Title of Post: Fathers Worker
Reports to: Family Support Coordinator
Accountable to: Colin Sure Start Management Committee
Salary: £15.25 p/h
Location: Colin Sure Start offices, Stewartstown Road, Belfast
Hours: 24 hrs per week (working pattern will typically be a set 4 shifts per week, 3 days 9am - 3pm and one afternoon/evening 2pm - 8pm and will include occasional weekend work, but organisation would also consider a pattern over 3 days that included evening work on one shift)
SUMMARY OF ROLE
Sure Start is a government health programme that provides a range of support services for parents and children under the age of four, who live in disadvantaged areas across Northern Ireland. It aims to support parents from pregnancy and to give children the best start in life. Colin Sure Start covers the wards of Colin Glen, Derriaghy, Kilwee, Poleglass and Twinbrook in outer west Belfast.
The role of the Fathers Worker:
To offer parents and carers the support they need to give their children the best start in life so that they can enjoy, achieve, be safe, be healthy, achieve economic wellbeing and make a positive contribution. To encourage and increase the participation of fathers and male carers in Sure Start activities and programmes, develop services and groups that meet the needs of fathers and their children, and increase the overall numbers of fathers and male carers engaging in Colin Sure Start services. To work within the Colin Sure Start Family Team to ensure that all local children and families, including those who are most disadvantaged, are able to access the services they need. To work closely with the Senior Management Team to develop the targeted fathers and male carer services provided by Colin Sure Start. To aim to reduce the need for more intensive services for families by providing support to meet their needs as early and as effectively as possible, in line with Colin Sure Start's early intervention and prevention ethos. Work as a member of the Sure Start Family Team in partnership with parents and carers to identify and achieve outcomes for families that will reduce stress and increase parental confidence. To plan and implement a comprehensive range of parent and family programmes relevant to local needs in the Colin Sure Start area as and when required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Father Support and Programme Facilitation
To develop positive relationships with families and contribute to the ongoing assessment of the needs of children and families who have registered with Colin Sure Start, to support the development of care plans in conjunction with management to provide a tailored package of appropriate support. To contribute to the planning and delivery of home based and facilitated group support programmes for fathers and male carers and their families covering the Antenatal period up to a child's age 4 that seek to develop confidence, parenting ability, skills and understanding of a child's needs. To deliver direct programmes of support with children and families in their own home and in the community to improve outcomes for families, including vulnerable and priority groups as required by the Family Support Coordinator. To develop specific programmes of support and activities targeting fathers and male carers, encouraging their participation and engagement in Sure Start To work towards increasing the number of fathers and male carers who are registered and actively engaged in the programme, and to continue to promote and highlight the positive role that fathers and male carers can play in the early years. To support some of Colin Sure Starts groups and services supporting families and children with additional needs or who may require additional support due to developmental delay or disability. To support parents/carers in enhancing parenting skills and their understanding of children's development, including positive parenting, effective behaviour management strategies, routines, positive play and supporting parent and infant mental health. To review family care plans, targets and outcomes regularly with line management, in partnership with parent/carers, and other health professionals where deemed appropriate. To work collaboratively with Line Manager and the wider Sure Start team to ensure home based services are appropriate and relevant to the families' needs e.g. gaining advice or referring a family on to appropriate services both within the organisation and with other agencies or services. To provide advice, information and support to families to access services e.g. parenting programmes, workshops, and events within Sure Start, as well as signposting to other relevant services in the community. To enable and support parents/carers to access statutory and voluntary services and facilities. To inform and signpost local parents' self-development opportunities including training, local courses or classes, volunteering or employment.
Operational
To develop an understanding and knowledge of the local area, including local services/facilities and support systems for families and a working knowledge of the local community profile. To gain an understanding of informal and formal networks and other ways of reaching out to the local community, particularly those supporting fathers and male carers. To work in conjunction with the Colin Sure Start team to maintain an up-to-date understanding of the groups and services offered by Colin Sure Start which can be distributed locally to support families and meet their needs. To actively promote and maintain excellent working relationships, and work collaboratively with all staff, children, parents/carers and partner agencies to ensure fully integrated service delivery. To be accountable for all work, and contribute towards the monitoring and evaluation of services, using both hard copy forms and through the Sure Start Go database and any other monitoring software deemed relevant to accurately record attendance and impact of Colin Sure Start's services and activities. To contribute to the development of appropriate resources (e.g. leaflets, Newsletters, online content for social media or website). To assist with the planning, preparation and facilitation of Colin Sure Start programmes and groups, including events and summer activities in collaboration with the wider Sure Start team. To contribute towards the working practices within Colin Sure Start that increase the engagement of families. To be responsible for the timely and accurate completion and submission of data, both on hard copy format and online relating Sure Start Play and all relevant associated quality monitoring checks.
General
To write up reports and produce statistical evidence of work undertaken reflecting outcomes for children and families. Provide reports and information as required by the organisation, as well as for external bodies when requested to do so by management. Actively promote the work of Colin Sure Start through regular liaison and good communication with community, voluntary and statutory agencies. To proactively promote Sure Start's services ensuring maximum impact on the community. Ensure confidentiality of information relating to children and their families is maintained at all times; by using accurate recording systems, adhering to all data protection, records management and confidentiality policies and procedures of the organisation. Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, new policies and good practice. Comply with all Colin Sure Start policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols and codes of conduct. To be willing to provide support to other teams or services within Colin Sure Start when deemed necessary. Participate in supervision, appraisal and appropriate training where required. Be willing to work flexibly to suit the needs of the organisation and community. To undertake any other relevant duties as considered appropriate by the Sure Start Coordinator or Management Committee.
