Professional Development year

- Family Services -

 £12.00 - £16.00 per hour (pay rates will rise after one years service)
Contribution to relocation costs, specialist mentor and comprehensive training programme, and UP TO 6 WEEKS ANNUAL LEAVE.

We are seeking to provide an excellent opportunity for career development for psychology and social care graduates who would like to gain experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team for a nationally respected expert witness service. You will provide support to some of the most vulnerable families in the UK whilst receiving comprehensive training and supervision that will significantly assist any subsequent application for professional social work or psychology training.

We are looking to recruit a number of full-time staff who will work on shift in a Family Support role, gaining frontline experience supporting and assessing families with a range of complex difficulties. Alongside frontline work, you will receive tailored support in line with your career interest, including an extensive training programme delivered by our experienced team of Clinical Psychologists, Consultant Social Workers, and Parent Intervention Workers.

This year will provide invaluable opportunities for graduates intending to apply for a clinical psychology postgraduate course or a professional degree in social work. By the end of the twelve months, post-holders will be an attractive and skilled applicant for other courses or roles, however they will also be able to remain in post as a Family Support Worker at Orchard House, which is a rewarding and varied role in itself.

The role

The primary role of the Family Support Worker is to safeguard, care for and support young children and their parents during a period of residential assessment (please see attached job description for full details).

Family Support Workers work on a shift basis to provide around the clock and intensive monitoring and support, tailored to each family’s specific needs. Observations are carefully recorded from both direct work with families and live CCTV monitoring.

Family Support Workers provide parents with important feedback in a sensitive manner. Whilst thinking about each parent’s individual needs, they use encouragement, teaching, modelling, and support skills to help the parents meet the child’s physical and emotional needs and complete other parenting tasks.

After undertaking a thorough two-week induction programme you will be expected to work on shift, fulfilling the role of Family Support Worker, whilst receiving at least monthly training opportunities, alongside regular supervision and time with a mentor of your chosen specialism.

The role is based in Taunton, the county town of Somerset. Taunton has good transport links, with Exeter and Bristol both within an hour by car or train, and direct trains to London within two-hours. Taunton is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is close to a range of national parks and beaches in both Somerset and Devon.

How to apply

For further information or an informal chat contact us here or phone Jon Parish, Registered Manager, on 01823 351 785.

To apply, please see the application pack, safeguarding policy and complete an application form.

Please note we require a full application to be completed, even if you have sent us a CV and a covering letter.

Key dates

• Closing date for applicants: Thursday 16th of May 2024 - 09:00

• Applicants informed: Thursday 16th of May 2024 - 17:00

• Interviews: Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st of May 2024

Orchard House is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and their families. These posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check.