Overview
Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) – SEND and Children’s Social Care
Based with the Children With Disabilities Team, providing advice, guidance and support for children, families and professionals across all areas and levels of Children’s Social Care. This role strengthens collaborative working between Education, Health and Social Care as Warwickshire embeds Families First teams with locality working, multi-disciplinary and multi-agency approaches that support the whole family.
Warwickshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. The position is a 12-month maternity cover within the DSCO, Grade O.
What we offer
* Supportive managers with recognition and a robust supervision policy focused on wellbeing and workload
* A Volunteering & Wellbeing Day, generous annual leave and an additional day at Christmas
* Refer a Friend package for some roles (terms and conditions apply)
Responsibilities
The DSCO will ensure high quality social care input and engagement with the Education, Health and Care needs assessment and planning process, with a focus on how different roles support the coordination of social care input into Education, Health and Care Plans.
Social care is a complex system and Children and Young People with SEND may have many different assessments or plans at any one time, such as:
* Early help
* Child in need
* Child protection
* Children Looked After
* Pathway plans, PEPs and others
* Transition Assessment and Progression to Adulthood
If this area of work is of interest, we would love to hear from you.
Requirements and qualifications
* Is able to nurture a culture of relational and restorative practice throughout all work
* Passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people with SEND
* In-depth knowledge and understanding of social care and SEND legislation
* Confident and capable to negotiate with and influence others; build and nurture effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders across the Local Authority, community, parent and voluntary organisations; promote co-production
* Can offer training, advice and guidance to staff and partner agencies as the social care lead
* Experience using quality assurance frameworks to monitor and review service effectiveness
* Ability to identify areas of EHCP processes that require practice improvement and present solutions
* Excellent organisational, planning and administrative skills with the ability to manage workload to meet deadlines and work collaboratively
* Leadership, negotiation skills and experience working with Senior Managers to drive organisational developments
* Self-motivated with excellent verbal and written communication skills; IT literate
* Initiative and problem-solving skills; positive, energetic and enthusiastic
* A degree in Social Work, Dip SW, CQSW or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience
How to apply and closing date
Closing date: 23 October 2025; Interview date: Week beginning 27 October 2025. For further information see the Job Description and Person Specification. If you require applications in an alternative format/language or adjustments during the application process, contact hrandpayroll@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
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