Job Introduction
We are seeking a full time Dad's worker to join a specialist team within Futures Matters. As this is a unique position there is a need to only accept applicants from a particular protected characteristic. As per the exceptions under the Equality Act 2010 there is an occupational requirement for this role to be fulfilled by a male. The reason for this is that the purpose of this role is to mentor and support dads who have had children previously removed from their care or having their children returned to their care.
Breathing Space is a small team whom supports mothers who have previously had one or more children removed removed from their care and are to become a parent again. The team also support our care leavers and children in our care who are pregnant with their first child and are likely to be subject to safeguarding concerns to be able to care for their child and be able to remain safely within their family home.
We are wanting to extend our service to be able to offer intensive support to dad’s who have previously had their children removed from their care and they are now in a new relationship and expecting a child where there are likely to be safeguarding concerns. This is an additional offer of support to those fathers who are being supported by Breathing Space. We also want to support our care experienced dad's to be an intensive package of support so that they have the best opportunities to be upskilled to be able to parent safely.
Part of this role is to offer a programme of work around becoming a father again, addressing previous concerns exploring what needs to be different this time, supporting any anxieties from a male perspective therefore it is important that you have experience of engaging parents in their home delivering direct work.
Breathing Space also supports children aged 0-8 years of age where there is a plan of reunification to return to the care of their parents or family members following a positive assessment, however it has identified that the dad requires additional support. This will also be the role of the dad’s worker to deliver the intensive support alongside the Breathing Space Worker or the lead if the work is solely with dad..
The service is based around a model of intensive one-to-one key work over a sustained period, targeted to meet the specific needs of the parents to be able to care for their children safely.
The team is based in Stafford and provides a county wide service and on occasion travelling out of Staffordshire dependant on where the child or adults reside.
The Dad’s worker will be responsible for working with the fathers to develop a tailored package of support, drawing in and coordinating other resources as appropriate. They will also be expected to support fathers to identify and engage with any relevant support services therefore the successful applicant will need to be experienced in delivering intensive support to families and have a good understanding of early years and child development.
There is an expectation that this post will include evenings and weekend work where two additional increments will be paid. An essential car user allowance is also paid.
Therefore, we will only be able to progress applications from males. Details of the exception referred to can be found here Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
Main Responsibility
As a Breathing Space Dad's Worker, you will be required:
- To deliver bespoke and targeted packages of support to new dad's, dads who have had their children removed and the fathers of Breathing space families.
- To support dads where there is a plan of reunification.
- To work restoratively and creatively with dad's including offering advice and guidance on practical skills, mentoring and positive role modelling.
- To work flexibly and draw upon a range of evidence-based packages of support.
- To have good time management skills
- To work in partnership with all agencies and professionals who are supporting the family
- To offer high challenge/high support to affect the changes required to enable children to remain within their families
- On occasion you may need to support children and families who live outside of Staffordshire
The Ideal Candidate
Must have:
- NVQ 3 in working with children and families
- Experience of building and developing positive relationships to enable change and successful outcomes through working restoratively and completing direct work with children, their families, and carers in a statutory or voluntary agency which provides services to vulnerable children and their families.
- An understanding of child development and the effect of stress and trauma on child development.
Desirable skills and knowledge
- Experience in the use of IT including Microsoft packages
- An understanding of the key pieces of policies, guidance, and legislation which govern children’s social care.
- The ability to work effectively in conflict situations.
- To work independently and as part of a team
- ability to communicate effectively with families and partner agencies, keeping records up to date and in accordance to the service and Local authority policy and procedures
- have good time management
Need more information?
Please contact Kirsten Booth on 07815 999066 or kirsten.booth@staffordshire.gov.uk
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits.
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
