We have an exciting opportunity for a Permanent, Full Time or Part Time Social Worker (Grade 9) in the Jigsaw Team, Children’s with Disabilities Team.
In June 2023, Children Services in Southampton were rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ leadership by Ofsted. There is an exciting opportunity for experienced Social Workers to join the Jigsaw Team (Children with Disabilities) here in Southampton.
Following the recent inspection, Ofsted said, ‘Social Workers supporting disabled children understand their needs and speak about them with warmth and enthusiasm and use eclectic and imaginative ways to engage with children well’.
Never has there been a better time to join a Local Authority and Service that is good across all areas, with a clear focus on building trusting, transparent relationships from a strengths-based approach, which continues to improve.
We absolutely know social work is challenging. It requires stamina, resilience, and determination. But it is a career that enriches and transforms the lives of children and families. Children and young people tell us that they want social workers who listen to and hear them, have fun with them, follow through on what they say, and provide them with opportunities that will enrich their lives. They want to know that someone is always there for them. To do this, our social workers need manageable workloads, supportive and transparent relationships with managers, and the opportunity to continually grow in experience, knowledge, and confidence. This is what our new service offers our social workers and others.
We are building a strong social work family where social workers and managers feel safe and are supported to develop enduring relationships with children and families and share their views about the environment in which they work. Ofsted said, ‘Staff across children’s services like working in Southampton. They value the fact that they are listened to, and they enjoy the easy access they have to senior leaders. They told inspectors about the way in which leaders celebrate their achievements, as well as holding them to account’.
Being part of the Southampton City Council team requires people who are willing to take personal responsibility for delivering excellence, to work with others to achieve the best possible outcomes, to embrace change and new opportunities, to make the most of the resources available to us, and to think and act in the best interests of our customers – the residents of Southampton.
Who are we looking for?
You will need to be a registered Social Worker with Social Work England and have a Social Work qualification Degree or Diploma.
The opportunity has arisen for a Social Worker (Grade 9) to work within the Jigsaw Team (Children with Disabilities Team) in Southampton. This is an aligned service (Social Care, Health, and including Paediatric Occupational Therapy) which provides coordinated assessment, holistic care planning, and therapeutic intervention for children and young people with multiple and complex disabilities and additional needs including preparation for adulthood.
We are looking for a Social Worker who is reflective and assured in their own practice and has experience of statutory social work with experience of working with Children with Disabilities and Looked After Children. You will be able to deliver a service that is centred on the child or young person, with a clear understanding and a good knowledge of relevant legislation and current practice for Children with Disabilities and or Looked After Children, as well as a clear understanding of safeguarding issues.
We want all children and young people in Southampton to have a good start in life so that they can fulfil their potential and become successful adults engaged in their local communities. The council, Health services, and other partners are committed to working jointly to ensure that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), their families, and carers receive the support they need, when they need it, so that they can achieve and inspire in all aspects of their lives.
You will build relationships through regular visits, assessments, and planning. You will nurture and develop meaningful relationships with children; gain and interpret their wishes, and advocate and support them to reach their full potential.
The work is varied and challenging, and there is a strong team approach ensuring good support for the successful applicant.
Our Location:
You will be based within Southampton city centre in the Civic Centre, a historical building within easy reach of a range of colleagues also based in the building. Some flexible/remote/home working is available.
Our Organisation:
Southampton City Council is a unitary authority, as such you will have access to responsive leadership which is supportive at all management levels.
We are committed to the development of all our staff while working in a highly supportive and highly challenging culture, all of which is at the ethos of our ambition to become a child-friendly city.
What we can offer you:
* A generous local government pension scheme.
* Flexible working (role dependent). Up to 13 days of Flexi Leave.
* Hybrid working arrangements (role dependent).
* 25 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays.
* Online Benefits – salary sacrifice schemes, benefits, and discounts.
* Great local transport links.
* Employee assistance programme with access to our health wellbeing and support.
For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)
Contact details for informal discussion:
For further information and details regarding the Social Work post, please contact Monica Khaiba, Service Manager Jigsaw (Children with Disabilities), monica.khaiba@southampton.gov.uk
Recruitment contact details:
Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk
Tel: 023 8083 4033
For more information about SCC please visit: Southampton City Council Follow us on social media for regular updates on our featured jobs and latest news.
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