Job Introduction
Bradford Children and Families Trust are looking for experience, innovative and highly motivated Early Help Coordinators to encourage and support partner agencies to take up the Lead Practitioner role and widen the offer of Early Help support for our Children and Young People in Bradford.
You will embrace a restorative culture of continuous learning and reflective practice that enables you to give the best in your role and help embed good practice and understanding of Early Help with our partners across the district
About the Role
- Support the implementation and embedding of Bradford’s Children and Family Trust Early Help and Prevention Strategy, through improving partners’ understanding of and confidence in Working Together 2018’ and Bradford’s Continuum of Need and Risk Identification Tool.
- Provide regular advice and consultation to schools and other partners in relation to their Lead Practitioner role and management of Team Around the Child, responding to their concerns about the welfare of children with reference to the Continuum of Need and Risk Identification tool.
- Contribute to reducing demand for specialist children’s services through improving the quality and effectiveness of early help work undertaken by partners.
- Provide point of reference for both Early Help Gateway and Locality Hubs in their work with partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Proactively engage with schools and other agencies in the Family Hub in order to plan a package of support for their staff undertaking Lead Practitioner role with children and families.
- Provide regular consultation, information advice and guidance for the Designated Safeguarding Lead and other senior school based staff in relation to pupils of concern.
- Provide coaching, role modelling and co-working as required up to and including chairing Team Around the Child/Family (TAF) meetings at key points to ensure that assessments and plans are accurate, SMART and meets the needs of the whole family.
- Support schools and other agencies to design, deliver and access workforce development for their staff, building confidence and skills to undertake Lead Practitioner role.
- Embed early help assessments and other agreed methodologies across all agencies in Bradford.
- Contribute to the development of support, guidance and practical tools to support practitioners to develop effective practice by adopting the assertive, persistent, time bound and challenging style of casework required when delivering Early Help.
- Contribute to the development of local partnership working though networking with local and district wide agencies that support vulnerable families.
- Contribute to strategic planning by providing, analysing and responding to management information about take up of consultation and outcomes for children.
- Quality assure multi-agency Early Help activity and challenge other professionals and agencies where necessary.
About You
- Proven experience of undertaking Lead Practitioner/Professional role for vulnerable children and their families using a whole family approach and leading a Team around the Family
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Prevention and Early help theory and practice and thorough knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and policy, and guidance in relation to delivery of early help through family support interventions.
- A sound understanding of the Continuum of Need and Response its associated identification or risk tool
- Experience of providing high quality advice and guidance to practitioners and managers to enable them to deliver safe and effective Early Help and manage risk appropriately
- Experience of quality assurance and audit processes.
- Experience of action planning and leading improvements to improve outcomes for children.
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 31 days rising to 34 with service (plus bank holidays)
- Excellent local Government pension
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts, including cost of living support
- Professional development/support and opportunities career progression
Next Steps
For further information regarding these posts please contact Sarah Goddard on sarah.goddard@bradfordcft.org.uk or 07866 151047
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
