Social Work Practitioner (D-BIT)

Social Work Practitioner (D-BIT)

Secondment, Full Time

£31,931 up to £36,423 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Community-based worker

Please note that this is a Secondment/ Fixed Term opportunity for a period of 12 months.

This vacancy can accommodate a newly qualified social worker.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.

The Opportunity

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers, and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

D-BIT is a secondary team working within front line children's services with children and young people aged between 8 and 17 and their families where there are emerging concerns that the C/YP is at risk of entering care due to relationship breakdown. We use primarily a Solution Focused intervention to support families to communicate with each other about how they would want their relationship to be, building on families strengths, and what is already working well. DBIT intervention seeks to enable families and their networks to strengthen their relationships and resources. Evaluation from families and partners speaks to the positive outcomes from the work of the team/service.

The team is based in Chelmsford, Mid quadrant of Essex County Council. The workers in the team have assigned caseloads which are limited, reflecting our commitment to providing family led interventions.

Working arrangements are flexible, with acknowledgement that a percentage of family-based activity is likely to need to take place outside of usual working hours.

Accountabilities

• Assess complex social care needs and provide support to children and families.
• Develop support plans that gain commitment to solutions that enable the child, young person, and family to build resilience and look forward to a brighter future.
• Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, including adoption regulations, policy, and guidance, and determining when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached.
• Work collaboratively, building effective relationships with internal and external partnerships and stakeholders and the voluntary sector, to assist children and their families and carers in gaining support.
• Accountable for conducting assessments and plan responses to safeguard a child or young person and promote their welfare, including appropriate intervention as determined by need.
• Develop a child centred approach which enables early intervention and prevention and increases independence.
• Pro-actively influences in a range of inter-agency planning, decision making and case discussions.
• Communicate assessments and professional judgements clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing, including report writing.
• Work with families, communities, and individuals to help people get the best start in life and age well, supporting strategic aims.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• A recognised social work qualification i.e., Diploma, degree, or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England) as a registered social worker.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Experience within a social work setting with evidence of challenging social and family situations.
• Strong communication skills and an ability to develop a rapport and engage with diverse groups of individuals.

Desirable:

• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies, and the local community, to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and families.
• Understand delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.
• Evidence of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.
• Experience/Knowledge/Interest in the Solution Focused approach.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.

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