How you'll make a difference
Our social workers make a real difference. Every day they work with families to help children and young people who have had a difficult start in life to achieve their ambitions. You will be listening to young people and putting them at the heart of all that we do and working in partnership with families, equipping them with the skills they need to ensure young people live in happy, healthy and safe homes. Although this post is advertised as a full time position, we encourage and welcome applications from experienced social workers who may be seeking part time, job share or flexible working arrangements. What will you be doing? The Children in Care service includes sub specialisms, with social workers allocated to a full range of children in care, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC), Early Permanence and Care Leavers. Your role will be more weighted towards one specialism based on your skillset, however as a 'one-service' approach, you will have opportunities to develop skills and experience within the wider disciplines within the service; and may be required to support areas outside of your primary specialism.
1. We have a strong culture of giving staff the time, freedom and support to explore new and better ways of doing things, so we’re looking for individuals keen to use their creativity to deliver high quality, child-centred practices, which ensure the best outcomes for children and families.
2. As a case holding social worker you will have the opportunity to travel as some children and young people are placed are out of the local area. Common work will include completing regular visits and assessments, gaining the views and wishes of children and young people and incorporating their views into your daily work. You may also be working with children and young people who are in Private Fostering settings, placed with Kinship Carers and Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers.
What we need from you
3. A qualified social worker with relevant registration to practice and a good understanding of asset and strengths based approaches to social work
4. A problem solver, confident about making important decisions, underpinned by a genuine passion to work collaboratively with children, young people and families to meet their goals and aspirations
5. Innovation, positivity and dedication. You’ll welcome challenge and embrace change.
6. You will demonstrate specialist knowledge of the relevant services, including latest service developments, legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post. You will be required to travel widely to a range of locations within the Authority so you must have a current driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle insured for business use.