Family Liaison Worker (Children) - part time 15 hrs p/w

This vacancy is being advertised on behalf of Promise Inclusion, Wokingham

Reporting to:      

The Family Liaison Team Leader and Chief Executive and accountable to the Board of Trustees

Purpose of job:        

To provide a direct service to carers of children with learning disabilities and/or those with an autism spectrum condition (ASC) and their families, who are members of Promise Inclusion or referred by Bracknell Forest Borough Council or by other agencies. This service will include:

• Providing relevant information
• Home visiting and support
• Providing support to carers and families in meetings
• Planning, organising and hosting events as required

Hours:                       

15 hours per week per post over 2-3 days (Monday-Friday)

Location:                  

Promise Inclusion office in Wokingham and other locations as required.

Salary:                      

£23,660 pro rata per annum (based on 35 hour working week).  This is under review.

Funding:                   

The post is currently funded for 2 years, but further funding will be sought

Main duties include:

• To communicate information on benefits and services to carers and families of children and young people with a learning disability and/or ASC by telephone, email or in person.
• To visit members/carers in their own homes and to build close relationships with those that need extra support. (Home visits can be via Zoom or Teams, if necessary or required).
• To provide emotional support to carers and families of children with a learning disability and/or autism.
• To provide support to carers and families in meetings as required.
• To maintain a library of information and knowledge to be able to give up-to-date information on topical and relevant issues.
• To assist in planning, organising and hosting events for carers as required including our monthly Carers’ Group and respite events for carers.
• To assist in planning, organising and running information workshops for carers.
• To monitor the outcomes for carers of the work carried out with them and collect feedback.
• To liaise and work with the Promise Inclusion Family Liaison Team.
• To liaise with Children’s Services and other services at Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Kennel Lane School and other schools.
• To provide reports on a regular basis to the Board of Trustees and other agencies as required.
• To attend other meetings as required.
• To develop and maintain good partnership working with key organisations and partners (Royal Mencap Society, statutory, voluntary and community groups) and the general public.
• To research/keep up-to-date with local and national issues/matters of relevance to clients (e.g. legislative, service provision changes, support available etc.), communicating this as necessary.
• To support all aspects of Promise Inclusion & Promise Inclusion’s policies on Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding.

Desirable Knowledge:

• Understanding of (and commitment to meeting) the needs of people with a learning disability and/or autism, their carers and families
• Understanding of Benefits and local services appropriate to people with a learning disability and/or autism and their carers and families
• Counselling skills

Skills Required:

• Empathy with client group
• Self-motivated, able to work on own initiative with the ability to plan and organise own workload
• Excellent communicator, both written and verbal
• Ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with people with learning disabilities and those with autism and their families and carers
• Good problem solving skills
• Good team player
• Confidentiality and flexibility
• Good IT knowledge with experience in presenting ideas and material by the use of technology
• Some knowledge of budgeting

Personal Qualities:

• Confident, with ability to be assertive when necessary
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to influence others
• Good listening skills

Other Work Requirements:

• Current driving licence and use of a car
• Willingness to work evenings/weekends as appropriate

This post is subject to references, an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring) check and a Right to Work check.