Social Worker - Children We Care For
| Posting date: | 12 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £37,336 to £48,474 per year |
| Additional salary information: | local gov pension scheme |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 June 2024 |
| Location: | Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 9RE |
| Company: | West Sussex County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | CAFHE05032_1718195609 |
Summary
Salary: £42,003 - £54,533 per annum (market supplements included)
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full time - 37 hour per week
Location: Based at Durban House, Bognor Regis but travel around the county is required.
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and would encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience should the advert close earlier than the date stated.
We're seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Worker to join our children's services Children We Care For team based in Bognor Regis. The successful candidate will be excited to be part of a team achieving positive outcomes for children and young people across West Sussex.
Our dedicated Children We Care For service have a passion for making a difference to our looked after children, alongside an interest and experience of the adoption process. Working with children remaining in long term care where it is not safe for them to return home, children who may be placed for adoption and children leaving care. With a focus on outcomes-based care planning for children, including access to an in-house therapeutic assessment and intervention team, you will enjoy working with young children and/or teenagers to support them to achieve and plan to build their lives as young adults ready to leave care and live independently.
We offer small practice teams of Social Workers managed by a Team Manager and supported by Child & Family Workers as well as additional flexible administrative support from Coordinators embedded within the service.
We provide regular group supervision and peer learning alongside specialist roles within the team to focus on the most vulnerable children. As a Social Worker, you'll have a minimum of 5 CPD and training days per year with access to excellent learning and development provisions such as Research in Practice and Community Care Inform, Social Work England fees paid and annual leave up to 29 days, as well as the option to buy up to 3 additional days.
As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do. For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
The Opportunity
As an experienced Social Worker within the Children We Care For team, you will be working to deliver first class support to vulnerable children and young people. We are looking for emotionally intelligent, organised, resilient individuals who can evidence the value they could add to our team. You will be able to build positive working relationships with children and young people, professionals, partner agencies and carers as well as respectfully challenge when appropriate. You will have an excellent understanding of the statutory requirements relating to children looked after and keeping children safe.
You will be expected to demonstrate relevant theoretical Social Work concepts, practices and detailed organisational knowledge relating to the provision of a professional Social Work service dealing with complex issues. You will be expected to confidently chair a range of meetings. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.
About you
Some of the key skills and experience required for this role include:
- Analysis and interpretation of complex information and data to enable prioritisation and support in planning next steps.
- Work as part of a team and partnership with key stakeholders to assess needs and implement outcomes.
- Communicate effectively to all audiences, both written and orally and negotiated and persuade where necessary.
- recognised Social Work qualification e.g. Degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
- Completed relevant post qualifying training, have evidence of at least one year's experience post qualification and be registered with the relevant professional body.
- Knowledge of theoretical Social Work concepts and practices, with demonstrable examples of dealing with a breadth of complex issues and situations, for example, attachment, impact of developmental trauma and child development, motivational interviewing, relational practice, solution-focussed interventions and systemic working. A good understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in social work.
- Experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
- You will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes are available.
For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.
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 senior leadership team, driving forward our 'Children First' improvement plan and implementing the Family Safeguarding Practice Model. You will be trained in motivational interviewing, to support our strengths-based approach to working with families and creating lasting change for children.
We don't underestimate the work that still needs to be undertaken and the challenge ahead, we are confident in our approach and excited about the changes occurring. That's why we need professionals, like you, who really want to be part of the positive change that is happening for children. Be part of an ambitious improvement plan and make a significant difference to children and families in West Sussex. There has 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.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CAFHE05032.
To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and Cover Letter. In your cover letter please outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.
Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.