Social Worker Family Help Hybrid

Connect2Luton; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect2Luton is recruiting a Social Worker to join the Family First team within Children’s Services in Luton. You will deliver early help and child in need services with a multidisciplinary team across health, police, education and voluntary sectors.

You will conduct holistic assessments, handle statutory duties under the Children Act 1989, and develop SMART plans to safeguard and empower families, with regular home visits and court reporting when required.

Responsibilities

• Assessment & Safeguarding: complete high-quality, holistic assessments and lead multi-agency planning.
• Statutory Duties: undertake Children Act 1989 duties including care proceedings, risk assessments and court involvement.
• Planning & Intervention: create SMART plans aligned with the Practice Framework and promote anti-discriminatory practice.
• Direct Work: build positive relationships with children and families and ensure their voices are heard.
• Recording & Compliance: maintain accurate case records on Liquid Logic in GDPR-compliant manner.
• Court & Reporting: prepare court reports and witness statements in line with policies.
• CPD & Development: engage in supervision and professional development through the Social Work Academy.

Skills

Qualified Social Worker

Job description

Title: Social Worker - Family First

Division: Children's Services

Grade: L7 - M1

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To work within a multi-disciplinary Family Help Team delivering early help and child in need services. The team includes social workers, family help practitioners, psychologists, police community support officers, CAMHS workers, adult mental health nurses, health visitors, youth workers, housing officers and voluntary sector partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. Assessment & SafeguardingComplete high-quality, holistic assessments using the Department for Education guidance and Luton's Effective Support document. Lead multi-agency planning to address child protection concerns and children in need.
• 2. Statutory DutiesUndertake duties under the Children Act 1989 including care proceedings, adoption/permanency planning, risk assessments and investigations. Obtain and implement Court Orders and represent the Council in court.
• 3. Planning & InterventionCreate SMART plans aligned with the Practice Framework. Ensure needs are met through negotiation and collaboration. Promote anti-discriminatory practice and empower families.
• 4. Direct WorkBuild positive relationships with children and families. Ensure children's voices, wishes and feelings are heard and influence planning.
• 5. Recording & ComplianceMaintain accurate and timely case records on Liquid Logic in line with GDPR and council standards.
• 6. Court & ReportingPrepare court reports and witness statements. Work in line with Luton Borough Council policies and procedures.
• 7. CPD & DevelopmentEngage in supervision, training and professional development through the Social Work Academy and Research in Practice.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Hybrid working (community, office and home-based).

Regular home visits (often lone working, risk assessed).

Exposure to emotional strain and occasional challenging behaviour.

Attendance at meetings across multiple locations.

CONTEXT

Luton 2040 is a vision for a healthy, fair and sustainable town where no one lives in poverty and children can thrive.

This role forms part of the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme (Apply online only)),

investing over £45 million into reforming:

• Family Help
• Child Protection
• Family Network Support Packages
• Safeguarding Partnerships

The new system includes:

• Multi-disciplinary Family Help services
• Specialist child protection response
• Greater use of family networks and family group decision making
• Strengthened multi-agency leadership

Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd.

Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business.

It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates