Social Worker - Referral & Assessment Team Who You Are As a Social Worker in Bexley Children's Services, you are someone who thrives in building positive and respectful relationships with families to support children in need of help or protection. You are proficient in English communication, both verbal and written, with the ability to influence and coordinate services to ensure the welfare and safety of children. You possess a social work qualification and are registered with the professional regulator. Your experience and understanding of child development, the impact of trauma, and various social issues such as disability, substance misuse, and domestic abuse empowers you to make insightful professional judgements. You value diversity and work non-discriminatorily, collaborating effectively with multi-agency partners and families within diverse communities. Your dedication to professional development is evident through continuous learning and reflection on your practice. Upholding the council's values, you possess the integrity and judgment needed to deliver high-quality services while adapting to the complexities of individual cases. What the Job Involves The role focuses on assessing the level of risk and need of referred children, determining appropriate responses, and supporting children's safety and welfare within a family network. Your responsibilities include managing caseloads, particularly involving vulnerable clients or complex situations, and contributing to the development of service improvements. You will utilize the Signs of Safety practice model, applying relevant social work theories to understand children's lived experiences and inform your interventions. Your duties encompass undertaking holistic and statutory assessments, creating and implementing actionable plans, and consistently reviewing children's progress. You will chair meetings, liaise with professional networks, and may be required to make recommendations for legal actions where necessary. Case documentation is crucial, requiring regular updates to ensure accurate and current records. Beyond direct work with families, you will lead projects, contribute to service development, and guide junior staff or trainees, leveraging your expertise to foster an environment of ongoing learning and improvement. Compliance with local safeguarding policies, data protection laws, and Barnsley's specific guidance is mandatory, highlighting the role's emphasis on protecting and advocating for vulnerable children.