This apprenticeship standard is in the process of being revised. In the meantime, the version below remains approved for delivery. Further details of this and other occupational standards in revision are available in the revisions status report.
Working with children, young people and families, including carers, to achieve positive and sustainable change in their lives.
CORE: As a practitioner you will be working with children, young people and families, including carers, to achieve positive and sustainable change in their lives. You will demonstrate a passion to care for and about children, young people and families. You will be skilled in recognising and assessing the complex needs that children, young people and families often present. You will agree with the child, young person or family any specific interventions or referrals. Your approach will be one of respectful curiosity that challenges and supports children, young people and families to achieve their potential and stay safe. You will work alongside other professionals and organisations to share the responsibility for improving outcomes. Each piece of work with a child or family will be different and you will exercise judgement on a range of evidence-based approaches to inform your practice. You will regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your methods and actions. Regular supervision with an experienced practitioner will encourage reflection on your practice. At the end of the apprenticeship the high quality of your practice will be making a real difference to those that you work with.
OPTION 1: Practitioner in children's residential care
You could be working in a number of settings e.g. a children’s home, a residential special school or a secure children’s home. The children might be living on their own or in a larger group. You will take the lead in developing and delivering the child's placement plan and will work with the child to support their health, education, social and day to day needs, playing a significant role in helping them to thrive and fulfil their potential .
OPTION 2: Children, young people and families practitioner within the community
You will understand the importance of and be skilled in, early intervention and safeguarding work. You will manage risk across the spectrum needs for children, young people and families'. You may work in settings as diverse as family homes, youth centres, early years, youth justice, children's centres, educational settings and the community. You will play a significant role in working across agencies to improve outcomes. You may work with particular age groups, across the full age range or specifically with families. By supporting the confidence and skills of children, young people and families you will help them to overcome barriers and maximise their independence.
Duration: Typically 24 months for new entrants. For those with relevant qualifications and experience in the health and social care field, 12 to 18 months
Level: 4
Entry Requirements - Undertake the Disclosure and Barring Service process and provide the result
The values and behaviours expected of a Children, Young People and Family Worker
Care: Respecting and valuing individuals to keep them safe, being affirming and working with them to help them make a positive difference to their lives
Compassion: Consideration and concern for children, young people and their families, combined with an understanding of the perspective of those you work with
Courage: Honesty and a positive belief in helping children, young people and families. Being confident when faced with confrontation, holding a safe space to manage and contain really difficult behaviours and working with children, young people and families to challenge and enable them to fulfil their potential Communication: Your work is based on building effective relationships, being perceptive and empathic and building good rapport
Competence: The relationships you build to effect change for children, young people and families will be informed by social care ethics and values and will be developed through reflective practice.
Commitment: Creating sustainable change in others by working alongside children, young people and families and being authentic, consistent, patient, persistent and resilient
These are based on the kind of statements we would typically expect children, young people and families to make about the work that the practitioner has undertaken with them
'You listened to me, understood what has happened to me and how I feel about my life, and I am confident my voice is heard '
Knowledge and understanding of:
Skills
'You helped me to identify risk, you made me aware when things were unsafe '
Knowledge and understanding of:
Skills
'You identified my/our strengths and difficulties and helped me learn about myself/ourselves. We prepared and made plans where we agreed the next steps together'
Knowledge and understanding of:
Skills
'You supported me through the changes, stuck with me and checked how things were progressing and asked whether things were better for me '
Knowledge and understanding of:
Skills
'You weren't afraid to make difficult decisions when you thought it was the right thing to do'
Knowledge and understanding of:
Skills
'You knew what you were doing - you understood the law and knew where to find other information and helped me to form creative ideas about how to make things better'
Knowledge and understanding of:
Skills
'You thought about things'
Knowledge and understanding of:
Skills
'You included people who were important to me or could help me'
Knowledge and understanding of:
Skills
Children, Young People and Family Practitioners will need to supplement the CORE standard programme with specialist skills and knowledge, by choosing ONE of the following options:
OPTION 1: Practitioner in children's residential care
Knowledge |
Skills |
---|---|
The legislation and compliance requirements for residential care The aspirations for a child in residential care Group living and group dynamics Legislation and the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs and Disability |
Assumes the role of professional parent Contributes to creating and reviewing placement plans based on individual need Is able to support traumatised children and young people to live together and make progress |
Knowledge |
Skills |
---|---|
Knowledge and understanding of: The ethos of the home and how to create and promote it Team dynamics and collaborative approach in residential environment |
Skills Develops and promotes the ethos of the home Models collaborative team working and the ability to support and appropriately challenge each other |
OPTION 2: Children, young people and families practitioner within the community
2a. Forge networks with other agencies and the community, within a specific working context (e.g. early years, youth, youth justice, family work, special educational needs and disability etc.) and build sustainable solutions together
Knowledge |
Skills |
---|---|
Contemporary social issues that affect family life and the care of children and young people Detailed understanding of working with a particular group e.g. U5, 5-11, 12+, young adult, parents, families, children with special educational needs and disabilities Key ethical and professional aspects of role |
Engages effectively with child, young person and/or family members Supports children, young people or vulnerable adults to identify and take action to deal with safeguarding risk |
Qualifications: Apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking their end- point assessment.
Option 1. Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare
Option 2. Certificate in Higher Education in working with Children Young People and Families
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Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date | Latest end date |
---|---|---|---|---|
1.0 | Approved for delivery | 29/06/2018 | Not set | Not set |