Young Person Pregnancy and Parenting Link Worker, Suffolk

Job description:

This is an exciting new opportunity to become part of the YES Young Parent, Maternity and Teen Pregnancy Team. We are looking to recruit someone who cares and is passionate about supporting young people to empower them to make positive and informed decisions that impact their day to day lives. You will be providing a bespoke support programme to pregnant young women/people and young parents aged 19 to 25 years.

We currently have 2 positions available, one based in Ipswich covering Ipswich/East Suffolk and one based in Bury St Edmunds covering West Suffolk.

In partnership with the midwifery teams within the existing Maternity and Neonatal services (LMNS) and local community organisations, you will provide a personalised approach to pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care whilst addressing the wider social factors that impact emotional and physical wellbeing.  The role will involve offering one-to-one engagement and group work from a local centre, in hospital and occasional home visits.

Charity Context.

YES is a youth charity offering support and advice on a range of issues including housing and homelessness, pregnancy and young parenting, mental health counselling and wellbeing. YES offers its support to all young people between the ages of 11 -25. We are an enthusiastic and dedicated team who are passionate about helping young people to achieve their life goals, promoting positive choices that will help them as individuals and as young parents.

Salary: Full time 37.5 hours per week, £25,000 per year with flexible working hours and 28 days holiday

Based: Two separate roles, one in Ipswich, covering the Ipswich and East Suffolk area, and one in Bury St Edmunds covering West Suffolk.

Reporting to:  Young Parents, Maternity and Teen Pregnancy Lead

Your role will include:

• Supporting young pregnant women from the point of referral, ascertaining their specific needs and formulating an agreed care plan.
• Working alongside the NHS Midwifery team to deliver best information, signposting and support for a safe and prepared pregnancy. This can be through 1-1 key work or group participation. This will be governed by the practitioner and individuals.
• After birth supporting the young parents not to become isolated, depressed or at risk of domestic violence, either through one-to-one intervention or supported group work.
• Education around healthy start, forming positive bonds and relationships with their children and encouraging open conversations around healthy relationships.
• Offering ongoing support and intervention to promote confidence in their parenting abilities and assistance in forming networking opportunities with others from the same demographic.
• Working with young pregnant people who are experiencing/at risk of homelessness by offering support, advice, and signposting
• Helping young people to understand the benefit system and their entitlements.
• Encouraging young people to take positive steps in looking after their mental health and wellbeing. This will include signposting to our in-house provision where appropriate and promoting engagement with local organisations and services.

You will be able to

• Manage an active and complex case load working on a one-to-one engagement level and in group scenarios/settings.
• Liaise and form relationships with the large number of external partners YES works with
• Actively engage with our NHS partners, promoting the referral system and ensuring interventions are carried out in a timely manner.
• You will need to have some experience within a safeguarding role.
• It would be advantageous for the successful candidate to have early years’ experience.
• Know about or have an interest in learning about housing for young people and the Children’s Act Post 16
• Understand current mental health issues.
• Full driving licence and own transport (essential)

Salary

£25,000 for 37.5 hours per week.

Please send in your CV along with a covering letter.