Becoming a Family Support Worker can be a wonderful option for you if the thought of working with children and families piques your interest, and if you are searching for a position in which you can lend a hand to and direct individuals in your immediate environment. After completion of our education degree programs, graduates will have a wide variety of possibilities available to them, including this gratifying position. We have gathered some material for you that will give you an idea of what to anticipate in a position like this as well as how you might work towards a career as a Family Support Worker.
What exactly does it entail to be a Family Support Worker?
Their mission is to provide assistance to children and their families who are dealing with a variety of challenges, including but not limited to: substance abuse and addiction; having a parent who is incarcerated or hospitalized; having a parent or child who has a disability or special educational needs (SEN); having language barriers that make it difficult for them to access local and national services; and having a need for assistance with general home management, financial management, and parenting skills. They are able to collaborate with a wide range of other professionals, such as social workers and teachers, and contribute to the formation of connections, the improvement of skills, and the possible closing of the gap that exists between families and organizations.
Identified functions and obligations
The following are essential qualities and abilities that are required:
Effective verbal and aural communication and listening capabilities
Non-judgemental manner
Patience and understanding
Capacity for rapid adjustment in response to shifting conditions and circumstances.
Capabilities for problem solving
Strong organisational skills
A typical day for a worker who provides support to families
However, the fact that there is no such thing as a regular day for a Family Support Worker is really one of the things that draws people to this line of work.
Although the function might take on a variety of forms, you can be assigned to work specifically with a certain problem or category of individuals. You may, for instance, be working in a school environment with children who have special educational needs or other extra needs. You might also be working with children who have other kinds of additional needs. Children who are vulnerable may need assistance with their behavioral, social, or emotional well-being. Alternatively, you may be assisting children in coping with transitions between schools or concerns relating to life at home. Within this context, you would be responsible for developing strategies to assist the individuals entrusted to your care, and you would collaborate closely with the parents, other caregivers, and staff members at the school to help put these plans into action.
It's possible that you'll be tasked with working with families on specific challenges inside their homes, sometimes in cooperation with a social worker. You may, for instance, spend some of your time escorting children to court for procedures relating to their care, or you could spend your time working in the community and providing support sessions, such as parenting skills in a group environment.
You should prepare yourself to work the typical office hours; but, depending on who you are working with, this may also include nights and weekends. In general, you may anticipate working these hours.
Instructions for Aspiring Family Support Employees
You will need to have a minimum of a level 3 qualification in childcare, social work, social care, youth work, counselling or education, experience (paid or voluntary) of working with families and children, and you will need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if you want to work as a Family Support Worker. If this position is something that interests you, you will need to have these qualifications.