Child & Family Worker - Assessment & Intervention

**About Us**
Here at West Sussex County Council we are ambitious for our children and our workforce. We are committed to improving our services for the children and families in West Sussex we support. You will join us as at a key time on our improvement journey. The work we have started includes establishing a new and experienced leadership team driving forward our ‘Children First’ improvement plan.

We don’t underestimate the work that still needs to be done and the challenge ahead. That’s why we need professionals, like you, who really want to be part of the positive change that is happening. Be part of an ambitious improvement plan and make a significant difference to children and families in West Sussex. There’s never been a more rewarding time to join.

For further information about us and about working in Children’s Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit **Careers in children's social work in West Sussex**.
**About The Job**
Salary**: £23,080 - £25,481
**Working Pattern**: Full-time
**Location**: Bognor Regis

As a Child and Family Worker within the Assessment and Intervention team your role will primarily focus on undertaking direct work with children and their families in a variety of ways which include individual, group, adult and child support work. You will be supported through training, coaching and supervision to develop your practice and skills in working with the most vulnerable children to achieve positive outcomes and to increase safety. You will always work alongside a Social Worker and will not be expected to manage cases alone.

Our Assessment and Intervention service is a fast paced, busy and supportive duty team completing child and family assessments, Section 47 enquiries, Child Protection and Child in Need work whilst planning for permanence from day one. Our teams continue the development of targeted Child in Need support, with specialist Social Workers focussing on ensuring clear plans and interventions with families. We ensure a strong local link with our Early Help colleagues to promote local community support for children and families when social care no longer needs to be involved.
**Experience and Skills**
Key Skills**:

- Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to organise and present information clearly, concisely and accurately in ways that promote understanding, both verbally and in writing, including the ability to persuade and successfully convince others of the need to take a specific course of action and gain the trust of service users.
- Ability to analyse and interpret information in order to manage casework with children / young people and their families, assessing needs, setting objectives and reviewing progress.
- Ability to engage and intervene in partnership with children/young people, their families and other external agencies in order to effect positive and lasting change. Ability to work in an empowering way, focusing on collective strengths and resources, e.g. using a solution focused approach, and responding flexibly to diverse groups and service users whilst maintaining confidentiality.
- Ability to prioritise and manage own workload, co-ordinating a range of tasks in a clear and logical way to meet agreed deadlines, whilst working towards clear goals. Able to reflect on own practice and learn from experience, taking responsibility for proactive professional development.
- Ability to maintain clear, accurate records of all work undertaken and produce case reports and correspondence for a variety of audiences including meetings, conferences, court panels and other agencies.
- Sound and accurate IT skills, including report writing, maintaining accurate records, ensuring confidentiality, and protecting information.

**Qualifications, knowledge and experience**:

- GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent qualification or experience operating at this level of literacy and numeracy.
- QCF Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (or equivalent), or demonstrable equivalent comparable experience.
- An understanding of systems, procedures and policies relevant to Children’s Social Care e.g. child protection and safeguarding procedures, practice and policy. (Desirable)_
- Knowledge and understanding of the development of children and young people, and age-appropriate behaviour.
- An understanding of a range of interventions that can be used with children, young people and families to achieve change.
- Sound and accurate IT knowledge e.g. Microsoft Office, in order to produce written reports.
- Experience of providing advice and guidance to others.
- Significant experience of using a range of direct work interventions in working with children, young people and their families.
- Experience of working with children/young people and their families in crisis or complex situations. (Desirable)
- Experience of using assessment planning and reviewing processes.
- Experience of working in a Social Car