Connections and Support Team Worker

Job Description

Would you like to work with us and make a real difference to children and young people’s lives? If so, apply now!
We are looking for committed and highly motivated Children’s Support Workers to join the Connections and Support Team (CAST). This is a rewarding and dynamic vital role where you will support foster carers by working directly with children who are cared for. You will work with an area of identified need for each individual child in collaboration with the child, carer and professional network, helping to maintain stability for children living with fostering families.

Sessions for children are delivered one to one or through group activities with the aim being to improve skills, enhance personal growth and help children achieve their full potential.

As a Connections and Support Team Children’s support worker, you will work within statutory requirements, fostering standards, and safeguarding procedures, having a good understanding of child protection and care planning objectives

You will build meaningful, boundaried and consistent relationships with children and young people. You will provide 1:1 and group support tailored to individual care plans. You'll support parent and baby assessments and transitions back into the community. and you'll maintain accurate, timely electronic records and contribute to key meetings. There will be multi-agency team working with carers, CAMHS and education.

As part of the role you will need to transport young people safely, following safety plans and robust risk assessments.

We are looking for candidates who:

• Are a communicator, able to adapt approaches to different learning styles
• Are resilient and confident working with trauma, neurodiversity and challenging behaviour
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team, supporting group activities
• Comfortable using Microsoft 365 and recording systems
• Organised, able to manage a varied workload and meet deadline

Please download the job description and person specification for more information.To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.

Interviews will take place in person on Monday 28 September at Hailsham Resource Centre, Dunbar Drive.

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of cared for children in East Sussex and their foster carers. The contract is 15 hours per week and will comprise of 2 after school sessions per week until around 6.30pm, and 2 Saturdays per month for around 7 hours each.
We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.
Vocational Training through Apprenticeships is now available to our staff, ranging from entry level to degree level qualifications. You can talk to the hiring manager and the apprenticeship team about what qualifications would be relevant to you and this job role, and if it is possible to support you in apprenticeship training.

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact:

Melanie Gunn: melanie.gunn@eastsussex.govuk or Penny Knowles: penny.knowles@eastsussex.gov.uk

Choose East Sussex!

About us

Additional Information
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.