Overview
Social Worker – Young People with Disabilities Team, Mid Essex
Permanent, Part Time (29.6 hours per week). Location: Chelmsford. Salary: £34,902 to £50,081 per annum full-time equivalent (pro rata £27,922 to £40,065 for part-time).
Essex County Council is an Outstanding employer and has been named Social Work Employer of the Year. The organisation supports flexible working and has implemented a nine-day working fortnight for full-time frontline Social Workers within Children’s services.
The Role
Family Operations delivers direct services for vulnerable children, young people and complex families. The postholder reports to a Team Manager and works within a small team focused on delivering excellent social work practice in areas including Assessment & Intervention, Family Support & Protection, Children in Care & Leaving Care, Fostering & Adoption. The role requires applying high standards of social work practice within legal frameworks, policy and procedures.
Responsibilities
* Manage a defined caseload and work with children, young people and families to achieve positive changes and outcomes.
* Undertake enquiry, assessment, direct work and review in relation to Child Protection, Child in Need and Children Looked After, including permanency planning where appropriate.
* Assess, plan, review and provide support to children, families or carers with complex needs, considering legal frameworks, policy and guidance.
* Assess family functioning and provide support when relationship breakdown threatens child well-being.
* Collaborate with other professionals to help children and families improve outcomes and participate in their communities.
* Carry out safeguarding assessments and plan responses to protect children from abuse, neglect or exploitation; may include facilitating removal from parents or carers when required.
* Arrange appropriate alternative care and, where possible, a permanent home.
* Make recommendations on statutory threshold decisions and contribute to court reports and evidence in legal proceedings as required.
* Promote autonomy and development for individuals with complex social needs and those with disabilities or diminished capacity.
* Complete age and human rights assessments as appropriate and maintain high-quality case records.
* Participate in planning and decision-making forums (Strategy Meetings, Legal Planning, Child Protection Conferences, Statutory Reviews).
* Role may include fostering or adoption suitability assessments and supporting social work students or Newly Qualified Social Workers (ASYE) as appropriate.
* Engage with communities, families and individuals to maximise personal strengths and resources.
* Provide case management and expert guidance to social care staff, students and new workers when required.
Accountabilities
* Deliver outcomes in line with Essex County Council values and behaviours.
* Work flexibly across boundaries to support key outcomes and organisational capability.
* Take responsibility for personal development and respond to performance feedback.
* Think creatively, challenge norms constructively to drive continuous improvement.
* Identify and respond to risk, including Health and Safety and Business Continuity considerations.
* Collaborate on projects or processes as needed under the new operating model to ensure cross-functional excellence.
The Experience You Will Bring
* A recognised social work qualification (Diploma, degree or Masters) with current Social Work England (SWE) registration.
* Demonstrated practice against Professional Capability Framework (PCF) and Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
* Case recording skills and ability to apply SW knowledge with emotional intelligence and confidence in challenging situations.
* Good IT skills and experience with SW case recording systems.
* Mobility across a wide operational area including travel in Essex; a driving licence and car or alternative mobility arrangements are essential.
* Flexibility to work evenings and weekends if necessary.
This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and Experienced Social Workers.
To read more about us please visit: Children & Families. No Magic video for Children & Families is available on our pages.
Other key information: DBS checks may be required; if applicable you will need to register with the DBS update service. Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and encourages applicants with disabilities and veterans/care leavers who meet minimum requirements to apply. For adjustments during the process, contact resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Find more opportunities and updates on our careers site and through The Essex Talent Community.
Eligibility and Notices
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and supports reasonable adjustments. This job posting does not create a contract or guarantee of employment.
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