Family Support Worker

Job Description

We are looking for a Family Support Worker to join the Fostering Service on a part time, permanent basis.

As a Family Support Worker within our friendly and supportive Fostering service, you will have responsibility for the support of Fostering families in Aberdeenshire. The role of the Family Support Worker is to provide support to Aberdeenshire Council Foster Carers and their families in caring for fostered children, to support the service with the recruitment processes and training for applicants to foster and to provide advice, guidance, and support throughout their fostering journey. Family Support Workers also assist the Fostering Social Workers to meet the duties of the Fostering service required under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009. The Fostering Service is also a registered service and therefore is regularly inspected by the Care Inspectorate in line with the Health and Social Care Standards.

Some of the duties required of this post include, but are not limited to, support for prospective fostering families and the facilitation of the ‘My Family Fosters’ learning session with the children of prospective applicants at the pre-approval training; planning and facilitation of Foster Carer Support Groups which include face-to-face sessions as well as online sessions and providing support through group discussions or individual support. Our Family Support Workers also support with the organisation of training for Foster Carers, as well as being involved in facilitating training opportunities such as Confidence to Cook and Seasons for Growth sessions alongside Social Workers.

Our Family Support Workers organise and facilitate activities such as social events for fostering households throughout the year including an annual Foster Carer Picnic. They offer group-based support for children and young people within a fostering household through the facilitating of ‘Children of Foster Carers’ activities during the school holidays. They will undertake one-to-one sessions with a child or with brothers and sisters around specific areas of support such as moving on and transitions. They also provide support to fostered children and young people, offering support and on occasions undertaking direct work along with the child's Social Worker.

There is a responsibility for the post holder to demonstrate a commitment to quality service delivery through continuous improvement for the benefit of the Service and the organisation.

This post is regulated work with Children and/or Protected Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.

This post has a minimum requirement of two references, one which must be your current or most recent employer.

Informal enquiries to: Fiona Burt, Tel: 01467 536469

 

Requirements

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