Family Help Lead Practitioner

 About the role:

To support and promote the welfare of children, young people, and their families in the city by creating high quality assessments and plans, providing evidence-based help and support, and leading effective multi-agency working.

We have been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection. This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children's Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.

This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham so you must have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship.

About you:

• To act as the lead professional for children and their families in need of help and support.
• With guidance from the Practice Supervisor or Team Manager, lead on needs-led Family Assessments and create multi-agency Family Help plans for families receiving Targeted Early Help and/or under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. Work with families, taking a whole family approach to practice.
• With guidance from the Practice Supervisor or Team Manager, lead on the delivery of multi-agency targeted Early Help and/or Child in Need plans including providing evidence-based help and support to families
• Establish a ‘Team Around the Family’ (TAF), bringing in relevant agencies and individuals to ensure services are ‘joined up’ in their approach to supporting vulnerable children and families. Facilitate multi-agency Early Help and Child in Need meetings to implement and review Family Help plans.
•  Act as the Lead Practitioner for children with a range of help and support needs, ensuring appropriate escalation to the Practice Supervisor and/or Team Manager where necessary.
• Complete assessments and reports to recognised standards and deadlines. This involves gathering and analysing all available information, engaging with and observing children and families, identifying strengths and risks, and making judgments about what help and support is needed for the family to achieve positive outcomes.
  
• Build positive relationships with children and young people and promote their education, development, safety, health, and wellbeing. Build a relationship with the family and, wherever possible, remain their main point of contact for as long as they require support
• Contribute to meetings chaired by colleagues where required such as Strategy Meetings, Child Protection Conferences, Care Planning meetings and Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC).
• Ensure that children’s views, wishes and feelings are heard and inform their assessments and plans.
• Offer Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) to support families to find their own solutions.
• In line with Connections Count, use trauma-informed relationship-based skills and demonstrate purposeful engagement with children and families.
• Collect, analyse, and accurately record all relevant information using the social care IT system in accordance with statutory and organisational requirements and take appropriate actions to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
• Ensure all case recording is of a high standard and up to date.
• Develop multi-agency partnerships with key agencies to support children and families with identified needs to make positive changes.
• Adhere to legislation, policy and organisational procedures to ensure a timely response to the needs of children and their families.
• Create a sustainability plan with the family, so they can refer back to the challenges they have overcome, their strengths and next steps when moving on from Family Help.
• Be accountable for improving their practice and performance in line with professional development targets agreed in supervision and service practice standards.
• Attend and contribute to regular supervision, team meetings, appraisal reviews, training sessions and practice workshops as required.
• Promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion within the service.
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidance. Meet the requirements for Family Help set out in Working Together and the National Framework
• Work outside normal office hours when required.

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.