Job Description
3 Month Contract With A Local Authority
JOB PURPOSE
To provide practical and emotional support to children, young people, and their families or carers within placements and community settings. The role supports care-experienced young people, care leavers, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) by delivering strengths-based, outcome-focused interventions. The post-holder assists qualified Social Workers in fulfilling statutory duties, undertakes assessments where appropriate, and supports care and support planning to ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and positive outcomes for all young people.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide direct support to children and young people in line with assessed needs and care and support plans.
• Work with care-experienced young people, care leavers, and UASC, offering culturally sensitive and age-appropriate support.
• Undertake assessments of children and young people under the direction of the Team Manager or Senior Practitioner.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with children, young people, families, carers, and partner agencies.
• Work sensitively with individuals experiencing stress, trauma, or complex circumstances while keeping the child’s wellbeing central.
• Transport young people to appointments and activities as required.
• Record accurate case information on WCCIS and contribute to documentation used in statutory processes, including court proceedings.
• Inform managers of any safeguarding concerns, changes in circumstances, or emerging risks.
• Meet required timescales for assessments, records, and care planning tasks.
• Liaise and collaborate with statutory and voluntary agencies to coordinate support and represent the authority in various settings.
• Attend supervision, team meetings, case reviews, and multi-agency meetings.
• Contribute to service development initiatives and the overall functioning of the team.
• Adapt to working in homes, community settings, and office environments as required.
• Work flexibly, including evenings and weekends when necessary.
REQUIREMENTS
• Level 2 Care qualification or equivalent (CQFW).
• Understanding of confidentiality and professional handling of sensitive information.
• Knowledge of children’s behaviour, family needs, and when intervention is required.
• Understanding of legislation relevant to children and young people.
• Awareness of supervision purpose and reflective practice.
• Ability to respond positively to change.
• Knowledge of the Looked After Children system.
• Effective verbal and written communication with children, young people, and families.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour safely in varied settings.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Accurate recording, keyboard competence, and awareness of accountability.
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise tasks.
• Ability to work creatively and use initiative in supporting children and families.
• Strong report-writing skills.