Social Worker, British Forces Social Work Service, (BFSWS)
Location: Aldershot
Base Location: Montgomery House
Contract: Full time, 12-month FTC
Specific Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Reporting to: BFSWS Safeguarding Manager, British Forces Social Work Service
Benefits: 30 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays as normally observed in UK, Life Insurance x 2, Employee Discount Scheme
About Us:
Polaris Children’s Services is part of the Polaris Community of companies and delivers statutory and non-statutory social care services in the UK and to military communities overseas. Since 2014, Polaris Children’s Services, through the British Forces Social Work Service (BFSWS), have extensive experience of delivering statutory and non-statutory social work services for military communities across the world and are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. We are proud to serve and support military communities worldwide, with an overarching vision that children, families, individuals, and adults at risk will receive the best and most effective evidence-based help and support at the earliest possible opportunity.
British Forces Social Work Service (BFSWS) has a new exciting opportunity for 2 social workers to join a brand-new initiative based within the MOD Op Lazurite Team. The MOD initiative focuses on the provision of support to eligible Afghans, who worked alongside the UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan. Part of the role will be to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Afghan families and individuals from the beginning to end of their journeys over from Afghanistan and into the UK, following all Military legislation and agreements, UK Home Office, Local Authority, and Immigration policies and procedures.
Responsibilities:
* Support welfare staff with all safeguarding matters/requirements including the provision of advice and guidance from the commencement of the journey of the child, family, adult at risk or individual.
* Represent the Defence Afghan Relocation and Resettlement (DARR) and Op Lazurite in safeguarding meetings in relation to vulnerable adults and children, including child protection.
* Act as Subject Matter Expert in support to welfare staff and contractors, provision of advice, guidance, and attendance at meetings such as Local Authority CIN, MARAC, CPCs as appropriate on behalf of the MOD.
* Provide safeguarding advice to the Chain of Command including regular safeguarding reports to the MOD, following guidance and direction from the safeguarding manager.
* Undertake welfare/safeguarding home visits when required on behalf of the MOD to assess current situations and to offer information and support to families and individuals.
* Undertake and write up multi-agency assessments, with clear recommendations.
* Organise and manage packages of support.
* Liaise with and refer at-risk individuals to appropriate safeguarding bodies/other agencies when required.
* Make decisions, manage and mitigate risk of harm to adults at risk, children, and young people.
* Participate in multi-disciplinary meetings regarding, for example, child protection or mental health to ensure safeguarding information is shared when required.
* Provide regular statistics to the Senior Safeguarding Responsible Officer.
* Represent MOD on Safeguarding matters when required.
* Provide Subject Matter Expertise advice on all safeguarding matters.
* Deliver safeguarding training to workforces in DARR and Op Lazurite.
* Participate in training, supervision, and team meetings.
* Potential travel requirements across the UK sites with overnight stays as required to meet the needs of the service.
* Re-location/movements – high level of safety planning, for families, vulnerable adults, and unaccompanied minors, with guidance and direction from the Safeguarding Manager.
Outcomes:
* Enhanced safeguarding/protection of adults at risk, children, and young people e.g., preventing exploitation, trafficking, and abuse by identifying and addressing risks early. Ensure safeguarding under legal frameworks.
* Strengthening of safeguarding processes e.g., for identifying and reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation within the community.
* Compliance with legal and ethical standards e.g., meets UN Refugee convention and local child protection and safeguarding policies.
* Improved mental and physical wellbeing of the community through provision of direct support.
* Community trust building e.g., Refugees feel safer knowing safeguarding mechanisms are in place, fostering trust in authorities and integration.
* Multi-agency working leading to better outcomes for the community, including those overseeing the project.
* Secure sufficient funding and resources.
* Improve efficiency by implementing case management software.
* Partnership working with involved agencies.
* Regularly update/inform stakeholders on progress and challenges.
* Highlight progress/success stories to build public support.
* Set clear and measurable outcomes, conduct regular audits and adapt the operation based on feedback.
Requirements:
* A Professional Social Work qualification (BA (Hons), DIP SW, CQSW, CSS)/equivalent and must be registered with Social Work England or equivalent.
* Successful completion of a Post Qualifying Award in Social Work.
* 3 years post qualification experience working as a qualified and registered Social Worker within a child and family’s team.
* Experience in a broad range of social work roles as well as complex children and family assessment/case management.
* Experience of report writing and a good command of the English language.
* A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child/adult safeguarding procedures.
* The willingness and ability to work flexibly, work will include overnight stays within the UK for site visits. This may include some weekend and evening working.
* Full driving licence for manual cars. Use of vehicle for site visits on booking system.
* Participate in the on-call out of hours service.
* Military knowledge/experience desirable.
This is a new initiative; therefore, requirements are subject to change as the contract develops.
Polaris Children’s Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. We expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, and local Police check if recruited from outside of the UK, the cost of which will be met by Polaris Children’s Services. Polaris Children’s Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
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