YOU WILL ALSO BRING TO THE ROLE:
- experience of managing a complex caseload in a statutory setting, with ability to problem solve, negotiate and manage conflict
- up-to-date knowledge of trends, policies, regulation and safeguarding in social care
- communication and collaboration skills, for positive engagement with children and families and productive relationship building in a multi-agency environment
- ability to lead, motivate, mentor and develop social work colleagues
- proactive use of supervision for critical reflection and to enhance practice and insight
ABOUT THE ROLE
You will be integral to our close-knit, supportive children’s social work team which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart. As a Senior Social Worker, you will contribute to planning and innovation to ensure our service is fit for the future.
You will manage a complex and diverse caseload, taking a child-focused approach which is underpinned by our culture of restorative practice and family decision making including family group conferencing. We work closely with local health and third sector partners, and you will develop and maintain these strong links in your role.
You will engage proactively in the supervision and appraisal framework for critical reflection and exploration of your role. You will undertake the Practice Educator Level 2 qualification, equipping you to take a lead role in supervising, mentoring and developing less experienced colleagues and students.
THIS ROLE IS BASED IN THE UK. HOME OFFICE GUIDANCE STATES THAT CANDIDATES MUST EVIDENCE THEIR RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK PRIOR TO COMMENCING EMPLOYMENT, EITHER AS A UK OR IRISH CITIZEN, UNDER THE EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME OR HAVING SECURED ANY OTHER RELEVANT WORK VISA.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for a complex caseload which includes the assessment of needs and management of risk regarding children, their families, and carers.
- Maintain and update case notes and other records, author reports as required and if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
- Develop relationships with children, young people, and families/carers so as to best provide a high-quality service. .
- Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.
- Supervise students and develop the practice learning setting and provide guidance to trainees, support staff and social work assistants as required.
- Carry a caseload of complex cases and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.
- Provide advice, support, and guidance on casework to less experienced team members.
- On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a child focused approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in line with procedures.
- Responsible for analysing information to support the on-going needs of users, their families, and carers.
- Monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in accordance with directorate procedures.
- Use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.
- Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
- Maintain and update case notes and other records and author reports as required.
- Work directly with children and young people to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views.
- Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
- Comply with relevant governance, policy, and procedures.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic, and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
- Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
- Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies, and procedures. Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation. Disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.
- Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
- Assist in the planning and developing of future services and policies, promote innovative ways of developing practice and contribute to the development of capacity within the community.
- Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
- Under the direction of the Team Manager undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi-agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or actions plans to implement these to improve service delivery.
- Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi-agency meetings in line with procedures.
- Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
- Work to and within the prescribed Professional Capabilities Framework
- Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
- Supervise students and contribute to the preparation of practice learning settings for student placements, ensuring induction programmes are provided and continuously monitor learning setting and opportunities provided.
- Carry out the role and responsibilities of key worker for a caseload which will include complex and statutory work.
- Undertake assessment, planning and reviewing of work concerning children in need, children subject to child protection plans and children who are looked after in care.
- Work restoratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families, and carers to achieve positive outcomes.
- Participate in arrangements to receive, screen, and respond to requests for service and referrals.
- Work with children and young people, families, and carers to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
- Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders
- Plan and commission services and support for children, young people, and their families
- Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.
- Undertake preventative work with families in order to reduce the need for children to become looked after in care.
- Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings.
- Work to be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager.
- Undertake the Practice Educator Level 2 role and assess and manage the work of social work students.
- Promote the right to advocacy to all children and young people on their caseload and offer full information on how to make complaints.
- Be available for young people to contact and respond to phone calls/call them back promptly.
- Make young people aware of whom they can contact outside office hours.
- Flexible working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings.
- Work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with other colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers, and other agencies. Supervision will be provided as a minimum on a monthly basis.
- Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications: Appropriate professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement of the post and maintain registration. Practice Educator Level 1 on appointment and to undertake Practice Educator Level 2 within an agreed time period.
Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
- Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise, and evaluate work with service users.
- Able to plan, prioritise and time manage a complex workload.
- A high level of effective written and verbal communication and the ability to pass information accurately and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers, and colleagues.
- Able to overcome resistance and to exercise assertiveness in appropriate situations when working with individuals, families, carers, and other agencies.
- Able to negotiate, challenge and manage conflict.
- Able to innovate and problem solve with the ability to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change.
- Able to devise, implement review and evaluate service and support plans.
- Able to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person-centred approach.
- Able to exercise individual judgement and consult where and when necessary.
- Able to be flexible, creative and use own initiative.
- Able to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
- Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
- Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
- Able to chair multi-agency and other meetings and represent the Council in a professional capacity.
- Able to develop self and others including mentoring, supervision and development of student placements and other social work staff.
- Able to lead and motivate staff.
- Ability to work and engage with children and young people and use their views to inform assessments, plans and interventions.
- Knowledge of recent relevant professional developmentKnowledge and understanding of the legislative framework appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds
- Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
- Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet, and Email,
- Knowledge of current, trends, policies, legislation, and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families, and carers as appropriate.
- Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
- Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
- Of the challenges of working within a multi-agency environment
- Experience of working within a Social Care environment
- Experience of working in a multi-agency setting
- Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems.
- Experience of working within and implementing a person centred/child focused approach.
- Experience of supervising, supporting, encouraging, and advising qualified and non-qualified staff
- Experience of the use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning.
- Experience of producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function.
- Experience of managing a high level, complex and diverse caseload within agreed parameters, policy, and procedure
- Experience of the application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments.
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