Parent Partner

JOB TITLE:                                Parent Partner

RESPONSIBLE TO:                  Peer Services Lead for England                              

HOURS OF WORK:                  As per individual terms

GRADE/SALARY:                     Grade 2.4/ £24,479

LOCATION:                               Home based 

TYPE OF CONTRACT:              Permanent

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Provide peer support services via the transition service for One Adoption. You will support individual families with peer to peer goal-based intervention service  deliverable via 6 sessions of support (1-1).

Provide peer support services via dedicated support phone line, bookable sessions & email cover. This will be delivered via rota’d  sessions for the Eastern Region Peer Support Line.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct 1-1 support

•        To work with families to achieve agreed goal-based outcomes.

•        To work to a plan for transition.

•        To signpost families to relevant support.

•        To provide 6 online support sessions of 1 hour via TEAMS covering the programme topics agreed within timescale.

•        To follow a programme of support and monitor progress regularly.

•        To empower families to work closely with schools, settings and relevant professionals encouraging them to build and strengthen relationships. 

•        To complete admin and paperwork relevant to the family including evaluation paperwork. 

Support Line

•         Following a scheduled work pattern, respond to adopters calling in to a  live phone line, providing a listening ear & signposting to relevant resources/information.

•        Following a rota ensuring bookable sessions are responded to, listening & signposting where required

•        Monitor & respond to emails within your scheduled shifts.

•        Ensure feedback texts are sent at the end of each interaction with a caller.

General

•        Retain accurate records in accordance with Adoption UK policy and practice, complying with GDPR legislation.

•        To ensure compliance with appropriate Adoption UK policies and procedures 

•        To carry out such other duties as may be deemed necessary.

•        Ensure all admin tasks are carried out within a timely manner, Evide updated.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & KNOWLEDGE

•        Personal experience of adoption. (essential)

•        Sound knowledge of current adoption issues, or a strong interest in developing such knowledge (essential)

•        Experience within the education setting (desirable)

•        Experienced mentor or similar support role. (essential)

•        Experience of supporting families in group settings as well as 1:1 (desirable)

•        A good understanding of One adoption RAA(s) systems and adoption landscape (desirable)

•        Safeguarding – understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures (essential)

•        Good working knowledge of how to use social media and a range of online platforms with confidence. (essential)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

•        Work and act on own initiative (essential)

•        Work to deadlines and tight timescales and reporting around progress (essential)

•        Flexible and able to work purposefully from home (essential)

•        Excellent communication skills or verbally and written (essential)

•        Group facilitation skills (essential)

•        Good empathic listening skills, able to deal with issues in relation to significant trauma and loss (essential)

•        Ability to organise and hold meetings, including by telephone and online (essential)

•        Excellent IT skills including Teams, Outlook and Zoom or a willingness to learn (desirable)

•        Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times. Aware of GDPR, particularly around holding information at home (essential)

•        Ensure that internal policies and procedures are complied with. (essential) 

BEHAVIOURS 

•        Supports, encourages and motivates adopters and families (essential)

•        Values transparency and consistency (essential)

•        Understands the role of individual and collective accountability (essential)

•        Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities (essential)

•        Approachable and friendly (essential)

•        Confident in 1:1 and group settings (desirable)

•        Ability to empower and work in partnership with families (essential)

•        Shares skills and knowledge appropriately (essential)

•        Offers outstanding service to service users (essential)

•        Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders (essential)

•        Willingness to learn new skills (essential)