Social Worker - Child Permanence and Family Reunification

Our team works with children and young people who are cared for by the Local Authority, working closely with families, using an established Practice Model to create plans to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people. This includes working with children in the care of their parents or members of their network, in Local Authority foster care or sometimes residential care, and children and families going through care proceedings. This means we cover all aspects of the court process; a good understanding of this or a willingness to learn is vital.

We have passion and high aspirations for our young people and always strive to work collaboratively with families and young people, working strongly with the belief that each child and young person has a network around them who love them. We have a high investment in training for our Social Workers, which includes specific practice model training covering systemic social work, signs of safety, restorative practice and family networking approaches.

The role is very varied, and no two days look the same for social workers. One day you may be developing words and pictures with a family to help them to have difficult conversations with their children about what has been happening around them. The next day you may be chairing or supporting a family network meeting, or working with a young person developing their pathway plan towards achieving independence.

We work with children and young people from birth up to the age of 18, having strong links with other teams in North Yorkshire and partner agencies. The team consists of a Team Manager and Practice Supervisors to support the Social Workers. The team has dedicated business support to enable Social Workers to spend more time with children, young people and their families.

We have a well-defined Supervision Policy which includes regular group supervision, individual supervision and opportunities to participate in County-Wide practice model sessions, engage in appreciative enquiry and conversations about practice with our Principal Social Worker.

Enhanced Level DBS Disclosure is required for appointment to this post. It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in Regulated Activity (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with adults or children at risk. We are committed to the inclusion, safeguarding, and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk.

North Yorkshire Council’s purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.