Social Workers - Children In Care

Lincolnshire County Council; North Kesteven; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Lincolnshire is looking for Newly Qualified and Experienced Social Workers to join its Children in Care Teams. The role involves managing cases, advocating for children, and engaging with families to ensure effective support. Applicants should hold a degree in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. The council offers a supportive environment, competitive salary range of £35,412 - £42,839 plus benefits such as a contributory pension and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Contributory pension

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible working policies

Career progression opportunities

Generous annual leave entitlement

Relocation package if applicable

Qualifications

• Experience with children and families in a social work capacity.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and reflective practice.
• Ability to manage diverse caseloads effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage cases from assessment to intervention consistently.
• Work with children and families to support their needs.
• Co-work more complex cases with experienced practitioners.

Skills

Advocacy

Child-focused practice

Collaboration

Assessment skills

Education

Degree in Social Work

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

We are looking for Newly Qualified, Level 1 & Experienced Social Workers to join our Children in Care Teams in Lincolnshire.We have permanent vacancies for Experienced Social Workers in North Hykeham and Newly Qualified, Level 1 & Experienced Social Workers in Sleaford. We also have two fixed term positions available in Sleaford.

Passionate Social Workers Required across Lincolnshire

Are you an experienced Social Worker passionate about advocating for others? Do you believe that “Putting Children First” is the key to successful outcomes for children and families? If you can answer yes to both questions, then Lincolnshire County Council may just be the place you belong.

Childrens Social Work at Lincolnshire County Council

Our Childrens Social Work teams are amongst the absolute best in the country.We have an overall Outstanding rating from Ofsted and in our recent inspection in April 2023 we are very proud to have maintained this judgement. But... we are not about to let up on our progress and development.As an organisation we are extremely proud of the work our teams undertake and this pride shines through from every member of the teams too.

Our practice model is Signs of Safety and this is underpinned by a firmcommitment to restorative practice, working in a way where the strengths of the family and their network are honoured and families aresupported to develop their own solutions. Most importantly, we believe the voice of thechildshould be at the very heart of every plan.

About the Role of a Newly Qualified Social Worker

We believe that the Assessed andSupported Year in Employment (ASYE) is a crucial part of your professional development, that's why our NQSW's undertaking their ASYE are given a protected and reduced workload to enable time for learning and development.The comprehensive programme has been designed to enhance your skills, knowledge and capability and strengthen your professional confidence.

During the 12 month ASYE programme, you can expect to receive regular, high quality, reflective supervision (weekly for the first 6 weeks; fortnightly until the mid-point review at six months and monthly thereafter). You'll be observed on multiple occasions which affords the opportunity to involve service users and/or carers in your assessment. You'll complete Critical Reflection Logs, which is fundamental in developing critical reflective practice.You'll also complete a formal personal supervision and take part in monthly group learning making sure you have all of the knowledge and training you need to complete your ASYE.

About the Role of a Level 1 Social Worker

As a Level 1 Social Worker in our teams, you'll use your skills, knowledge and experience to manage a range of cases from assessment to ongoing interventions, leading on these from start to finish - meaning children and families have consistency of Social Workers.You'll work directly with children, young people and their families along with other stakeholders and partners to build a brighter future forthe children and families of Lincolnshire.The children and families that we work with face a range of challenges, and if you join one of our FAST teams, your caseload will be extremely varied, allowing you the opportunity and experience to grow as a practitioner and develop your skills and confidence.You'll also co-work more complex caseloads alongside more experienced Social Workers helping you make the right decisions when it matters most.

About the Role of a Level 2 Social Worker

As a Level 2 Social Worker you will be responsible for assessing social care needs,support planning and reviewing packages of care. You'll use your specialist knowledge and experience to manage a range of more complex cases, leading on these from start to finish meaning children and families have consistency of Social Worker.

There will also be the opportunity within the role to mentor less experienced staff and tosupport and take thelead with students on placement in the teams.

To learn more about our teams take a look at the attachedSocial Care Brochure.

About Our Offer

We know that being a Social Worker can be challenging and oftenemotional, but we also know, from experience that it’s a very rewarding career. This is why you will be surrounded by asupportive, caring andcompassionateteam.

You will receive monthly formal professional and case supervision, and take part in monthly group learning and team meetings with an annual team development day too.Our managers are always on hand, and our practitioners say that the informal, ad hoc supervision they receive, plus thesupport they get from colleagues to test out their thinking, is absolutely invaluable.

Your continued professional development will be as important to us as it is to you, and your learning and development will remain in focus, not just during your annual appraisal. Our offer of complimentary access to the Research in Practice online platform further demonstrates this.Alongside our excellent in-house training offer, you will also have the opportunity to complete fully funded PQ modules including Practice Educator training which will enable you to fulfil the role of Practice Educator for the social work students on placement.

Along with a competitive salary of £35,412 - £42,839 + 7% attraction and retention payment paid monthly we also offer;

• A Contributory pension.
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work.
• Flexible working policies.
• Career progression opportunities..
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more
• A re-location package (see details attached)

Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure.

What Next

If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role then please contact; Michelle Hakes (North Hykeham) on [e-mail] or Jo Stares (Sleaford) on [e-mail]

Applications close on 22 January, interviews will be held on 4 February.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement.We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council iscommittedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers tosharethiscommitment.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do.We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.