Family Support Worker

Job title: Family Support Worker
Department: Grace Foundation – Grace Academy Darlaston
Reporting to: Ethos Leader
Location: Grace Academy Darlaston, Herberts Park Rd, Wednesbury, WS10 8QJ
Hours of work: 37.5 hrs per week, part time, all year round. Flexibility of working hours
may be required with advance notice.
Salary: £22,500 (Permanent contract with 3-month probation)
Benefits: 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays per annum, secure free parking, death in service (3 x basic salary), private healthcare cover & pension.

OUR VISION FOR TRANSFORMATION
We exist to transform young people’s lives through holistic education. We partner with
secondary schools to help develop students holistically, enhance student wellbeing, and
improve student outcomes. We do this by embedding our Ethos Team made of up an Ethos
leader, Youth Worker, and Family Support Worker, to add capacity to schools and help drive
long-term change.

JOB SUMMARY
The role of the Family Support Worker is to engage with families with complex needs to help
improve student outcomes. They work holistically to support disadvantaged families who need
to overcome a variety of adversities and barriers. Family Support work is student-centred and
led by the needs of each individual family. Our Family Support Workers help students who are
experiencing difficulties in school or at home. This can have a long-term impact by improving
attendance, behaviour, self-esteem, and confidence whilst helping overcoming obstacles to
learning, and raising aspirations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 To work with a caseload of identified families to support with practical, social, and
emotional needs that may be hindering student progress in school.
 To work with families who are experiencing difficulties relating to issues such as
bereavement, caring responsibilities, domestic violence and abuse, drug and alcohol
addiction, finance and debt, housing and homelessness, separation, and divorce,
including care orders, lack of parenting skills, physical and mental health issues,
disabilities and learning difficulties.
 To offer practical support, programmes, and workshops for referred families.
 To complete assessments of families’ needs and plan the support needed to address
issues in partnership with relevant stakeholders and partners.
 To undertake home and community visits to provide practical help and pastoral support.
 To provide pastoral care for students in relation to the complex needs of the family.
 To work in synergy with the school Safeguarding and pastoral team.
 To keep up-to-date with local service provision to enable appropriate signposting and
referrals.
 To work with staff to engage Parent/carers into school events, workshops and utilise
parent voice to improve the school community.
 To engage young people and families in faith related issues and signpost to relevant
faith-based agencies where appropriate.
 Tracking, recording & measuring of impact.
 To carry out general administrative tasks as required.
 To work as an integrated part of the Ethos Team.
 Any other reasonable duties as directed by the line management.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
 Relevant qualifications and transferable skills.
 Experience working within an education or equivalent setting.
 Experience working with young people with a variety of complex needs & issues.
 Current Enhanced DBS.
 Must have own transport, a clean driving license & be willing to travel.
 An understanding of safeguarding & child protection.
 Must have a clear understanding of our Christian ethos & be able to articulate how
Christian values can positively impact students’ lives.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
 A familiarity with, & an ability to perform in accordance with, the mission, vision & values of
Grace Foundation & it’s Christian ethos.
 Clear knowledge & understanding of our Christian ethos & how it applies to relevant issues
young people and their families face.
 Able to provide pastoral care for families & show empathy & tact whilst offering practical
advice.
 Able to deal resiliently, assertively, and appropriately when dealing with sensitive issues.
 Effective organizational skills & ability to multi-task.
 Effective oral, written, presentation & interpersonal skills.
 A willingness to work with others & a consistent can-do enthusiastic attitude.
 Attention to detail & ability to meet deadlines.
 Confident & able to work on their own initiative.
 Proficiency with IT applications (Word, Excel & PowerPoint).
 Ability to exercise discretion in dealing with confidential or sensitive matters.
 Ability to network with a range of people and organisations (public, private & voluntary).

FURTHER INFORMATION
We have a clear expectation that employed staff will have a familiarity with, and an ability to
perform in accordance with, the mission, vision, and values of Grace Foundation’s charitable
objective. In line with these charitable objectives, and in accordance with the Equality Act
2010, it is therefore a Genuine Occupational Requirement that this post holder is a practicing
Christian.

To apply for this post please complete the application form on our website: www.grace –
foundation.org.uk/jobs & send with a covering letter to info@grace-foundation.org.uk
 Deadline for Applications is Friday 24th May
 Interviews to take place Tuesday 4th June
Enquiries will be taken via contacting info@grace-foundation.org.uk
Application forms can be downloaded on www.grace-foundation.org.uk/jobs

SPONSORED BY IM GROUP
IM Group Ltd is committed to using its resources for global good, aligning with the owning
family’s Christian faith. The aim is to ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full
potential in life. For more information on IM Group Ltd please visit https://www.imgroup.co.uk
Grace Foundation is committed to safeguarding & promoting the welfare of children & young people & expects all staff & volunteers to share this commitment. The position is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and references.