Job summary
The States of Guernsey are looking for a Supervising Social Worker to join the Family Placement Service within Children and Family Community Services, taking the lead in delivering Family Network Meetings and Family Group Conferences (FGC).
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to operate as a Supervising Social Worker in the provision of an effective Family Placement Service undertaking the recruitment, assessment, review, training and ongoing supervision and support to a range of foster carers, short break carers, kinship carers, connected persons and prospective adopters. The Service holds key responsibility for the Permanency Planning process for children and young people and adoption applications to the Court. The post holder will also have a role in the delivery of the Private Fostering Service when this is operational.
About us
The Island of Guernsey is in the English Channel in the Bay of
St Malo, 50km off the north-west coast of France and 120km
from the English coast.
Guernsey has a population of around 63,000 and in Alderney
just under 2,000. Working in a relatively small Health and
Social Care Service like ours means you can effectively work
with colleagues across the services, health and social care
professionals can collaborate not only with each other but
also other agencies, the third sector and the community.
We offer an attractive relocation policy and competitive
salaries with great career opportunities, modern facilities,
excellent training, revalidation and registration support and a
healthy work-life balance.
As a health or social care professional who chooses to join our
team, you can look forward to working in an environment that
gives you the time to care that you hoped for when choosing
this career.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Carry out high quality assessments of applicants to each service area using the relevant assessment framework within agreed timescales.
Carry out annual reviews of a range of providers for whom they hold allocated responsibility using the relevant review framework within agreed timescales. To present assessments, reviews and other reports to the relevant Panel as required.
Prepare reports for the Court regarding adoption applications, other Court reports and reports for the Child Youth and Community Tribunal as requested and to attend Court and Tribunal as and when required.
Ensure that providers meet the required standards which underpin high quality care of children and young people, placement stability and good outcomes for children and young people through regular supervisory visits as per required standards and to provide high quality support and supervision to providers as required.
Support the ongoing learning and development of foster carers and prospective adopters by being involved in the development and delivery of training to carers and prospective adopters and delivery of preparation training including the Skills to Foster and Preparation to Adopt.
Maintain a sound theoretical knowledge and skill base regarding fostering and adoption together with knowledge and understanding of the needs of children in care including children who have experienced trauma and children who are separated from their family of origin.
Attend and, where appropriate, chair a range of meetings pertinent to each service as identified by the Senior Social Worker or Deputy Team Manager.
Participate in the permanency planning process, family finding and matching process as allocated by the Team Manager, liaising with colleagues, foster carers, prospective adopters and professionals within other agencies.
Work cooperatively with carers, prospective adopters, birth family members, colleagues and other agencies ensuring the child is central to any process.
Participate in the delivery of the Private Fostering Service and undertake Connected Persons/Kinship assessments.
Ensure that States of Guernsey Health and Social Care policies, procedures and legislation are adhered to, and best practice guidance is followed.
Participate in the out of hours Emergency Duty Social Work rota and on a Family Placement Service Duty rota as required. There is an expectation that some evening work is required as part of the responsibilities of this post.
Undertake any other duties as may be determined by the Head of Service, Children and Family Community Services, from time to time.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the role of foster carers and adoptive parents and
- experience in the specialism of Family Placement work.
- Sound theoretical knowledge base pertaining to the field of Family Placement and
- good knowledge of childcare practice particularly in relation to children in care and
- children in the Bailiwick who have been separated from their family of origin.
- Knowledge of therapeutic and reparative parenting to support foster carers and
- adopters in caring for children who have experienced trauma.
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, local and UK best practice
- guidance and regulations, National Minimum Standards and policies and procedures
- pertinent to fostering, adoption.
- Ability to comprehensively assess and analyse information and make
- recommendations and judgements with confidence.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an ability to write reports to a
- high standard. Ability to use information technology effectively and efficiently.
- Ability to provide high quality support and supervision to placements of children and
- young people including those with complex needs and challenging behaviours in order
- to promote placement stability and good outcomes for children in care.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills as well as the ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to work as a member of a team in partnership with carers and colleagues and
- to develop and maintain positive working relationships with a range of providers and
- carers, professionals and service users and to contribute to the overall development
- of services through a team approach.
- Confidence in the delivery of training and information to individuals or to groups
- pertaining to each service area.
- To have or to develop knowledge and understanding of the role and responsibilities
- with regard to Private Fostering and Connected Persons /Kinship assessments.
- Valid driving licence
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Social Care Qualification e.g., Diploma/Degree in Social Work or CQSW
- Registered with Social Work England
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
States of Guernsey
Address
Swissville Daycare Centre
Rohais Road
ST. PETER PORT
GY1 1FB
Guernsey
Employer's website
Supervising Social Worker - Family Placement Service employer: States of Guernsey
The States of Guernsey is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where professionals can thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact on the community. With a strong emphasis on employee development and a commitment to high-quality service, team members benefit from comprehensive training opportunities and a collaborative culture that values innovation and integrity. Located in the picturesque setting of Guernsey, employees enjoy a unique work-life balance, surrounded by stunning landscapes and a supportive community.
