Parenting Assessor

Job Description
Parenting Assessor – Social Work with Families – Case Progression Team – Children
Salary: Grade 15 £55,323 - £57,402

Permanent – 36 hours per week

Welcome Payment – £5,000

Retention Payment – £2,500

Job Purpose
The Parenting Assessor/Senior Practitioner role reports to the 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.

Role
Parenting Assessor 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.

The application of theory and theoretical frameworks to all aspects of practice.

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

To view the Parenting Assessor (generic role profile of Senior Practitioner) role profile, please click here .

About Us
Croydon Council's priorities
The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services

• Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
• Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon's diverse communities and businesses
• Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
• Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
• Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities

Key Business Plan Outcomes

• Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
• Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
• Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we're proud to call home
• People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
• Croydon Council's new ways of working

Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.