Specialist Support Worker

The Somerset Phoenix Project is a service in Somerset which offers support primarily to professionals who are working with children, young people and their families who have been affected by childhood sexual abuse (CSA).

The Somerset Phoenix Project is commissioned by the public health team within Somerset County Council with support from Somerset clinical commissioning group and NHS England. It is being delivered via a partnership between Barnardo’s and SARSAS (Somerset & Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support).

The project will offer direct support, training and signposting to families and professionals who are supporting children and young people aged 1-18yrs old affected by sexual abuse. We also offer support to the non-offending parent providing ad hoc support and counselling.

What does the service offer?

• Self-help guides for children/young people, parents/carers and professionals affected by Childhood Sexual Abuse.
• Free training for professionals.
• 1-1 specialist support worker; working directly with the child/young person and their family to provide holistic trauma informed work to begin the recovery process.
• Professional consultation; a specialist trauma-informed consultation from a member of our team for professionals supporting the most complex children and young people.
• Counselling for young people aged 13+.
• Professional Forums; three dates a year.
• Therapeutic home support.
• Adult counselling, drop-in clinic support, anonymous email support.

For more information about what the project does you can look on our website: https://www.somersetphoenixproject.org.uk

What we can offer you from this role?

The Phoenix service can offer you;

• A service that is friendly and welcoming to all.
• The ability to work with a dedicated small team of practitioners who are passionate about helping children/young people begin to heal from the trauma of sexual violence.
• The ability to work flexibly from home or our office base in Taunton.
• Working for one of the largest children’s charity who can offer fantastic Continued Professional Development and the ability to connect to people all over the country.
• Work within a larger trauma informed team in our Somerset base.
• Working with specialist partner agency (SARSAS) who has extensive sexual violence knowledge and practice.
• Localised CPD on developing your trauma knowledge further.

What do we need from you?

We are looking for a female worker (this post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010) who can join our team on a part-time basis (2.5 days a week) who has:

• The ability to travel throughout the locality is an essential part of the role.
• A proven record of building effect working relationships with children/young people, parent/carers and professionals.
• A proven record of holding and managing a caseload of children aged 1-18yrs and their family.
• Plenty of trauma informed knowledge and practice.
• Has experience or is willing to learn to deliver our range of training packages jointly with a team member either face-to-face and virtually.
• Has experience or is willing to learn to deliver consultation to professionals.
• Has experience of drawing other professionals and support around a child to bring about better outcomes.
• Has experience of attending TAC, TAF and core group meetings and advocating for the child/young person.
• Has experience of bring about systemic trauma informed change around a child/young person.
• Has experience of signposting to other services and getting the child/young person established in that signposting support whilst waiting for direct support from their organisation.

Barnardo’s considers that being female is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for this post under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

Additional Information

Please include as much relevant detail in your application to demonstrate how you fulfil the requirements of our job role, as outlined above and in the Job Description/Personal Specification. Experience can be from previous employment, education, training, volunteering etc.