Social Worker in Leeds

Salary: PO1 £38,220 - £40,777 pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Various

Service: Children's social work

All applicants MUST have a relevant social work qualification. As a children’s social worker, you will thrive on working restoratively with children and families by building strong relationships to inspire positive change and sustainable outcomes. Our restorative practice model lies at the heart of our children’s social work team at Leeds City Council. We believe that relationships really matter in our role; working with and alongside people is the best way to make a positive difference for children and young people.

We have opportunities for social workers with at least a year’s post qualification experience. We can offer permanent contracts on a full-time, part-time or job‑share basis to suitably qualified candidates. We are open to flexible working arrangements to support your work‑life balance, if service needs can be fulfilled.

About You

As a social worker you will hold an appropriate professional qualification (degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) and must be registered with Social Work England on commencement in post. In addition to this you have completed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) and are willing to work towards Practice Educator Level 1.

You Will Also Bring To The Role

• At least one year’s experience in a statutory setting and ability to assess social care needs and plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• Up-to-date knowledge of trends, policies, regulation and safeguarding in social care.
• Consultative approach to engage children and families, taking their views on board and advocating for them.
• Communication and collaboration skills for effective multi‑agency working.
• Proactive use of supervision for critical reflection and to enhance practice and insight.

About The Role

You will be integral to our close‑knit, supportive children’s social work team, which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart. All our social workers manage a caseload with complexity appropriate to their level of experience. Our child‑focused approach is underpinned by a culture of restorative practice and family decision making including family group conferencing. You will work closely with local health and third‑sector partners, and you will develop and maintain these strong links in your role. As part of the role you will engage proactively in the supervision and appraisal framework for critical reflection and exploration of your work. You will undertake the Practice Educator Level 1 qualification, developing your skills in mentoring and developing newly qualified colleagues and students.

What We Offer You

• Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Essential car user allowance plus car loan scheme.
• Access to deals and discounts, including eligibility for a blue light card.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

Job Purpose

Provide a high quality and comprehensive social work service to children, families and carers, in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines. The work will be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for a caseload which includes the assessment of needs and management of risk regarding children, their families and carers.
• Develop relationships with children, young people and families/carers to best provide a high-quality service, honour commitments, and demonstrate accountability.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records, author reports as required and, if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
• Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.
• Carry a caseload and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.
• Use a child focused approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in line with procedures.
• Responsible for analysing information to support the on‑going needs of users, their families and carers.
• Monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in accordance with directorate procedures.
• Use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.
• Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
• Work directly with children and young people to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views.
• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
• Comply with relevant governance, policy and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
• Responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
• Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
• Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi‑agency meetings in line with procedures.
• Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
• Work to and within the prescribed Professional Capabilities Framework.
• Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
• Carry out the role and responsibilities of key worker for a caseload which will include statutory work.
• Undertake assessment, planning and reviewing of work concerning children in need, children subject to child protection plans and children who are looked after in care.
• Working restoratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families and carers to achieve positive outcomes.
• Participate in arrangements to receive, screen and respond to requests for service and referrals.
• Work with children and young people, families and carers to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
• Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders.
• Plan and commission services and support for children, young people and their families.
• Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops and consultations.
• Undertake preventative work with families in order to reduce the need for children to become looked after in care.
• Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings.
• Carry out the Practice Educator Level 1 role.
• Promote the right of advocacy to all children and young people on their caseload and offer full information on how to make complaints.
• Being available for young people to contact and respond to phone calls/call them back promptly.
• Make young people aware of whom they can contact outside office hours.
• Flexible working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on‑going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings.
• Work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with other colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers, and other agencies.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days and events as requested.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Appropriate professional qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) and registration with Social Work England upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration. The post holder should have achieved or commenced the Practice Educator Level 1 qualification after 2 years post qualification but within an agreed timescale starting in this post.

Essential Requirements

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise, and evaluate work with users.
• Able to plan, prioritise and time manage own workload.
• Able to communicate and pass information effectively, accurately, and concisely with a range of partners and service users, carers, and colleagues.
• Able to engage individuals, families, carers and workers from other agencies.
• Able to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change.
• Able to devise and implement service and support plans.
• Able to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person‑centred approach.
• Able to work and engage with children and young people and use their views to inform assessments, plans and interventions.
• Able to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
• Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
• Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
• Able to make proactive use of Supervision to reflect critically on practice and explore different approaches to work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability.
• Able to chair routine or less complex meetings.
• Knowledge of the range of theories and models for Social Work intervention with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
• Of relevant legislation appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Awareness of the broad range of factors that impact on service users and families e.g., drugs, alcohol, domestic violence.
• Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet, and Email.
• Knowledge of current, trends, policies, legislation, and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families, and carers as appropriate.
• Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
• Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
• Knowledge of preparing reports and communications skills.
• Experience of implementing a person centred/child focused approach.
• Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems.
• Experience of advocacy and user involvement.
• Experience of using initiative and a commitment to develop services.
• Experience of use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning.
• Experience of producing records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function.
• Experience of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments.
• Experience of using supervision effectively.
• Minimum of 12 months post qualification experience of working in a statutory setting.
• Experience of devising, implementing, and reviewing support plans.

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up‑to‑date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner, upholding equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable Requirements

• Possession of a full current driving licence.
• Knowledge of the range of services available to Service users, families and carers.
• Experience of working with a wide range of Service user groups.