Family Support Worker

Who are Fair Ways and what do we stand for?

Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering Fostering, Education, Residential and Family services and cares for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year. Fair Ways is a great place to work. We are a team. We care about each other and are all committed to making a change to the lives of the young people and service users in our care. We will not apologise for calling our staff great, the best, or world-class. Our staff are at the core of our organisation and we celebrate them by shouting it from the rooftops!

Where and when do we need you?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Family Support Worker at our residential family centre in Southampton. Families will be referred to the Family Centre if there have been concerns identified around the safety of the children in the family unit in their current family home. Once with us, the families will be continuously encouraged, assessed and guided through a 12 week stay where they are monitored 24/7 to encourage sustainable positive parenting changes. 

As a Family Support Worker, you will be involved exciting and rewarding things like:

• Keeping Children, families and vulnerable adults safe - To support the team with any safeguarding issues and the monitoring of good practice within the Family Centre and ensuring safe working practices in accordance with regulatory standards and in line with Fair Ways Policies and Procedures to keep children, families and vulnerable adults safe from harm for the duration of their assessment.
• Assessment Support - To contribute to formal parenting assessments in conjunction with colleagues, ensuring these are of high quality, fair, robust, and evidenced based. To monitor the family's impact and risk assessment while in placement ensuring their safety and support needs are met at all times and that the families supported by the family centre achieve the correct outcomes.
• Being a Trauma Informed professional - To oversee and model trauma informed responses through the individualised use of therapeutic support. You will demonstrate the therapeutic importance of maintaining a clean, tidy and homely environment through effective role modelling, ensuring families are supported appropriately during times of crisis and that we demonstrate an understanding of the parents early life experiences, focussing on educating families to understand what is good and healthy for children and babies to grow and thrive.
• Upholding appropriate professional boundaries - Observing, assessing and monitoring the health and wellbeing of parents and children within the family centre whilst ensuring the maintenance of safe professional boundaries in line with best practice.
• Playing your PART within an amazing team – To work as part of the family centre staff team ensuring that all required daily tasks are completed appropriately and accurately and work proactively to ensure that the families receive the highest levels of care and assessment outcomes.
• Using your fantastic communications skills - To support and liaise with relevant healthcare professionals with and on behalf of the families that are being supported.

This position is offered on a permanent basis working 37.5 hours per week. This will be worked as part of a rolling rota Monday – Sunday. All candidates must have a full driving license and have access to the use of a car. Successful candidates will be required to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS). This disclosure cost will be met by Fair Ways. Fair Ways are unable to provide VISA sponsorship for this role and all applicants will need to be able to provide evidence of right to work in the UK.

Desirable…. but not Essential

Whilst we value the knowledge and understanding that experience and qualifications can bring, we also know that some of our best people have come to us from unrelated backgrounds. These people already held our core values at heart, and with the dedication of our amazing in-house training and development team, we have supported the rest!

• Previous experience of working with young people and/or adults with health/social care/educational needs
• A Level 3 qualification in childcare/social care

Let us look after you!

At Fair Ways, we care about your well-being, here is what we currently offer to our dedicated team:

• Exciting Opportunities: Participate in free staff lotteries with amazing prizes, such as £1000 holiday vouchers, weekends away, luxury hampers, £1000 fostering referral scheme and vouchers. Experience a workplace that celebrates your contributions.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a Holiday Accrual Scheme and the option to purchase additional holidays (up to 5 days). We value your time and offer flexibility to accommodate your existing commitments.
• Health and Support: Benefit from Simply Health, our health cash plan, and access to our Employee Assistance Scheme, providing emergency financial assistance and 24/7 counselling services. Access your salary when you need it with Early Pay – The ability to withdraw an amount of your salary early each month to assist with any unforeseen circumstances.
• Growth and Development: Unlock your potential with our Education Grant, offering funding for accreditation up to master's level. Engage in leadership courses to enhance your skills and progress in your career.
• Wellbeing Matters: Experience team-building days, summer festivals, and well-being initiatives, promoting a positive work environment. Take advantage of discounted gym memberships and a cycle-to-work scheme to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Recognition and Rewards: Be appreciated for your dedication through annual Staff Awards and Long Service Awards. Build a secure future with our pension scheme and gain eligibility for a Blue Light Card.
• Supportive Community: Be part of our diverse workforce that embraces all communities. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to contribute to our inclusive and vibrant culture.

Become a part of our community – We can’t wait to meet you!

If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to embark on an incredible journey, apply today and be a part of something amazing at Fair Ways. Join our team and help shape brighter futures!