Social Worker

SW Locums require a UK experienced Social Worker to work within Children's Services in Islington. The role is a long term temp position working 35 hours per week.

You must hold right to work in the UK and registration with Social Work England.

Your role will be to ensure children and young people are safe, can overcome difficulties and can form secure relationships through their childhood and into their adulthood.

As a Child and Family Social Worker you will be responsible for working with children in need of help and protection or looked after children and care-leavers, whilst maintaining the focus on safeguarding. You will work directly with the child or young person and their family or carer to build empathic, purposeful relationships that facilitate meaningful and sustainable change, as well as stability in placement and permanency for children.

You will share and exercise the organisational practice ethos which places Motivational Practice and trauma-informed practice at the heart of working with families. You will be ambitious for every child to reach their potential in all aspects of their development including education, health and emotional wellbeing from 0-25.

The post holder is expected to:

* Ensure all the services within the area(s) of responsibility are provided in accordance with the Council's commitment to high quality service provision to users.

* To be committed to the Council’s core values of public service, quality, equality and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in the way they carry out their duties.

* To carry out their responsibilities/duties within the framework of the Council's Dignity for All Policy (Equal Opportunities Policy).

* Carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation.

* Ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other legislation.

* Adhere to the standards of conduct, performance and ethics of Social Work England.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage the specific set of tasks relating to statutory case responsibility for children, young people and care leavers in need of help and protection and in public care, with the support of an appropriately qualified supervisor. To develop a culture of trauma-informed practice that helps to improve the quality of relationships with children and young people, through Motivational Practice.

1) Relationships and effective direct work
a) Build effective relationships with the child, young person, family or carers to decide the best way to keep them safe, bring about change and improve outcomes ensuring that child protection is always prioritised. Observe and talk to children, young people and their families/carers within in their environment to help understand their physical and emotional world.
b) Provide support using best evidence direct work address support identified needs, significant risk and support children and young people in placements, those being adopted and moving to independence.
c) Work with a range of professionals, helping them understand the child and young person’s needs and ensuring that these are met in different contexts.

2) Communication
a) To communicate clearly and sensitively with children and families/carers and other professionals within differing contexts taking into account diversity and the need to tailor communication styles. To engage and motivate people to participate in support services.
b) To listen to the wishes and feelings of children and young people and support parents, carers and other professionals to understand behaviour and improve outcomes within a range of contexts.
c) Produce written cases notes and reports that’s are well argued, focused and jargon free with sound analysis and rationale for actions.

3) Child Development
a) Have an understanding and knowledge of child development milestones, and how they can be impacted on by trauma. With this knowledge to be able to seek additional professional advice when needed in order effectively understand, challenge and advocate on behalf of children with their parents, carers and the professional network.

4) Adult mental ill health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, physical ill health and disability
a) To have a clear and empathic understanding of how the above issues impact on the parent-child relationship. To use this understanding to develop a holistic view of family circumstances. To plan collaboratively with parents and the wider network enabling parents to effect change, when possible, and to help children make sense of their history when it is not.

5) Abuse and neglect in children and young people
a) To have an awareness and curiosity of what the indicators of abuse and neglect are and to use this to collate multi-agency information and, where necessary, confidently lead investigations to protect children.

6) Assessments
a) To complete thorough, child-focussed and ongoing assessments which recognise strengths, vulnerabilities as well as attitude to change. To ensure that assessments bring out clearly the voice of the child and demonstrate an empathic view of how family and wider circumstances impact on children’s ability to develop to their full potential.

7) Analysis, decision-making, planning and review
a) Analyse plans regularly to ensure the support provided is making a difference to reduce risk and adjust the plan accordingly, including the views of children, young people, parents, carers and the professional network.
b) Demonstrate accountability for the support being provided by producing written case notes and reports which are reasoned, purposeful and jargon-free. Present a clear analysis and a sound rationale for actions and decisions made, so that all parties are well informed.

8) The law and the family, and youth justice systems a) Use the law, regulatory and statutory guidance to inform practice. Demonstrate ability to participate in decision-making to ensure children are kept safe, utilising the legal powers, duties and resources available.

9) Role of supervision
a) Use individual and group supervision reflectively to discuss, debate and test hypotheses when examining your cases. You will explore multiple perspectives and presenting issues, linked to underlying risks or needs. Utilise supervision to develop your practice skills, build confidence and reflect on your own development.

10) Organisational context
a) Operate successfully in a wide range of organisational contexts, complying with the checks and balances within local and national systems.
b) Maintain effective working relationships with peers, managers and leaders both within the profession, throughout multi-agency partnerships and public bodies, including the family courts.
c) Encourage and advocate for organisational focus, resource and support for the children and young people you work with.

At SW Locums you will benefit from:

* Constant support with your own, vastly experienced and knowledgeable consultant.

* Great rates of pay.

* No “waffle” straight talking, conscientious and informed advice.

* Fastest and accurate payments available.

* Contact available 24/7.

* Access to exclusive vacancies nationwide.

* Free DBS and compliance service.

* Access to on-going training opportunities.

* Industry leading “Refer a Friend” recommendation scheme offering up to £300 for successfully placed referrals.

* Excellent “Find your own job” bonus – get £250 for bringing your own position to us *

* Terms and conditions apply to our bonus scheme