Senior Social Worker - Children's Support and Safeguarding

Stoke on Trent City Council; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a Senior Social Worker committed to safeguarding children and families. You will ensure that children receive appropriate support and assessments while mentoring other social workers. The role requires strong communication skills, knowledge of legislation, and the ability to foster relationships within the community. This position offers a collaborative work environment with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Access to high-quality professional development opportunities

Stable management team and collaboration support

Qualifications

• Experience of restorative practice in children's social care.
• Significant post qualification experience in a social work setting.
• Thorough knowledge of current children's social care legislation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure children receive assessments and service packages appropriate to their needs.
• Support and mentor newly qualified social workers.
• Safeguard and promote the health and well-being of children and young people.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Ability to foster relationships

Team collaboration

IT literacy

Education

Professional Social Work qualification or BA Social Work qualification

Job description

Senior Social Worker - Children's Support and Safeguarding

We do not accept applications via NHS website, toapplyfor the role please visit -https://webrecruitment.stoke.gov.uk/wrl/pages/vacancy.jsf?vacancyRef=0000025104

This advert is open to both Internal and External applicants.

Were looking for social workers who share our values professionals who are passionate, resilient and committed to making a real difference for children and families. Youll be someone who thinks creatively, acts with compassion, and strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for those you support.

Main duties of the job

Join Our Childrens Social Care Teams in Stoke-on-Trent

You would be joining the service at a point of exciting change as Stoke-on-Trent progresses plans for Family First Partnership.

Be part of something transformational

Opportunities have arisen to join our Assessment and Safeguarding Teams here in Stoke-on-Trent Childrens Social Care at a pivotal time of positive change and improvement.

As we progress with our ambitious Family First Partnership, were focused on putting families at the heart of everything we do. Youll be joining a service that is passionate about working with children and families within their local communities supported by strong links to ourFamily Hubs and the Family Group Conferencing Service.

Were proud of our relational practice approach, where we prioritise meaningful relationships, build on family strengths, and recognise the rich diversity of the communities we serve.

When you join us, youll be supported every step of the way by:

A stable and visible management team

A strong team ethos built on collaboration and mutual respect

Access to our Childrens Learning and Development Academy, providing high-quality professional development opportunities

About us

Stoke-on-Trent is a city on the rise, brimming with potential and positive change. Recently recognised as the best area in the country for economic growth and one of the most culturally vibrant places to live by the Sunday Times, were also proud to be among the greenest cities in the UK, with vast green spaces and beautiful parks.

Our organisation is powered by a dedicated team of passionate and ambitious council members and officers who are excited about shaping a bright future for Stoke-on-Trent, with children at its heart. There's a strong sense of unity here, and with the arrival of our new Corporate Director and Directors for children and family services, we're adding fresh energy to our already strong vision for the future.

As a member of our team, you'll play a vital role in placing children at the heart of everything we do. Yes, the work is challenging, but its also incredibly rewarding, diverse, and engaging. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to influence and shape how we operate, supported by a committed and dedicated team that is fully invested in doing their best for the children of Stoke-on-Trent.

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To ensure that eligible children receive assessments, plans and service packages appropriate to meet their needs and improve their life chances. To support peers by sharing knowledge and experience that can enhance their learning. To support, assess and mentor Newly Qualified Social Workers and Social Work Students as directed by the Principal Manager. To deputise for the Principal Manager as required.

Strategic Management

1. To ensure that children, young people and their families are fully involved in the process of assessment and care planning.

2. Work to the agreed practice standards for the service

3. Meet Social Work England registration and re-registration requirements and professional practice standards

4.Help families to keep their children safe and where this is not possible, take appropriate action to safeguard them.

5. To safeguard and promote the health and well-being of children and young people and support families and carers across Stoke-on-Trent by working with children and young people and their families appropriate to their experience, skills and knowledge.

6. Ensure that the departments and authoritys resources are deployed efficiently and effectively at all times.

7. To undertake more complex casework with Children, Young People and their Families and Carers.

8. To be responsible for effective time management and responding flexibly to the needs of the service.

9. To ensure that departmental health and safety procedures and standards are followed in the performance of all duties.

10. Ensure that the welfare of the child or young person is paramount at all times.

11. To provide support and cover to the Principal Manager

Performance

1. To be responsible for contributing to information management processes in the department.

2. To actively participate in the performance management system including supervision, team meetings, section and divisional briefings and reviews of service.

3. To carry out assessments and manage child care plans within government and departmental prescribed timescales and standards, as required by the Principal Manager.

4. To take personal responsibility for continuing professional development during, and maintaining the required level of performance for the post.

5. To undertake a wide range of complex assessments which effectively analyse unmet needs, risks and protective factors

6. To devise support plans that meet identified outcomes, working in partnership with children, their families, agencies and other networks.

7. Ensure that all work is completed within the stated timescales in accordance with both national and local policy.

8. To provide focused and purposeful social work interventions with explicit aims and objectives about desired outcomes within the context of managing risk to children.

9. To provide professional expertise at meetings and represent the local authority as required in Court and other statutory settings.

10. Co-working cases with less experienced/non-social work qualified members of the team and to take responsibility as part of that process for sharing knowledge and developing their learning.

11. Undertaking a supporting role within the team for the coordination of individual and team performance to ensure that services are delivered in accordance with statutory duties and quality standards, performance measures and indicators.

Resource Management

1. To take responsibility under the direction of the Principal Manager in the support of social work students on placement and act as workplace supervisor or Practice Educator if appropriately trained.

2. To ensure that the departments and authoritys resources are deployed efficiently and effectively at all times.

3. To be responsible for the allocation of appropriate tasks to ASYEs, Apprentices and Social Work Assistants and to provide the necessary support and guidance necessary for the completion of those tasks.

4. Responsibility for chairing meetings such as Strategy Meetings, Children in Need and Child Protection Core Groups, Placement Planning Meetings and PLO Meetings where deemed appropriately by the Principal Manager.

5. To participate in the wider development of the service and contribute to service improvement as required

6. To provide mentoring and support to others

7. To support group reflective supervision as required by the Principal Manager

8. Support the Principal Manager in the supervision of Social Work Assistants.

9. Provide cover as part of the team's established duty system and /or as required by your line manager.

Communications

1. Ensure that childrens records are maintained in accordance with Departmental procedures and that information required for management purposes is recorded and inputted appropriately.

2. Ensure that children, young people and their families are fully involved in assessments and plans to support them and these are shared with parents, carers in a timely manner.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of restorative practice and its application in childrens social care
• Experience of complex social work with children and families
• Significant post qualification experience in a social work setting

Qualifications

• Professional Social Work qualification or BA Social Work Qualification where certified by Social Work England
• Meet Social Work England registration and re-registration requirements and standards
• Must read, understand and agree to comply with the Social Work England Code of Practice for Social Workers and meet the Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework and Post-Qualifying Standards
• Thorough knowledge of current childrens social care legislation and safeguarding guidance
• Extensive Knowledge of related legislation i.e. education and housing
• Comprehensive knowledge of child development and disabilities.
• Knowledge of assessment and intervention methods, case management and casework methods
• Knowledge of Childrens Social Care provision and statutory duties.
• Thorough Knowledge of Equal Opportunities issues and a willingness to challenge discrimination.
• Comprehensive knowledge of strategic thinking and central/local policy affecting service provision.
• Widespread understanding of assessment and child care planning techniques.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to build relationships and relate effectively to children and their parents and carers.
• Ability to foster good inter/intra agency communication and to listen sensitively to different perspectives.
• Able to interpret and use management information, including financial management information.
• Able to use IT as an effective resource.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.