Children & Young People's Worker

“Early Break is a young people and family charity that believes excellence at all points of delivery is a requirement. If you take pride in your work, are hardworking, want to be professionally challenged and are passionate to make a difference in the lives of others then our organisation could well suit you. We have a strong set of values determined by staff which we continuously work towards. It is our shared expectation our staff will be “professionally curious” both in their delivery and ongoing professional development.”

Vicky Maloney, CEO

Holding Families is an evidence-based programme that works with the whole family. This is an exciting opportunity for a suitable candidate whose skills, experience and interests are in working with vulnerable children and young people who are affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse.

As a worker you will be child focussed in your practice, you will be a reflective worker who engages in the opportunities to build on your practice that this role offers. You are someone who is organised in your administration and is able to manage your time effectively. You are a highly driven individual yet can work at depth with vulnerable young people and their families. You will have a knowledge base of children and family services and will bring to the role your willingness and experience to support others to change lives and safeguard as required.

Further information and application form can be found at https://earlybreak.co.uk/jobs. Please email [email protected] or call 0161 723 3880 if you would like to discuss the role in more detail.

Key Focus

Support children and young people referred to the Holding Families Service, whose parents are substance users. This will include one-to-one sessions, group work with children and family meetings. This role will also include linking with a range of agencies, each will have a contribution to make in meeting the individual young client's specific needs.

Key Deliverables:

• To deliver 1:1, face-to-face work with young clients and their parents / carers as appropriate and manage the appointments to best meet clients' needs in accordance with Early Break policies and procedures. This may include evening and/or weekend sessions.
• Build relationships and offer interventions with children who are affected by parental substance use or parental criminality
• Offer trauma informed interventions
• To deliver group work programmes and support in drop in sessions
• To provide regular updates for and attend monthly Operational Meetings
• To write or contribute to reports for Child in Need, Case Conferences, Core Group or Court and attend meetings as appropriate
• Support the Holding Families coordinator in case load management
• Liaise and develop partnerships, with a range of agencies in seeking out the provision which best meets the needs of the young people identified through referrals
• Adhere to Early Break policies on Safeguarding young people, linking to local and national policies and guidelines
• Record and report all required client information, using the Holding Families database system in line with Service deadlines and the legal framework of Data Protection
• Maintain and update levels of knowledge and understanding of issues relevant to parental drug and alcohol use through training offered by Early Break and other agencies, as opportunities arise
• Undertake other professional development opportunities, as appropriate to the role/Service
• To contribute to the Early Break workforce development in relation to the key issues re: parental substance misuse and Hidden Harm
• To be an active member of named Service meetings, identifying areas of work and working under your own initiative to resolve gaps, problems, issues
• Undertake any other duties as directed by, and negotiated with, the Senior Manager/Line Manager
• To contribute to the maintenance of an ethos in which all workers, clients and all in contact with Early Break and its partner agencies are valued and shown respect
• To actively promote the charitable aspects of the Service to the workforce

Company Benefits

Supervision: 10 sessions per 12 months with an external supervisor to facilitate reflective practice.

Wellbeing Day: 2 x half days of additional paid leave every 12 months as a ‘wellbeing day’ for staff.

• Volunteer Day: 1 day additional paid leave every 12 months as a ‘volunteer’ opportunity with another third sector organisation of your choice.