Anyone have a job as family contact supervisor

[flora2020]

Hi, I am thinking of applying for this role but I'm nervous about it-I would love to hear from anyone who has experience of being a family contact supervisor in a contact centre etc.

What are you nervous about?

I've been told that it's a "lone worker" role so it's just you and the family -it seems like a big responsibility to take on without anyone else in the building etc

If you're applying to a local authority job then that should never be the case. You may be supervising some in the community on your own but only those that have been risk assessed as safe.

it's not the local authority - but a specialist company that run contact centres. The local authority will use the company but the company has it's own employees etc. I was under the impression there would always be someone else in the building but having heard a bit more about it it appears that's not always the case. Also, they are looking for the contact supervisors to possibly transport the children to and from the centre. It just seems a huge responsibility and the pay isn't great

I can't seem to find anyone who has had experience of doing this job so I can just see if my concerns are valid/correct etc

I think it can be a good job. You have to get the balance right between being friendly without being intrusive, and knowing when to step in. You have to write good records. If there’s no-one else in the building when you are supervising then it wouldn’t be safe. But I really can’t believe that would happen. Transporting children is fine - you get used to it.

I don’t think you being on your own in a contact centre is ok. I am surprised that would be allowed.

I guess if it’s private cases then the risk in theory would be lower but you’re still likely to be dealing with risky and chaotic parents as generally, contact is supervised for a good reason.

Community supervision is different because you’re in public and it’s obviously risk assessed.

Transporting children is part of the job.

Thank you - I’m going to check the lone worker issue as that’s not something I feel comfortable with.

Hi everyone - so today they confirmed that I would be responsible for gaining access to the building (a key safe on the door) and would be the only person there (apart from the family doing contact).

Local authorities have been doing lone working for years. How do you think libraries are staffed? And they have any old Tom, Dick or Pervys walking in, with no safe-guarding checks. So I'm not surprised by this, tbh.

It’s a good point. Maybe I’ve been naive - I genuinely thought there’d be someone else in the vicinity. I know it may not worry some but I don’t think I want to be in that situation- so sadly will have to get back to job hunting again.

I think it did worry a lot of people when libraries brought it in and some left (in my LA). In practice, I didn't have too many hairy situations - a couple of over-friendly loners. I made sure not to be on any social media in case of follow-up stalking (I mean that doesn't sound great, tbh!).

I think in this case, if the families are checked and known to the authorities, it would give more comfort, but yes, LW is not for everybody and can make you anxious for sure.