FDAC - Family Support Specialist

About The Role

SALARY: Band D - £30296 - £34834

RESPONSIBLE TO: FDAC Manager

LOCATION: Stirchley, Birmingham, and Family Court, West Midlands

LENGTH OF APPOINTMENT: Permanent

HOURS OF WORK: 36.5 Hours

Do you want to achieve the following aims?

• Improve permanency outcomes for children
• Achieve higher rates of control/cessation of substance misuse
• Provide parents with a problem solving rather than adversarial approach

If so, you may be interested in an exciting opportunity that has arisen for a Family Support Specialist in the Family Drug and Alcohol Court Team. We are looking for a dynamic and innovative candidate to work with parents through care proceedings and provide one to one and group interventions to parents with substance misuse problems. This is an exciting opportunity to work with people with complex needs from a trauma informed approach to support them in making and sustaining positive lifestyle changes.

The Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) helps families where children are put at risk by parental substance misuse. FDAC is a problem-solving court where the same Judge reviews the case every fortnight and is supported by an independent multi-disciplinary intervention team. FDAC work focuses on the parents while keeping the child central. Parents are given ‘a trial for change’ that provides them with the best possible chance to overcome their problems. At the same time FDAC tests whether the family can make enough change in a timescale compatible with the children’s needs.

FDAC achieved significantly better outcomes than normal proceedings in an independent evaluation led by Lancaster University:

• More parents addressed their problems by the end of the proceedings.
• 40% of FDAC mothers were no longer misusing substances, compared to 25% of the comparison mothers.
• 25% of FDAC fathers were no longer misusing substances, compared to 5% of the comparison fathers.
• More children remained with or returned to their parents at the end of proceedings. 35% of FDAC mothers stopped misusing and were reunited with their children, compared to 19% of the comparison mothers.

Within the last three years Birmingham and Solihull FDAC have evidenced that:

• 69% of children were reunited with one or both parents or family and friends
• 63% of parents had not had a lapse or relapse
• 52% of parents had achieved abstinence
• 26% had returned to employment, education or volunteering
• 97% of parents had no further arrests or cautions during proceedings or during the post-FDAC support period.

We are looking for a Family Support Specialist who has experience in therapeutic settings to join our team to assist in assessing parents and delivering one to one and group interventions. The suitable candidate will also gain experience within the court arena and from being based within a dynamic multi-disciplinary team. You will become part of the established team on this exciting journey of innovative practice across Birmingham and Solihull.

This is a specialist role in our Birmingham and Solihull FDAC, so naturally we’re looking for experience of working with vulnerable children, families, statutory bodies and voluntary agencies. You’ll back all this up with excellent interpersonal skills – including communication, sound judgement, analytical thinking and teamwork.

Interviews will take place on: 12th and 13th November 2024

For an informal discussion about the post please contact:

Helen Davies FDAC Manager

Mobile Number: 07860906073

Email Address: Helen.Davies@Bham-SolFDAC.co.uk

About Us

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.