Children's Social Worker (Kinship Team) in Morpeth

Job Details

Kinship Social Worker, Kinship Team – 37 hours per week, Fixed term for 12 months.

We are looking for an experienced Social Worker with a minimum of one year post‑qualifying experience in statutory social work to join the Kinship Team, which is part of the Family Placement Service at Northumberland County Council.

Responsibilities

• Support children remaining in their wider family network by assessing and supporting Kinship Carers.
• Complete viability assessments (Regulation24) for children unable to remain living with their birth family, enabling immediate placement into a wider family or friends network.
• Conduct longer‑term assessments for approval to the Fostering Panel or for Special Guardianship.
• Contribute to Preparation Training for Kinship Carers.
• Attend Coffee Morning (Support Groups) and half‑term Kinship Community Events.
• Make applications for therapeutic assessment and support through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.
• Provide social work support within the team structure, which includes a Team Manager, two Advanced Practitioners, ten Social Workers, two Kinship Family Support Workers and one Enquiry and Referral Coordinator.
• Ensure the role does not involve holding CIN/CP/LAC cases.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to convey complex messages in a straightforward way.
• Creative problem‑solving ability.
• Empathy and sensitivity to the needs of children, young people and families.
• Commitment to hearing the young person's voice and ensuring it is taken into account.
• Passion for maximising a child’s life chances to improve overall outcomes.
• Understanding of the importance of performance information and contributing to maintaining high standards.
• Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary environment.
• Ability to contribute to the development of the service.
• Sound knowledge of the Knowledge and Skills Statement for Child and Family Social Work and application of the Professional Capabilities Framework.
• Relevant Social Work qualification such as the Social Work Degree, Dip SW, CQSW or CSS.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Minimum of one year post‑qualifying experience.

Benefits

• A competitive salary starting at £39,862 up to £44,075 (full‑time figure quoted, dependent on grade and experience).
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (or other pension scheme).
• A wide range of additional staff benefits.
• Competitive annual leave provision.
• Regular supervision.
• Supportive environment.
• Career progression opportunities.
• Generous remuneration package.
• Induction, support and mentoring from day one inpost.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Equal Opportunity Statement

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email hrrecruitment@northumberland. gov. uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for.

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to attend an interview, please let the team know.

This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

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