** FAMILY WORKER ** REF - FW2505

** INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY 9TH MAY 2025 **

WHY WORK WITH COLIN SURE START???

• FANTASTIC & FRIENDLY STAFF TEAM
• THE CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
• 25 DAYS PAID ANNUAL LEAVE 
• COMPANY PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS
• EXCELLENT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
• REAL JOB SATISFACTION
• 11 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
• FREE UNIFORM
• FREE PARKING

SUMMARY OF ROLE

Sure Start is a government health programme that provides a range of support services for parents and children under the age of four, who live in disadvantaged areas across Northern Ireland. It aims to support parents from pregnancy and to give children the best start in life. Colin Sure Start covers the wards of Colin Glen, Derriaghy, Kilwee, Poleglass and Twinbrook in outer west Belfast.

The role of the Family Worker:

• To offer parents and carers the support they need to give their children the best start in life so that they can enjoy, achieve, be safe, be healthy, achieve economic wellbeing and make a positive contribution.
• To work within the Colin Sure Start Family Team to ensure that all local children and families, including those who are most disadvantaged, are able to access the services they need.
• To work closely with the Senior Management Team to develop the targeted family services provided by Colin Sure Start.
• To aim to reduce the need for more intensive services for families by providing support to meet their needs as early and as effectively as possible, in line with Colin Sure Start’s early intervention and prevention ethos.
• Work as a member of the Sure Start Family Team in partnership with parents and carers to identify and achieve outcomes for families that will reduce stress and increase parental confidence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Family Support

1. To meet with and assess the needs of children and families who have been referred to Colin Sure Start, and develop care plans in conjunction with management to provide support. 
2. To contribute to the planning and delivery of home and group support programmes that work on issues such as positive parenting, domestic abuse, postnatal depression and family dynamics.
3. To deliver direct programmes of support with children and families in their own home and the community to improve outcomes for vulnerable and priority groups.
4. To establish and maintain good working relationships with all children, parents and carers.
5. To support parents/carers in enhancing parenting skills and their understanding of childcare and development.
6. To review family care plans regularly with line management, in partnership with parent/carers, and other health professionals where deemed appropriate.
7. To work collaboratively with the wider Sure Start team to ensure home based services we provide are appropriate and relevant to the families’ needs e.g. gaining advice or referring a family to the Family Workers with Additional Needs Focus staff.
8. To provide advice, information and support to families through involvement with groups of parents including parenting programmes, stay and plays, events and other Colin Sure Start and local activities.
9. To support parents/carers to access Colin Sure Start services and to signpost other relevant services in the community.
10. To enable and support parents/carers to access statutory and voluntary services and facilities.
11. To inform and signpost local parents opportunities to train, attend classes, where to seek work or volunteer.

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.
2. To gain an understanding of informal and formal networks and other ways of reaching out to the local community.
3. To work in conjunction with the Colin Sure Start team to collect appropriate information about service provision, which can be distributed to local families to inform them about Sure Start services and other family services/support.
4. 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.
5. To contribute towards the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of Colin Sure Start’s services and activities.
6. To contribute to the development of appropriate resources (e.g. leaflets, Newsletters).
7. To assist with the planning, preparation and facilitation of Colin Sure Start events in collaboration with the wider Sure Start team.
8. To contribute towards the working practices within Colin Sure Start that increase the engagement of families.

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 an 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 crèche supervision 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 community.
10. To undertake any other relevant duties as considered appropriate by the Sure Start Coordinator or Management Committee.