Family Hubs Navigator – Children Services – Croydon Council
Salary: Grade 9 £39,264 - £40,833
Fixed Term or Secondment until March 2025 – 36 hours per week
Job Purpose
We are looking for an experienced professional that is able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience of working families and children in group-based settings.Offering support and guidance to individuals, families and partner agencies, acting as a ‘bridge’ between universal, early help and targeted services within the family hub locality. Work as part of a team to provide system wide early intervention support, using a whole family approach in supporting children and young people and their parents/carers. Act as named worker, providing intervention primarily through advice and support on a 1:1 and small group basis. To work using a whole family approach but with a particular focus on delivering the Start for Life and Best Start offer, engaging with parents and carers with children aged 0-5 years. To engage families with children with special educational needs, supporting them to access inclusive services. Hold an allocated small, short-term, outcome focused caseload of children, completing holistic assessments of need and attending meetings where necessary. Supporting families with registering for Family Hubs and removing barriers to registration. To work with families, who may be more isolated, those who are seldom heard and those at risk of poorer outcomes, to access services, acting as a key navigator in finding solutions to the barriers to access that may arise.
Essential Requirements
Understanding of national policy, strategy and developments regarding child development, assessment, parenting, parental conflict, early help, and early learning
Knowledge and understanding of systemic and strengths-based approaches.
Good professional verbal and written communications including report writing.
Knowledge of the Family Hubs Start for Life offer and focus on supporting families with children aged 0-5 years as well as a knowledge of services for older children up to 19 years (and up to 25 with SEND).
You will be a confident practitioner, with a broad understanding of child development.
You will be proficient in the analysis of risk and able to apply a ‘whole family approach’ to the identification and understanding of need.
Experience of working with children in group-based settings.
Knowledge of health, education and care systems for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Awareness and understanding of issues and risks relating to safeguarding for children and adults.
You will be able to identify needs independently and provide a light touch assessment to meet the needs of the family.
You will have knowledge and an understanding of systemic and strengths-based approaches and a comprehensive awareness of child protection and safeguarding thresholds.
Experience of successfully holding and managing a caseload.
Knowledge of child behaviour management approaches.
Understanding and commitment to diversity, inclusion and person-centred practice.
Benefits You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:
Highly competitive compensation package
29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more
A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%
Continuing Professional Development – genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career
Management development programmes
Investment into your wellbeing
Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more)
Closing date 15th September 2024 at 23:59pm
Click here to view the role profile