Title: Supervised Contact Worker

Reports to: Contact Co-ordinator

Rates: TBC

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To provide a consistent service to families, aiming to achieve high-quality contact between children and their families. This can take place in Contact Centres, Children and Family Centres, the local community, and occasionally in family homes.

MAIN PURPOSE

• Observe and supervise contact between children and family members or friends.

• Recognise harmful or abusive contact and take immediate steps to reduce or remove any harm or abuse.

• Record and report observations/interventions during contact sessions to support social workers and other professionals, improving the child/family experience.

• Appropriately set up and pack away the area used for contact.

• Build professional working relationships with families, professionals, and the team to ensure children, young people, and families receive a positive experience throughout the process.

• Seek feedback from children, young people, and families to improve their experience and shape the service’s operation.

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SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

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1. Facilitate and supervise contact at various venues to meet the needs of families, ensuring that the space and equipment meet the needs of the children.

2. Complete detailed reports from notes taken during contact supervision, providing evidence of attachment and general parenting ability suitable for submission in court proceedings.

3. Recognise any risks or harm and intervene appropriately to de-escalate the risks or bring in additional support as required to safeguard the children.

4. Ensure the child/young person’s safety and well-being are paramount. Take appropriate action to protect children’s safety, intervening where necessary, and terminating the contact if required.

5. Take responsibility for carrying out Health and Safety procedures as they apply to self, other staff, and service users.

6. Attend meetings such as conferences, LAC Reviews, or court proceedings as required.

7. Identify the parents' learning style to role model or assist them in providing quality contact, setting up routines, appropriate boundaries, and providing stimulation for their children. Monitor, assess, and evidence their ability to sustain any changes.

8. Participate in ‘set-up’ meetings to ensure parents and children are made aware of the need to be respectful to staff, etc.

9. Respect the confidentiality of information given in respect of each service user.

10. Actively contribute to the service achieving and maintaining National Accreditation for Child Contact Centres (NACCC) status by providing clients with the specified high standard of service required, noting and passing on any shortfalls or potential improvements.

11. Participate in training and supervision opportunities to ensure the development of your own practice.

12. Attend staff or team meetings as required.

13. Adhere to all policies and procedures agreed by the service.

14. Work flexibly as required by the needs of the service and carry out any other reasonable duties required for the post

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CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS

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1. Ensure strong customer/client focus with the needs of the child being paramount.

2. Maintain strong professional relationships with all customers, clients, and professionals at all times.

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MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

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1. Fully and positively engage with Parent-Help as required to develop and enhance personal and service performance.

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EQUALITIES & OTHER KEY ELEMENTS OF ROLE

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1. Implement Parent-Help’s equal opportunities policies and its statutory responsibility with regard to other individuals and service delivery.

2. Travel across London and beyond (occasionally), as required.

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REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

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Ability to

1. Communicate effectively with a wide range of people.

2. Anticipate, diffuse, and manage conflict.

3. Accurately and factually describe observations of contact, assess the quality of contact, and intervene if necessary.

4. Work in partnership with a range of agencies and organisations to promote the welfare of children and young people.

5. Work closely and non-judgementally with all individuals.

6. Maintain professional boundaries while ensuring equal opportunity and anti-discriminatory working, celebrating diversity.

7. Work alone or within a team, using initiative and adhering to policies and procedures.

8. Complete high-quality reports, record contacts, and efficiently utilize databases, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office.

Knowledge

1. Have an excellent understanding or a willingness to learn about the provision of supervised contact.

2. Understand the impact of family breakdown and related issues on children, parents, and carers.

3. Have a basic understanding of child development.

4. Possess knowledge or a willingness to acquire knowledge in safeguarding children and child protection, including understanding key risk factors outlined in the Children’s Act 1989 and its amendments (e.g., CA 2004).

5. Willing to comply with data protection, GDPR, freedom of information, and confidentiality standards in service delivery.

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Experience

1. Previous relevant experience of working with children and families in a caring profession in the statutory, private, or voluntary sector.

2. Working under pressure to imposed guidelines, procedures, and deadlines.

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Qualifications

1. A recognised qualification, such as NVQ Level 3 in Child Care or Health and Social Care, or equivalent.

2. GCSE (Level 2) Maths and English Grade C / Grade 4 or above.

3. Degree in Social Work, psychology or related Field

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Special Conditions

1. Able to work flexibly, responding to the needs of the service, including outside standard 9-5 hours and weekends.

2. Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service Check.

3. Commitment to Parent-Help’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

4. Current driving licence and own transport available for work, with Class 1 business insurance (desirable).