Senior Social Worker

Location: Aldershot

Base Location: Montgomery House

Contract: Full time, 12-month FTC

Salary: £34,000- £40,000 per annum depending on experience

Specific Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Reporting to: BFSWS Safeguarding Manager, British Forces Social Work Service

Benefits: 30 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays as normally observed in UK, Life Insurance x 2, Employee Discount Scheme

About Us:

Polaris Children's Services is part of the Polaris Community of companies and delivers statutory and non-statutory social care services in the UK and to military communities overseas. Since 2014, Polaris Children's Services, through the British Forces Social Work Service, (BFSWS) have extensive experience of delivering statutory and non-statutory social work services for military communities across the world and are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. We are proud to serve and support military communities worldwide, with an overarching vision that children, families, individuals, and adults at risk will receive the best and most effective evidence-based help and support at the earliest possible opportunity.

British Forces Social Work Service (BFSWS) have a new exciting opportunity for 2 social workers to join a brand-new initiative based within the MOD Op Lazurite Team. The MOD initiative focusses on the provision of support to eligible Afghans, who worked alongside the UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan. Part of the role will be to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Afghan families, and individuals from the beginning to end of their journeys over from Afghanistan and into the UK, following all Military legislation and agreements, UK Home Office, Local Authority, and Immigration policies and procedures.

Outcomes:

• Enhanced safeguarding/protection of adults at risk, children and young people e.g. preventing exploitation, trafficking and abuse by identifying and addressing risks early. Ensure safeguarding under legal frameworks.
• Strengthening of safeguarding process e.g. for identifying and reporting abuse, neglect or exploitation within the community.
• Compliance with legal and ethical standards e.g. meets UN Refugee convention and local child protection and safeguarding policies.
• Improved Mental and physical wellbeing of the community through provision of direct support.
• Community trust building e.g. Refugees feel safer knowing safeguarding mechanisms are in place, fostering trust in authorities and integration.
• Multi-agency working leading to better outcomes for the community, including those overseeing the project.
• Secure sufficient funding and resources.
• Improve efficiency by implementing case management software.
• Partnership working with involved agencies.
• Regularly update/inform stakeholders on progress and challenges.
• Highlight progress/success stories to build public support.
• Set clear and measurable outcomes, conduct regular audits and adapt the op based on feedback.

Requirements

Essential:

• A Professional Social Work qualification (BA (Hons), DIP SW, CQSW, CSS)/ equivalent and must be registered with Social Work England or equivalent.
• Successful completion of a Post Qualifying Award in Social Work.
• 3 years post qualification experience working as a qualified and registered Social Worker within a child and family's team.
• Experience in a broad range of social work roles as well as complex children and family assessment / case management.
• Experience of report writing and a good command of the English language.
• A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child/adult safeguarding procedures.
• The willingness and ability to work flexibly, work will include overnight stays within the UK for site visits. This may include some weekend and evening working.
• Full driving licence for manual cars. Use of vehicle for site visits on booking system.
• Participate in the on call out of hours service.

Desirable:

• Military knowledge / experience desirable.
• Computer literacy skills.

This is a new initiative; therefore, requirements are subject to change as the contract develops.

Polaris Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, and local Police check if recruited from outside of the UK, the cost of which will be met by Polaris Children's Services. Polaris Children's Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.