Strengthening Families Practitioner - Corporate Parents

The Council of the Isles of Scilly want to grow our team with passionate and driven individuals and as such are looking to recruit a full time Strengthening families practitioner with a focus on the recruitment and support of host families for post 16 young people from the Isles of Scilly moving to the mainland for their education.

Strengthening families is at the heart of our team, and you will be supporting children, alongside the Post 16 transitions worker, to provide advice and support to host families in their care of young people who were staying with them during their education years.

The successful candidate will liaise with host families, education providers and families themselves to ensure the young people are able to achieve their potential and live happy, fulfilling and safe lives as they develop into adulthood. They will lead the work on corporate parenting for the council for all children from the Isles of Scilly including care experienced young people, wherever they are placed.

Responsibilities include:

• To recruit, assess and support host families offering advice and guidance where necessary to help them support young people staying with them.
•  To advise and report on any welfare concerns the young person is experiencing and ensure there they are given help and advice where needed.
•  To liaise with Cornwall Council and other local authorities over care experienced young people from the Isles of Scilly.
• Working with the Virtual Head Teacher to advise and report on any welfare educational or support needs of young people from Isles of Scilly when they're staying on the mainland and ensure they get the appropriate help they require by signposting to other appropriate services.
• Assess potential host families ability to provide a safe, caring and supportive environment where a young person can live whilst they develop independence into adulthood and achieve their educational objectives.
• Develop resources and services to help young people from the Isles of Scilly to prepare and develop into adulthood.

This is a role which requires someone to be child focussed and passionate about our approach to strengthening families and communities and determined to make a difference to our small community. Therefore, you must have:

• Relevant education to degree level or equivalent
• Experience of working with young people and their families in a relevant professional or voluntary capacity
• Good communication skills verbally and written skills
• Ability to travel in order to support young people 
• Proven team working skills and ability to work both autonomously when needed but also to be able to consult and seek appropriate guidance.
• IT literacy and experienced in use of social media for meet work objectives.

And ideally, would have:

• A level 5 qualification or equivalent experience in working with children and their families across various contexts.
• Knowledge of the SEND code of practice and the Children’s Act 2004 or be willing to learn quickly.
• Experience of working within children’s safeguarding and an understanding of what makes childhood inspiring.

There will be a member of the Strengthening Families service on the Isles of Scilly but due to the specific nature of the requirements, this role is based on the mainland. The post holder will work in a hybrid way partly from home but visiting young people host families, colleges and schools on the mainland and they will be required to travel to the Isles of Scilly for meetings approximately once a month and attend Corporate Parenting meetings with elected members, other professionals and parents on the islands. This will sometimes require overnight stays on St Mary’s

In children’s services we take seriously the privilege we have to work directly with children and their families therefore we respectfully require our team members to be able to write well, without jargon, and in the best interests of children. Our practice standards will help you to know what is required; however you must have a good level of literacy and a child focussed disposition.

About Us

The beautiful Isles of Scilly is set 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. With stunning beaches, huge, unpolluted, starry skies, endless outdoor activities and a friendly community you will experience a whole new way of life. Yet set within this beautiful world are some children and families who need help and support to get the most out of life’s opportunities. We are passionate about providing every child with the best start in life and this is your chance to make a difference. 

Benefits include:

• A generous holiday entitlement starting at 28 days pro rata per annum plus bank holidays.
• Eye care voucher scheme
• Cycle To Work scheme
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• Training and Development opportunities
• Family friendly leave, pay and working arrangements
• A free confidential and impartial counselling service

For further information please email laura.1.thompson@scilly.gov.uk

If you have a track record of success and want to join a creative and dedicated team  improving the life chances of young people then please visit - Jobs at the Council | Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY complete an application form and send to humanresources@scilly.gov.uk