Social Worker

Post Title

Social Worker

Service Area

Children & Young People Services

Service Team

Child Protection, Hub, Pathway, Disabled Children Team, Family and Friends, Youth Justice, Preventions.

Responsible to

Team Manager

JOB PURPOSE

Managing a defined caseload, the Social Worker is responsible for working effectively with children, young people & families/carers to achieve positive change and improved outcomes. This includes enquiry, assessment, purposeful intervention through direct work and review in relation to Prevention, Child Protection, Children in Need and Children Looked After.

KEY RESULT AREAS

• Assess, plan, review and provide support to a child, family or carer with complex family or social care needs, taking full account of appropriate legal frameworks, policy and guidance.
• Work in partnership with children, young people and families/carers, building effective relationships, to elicit their needs and views and promote participation in decision making.
• Manage a case load in an efficient and effective manner, seeking support and suggesting solutions for workload difficulties.
• Maintain accurate, up to date records safely and confidentially in accordance with the Councils policies and procedures.
• Produce succinct, well-structured records and reports, clearly recording and reporting analysis and judgements
• Prepare for, and participate in, planned work relating to court and court orders effectively and within appropriate timescales.
• Professionally represent the Local Authority within court, multiagency meetings or information sharing events.
• Pro-actively engage with colleagues and a range of organisations to identify, assess, plan for and support the needs of children, young people and families/carers in order to promote positive change and independence, whilst demonstrating confident and effective judgement about risk to children and young people.
• Work as part of the team, supporting fellow workers and team manager in the implementation of care plans for families and this includes being part of the duty rota and team meetings.
• Make pro-active use of supervision to support effective practice, reflection, and career development and to meet the objectives of Performance Development Reviews.
• Ensure adherence to the Council Safeguarding policy and processes for children and adults at risk is part of daily practice. Knowledge of professional duty to report and process when a child/adult at risk comes to their attention.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

Essential:

Qualified Social Worker (CSS; CQSW; Diploma in SW; SWD or equivalent)

Registration with CCW

Desirable:

Post qualifying training

Knowledge

• Understanding of departmental policy and regulations in relation to protection of children and young people.
• Knowledge of the legal and policy frameworks and guidance that inform and mandate social work practice in Childrens Social Care.
• Knowledge of Wales safeguarding procedures and responsibilities as a professional.
• Knowledge and understanding of the practice area relevant to the post, including critical awareness of current issues and evidence-based practice research.

Experience

Essential:

• Experience of working within relevant legislation.
• Experience of managing competing demands of a caseload.
• Able to demonstrate good IT skills including
• Microsoft Office.

Desirable:

• Experience of engaging with children and young people
• Experience of court work, child-protection work and provision of complex care plans to assist children and young people in need.

Aptitude & Skills

• Ability to analyse information quickly within a coherent framework.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences including children, young people, parents and carers and professional colleagues.
• Enthusiasm and commitment towards achieving positive outcomes for service users, families and/or carers.
• A commitment to ensuring children and young people's participation in service planning and delivery.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOURS & VALUES

• Encourage and support others as part of a team. Give guidance and advice to others. Grow positive working relationships
• Seek, encourage and recognise ideas, initiatives and improvements to deliver better services. Encourage and support others to think differently, to question and to try new ways of doing things
• Consider communication methods and channels, in a straightforward way. Confidently handle challenging conversations. Encourage a culture of feedback
• Consider implications and make decisions / recommendations based on evidence and consultation
• Honestly reflect on my personal style and its impact on others and develop my skills so I can adapt my style as appropriate.

Equal Opportunities

Understand and demonstrate a willingness to promote positively the Strategic Equality Plan of Newport City Council