Experienced Social Worker (Care Proceedings) - 37 Hours

Torbay Council is seeking dedicated and experienced Social Workers to join our Care Proceedings Team. This is a pivotal role within our Children’s Services, where you will be responsible for safeguarding children and ensuring their welfare is prioritised during care proceedings with a clear objective to secure and deliver the best outcomes for our children and young people. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families in Torbay.

You must have experience within public law care proceedings. This role will entail managing complex cases and undertaking statutory interventions using statutory and legislative frameworks. You will work closely with legal teams, courts, and multi-agency partners to ensure timely and effective planning and decision-making that is child-focused.

You will be responsible for the care planning of children and young people, who may be living at home or looked after. You will play an intrinsic role in working with Children, Young People and their Families, ensuring their wishes and feelings are heard, whilst leading and managing care proceedings cases. You will be responsible for preparing high-quality court reports, statements, and care plans, attending and representing the local authority at court hearings and legal planning meetings, and undertaking assessments and interventions in line with statutory responsibilities.

You will work collaboratively with families, carers, and professionals to achieve positive outcomes and maintain accurate and timely case records using our electronic case management system. Therefore, you will be confident in court settings, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be committed to trauma-informed and relationship-based practice.

This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.

Requirements:

• Skills Essential: Excellent interpersonal and communications skills. Ability to demonstrate skills in mediation, negotiation and problem solving. Able to assess situations with clarity and sensitivity and act professionally in crisis situations. Ability to mentor others that uphold and promote the ethical principles and values that guide professional practice and thereby ensure compliance with policies. Ability to implement anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles in all areas of work practice. This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Knowledge Essential: Good understanding of the full range of activities delivered by the Authority and partners in relation to children, young people and families. Developed knowledge of Social Care policies and procedures, and continual awareness of new Child Care legislation and National Guidance. Awareness of effective management practices. Thorough understanding of current legislation and guidance and developments in services to children, young people and families. Demonstrates advanced and detailed knowledge of child development, attachment theory, anti-discriminatory practice, the Framework for assessment of children in need and their families, social work theory and methods.
• Experience & Qualifications Essential: Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience of working with children and families in the context of current legislation and government initiatives. Two years post qualification experience of working in a local authority setting. For Social work professionals, experience of complex Child Protection cases and Court proceedings under the Children’s Act 1989. Experience of working under pressure and making robust evidenced informed decisions. Demonstrates advanced and detailed skills in direct work with children and young persons, carers and families.