Social Worker – Family Safeguarding (Children)

Job Description

Job Title : Social Worker – Family Safeguarding (Children)

Job Category : Social Care & Health Qualified
Location : Luton Borough Council

Start Date : Immediate Start
Salary: £36 per hour

PURPOSE OF POST:
Receive and co-ordinate referrals, undertake assessments/formulate care plans, arrange action and review services for children and families.

Complete professional assessments of need and risk in respect of service users and carers using the Department of Health and Luton Borough Council criteria for children in need and significant harm. Taking the lead role and responsibility, you co-ordinate the multi-agency approach to prevent and address child protection issues and children in need.
Undertake statutory duties under the Children Act 1989 and other legislation and guidance relating to service users and carers e.g. care proceedings, arrangements for adoption/permanency, risk assessments and investigations in relation to the protection of children. Including arrangements for obtaining and carrying out Court Orders, attending court as the Council’s representative and providing instruction to legal counsel.
Plan professional intervention using the appropriate available resources ensuring needs are met through negotiation and consultation with professional colleagues and service users. Promote anti-discriminatory practice and the empowerment of service users.
Ensure that the needs of service users are regularly reviewed and changes in circumstances and newly identified needs are addressed. This will necessitate organising and chairing multi agency meetings.

Effectively and comprehensively gather record and analyse sensitive and confidential data on the relevant database, collating key information relating to children’s safeguarding and protection, maintaining accurate and up to date records in accordance with the Data Protection Act, provide case reports, relevant documentation and witness statements for court when required and enable the production of statistical and management reports as required.

Experience
Some experience in social/health care field.
Knowledge
Substantial knowledge of legislation and statutory responsibilities relating to Children and Family Services, including appropriate Quality standards.
Knowledge and understanding of child development and issues of family dynamics.
Some understanding of service eligibility criteria concerning need and of risk of significant harm.

Education and Training
Dip SW, CQSW, or recognised equivalent professional qualification.
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council