Locum Social Worker (Children & Families)

Location: St Helena Island, South Atlantic

Contract: 4 months FTC available immediately

Salary: £35k pa, pro rata, depending on experience and qualifications, plus International Supplement

Enjoying unique lifestyle opportunities, St Helena Island is a self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Although better placed to develop economically and socially as a result of opening our international airport in 2017, we are not at the stage of self-sufficiency and therefore remain dependent on UK government aid.

Your input will be guided by the development of a new strategic framework for integrated social services. You will manage a complex caseload - usually between 10 and 20 - with a focus on child protection and safeguarding court work. You must take appropriate action to protect vulnerable people with an emphasis on anti-oppressive practice as you devise, monitor and review individual care plans that promote dignity and empowerment and comply with legal and statutory requirements.

You will assess children in need to a high standard and within timescales, undertaking risk assessments to inform care planning and assessments of vulnerable adults. You should ensure reports and statements for Court, case conferences and looked-after reviews are prepared to a high standard, in time for deadlines and demonstrate involvement of clients.

As you chair multi-agency and planning meetings and implement the Family Group Conferencing process, you will lead practice improvements and quality of assessments and care planning, by mentoring, leading meetings and workshops, updating the team on practice developments and research findings, as well as the induction of new staff.

A UK Qualified Social Worker with a BA Honours degree or DipSW, you must have a current registration with the Health Care Professionals Council or equivalent. Up to date knowledge and recent practical experience as a social worker with case load responsibility in safeguarding vulnerable groups will be essential. A minimum of post AYSE will be expected, with special focus on safeguarding children and adults and with significant experience in the field of social work adults.

You must have a background in providing accredited training to Social Services/welfare staff and other agencies in key aspects of social work/care and in analysing and interpreting information to develop solutions or solve problems. A track record within safeguarding adults’ frameworks and of working with complex situations and competing priorities will be expected, as well as teaching in a children’s services setting.

You will have knowledge and understanding of working with children with complex and learning needs and of Child Protection. An enhanced disclosure will be sought, and you will need a full UK Driving Licence.

In addition, you must demonstrate our core values of fairness, integrity and teamwork and use your diverse expertise and experiences to ensure your time on the Island has the broadest benefit to St Helena. As an officer funded through the Technical Co-Operation Programme you will be expected to share your knowledge and skills beyond the workplace contributing to workforce, community and capacity development in St Helena.

Our Benefits Package Includes:

• An International Supplement, full details of which are in the Overseas Vacancy Information at our website.
• Relocation Allowances, full details of which are in the Overseas Vacancy Information at our website.
• Annual Pension Contribution of 7.5% of salary
• Leave of 10 days plus Public Holidays

How to Apply:

An application form is available at our website via the button below where further information can also be found, or you may contact Kedell Worboys on 0203 818 7610 or via email. Applications must be sent to recruitment@sainthelena.gov.sh and received by 11 July 2025. Interviews are planned for 28/29 July 2025. To be considered for this role, you must complete our application form. Failure to do so will mean that your application will not be considered. Please do not submit your CV.

The Public Service positively accepts applications from all members of the community regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and will consider all applications on the basis of merit, in accordance with the person specification.