Senior Support Worker - Family Services

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?

As our Family Services provision continues to grow, we are recruiting for a range of new opportunities across our Residential Family Centres, with positions available to start from January 2027. Families will be referred to the Family Centre if there have been concerns identified around the safety of the children 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 Waking Night Support Worker with Fair Ways you will deliver the highest standards of care and support to those you care for:

• Assessment Support - To contribute to the parenting assessment by means of recording, observation and reflective analysis of parenting capacity based on the needs of resident families and their children.
• Effective Role-Modelling - To observe, assess and monitor the health, development and emotional well-being of parents and children, by promoting high standards of physical care, hygiene and safety in order to provide education and guidance to families supporting the best possible outcome from their parenting assessment.
• 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.
• Keeping families safe - To analyse and therapeutically manage challenging behaviour resulting from complex needs through the implementation of formal guidance and risk assessments provided by the family centre management team and other relevant professionals in order to support and formulate plans to manage and safeguard risk.
• Medicines Management - To ensure the safe storage and administration of controlled drugs in adherence with legal frameworks and policies to support families in meeting their own medical needs.
• Being part of a fantastic team - To work with the Senior Waking Night Support Worker and other waking night staff, co-ordinating and planning waking night shifts through effective handover, clear communication and understanding of risk management information ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the families is prioritised at all times.
• Support and Guidance - To take an active role in understanding in the care plans for families, involving parents in decisions about their care plan and risk assessments, through completion of relevant contact sheets, in person meetings and other relevant communications, maximising their choices and giving due consideration to their wishes and feelings.
• Independent working – To undertake an element of lone working, supervising parents delivering care to their children throughout the waking night shift with the support of another waking night staff member who will be on the family centre site.
• Professional and personal development - To demonstrate commitment to ongoing learning and training through completion of statutory training modules and the uptake of additional opportunities provided by Fair Ways to ensure that our workforce remains highly skilled and competent in order to meet the complex needs of the families we support.

This position is offered on a full-time permanent basis working 37.5 hours per week. This will be worked as part of a 4 on/4 off shift pattern, 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!

• To hold or be working towards a minimum of a Level 3 NVQ Childrens and Young Peoples Workforce
• To have a basic understanding and working experience of legislation and practice relating to child protection, children who are looked after and family court care proceedings.
• To have basic knowledge of legislation relating to safeguarding adults.

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, an extra day of annual leave as a ‘wellbeing day’ 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 Health Shield, 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: Progress and develop in your career with excellent support from an employer committed to ensuring you reach your goals. 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.

*Benefits may differ dependant on contract type.

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!