The salary for this permanent Social Worker job is £45,869 per annum.
Duties:
Act as a member of a social work team providing social work services to children and their families, with the purpose of safeguarding and promoting their welfare
Discharge the Authorities responsibilities under the Children’s Act 1989 & 2004 and other relevant legislation in respect of; children in need of protection and those in the care of the Local Authority
Maintain professional standards of practice and to work in accordance with Social Work England standards and the Division’s values, strategic objectives, procedures and managerial guidance
Assess and provide services to children and families in need within the framework of relevant law, legislation and national and local guidance
Undertake high quality, analytical single assessments within statutory timescales, which are reflective of presenting concerns and responsive to identified unmet needs and/or risks
Undertake practice which is analytical and reflective and in which the child’s voice is consistently heard and recorded
Ensure that services are efficiently and effectively provided, liaising as necessary with other Council Divisions, Health, Education, Police, and other statutory, independent and voluntary sector providers
Working within the London Child Protection Procedures to undertake key work responsibilities for children subject to a child protection plan and children looked after by the Local Authority who are deemed to be at risk
Assess, advise and support Children and Families in need alongside Health, Education and Targeted Family Support colleagues to address unmet need and prevent statutory safeguarding intervention
Working with Care Planning regulations 2010, and in accordance with the Children and Families Act 2014, to execute statutory duties to children in care
Promote timely permanency planning for children in care, in accordance with the Adoption Act 2002
Enhance and promote continuing professional development in accordance with the Professional Capabilities Framework and registration requirements of the SWE
Undertake appropriate training and keep abreast of changes in legislation divisional procedures and development in professional practice
Contribute to the planning and development of the services provided by the team and promote the improvement of standards and quality assurance
Use ICT and ICS as required to maintain accurate case records, and to be able to report on key performance management data
Comply with the Service case recording guidance
Ensure that your Line Manager is kept fully appraised of any concerns arising from caseload and seek advice as and when necessary
Ensure compliance with appropriate legislation, Council Policies, the Council Constitution (including Contract Rules, Financial Regulations and Rules, Employment Procedure Rules, Employees’ Code of Conduct), Information Security Policies, Social Media Policy and other requirements of the Council
Ensure high standards of records management and assume responsibility for all information assigned to the post
Promote the development of a high quality individual need led service, to comply at all times with the Council’s policies and procedures, particularly those regarding Data Protection, Equalities and Diversity and Health and Safety
Ensure compliance with and actively promote the Council’s Equalities and Diversity policies and strategies and comply with the Equality Act 2010
Ensure compliance with and actively promote Health and Safety at work legislation, Council and Service H&S policies and procedures
Comply with the competencies and standard requisites agreed by the Council as relevant to your post
Comply with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) (all employees of the Council will not disclose or make use of, for their private advantage, any information held on manual or computer records, which are not available to the public, however acquired)
Take responsibility for continuing self-development and participate in training and development activities
Carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required by the Line Manager within the grading level of the post and the competence of the postholder
Deliver the best outcomes for children at risk of harm
Requirements of the Social Worker:
Social Work Qualification (i.e. DIPSW, CQSW or equivalent) Current Social Work England (SWE) registration
Successful completion of ASYE programme (post qualification)
Current Social Work England registration
Significant senior level frontline experience within Children’s Services
Have a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check for Children
Knowledge and understanding of current social work issues within Children’s Services
Demonstrable assessment, risk assessment and analytical skills to make clear, well evidenced recommendations
An ability to promote effective decision making to protect children from harm
Well-developed skills in the use of Information Technology
Experience of working within the court arena
Experience of direct work with children and families’ procedures to inform practice
Ability to write structured, evidence-based reports through pre-birth assessments/child protection conferences/court reports etc where relevant and meet specified deadlines
An understanding and ability of how to develop effective working relationship with colleagues and external agencies
An understanding of equality and diversity and ability to work anti- oppressively and promote anti-oppressive practice and evidence of where this has made a difference
Ability to maintain professional boundaries with colleagues and service users and to promote the values of the Council in all interactions
Able to deal with challenging people in distressing situations
Communicates frequently and effectively with staff at all levels within the Service and with members of other disciplines / organisations
Ability to write structured, evidenced-based reports and meet specified deadlines
An ability to demonstrate professional curiosity and use reflective practice to think creatively about interventions
Understanding of the financial constraints on local authorities
An understanding of the need for data protection, best practice for information sharing and confidentiality
An understanding of and commitment to engaging in regular supervision
Ability to work on own initiative in a high-pressure environment – with support via supervision
Awareness of when to seek advice
Ability to plan and prioritise own workload
Know how to work within a team context which brings value to your service and wider council; also to know that as a social worker you contribute to a wider community context