access services e.g. parenting programmes, workshops, and events within Sure Start, as well as signposting to other relevant services in the community.
12. To work collaboratively with the wider Sure Start team to provide information and advice on supporting children with additional/complex needs and the services we provide.
13. To guide and support the wider Colin Sure Start team in consultation with management in relation to ensuring that signposting, observation, planning and evaluation takes into consideration children with additional/complex needs.

Operational

1. To develop an understanding and knowledge of the local area, including local services/facilities and support systems for families and a working knowledge of the local community profile. To develop working relationships with key professionals in services supporting children with additional needs
2. To work in conjunction with the Colin Sure Start team to maintain an up-to-date understanding of the groups and services offered by Colin Sure Start which can be distributed locally to support families and meet their needs.
3. To actively promote and maintain excellent working relationships, and work collaboratively with all staff, children, parents/carers and partner agencies to ensure fully integrated service delivery.
4. To contribute towards the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of Colin Sure Start’s services and activities.
5. To contribute to the development of appropriate resources (e.g. leaflets, Newsletters, online content).
6. To assist with the planning, preparation and facilitation of Colin Sure Start programmes and groups, including events and summer activities in collaboration with the wider Sure Start team.
7. To contribute towards the working practices within Colin Sure Start that increase the engagement of families.
8. To be responsible for the timely and accurate completion and submission of data, both on hard copy format and online relating Sure Start Play and all relevant associated quality monitoring checks.

General

1. To write up reports and produce statistical evidence of work undertaken reflecting outcomes for children and families.  Provide reports and information as required by the organisation, as well as for external bodies when requested to do so by management.
2. Actively promote the work of Colin Sure Start through regular liaison and good communication with community, voluntary and statutory agencies.
3. To proactively promote Sure Start’s services ensuring maximum impact on community
4. Ensure confidentiality of information relating to children and their families is maintained at all times; by using accurate recording systems, adhering to all data protection, records management and confidentiality policies and procedures of the organisation.
5. Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, new policies and good practice.
6. Comply with all Colin Sure Start policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols and codes of conduct.
7. To be willing to provide support to other teams or services within Colin Sure Start when deemed necessary.
8. Participate in supervision, appraisal and appropriate training where required.
9. Be willing to work flexibly to suit the needs of the organisation and community.
10. To undertake any other relevant duties as considered appropriate by the Sure Start Coordinator or Management Committee.