SGO Support Social Worker - Connected People's Team

Cheshire West and Chester; Ellesmere Port; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority is seeking a committed and experienced Social Worker for the Special Guardianship Support Service within the Connected People’s Team. This role involves supporting the needs of children in care and their special guardians, providing trauma-informed support, and working collaboratively with families. Candidates should possess a social work qualification, extensive knowledge of social care legislation, and at least 3 years of experience in a statutory setting. A flexible hybrid working arrangement is offered, along with competitive salary and development opportunities.

Benefits

High quality progression opportunities

Work-life balance

Competitive rewards

Access to excellent training

Free parking

Hybrid working arrangements

Qualifications

• Requires registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
• Extensive knowledge of legislation underpinning delivery of social care.
• At least 3 years post-qualifying experience in a statutory setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide and review trauma-informed support to families subject to Special Guardianship Orders.
• Demonstrate experience working directly with children and families.
• Assess potential special guardians' support needs.

Skills

Trauma-informed support

Working with children and families

Legislation knowledge

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

We are looking to recruit a committed, resilient and experienced Social Worker to our Special Guardianship Support Service within the Connected People’s Team.

The Special Guardianship Support Service is an integral part of the Connected People’s Team and shares commitment to supporting children remaining with their extended family when possible.

The Connected People’s Team undertakes robust, analytical assessments which focus on the trauma children have experienced and how the proposed carer/special guardian can provide long‑term care.

The Special Guardianship Support Service will ensure continued support to special guardians to enable them to meet the needs of the children in their care.

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in assessing potential special guardians support needs, reviewing the support offered and a chance to be innovative and creative in providing individually tailored packages of support to special guardians, working alongside other professionals.

Vacancy: Special Guardianship Support Social Worker
Grade 9 (Progressed – completion of ASYE and/or further progression) SCP 27–31: £38,220 – £41,771
Grade 10 (PQ Award/experienced) SCP 31‑35: £41,771 – £48,072

The post requires a Social Work qualification, extensive knowledge of legislation underpinning delivery of social care and at least 3 years post‑qualifying experience in a statutory setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Require registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
• Provide and review trauma‑informed support and training to families subject to Special Guardianship Orders (SGO), in line with statutory requirements and best practice guidance.
• Demonstrate experience and a good understanding of working directly with children and families, including working with connected carers.

About Our Workforce

Our Children’s Social Care workforce is passionate and committed to improving outcomes for children in our Authority by providing a consistent, high‑quality service to children and families, together with the support from a stable leadership and management team. We are committed to a culture of shared learning and development in which everyone has a part to play to ensure that our services to children and families focus on positive outcomes.

We have developed and continue to embed ‘Our Way of Working’ with our multi‑agency partners to ensure improved collaboration and a common approach to our work with families using Motivational Interviewing and Trauma‑Informed Practice. Social workers are encouraged to work creatively in planning and decision‑making with children and their families and our partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes and with a focus on prevention at every level.

What Our Social Workers Say

• They feel supported and part of a team.
• They have access to excellent training opportunities.
• Managers at Cheshire West and Chester strive to make Social Workers feel valued and recognised – they are approachable, available, and compassionate.
• Social Workers are encouraged and supported to be creative and strive for excellence.
• They feel valued and supported by their team, manager, and the senior managers.

Benefits

• High quality progression and developmental opportunities.
• Work‑life balance, flexible and remote working arrangements available, including up‑to‑date IT equipment, and a smart mobile phone for all employees.
• Competitive working rewards.
• High quality and frequent supervision.
• Strong reflective practice framework.
• Free parking at all our office locations.
• Hybrid working arrangement allowing flexibility and an enhanced work/life balance.

Contact

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact: [e-mail]