Children’s Social Worker Assessment and Support Team

Job Description

We require and experienced agency social worker within our Assessment and Support Team (AST). Our Assessment and Support team operates at the front door to assess the needs or risk of the children and families of Blackpool. We are working hard to build an environment to share knowledge and build a learning culture that promotes a strong working relationships with children and families and also partner agencies to gain an understanding of the daily lived experience of our children, with a clear focus on improvement in the quality of practice. We are now seeking experienced and agency social worker to join our team to support our improvement journey where we are developing a model of practice that focusses on strengthening families with a restorative practice approach.

What you will bring:

• A proven track record, experience of working and managing a caseload of child in need, child protection and assessing complex children and young people’s needs in Children’s Services.
• Social Work qualification Dip SW, BA (Hons) and/or Masters in Social Work.
• Social Work England Registration
• You will also need to have the Eligibility to Work in the UK, The post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure.
• Enthusiastic to work within a team and independently with a manageable caseload and a good level of opportunities for career progression and training.
• Demonstrate an ability to build high quality relationship with children and families and across Children’s Services with internal and external partners.
• Effectively discharge Local Authority Statutory duties in relation to: Children in need; Children in need of protection; Children looked after and subject to care proceedings;
• To promote the welfare of children and young people in accordance with relevant legislation as appropriate.
• An ability to work under pressure to deliver quality services to children and their families, with an ability to work through a complex and varied work and prioritise where necessary.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to work in partnership with service users and their families to promote positive outcomes for children.
• To provide support, guidance, advice and services to families to ensure that issues of concern identified in the assessment are addressed in a timely manner and that the needs of the child are reassessed and reviewed as appropriate.
• Ensure that assessments support the development and implementation of packages of care or protection which are linked to achieving better outcomes for children.
• To work as part of a multi-agency team to deliver the appropriate plan to children on caseload
• Attend and contribute professionally to meetings with children and their families, and other professionals involved within support, and represent the local authority within care proceedings.
• Attendance and contribution to Multi Agency meetings, demonstrates an ability to work towards packages of care, support and protection. Prepare written reports for such meetings.
• Demonstrate an understanding of both policies and procedures with regards to undertaking the work within safeguarding and support.
• To be aware of and actively promote Blackpool Council’s vision and values.
• To abide by the objectives and targets of the service, and follow the procedures and practices utilised in all aspects of the work, including computerised and manual systems and the maintenance of relevant records.
• Evidence and commitment to continued professional development, including participating in the development of others and engage fully in reflective supervision with your manager.
• To take active part in Learning Circles and focus groups to contribute to plans to develop the quality of practice in the service.

Candidates must be able to meet the following criteria:

· Experience and demonstrable skills in engaging children/young people through a variety of direct workmethods

· At least 2 years’ experiencein statutory children’s social work

· Good understanding of safeguarding children processes

· Experience of court work

· Experience of managing a varied and complex case load

· Ability to write concise,fit for purpose reports/court statements and ability to maintain up todate and accurate records.

· Ability to work as part of a team.

· Experience of inputting into children’s services data systems (Mosaic;ICS)

· Ability to be flexible, resilient and reflective.

Covid context for Blackpool
Blackpool continues to experience lower rates of COVID than other parts of Lancashire and indeed the North West
Since the summer of 2020 our rates have been lower than other areas and this trend continues.
Hospital activity has also started to decline in recent weeks
We continue to have the highest testing rate of any local authority in Lancashire and we actively offer regular lateral flow tests to all front line staff
Our vaccination programme continues to progress really well with all over the age of 70s having been offered a vaccine and 95% of this cohort having now had the vaccine.
All SW qualified Children’s services employees and Agency workers have already been offered the vaccine.

Homeworking v Office working Blackpool
Here in Blackpool we have divided service areas into 2, with a team A and team B approach, over a 2 week rota, staff are fully home based for one of the weeks and during the second week there is the opportunity to spend 3 days of that week utilising office facilities and to meet team members, this is agreed on an individual basis which each worker, with consideration being given to those who may have caring or home schooling responsibilities or alternatively some staff may prefer to work from the office every day.
Our offices are Covid secure

Annual Social Worker health check – what are SW employees say about Blackpool

• My organisation has a well-defined framework/approach to social work practice so I am clear about my role and accountability – 84%
• I am able to use my professional judgement, creativity and autonomous decision making where appropriate – 79%
• I receive an appropriate balance of professional support and reflective challenge (e.g. through supervision) to keep learning and developing my practice. – 76%
• I have access to support and advice from senior social work leader/s within my organisation (e.g. Principal Social Worker or Senior Managers) – 79%
• I feel cared for by my managers and/or supervisor – 75%
• My supervisor coaches me in the development my professional judgement, creativity and autonomous decision making – 75%

You must have:

• A professional qualification in social work and experience of working with Children's, in particular previous experience of Assessment work
• 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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