Title: Ethnic Minority Support Worker (16 hours)
Salary: NJC Point 5: £19,312 (pro rata)
Base: Sure Start, Society Street
Responsible to: Project Development Manager
Closing Date: 19th October at 2pm, Interviews week beginning 1st November
Summary of Post:
To increase equality of opportunity of parents and children from minority ethnic backgrounds to engage in Sure Start services through identifying and addressing needs, while developing capacity and building relationships with participant communities.
Key Duties:
- Develop relationships with ethnic minority families in the catchment area in order to increase participation, provide necessary support and signposting. This will include meeting families both in their own homes and in community settings across the area of Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart.
- Accompany Sure Start staff at home visits (Ante-Natal, Post-Natal, Health, Breastfeeding and partner services) to support ethnic minority families with understanding the information provided.
- Translation or source translation of key Sure Start messages related to speech and language, health, play etc.
- Support the Developmental Programme for 2-3 Year Old staff and parents at home visits and stay and play events.
- To plan, help develop, set up and facilitate groups, programmes, workshops and events to families’ e.g. ante-natal classes, health workshops, parent group.
- Liaise with ethnic minority support agencies to develop a list of appropriate services and information in the relevant languages.
- To help ensure that there is an understanding of culture, its influences and practices within our services.
- To arrange and book trained interpreters for relevant appointments where necessary.
- To refer families to other Sure Start/Voluntary/Statutory services where appropriate.
- To maintain absolute confidentiality at all times.
- To be familiar with and operate within Child Protection Procedures.
- To maintain records of visits and provide statistics of work carried out.
- To be involved in Planning meetings and Sure Start Staff meetings.
- To adhere to Sure Start policies and procedures.
- Any other duties as required.
Personnel Specification
Essential Criteria:
- Fluency in English both spoken and verbal and one other language (preferably Polish)
- NVQ Level III in Child Care Learning and Development, Health and Social Care or equivalent relevant qualification
- Two years’ experience working with families or in a supporting role in a community/voluntary organisation
- One year’s experience facilitating small groups
- GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) at Grades A-C or Level 2 qualification in Literacy and Numeracy
- IT Skills with the ability to use Microsoft office packages
- A full current driving licence and access to transport in order to fulfil the travel requirements of the post OR a suitable alternative means of transport
- To work evenings and weekends as and when necessary to ensure effective delivery of services.
Desirable Criteria:
- Work undertaken with ethnic minority communities within a paid or voluntary capacity
- To be a parent or have significant parenting experience
Please note:
Short listing will be carried out in respect of the essential criteria but in the case of a large number of applicants we reserve the right to enhance the short-listing criteria to include the desirable requirements.
Return all completed forms to:
Coleraine SureStart Partnership, 34c Society Street or email info@colerainesurestart.org.uk by the closing date