School Home Support Practitioner Jobs in East Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire
Salary: £15,593 per annum + £450 Home Working Allowance per annum
Hours - 21 Hours per week - 3 days
Contract:- Permanent Role
Location: Home-based in the North-East, able to travel throughout the region to visit and offer support to children and families in Teesside, Darlington, County Durham, Sunderland, Tyneside and Northumberland.
As a ‘not for profit’ organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and looks to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. We are a homeworking organisation, and we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, available from day one, an extensive wellbeing programme and our benefits package, all curated to nurture a healthy work-life balance for all our employees so they can give an excellent service to our carers and the young people and children we care for.
As a foster care charity, TACT invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to invest in unique projects like TACT Connect, our unique and ground-breaking scheme for TACT care experienced young people and adults, as well as our expanding TACT Education Service and our new Health Service. All our activities are built on our commitment to becoming a fully trauma-informed organisation, in line with our key values and ethos.
TACT achieved 16th place in the UK Best Companies Work For survey results in 2023, with 91% of employees acknowledging that the organisation is run on strong values and principles and 94% stating they feel proud to work for this organisation.
If you want to be valued as a professional, be appreciated at work and contribute to better outcomes for the children and young people connected with TACT, apply now.
Overall Duties of the role will include:
- Being an accessible point of contact for the children living with our carers and to our young people, keeping them up to date with the facilities and opportunities available with TACT
- Providing support to children with emotional welfare and mental health needs
- Supporting interventions and activities to ensure stable placement arrangements
- Being able to transport children and young people to events, appointments and meetings (mileage reimbursed)
- Organising and participating in virtual and face-to-face events and occasional residential meet-ups
- Managing all paperwork associated with events and activities
- Willingness to work flexibly, according to deadlines and needs of our families which may include some after-school, evening and weekend work
- Undertaking trauma-informed direct work with children and young people
The successful candidate must also be willing and able to travel to the Yorkshire area quarterly for face-to-face team meetings, training, and wellbeing events with the potential for occasional travel to other areas around the UK to facilitate children's residential stays.
The TACT Yorkshire and North East team are also currently recruiting for a part-time (14 hours per week) Family Finder position, which is advertised separately. We would welcome applications from candidates who feel able to meet the requirements of both posts and would be interested in full-time employment (35 hours per week) with a combined role comprising both posts.
TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package including:
- 31 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
- Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, volunteer days policy).
- Family friendly policies.
- Homeworking ‘bundle’ including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
- Perkbox – retail discount scheme.
- Stakeholder pension scheme (salary sacrifice).
- Fantastic learning and development opportunities.
- Employee Assistance Programme (including CBT counselling, remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions).
- TACT is a home based workforce. We recognise the benefits that flexible home working creates for both the employer and the employee.
As a remote working organisation, we are committed to working with our staff to enable consistent inclusion and engagement across the organisation to ensure the optimum standards of service for our carers and children.
An Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role and will be processed by TACT on your behalf.
Closing Date: Friday, 26th April 2024
Interview Date: Thursday 9th May 2024 (via teams)
Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work. As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children. We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people. All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies.
We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than advertised if the volume of applications is excessive, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies, nor the fees associated with them.
Report to: Assistant Director Of Operations
Responsible for: Leading the specialist team
Main Purpose:
Working as a senior specialist practitioner you will be leading the Hope intensive support team which is a peripatetic team, who will be providing support, multiagency advocacy, case management support, guidance for support workers and clients in our refuges who are multiply disadvantaged and require intensive, well planned and implemented support to recover from the abuse they have experienced and to remain safe from further domestic abuse and to address the additional disadvantages they experience which put their wellbeing and that of their children at further risk. The role includes completing and overseeing the case management for refuge clients and families who are within the top 20% in terms of vulnerability. This could stem from a multiplicity of intersecting circumstances or being severely vulnerable in one specific area or a mixture of both, bringing expertise in supporting people with mental ill health and you will be a source of ad hoc professional advice for refuge practitioners delivering support to those with mental ill health within the remaining refuge caseload.
Key Responsibilities:
Corporate
1. To maintain and demonstrate a commitment to the Organisation’s vision and values and strategic aims and objectives.
2. To maintain high standards of professionalism and keep abreast of current legislation, standards, best practice and maintain a focus of continuous improvement.
3. To maintain knowledge of the Organisation’s operating environment.
Main Tasks
1. Ensure a complete and thorough family or individual needs assessment is in place for all clients.
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all relevant information from third party agencies that the client has consented for Safer Places to work and share information with are contacted
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That the information they provide is considered within any assessment
- That strong multidisciplinary working arrangements established with colleagues from those agencies.
2. Act as the Case-manager for the cohort of clients on the caseload and lead the support planning process working with the team supporting the client/ family which will include.
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Local refuge case holder who is responsible for the delivery of standard refuge support such as practical, emotional and safety and legal support around the domestic abuse they have experienced.
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Local Children and Young Peoples worker
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Other members of the specialist team
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Others able to contribute to the delivery of the support plan for the adult and any children. leveraging internal resources such as programs, legal advice, therapies and other activities and resources that can be delivered by third parties such as for example substance misuse support.
3. Ensure, the participation of all third-party agencies that should be involved in the case to safeguard a strong multidisciplinary working arrangement to support the family/individual.
4. Ensure that relationships are built with the adult and any children and work with the adult directly on a one-to-one basis by phone, in person or online
5. Apply a trauma informed approach to establishing and maintaining effective relationships with each client through an understanding of the prevalence and impact of trauma and the complex paths to healing and recovery.
6. Support the team and clients to assess their needs and aspirations, using a client centred, strengths-based approach in line with Safer Places values.
7. Ensure that in advance of weekly review meetings all practitioners and agencies that are working with the client have been invited to the meeting or to update the meeting.
8. Task and coordinate the work of the team for the following week and communicate to all involved including the senior practitioner or manager of the local case holder regarding the results of the review and actions for the next week.
9. Ensure clients are supported to make choices and access the services identified. This may involve advocating on behalf of your clients for their rights and needs to be met.
10. Ensure support is provided to clients and their children living in the accommodation in line with a structured plan that is driven by the risks posed to the client and the needs and preferences of the individual client, which is regularly reviewed with the client and line manager to ensure it reflects their current situation and priorities across the caseload, using mandated best practice tools.
11. Report on every case every week through a standard report to the Assistant Director and Director of operations identifying current issues and risks, progress made, next steps and the need for further support to enable the family to make progress against the goals the client has agreed within the plan such as escalation for more senior level advocacy with agencies, additional advocacy with agencies or commissioner involvement through the Director of operations to unlock barriers to progress e.g. .to ensure that a child is provided with a school place without delay, ensuring that a client does receive the mental health assessment required, or the debt management support required, in a timely manner and to ensure that all safeguarding responsibilities are being responded to by the relevant agencies without delay.
12. Ensure that the standard operating procedure for refuge services is followed at all times and that meticulous case-notes are maintained
13. Forge effective professional and close working relationships with colleagues within Safer Places and in third party agencies conducting yourself always in a professional manner.
14. Ensure accurate records are set up and maintained for all contacts and activities following appropriate legislation and policy.
15. Respond to crises, safeguarding issues, and complaints effectively.
16. Attend regular casework supervision session with your manager and team to discuss and reflect on client-related work.
17. Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding lead to ensure all measures are delivered in respect of clients and their children and that at all times you adhere strictly to Safer Places policies and procedures in respect of Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
18. To oversee staffing establishments to ensure they are consistent with the needs of service users and at safe and effective operational levels.
19. Responsible for the recruitment, selection and retention process for all staff and posts within the area
20. Responsible for annual employee appraisals, performance reviews and the professional development of staff.
21. To work flexibly within the shift pattern allocated by your line manager
General
1. The role holder will be expected to perform any other duties that may reasonably be asked of them.
2. To participate fully in the 24 / 7 onsite rota.
3. To act in a professional manner at all times, communicating effectively with colleagues and partners, building and sustaining effective and appropriate relationships at all times with clients, colleagues and partners and complying with Safer Places policies and procedures.
4. The role holder will be able to work within the Safeguarding arena following organisation policies and procedures, be able to Recognise; Respond to; Report and Record Safeguarding issues and understand and make quality Safeguarding Referrals.
5. Comply with data protection legislation, information sharing policy and procedures and all legislation connected to your work. Act in a manner which preserves the confidentiality of all stakeholders.
6. Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services works in, and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all.
7. Remain up-to-date and compliant with all organisational procedures policies and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice.
Experience:
- Managing complex casework including risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, particularly with clients with multiple needs / disadvantages - Essential
- Working within a multi-agency and legislative framework - Essential
- Working with clients who have Mental Health - Essential
Skills and Knowledge:
- Have a good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children
- Be able to form good working relationships with clients whilst working within professional boundaries
- Understand Safeguarding and child protection issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues
- Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
- Have computer literacy skills and have some experience of working with databases
- Have excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals
- Have strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations
Qualifications
- Hold a clinical qualification or demonstrate equivalent experience in the mental health field.
- Safeguarding Adults Level 2 and / or Safeguarding Children Level 2 or demonstrable equivalent experience and the ability and commitment to achieve qualification within 6 months of appointment
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Car driver with access to vehicle - Essential
- Subject to Enhanced DBS Check - Essential
- Ability to work outside the normal office hours working flexibly within the shift pattern allocated by the line manager - Essential
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- 28 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays. Pro-rata for part-time employees
- Pension Scheme
- Occupational sick pay (on completion of probation)
- Access to Bupa Healthy Minds Support Service
Upon receiving an offer:
- All staff must complete a DBS disclosure due to the nature of our services. You will also be required to bring proof of ID.
- We are legally bound to check the eligibility of all candidates to work in the U.K.
- As you will be driving in the course of your duties we are also bound by law to make sure your vehicle is safe and road worthy. We must see your driving licence.
- We will require two satisfactory references, one of which should be from your most recent/current employer.
This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are seeking a dynamic and proactive individual to join our Digital & QA team as a Digital Project Manager. This role will primarily be responsible for project managing the development of Ygam’s new website from concept to handover in addition to some of Ygam’s other planned digital projects.
The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of successfully managing digital projects, from initial briefing to final implementation and review, with a thorough understanding of agile methodologies, values and procedures. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you'll be engaging with internal and external stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. You should be accurate, organised and able to manage multiple projects concurrently. While you should be capable of working independently, you should also excel in a team environment, fostering collaboration and driving towards shared goals.
Duties will include but not be limited to:
- Lead the process to procure external developers for the online portal and manage the relationship with the appointed developer.
- Maintain the project plan, monitoring progress and ensuring milestones are met.
- Manage relationship with appointed developer.
- Engage and consult with internal and external stakeholders, enabling scoping exercises to capture all required functionality and specifications, and developing risk logs, to ensure the website meets user requirements.
- Anticipate potential issues and dependencies, highlight project risks and develop proactive mitigation plans.
- Manage web development budget.
- Operate within agreed timescales.
- Be collaborative, efficient, analytical with great diligence, ensuring consistent improvement in the quality of our outputs.
- Additional digital projects as identified in line with Ygam Strategy including Safer Gambling training development, working with internal and external stakeholders.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Ygam is seeking a proactive, adaptable, creative, resilient individual, who has the ability to work remotely, autonomously and as part of a team. They must have outstanding communication skills, be highly organised, and an excellent team player.
The post holder will be an active member of our programmes team and will work across our portfolio of programmes, particularly focusing on our Parental Engagement Programme.
They will be responsible for regional stakeholder engagement, developing relationships and promoting Ygam training across the UK. They will recruit suitable delegates to workshops, working closely with a range of organisations and families.
They will provide training both face to face and online and will be responsible for the delivery of our assured workshops and promoting the work of Ygam at conferences and events.
They will be able to demonstrate the impact of this work by working with organisations to collate case studies and evidence to support the programmes achievements.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.