Family Support Worker – Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children – EAL09182 Full Time

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £16.91 – £18.93

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday – Friday, 09:00-17:00
Flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.
To start asap.

This vacancy is a permanent post:  Family Support Worker (Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children) in the Throughcare and Aftercare Team.

East Lothian Children’s Services has an exciting opportunity for a Family Support Worker to join the Throughcare and Aftercare Team. This post will provide support to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children arriving both spontaneously and through the National Transfer Scheme.

The team consists of a team leader, 2 senior practitioners, 4 social workers, 5 family support workers, 1 aftercare health practitioner and has dedicated administrative support. The Throughcare and Aftercare Team provides a range of support to previously looked after / looked after and accommodated young people in their transition to independent living across East Lothian. This includes asylum seeking children.

This post will specifically focus upon the work with unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC). These children arrive in the UK unaccompanied, often having fled war torn countries and made perilous journeys. They arrive both spontaneously and as part of the National Transfer Scheme. The successful candidate will work with these young people, co-ordinating plans and supporting them to feel safe and settled in East Lothian. This will include assisting in the development of services to meet the needs of these young people as part of the team around this group.

We are looking to recruit a Family Support Worker who ideally has experience in working with this group of young people, and understands the needs and complexities of this group. This may also include a working knowledge and experience of the relevant legislation, policies and procedures relevant to the children and families social work role. Experience of working with the asylum system would be advantageous.  

This is an exciting and developing area to work in, having a pivotal role case managing and ensuring that young people who are fleeing danger, can settle in East Lothian. You will receive regular support, supervision & training.   

Applicants should have a sound value base, excellent communication and report writing skills and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of children and families social work role and responsibilities. 

East Lothian Children’s Services are keen to recruit workers who are passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their families. We are committed to promoting an open and trusting culture at all levels of the organisation and prioritise continuous professional development and learning. Our staff are our greatest asset and we strive to be supportive, inclusive and child centred by prioritising effective supervision, manageable caseloads and a healthy work life balance. Our vision is to support children and young people to live and learn in East Lothian and our staff are involved in developing services and implementing improvement activity around this goal. We have an accessible, on site senior management team who are committed to recruiting the best people to compliment the wide range of knowledge and experience that exists throughout the service.

East Lothian Children’s Services are committed to supporting and implementing “The Promise”; to bring about transformational changes to the lives of children, young people and families in or on the edges of care. 

If you wish to discuss this job vacancy or working for Children’s Services in East Lothian Council, please feel free to contact the team leader on the details below:  Gerry Chapman: 01875 824 369

Job Details

To carry out direct case work and to provide support and assistance to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) towards whom the local authority has responsibility under the Throughcare and Aftercare legislation, under the supervision and direction of a Senior Practitioner/Team Leader.

To work as part of a team, contributing to a flexible, sensitive and integrated delivery of social work services to vulnerable young people in East Lothian.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under ‘Job Attachments’) for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every ‘essential’ criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
HNC in Social Care or equivalent to meet SSSC Registration requirements.

SSSC registration as a support worker in a housing support service is an essential requirement of this role. If you are appointed and are not already a member of the relevant section of the SSSC Register, you will be required to apply for registration as soon as possible and this must be achieved within six months of your start date.

Driving Licence
A full current driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential to manage the workload of this post*
(*Where a disability precludes you from obtaining a driving licence, ELC will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability).

PVG Membership
This post is considered as Regulated Work with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.

Please note: PVG member’s records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UKwebsite.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on [email protected]

Please note: We do not accept CV’s (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form.