Social Worker – Children’s

Job Description

Job Category : Social Care – Qualified
Location : Magdalen House, Bootle, L20 3NJ, Sefton MBC
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:30
Salary: £27.87

Minimum 2 years post qualification experience in statutory Children’s Social Care service

SW Degree or equivalent Current registration with SWE

We are looking for social work practitioners who are able to undertake work across our social work teams including child in need, child protection, children in care and children with disability.
Sefton is a changing and vibrant authority, already on a journey of aspiration and ambition as it works towards an exciting 2030 vision and delivering our 5 year children and young peoples plan.

Sefton is an exciting place to be and we would like social workers to join us, to be part of our journey of continuous improvement. Sefton has a committed workforce and we are keen to drive down caseloads and achieve good outcomes for our children and Young People.
If you come to work for Sefton, we have a flexible working policy for all staff with the ability to work from home and car parking if you come to the office. We believe training and supervision is key to our workforce and this will be available for anyone who joins sefton. Consistency and stability is important to us and we are able to offer 6 month contracts to those that join us and pay can be negotiated, subject to previous experience and suitable reference checks
1. Hold and effectively manage a complex and varied caseload with appropriate supervision, guidance and support, reflecting the function of the team and Children’s Social Care in accordance with policy, procedures, guidance and legislation.

2. Undertake work within legislative frameworks including the preparation of written statements and representations to the judiciary at Court hearings.

3. Be accountable for complex decision making in relation to caseloads ensuring professional judgement, evidence based tools, critical reflection and analysis to inform this.

4. Model critical reflection and evidence based decision making and support others in developing these.

5. Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the range of theories and models for social work intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities and the methods derived from them.

6. Identify and assess levels of risk and need (within statutory frameworks) in often complex situations. Deliver protective and/or supportive services for children at risk, in need and/or looked after. To maintain up to date assessments, care plans and reviews.

7. Communicate skilfully and confidently in complex or high risk situations. Model and help others develop communication skills

8. Attend and represent the department at a range of multi-disciplinary forums and undertaking the role of Chair as required.

9. Undertake Achieving Best Evidence interviews as required.

10. Undertake direct work with children, young people and their families in line with Children in Need, Child Protection and Care plans.

11. Work co-operatively with colleagues and in partnership within the Council and across multi – agency boundaries.

12. Contribute to current practice expectations, indentifying areas of poor practice issues and taking appropriate action.

13. Model inclusive practice in relation to identity and diversity, challenging any issues of concern.

14. Take responsibility for obtaining regular professional supervision to ensure effective practice, reflection and career development.

15. Prepare and participate in Performance and Development Reviews, identifying areas for improvement and carrying out agreed learning and development opportunities including using research to inform practice.

16. Take responsibility for the professional learning and development of self and others including participating in team meetings and contributing to the development of the team.

17. Be responsible for overseeing the management, teaching and assessment of social work students carrying out practice learning placements.

18. Ensure that reports are up to date, of a high quality and submitted according to appropriate timescales.

19. Ensure that expenditure on cases is properly authorised and recorded.

20. Be responsible for accurate, sensitive, timely and up to date data entry on all cases including:
– data entry on ICS and any other electronic tools or database
– data required for specific PIs/targets,
Due consideration being given to any legal and human rights of the individuals concerned.

21. Ensure that client information data is lawfully gathered, accurate, up to date and only divulged in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the local government common law duty of confidentiality. Failure to apply these duties can lead to the individual or the Service facing court proceedings.

22. Undertake any other duties as directed from time-to-time to meet the exigencies of the service.