Connecting Families Specialist Keyworker

Fixed Term to cover maternity leave for 6 months, Full Time 37 hours per week working Monday -Friday 8.30am until 5.00pm Mon -Thurs with a 4.30pm finish on a Friday.

We are looking to recruit to a Connecting Families Keyworker role.

Connecting Families keyworkers help to sustain children within their own families or connected relationships, as we know the outcomes for children are better than entering the care system. The Keyworker would undertake direct work with the child, their family and networks, whilst working alongside the child’s allocated social worker. As part of the role, you will be facilitating Family Network Meetings to support children to remain with their wider family.

You will undertake relational work using tools such as systemic practice, mediation, and Non-Violent Resistance parenting strategies to help families find solutions of their own and understand dynamics, trauma’s and resilience within their own networks.

The team consists of 8 FTE Keyworkers and a manager, and they are overseen by the deputy service managers and service manager. It is an established team with close connections to other parts of the service. The primary work space is City Hall where the team meet for team meetings however much time is spent in the neighbourhoods undertaking direct work with families, attending meetings and organising family network meetings.

You will need to provide clear and reflective recording of the work undertaken, be able to work well alongside children, family members and other professionals. You will need good organisation skills, to be a competent communicator who can think creatively, and have curiosity to ask the right questions.  

As a member of the team, you will benefit from monthly 1:1 supervision and monthly reflective group supervision. We also work alongside the systemic practice team offering a reflecting team approach for families.

Connecting Families is part of First Assessment Service (FAS), which also covers the Front Door to Children’s Services and Harm Outside of the Home.

First Assessment is a diverse service with a strong culture of inclusion, diversity and respect, and we welcome anyone that shares these values.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Interviews will take place on Friday 21^st August.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Ben Harrington – ben.harrington@bristol.gov.uk

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. 

The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.