The Opportunity
As an Advanced Social Worker within the Integrated Front Door team, you will be working to deliver first-class support to vulnerable children and young people. You will apply the highest level of expertise and be responsible for triaging referrals that are made. You will assist in improving the practice of Integrated Front Door Support Officers and other social workers in the team and lead and champion best practice and standards.
You will be able to build positive working relationships with children and young people, professionals, partner agencies, and carers as well as respectfully challenging when appropriate. You will have an excellent understanding of the statutory requirements relating to keeping children safe.
You will be expected to demonstrate advanced relevant theoretical Social Work concepts and practices relating to the provision of a professional Social Work service dealing with complex issues. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.
About you
Some of the key skills and experience required for this role include:
* Analysis and interpretation of complex information and data to enable prioritisation and support in planning next steps.
* Ability to role model, promote exemplary practice and provide expertise in specialist assessment and intervention. Acting as a subject matter expert, coach and supervisor to others within the organisation, enabling social workers to develop.
* Communicate effectively to all audiences but especially the children and families you are supporting, both verbally and in written form and negotiate and persuade where necessary.
* Recognised Social Work qualification e.g. Degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
* A recognised post qualifying award in Social Work or demonstrable evidence of continuous professional development at a similar level.
* Relevant advanced knowledge of theoretical Social Work concepts equivalent concepts and practices and detailed organisational knowledge relating to the provision of a professional Social Work service dealing with very complex issues.
* Demonstrable evidence of providing focused, timely, sound and accurate advice and guidance and working through very complex casework, including managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex safeguarding cases.
* You will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes are available.
About us
We are committed to improving our services for the children and families we support in West Sussex. In May 2023, Ofsted Inspectors praised West Sussex County Council’s Children’s Services for its ‘relentless approach to improving practice,’ giving the service an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’, with ‘good’ judgements for children in care and leadership and management. The judgements on children needing help and protection and children leaving care are they ‘require improvement to be good’.
Inspectors recognised the ‘strong, determined and cohesive leadership team’ who have made significant improvements since 2019 and their commitment and focus to make further improvements.
For further information about us and about working in Children’s Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children's social work in West Sussex.
Further information
The reference number for this role is CAFHE05494.
For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Sharon Russell (Service Manager) at Sharon.russell@westsussex.gov.uk.
For issues or queries regarding your application please contact emma.cooper@westsussex.gov.uk.
To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and Cover Letter. In your cover letter, please outline your motivations for applying and explain the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing, and a health check.
Equity, inclusion, and accessibility are very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran, or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.
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