Senior Practitioner - Children and Young People with Disabilities, Mid Essex
Fixed Term - 12 months, Full Time - 37 Hours Per Week
Salary: £45,217 to £54,395 Per Annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 9th March 2025
Please note that this is a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment opportunity for a period of up to 12 months.
The Service consists of the Children with Disabilities Teams, Young People with Disabilities Teams, Child and Family Support Services Teams, Preparation for Adulthood Advisors Teams, Occupational Therapy Teams, and a Core Service Development support team. This is an exciting and vibrant service which is in an ongoing phase of service improvement and development to enhance positive outcomes for children and young people with disabilities (from birth up to age 25) and their families and embracing the SEND reforms.
The Children with Disabilities Team works with young people and their families from the age of 0 - 16 years.
We are currently looking for a Senior Practitioner to work in the Young People with Disabilities Mid team, Based in County Hall, Chelmsford and working in the mid Essex geographical area.
Working to the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Children and Families Act 2014, Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, including all other relevant legislation pertinent to supporting children, young people and adults with Disabilities within the remit of Social Care.
The Role
The Senior Practitioner role requires leadership in the team, providing both support and mentoring to newly qualified or less experienced staff, overseeing Duty, compiling reports for Team manager and wider service as required and deputising for the Team Manager when needed. They will oversee the review of some child in need plans particularly prior to closure and will have responsibility to lead in a practice area. There will be good opportunities for own professional development and for being part of developing the team and service.
The successful candidate will be expected to bring developed social work skills and high standards of practice to their own caseload as well as providing modelling, advice and support to colleagues. They will be committed to systemic, relationship-based social work, providing effective, innovative interventions and with the ability to build good partnerships, both with our external partners and within the organisation.
Preparation for Adulthood
Undertaking Transitions Assessments, Mental Capacity Assessments (including Deprivation of Liberty), Community Care assessments, Implementation of needs assessed Care and Support plans, Review of support Packages, and Adults Safeguarding Enquiries. Supporting Young People through the transition from Children's services into adulthood is the focus of our work, including school and college leaving (Education, Health and Care Plans) in partnership with colleagues from the Education Statutory Assessment Service, accommodation (residential / supported living, day services, developing daily Living independence skills, work experience/employment) and completing Continuing Health care Checklists and participating in Continuing Health care Decision Tool meetings in partnership with colleagues from the CCG.
Responsibilities
* Manage a complex caseload of children 0-16 young people with disabilities requiring assessment of their needs, advice, support and development of care and support plans.
* Provide an integrated service to help families meet the needs of their children/young adults, build their resilience and support young people progress from childhood into adulthood.
* Monitor unmet needs and look at ways of developing/accessing family and friend support networks, universal services and statutory services to meet them.
* Assist the team manager in managing the team as required, including chairing meetings and supervising team members.
* Commit to the development of services for children and young people with disabilities and their families.
* Maintain accurate records, produce reports, and participate actively in case discussions and meetings.
* Liaise and build working relationships with other teams and agencies to plan support for the children and young people allocated to the team.
* Offer advice and information about services available within and outside the Department.
* Seek training and development opportunities to improve knowledge and expertise.
* Undertake other duties as may be reasonably required by the team manager.
Duties
* Provide specialist advice and professional expertise for social workers.
* Accountable for assessment of complex social care needs and provision of support for vulnerable adults.
* Work within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance.
* Manage a complex caseload and maintain accurate data and reports.
* Participate in case conferences, court attendance, and statutory reviews.
* Conduct assessments and plan responses which safeguard vulnerable adults.
* Build strong effective working relationships across the Council and with partners.
* Significant experience of social work and mentoring staff.
* Experience of chairing meetings and developing relationships with partners.
* Understanding of the financial implications of care packages commissioned.
* Proven track record of clear decision making in social work.
The Experience You Will Bring
* Diploma in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
* Social Work England Registration as a registered social worker.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
* IT/Word Processing Skills.
* Evidence of recent practice at an experienced social worker level in Children Services.
* Experience of Child Protection work and communicating with children.
* Experience in planning activities and programmes for children, young people, and parents.
* Experience of Court work in relation to Child Care matters.
* Detailed knowledge of current legislation pertinent to Child Protection.
* Knowledge and understanding of child development.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond. A driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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