Family Support Worker

Reports To: Head of Frontline Services

Hours: 12 hours per week (flexible but should include attendance at fortnightly Monday morning team meetings in Harrow). There may be opportunity to expand hours if desired.

Location: Hybrid: Harrow team meetings /West London Community which could span Hounslow, Hammersmith, Harrow, Barnet, Ealing, Brent/Online/Telephone

Our head office is currently in Croxley, Watford and team meetings may move to this location. You need to be able to travel to this location as part of the role.

Salary - £34,320 pro rata

The Violence Intervention Project (V.I.P) is a young Charity (founded in 2017), pioneering new approaches to working with young people (YP) involved in serious youth violence (SYV). Through a combination of practical and therapeutically informed practice, we support YP, their families and communities to live safer lives. Today, The V.I.P. supports more than 50 YP and families across the London Boroughs of RBKC, H&F, Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon. As an organisation with a therapeutic ethos at the heart of our practice, we prioritise the care and wellbeing of our employees. As a result, we have an incredible team and strong employee engagement backed by clinical supervision, a Board of Trustees and a Leadership Team who support and promote personal care and professional development. It s because of our unique working culture that we re able to meet the serious challenges and demands of our work.

At the V.I.P we aim to be a thought leader in our sector. To date we ve established strong ties with the Anna Freud Centre along with funding from the Mayor of London s Violence Reduction Unit. All our operations are framed within a public health approach and built on the fundamental belief that shame is a catalyst for violence; to which relationships are the antidote.

Our innovation, passion and principles have translated into a strong reputation and sustained expansion across West London. Our practice model, Urban Therapy, meets young people where they are in cafes, parks, and community spaces. We also deliver early intervention programmes in schools and lead The Shame Initiative, our national training and consultancy offer for frontline practitioners.

All our posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure as well as a full employment history and two employment references. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment and service delivery and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Job Purpose: The Family Outreach worker plays a vital role in supporting the families of clients to enhance their stability, wellbeing, and access to essential services. In this role, the Family Outreach worker will provide personalised assistance to families, strengthen connections with external partners and community resources, and collaborate with the team to ensure comprehensive and cohesive support. Additionally, they will establish structured communication and availability protocols to manage expectations and promote sustainable assistance for families.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and Implement Family Support Plans Caseload Management: Maintain a focused caseload of 4 5 families at a time, ensuring each receives consistent, high-quality support Care Plan Development: Co-design and implement personalised support plans with families, focused on clear, achievable goals, addressing unique needs such as housing support, access to services, and emotional and practical assistance. Outcome Tracking: Regularly assess and monitor family progress, aiming for high satisfaction and meaningful, positive outcomes. Ensure all work complies with safeguarding and confidentiality policies and promptly escalate any concerns regarding the welfare of children or vulnerable adults.

2. Build and Strengthen External Partnerships and Professional Networks Networking and Outreach: Dedicate time each month to building relationships with key external partners, such as housing providers, domestic violence services, cultural support groups, and other community organisations. Professional Network Integration: Actively collaborate with members of each family s professional network (e.g. healthcare providers, educators, social services) to ensure aligned and effective support. Partnership Development: Identify service gaps and cultivate partnerships with external agencies to broaden the range of resources available for families, especially during crises or complex situations. Crisis and Complex Needs Support: Utilize professional connections to extend the support network available to families, enhancing their access to comprehensive care.

3. Foster Team Collaboration and Communication Team Meetings and Case Discussions: Participate in regular team discussions to align family support strategies and incorporate team insights into care plans. Documentation and Information Sharing: Maintain detailed documentation on family interactions, progress, and needs to facilitate informed team coordination. Collaborative Problem Solving: Leverage the collective expertise of the team to address complex family needs and ensure proactive, cohesive support.

4. Develop Clear Communication and Availability Protocols Service Model Communication: Communicate service guidelines, availability expectations, and emergency protocols to families to promote mutual understanding and prevent miscommunication. Feedback-Driven Adjustments: Regularly gather and assess feedback from families to adjust communication protocols and improve service effectiveness.

5. Ongoing Monitoring, Review, and Professional Development Role and Service Review: Schedule regular check-ins with management to assess role effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Feedback Collection and Analysis: Collect feedback from families and professional network contacts to maintain high-quality service standards and align with organisational objectives. Professional Growth: Engage in professional development opportunities to continually refine and align your approach with the organisation s mission, vision, and evolving community needs. Key Requirements: Experience in Family Support or Community Outreach: Proven background in social work, family support, or community engagement, with an ability to manage complex family cases. Strong Communication and Network-Building Skills: Effective communicator able to engage with families, team members, external partners, and professional networks, ensuring cohesive, high-quality support. Empathy and Professionalism: Commitment to providing respectful, empathetic support to families, balanced with clear professional boundaries. Organisational Skills: Ability to manage multiple cases, maintain thorough documentation, and adhere to Urban Therapy protocols to ensure high-quality, consistent service.

Key skills and qualities: Flexibility and adaptability Trust building Advocacy skills Crisis Intervention skills Resilience Active Listening Solution Focused Ethical practitioner

Urban Therapy is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

This role may evolve as community needs develop; the Family Outreach Worker will contribute to shaping the service model over time.