Support Practitioner

Job Description

InformationPart of CrossReach Childrens Services, our Community Team in partnership with local agencies, supports young people to be a part of community life. By adopting a child-centred approach our team works with the whole-child,focusing on improving relationships and enhancing personal development. You will support our Lead Practitioner in a small therapeutic house for four young people in every aspect of their role from implementing care and education plans to contributing to the assessment of each childs needs. An HNC Social Care and SVQ Level 3qualification is preferable with experience in a care/education role. You will also need a full driving licence.In return well make sure you have all the training and development you need, not only so you can do a great job, but to help you build your career with us too. Theres also a benefits package that includes an employer contributory pension and generous holidayallowance.If you would like to talk to someone about the types of opportunities we have, or have any other questions, please contact . Main Function All those employed within the CrossReach Children & Family Services will, with a commitment to our Christian values, work as part of a holistic team to deliver a service that ensures that the needs of the children, young people and their families that wesupport, are fully met. You will be expected to work to the highest professional standards of those working within the Childrens workforce and adhere to professional codes of practice of SSSC; ensuring that the aims and objectives of CrossReach and thosespecific to Children & Family Services and the section within which you are based are met.All adults within our services, regardless of specific job remit & role, have a responsibility to promote a Therapeutic Environment and contribute to the Relational Health of children and young people in our services and have an understanding of how theirrole contributes. The following values and attributes are applicable to all those employed within Children & Family services and not solely to those whose primary role is to support the direct care and education of children and young people.In undertaking your role you will be expected to demonstrate, from an asset/strengths based approach the following core principles.

1. Inclusion: Understanding that our role is to include those who, for whatever reason, have been excluded from the mainstream of our society through:
   1. Including Children, young people and families in decisions that affect their lives.
   2. Listening to Children and Young People and to giving them opportunities to be accepted and understood.
   3. Promoting positive experiences and strengths
   4. Taking an active role to ensure that everyone is included within their immediate and wider community.

1. Relational Health: understanding the impact of our relationships and interactions with those around us, including:
   1. The impact that past experiences have on how individuals understand themselves and the world around them.
   2. Understanding that our role is to provide positive experiences which can build trust through positive and genuine relationships with children, young people and their families.
   3. Being mindful in all our interactions of language usedboth words and tone; body language of stance & facial expression and how this may be perceived by others, based on their past experiences.
   4. Being aware that your own past experiences has had an impact on who you are.

1. Advocating: Understanding that our role is to ensure that all needs are met:
   1. Explaining all decisions that affect individuals as well as the implications of these decisions in a way that they are able to understand.
   2. Being aware of who else and what other agencies can support individuals to have their needs met.
   3. Supporting children, young people and their families to be able to communicate and express their emotions, feelings and needs.

Main Duties To meet the care needs of children and young people, as their Children & Young Person Care Mentor: GIRFEC Support Practitioner you will:

1. Ensure that children & young peoples primary care needs are fully met
2. Support Key-working to meet needs of individual children and young people. This will include working in partnership with the child, young person, their family and other support agencies.
3. Contribute to Assessment of needs and development of Individual care & education plans, risk assessments.
4. Promote equality and strengthen Relational health through actively developing and role modelling positive and genuine relationships, using the principles of Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy [P.A.C.E.].
5. Undertake core training which will enhance your skills in meeting children & young people needs, strengthen relationships and promote a strengths based approach.
6. Promote communication with children and young people
7. Support children and young people when they are emotionally, psychologically and socially isolated and distressed.
8. Support and empower children and young people to be actively included in their family and community and to make use of services available to them.
9. Contribute to the health, well being, safety and security of children and young people and their environment. This includes following policy and protocols.
10. Actively promote, participate and support children & young people to develop skills for life.
11. Contribute information for Assessment, LAAC Reviews, Childrens Hearings reports and any other relevant meetings.
12. Work a flexible pattern of shifts over the period of a rota including any sleepover allocated to you.
13. Undertake any other duties or responsibilities that may be required.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENTAs part of the staff team to play an active part in the formulation of a yearly plan. Thereafter to be committed to working towards meeting the objectives identified. QUALITY ASSURANCE Through the direction of the Team Leader to be committed to ensuring that Quality Assurance systems are adhered to. To maintain an awareness of commitment to the Scottish Social Services Council Codes of Practice. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT To register with the Scottish Social Services Council and be committed to ongoing professional development in line with the requirements of the SSSC Codes of Practice.To participate in staff development programme and attend meetings, training courses and seminars as required. To maintain professional standards &