Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3 - Assessment Team. Job in Bournemouth Education & Trainin[...]

BCP Council; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

Children's Social Workers - Level 2/3 - Assessment Team

Job Introduction

This is what our current workforce say about working for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) in Dorset.

"As for a social worker, there is career progression that is encouraged within BCP and it's a very rewarding job and something that I absolutely love"

"It's a lovely place to come and live and work. So if you're not from the local area, come down to Dorset. It's a wonderful county and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are vibrant, busy urban areas right on the sea front"

"I've never felt so supported"

About our team:

BCP Council Children's Services have 4 Assessment Teams which are made up of 1 Team Manager, 1 Assistant Team Manager and 6 Social Workers. The teams are co-located alongside the other Children's services teams at the Civic Centre Bournemouth, but work flexibly across the BCP area.

Our goal:
Gaining an understanding of a child's circumstances, within their family, in a short period of time, then developing and supporting a plan to make a positive difference. Good assessment work is vital for a good children's service.

Our work:
The Assessment Team undertake an initial single assessment within a statutory timescale and continuous assessments from referral through to case closure. They facilitate family network meetings to help to bring the family's support network together.

Work from this team will either close, step down or transfer to another team at an agreed time. Social workers sit in four pods with a four-weekly turnaround (the 20-day time limit on assessments).

Are you also passionate about making a real difference in children's lives?

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is looking for dedicated, compassionate and experienced Social Workers to join our team at Levels 2 & 3. We are proud to have achieved a GOOD rating from Ofsted in Dec 2024, recognising our commitment to providing excellent care and support for children and families.

At BCP, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to continuing building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Your unique experiences and perspectives will help us continue delivering outstanding care to children in our community.

If you are an experienced Social Worker we want to hear from you. If you are reflective, proactive and resilient, have the desire to make a real difference and ensure children and their voices are at the heart of everything you do, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council could be the place for you.

If you are interested in this level of social work, you will need to:

• have experience of a mentoring role in front line SW of less experienced staff including new and newly qualified staff, and SW students on placement;
• have post-qualifying award (e.g Practice Education), and/or be willing to undertake Practice Education training;
• be already working to the DfE Knowledge and Skills statements for child and family practitioners;
• be able to work with very complex referrals and complex casework and have high quality skills in analysis of risk and decision making;
• have strong and confident presentation skills;
• have strong conflict resolution skills;
• have a commitment to continuous professional development;
• develop and maintain a professional network, to share expertise and in order to support the outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

We will require you to:

• be able to travel across the full Council area in a timely manner.
• have significant experience of front line SW safeguarding.

We can offer you:

• Full induction, with a very supportive Practice Fundamentals offer.
• Clear career progression pathway and excellent learning opportunities.
• Manageable and diverse caseloads.
• Regular Supervision.
• 25 days annual leave (pro rata, for those without continuous service), plus bank holidays.
• Competitive salary with access to local government pension scheme.
• Flexible working arrangements in our newly refurbished Civic Offices with Local Offices near to where you need to work.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Relocation Scheme.
• Staff network groups.

For an informal discussion about any of the roles above, please contact:

Nigel Burton, Service Manager for Assessment at

Check out our academy website for more details BCP Partnership Academy

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.