Role Responsibility About the Team: Kent County Council’s Strengthening Independence Service is recognised by Ofsted in their most recent 2022 inspection; “Disabled children and young people are provided with exceptional support from their Social Workers, whose care and commitment shines through their work. Written notes of visits show lovely rich communication with children using a wide range of styles, including some as basic as touch and reading facial expressions. This communication helps build strong trusting relationships. Their needs are championed to ensure that they get the best care and support.” We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time and permanent Social Work Assistant in the Strengthening Independence Service’s Disabled Young People's Team covering East Kent. The team covers Thanet, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Canterbury and surrounding villages. We have various bases across the whole of Kent and you can choose any of them to be your contractual base. We promote hybrid working but do encourage working in an office at least twice per week so the team can get together and share ideas and knowledge whilst supporting each other. There is an expectation that you are able to work flexibly across the whole area covered by the team. We are able to provide an extensive training and development programme and you will be provided with support and opportunities to further develop your own knowledge and skills with regular supervision. Role and Responsibilities: Our team of Social Workers and Social Work Assistants predominantly work with young people aged 18-25 with a range of care and support needs and we place the individual at the centre of their support. You will hold your own caseload of young people who you will support as they transition into adulthood aiding the development of their skills and independence. You will complete direct work with young people in a variety of settings ensuring that the young persons voice is heard, and you will take the lead in promoting their safety in their day to day lives and to help them to live as a full and independent lives as possible. You will be required to work alongside and in partnership with other professionals to develop plans to meet the care and support needs that have been identified. You will be required to ensure that all record keeping is accurate and kept up to date using the appropriate IT systems. About You: We are looking for somebody who is highly motivated and can demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills to deliver the highest quality service to disabled young people, their families and carers. The ideal candidate would have a positive, forward-thinking attitude and be creative and imaginative and be able to work collaboratively as part of the team. A qualification of Level 2 Health and/or Social Care or equivalent would be required for this post and experience in either Adults or Children’s Services is essential. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification. About us: Work that works for you and for us – let’s talk about flexibility KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county’s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work. Please note: If you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.