Social Worker – Residential Family Assessment Centre

Location: Primrose Family Care, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington
Salary: Starting at £36,000 per annum
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Work Location: On-site

Role Description

Primrose Family Care is seeking an experienced and committed Social Worker to join our Ofsted-registered Residential Family Assessment Centre.

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a supportive and developing service providing high-quality residential parenting assessments for local authorities and the courts.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for allocated families throughout their assessment, undertaking direct work, analysing parenting capacity, identifying strengths, vulnerabilities and risks, and producing clear, evidence-based reports and recommendations.

Alongside their social work and assessment responsibilities, the postholder will also provide additional support to the Registered Manager and, when required, deputise for the Registered Manager to support the safe and effective day-to-day operation of the centre. This provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced Social Worker who is interested in developing their leadership and management experience within a residential family assessment setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake high-quality residential parenting assessments within agreed timescales.
• Use appropriate assessment approaches, including ParentAssess where required.
• Take lead responsibility for allocated families from admission through to completion of the assessment.
• Undertake direct work with parents and children to assess parenting capacity, strengths, vulnerabilities, risks and capacity for change.
• Observe and analyse parent-child interactions and ensure the child's welfare, safety and lived experience remain central to the assessment.
• Produce clear, analytical and evidence-based assessment reports suitable for local authorities, legal proceedings and the courts.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and emerging risks.
• Contribute to the development and review of assessment plans, placement plans and risk assessments.
• Work sensitively with parents who may have learning difficulties, mental health needs, trauma histories, substance misuse concerns or experience of domestic abuse.
• Ensure appropriate reasonable adjustments are considered so parents are given a fair opportunity to demonstrate their parenting capacity.
• Work closely with Family Support Workers, providing professional guidance and ensuring observations contribute effectively to the overall assessment.
• Maintain accurate, timely and professional case records.
• Attend and contribute to placement planning meetings, review meetings, professionals' meetings and other relevant meetings.
• Liaise effectively with local authority Social Workers, Children's Guardians, legal representatives and other professionals.
• Provide professional updates and contribute to evidence required within care proceedings.
• Give evidence in court where required.
• Participate in supervision, reflective practice, team meetings and continuing professional development.
• Support a positive, safe and respectful environment for children and families.
• Work in accordance with Primrose Family Care's Statement of Purpose, policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to quality assurance and the ongoing development of the service.
• Support the Registered Manager with the effective day-to-day operation of the centre and deputise in their absence when required.
• Provide professional guidance and leadership to staff when deputising, ensuring safeguarding, risk management and the welfare of children and families remain central to decision-making.