Locations available: OPFS Dundee Service
Hours: 35 hours per week, flexibly to meet the demands of the Service
Closing Date: Midnight 12 January 2025
Reports to: Regional Coordinator
The successful post-holder will be expected to operate in line with our values which are:
Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration and Compassion.
Overview
OPFS was founded in 1940 and since then we have been at the forefront of shaping policy and services in Scotland, that support single parents and their children. Today, there are over 144,000 single parent families in Scotland, 25% of all families. We involve parents, champion their voices and keep their needs at the heart of everything we do.
We want a society in which single parent families are treated equally and fairly. To help achieve this we provide a range of single parent tailored services. We do this through our advice channels, self-help pages on our website and our local community-based services. To create lasting change we involve single parents, experts by experience, to influence policies which challenge discrimination and judgmental attitudes, which will reduce child poverty and make services more accessible to all families.
The Family Support Worker role will contribute to the organisation’s vision of a Scotland in which single parents and their children are valued and treated equally and fairly by supporting and delivering the various components which contribute to the Dundee Service.
Purpose of Role
The Family Support Worker will provide direct interventions to single parents and their families including practical and emotional support in line with the OPFS Family Support Process. The role will include the development and delivery of groups and events for single parents and their families and will be responsible for promoting our work at networking opportunities and outreach activities.
Equal opportunities and family friendly employment
* OPFS aims to be an equal opportunity and family friendly employer and flexible working requests will be considered. OPFS has Investors In People silver status and Living Wage accreditation.
Key tasks, personal specifications and terms and conditions
Key Tasks
* Family Support: To develop and deliver a range of 1:1 and group work interventions for single parent families to improve resilience. Supporting single parents in developing parenting skills and supporting them to reduce isolation through developing supportive relationships with other single parents.
* Groupwork/Events: Develop, design and deliver a range of group work programmes including health and wellbeing and Peer Support programmes for single parents and their children and deliver a range of support and practical skills groups for parents and their families. Coordinate the delivery of a range of community events with a range of partners.
* Support Single Parents: Help single parents to develop their confidence, practical skills, self-esteem and to make informed and positive choices in their lives. Work with parents to identify wider support needs and refer to other support services as appropriate.
* Advice and Information: Promote the services available through One Parent Families Scotland by developing trusting relationships with single parents through the provision of interactive sessions, providing information, advice and support.
* Money Advice: Support OPFS Matters Service to offer crisis, income maximisation, in work calculations and access to debt support.
* Partnership Working: Developing and maintaining contacts with agencies and contribute to partnership working to create new opportunities for single parent families.
* Reporting, Targets and Outcomes: Ensure project outcomes and targets are met in-line with funding application and submit comprehensive reports to the Project Manager on all areas of work you are responsible for.
* Record Keeping & Evaluation: Maintain confidential information, complete all appropriate client paperwork as per our Family Support process. Record and document meetings and support provided to single parents. Evaluate and continuously improve service provision and complete monthly case studies within agreed timelines.
* Any other relevant duties as requested by the Regional Coordinator.
Personal specifications
Please ensure you identify how you meet these within your personal statement.
* Qualified to HNC level or equivalent relevant experience.
* Experience of developing effective partnerships and multi agency working.
* Experience of working with single parent families in group work settings.
* Experience of organising and delivering a wide range of training programmes including Parenting and Peer Support.
* A clean driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Practical Skills
* Ability to plan, record and evaluate through recording and written reports.
* Strong organisational skills.
* Ability to work as part of a team and as an individual.
* Knowledge of issues affecting single parents in Scotland.
* Commitment to professional development.
Personal Qualities & Attributes
* Flexible to meet the needs of the service.
* To be approachable, friendly, and a good communicator.
* The ability to prioritise workload and work independently when required.
* To accept and respond to the varying needs of families in a non-judgemental way.
* To ensure OPFS values are upheld.
Terms & conditions
* Confirmation of Appointment: This is a 12 month fixed term contract. Funding is currently confirmed to January 2026, however further funding requests are being submitted. Confirmation of appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 3-month probationary period.
* Hours of work: Hours of work will be 35 hours per week, worked flexibly to meet the demands of the job.
* Holidays: Annual leave entitlement is 25 days and 12 Public holidays. (pro rata) An additional 5 days, 35 hours, pro rata for part time, is added after 5 years’ service. (pro rata)
* Pension: You will be auto enrolled in our pension scheme with a 3% contribution from you and 7% from OPFS.
* Training and support and supervision: You will receive induction training and frequent support in the first three months. Thereafter you will receive monthly individual support and supervision and annual appraisals. Regular team meetings will be held and staff have access to internal and external training.
* Equal Opportunities and Family Friendly Employment: OPFS aims to be an equal opportunity and family friendly employer. OPFS has Investors In People silver status.
Recruitment Timetable
Please contact info@opfs.org.uk or 0131 556 3899 if you require a paper application form and ensure that you allow plenty of time for posting. Completed paper applications should be sent to Recruitment, One Parent Families Scotland, 2 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EP.
Completed Word applications should be sent to jobs@opfs.org.uk by the closing date - Midnight 12 January 2025. Interviews to be held week commencing 20 January 2025.
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