Senior Family Support Practitioner

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council - Waterloo Centre, Leiston, IP16 4HF - Community based
• £32,076 per annum (pro rata if part time)
• 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
• Permanent

This advert is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only.

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we're driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That's why, when you join us as an Senior Family Support Practitioner, you'll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will:

• hold a complex caseload working directly with children and families, enabling them to make improvements in their life
• provide advice, support and guidance to colleagues on cases as a duty manager
• provide supervision of a small number of Family Support Practitioners, in consultation with the team's Practice Lead(s)
• mentor new Family Support Practitioners in the team
• be a role model for good practice
• support peer supervision and training, to continuously improve practice for yourself and team
• support further embedding of Signs of Safety practice, to continuously develop high quality family support in the team.

You will need

• to manage risk appropriately and safely to deliver successful solution focused outcomes
• experience of working with safeguarding concerns and assessments
• to be able to effectively challenge colleagues and partner agencies
• to be able to build effective and positive relationships within the team.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Coastal North Family Support Team works with families in conjunction with the Coastal South Family Support Team so therefore your role will see you working across both areas of the locality.

We work closely with Ipswich and Lowestoft teams to deliver Family Time.

The team consists of Family Support Practitioners, Young Person Workers, Senior Family Support Practitioner, Practice Leads and Practice Manager to deliver the Early Help Core offer to families.

We are a friendly supportive team who work together to build on one another's strengths to promote best outcomes for Children & Young People. We share our friendly office with our social care and Business support colleagues and celebrate one another's achievements. Regular case supervision and wellbeing supervision is delivered to all practitioners. You will have access to a wide variety of learning and development opportunities to support you in your role.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

For more information

Please contact Lorna Lyle (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling (01473) 263314/ 07713 093600 or emailing Lorna.Lyle@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Describe a time when you successfully managed a complex case involving children and families. How did you enable them to make improvements in their life?
2. Tell me about a time when you provided advice and guidance to colleagues on a challenging case. What was your approach and what was the outcome?
3. Tell me about a time when you identified and managed a safeguarding risk. What steps did you take and what was the outcome?
4. Describe a situation where you've had to balance a heavy caseload with other responsibilities like mentoring or participating in service development. How did you manage your time and priorities?
5. How would you approach supervising and mentoring practitioners within your team? Give an example of how you've supported someone's professional development.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 01 October 2024

Interview date: 09 October 2024

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).