- Suffolk County Council - Ipswich (IP1 4HD), Lowestoft (NR33 0EQ) or Bury St Edmunds (IP33 3YU)
- £13.69 per hour
- As and when required - no guaranteed hours – predominantly evening and weekends
- Casual
We are committed to flexible working, so please read the Job and Person Profile (docx) to find out about the types of flexible working available for this role.
We welcome applications from everyone. We particularly welcome male applicants because they are under-represented in this service.
- Would you like to work in an incredibly varied, challenging and rewarding role?
- Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people in Suffolk?
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Suffolk County Council's Contact Services Team as a Family Support Practitioner - Supervised Contact on a casual basis.
These roles will be based in Ipswich, Lowestoft or Bury St. Edmunds so please state your location preference on your application.
Your role and responsibilities
You will:
- be required to work hours throughout the day, with an emphasis on working evenings and weekends. You will also be required to work during the school holidays and cover out-of-county contacts that require extensive driving and working beyond 5 pm and into the early evening
- provide supervised contact for children and their families and undertake direct work with a range of children and young people
- supervise contact in the community, family homes, contact centres or other appropriate buildings such as children’s centres
- be required to transport children to and from contacts
- be responsible for keeping accurate and timely records of work with children, young people and families and writing relevant reports using electronic or other systems as directed.
You will need:
- the ability to develop positive relationships with children and families who are experiencing some challenging and stressful difficulties and be able to do this in a way that ensures children remain safe and supported
- proven relevant knowledge and experience of working directly with children and their families on a range of intervention, development, attachment, play and learning
- to recognise and appropriately respond to safeguarding and risk issues
- to hold a full valid driving licence and have access to personal transport with business insurance.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
We will offer you
This an excellent opportunity to gain experience working in the social care field with a view to using this as a stepping stone for further professional development.
Opportunities for career development are supported by induction, in-house training, and other learning opportunities.
Travel and workplace requirements
We positively encourage the use of technology to communicate and engage, but in this role, you may need to operate across a wide and rural area, so it would be beneficial for you to either hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to meet the travel requirements of this role, please speak with the contact detailed below.
This role is mainly based in the community; however, you may also have the opportunity to work from home occasionally and you will have an office base. Please speak with the contact detailed below if you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements. #LI-Hybrid
For more information
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact:
- Julia Crittall on 07872 416718 (West Suffolk)
- Sharon Wallis on 07834 006262 (Ipswich and South Suffolk)
- Tina Williams on 07540 675217 (Lowestoft and Waveney)
- Jackie Glenwright on 07704 018370 (Peripatetic)
Please read the Job and Person Profile (docx) before applying for this job opportunity.
Please ensure you upload a copy of your CV when completing your online application.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 14 January 2024
Interview date: 25 January 2024
Promoted as JOTW (Job of the Week) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.
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 checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
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 28 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 more!
If you would like to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Working for Suffolk County Council pages (www.Suffolk.gov.uk/careers).