Parenting Assessor

**Parenting Assessor / Senior Practitioner - Social Work with Families - Children - Croydon Council**

**Salary**: Grade 15 (£52,116- £54,129)

Permanent - 36 hours per week
Welcome Payment - £10,000
Retention Payment - £2,500

Hybrid working

**Job Purpose**

The Senior Practitioner role reports to the Consultant Social Worker/Team Manager providing a high quality of social work assessment and practice through the completion of Parenting Assessments for families in PLO (pre-proceedings and care proceedings). They are an expert practitioner who contributes to the delivery of positive safety and well-being outcomes for children and are integral in the journey of the child in securing permanence. They will carry out in-depth and ongoing family assessment of need and risk to children, with particular emphasis on parental capacity and capability to change, all in the context of PLO and/or pre-birth. Their role will also extend to the completion of Together or Apart assessments and Risk Assessments when capacity allows for this.

The Senior Practitioner would have a developed ability to deliver on outcomes and functions as a role model for teams across Children’s Services through the effective exercise of the following functions:
Engagement and relationship building / maintaining

Analytical and continuous assessment

High standard of report writing and case recording

Making professional judgments and recommendations based on assessment and review

Development, co-ordination, implementation, and review of evidence-based plans

The provision of direct help by the worker

The matching of child / family with evidence-based services relevant to the identified needs.

The co-ordination of multi-professional / agency input to assessment, planning and help.

Supporting the development of creative and innovate care planning to support children and their families.

Oversee the planning for children where necessary

Delivering to performance standards consistently across the measures within the journey of the child. Ensure that partnership working with children and families is at the core of practice.

Carry out in-depth and ongoing family assessment of need and risk to children, with particular emphasis on parental capacity and capability to change.

Recognise and address behaviour that may indicate resistance to change, ambivalent or selective cooperation with services, and recognise when there is a need for immediate action, and what other steps can be taken to protect children.

Promote a strengths-based approach that builds effective relationships with children and families to elicit their needs and views and embed active participation in practice.

Gather the information and evidence to complete parenting assessments, presenting a clear analysis and a sound rationale for recommendations as well as any conclusions reached.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including with children’s social worker and other external professionals from partner agencies.

Support families to access and partake in activities, e.g., group work, one-to-one direct work sessions, systemic family therapy.

Practice in a way which promotes equality and diversity within all areas of work. Adhere to all policies and procedures of Croydon Council.

Take responsibility for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance relating to the user group.

Attend meetings, both internally and externally, as required for the duration of the PLO.

**Essential Requirements**

We are looking for experienced Senior Practitioners, who also have:
Qualified Social Worker and up to date registered with Social Work England
Foundation level systemic practice qualification - desirable
Practice Educator or Practice Teacher qualification - desirable
Knowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children’s social care, and areas that impact on children’s social care.
Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards and procedures.
Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models and research findings.
Knowledge of models of reflective supervision that impact on practice and outcomes.
Able to maintain records that evidence our engagement with children and families, informs the quality assurance framework e.g., quantitative, qualitative and outcome information for the children and families, the views and experiences of children and families

**Why Join Us***

In Croydon, our Children's Services has an established Systemic Practice model, experienced leaders, and high support for practitioners. Croydon people and staff are diverse, and we celebrate difference through focus on anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families.
Our teams consist of experienced Social Workers at various levels
Join a highly diverse workforce
Reflective supervision is actively promoted and supported
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