Qualified Social Worker 009368 (Grade I)

Job Description

Job Category :Social Care & Health Qualified
Location : 3 Spilman Street, Carmarthenshire County Council
Hours Per Week : 37.50
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:30
Salary: £39,817
this is a full time role working in the Llanelli Assessment team. the post is a hybrid position with a requirement to attend the office in Llanelli part of the week.

Candidates must have previous experience of social care assessments in a children and family service setting.

Key responsibilities
• To comply with National legislation and guidance whilst working to the Fostering Services’ Statement of Purpose and ensuring that the Division’s policies and procedures are followed.
• To contribute to the Service’s Business Plan and the monitoring and reviewing of the services performance in order to ensure the service complies with National minimum standards and best practice.
• To be responsible for a caseload of approved foster carers or Family and Friends carers providing them with regular individual supervision and ongoing support thereby ensuring identification of training and development needs.
• To undertake annual reviews on all approved foster carers on the caseload so that statutory regulations are met.
• To be aware of the placement needs of all looked after children so that the most appropriate placement matching and support can be made with carers.
• To participate in team meetings and business planning days.
• Work as an effective team member and promote good working relations within the Childcare Services Corporate Parenting Team and with other agencies and organisations.
• Attend LAC Reviews and convene placement support meetings and end of placement reviews.
• Assess the continuing needs of the foster carer’s family and the impact fostering may be having on them particularly the foster carers own children and offer individual or group support through the Sons and Daughters group.
• Liaise and promote good communication with the children’s social workers and the foster carer mentoring service.
• In conjunction with supervisor, contribute to the identification of the post holder’s professional development and training needs to attain recognised levels of competency in childcare practice.
• To be able to undertake form F assessments that are quality assured and be involved in the training recruiting and supporting of new carers.
• The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties of the post. These may have to be changed varied as discussion with the post holder due to the changing needs of the service but in keeping with the department’s requirements of the post.

Qualifications, Vocational training and Professional Memberships
DPSW,CQSW, CSS or equivalent qualification
Job Related Skills and Competencies
A good working knowledge of children in need and the impact of neglect/abuse.
A good working knowledge of children who are Looked After and the impact this has on emotional development including secondary trauma.
A good working knowledge of Child Protection Policies and Procedures and have experience of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Young People.
To understand the importance for all children and young people to have the right to receive a quality social work service in accordance with the
National and Local Child Care policy and strategy and to meet all statutory requirements.
Effective IT skills and the ability to confidently access Care First are essential for this post as is the ability to record and store information safely
Excellent report writing skills are essential

Knowledge
The successful applicant is required to have a good understanding of the legislation and function that underpins the Fostering Service, Child Protection, Child Care Theory and Practice
A good understanding of the impact that abuse and secondary trauma have on children and young people
Practical knowledge and understanding of Child Care Legislation, Guidance and Procedures
A good understanding of Child Protection/Safeguarding in line with the Wales Safeguarding Procedures
Experience
Experience of complex childcare cases and child protection work
A good understanding of the Fostering Service in Carmarthenshire and how it fits into Carmarthenshire’s Children Service
Personal qualities
Effective time management and personal organisational skills
The ability to communicate effectively with colleagues within the fostering service and across Children’s services
The ability to motivate self and others
The ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
Excellent written/verbal communication skills
Ability to value strengths and contributions of others and promote good working relationships and teamwork