Family & Community Support Coordinator - Job Share

Job description

About

An exciting opportunity based at the Lochaber Hope Community Hub, the postholder will work alongside families in their homes, schools, community settings and within the Hub itself, helping them identify strengths, overcome barriers and access the right support at the right time.

Location: Lochaber Hope Community Hub, Fort William, with outreach across Fort William and the wider Lochaber area.

Contract and salary: Fixed Term – one year (extension subject to funding)

, £31,000 pro-rata.

Hours:

 12-13 hrs/week, available to work flexibly (weekend or evening work may be required occasionally) working hours can be flexible. 

About Lochaber Hope

Lochaber Hope is a community-based mental health charity supporting people across Lochaber through counselling, mentoring, employability, recovery and wellbeing services.

At the heart of our organisation is our Community Hub – a welcoming, non-judgemental space where people can connect with others, access support, develop confidence and become part of their community. Alongside our therapeutic services, we provide a range of groups, activities and volunteering opportunities that reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and create lasting community connections.

We believe that people thrive when they feel connected, valued, hopeful and supported. Our aim is not only to respond when people reach crisis, but to create opportunities for individuals and families to access support early, strengthen relationships and build resilience before difficulties escalate.

Purpose of the Role

Funded through the Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Programme, the Family & Community Support Coordinator will provide relationship-based, preventative support to families while working in collaboration with the wider Family Links partnership in Lochaber.

The postholder will work directly with children, young people and families in their homes, schools, community settings and at the Lochaber Hope Community Hub. They will assess needs and strengths, develop family-led support plans, provide practical and emotional support, and help families access appropriate services and opportunities.

A key part of the role will be identifying local needs and independently developing, planning and delivering groups, support sessions, events and community initiatives that engage families and promote wellbeing and connection.

The Coordinator will also work closely with the wider Family Links partnership, statutory services, third sector organisations and community partners to strengthen referral pathways, coordinate support and develop collaborative responses to the needs of families across Lochaber.

Key Responsibilities

1. Family Support

• Build trusting, professional relationships with children, young people, parents and carers.
• Undertake holistic, strengths-based assessments and develop and regularly review family-led support plans.
• Provide practical and emotional support in response to issues including mental health, neurodiversity, poverty, addiction, family relationships, school engagement, employability, isolation and wider wellbeing.
• Work flexibly with families in homes, schools, community settings and at the Community Hub.
• Help families identify their strengths, develop solutions and work towards agreed outcomes.
• Support families to access appropriate services through referrals, warm introductions and practical help to engage.
• Advocate where appropriate while supporting families to develop confidence to advocate for themselves.
• Ensure children and young people are meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them.

2. Family Engagement, Groups and Community Initiatives

The Coordinator will have responsibility for developing opportunities that respond to the needs and interests of local families.

The postholder will:

• Identify opportunities for new groups, support sessions, activities, events and local initiatives based on family feedback and emerging community needs.
• Independently plan, organise, coordinate and deliver initiatives from initial idea through to delivery and review.
• Facilitate groups and activities for parents, children, young people and whole families, including practical wellbeing and family-based activities.
• Proactively engage families who may lack confidence or experience barriers to participation.
• Involve families in shaping activities and initiatives, ensuring their experiences and ideas influence what is developed.
• Work with colleagues, volunteers and local partners to co-design and deliver activities where this adds value.
• Review participation, feedback and outcomes to inform future provision.

3. Community Connection and Social Prescribing

• Help families identify and access local services, groups, activities, volunteering and other opportunities that meet their needs and interests.
• Use community-based and social prescribing approaches to reduce isolation and strengthen supportive networks.
• Help families overcome practical or personal barriers to taking part in community life.
• Build knowledge of local resources and develop relationships that create meaningful opportunities for families.

4. Partnership and Coordination

• Be an active member of the wider Family Links partnership and Whole Family Wellbeing network in Lochaber
• Build effective relationships with schools, health and statutory services, third sector organisations and community groups.
• Develop and maintain clear referral pathways and coordinate support where several organisations are involved with a family.
• Initiate collaborative groups, activities and local responses with partner organisations where shared needs or gaps are identified.
• Participate in multi-agency meetings, collaborative planning and shared learning where appropriate.
• Share information appropriately and proportionately in accordance with safeguarding, GDPR and organisational requirements.
• Promote joined-up working that makes good use of existing local knowledge, expertise and resources.

5. Case Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Manage an active caseload and maintain accurate, timely and confidential records.
• Monitor progress against family support plans and agreed project outcomes.
• Record and evaluate the reach and impact of groups, activities and community initiatives.
• Gather appropriate qualitative and quantitative evidence, including feedback from children, young people and families.
• Contribute to reporting requirements for Lochaber Hope, funders and the Whole Family Wellbeing Programme.
• Use learning and feedback to contribute to ongoing service development.

6. Safeguarding and Professional Practice

• Work in accordance with GIRFEC principles, children's rights and trauma-informed practice.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of child and adult protection responsibilities.
• Recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Undertake risk assessments and contribute to risk management planning where appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality, appropriate professional boundaries and safe working practices.
• Work in accordance with Lochaber Hope's policies, procedures and values.

Training, Supervision and Professional Development

The successful candidate will be line managed by Lochaber Hope and receive regular internal supervision and support.

As part of the wider Family Links partnership in Lochaber, they will also have access to role-specific mentoring, reflective practice and shared learning in addition to development opportunities through the Whole Family Wellbeing network.

Training will be tailored to the successful candidate's existing experience and identified development needs. This may include safeguarding, mental health, addiction, self-harm, trauma-informed practice and other relevant areas identified through Lochaber Hope policies and the wider Whole Family Wellbeing training framework.

The postholder will also have access to role-specific family support training and the opportunity to undertake Parents Under Pressure training.

General Requirements

• Contribute positively to the wider work of Lochaber Hope and work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and partners.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and children's rights.
• Represent Lochaber Hope professionally within the community and partner networks.
• Participate in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the level and purpose of the role.

Lived Experience

Lochaber Hope recognises the value lived experience can bring to this work. We welcome applicants whose personal experiences provide insight into challenges faced by individuals and families, where those experiences can be used appropriately within a professional role and with healthy professional boundaries.

Flexibility

The post will normally be worked during standard office hours, with flexibility required to respond to family and community needs. This may occasionally include evening or weekend work.

The role involves outreach across Lochaber, and the postholder must be able to travel independently throughout the area.