Children’ Social Worker Front Door Team 5188907

Job Description

Main responsibilities:

Referral and assessment:

Basic Grade 7

Provides a duty, contact, referral and assessment service for members of the public and other professionals making a referral to the specialist social work services

Receives referrals and with the appropriate supervision determines initial service delivery

Undertakes enquiries and assessments under Section 17 of the Children Act and with appropriate supervision determines the most appropriate actions and interventions to meet the safeguarding and welfare needs of Children in Need and children in need of protection

Works closely with other agencies and professionals to ensure that the most appropriate services are provided to children and their families to meet their assessed needs

Maintains all case records in line with departmental policy and uses computer systems as required

With appropriate supervision formulates and implements appropriate plans to meet the needs of children and their families

Developed (Grade 8)

All of the above plus

Undertakes safeguarding enquiries and assessments under Section 47 of the Children Act and within delegations determines the most appropriate actions and interventions to meet the safeguarding and welfare needs of children and young people

Within delegation and with the support as required prepares assessments and reports for Child Protection Case Conferences and court

With the support as required presents the above reports within multi agency case conferences or other meetings

With support as required prepares court statements and gives evidence in court

Advance (Grade 9)

Undertakes all of the above autonomously, professionally and within delegations plus

Ensure that all referrals received by the service have an initial assessment and Social Work interventions are allocated appropriately

Provides an advanced level of Social Work expertise and knowledge of the team and uses the knowledge to support other less experienced workers and to develop high quality and professional Social Work practice across the service

Acts as agency decision maker alongside the Police in determining the most appropriate actions to be taken in case of significant harm to children an young people

Ensures the smooth transfer of cases from the Referral Assessment Service to longer term Case Management Services as appropriate.

Case Management

Basic Grade 7

With the appropriate supervision manages a caseload of Children in Need, Children in Need of Protection or Children in Care

Liaises closely with other agencies and other service arenas in formulating and implementing plans to meet the assessed needs if children and their families and carers

Works within Child Care legislation and departmental policies and procedures to the required standards in assessing and meeting the needs of children and their families and carers

Maintains all case records in line with departmental policy and uses computer systems and other communication systems as required

With appropriate supervision and supports acts as ‘Lead Professional’ in respect of individual children and young people. Works in partnership with families and other agencies to provide a range of Social Work interventions to ensure that the assessed needs of children and their families and carers are met in the most appropriate way.

Ensures the views, wishes and feelings of children and their families and carers are taken into account when formulating and implementing plans.

With supervision and support undertakes statutory supervision and case planning for children who are subject to public law orders (i.e. ‘in care’ or subject to supervision orders)

With supervision and support undertakes assessments and prepares statements for court in respect of Private Law Proceedings

Developed Grade 8

All of the above plus

Takes responsibility for more complex work, commensurate with the level of competence and experience including

• Acting as ‘lead professional’ for children who are subject to a Child Protection Plan
• Undertaking assessments for Child Protection Case Conference or Court
• Undertaking specialist Social Work interventions
• Providing assessments for Adoption or Foster Panel
• Providing statements and evidence within court proceedings in both public and private law proceedings

Advanced (Grade 9)

All of the above plus

Manages a caseload of complex work involving multiple and complex safeguarding needs or in respect of children subject to complex Public Law proceedings

Manages this caseload autonomously and professionally within appropriate delegations

Provides advice, guidance, support, coaching, mentoring and supervision to newly qualified and less experienced social Workers within the team.

Provides an advanced level of Social Work expertise and knowledge to the team and uses this knowledge to support other less experienced workers ad to develop professional Social Work practice across the service

Knowledge, skill and experience:

Basic (Grade 7)

• Qualified and HCPC Registered Social Worker
• Has a basic working understanding of the law relating to children, practice guidance, and government initiatives
• Basic assessment skills and knowledge of the National Assessment Framework
• Knowledge of child development
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families and other professionals using a variety of appropriate methods relevant to the age and level of understanding
• Ability to establish relationship and maintain trust with children and families
• Ability to formulate professional working relationships with other agencies and professionals
• Ability to structure your time and manage your own caseload with support and advice required
• Report writing skills and the ability to maintain accurate records
• Experience of working with and proving support to children and their families. The ability to work in partnership with children, young people and their carers
• The ability to work as part of a team

Developed (Grade 8)

All of the above plus

A developed, working understanding of statutory and legal responsibilities towards children, young people and their families

An ability to work appropriately and professionally (with support required) within the court arena. Provide court reports within the required time scales, give evidence in court as required

An understanding of roles and responsibilities within a multi- agency framework, i.e. Child Protection, children in care or Child in Need and an ability to work effectively in a multi agency way

Skills in analysis and the use of theoretical frameworks, research and professional knowledge within planning and decision making

The use of Social Work theories practice tools and methods within work with children and families

The ability to work within lone working policies and to assess and manage risk to self and others within the day and day work with children and families

Safely manage challenging behaviour from either young people or their families

The ability to make competent and professional verbal and written presentations at Case Conferences, CIN meetings, Core Groups, Child in Care reviews etc

An ability to manage own caseload, structure time and make autonomous decisions within appropriate delegated responsibilities

Advanced (Grade 9)

Evidence of the use of a variety of research, practice tools and intervention methods in work with children and families and proven evidence of how these interventions have resulted in improved outcomes for the children and young people

Manage own caseload efficiently, effectively, professionally and autonomously within appropriate delegations

An advance understanding of statutory and legal responsibilities to children and young people. Work appropriately with children and families within Public Law, outline as appropriate and demonstrate effective and professional working relationship with the Local Authority Solicitors and other personnel within the court setting

An advanced and specialist knowledge and expertise within a particular area or areas of Social Work practice

The ability to use this knowledge to improve practice across the service by providing training, coaching, mentoring and co-working in order to develop the skills of other less experienced workers

The advanced and effective use of Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment Tools in complex cases to influence decisions, interventions and outcomes

Successful completion of the Achieving Best Evidence training. Evidence of appropriate joint working with the police in respect of undertaking section 47 enquiries in respect of significant harm to children

An advanced knowledge and working involvement within various mulit-agency safeguarding arenas as the MAPPA or MARAC

Experience of the supervision, mentoring and professional development of students or newly qualified Social Workers

What’s on offer for the Social Worker

· Excellent competitive pay rate – paid weekly!

· Excellent management structure with experienced leaders

· Desirable location with excellent transport links

· A stable and well-supported working environment

You must have:

• A professional qualification in social work and experience of working with Children's
• Social Work England registration.
• Post qualified experience.
• Enhanced DBS/Update service.
• References required for the last 5 years of employment.

Benefits of working with Semester.co.uk:

• Free on-going training opportunities upon registering as part of our commitment to you.
• Competitive Rates of pay
• In house payroll, providing weekly payments and support
• Enhanced DBS completed.
• Support and expert advice from an approachable, dedicated and friendly team
• An assigned dedicated & experienced consultant
• Various employment opportunities in your preferred geographical area
• Flexible hours to meet your needs, full or part time
• Recommend a friend bonus scheme
• “Find your own job” bonus – get £250 for bringing your own position to us *

If you would like to find out more information about this role, or the other opportunities Semester.co.uk have available feel free to click the 'Apply' button below or contact the team on 0161 4199285**

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