RFEA and Walking With the Wounded – Family Support Worker

***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***

Salary: £26,000 – £27,000 per year

RFEA and Walking With the Wounded (WWTW) are looking for a highly motivated self-starter with knowledge of the Armed Forces and Ex-Services charity network and the ability to understand the challenges more vulnerable veterans and their families have to overcome, particularly those who have entered the Criminal Justice System. This person will be home based travelling extensively around the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire region to provide face to face support to veterans’ families within their home locations. The Family Support Worker will provide dedicated case management for support for families of veterans who have been arrested or are at risk of arrest and are engaged with Project Nova.

Project Nova is a support programme for veterans identified in Police Custody; it is focussed on early intervention, support and diversion at point of arrest in order to prevent re-offending and a potential prison sentence. Project Nova is jointly delivered by RFEA and WWTW and working in partnership with the NHS Liaison and Diversion Teams, Police custody suites and the community.

The successful applicant for this role will have a track record of delivering high quality results, with a strong customer focus and be capable of working independently to targets and deadlines. Strong communication, IT and organisational skills are essential along with mentoring and coaching. Experience & knowledge of the criminal justice system, local government agencies and the ability to develop a network of contacts are also required, along with a clean driving licence. NVQ Level 4 in Advice and Guidance along with a good understanding of the employment market and vocational training are highly desirable.

Specific Responsibilities

Engagement

  • Receive details of families who need support from the Project Nova Co-ordinators.
  • Engage with families face-to-face for the initial visit and as necessary throughout the families’ engagement with Project Nova, following the Case Management Guidance, RFEA Policies and
  • the Project Nova Procedures.
  • Register each family’s details on the CRM and obtain consent to share their data with organisations in the support network and any further information required by the Project Nova registration.
  • Undertake a needs assessment with each family.

Case Management

  • Provide emotional support to families through regular contact whilst they are engaged with Project Nova.
  • Establish a support plan with each family that provides for support from within RFEA and Walking with the Wounded and with the organisations in the Nova area Support Network.
  • Work with families to ensure their effective participation in the Criminal Justice System, with other statutory services and with the support network.
  • Keep clear records for each case on the CRM.
  • Ensure confidentiality, the family is a separate case to the veteran, who is also supported by Project Nova.
  • If appropriate, develop the employability and identify suitable opportunities for employment either, directly using RFEA employability tools and working with local employers or, through the wider RFEA or Walking With The Wounded.
  • Project Nova is an active intervention. Close cases once the progress of family has reached its full potential, typically 9 months from engagement, identifying long term social contact, formal or informal, in every case.

Person Specification

Essential Competencies

  • Highly motivated and independent, capable of working remotely across a wide geographical area.
  • Resilient and able to work with individuals with complex needs and cope with the rigors that arise from working with families of veterans in the criminal justice system.
  • Commitment to working with each family without prejudice and in an equitable manner, including those where family members have been arrested for violent or sexual offences.
  • Experience of working with people using a mentoring or coaching approach to engage and support the individuals we work with to change their lives.
  • Highly organised with strong IT skills and experience of using CRM systems.
  • Strong communicators with families, referring organisations and within the Project Nova Team sharing information on cases with the Pathfinder (Regroup) Manager and other members of the team.
  • Excellent team players who will contribute to a diverse and dedicated team.
  • Driving licence and use of own car.

Desirable Competencies

  • NVQ Level 4 Advice & Guidance.
  • Experience of working as a Family Support Worker.
  • Experience of working with the Armed Forces community

This role is ‘Home Based’ around the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire areas and is offered initially on a one year fixed term contract, 35 hours per week with a starting salary of £26,000 rising to £27,000 after six months plus additional employee benefits.

To apply please submit a covering letter and applicable CV. The closing date is 15 December 2019. Interviews will take place in early January for immediate start depending upon required notice periods.

Applicants will be required to undertake an Enhance DBS Disclosure and Police Vetting.

Find out more here.

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