R2R103472 - Social Worker - Children Looked After Team - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea

Your New Organisation Children Services - OFSTED RATING 2024 – GOOD. Many workers have chosen to both live and work in Southend. They have seen positive cultural changes in the organisation and describe Southend as not just being a good place to live but now also a good place to work. Social workers speak with warmth and knowledge about the children and families they support.

CPD: The training and development offered in Southend is comprehensive and equips staff effectively to deliver their work with children and families.

LEADERS INPUT: Leaders understand their local communities and have used this knowledge strategically and effectively to meet children’s needs.

Our vision is a Southend Where All Children Achieve Success. By joining Southend City Council as a Social Worker, you will be key in making our vision a reality for all children. You will be joining a service where we demonstrate with pride that:

• All paths lead back to the child.
• We spend time getting to know each child and their story.
• We do what we say we’re going to do.
• We work with the whole family.
• No matter what, we aim to make things better.

You will provide support to work to the highest standard using our model of practice, Restorative Practice, to deliver the vision. You will access a professional social work development offer that has been designed by social workers, whatever stage you are at in your career. You will be given regular restorative supervision and separate supervision focusing on development and evidencing your SWE registration. We want everyone to take the lead in an area of interest for your team, and you will explore this with your line manager.

Your new role: There is a clear focus by children’s carers and their social workers on finding out what children and young people enjoy. Southend City Council are looking to appoint a full-time permanent Qualified Social Worker for their Children Looked After Team (CLA). The CLA team work with children once care proceedings have concluded. There is some court work around revocation of care orders, contact disputes and making adoption orders. Therefore, some experience of court work would be preferable; the current case load is between 16-18.

This position attracts the added incentive of a one-off payment of £7,500, after you have been employed in this post for 3 years and 1 day. You will be required to provide an efficient and cost-effective service to children, young people and their families, ensuring that the needs of the children and their parents/carers are professionally assessed. Investigate, evaluate and analyse information on cases, demonstrating clarity of assessment, reliability of information, evidence conclusions and realistic action plans. Ensure adequate recording that evidences practice and develops practice that takes a holistic view of the individual, locating them in both their immediate and extended social circles, and having full regard to their overall development needs. Ensure that all case management complies with the statutory requirements and the Council’s policies and procedures. You will need to prepare and submit written reports as and when required, including statements and care plans for care proceedings in the Family Proceedings, County and High Courts.

Nowhere else will you gain as much experience on the job, making us a sought-after place to work. If you are passionate, dedicated to making a change and ready for a challenge – you could be the candidate we are looking for. Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week. Duty days are 1 day a week, and you are required to attend the office on that day.

What you’ll need to succeed: To be shortlisted for this position you must have a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England and have completed your ASYE. You need to have previous experience of working within Children’s Frontline services and have knowledge of child protection, looked after children and associated child in need; social work practice is essential, along with knowledge of methods of social work intervention.

What you’ll get in return: When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the “Why Work For Us?” tab.

What you need to do now: If you are interested in this role, please click ’apply online’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. If you would like a copy of the Job Description, please contact Nathalie at Nathalie.s@hays.com. Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check. The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.