Job title: Senior Social Worker – Multi Agency Team
Hours: 37
Location: Based within the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team (WYFEAT) at West Yorkshire Trading Standards, Gildersome, Morley, Leeds LS27 7JQ
WYFEAT is a multi-agency task force tackling financial abuse of vulnerable adults, including scams, frauds, doorstep crime and financial abuse by family, friends, carers and others. A high profile, front-line unit, the team consists of criminal investigators, trading standards officers, police officers, financial investigators, and social workers.
If you are passionate about safeguarding vulnerable adults, want to support victims of financial exploitation and abuse and are keen to play a leading role in our multi-agency response, we’d like to hear from you. We work closely with all partners to deliver truly holistic services to our citizens and you would be based within WYFEAT at Trading Standards as part of that multi-disciplinary team. You will be expected to travel around West Yorkshire, attending visits and meetings etc. Hybrid working is offered with this role, with minimal office attendance required.
About the role
WYFEAT works on behalf of the 5 West Yorkshire local authorities, investigating allegations of financial exploitation and abuse involving vulnerable residents. Your role as Senior Social Worker on the team will be to work alongside investigators to ensure the effective safeguarding of victims and potential victims, raising awareness of our work with colleagues across the 5 West Yorkshire districts and providing invaluable support to safeguarding partners.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Sibi Hanif, Service Delivery Manager, at sibi.hanif@leeds.gov.uk, or Helen Robinson, Safeguarding & Investigations Manager at WYFEAT on helen.robinson@wyjs.org.uk.
Job Purpose
To be responsible for the urgent assessment of needs and management of risk regarding adults, carers and community in relation to referrals to WYFEAT from across the 5 West Yorkshire authorities. Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required and if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users. Supervise trainee AMHPs and develop the practice learning setting. Give guidance to trainees, support staff and social work assistants as required.
Responsibilities
* Working as part of the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team
* Undertake assessment of service user and carer needs using a person centred approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures
* Provide advice, support and guidance on casework to less experienced team members.
* Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required; give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
* Assist in the planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.
* Supervise students and offer support to trainees and other team members.
* On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a person centred approach, devise and implement emergency support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in line with procedures.
* Analyse information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.
* Use a Safeguarding framework to log, investigate and manage risks where individuals have experienced or are likely to experience significant harm.
* Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
* Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
* Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures.
* Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the 5 West Yorkshire Councils and the wider Yorkshire and Humber network and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
* Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
* Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures. Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation. Disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.
* Be responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
* Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
* Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi agency meetings in line with procedures.
* Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
* Work to and within the prescribed national Professional Capabilities Framework
* Participate in training and development activities that ensures up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.
* Comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures
* Actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity
* Undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate.
* Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
* Provide professional advice and support to colleagues, including newly qualified Social Workers. Supervise, support and provide development for trainee AMHPs.
* Work in a cross section of social work teams, through secondments etc. to continually develop and consolidate knowledge base and level of skills to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals, their families and carers.
* Under the direction of the Team Manager, undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi-agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or action plans to implement these to improve service delivery.
* Make recommendations to the Team Manager and contribute to the development of capacity within the community
* Undertake a range of complex Community Care assessments. Investigate complaints of alleged neglect and/or abuse of adults. Undertake safeguarding investigations in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures. Undertake risk assessments, identify needs and options.
* Develop and maintain effective relationships with service users, their families and carers: provide advice and support: promote independence and early intervention, as necessary; help resolve conflict, where appropriate.
* Contribute to the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
* Work with individuals, families, carers and communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
* Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders
* Commission a range of services for individuals, groups and communities designed to minimise risk and improve quality of life for service users and their carers.
* Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.
* Carry out specific pieces of work on cases that are allocated to workers in other teams.
* Undertake the Practice Educator Level 2 role and assess and manage the work of trainee AMHPs.
* The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications
* Appropriate professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with Social Work England (SWE) upon commencement of the post and maintain registration. Practice Educator Level 1 on appointment, and to undertake Practice Educator Level 2 within an agreed time period. For Adult EDT, an AMHP qualification is required.
Essential requirements
* Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise and evaluate work with service users.
* Ability to plan, prioritise and time manage a complex workload.
* A high level of effective written and verbal communication and the ability to pass information accurately and concisely with a range of partners and service users, carers and colleagues.
* Able to overcome resistance and to exercise assertiveness in appropriate situations when working with individuals, families, carers and other agencies.
* Ability to negotiate, challenge and manage conflict.
* To innovate and problem solve with the ability to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change.
* Ability to devise, implement review and evaluate service and support plans.
* Ability to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person centred approach.
* Ability to exercise individual judgement and consult where and when necessary.
* Ability to be flexible, creative and use own initiative.
* Ability to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
* Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
* Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
* Ability to chair multi agency and other meetings and represent the Council in a professional capacity.
* Able to develop self and others including mentoring, supervision and development of student placements and other social work staff.
* Able to lead and motivate staff.
* For Adult EDT, an ability to work alone without supervision and to make independent decisions.
Desirable requirements
* Possession of a full current driving licence.
* Consolidation of learning for specialist practice.
* Knowledge of the range of services available to users, families and carers.
* Experience of working and reporting within a court environment.
* Experience of working with a wide range of user groups.
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