Social Worker - Duty and Assessment

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Duty and Assessment team. As an allocated Social Worker in the Duty and Assessment Team, you will have access to dedicated Business Support, resources to carry out your role safely and access to support packages which includes reflective clinical supervision offered via our Well Being service.

In the role you will manage a caseload of children who may be on Child Protection, Child in Need and Looked After Children plans. You will undertake visits to children and families and complete assessments and direct work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Duties will include:

• Safety planning
• Completing Section 17 Single Assessments and Section 47 Enquiries
• Initial Child Protection Conferences
• Initial Core Group Meetings and Child in Need Meetings
• Court work including Section 7 and 37 reports
• Applications for court orders including Emergency Protection Orders and Interim Care Orders

To be a Social Worker for AfC, you will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people. We are looking for someone who can work flexibly, has excellent communication skills and can work collaboratively to achieve shared outcomes. It’s a genuine team effort in AfC. To be successful in the role you will need to demonstrate:

• You are able to use evidence and professional judgement to make decisions and determine the risk of future harm.
• Your experience with CIN/CP/LAC.
• Your experience of assessing the needs of children and their families in accordance with the Framework for the Assessment.
• Your excellent written skills and experience writing comprehensive reports for the Courts.

In addition we expect all of our social workers to have:

• A full and valid driving licence and access to own transport
• A professional social work qualification, CQSW or Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), or other relevant qualification recognised by Social Work England.
• An active Social Work England registration.

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

• 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
• Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
• Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
• Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• A range of staff benefits and discounts
• An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway

Important Information:

• Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month.
• Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements.
• Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.
• Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.