Social Worker in Children Services

PURPOSE OF JOB

1. Under the general supervision of a Team Manager or Deputy Team Manager to assess, plan and implement the needs of children and their families.
2. To ensure that Children in Need, Children in Need of Protection and Children Looked After have service plans that relate to their identified needs. This may also require the support of other resources both within Social Services and also with other agencies.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Service Delivery

1. To carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004 and other relevant legislation.
2. To establish and implement service and care plans for children and their families in accordance with local and national procedures.
3. To manage a caseload which may include children and families with complex needs and require multi-agency co-ordination.
4. To maintain electronic client records systems in accordance with departmental procedures.
5. To maximise life chances for Children in Need and Children Looked After.
6. To contribute to team plans and the achievement of agreed targets for Children in Need, Child Protection, Children Looked After and Care Leavers.
7. To participate in training of staff in Child Protection and Children Looked After.
8. Development in accordance with Personal Development Plans agreed during Performance Review.
9. To adhere to and promote B&NES Equal Opportunities Policy and adopt practices that are inclusive and anti-discriminatory.

Management

Working in a team

1. To ensure effective and accessible communication with staff, service users, the general public and others as appropriate.
2. To contribute to co-operative working across services in accordance with the Council's Vision and Values.
3. To contribute to cross-service initiatives as required.
4. To assist in ensuring effective external and internal working relationships are established and maintained with organisations and agencies relevant to the work of the service.

Service Development and/or Delivery

1. With the Team Manager participate in the formulation of detailed team objectives and policies.
2. With the Team Manager ensure the effective and efficient implementation of Council policies and the achievement of the Council's objectives, including financial ones.
3. To assist in ensuring the Team's services are responsive to community needs and that equal opportunity and health and safety issues are identified and addressed effectively.

Other

1. Supervision and performance review will be provided by the appropriate Team Manager or Deputy Team Manager.
2. The work carried out by Childrens Services can at times be demanding and the post holder will need the personal resources to deal with these demands within a supportive management environment.
3. The post holder will be expected to maintain confidentiality at all times and, on occasions, may experience situations which may be upsetting.

DIMENSIONS

Children and Young People Service supports children, young people and families across the Bath and North East Somerset area. As part of this, the Safeguarding Outcomes service includes the Triage Team, Family Support Teams and the Family Support Plus team. The Care Outcomes service includes the Children In Care Team, Family Placement Team, Disabled Childrens Team and the Adolescent and Care Experienced Team. The teams are made up of a Team Manager post, Deputy Team Managers, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, Family Support Practitioners and admin staff.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

1. The postholder will be required to visit service users in their own homes in accordance with the lone working policy.
2. This post has been classified as a mobile worker under the flexible working scheme.
3. The postholder will on occasions need to work and be available outside normal office hours.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• A qualification in social work, Diploma in Social Work, CQSW, CSS.

• PTA, PQCCA.
• Educational attainment to A level or Degree standard.

PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential:

• To have good communication skills to be able to work with service users and other agencies.
• To have good written skills to ensure structured case recordings, coherent reports and clear plan.
• To have the skills to manage time effectively and priorities efficiently.
• To have the ability to work under pressure with competing demands and cope with the unexpected.
• To have the ability to work as a member of a team and play an active part in team planning.
• To have the ability to form and maintain good working relationships both with service users and members of other agencies.
• To have the ability to demonstrate initiative and self reliance.
• To have the ability to work in a changing environment.

• To have the ability to use IT and recognise its advantages in the social care environment.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• Experience in working within a child and family setting.
• Knowledge of legislation relevant to Children and Families in particular The Children Act 1989.
• A knowledge and understanding of child development and family relationships.

• Direct experience of working within the relevant service setting.
• Knowledge of Adoption legislation.
• Knowledge of Data Protection.
• Knowledge of Human Rights Act.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential:

• To have achieved or demonstrated a willingness to achieve a thorough
• working knowledge of B&NES Equal Opportunities Policies and related procedures.
• The skills to evaluate information obtained from children and families.
• The skills to analyse information and formulate outcome focused service/care plans.
• To contribute to the team plan.

• To have an understanding of the importance of financial management in regard to care/service planning.