JOB DESCRIPTION. Permanence Service in Southwark and in Camden

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION POST TITLE: DIRECTORATE: GRADE: LOCATION: Lifelong Links Co-ordinator Children and Adult Services Grade 10 ( 34,725 to 41,304 pa) Shared role between Southwark and Camden Children s Services RESPONSIBLE TO: Permanence Service in Southwark and in Camden PURPOSE OF THE JOB Job Profile This exciting and unique role is working in two London Local Authorities, Southwark and Camden who are the only two London authorities taking part in a 3 year independently evaluated trial of Lifelong Links, funded by the Department for Education Innovation Programme, initially in seven localities in England. The role will be to undertake Lifelong Links work with children in Southwark and Camden as well as promoting the approach within both authorities and allocating some cases to FGC co-ordinators who have undertaken training in Lifelong Links. The aim of Lifelong Links is to create a lasting support network for children and young people in the care system for whom there is no plan for them to live within their family or be adopted. The Lifelong Links approach draws upon a combination of a family finding model, which originated in the United States and the family group conference model, which originated in New Zealand. The aim is to identify and engage relatives and other supportive adults, who are estranged from, or not yet known to, a child who is in the care system, especially those who are willing to make a lasting commitment to him/her. The premise of the approach is valuing continuity and permanence of relationships (be it with relatives or others connected to the child e.g. former foster carers or teachers) that offer ongoing support, provide an explanation of historical events and reinforce identity and a sense of belonging for the young person. The Lifelong Links model includes tools and techniques for professionals to use to search for and find family members and other adults who care about the child. This network is then brought together in a family group conference (FGC) to make a life-long support plan with, and for, the young person, which should be integrated into their care and pathway plans. 1

2 The trial will be aimed at children and young people aged under 16 years who have entered care within the last three years. You will be based in our offices in Camden, located near Camden Town for half of the week and in the offices in Peckham in Southwark for the other half of the week. The candidate appointed to this role would be required to undertake two days of training on the Lifelong Links Model with the Family Rights Group on the 15 th and 16 th September Closing Date for applications: 18 th August 2017 Shortlisting Date: 23 rd August 2017 Interview Date: 30 th August 2017 Job Description Key Responsibilities Undertaking Lifelong Links FGCs and process with children and their families and extended networks. Sitting on and contributing to the Camden and Southwark s Lifelong Links implementation and practice development groups. Promoting Lifelong Links including running awareness-raising sessions to a range of stakeholders and audiences across Camden and Southwark. Working with FRG and their Lifelong Links development officers to ensure model fidelity. Producing monthly and quarterly reports on the work of Lifelong Links in both authorities. Ensuring that children and young people in care, parents, foster carers, social workers and other key stakeholders are engaged in developing and promoting Lifelong Links in Southwark and Camden and supporting the setting up or sustainability of service user forums. Contribute to project-related publications (including guides, training packs and books). Participate in the Lifelong Links UK wide Practice Development Group. 2

3 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 1. To be available to Children s Services teams in Camden and Southwark to advise on referrals for Lifelong Links. 2. To undertake FGCs and direct Lifelong Links work for some cases in Camden and Southwark. 3. To undertake direct work with children and their families and networks as part of Lifelong Links work. 4. To develop a network of FGC co-ordinators trained in Lifelong links work across Southwark and Camden who can undertake Lifelong Links work with children and their families and networks. 5. To help the Local Authorities to develop expertise and knowledge in locating and undertaking family research and tracing of children s extended networks. 6. Ensure that all Lifelong Links work maintains fidelity to the model. 7. To undertake such other duties of a similar level. 8. Organize complex information and that supports performance reports. 9. Operate within the Camden Council and Southwark Council corporate policies and priorities. 10. Participate in the induction of new staff in promoting the Lifelong Links pilot in Camden and Southwark. 11. Maintain own professional development through appropriate training and research opportunities and in conjunction with line manager and represent the service at multi agency meetings when required. 12. Ensure that examples of good practice and development opportunities are shared throughout the workforce and with the Family Rights Group to contribute to the development of Lifelong Links across the trial sites. 13. Undertake the role flexibly across different parts the service as dictated by service. 3

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION POST TITLE: Lifelong Links Co-ordinator DEPARTMENT: Children s and Adults Service SERVICE: Children s Social Care GRADE: Grade 10 RESPONSIBLE TO: The Permanence Service in Southwark and Camden Knowledge 1. Broad Knowledge and understanding of statutory frameworks and guidance for children s social work including understanding Policy and the Legal Framework. 2. Have experience and training as an FGC Co-coordinator and or be a qualified as a social worker with post qualifying experience. 3. Must be able to provide evidence of continuing professional development 4. Knowledge of a range of IT tools and systems and their use in data collection, analysis and data presentation 5. Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of key children s agencies 6. You will be able to demonstrate and apply a knowledge and understanding of the way in which discrimination impacts on families, including minority ethnic families, asylum seeking families and disabled parents. Experience 7. Have experience of facilitating Family Group Conferences. 8. Experience of direct work with Children and their families. 9. Experience of being able to deliver training and information across Children s Services and with key stakeholders. 4

5 10. Experience of being able to deliver training and information across Children s Services and with key stakeholders. 11. Experience of maintaining monitoring systems used to evaluate the success of service provision. Skills 12. Able to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing, to both professional and non-professional audiences. 13. Able to work with and promote the interests of children, young people and families. 14. Highly motivated and able to work independently with skills in managing a busy case load with conflicting priorities within a project timetable. 15. Established IT skills and a willingness to develop new skills as required in this specialist role. Special Conditions of recruitment A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level is required. 5

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