Job Description
The Service and Team:
The team provide the first response and triage of Adults Safeguarding concerns raised by members of the community, the adult themselves or professionals. The work environment is very fast paced and busy, with positive team members who are provided with regular support, supervision and training, as well as career progression and the opportunity to be involved in the development of the team and wider service.
The Role
Under the leadership and management of the Team Manager you will work within a team of Social Workers and other Social Care Practitioners to provide a Safeguarding Triage service to adults with health and social care needs achieving high quality, timely and person-centred Safeguarding concerns and working to improve outcomes and increase/maintain the independence of vulnerable adults.
Key Responsibilities
- Screen and triage incoming safeguarding concerns.
- Gather relevant information and apply the Making Safeguarding Personal approach.
- Make threshold decisions regarding whether concerns should proceed through the safeguarding process.
- Identify and recommend appropriate next steps for adults at risk of abuse or harm.
- Collaborate with external agencies to assess risks and support adults to live free from abuse or harm.
- Share expertise and support team development within a multi-disciplinary context.
- Supervise and approve Social Care Practitioners work.
- Be part of the duty system.
- Be an active contributor within the team to bring about positive change and improvements.
Social Workers are required to work collaboratively with colleagues from different teams, disciplines and partner organisations in order to provide a seamless service to individuals/families/carers. They will help to protect vulnerable adults from harm or abuse and support people to optimise their choices in order to live as independently as possible. They will work with communities, individuals and families to promote their personal strengths.
Experienced/Senior Social workers are to work at the required level of professional competence as detailed in Adult Social Care Practice Quality Standards (PQS) and quality assurance framework and in line with the Experienced level of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) for Social Work. The Social Worker will ensure they maintain and improve their knowledge and skills and contribute to the learning and development of other members of the team.
As representatives of Adult Social Care Directorate, behaviour and conduct should be professional at all times, reflecting the values of the department and the council.
This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies.
This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.
Working Pattern
Working pattern is 08.45 - 17.15 Mon to Thursday and 08.45 – 16.45 Friday. Please that flexible working options are available in this role if feasible and following a discussion with the Team manager.
What You’ll Need To Succeed
We welcome applications from newly qualified Social workers (NQSW) who need to complete their first Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). Please refer to Grade 3 Social Worker (Adults) role profile when applying.
You Will Be a Social Worker Qualified With a Social Work Degree, Social Work Qualification (Dip. SW) Or Equivalent And Registered With Social Work England, Who Will Have
- Expert knowledge and experience of relevant legislation, social work theory, policy and principles and evidence of these in your practice.
- Previous experience of working in a social care environment with a proven track record of excellent strengths-based practice.
- Ability to undertake, analyse and translate complex assessments of need, risks, and strengths.
- Proficiency at recognising and responding to behaviour that may indicate resistance to change, ambivalent or selective cooperation with services, and recognise when there is a need for immediate action. You will be able to deliver difficult messages.
- Ability to form strong professional relationships with other partners within a multi-disciplinary setting.
- A high level of written and verbal communication skills.
Should your experience as a social worker be within another sector (such as Children’s Social Care or the Voluntary sector), we provide additional support to transition into adult social work through a supported induction period.
If you’re inspired to make a vital contribution to adults services in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, we’d love to hear from you.
Please note: If you have qualified as a Social Worker within the last 2 years, but not completed your Assessed and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE) we would welcome your application as a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) in order to access Cornwall’s ASYE programme which runs twice yearly. You would need to apply for our NQSW adverts which are advertised separately. We are also able to consider experienced social workers who have taken a career break of between two and ten years, where their SWE registration has expired. For this route, please contact PSWpracticeeducation@cornwall.gov.uk
Please read the role profiles for the full details of this role attached below in this advert
What You’ll Get In Return
Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees.
We enable our practitioners to progress and reward them for their commitment and expertise. If you seek continuing professional development, can demonstrate learning in your practice and in improved outcomes for the people you help and protect, we will provide you with the career options and remuneration that match your expertise.
Cornwall is one of the best places in the country to live, work and bring up a family. We prioritise the wellbeing of our staff and recognise that resilient Social Workers need a good work/life balance as well as clear leadership and support in the workplace. Cornwall’s location and landscape offers unique opportunities for a healthier, happier way of life.
In recognition of the vital contribution you make, we offer an attractive package of benefits including:
- A competitive starting salary, and the opportunity to increase your pay further as you progress
- A generous relocation package
- Welcome bonus of £4000 for qualified Social Workers who are new to social work in Cornwall and have completed their ASYE
- Induction designed to meet your specific needs and learning
- A developing career and qualification pathway that will support your progression.
- Dedicated Practice Educators
- Regular case and reflective supervision
- An ambitious new management and leadership
- 26 days paid annual leave per year (rising with length of service), plus bank holidays
- Flexible working opportunities, including part-time hours and homeworking
- A license to access Research in Practice.
- Payment of your Social Work England registration fees.
Additional Information
Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.
The full role profile is attached here
We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.
For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Deb O'Brien (Debbie.OBrien@cornwall.gov.uk)
Application Process
Please attach a supporting statement to your application, you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process .
Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, so please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.
Existing employees must apply using their Cornwall Council email address through the Opportunity Marketplace on Oracle.
About Us
Cornwall Council deliver services to more than half a million local people and over five million visitors a year. Working here - Cornwall Council
We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part-time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunities can be found here - flexible working options .
Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall. In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g., race, disability, sex, gender, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.
Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It’s a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from harm.
