Description Suffolk County Council – Landmark House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB - Hybrid £42,367 - £45,595 per annum (pro rata for part time) Retention payment of £3,500 per annum (pro rata for part time) 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available Permanent When you join the Make A Change Team as a Consultant Social Worker, Specialist Services with Children and Young Peoples Services (CYP), we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you’re motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you. Reimagine the possibilities. Your role and responsibilities We have an opportunity for a newly established Consultant Social Worker, Specialist Services role covering a county wide service for the Make a Change Team including Positive Choices and Harmful Sexual Behaviour. As part of the management team you will: work alongside the Practice Manager in advising, supporting and supervising a team of Social Workers and family support practitioners deputise for the Practice Manager confidently make management decisions regarding case work communicate effectively with a range of agencies be at the forefront of using the Signs of Safety ( signsofsafety.net ) development - this is the government-backed, national innovative, strengths-based, safety-organised approach to child protection casework. You will need: a relevant Social Work qualification a Social Work England registration (essential) substantial social work experience of working with children and families management and leadership qualification desirable. You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. The team The Make A Change Team provides a countywide service for children and young people who are at risk of, or are victims of, child exploitation. This team addresses all forms of child exploitation, including concerns related to child sexual exploitation, criminal and/or sexual gangs and groups, missing episodes, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and HBA, radicalisation, and modern-day slavery. The Harmful Sexual Behaviour Service collaborates with social care teams to support and offer services to children exhibiting concerning sexualised behaviours who are not subject to any court orders, as those children are managed within the youth justice system. The Positive Choices Team works with adults who have experienced the loss of a child through adoption or long-term alternative care. This team specifically supports parents to prevent repeat pregnancies and the associated trauma of loss. The practice is grounded in trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches, supported by Suffolk’s Signs of Safety framework, and strengthened by well-established partnerships within the local community. There are ample opportunities for training and career progression within a strong team and learning culture. Empowering Everyone We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report. For more information Please contact Anna Abbott (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 263392 or emailing anna.abbottsuffolk.gov.uk How to apply Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx). Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template. Describe a time when you had to support and supervise a team of Social Workers and family support practitioners. How did you ensure effective collaboration and support within the team? What strategies have you used to support children and young people who are at risk of, or are victims of, child exploitation? Can you provide a specific example? How have you supported parents who have experienced the loss of a child through adoption or long-term alternative care? What impact did your support have on the parents? Describe a time when you had to manage a complex case involving harmful sexual behaviour. How did you approach the situation and what was the outcome? Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details). We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitmentsuffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. Closing date: 11.30pm, 5 March 2025 This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. LI-Hybrid