A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose

Provide a high quality and comprehensive social work service to children, families, and carers, in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines. The work will be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager. This may include elements of co-working more challenging/complex casework.

The post holder must at all times carry out the responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, and also within the Social Work England Code of Practice.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for a caseload which includes the assessment of needs and management of risk regarding children, their families, and carers.
• Develop relationships with children, young people, and families/carers so as to best provide a high-quality service, Honour commitments, and demonstrate accountability.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records, author reports as required and if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
• Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users. Supervise students.
• Carry a caseload and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.
• Use a child focused approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in line with procedures.
• Responsible for analysing information to support the on-going needs of users, their families, and carers.
• Monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in accordance with directorate procedures.
• Use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.
• Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records and author reports as required.
• Work directly with children and young people to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views.
• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
• Comply with relevant governance, policy, and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic, and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
• Responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies, and procedures.
• Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
• Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
• Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi-agency meetings in line with procedures.
• Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
• Work to and within the prescribed Professional Capabilities Framework
• Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
• Carry out the role and responsibilities of key worker for a caseload which will include statutory work.
• Undertake assessment, planning and reviewing of work concerning children in need, children subject to child protection plans and children who are looked after in care.
• Working restoratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families, and carers to achieve positive outcomes.
• Participate in arrangements to receive, screen, and respond to requests for service and referrals.
• Work with children and young people, families, and carers to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
• Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders
• Plan and commission services and support for children, young people, and their families
• Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.
• Undertake preventative work with families in order to reduce the need for children to become looked after in care.
• Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings.
• Carry out the Practice Educator Level 1 role.
• Promote the right to advocacy to all children and young people on their caseload and offer full information on how to make complaints.
• Being available for young people to contact and respond to phone calls/call them back promptly.
• Make young people aware of whom they can contact outside office hours.
• Flexible working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings.
• Work as part