Family Support Worker
Mount Grace School
Hertfordshire
- New
- Salary:
- H5/H6 + Fringe Allowance (£25,119 - £29,777 + £988 per annum) paid pro rata to reflect part time hours
- Job type:
- Part Time, Fixed Term
- Start date:
- ASAP
- Apply by:
- 13 October 2024
Job overview
Family Support Worker
Employment type: part time – 30hrs per week, TTO plus 2 weeks
Contract type: fixed term contract until August 2025
Closing date: 13th October 2024 5pm
Interview date: TBC
Mount Grace School in conjunction with DSPL 6 are looking to appoint a Specialist Family Worker to support families with children and young people. The post will be part of the Hertsmere Schools Partnership Family Support team and covers the Potters Bar, Borehamwood and Hatfield villages area.
Purpose of the Job
- To provide early intervention family support for vulnerable families with school age children, to develop their parenting skills in order to improve the social and emotional development, ability to learn and the health of their children.
- To support parents of children who have been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder
- To work in partnership with families to prevent needs escalating to require intervention by more specialist services.
- To work in partnership with other agencies where appropriate eg: social care, health, police.
Main Areas of Responsibility
- To work with families (identified by schools in the Schools’ Partnership) in their own homes and in schools giving targeted time limited support which will provide appropriate information, advice, practical and emotional support to parents and carers such that it enhances their ability to care for their children and provide a safe, nurturing home. This may include outreach work and home visits.
- To work with parents/carers, school staff and directly with children to increase children’s ability to enjoy being at school, to develop social and safety skills, to learn effectively and to be active, valued members of the school and wider community.
- To advise and inform parents/carers about relevant local services and where appropriate make referrals to other agencies to access specialist support to increase their capacity to support their child’s learning.
- To support the common assessment framework, and help ensure that service users receive co-ordinated multi-disciplinary support by establishing and maintaining effective liaison with colleagues including health services, social care and other statutory and voluntary agencies. This may involve supporting schools with administrative processes around eCAF.
- To co facilitate parenting workshops and courses across the Partnership if required.
- To support the monthly parents support group for parents of children with ASD/ADHD if required.
- To keep records of your work and adhere to guidelines on confidentiality and information sharing. Provide monitoring information and case studies to the Schools’ Partnership as required.
- To work flexibly as required by the Schools’ Partnership to take part in meetings and school events to promote and support the work of the family support service.
- To attend training, supervision (including clinical supervision) and development opportunities as directed by line manager in order to develop skills and knowledge and keep up to date with developments in family support work.
- Be aware of and comply with all policies and procedures, in particular safeguarding, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection and report all concerns to an appropriate person.
The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary.
The successful candidate will have:
- Completed three modules of Working with Parents, Level 3 City & Guilds awards or equivalent - or be willing to undertake
- At least one year’s experience of providing direct family work to children, young people and carers
- Experience of working in partnership with schools or working in a school setting
- Experience of providing sensitive, non-judgemental and empowering support for parents, children and young people
- Knowledge of integrated Processes including CAF, team around the family
- Good organisational and interpersonal skills
- A confident and professional approach to working with parents, colleagues and other professionals from a range of backgrounds and good verbal, written, listening and presentation skills
- A full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes
Staff will be employed by Mount Grace School on behalf of the partnership and DSPL 6. Although the post is based at Mount Grace School in Potters Bar, most of your time will be spent out in the local community, therefore it is essential you hold a valid UK driving licence.
Join us in making a difference! Apply now to become a Family Support Worker at Mount Grace School, supporting families with children and young people across Hertsmere.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
Mount Grace School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Criminal Records Bureau. Online search checks will also be carried out on all shortlisted candidates.
About Mount Grace School
Mount Grace School is a rapidly improving, distinctively small, truly inclusive school with approximately 600 students. It was one of the first purpose built mixed comprehensive schools in the country and occupies 17 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. We have a genuine partnership with local people and we are the community school of Potters Bar and the surrounding villages.
Being a small secondary school means that we benefit from a nurturing and personalised approach to many areas of educational work. Staff at our school quickly establish positive relationships with all students and are making their mark at a time when the school is on a rapid development journey with improved exam results and increased reputational standing in the community. My colleagues and I have a wealth of expertise and diverse experiences but are innovative and open to new ideas. We value each other and know that each person comes with their own career and personal history and stories full of their own successes and challenges. We know that our staff are the most important factor in improving the life chances of our students. When they enter our doors, they are welcomed as individuals with their own ambitions and goals who have chosen to work with us towards common aims for our young people.
Mount Grace School is unashamedly friendly and inclusive but we are firm, fair and consistent in our values. We value our school character virtues and develop students so that their success is marked beyond their strong exam results. We believe that holding high expectations and ambitions for what all children can achieve supports social mobility and our vision for equality of opportunity. It also supports our own wellbeing and sense of worth as we know we make a difference. We value research informed methods and initiatives that come from a sound evidence-base. Our school motto ‘Res Non Verba’ translates as ‘Deeds Not Words’ and we hold high regard for people who not only ‘talk the talk’ but want to be recognised for the impact their actions have. In return you will join a staff body who embrace new ideas, are resilient to challenges, are loyal to the aims of the school and enjoy working with us.
The senior leadership team is made up of a dynamic mix of voices and we all have our quirks and passions. We acknowledge that working in schools can be challenging but we are not shy of hard work and bring vigour, drive and fun to all we do. We work closely with all members of the school because there is a dynamic energy for school improvement at all levels and we carry this passion together.
People who choose to work at Mount Grace School will display an authentic connection with children from all backgrounds across the range of abilities. They have the creativity and energy to take each other and students with them on a strategic journey that makes a difference to our children’s character and allows them to thrive in life - long after they leave the school gates.
Headteacher
Geeta Patel
Values and vision
Mount Grace School focuses on three core values: respect, aspiration and care. It prides itself on being a place where young people are encouraged to fulfill their potential. The secondary school aims to be friendly and understanding, while also being fair, firm and consistent.
Mount Grace’s motto is "Res Non Verba", which translates as "deeds not words", meaning that pupils’ actions must always reflect the values of respect, aspiration and care.
Ofsted 2022
…Pupils have a variety of places they can go if they have a worry or concern, such as the ‘pastoral hub’ or ‘oasis centre’. They know that staff will listen and try to help with any bullying issues. Most pupils feel happy and safe…
…Pupils learn an ambitious curriculum, where they build up their knowledge over time. They are enthused by the practical activities they get to do in subjects like design and technology, and the whole school musical production…
…Leaders have ensured that teachers have been involved in the design of the curriculum. As a result, in all subjects, teachers have carefully planned the key knowledge they want pupils to learn. Leaders have also ensured that the curriculum offered is sufficiently broad and balanced. This includes a suitable balance of vocational and academic options in the sixth form…
…Leaders have implemented an effective whole-school focus on reading. This includes an appropriate progression of high-quality texts in the English curriculum and regular opportunities for pupils to participate in guided reading during form time. Those at the earlier stages of reading receive specific intervention support…
…Pupils have access to a wide variety of clubs and opportunities, including participating in musical and sporting activities and going on trips. Pupils joining the school are made to feel comfortable, especially through the summer school that is on offer…
…Leaders have ensured the school has an appropriate programme for personal, social and health education. Pupils are taught about relationships and fundamental British values. Careers education is well developed in the sixth form. Sixth-form students receive appropriate advice and guidance…
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