FASS is a Glasgow wide charity that supports families affected by a loved one’s alcohol and/or drug misuse. We provide 1 to 1 support to individuals in the community and at our office base. We are looking to expand our Family Support Practitioner Team with a highly motivated, creative, flexible and empathetic person. This individual must be a good communicator and be passionate about supporting people to a better place.

A focus will be on Mental Health, Wellbeing, building resilience and a tool kit to support their loved one on a recovery journey. These sessions may provide emotional support, practical support, information sharing, signposting and supporting people into the community to information events, other charities or into groups. You will liaise with other professionals and benefit from positive professional relationships amongst ADP and recovery communities.

A fantastic opportunity to come and join the Children 1st team in Renfrewshire

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our Abuse and Trauma Recovery service in Renfrewshire. The service is part of the partnership, Women and Children First with Renfrewshire Council. The service works alongside children and young people who have experienced Domestic Abuse and/or Sexual Abuse and their families and aims to support recovery and improved emotional wellbeing.

Children 1st along with partners share a determination to act upon the recommendations from The Independent Care Review and deliver The Promise to children and young people. We are also determined that the full incorporation of the UNCRC means that children will have their rights respected in all areas of their lives and will have a real say in the way they are supported. If you share this determination, we would love to hear from you.

What kind of person are we looking for?

• has experience of keeping children safe in their own families

• has experience of working alongside children, young people and families who have experience domestic abuse/sexual abuse

• is fiercely passionate about children’s rights

• thinks it’s a privilege to work with and on behalf of children and families and,

• is kind and will bring their whole selves to the job: heart and mind

What kind of Project Worker will you be?

Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• resilient, skilled and knowledgeable who wants to transform children’s lives

• determined to support children to stay safely with their own family

• big hearted and courageous

• able to build strong relationships and to manage the tricky conversations

• is compassionate and understanding of trauma

• a cool head and clear minded at times of pressure

• inspiring colleagues and teams to be even better

• an amazing ambassador for children and Children 1st

Above all else, the most important thing to us is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children and their families at every turn.

Base

You will be based in Renfrewshire with access to the Women and Children First premises in Paisley and will travel to connect with children, young people and families and other parts of the organisation.

Salary, Conditions, Pension

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 7 public holidays, pro rata), flexible working opportunities and a contributory pension scheme.

Children 1st offers further staff benefits including a cash-back healthcare plan, membership of a Credit Union and access to a cycle to work scheme.

Further Information

This is a permanent, full time role of 35 hours per week.

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership have commissioned an exciting new service in the North East of the City to work alongside families in a flexible and strengths based way to help them achieve positive outcomes. As part of a city-wide strategy, the service will promote the wellbeing of children and young people aged 0-12 years to support them to stay at home and thrive with their families within their local communities by offering the right support at the right time.

Our shared vision is to support children and young people to live with their parents and siblings, or where this is in the best interest of children, with their extended family, enabling them to grow up in their community with their friends, and attend their local school.

As one of our Family Support Practitioner's, you'll work as part of a fantastic and passionate team, advocating on behalf of children and families.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the Family Support Practitioner are;

• Effective Assessments: Assessments will be conducted to identify the needs, strengths, and challenges faced by each family and will inform the support provided.
• Intensive Interventions: Interventions will be intensive and include: Advice and guidance for families, Parenting support to address specific issues, 1:1 work with children to address their unique needs, Liaising with partner agencies to coordinate services.
• Supporting Families: You'll provide planned support and conduct regular reviews. The goal is to help families overcome barriers they face.
• Collaboration and Advocacy: You'll work as part of a fantastic and passionate team, attend meetings and collaborate with partner agencies and advocate on behalf of children and families.
• Dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team: You'll be part of a team that works together to support positive change with the focus on improving outcomes for families.

Let's talk about you

• SVQ 3 in social care or equivalent.
• Post qualification experience of working with children, young people and families and achieving positive outcomes through direct contribution with support activities and intervention.
• Experience of working with vulnerable families and a broad understanding of their barriers.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing methods of assessment and interventions.

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts.
• Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

Our Residential Support Workers create a safe and supportive environment for children and young people to grow and develop. You will ensure their wellbeing is prioritised by delivering personalised care, guidance and advocacy. It is key that they stay safe and healthy and can reach their full potential.

In return we offer an in-depth induction and amazing opportunities for career progression. We'll enrol you on necessary industry qualifications along with regular supervision and team meetings to ensure you feel part of our team.

Once you have gained the relevant experience and qualifications you will be ready to progress to the next step in your career with us.

About the service

Castlelaw Cottage is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for a young girl with a learning disability and ASD. Our newly renovated house is designed to support her in having a fulfilling and active life, both within her home and in the wider community. We understand and appreciate her unique personality and strive to create a space where she can thrive and be supported with her individual needs.

Our young person loves the outdoors and especially enjoys local walks in the woods, regardless of the weather! In the house a range of activities will be planned to provide engagement, physical activity and to meet sensory needs. She loves regular visits from her mother and father that may include going for walks and eating out.

We believe by allowing staff to choose between single or double shifts allows more flexibility and we have a variation of shift patterns on offer to provide you with a great work-life balance!

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Our Residential Support Worker's are creative and innovative in their approach to support in making positive choices and achieving personal goals. Some other key responsibilities are;

• Providing lead case/care planning management, including assessing, reviewing and managing risk.
• Co-ordinating responsibilities within the service, with multi agency and producing family information, including analysis and written reports.
• Attending professional meetings including reviews, court work etc.
• Helping young people in all aspects of their daily lives.
• Having good communication skills and the ability to engage well with both young people, colleagues and other professionals.

Let's talk about you

Are you resilient and have a positive approach to change and challenge? We're looking for someone with a ‘can do' attitude to join our team. Ideally you'll have:

• Demonstrable experience of working in a care setting and developing positive relationships through trust.
• Application of a range of techniques to co-ordinate and communicate with service users and their families.
• Demonstrate a solution focused approach to address problems, individually and in a team setting.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience to respond to the challenging nature of the role.
• Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years of commencing employment with us, full support will be provided.

Good to know

Application Process

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

Contact: If, for any reason, you need support with your application, please contact Laura McCarthy at Laura.McCarthy2@actionforchildren.org.uk. We'll be happy to give you any support you require.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.