Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach Worker - Leeds, United Kingdom - Leeds City Council

Description

Job title: Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach Worker

Salary: C1 £26,421.00 - £28,770.00

Hours: 37 per week

Contract: Fixed term contract 12 months

Location: Technorth

We are thrilled to announce the opening for a Family Outreach Worker role to provide support within the Czech Slovak community.

The ideal candidate will join the Gypsy Roma Traveller team under the Children's Social Work Service. With proficiency in Czech Slovak, you will aid families promptly to minimize the chances of children entering care.

National data reveals that children from Roma heritage face obstacles in accessing services and often require social care intervention. Children deemed to be on the verge of care are those at immediate risk of being placed under care.

By engaging with families at the earliest stages, our goal is for the Family Outreach Worker to establish connections within the Roma community, lowering the necessity for children to enter care.

The successful applicant will be fluent in Czech/Slovak and collaborate with the assigned social worker. Your responsibilities will encompass offering intensive support to families to address concerns and ensure they receive the necessary assistance at the right time. Through encouraging improved relationships, transparent communication, and employing supportive yet challenging approaches, the aim is to enable children to remain in their homes and community.

As a Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach Worker, you'll excel in supporting a community that often encounters hurdles in accessing services, particularly concerning children and safeguarding issues. You will champion family resilience, aiming for the well-being of all children and families by fostering safety, health, and the fulfillment of their potential. This also entails involving families in decision-making during challenging times to collectively find solutions.

We are excited to introduce the new role of Family Outreach Worker focused on aiding Czech/Slovak children and families at risk of entering care.

This position involves managing a small caseload and maintaining regular communication with an allocated social worker to deliver intensive support to families. This may involve various forms of parenting support, assisting families in recognizing and addressing professional concerns, and breaking down barriers to collaboration with other key professionals.

Leeds City Council is a major employer in the region with a workforce of over 14,000 individuals. We are dedicated to attracting and nurturing talented individuals who embody our core values and aspirations.

About you

As a Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach Worker, you will bring to the role:

• The ability to speak Czech Slovak
• A profound understanding of the challenges faced by the Roma community
• Awareness of cultural sensitivity
• Capacity to work restoratively applying the High Support High Challenge approach
• Readiness to offer parenting support in demanding circumstances

About the role

This challenging yet highly rewarding role, embedded in a compact yet efficient team, presents diverse cases allowing workers to showcase a range of skills and strategies to meet the demands of supporting a community grappling with persistent issues related to poverty, school attendance, health, and parenting. The effectiveness of this role stems from our responsiveness to Leeds' objectives in providing secure environments for children and alleviating instances of family poverty.

As our prospective Family Outreach Worker, expect regular peer and managerial support, access to continuous professional growth opportunities, and integration into a well-established and esteemed service.

This role plays a pivotal part within our Gypsy Roma Traveller team.

What we offer you

We take pride in providing an exceptional employee experience, inclusive of benefits such as:

• a competitive salary and generous annual leave entitlement in addition to statutory holidays
• membership in the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with substantial employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid work arrangements based on service needs
• defined career progression and ongoing professional development prospects
• an array of staff perks to bolster well-being and financial efficacy

How to apply

Kindly complete the online application form and attach your CV.

Refer to our guidelines for additional insights. Double-check your details meticulously and ensure all sections are correctly filled before submitting your application.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be conducted on preferred candidates. Consult our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are dedicated to safeguarding and advancing the well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults.

We endorse diversity and strive for a workforce that mirrors Leeds' demographic. Leeds City Council holds the 70th rank on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also a workplace that values all age groups, a Mindful Employer, and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new appointments at Leeds City Council are subject to a satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This position is UK-based. Employment eligibility hinges on UK work authorization confirmation - whether as a UK or Irish citizen, through the EU Settlement scheme, or any other relevant work visa. If you lack authorization to work in the UK and the role does not qualify for sponsorship, carefully consider your eligibility before applying.

Job Description 

Job Purpose

Supervise and spearhead the expansion of family outreach services across Gypsy Roma Traveller communities city-wide.

Lead in cultivating respectful and responsive relationships with parents, caregivers, and partners to ensure children receive a thriving start to life. Engage in outreach activities within the Gypsy Roma Traveller community, offering advocacy, information, one-on-one sessions, group initiatives, and needs assessment support. Direct and spearhead collaborative efforts with multiple agencies within the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities.

Responsibilities:

Adaptable and flexible to support other services as needed based on grade level

Engage in appraisals, training, and development activities as necessary to maintain current knowledge and skills

Enhance personal practices through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues, and development programs

Collaborate with team members, knowing when to request assistance and guidance

Contribute to the ethos, work, and objectives of the service by attending pertinent meetings, training events, or other requested sessions

Adhere to Leeds City Council policies and procedures, including child protection, health, safety, security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting any concerns to appropriate personnel

Uphold and promote diversity, ensuring equal opportunities for all while working in an anti-discriminatory manner, supporting the values, standards, and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council

Identify and appropriately address incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimization, or any form of discrimination, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures

The Council follows a flexibility protocol, and this role is expected to operate within those parameters

The duties outlined are not exhaustive and may include additional responsibilities aligning with the post's objectives based on the job evaluation outcome for this role

Lead and oversee staff in delivering family outreach services to Gypsy Roma Traveller families, collaborating with agencies to deliver essential services to children and families

Engage with parents/caregivers of Gypsy Roma Traveller children across the city in a respectful and responsive manner

Encourage their involvement in childcare, early education, group activities

Contribute as part of a multi-agency team to establish integrated services for families

Disseminate and advocate for information and advice to parents/caregivers within Gypsy Roma Traveller communities in the Leeds area

Operate in various venues within the city and roadside camps to showcase opportunities for Gypsy Roma Traveller children and families

Lead in consulting and evaluating service delivery, ensuring timely support for families

Collaborate with families through a range of specialized services to assist parents with children, emphasizing participation and dialogue

Provide services within homes, trailers, or roadside areas, catering to the needs of individual children and families

Conduct workshops, speak at conferences to enhance the value of work with Gypsy Roma Traveller children and families

Disseminate best practices in community-based childcare and support students or visitors from diverse agencies

Promote children and parental learning through play, communication, language, and literacy

Lead in safeguarding and promoting children's well-being while offering professional support to parents and professionals from other agencies, in line with LAC and Safeguarding Children's Partnership Procedures

Advocate on behalf of parents/caregivers to facilitate access to health and benefit guidance

Manage Early Help delivery, ensuring integration into everyday practice

Act as a reflective and observant practitioner, striving to enhance and expand personal and collective knowledge by engaging in new developments in family support through staff meetings, parental interactions, and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Relevant Qualifications or experience include
• NVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Health, Education, Social Care, or Adult Learning Support
• CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education
• BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies
• Certificate in Education
• DIP HE in Youth and Community Work
• Social work qualification
• Health qualification
• Foundation Degree in Family Support

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Candidates must demonstrate essential criteria for the role amidst specific duties and responsibilities to be shortlisted for an interview. All essential requirements must be showcased on the application form.

Assessment methods may include Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

Capability to work across diverse locations as needed

Effective communication with children, parents/caregivers, and partners, prioritizing collaborative efforts

Ability to listen to Gypsy Roma Traveller children and parents, valuing their perspectives and building on their strengths

Dissemination of information, provision of advice and advocacy

Understanding and response to stress factors among Gypsy Roma Traveller families through consultations

Commitment to modeling positive behavior for Gypsy Roma Traveller children, families, and colleagues

Strong leadership and workload management skills, influencing multi-agency teams and professionals to consider alternative perspectives and negotiate shared solutions

Motivational aptitude to guide families through change and challenging work scenarios to achieve set objectives

Dedication to collaborative work with Gypsy Roma Traveller parents/caregivers and partners to define mutually agreed outcomes

Emphasis on early intervention to positively impact the lives of young Gypsy Roma Traveller children through needs evaluation and observation

Provision of a stimulating environment for Gypsy Roma Traveller children and families in various settings and transitions

Effective teamwork across disciplines, independently, within service sectors, and with external agencies as necessary

Preparation and presentation of reports as required, contributing written content for publications and journals

Accountability for work quality, rectifying mistakes, finding solutions, and learning from experiences

Supervision of students and provision of training opportunities for Gypsy Roma Traveller parents

Development of a culturally sensitive approach to family care within a multicultural setting, working in an anti-oppressive manner

Proficiency in relevant IT skills

Knowledge Required

Familiarity with the stressors affecting families, especially within Gypsy Roma Traveller communities

Understanding of current legislation

Knowledge of available services and benefits for children and families

Experience Required

Paid or voluntary experience working with children and families in a community context

Previous involvement in culturally diverse environments with minority ethnic communities and vulnerable population segments

Engagement in partnerships with various agencies

Experience collaborating closely with parents and caregivers

Behavioral & Other Characteristics Required

Commitment to ongoing enhancement

Adherence to Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policy

Execution of duties while considering employee responsibilities under Health & Safety Policies

Willingness to actively engage in training and development activities for continuous professional growth and knowledge update

Understanding and adoption of organizational values, behaviors, and codes of conduct

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates demonstrating these criteria may stand out in addition to meeting essential requirements. While not mandatory to meet all Desirable requirements, they may differentiate acceptable candidates.

Assessment methods may include Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Experience in staff and student management

Public speaking experience

Involvement with Gypsy Roma Traveller Communities

Conducting staff training sessions