Supervising Social Worker (Fostering and Kinship Teams)

at  ManchesterCityCouncil

WHERE WOULD YOU BE BASED?

Our locality offices across the city are - we offer flexible working from home and office time with teams so let us know what works for you:

• Fostering - Wythenshawe District Office, Etrop Court, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M22 5RG

We’re looking for people who can provide effective, quality, professional social work to children and their families in accordance with legislation; statutory guidance at national, regional and local levels; and policies and procedures, with the outcome of improving children’s lives.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE

We are seeking to appoint Supervising Social Workers within our Fostering Team. Your main role will be support and assessments of prospective foster carers on our Kinship Teams, your work will include working with families from initial viability assessments through to achieving permanence for children through Special Guardianship. The role will require excellent assessment and analytical skills whilst representing the authority in undertaking timely assessments. Our model is relationship based, and we aim to work with families throughout their journey to permanence, offering them a consistent worker throughout their journey.
We are looking for Social Workers with experience of undertaking assessments within set times scales. Social workers with positive approaches, solution focused and able to display and promote positive, family focused practice whilst demonstrating enthusiasm and passion for protecting children and young people across the city.
In Manchester we have 3 Kinship Teams who are part of the ‘Kinship Hub’. We have 3 Managers, 3 Advanced Practitioners, and a Specialist SGO role. Our teams undertake viability assessments, reg 24 assessments and support to kinship carers, we are a busy hub who work to support children to live in loving, stable homes, be this immediate or pre planned.

In terms of support the hub have access to:

• A designated business support team who process carer applications.
• A designated Training Officer who supports carers to access appropriate training and personal development
• An SGO worker who provides advice and assistance to prospective Special Guardians. They also process all ASF applications and facilitate support groups post SGO.
• 3 Designated ‘Case Progression Officers’ who support with court timetabling and liaison.
• A Mockingbird Liaison Officer who supports staff and carers to engage in the Mockingbird model
• A weekly ‘stability panel’ with access to support from Camhs, Health, Virtual Schools and our ‘Alonzi House’ service (which includes access to mental health practitioners, Lifelong Links, SALT, outreach work, carer support, over night stays and family group conference)
• A recruitment and retention officer who supports with activities and events for children and their carers.

• A clinical psychologist who is based with the team one day per week for formulation meetings and consultation.

  All staff on the team have regular training and support. The Kinship Hub are a happy, thriving service who all share the same values and are committed to supporting each other and their families.

ABOUT US

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
We’re the local government authority for Manchester, and have teams across the city helping to make this a great place to live for everyone. We’re proud to do local government differently, in a city with an international reputation for diversity, creativity, culture and passion.
When you join us, you’re joining a team of over 7,000 council staff helping to make our ambition for Manchester a reality. Whatever your role, you’ll be supporting our residents and communities to be the best they can be, and helping to build a Manchester that’s fairer for everyone who lives, works, volunteers, studies or plays here.

To make our ambition a reality, every person we recruit needs to play their its part. It takes a certain type of behaviour, attitude and way of working to get Manchester where it wants to be. Our people and partners have agreed five ‘behaviours’ – the grounding for how we must work together and treat one another:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

A career with us means you can be yourself, thrive, and build the career your talent and ambition deserve.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
We welcome applications at this time. Application will be held in our ‘talent pool’ until a vacancy arises. Successful applicants will be contacted for interview when a position becomes vacant.

This role is subject to -

• Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England
• This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore you must hold a full valid driving licence at all times and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance.
• The post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
• The Children’s Social Work Services are not currently considering applications from overseas. You must be living in the UK to be considered for the role at this time.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health conditio

If you are successfully offered a position with us, the pre-employment checks you will be asked to undertake will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these may include:

• Passport/ID: You will be required to provide documentary proof of your right to work in the UK – please note that visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role
• References (Current and Previous employer)
• Qualification
• Disclosure and Barring Service Clearance (DBS) (as applicable)
• Proof of Manchester residency (that you are a resident within the boundaries of Manchester City Council)
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance
• Evidence of driving licence
• Police Vetting Chec