APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITION:

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT WORKER

Contract Type: Permanent, 12 month Contract initially

Location: Bray Family Resource Development Project with possibility of hybrid working available

Contract Hours: Full and Part-Time Hours

Salary Scale: €38,107 – €50,953 pro rata per annum

About Us:

The Children’s Well Being Hub is a collaborative initiative between three community-based projects, the Bray Family Resource and Development Project, The Marian Centre and Bray Traveller Community Development Group, where we work to provide holistic, family-centered services

The Wellbeing Hub will target vulnerable, at risk, and disadvantaged children and families and aims to provide responsive, prevention-focused and client-lead support that will develop a framework for addressing Mental Health service gaps within the community. By being located at community level, and embedded in community structures, the project aims to reach those children and families that otherwise do not engage with or come to the attention of mainstream supports with the ultimate aim of enabling children to achieve their full potential.

Role Overview:

The Family Engagement Worker will work alongside the CWH Steering Group, Play Therapist, the research team, and the acting supervisor. The Family Engagement Worker plays a key role in supporting children aged 3-12 and their families, particularly those facing challenges. This position plays a critical role in facilitating access to resources, building trust with families, and supporting the children’s overall development through a family-centered approach. The Family Engagement Worker will contribute to a collaborative, family-centered approach, ensuring that children’s emotional, social, and developmental needs are met. The successful candidate will also be responsible for linking families and children with local services and organisations where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities (Subject But Not Limited To):

• Family Engagement and Advocacy: Work collaboratively with families to identify their specific needs, helping them navigate available services and resources, advocating for their needs within local and community systems. Implement and support parents’ participation in a range of parental engagement initiatives including evidence based and evidence informed programmes.
• Collaboration with the Play Therapist: Work closely with the Play Therapist to ensure integrated support. Together, you will monitor and evaluate each family’s progress, discuss outcomes, and develop necessary pathways for the family’s well-being.
• Case Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assess and evaluate the progress of families, ensuring that interventions are effective and adapt the support plan as needed. Provide regular updates to the multidisciplinary team and report on outcomes.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work alongside key staff within the three organisations to ensure a seamless delivery of services. Collaborate with other community organisations and professionals to ensure families receive comprehensive care.
• Referral and Service Coordination: Identify the needs of families and refer them to appropriate external services, such as healthcare, educational support, or social services, ensuring that all relevant pathways are explored to enhance family support.
• Community Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with local community groups, schools, healthcare providers, and other relevant agencies. Facilitate families’ engagement with these groups, ensuring they are linked with services that meet their specific needs.
• Crisis Intervention: Provide timely and supportive intervention to families during periods of crisis, ensuring they have access to emergency resources and emotional support when necessary.
• Child Protection and Welfare: Ensure the safety and well-being of all children and families by adhering to safeguarding protocols, identifying any child protection concerns, and taking appropriate action.
• Professional Development and Supervision: Participate in regular supervision sessions, engage in reflective practice, and stay updated on best practices in family support and child welfare. Continue professional development in line with CORU registration requirements.
• Reporting and Documentation: Maintain accurate and detailed records of casework, interventions, and outcomes. Provide reports for internal and external reviews and ensure documentation complies with professional guidelines.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and liaise with community organisations, schools, and healthcare providers.
• Maintain accurate case notes, records, and provide reports when required.
• Work alongside the research team to assist with the pre- and post-evaluation of the project.
• Attend professional supervision and engage in reflective practice to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Stay informed on current practices related to child protection, welfare, and family support.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of 1-year post-qualification experience relevant to the role.
• Minimum of three years’ experience of working with children and families and contributing to the development of personal plans
• Understanding of the needs of and hands on experience of working with children with low-high levels of trauma and those who are vulnerable

Desirable Skills and Attributes:

• Knowledge and hands on experience of working with Traveller Families.
• Able to build and sustain valuable relationships with families and children so they feel engaged and supported in their day-to-day life.
• Experience of working with children with behaviors of concern
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Strong report writing skills and the ability to document assessments and interventions effectively
• A love of working with children and young people, particularly those who have experienced trauma.
• Possess a full, clean driving license.

The role requires flexibility in the delivery of the service between Monday to Friday.

Evening work may be required to accommodate the needs of the children and their families. Reference checks, Garda Vetting and police clearance is required for this role if successful in recruiting

Application Process:

Interested applicants should send their CV and Cover Letter by email to braycwh@gmail.com

Closing date: 9th December with interview to be on the week of the 16th December.

Informal enquiries can be made to the above email

A panel may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled. Bray CWH reserves the right to close the application process early should a sufficient number of applications be received.

Bray CWH is an equal opportunities employer.