Young Carers Keyworker

You will be responsible for the effective delivery of statutory and strategic duties to minimise the impact on a child or young person who is in a caring role. You will work in partnership with parents / carers, young people and other professionals to support and strengthen families in caring for their own children and to build the resilience of young carers to manage their complex family circumstances.

Undertaking a holistic family approach, you will support Young Carers on your caseload by undertaking statutory assessments and transition assessments, and identifying direct work with children, young people, parents and carers to achieve positive change. You will also support other professionals to meet the needs of young carers via a duty and consultancy service by offering specialist analysis and guidance.

You will meet the ongoing needs of young carers for respite and connection via group work aimed at a range of different age groups. You will plan, co-lead and co-facilitate group work and group activities. You will raise awareness about young carers through structured training sessions with children and other professionals and by maintaining good links with local communities and services.

The post involves regular evening work to either lead group work or to facilitate a young carer engaging in group sessions. The post will require prolonged periods of listening to adults and children, who are often in distressing situations. You will be expected to travel independently throughout the county to locations that will require you to have a full driving licence and your own transport. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.

Grade: NJC 8

Salary: £28,371 to £31,099

Working pattern: Full – time

Contract type: Permanent

Locations: County wide Role, central office based in Worthing

• DBS check is a requirement of this post

You will require an ability to respond creatively, with a willingness and ability to work flexibly around the needs of the family and young carer, including working early, late, evenings and some weekends.

You will use your initiative to organise your workload and will need to frequently make decisions in response to unanticipated problems for young carers and their families, demonstrating a resourcefulness to deal with situations without ready access to more senior officers.

Key Skills:

Qualifications and/or experience:

• NVQ level 3 Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification, demonstrating that level of ability in working with children/young people and families, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Relevant organisational knowledge of systems, procedures and policies associated with operating a client focused service.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development and age-appropriate behaviour relevant to Young Carers.
• Understanding of current childcare legislation and policy. Knowledge of Safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Experience of working with children/young people and their families in a crisis situation in order to provide support to families with complex and chronic difficulties.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting the needs of children and young people within a family context.
• Significant experience of using a range of direct work interventions in working with children/young people and their families.
• Experience of facilitating engaging, structured group sessions and activities.
• Experience of leading and inspiring young people in a safe and inclusive setting.
• Experience of working in a multi-agency context, demonstrating an awareness of differing roles and responsibilities and effective methods of collaboration.
• Experience of working within a frame of confidentiality.

Key responsibilities:

Manage a caseload under regular supervision. Assess needs, risks and options, taking into account legal and other requirements. Work effectively in partnership with other staff and voluntary agencies to support people in stressful and difficult situations.

Undertake home visits and complete specialist and Statutory Young Carer assessments alongside other assessments and plans undertaken within Early Help or Social Care.

Undertake consultancy sessions with other professionals, providing specialist advice in relation to working with young carers and their families and providing documentation that provides an assessment of the young carer’s needs which can be incorporated within existing assessments and plans for the child. Act as a Lead Professional, co-ordinating and monitoring packages of support.

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:

• A competitive salary
• A generous pension scheme
• Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
• Flexible working
• A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers with the opportunity to save over £1,000 (Including: Argos, Samsung, Asos, B&Q and many more)
• Free access to employee assistance programmes
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
• A range of commuting and business travel discounts and initiatives

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.

The reference number for this role is CAFHE04379 .

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact David Brooks at david.brooks@westsussex.gov.uk for issues or queries regarding your application please contact hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk

To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and cover letter. In your cover letter outline your motivations for applying and explain how you meet the key skills listed in full and the experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.

For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme, this can be found on our application help page.