We are looking for an experienced, passionate Social Worker who is committed to safeguarding children and supporting families to achieve lasting, positive change through confident, relationship-based practice.

You will join a well-established Family & Childrens Support and Safeguarding Service that is focused on prevention, protection and helping families thrive. This is an environment where you can grow and develop your career, working alongside skilled, supportive colleagues and partner agencies across health, education, housing and the police. You will have access to high-quality supervision, ongoing professional development and opportunities to broaden your expertise, with the support of modern systems, evidence-based approaches and a clear commitment to staff wellbeing and progression.

Job description

The overall responsibilities of the Family & Childrens Support and Safeguarding Service are: To prevent family breakdown To prevent children and families needing more intensive statutory services To deliver an effective family-based and relationship-based approach to enable children and families to achieve positive outcomes To meet all relevant statutory responsibilities The Family & Childrens Support and Safeguarding Service has social workers, senior keyworkers, keyworkers and local partnership advisors delivering or supporting evidence-based direct work with vulnerable children and families (working complex level 2b [CAF] cases, Child in Need and Child Protection cases). A relationship-based model of practice is followed by all staff in the service. Training reflects this model of practice and include skill-stretching for staff to be able to do more without referring on for specialist support. All staff in the service provide advice, consultation and guidance to other local professionals who are supporting children and families with lower level needs/risks. The service runs Local Allocation Groups (or similarly named group) in each hub attended by key partner agencies. These discuss and agree resource/case allocation in each locality and facilitate the sharing of expertise and advice. The service supports the Troubled Families programme including in relation to identifying eligible families and assisting with tracking outcomes. All staff in the service work constructively, collaboratively and effectively with a broad range of key agencies delivering, for example, housing, domestic abuse, substan

ce misuse, mental health, education, finance, employment and/or emotional wellbeing support. Job Purpose 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 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 e.g. hospital, school etc. 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 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 e.g. core groups to assist in the implementation and review of plans for vulnerable children. To write reports for child protection conferences, legal planning meetings, looked after children reviews, legal meetings and court hearings and attend these as appropriate. To work collaboratively and effectively with Keyworkers, Senior Keyworkers and Local Partnership Advisors on achieving shared family goals

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

Professional social work qualification.
Social Work England registered
Have up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and
the protection of, children and young people.
Knowledge of child development
Thorough Understanding of the needs of vulnerable children, those who have experienced trauma
and children in care.
Up to date knowledge of key child care legislation, policies and practices central to the
implementation of a professional social work service on behalf of the council.
Knowledge and ability to put into practice a range of theories, models and interventions and to
assess impact for the service user.
Knowledge of assessment processes including the contribution provided by other agencies,
timescales and their impact on council and Government performance targets and indicators.
Experience of direct work with children, young people and families
Experience of working with children in care, their families and foster carers.

Experience of completing assessments, reports and plans for children identified as vulnerable and

in need.

Ability to challenge poor performance and evidence of improving performance.

Ability to give objective timely advice.

Knowledge and evidence of assessment skills, including engaging with users of services, other

professionals and agencies to achieve a holistic assessment.

Ability to professionally challenge strategy discussions, case conferences, Multi-Disciplinary

meetings

Excellent report writing skills.

Proven organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise work, manage own time effectively

and meet deadlines.

Ability to keep accurate electronic records.

Desirable

Qualifications

Essential

Professional social work qualification.
Social Work England registered

Have up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and

the protection of, children and young people.

Knowledge of child development

Thorough Understanding of the needs of vulnerable children, those who have experienced trauma

and children in care.

Up to date knowledge of key child care legislation, policies and practices central to the

implementation of a professional social work service on behalf of the council.

Knowledge and ability to put into practice a range of theories, models and interventions and to

assess impact for the service user.

Knowledge of assessment processes including the contribution provided by other agencies,

timescales and their impact on council and Government performance targets and indicators.

Experience of direct work with children, young people and families

Experience of working with children in care, their families and foster carers.

Experience of completing assessments, reports and plans for children identified as vulnerable and

in need.

Ability to challenge poor performance and evidence of improving performance.

Ability to give objective timely advice.

Knowledge and evidence of assessment skills, including engaging with users of services, other

professionals and agencies to achieve a holistic assessment.

Ability to professionally challenge strategy discussions, case conferences, Multi-Disciplinary

meetings

Excellent report writing skills.

Proven organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise work, manage own time effectively

and meet deadlines.

Ability to keep accurate electronic records.

Desirable

About the employer

At Wiltshire Council, youll join a supportive and dedicated team committed to making a positive difference across local communities. Our colleagues bring a wide range of skills and experience, working collaboratively to deliver high-quality services that improve peoples lives.

We foster an open, inclusive and respectful atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas and grow. Teamwork is at the heart of what we do, with strong leadership and clear shared goals helping us achieve the best outcomes for residents.

Our work ethic is centred on professionalism, accountability and continuous improvement. We value innovation and encourage employees to take ownership of their work while being supported to develop new skills and progress their careers.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible and family-friendly working, generous annual leave, a competitive pension scheme, and access to learning and development opportunities. Health and wellbeing are a priority, with initiatives designed to support a positive work-life balance.

Working at Wiltshire Council means being part of a purpose-driven organisation where your contribution truly matters.

Level 3 Social Worker

UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics

Job description

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

About the employer