About this job
We are looking for a Social Worker registered with Social Work England (SWE) with experience in working with children and families in a statutory setting. We are seeking candidates who are willing to work with a range of professionals and agencies in progressing permanency plans for Looked After Children. This is a unique and specialist role that is systematically designed to holistically support children secure permanent homes and a better future. The Kinship and Adoption Team aims to secure permanency for children via Adoption and Special Guardianship Order whilst working creatively and sensitively with children, families, professionals and agencies to promote stability for children. Kinship and Adoption Social workers are committed to making a difference in the life of every child placed in care. The team consist of dedicated social workers with shared responsibilities and understanding in promoting good practice. Kinship and Adoption Social workers are confident and resilient workers who are offered lots of opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in social work practice. We are looking for candidates who are open to a new challenge and willing to invest in a culture of learning and support targeted at improving the lives of children and families and promoting best outcomes. We are looking for a passionate social worker with two years post qualifying experience working with children and families. Direct experience of working within an Adoption and Special Guardianship team is not essential but safeguarding experience and ability to engage and communicate effectively with children and families is required. In this role, you will be working as an Adoption Social Worker and a Supervising Social Worker for Kinship carers. This means you will be working in line with Adoption and Fostering legislations whilst working effectively with professionals and agencies to drive permanency plans for children. You will be supervising Reg 24 carers in ensuring care standards requirements are met in the best interest of children whilst proactively seeking support to equip carers with resources required to promote the welfare and stability of children under Connected person arrangement, Special Guardianship Orders and Private Fostering. You will also be responsible for monitoring the welfare and progress of Looked After Children who are subject to LAC Reviews and LAC processes until Adoption Order is granted. The team provides post SGO support including making an application to seek therapeutic support for children under SGO via Adoption Support Fund(ASF). You will also be supporting children and families post SGO with general queries in relation to contact issues and Special Guardianship payments. We run a healthy and supportive Duty system as well as organise and run SG support groups to support carers. You will be an active team member working alongside colleagues to deliver effective and excellent services to children and families.
Special requirements for this post
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on successful applicants including a Disclosure check. The postholder will need to have a social work degree and be registered with Social Work England. (Formerly HCPC) registration
About you
You are a passionate, caring and dedicated Social worker; someone who can work well in diverse communities, and promote good practice, applying equal opportunities, policies and strategies. You will be a good communicator who will have the ability to listen, use verbal reasoning skills and work with a broad range of professionals, children, young people, their families and Kinship carers. You are able to produce excellent reports and maintain case notes in a timely manner and make evidenced based decisions seeking management advice when necessary. As part of our values-based recruitment, we are looking for candidates to respond to the five council DRIVE Values – Deliver, Respond, Inspire, Value and Engage. For this role we are particularly looking for candidates that can Respond, Inspire and Engage as per the JDPS.
About us
We are putting the heart back into social work, supported by our relational practice model, we ensure the child’s lived experience takes Centre stage. We need committed individuals to support us in the delivery of these aims and to become part of our team to make a difference to our children and families. In return we offer a competitive pay package, generous pension, annual leave up to 30 days, opportunities for flexible working, investment in your learning and development as well as a commitment to your wellbeing. The council supports a model of flexible working, providing the necessary IT so staff can work from any location that meets the needs of the vulnerable people we support. In return, we will give you the time and support you need to make a difference. We believe that our training, development and support is among the best in London – and we have plenty more in store for 2024. We are driving down caseloads and investing heavily in better IT and mobile working technology to help staff spend more quality time doing what matters. We offer a £2,500 recruitment allowance with your first salary and an annual £2,500 retention payment thereafter, subject to conditions. If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for and you would be interested in a confidential discussion about the post, then please send your questions to k and we will get back to you within 48 hours.