Job title: Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach worker
Salary: C1 £26,421.00 - £28,770.00
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Fixed term contract 12 months
Location: Technorth
We are excited to be recruiting to the new post of Family Outreach Worker who will support our Czech Slovak community.
The successful candidate will be a part of the Gypsy Roma Traveller team and based within the Children’s Social Work Service. With their ability to speak Czech Slovak, you will support families in a timely manner to reduce the risk of children becoming looked after.
The National picture tells us that children of Roma heritage are statistically more likely to experience barriers to accessing services and require social care involvement. Children who are on the ‘edge of care’ are defined as children who are at imminent or immediate risk of becoming looked after.
By working with families at the earliest point possible, we hope that the Family Outreach Worker will build relationships within the Roma community to reduce the number of children needing care services.
The successful candidate will speak Czech/ Slovak and work in partnership with the allocated social worker. You will be responsible for providing intensive support to families with the aim of reducing professional concerns and ensuring families are accessing the right support at the right time. You will ensure families are able to understand any concerns by sharing information and supporting positive change for the safe care of children. The overall aim is by promoting better relationships and open communication and using high support high challenge approaches, children will be supported to remain within their own homes and community.
As a Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach worker you’ll thrive on supporting a community who are statistically more likely to experience barriers accessing services and there are additional needs for children including safeguarding concerns. You will promote the strength of the family, and wish that all children and families stay safe, healthy and reach their full potential. This also means that should difficulties arise, you will involve families in the decision making to agree how problems are overcome and solutions are found.
We are excited to be recruiting to the new post of Family Outreach Worker who will support our Czech/ Slovak children and families who are on the ‘edge of care’. This is defined as children who are at imminent or immediate risk of becoming looked after.
This role involves holding a small caseload and regular communication with an allocated social worker to enable the provision of intensive support to families. This could include a range of parenting support activities, helping families to recognise and understand professional concerns and helping to remove the barriers to working with other key professionals.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our and ambitions.
About you
As a Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach worker you will bring to the role:
1. The ability to speak Czech Slovak
2. A good understanding of the challenges faced by the Roma community
3. A good understanding of cultural sensitivity
4. Ability to work restoratively applying our High Support High Challenge thinking
5. Flexible approach to provide parenting support in challenging circumstances
About the role
This is a challenging but highly rewarding role, based in a small but effective team. Our cases are varied and enable our workers to demonstrate a range of skills and approaches to meet the demands of supporting a community facing ongoing issues around poverty, school attendance, health concerns and parenting. The role is effective because we are responsive to our aims in Leeds to provide safe homes for children and reduce families facing poverty.
As our next Family Outreach Worker You can expect to receive regular peer and management support; you will have access to continued professional development and will be joining an established and well respected service.
The role is integral to our Gypsy Roma Traveller team
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
6. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
7. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
8. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
9. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
10. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form and upload CV
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy .
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job Purpose
11. To supervise and lead the development of family outreach city wide within the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities.
12. To lead on the development of positive respectful and responsive relationships with parent’s carers, and partners to enable children to have the best start in life. To work in an outreach capacity, engaging with the Gypsy Roma Traveller community providing advocacy, information, one to one session, group work and support to identify need within the Gypsy Roma Traveller community. To signpost and contribute towards the delivery of services.
13. Initiate and lead on multi agency work around the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities.
Responsibilities:
14. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
15. To participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
16. To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
17. To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
18. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
19. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
20. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
21. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
22. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
23. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
24. To lead and supervise staff in the delivery of family outreach services to Gypsy Roma Traveller families, working in partnership with agencies to deliver the core offer to children and families.
25. To engage with parents/carers of children of the Gypsy Roma Traveller community’s city wide in a respectful and responsive way.
26. To encourage their engagement in Childcare/Early Education/ group activities.
27. To work as part of a multi-agency team to promote cohesive services for families.
28. To disseminate and promote advocacy, information and advice to parents/carers within the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities within the Leeds Boundaries.
29. To work in venues within the city and roadside camps to promote the opportunities for Gypsy Roma Traveller children and families.
30. To lead on the consultation and evaluation of service delivery and ensure that support is given to families within agreed timescales.
31. To work alongside families with a range of focused services that will support parents with Children. To encourage participation and discussion
32. To deliver services within the home, trailer or roadside and roadside camps that meet the needs of the individual child/children and families.
33. To deliver workshops and speak at conferences to add value to the work with Gypsy Roma Traveller children and families.
34. To disseminate good practice in community-based childcare and support students or visitors from a range of agencies.
35. To promote the development of children and parents learning through play, communication, language, and literacy
36. To lead on Safeguarding and promotion of the wellbeing of children whilst providing professional support to parents and workers from other agencies. In line with LAC and Safeguarding Children’s partnership Procedures
37. To advocate on behalf of parents/carers to support their access to health and benefit advice
38. To manage the delivery of Early Help and ensure that this is embedded in their everyday practice.
39. To be a reflective observant practitioner who seeks to improve and extend their and others knowledge taking an active interest in new developments in family support, by attending staff meetings, parents’ meetings, and training opportunities
Qualifications
40. Relevant Qualifications or experience include
41. NVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Health, Education, Social Care or Adult Learning Support
42. CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education
43. BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies
44. Certificate in Education
45. DIP HE in Youth and Community Work
46. Social work qualification
47. Health qualification
48. Foundation Degree in family Support
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate
Skills Required
49. Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
50. Able to communicate effectively with children, parents/ carers and partners working in partnership at all times.
51. Able to listen to Gypsy Roma Traveller children’s and parent's views, value their experience and empathise to build on their strengths.
52. To disseminate information and offer advice and advocacy
53. Able to understand and respond to the range of factors that create stress for Gypsy Roma Traveller children and families through consultation.
54. A commitment to being a good role model to Gypsy Roma Traveller children and families and other staff members.
55. Ability to effectively lead and manage own workload. Influencing and persuading other multi agency and professionals to consider alternative views about Gypsy Roma Traveller families and negotiate to reach agreed ways forward.
56. Ability to motivates families through change and challenging ways of working to meet agreed goals.
57. A commitment to working in partnership with Gypsy Roma Traveller parents/ carers and partners to negotiate agreed outcomes.
58. A commitment to early intervention as a means of making a positive difference to the lives of young Gypsy Roma Traveller children through observation and assessment of need.
59. Ability to provide a stimulating environment for Gypsy Roma Traveller children and families in various settings and throughout the process of transitions.
60. Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team, alone, within own service sector and other agencies where necessary.
61. Ability to prepare and present written reports as and when required, and contribute to written text for books and journals
62. Ability to take responsibility for the quality of work acknowledging mistakes find solutions and learning from the experience.
63. Able to supervise students and provide training opportunities for Gypsy Roma Traveller parents.
64. Ability to develop a sensitive approach to the care of families in a multi-cultural environment and to work in an anti-oppressive manner within the service.
65. Relevant IT skills.
Knowledge Required
66. Knowledge and understanding of those issues which create pressures for families, especially in relation to the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities
67. A working knowledge of current legislation.
68. A knowledge of wider context of services and benefits available to children and families
Experience Required
69. Experience, paid or unpaid working with children and families in a community setting
70. Experience of working in a culturally diverse environment with parents from minority ethnic communities and vulnerable groups
71. Experience of working in partnerships with other agencies
72. Experience of working in close partnerships with parents and carers
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
73. Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
74. Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
75. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
76. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
77. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
78. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
79. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
80. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
81. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
82. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
83. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate
84. Experience in managing staff and students
85. Experience of speaking to large audiences
86. Experience of working with Gypsy Roma Traveller Communities
87. Experience in leading staff training
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