Job title: Social Worker - Children and Families Job Category: Social Care Qualified Location: Atlas House, 2 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA9 1LD, St. Helens MBC Hours Per Week :37.00 Pay: £27.00 per hour Can be flexible however 2/3 days office based is required Within the relevant context of the role (with others, within statutory, organisational and multi agency systems and in partnership with children, young people and their families and carers) carry out the following tasks: 1. To hold and effectively manage challenging cases, providing an exemplary service in line with statutory requirements and departmental priorities, improving outcomes for children and young people. 2. To demonstrate effective practice in the most complex situations, assessing and managing higher levels of risk, striking a balance between support and control, liaising with a wide range of professionals within multi-disciplinary teams, including more senior levels. 3. To model best practice, setting expectations for others and to take responsibility for coaching and mentoring student social workers. 4. To undertake the range of duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Department as specified in the Children’s Act 1989 and such other legislation as is or may be appropriate to work with children and their families. 5. To investigation allegations of neglect, ill treatment or abuse of children and to make enquiries as to the need to provide services to such children, instigate Child Protection procedures or an application to a court for an appropriate order in respect of such children. 6. To monitor and supervise children placed on the Child Protection or Children in Need plans. 7. To provide the assessment and supervision of children looked after by St Helens Council in order that statutory duties towards such children are met. 8. To undertake the preparation of reports, statements and such other legal documents as may be required in relation to children and young persons in both criminal and family proceedings courts within the relevant timescales to attend court and represent the department. 9. To undertake assessments, design and implement care/protection plans in complex situations by a variety of methods of intervention and to encourage the development of quality standards and practice. 10. To receive and manage the investigation and assessment of referrals and to instigate/recommend appropriate action. 11. To manage a more complex caseload working with a high degree of personal and professional accountability and autonomy. 12. To manage casework in line with service practice standards and achieve compliance on meeting statutory timescales for assessments, visits, meetings and reports. To maintain accurate case records using an electronic case management system, keeping records up-to-date and to escalate any concerns to managers in a timely manner. 13. To work to overcome hostility and resistance to social care involvement. To work in partnership and undertake negotiation with families and professionals for full participation in assessment, planning, review and decision making, at all times prioritising safety of children/young people 14. To develop realistic, evidence-based, child centred plans within a review timeline, which will manage and reduce identified risks and meet the needs of the child and to ensure actions on the plan are progressed within statutory timescales. 15. To provide expertise in a specialist field acting as a resource to the team and department to develop best practice; to engage in research and evaluation of practice. 16. To model, identify and promote best practice, policy, procedures and training informed by current evidence. To provide practice consultation and promote respect for professional social worker expertise. 17. To reflect upon and review own continuous professional development 18. To accurately record, critically analyse and keep up to date information using the appropriate IT systems in accordance with the Departments recording policy. To produce relevant reports, including court statements to a high standard, as required. 19. Create and maintain effective relationships with children, young people, their parents, families and carers to ensure the diverse needs are identified, met and regularly reviewed.