Salary: £47,738 - £50,247 (Inclusive of 15% market plussage)
Hours per week: 37 hours
Rolling advert: We're continuously reviewing and interviewing applicants weekly for this job posting. We will stop accepting applications when sufficient applications have been received.
Our specialist child exploitation Emerald team is looking for a dedicated and qualified Social Worker to join them.
Rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, the Emerald team is closely integrated with the Youth Justice Service and our Stronger Families team who deliver an edge of care offer.
You will have the opportunity to work with our multi-agency partners to further develop our contextual safeguarding approach which includes our innovative risk outside the home (ROTH) child protection framework and is part of our ongoing partnership with Durham University's contextual safeguarding research team.
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will act as the primary worker with case responsibility for adolescent children in need and those requiring protection. You will conduct timely assessments of the needs and risks facing vulnerable children and young people, including undertaking Section 47 child protection enquiries and collaborating closely with Police colleagues on joint investigations.
We are looking for someone with extensive knowledge of the risks and indicators of child exploitation, along with proven experience in disruption techniques and working effectively with young people at risk of entering the youth justice system. You should have a deep understanding of the needs of vulnerable young people, including those who have experienced trauma or are in care, and be skilled at applying trauma-informed practices through a case formulation approach.
This is your chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people. Are you ready to make a difference?
About us
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. That's why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.
This position comes with a 15% market supplement payment. All market supplement payments are subject to review on an annual basis.
Job responsibilities
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
* To be the primary worker with case responsibility for adolescent children in need and children in need of protection (predominantly aged 10-17 who are at risk of or experiencing criminal or sexual exploitation, offending, going missing or displaying significant vulnerabilities).
* To operate within the council policy and keep up to date with social work methods, practice developments, new legislation and procedures, including the Children's Act 2004.
* To be responsible for the day to day interpretation of and implementation of statutory duties and departmental policy and procedures in the provision of services to children and young people.
* To be allocated work from the team leader or any person delegated to act on their behalf based on eligibility criteria and to hold case management responsibility for this work and to work requiring little direction.
* To complete enquiries and assess the needs of and risks to vulnerable children and young people in a timely manner, giving due consideration to the wishes and views of the child and the child's family. This will include the completion of S47 enquiries, joint investigations alongside Police colleagues, single assessments, specialist CSE/CCE/AIM assessments, and engaging service users and other relevant persons in the work base, homes or any other appropriate venue e.g. hospital, school etc.
* To take appropriate action to assess and minimise any identified concern or risk to children/young people in accordance with the requirements and timescales of assessment frameworks, child protection procedures and looked after children legislation and procedures.
* To draw up and implement, with the child/young person and their family/carers, an appropriate plan to address identified issues and to maximise the participation of service users and carers in this process ensuring that social work intervention is ongoing only when necessary in people's lives.
* To carry out regular reviews of individual plans, record outcomes and formulate revised plans which are outcome focused.
* To convene meetings e.g. core groups to assist in the implementation and review of plans for vulnerable children.
* To write reports for child protection conferences, planning meetings, looked after children reviews, legal meetings and court hearings and attend these as appropriate.
* To have a creative approach to meeting need and to ensure local provision, wherever possible, in order to meet identified need within available resources.
* To have a clear understanding of and ability to manage within financial constraints in service delivery.
* To work collaboratively and effectively with Young People Support Workers, Youth Justice Workers, YOT Officers, No Wrong Door practitioners and colleagues across Families and Children's Services on achieving shared family goals.
* To work proactively and in partnership with other agencies to plan and deliver coordinated services to children, young people and their families/carers which promotes and focuses on positive outcomes.
* Actively engage and contribute, when necessary, to Local Allocation Group case discussions (or other similarly named mechanisms/panels).
* To maintain accurate and effective electronic recording of information and action taken in the course of casework.
* To understand the need for and contribute to the achievement of team and departmental performance targets in order to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
* To maintain confidentiality of information acquired in the course of undertaking duties for the department whilst operating in the fullest cooperation with other agencies to ensure that children are appropriately safeguarded.
* To contribute to team processes in a positive and appropriate manner, by attending team meetings and undertaking any necessary and appropriate team duties.
* To support qualified social workers and other Young People Service staff including contributing to, and at times facilitating group/peer supervision, co-working of cases, and providing advice and support on specific areas of practice.
* To support and/or supervise the assessment of social workers in training during their placements, and undertake skills teaching as required.
* Participate in practice development and as a member of working parties across the Young People's Service and wider Family and Children's Services.
* To make an active contribution to the development of service delivery through the sharing of knowledge, information and skills.
* To take responsibility for personal professional development through the utilisation of relevant practice research/developments, legislation, participative supervision and appraisal processes.
* To undertake further training which is consistent with the needs of the individual and the organisation, as agreed with the manager.
* To work within an equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory framework. Value diversity within the team and in contact with other professionals, children, young people and families.
Working within a legislative framework
* Operating within relevant policy, legal, ethical and professional boundaries when working with children and families.
* Effectively delivering all statutory requirements.
* Following local practice standards and protocols.
Supervision and continual development
* Actively engaging in individual and group supervision and embedding learning in practice.
* Maintaining up to date knowledge and skills as required by the role.
Participating in appraisal and team meetings and contribute to individual and team development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
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Experience
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Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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