FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER APPLICATION PACK

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1 FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER APPLICATION PACK Charity Number SC hours per week, starting in August 2018 Home-based in the Newcastle area Permanent (depending on funding) Eczema Outreach Support is a charity supporting families struggling with the day-to-day challenges of having a child with eczema. The condition is often underestimated and misunderstood. In reality, eczema can have a huge impact on many aspects of life. Set up in Scotland in 2011 by the mother of a child with eczema, our unique support service has evolved hugely and we are now ready to roll out our core support service across the UK. The role focuses on helping families break down the practical and emotional barriers created by eczema. Full training and induction will be provided. We expect most families outside Scotland to come from England, though the service will also be open to Wales and Northern Ireland. You will initially provide 1-1 family support remotely, i.e. by phone, s and social media. Over time, some cases may require a home visit, so access to a car is essential. You will work closely with our team in Scotland, who will actively contribute to our new families support by delivering complementary services, such as sending welcome packs and delivering our children s projects. EOS is a fast-paced charity and we are constantly improving our service for the benefit of the families we support. If you like working in an organisation that grabs opportunity and makes change happen then read on.

2 JOB DESCRIPTION Position Line Manager Terms Based at Term Family Support Worker Head of Services 14,008 p.a. for 21 hours per week (i.e. 23,347 FTE) Home-based in or around Newcastle This post is permanent and currently funded for a minimum of a year (start date can be negotiated). Continuation of employment will depend on funding. Role Description The role requires working with families in a proactive and positive way to help build their confidence and make the condition more manageable; the goal is to overcome its practical and emotional barriers. This role is an exciting stepping stone for our charity, which is expanding outside Scotland for the first time. We expect most new families to come from England though the membership will also be open to families in Wales and Northern Ireland. Enthusiasm for our cause and the charity s growth will be key to the success of this new post. You will initially provide 1-1 family support remotely, i.e. by phone, s and social media, depending on our families individual needs. Over time, some cases may require a home visit, so access to a car is essential. The amount of face to face work with families in the longer term will depend on the level of demand and our staff capacity (time and resources). Some specific cases will be discussed as a team or with a colleague in a flexible way to ensure you feel supported and empowered in your work with families. Additionally to receiving support, families will be invited to a family event in England as well as our closed Facebook Group, and children can participate in our High 5 Club and XY Club activities. You will contribute to these activities too, working closely with our team in Scotland. Key responsibilities To ensure families receive a positive welcome from EOS which may include a personalised welcome pack (helped by our Scotland team), baseline phone call and welcome . To develop a dedicated and empowering package of support to respond to the needs of the family, working with them remotely or face to face, depending on capacity. This may be as light touch as a phone conversation or it may mean supporting them at meetings with healthcare providers or education. To communicate with families in an empathetic and non-judgemental way. To use the EOS indicators to help establish the needs of the family and evaluate progress. To ensure families are aware of the wider benefits and services they can access as carers of children with moderate to severe eczema, including the range of EOS services offered to them e.g. events, peer-support, resources, children s club, Facebook group and e-news. To liaise with other agencies and statutory services for the benefit of a family. To contribute to the organising and running of some EOS events, specifically those outside Scotland. This will involve occasional weekend working and facilitating workshops for parents/carers or children. To take a turn monitoring the EOS closed Facebook Group and proactively identifying when families are in need of support. This will involve occasional weekend working. 2

3 Additional responsibilities To take on pieces of project work when opportunities arise e.g. developing new resources. To contribute ideas about the evolution of EOS and its services. To work closely with the rest of the team to provide a co-ordinated service ; this will require extensive use of communication tools such as s, phone and Skype as well as some travel to Scotland. PERSON SPECIFICATIONS Essential Knowledge and Qualities Pro-active can-do attitude with colleagues and families Confident and can use own initiative as part as a small team Empathetic, non-judgemental and caring nature A commitment to equal opportunity and inclusion, knowledge of the needs of people from diverse backgrounds Compassionate and non-judgmental Understanding of the organisation s aims and values and a commitment to these Knowledge of health, education and social statutory services Happy to spend a significant amount of time speaking to families and colleagues on the phone Team player Experience and skills Experience of work with families, children or young people Building new and positive relationships with individuals and agencies Excellent communication and IT skills Using evaluation tools and techniques Other Available to travel to Scotland from time to time Access and skills to communicate remotely (skype, s, etc.). Desirable Knowledge of the voluntary sector Understanding of the challenges created by chronic conditions, especially eczema Knowledge of child development and mental health issues in young people Working with people with disabilities or long-term conditions Working with carers Working in the voluntary sector Training in child protection and data protection Qualifications Relevant qualification 3

4 How to apply What you should send - There is no application form. Please provide: 1. A CV, explaining what your experience is. We are also interested in people s life experience when it is relevant to the post, such as hobbies and roles you do on a voluntary basis. 2. A covering letter explaining how you meet the person specifications and why you would like to work with us. 3. The names and contact details of 2 people who will give you a reference. They should know you in roles that are relevant for this type of post. We will not contact anyone for a reference until after the interview stage. Where to send applications The closing date for applications is Wednesday 13 June 2018, midnight. You can send them by (preferably) or by post: dorte@eos.org.uk Post: EOS, Bryerton House, 129 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EJ Interviews The formal interviews will be held in Newcastle city centre on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 June More information about EOS: For an informal conversation about the post, you can contact us by or by phone: dorte@eos.org.uk Phone: Our office is currently closed on Fridays. 4

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