Children's Social Worker

Staffordshire County Council; Stoke-on-Trent, Werrington; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join their team at HM Youth Offending Institute Werrington. The role involves supporting vulnerable children in custody and ensuring compliance with safeguarding legislation. Responsibilities include advising on safeguarding issues, liaising with local authorities, and promoting the wellbeing of young individuals. Applicants should have a background in Child Protection, preferably within the youth justice system, although training will be provided for suitable candidates.

Benefits

Equal opportunities employer

Guaranteed interview for care leavers meeting criteria

Qualifications

• Experience in Child Protection in the UK.
• Ideally experience in a Youth Offending Institute environment, although not necessary.
• Training will be provided for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Support looked after children and children in need.
• Advise Senior Youth Custody Service Managers on Child Protection issues.
• Liaise with Local Authorities and external agencies.

Skills

Post qualifying experience in Child Protection

Ability to advise on Child Protection issues

Experience in multi-agency collaboration

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join our team at HM Youth Offending Institute (YOI) Werrington, set in the picturesque district of the Staffordshire Moorlands.

You will be an integral member of a multi-agency team where you will have a role working with those children identified as being most vulnerable and where the greatest risk to their safety and wellbeing exists, including where they may be supported by or eligible for service from local authority Children's Social Care Services.

The main focus being:

• to support looked after children and children in need in custody
• to support Governors in meeting their statutory duties under section 11 of the Children Act 2004
• to ensure Local Authorities meet their own responsibilities towards children in custody in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and subsequent legislation.

For more information and an informal chat please contact Team Manager Angela Cooke on 01538 483129 or [e-mail] or Jonathan Parkes Head of Safeguarding Youth Custody Service HMYOI Werrington at [e-mail] .

Main Responsibilities

• offer a full induction with the young person explaining fully the social work role and ensure they have all what they should have and need.
• arrange forums, induct new staff explain the social work role in YOI.
• be visible and see the boys to promote their well-being and ensure their voice is heard.
• advise SeniorYouth Custody Service (YCS) Managers on all Child Protection issues, both legal as well as practice issues.
• advise and support the safeguarding team on making child protection (s47) or child in need (s17) referrals to the relevant authority where appropriate.
• process referrals to Staffordshire's referral team – Staffordshire Families Integrated Front Door Service SCAS.
• screen use of force (UOF) restraints and attend Review of Restraint meetings.
• work with the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) and the establishment Child Protection Coordinator where there are allegations against members of staff (voluntary and paid employees/volunteers).
• assist in the development and updating of children's safeguarding policies and procedures within the establishment.
• have oversight of asset information to determine whether they are CLA, LASPO, relevant, former relevant.
• document information on SBAR and WRM for child exploitation.
• support placement referrals to Secure Children's Home (SCH), Secure Training Centre (STC) and other YOI's.
• liaise and have input with resettlement, health, mental health, psychologist teams.
• attend Children in Care Reviews.
• support and elevate where placements aren't available at release.
• liaise with other Local Authorities, parents and external agencies.
• offer safeguarding training to Youth Justice Workers.

The Ideal Candidate

• post qualifying experience in Child Protection in the UK and ideally to include experience working in a HM Youth Offending Institute environment, however for the right candidate it is not a necessity to have worked in a custodial environment as full training will be given.

About Staffordshire County Council

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities.

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a GoldAward Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers – we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

As you'll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that's why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.

Our Recruitment Process

We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you'll bring to the role.