Social Work Assistant-Reunification Project in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke City Council are committed to supporting children in their care to achieve permanency at the earliest opportunity. As part of this Strategy, Children's Services are developing a Reunification Project Team to support children to return to the care of their families, where it is safe to do so.

As a Social Work Assistant on the team, you will be responsible for engaging with a small cohort of families, with the focus of assessing support required, implementing programmes of support and building restorative and trusting relationships to empower families to meet the long term needs of their children. You will require excellent communication and written skills, with a background of direct work with children and families. You will work alongside the Children in Need teams and the allocated Social Workers so will need to be an effective team player. You will also work alongside key stakeholders to ensure universal packages of support are available to families when reunification is achieved.

Main duties of the job:

• Engage with families to assess support required.
• Implement programmes of support.
• Build restorative and trusting relationships.
• Work alongside Children in Need teams and Social Workers.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders for universal support packages.

What we offer:

• Up to 41 days annual leave (including bank holidays).
• Option to purchase additional leave.
• Hybrid working and flexible hours.
• Access to high-quality learning and development.
• Career progression opportunities.
• Strong supervision and peer support.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Access to staff networks including equality, diversity and inclusion forums.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they do not meet all of the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.

We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.

Job responsibilities:

• Engage with families to assess support required.
• Implement programmes of support.
• Build restorative and trusting relationships.
• Work alongside Children in Need teams and Social Workers.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders for universal support packages.

Person Specification:

• Sound knowledge of the Children Act and Child Protection legislation.
• A knowledge and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Basic knowledge of systemic practice and its application in children's social care.
• Experience in direct work with children and families.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to construct written reports with a high degree of analytical thinking.
• Able to build and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children, young people and families.
• Practical direct working skills with children, young people and families to advise, support, persuade and engage them in meeting their goals and potential.
• Able to think reflectively and creatively concerning direct work with children, young people and families.
• Able to work autonomously and prioritise work efficiently.
• Ability to also work as part of a wider group, displaying role generosity within the service area.
• Ability to establish professional, effective working relationships with a range of partners/colleagues and children, young people and families.
• Have excellent verbal communication skills with a high degree of confidence to challenge and articulate information whilst retaining a professional approach at all times.

Qualifications:

• Educated to at least GCSE standard English and Maths or Literacy & Numeracy Award equivalent.
• Level 3 Diploma in Children & Young Peoples Working or other relevant qualification (e.g., NNEB, Diploma in Youth and Community Work, Welfare etc) or a willingness to work towards this.

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.