Family Group Worker

Principle purposes of the job:

To deliver group support services including:

provision of child focussed play/educational activities to support development

parental guidance to support child development

supervision of Play Leader and support for Volunteers

to work alongside the scheme Manager in the planning and delivery of group support

Main responsibilities:

To work within Home-Start s standards and methods of practice including Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children, Confidentiality and all mandatory policies.

Work in close co-operation with the Play worker, Volunteers and other scheme staff as directed by the scheme Manager.

Work in partnership with other family support agencies, as appropriate

To make initial contact with families to assess their needs

Review family s needs on a regular basis and at the end of support.

To maintain contact with individual referrers during a family s support

To welcome all parents/carers to the Family Group, recognising the importance of their role as the prime educators of their children

To be aware of group dynamics ensuring the groups provide a non-judgemental environment for children and their parent/carer

To provide a safe, stimulating environment for children and their parents

To be vigilant about the upkeep of equipment ensuring good standards of safety and hygiene are followed.

To closely work alongside the Play Worker planning activities for the children

To make observations, record and report on children s development

To encourage the active participation of parents/carers in their child s play and other activities as appropriate

To provide opportunities for external agencies to offer advice/information to families

To promote the use of suitable toys, books and activities and encourage the use of local resources e.g. Toy Library, Library and Children & Family Centres

To complete a Risk Assessment prior to each session/outing

To keep a register at each session detailing names of all those attending, including visitors/speakers with an evaluation of each speaker

To record any accidents/incidents in the Accident or Incident Book and report as appropriate

To respond, record and report appropriately all Safeguarding Children/Child Protection issues

To liaise with the Manager regarding budgets

To promote the work of Home-Start with referrers

To be willing to undertake training as appropriate, including safeguarding/child protection.

To attend regular supervision sessions

To regularly attend staff Meetings