Social Worker

Job summary

***TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLEPLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK (BOTTOM RIGHT) WHICH WILL TAKE YOU TO THE WILTSHIRECOUNCIL CAREERS SITE TO APPLY, WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT ANY APPLICATIONS VIA NHSJOBS***

Support and Safeguarding Service - Empowering Families, Protecting Futures

Our North team based in Chippenham invites qualified social workers to embark on a rewarding journey where you'll make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families.

Main duties of the job

Our Social Workers are pivotal in supporting Wiltshire's vulnerable children, from pre-birth to age 18. We operate on a patch-based model, matching families with your expertise and chosen patch.

We prioritise flexibility, offering various work locations and hotdesking opportunities to facilitate collaboration with safeguarding teams and services.

At our core, we believe in a 'one journey, one worker' approach, providing consistent support through dedicated relationships. Our diverse team includes ASYEs, experienced social workers, Family Keyworkers, and an Assistant Team Manager.

Collaboration is central to our work, as you'll partner with professionals and multi-agency teams. We care about your well-being, offering flexible work arrangements such as a 9-day fortnight, compressed hours, full or part-time positions, and job shares. Social workers registered with Social Work England are welcome, and we support returning professionals with a supportive program to facilitate your transition. A full driving license and access to a car are essential due to Wiltshire's rural nature.

We foster a culture of continuous learning, encouraging your professional growth and contributions to your peers. Join us in making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families amidst Wiltshire's stunning countryside.

About us

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

To be the primary worker with case responsibility for children in need, children in need of protection and children looked after - depending upon the function of the dedicated team.

To operate within the council policy and keep up to date with social work methods, practice developments, new legislation and procedures, including the Childrens Act 2004.

To be responsible for the day to day interpretation of and implementation of statutory duties and departmental policy and procedures in the provision of services to children and young people.

To be allocated work from the team manager or any person delegated to act on their behalf based on eligibility criteria and to hold case management responsibility for this work.

To complete enquiries and assess, the needs of and risks to vulnerable children and young people in a timely manner giving due consideration to the wishes and views of the child and the childs family. This will include the completion of S47 enquiries, single assessments and engaging service users and other relevant persons in the work base, homes or any other appropriate venue hospital, school etc.

To take appropriate action to assess and minimise any identified concern or risk to children/young people in accordance with the requirements and timescales of assessment frameworks, child protection procedures and looked after children legislation and procedures.

To draw up and implement, with the child/young person and their family/carers, an appropriate plan to address identified issues and to maximise the participation of service users and carers in this process ensuring that social work intervention is ongoing only when necessary in peoples lives.

To carry out regular reviews of individual plans, record outcomes and formulate revised plans which are outcome focused.

To convene meetings core groups to assist in the implementation and review of plans for vulnerable children.

To write reports for child protection conferences, planning meetings, looked after children reviews, legal meetings and court hearings and attend these as appropriate.CA12-1155 Social Worker Level 4 August 2017 Page 6 of 11

To work collaboratively and effectively with Keyworkers, Senior Keyworkers and Local Partnership Advisors on achieving shared family goals

To have a creative approach to meeting need and to ensure local provision, wherever possible, in order to meet identified need within available resources.

To have a clear understanding of and ability to manage within financial constraints in service delivery.

To work proactively and in partnership with other agencies to plan and deliver coordinated services to children, young people and their families/carers which promotes and focuses on positive outcomes.

Actively engage and contribute, when necessary, to Local Allocation Group case discussions (or other similarly named mechanisms/panels)

To maintain accurate and effective electronic recording of information and action taken in the course of casework.

To understand the need for and contribute to the achievement of team and departmental performance targets in order to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people

To maintain confidentiality of information acquired in the course of undertaking duties for the department whilst operating in the fullest cooperation with other agencies to ensure that children are appropriately safeguarded.

To contribute to team processes in a positive and appropriate manner, by attending team meetings and undertaking any necessary and appropriate team duties.

To make an active contribution to the development of service delivery through the sharing of knowledge, information and skills.

To take responsibility for personal professional development through the utilisation of relevant practice research/developments, legislation, participative supervision and appraisal processes.

To undertake further training which is consistent with the needs of the individualand the organisation, as agreed with the manager.

To work within an equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory framework. Value diversity within the team and in contact with other professionals, children, young people and families. Working within a legislative framework

Operating within relevant policy, legal, ethical and professional boundaries when working with children and families.

Effectively delivering all statutory requirements.

Following local practice standards and protocols.Supervision and continual development

Actively engaging in individual and group supervision and embed learning in practice.

Maintaining up to date knowledge and skills as required by the role.

Participating in appraisal and team meetings and contribute to individual and team development.Specific requirements for this post:Flexible workingThere will be a requirement to occasionally work with children and families when they most need it which may be outside of normal working hours, including weekends. The number of out of hours worked will not exceed 10% of the total contracted hours per week.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

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Desirable

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Experience

Essential

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Desirable

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