QSW - Social Worker - Looked After Children
The Slough Children Looked After Teams are seeking passionate and dedicated Social Workers who are committed to making a real difference in the lives of our children. We are currently in an excellent position, with manageable caseloads and strong stability across all services. As part of this team, you’ll receive exceptional management support, flexible working arrangements, bespoke training opportunities, and the chance to innovate and make a positive impact.
Main Accountabilities:
* Promote and Safeguard Wellbeing: Ensure the wellbeing and interests of children and young people are prioritised at all times, across all aspects of work.
* Independent Workload Management: Take responsibility for managing an independent workload, meeting legislative requirements to a high standard and within specified timescales.
* Assessment and Intervention: Thoroughly assess, critically analyse, and plan suitable interventions for complex cases, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations. Initiate legal proceedings and court cases as needed, while effectively managing risk and seeking support from senior team members.
* Clear Documentation: Produce concise, well-structured assessments, plans, and reports. Clearly record and report analysis, judgements, and recommendations, ensuring follow-through.
* Transfer Planning: When cases need to be transferred to another service or partners, create a clearly recorded transfer plan.
* Accurate Records: Maintain accurate, up-to-date, evidence-based records in line with statutory requirements, ensuring confidentiality.
* Relationship Building: Work directly with children, young people, and families/carers to develop effective relationships. Seek to understand their needs and views, promoting their participation in decision-making and informing assessment and planning.
* Collaboration: Partner with colleagues and other agencies to deliver accessible and effective services. Empower parents and carers to develop and maintain safe parenting practices. Lead meetings to achieve positive outcomes for children.
* Performance and Development: Take ownership of individual performance, aligning with national standards, service-specific indicators, and improvement actions.
* Professional Growth: Keep pace with national, regional, and local policy initiatives. Attend training to maintain professional development and receive regular supervision.
Additional Accountabilities: 11. Learn from Routine Observation and Auditing: Actively participate in routine observation, review, and auditing activities conducted by the Team Manager and Assistant Team Manager. Use these opportunities to enhance social work practice standards. 12. Resource Identification: Collaborate with the Assistant Team Manager to identify and utilise available resources effectively in promoting child and family well-being. 13. Effective Relationships: Develop and maintain strong internal and external working relationships. Ensure a cohesive approach to teamwork and collaboration with other team members and managers. 14. Values and Positive Culture: Uphold Slough Children First’s values and contribute to fostering a positive team and service culture. Address behaviour misaligned with our values and take appropriate action. 15. Anti-Discriminatory Framework: Conduct all interventions within an anti-discriminatory framework. Consider factors such as race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc., and deliver appropriate services to Slough’s diverse communities. 16. Cover and Additional Duties: Provide cover for other team members and take on additional duties as required.
Essential Criteria:
* Professional Qualification: Possess a Professional Social Work Degree or an equivalent qualification.
* Post-Qualifying Experience: Demonstrate post-qualifying experience as a social worker working with children and families.
* Registration: Be Social Work England Registered.
* Enhanced DBS Check: Hold an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
* Legal Framework and Assessment Process: Have knowledge and application of the legal framework and assessment process in Children’s Social Care.
* Values and Principles: Understand and apply the values and principles underpinning the involvement of children, young people, and families/carers. This includes awareness of their right to access independent advocacy and complaints processes.
* Effective Communication: Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a range of audiences. This includes children, young people, parents, carers, and professional colleagues.
* Social Work Interventions: Demonstrate knowledge and application of social work interventions in at least one area of practice.
* Information Assessment and Reporting: Gather and assess information to inform judgement in complex situations. Clearly report and record analysis.
* Outcome-Oriented Interventions: Use a range of interventions effectively and evaluate their impact to ensure correct outcomes are achieved.
* Workload Management: Independently manage and prioritise your workload while maintaining professionalism, even in challenging circumstances. Seek support and propose solutions for workload difficulties.
* Human Rights and Equality: Commit to the principles of human rights and equality, understanding how they underpin social work practice.
* Statutory Framework: Understand and have experience of the statutory framework underpinning social work.
* Computer Literacy: Be computer-literate and proficient in using Microsoft Office packages.
* Electronic Case Management: Possess some experience of using electronic case management skills.
Desirable Criteria:
* UK Driving Licence: Hold a current UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
Why Choose Slough Children First?
* Local Authority Support: As part of Slough Borough Council, we have the backing of a local authority committed to positive change.
* Inclusive Environment: We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where your contributions matter.
* Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and development.
* Impactful Work: Your efforts directly contribute to the betterment of our community.
Slough: A Vibrant Place to Live and Work
Slough is one of the most diverse places in the country outside of London. It’s also rated as the best place to live or work. With pleasant environments, above-average salaries, and a lower cost of living, Slough offers an increased quality of life for employees. Plus, it’s conveniently located near the M25, M4, and M40, with less than 20 minutes by train to Central London.If you’re ready for a new challenge and want to contribute to turning children’s services around in Slough, send your CV over today!If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of an organisation that values its employees, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding position. # 4545736