Social Worker, Almondbank House, Perth - PKC14081 in Brechin

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.

As our new Social Worker, you will:

• Undertake assessments of need and risk and take a lead role in the implementation of plans to deliver care, protection and support to children, young people, and their families, and promote their wellbeing in the community.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to build the capacity of people using services.
• Make assessments in relation to child protection referrals, carry out investigations and make recommendations related to child protection procedures.
• Assess and make recommendations about whether compulsory measures of supervision are necessary.
• Assess and make recommendations about whether a child should be accommodated away from home.
• Assess and make recommendations for children who may require permanent alternative family care.
• Provide the social work contribution to any review of the needs of children and young people, including recommendations on behalf of the Council to Children’s Hearings and Courts.
• Plan rehabilitation and provide support to looked after and accommodated children.
• Provide written reports and records as required.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for an organised person with a flexible approach who holds the ability to manage time effectively and produce accurate, high quality work, often to tight timescales. We are looking for an ambitious, compassionate practitioner who can demonstrate experience of working with integrity in line with the values of Perth and Kinross Council. We are also looking for a practitioner who demonstrates a rights-based approach that encourages relationship based practice and a focus on the best outcomes for children. You will be creative, enthusiastic, embracing of challenge and committed to improving the lives of the people we work with. You will have empathy and a drive to support children and families to empower themselves and strive for positive outcomes. You must have an ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families, and work collaboratively with other professionals to analyse information and draw out recommendations and work within professional boundaries. You will be an organised individual with excellent communication and problem solving skills. You must be computer literate with proven IT Skills, have experience in preparing and presenting clear and concise reports and presentations for a range of purposes including formal meetings. You must have a valid UK driving licence as this post requires you to travel to a variety of locations across Perth and Kinross. A Social Work degree or equivalent is essential.

This post may be suitable for candidates who have recently completed their Social Work Degree but have not yet graduated. In this circumstance, a Senior Social Care Officer contract will be offered until you receive your qualifying certificate and are eligible to register with the SSSC as a Social Worker.

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours.

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Access to a range of benefits
• Paid SSSC annual membership for relevant positions

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

This role requires you to be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), if you are not yet registered, you can still apply, as long as you are willing to apply for registration within 3 months of starting with us and be registered within 6 months. All new employees have a four-month probationary period.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Liane Grant, Team Leader to find out more. External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses. One of these must be your current or most recent employer. We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process. Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regarded as a regulated role and under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.