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The Missing Children Team exists to provide an independent Return Home Interview to any child returning to their home or care setting after they have been reported to police as a missing child. This is to meet the statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care (January 2014).
Return Home Interviews provide an opportunity for professionals to understand why the child ran away, to uncover information that can be used to reduce the likelihood of the child going missing again; to address the risks or incidents they may have been exposed to while missing and the risk factors in their home and social life.

Salary: £25,409 - £27,852
Working Pattern: 1 x Full Time; 1 x Part Time (22.2 hours per week)
Contract Length: Permanent
Location: Horsham with hybrid working

As a member of the Missing Children Team you will arrange and deliver high quality Return Home Interviews to a range of children and adolescents who have been reported as missing, aiming to understand why they went missing to reduce the risk of them going missing again.

In the Missing Children Team, you will be grounded in evidence based practice, yet able to use your initiative, keeping up to date with current research and practice, attending training and conferences about ‘missing and runaway children’, in order to take responsibility for the development of your practice.

Key Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to interact effectively with a range of clients with a significant degree of sensitivity and empathy
• Ability to work in a multi-agency environment, responding sensitively and flexibly to a diverse range of service users
• Able to manage self; be self-aware and understanding of the impact of work on self and others, able to respond constructively to situations, balancing competing demands and recognising when to refer upwards and seek help appropriately
• Ability to reflect on own practice and to learn from experience. To take responsibility for own performance and to be proactive in relation to own work and professional development
• Sound and accurate IT skills including report writing, maintaining accurate records – confidentiality and protecting information

Qualifications and/or experience:

• GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent qualification or experience operating at this level of literacy and numeracy
• QCF Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (or equivalent) or demonstrable equivalent comparable experience
• Valid and full driving licence
• Experience of engaging children or adolescents who have experienced difficulties, listening and communicating with a significant degree of sensitivity and empathy
• Experience of providing advice and guidance to adolescents and families
• Experience of keeping accurate records, maintaining professional confidentiality and use of supervision

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:

• A competitive salary
• 24 days annual leave + bank holidays
• A generous pension scheme
• Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
• Flexible working
• A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers with the opportunity to save over £1,000 (Including: Argos, Samsung, Asos, B&Q and many more)
• Free access to employee assistance programmes
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
• A range of commuting and business travel discounts and initiatives

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.

The reference number for this role is CAFHE04116

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Ellen Ford at [email protected]. For issues or queries regarding your application please contact [email protected].

To apply, upload your CV and complete the application explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.

For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme, this can be found on our application help page.

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!