Social Worker - Kinship

Thurrock Council; Grays; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working (where/app

Ongoing training and professional dev.

Employee assistance programme and Well

Staff discounts and local offers

Job summary

Thurrock Council is seeking a qualified Social Worker to join the Kinship Zones, delivering direct support to kinship families and contributing to the development of Thurrock's Kinship Zone offer for carers.

You will work under the Kinship Service Manager, developing engagement sessions, training modules, and onboarding processes for kinship carers while adhering to safeguarding legislation and local policies.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England (SWE).
• Experience direct work with children and families within statutory, independent or third sectors.
• Knowledge of legislation and statutory guidance relevant to children's services and safeguarding.
• DBS check: Enhanced level with Children's Barred List.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard and support children and young people in family plans within kinship networks.
• Advise and support other practitioners to set up Family Network Meetings and reviews.
• Develop and implement Kinship Zone service policies and procedures with the Kinship Service Manager.
• Engage practitioners and families through information sessions on kinship options and rights/responsibilities.
• Develop kinship training modules for practitioners and partner agencies.
• Manage eligibility checks and onboarding for kinship carer allowances; handle carer contact, evidence gathering, bookings, letters and welcome packs.
• Promote children living with their family where safe to do so.
• Comply with legislation and local policies and procedures.

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

We are seeking a Social Worker for Kinship support, to work directly with Kinship families, both children and adults, to help meet the challenges faced by this unique cohort. This will be an important role in developing Thurrock's offer of support to Carers as part of the Kinship Zone.

About the Role

As a qualified Social Worker for Kinship Zones your primary role will be:

• To ensure that family plans safeguard and support children and young people living within their family and kinship networks in accordance with their care / case plans.
• To advise and support other practitioners to set up and conduct Family Network Meetings and reviews where necessary.
• To work under the direction of the Kinship Service Manager on the continued development and implementation of the service and its policies and procedures.
• To establish engagement sessions explaining FNSPs, kinship options, and rights/responsibilities in plain language to practitioners and families.
• To develop kinship training modules for practitioners, and partner agencies.
• To manage eligibility checks and onboarding for kinship carer allowances. To involve Carer contact, evidence gathering, appointment booking, letters, welcome packs.
• To promote children living with their family where safe to do so.
• To comply with legislation, statutory guidance and local policies and procedures.

What We Are Looking For

You will need to hold a relevant social work qualification and be registered as a practising Social Worker with Social Work England (SWE).

You will need to have experience of direct work with children and young people and also in working with children and families within statutory, independent or third sectors.

You will need to have knowledge of legislation and statutory guidance relevant to working in children's services, knowledge of key childcare and child protection research and assessment frameworks and an understanding of the Kinship agenda, to inform delivery of support to kinship Carers under the Kinship Zone Pilot.

DBS Check: At Enhanced Level with Children's Barred List is required for this post.

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment