Children's Adoption, Permanence and Looked after child social worker

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Badminton Road

Salary: £28,221 - £34,106 (Upper appointment subject top Advanced Level application and appointment) pro rata to hours employed.

Apply by: See advert
Working Pattern: Part Time
Hours per week: 18.5
Job Category: Social Work
Vacancy ID: 103902
Post Number: CYP6136/903/CORP/JS

Supporting documents

 






Document   Staff benefits.pdf   (462.68 KB)







Further information

We are seeking an experienced Social Worker or Advanced Social Worker to join our Adoption and Permanence Team in the role of child care Social Worker. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join South Gloucestershire Children’s Services. The role will initially sit within the Adoption Team, including childcare adoption responsibilities such as the completion of Child Permanence Reports (CPRs), family finding, matching and placing children with their adopters. It will also include some more general adoption functions such as post adoption support and coordinating Adoption Support Fund (ASF) claims. 

Due to the regionalisation of adoption services into the Regional Adoption Agency ‘Adoption West’ in January 2019, South Gloucestershire’s Adoption Team’s childcare Social Work function will transition to the established and co-located Looked after Children’s Team. The role will continue to include adoption and permanence planning for children and support post placement until the making of an Adoption Order. The role will also include more general looked after child functions such statutory visits and oversight of care planning. This is outlined in more detail below. 

South Gloucestershire Adoption Team and the Looked after Children’s Team are based at our main office at Badminton Road, Yate. The role requires you to work closely alongside children and young people who are adopted or looked after by the local authority and advocate on their behalf. We strive to ensure that all young people meet their full potential and have opportunities to achieve their best. 

Both teams work with children and young people who are aged 0-18 years. In the case of any adoption work you would be expected to work closely with our colleagues in Adoption West. You will ensure that adopted children receive an assessment of their support needs and are able to access services that meet their identified needs and promote post permanence stability and improved outcomes. 

You will hold a case-load and work with other agencies and disciplines to ensure that an effective and holistic service response is provided. 

In respect of any looked after children you would be expected to work closely with our colleagues in fostering and for older young people, alongside our Transition to Independence Team. 

As a case holding social worker you will be expected to travel, as some children and young people are placed are out of the local area. The work will include completing regular visits and assessments, gaining the views and wishes of children and young people and incorporating their views into your daily work. You will also be working with children and young people who are in Private Fostering settings, placed with Kinship Carers and Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers. 

South Gloucestershire Council are committed to the use Signs of Safety and this is incorporated into all work and reports undertaken. As an employee you will be given support and training in its use. 

As a team member you will receive regular reflective supervision from your Team Manager, which will include support for your own development and training was well as case discussions. 


Please note, a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in a statutory social work setting is required. We are unable to consider applications from ASYE's at this time. 
Social Workers are usually initially appointed to the salary range: £28,221 - £30,756 however, if you already meet the Advanced Social Worker criteria we can appoint to the salary range: £31,401 - £34,106. In order to be considered for an Advanced post, please complete the attached Linked Scale Supplementary Application form and return this to  HRservicecentre@southglos.gov.uk   with the subject Supplementary Application followed by the post number on the advert. Joe are these pay scales still correct?

South Gloucestershire is considered to be an excellent place to live and work. Located within easy reach of Bristol and Bath it is well known for its quality of life and beautiful countryside. Learn more about Integrated Children's Services, our location, our staff benefits and hear from our valued team of Social Workers at  www.socialworksouthglos.co.uk  

South Gloucestershire Council is committed to treating everyone fairly, to challenging inequalities and to promoting equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.

Main Duties 

To ensure good quality assessment, planning, intervention and reviewing which is essential to providing good outcomes for children, as is detailed knowledge of law and policy relating to children placed for adoption or special guardianship.

Using specialist knowledge and expertise to ensure case work decisions are made in accordance with agreed procedures, professional standards and best practice. 

To ensure that families requiring post permanence support receive a timely assessment of their needs and are provided with effective interventions that promote permanence and prevent family breakdown.

To effectively manage risk where there is risk of, or actual, significant harm to children to ensure that children are kept safe and protected from abuse.

Contribute to the team meeting its targets and the identification and facilitation of changes of direction ensuring that work is delivered on schedule. 

Work in partnership across the sectors to coordinate care planning, delivery of services, giving advice and support to internal and external service providers. This will ensure that information and good practice is shared and that communication is effective.

Within the relevant service area ensure that cases are managed within accordance with the Safeguarding procedures for vulnerable people. To ensure that agreed thresholds for intervention are maintained and statutory requirements are met.

Ensure records are kept in accordance with professional standards and prepare and 
present reports on cases and issues.


Selection Criteria 

To enable us to shortlist in a fair and unbiased way it is absolutely vital that you provide us with sufficient information to demonstrate how you meet or exceed the criteria outlined in the vacancy description. Please include this information in the knowledge, skills and experience section of the application form.
Pre-Screening Questions:
• Do you have a full driving license and access to a vehicle, insured for business use?
• Do you hold a professional qualification in social work or equivalent (eg DipSW, CQSW, CSS or NVQ 4)?
• Are you registered with HCPC?

Essential 
• You will demonstrate specialist up to date knowledge of the service area of adoption special guardianship, looked after children, child protection and children in need, and be able to demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
• Effective interpersonal skills and experience of working with a broad range of people including families in a social care settings.
• You will be able to carry out good quality analytical assessments and outcome focussed care plans, communicate findings and risks to families.
• You will be able to keep detailed and accurate records.
• Evidence of on-going continuous professional development and a thorough knowledge of current legislation and practice relating to children and young people’s services.
• Effective communication and relationship building skills, including handling difficult and sensitive issues.
• Evidence of a good level of general IT skills and the ability to use, or be trained in the use of, appropriate specialist in-house software packages.
• Exemplify the council's values and behaviours.

Desirable 
If applying for Advanced Social Worker only: 
• You will have a proven ability to supervise and allocate work to others, monitoring their performance and taking corrective action.

Additional Information

The post holder will be responsible for their own continuous professional development but will be provided with opportunities to grow and develop in the role through local and regional management and leadership initiatives.

The post holder will be required to use his/her initiative in ensuring that the Council’s Equalities Policies are implemented in relation to the work area. This will involve developing a good working knowledge of the policies and applying them personally.

The nature of the post will require some out of office hours work to be undertaken for which time-off-in-lieu may be given.

It is a condition of employment that the post holder will maintain HCPC Registration.

The nature of the duties of this post will require you to travel on Council business on a regular basis, so you must either have a current driving licence and provide a car, or have access to appropriate means of travel. 

If you use your vehicle on authorised Council business, you will receive a mileage payment based on the Inland Revenue Authorised Mileage Allowance Payment Scheme (AMAPS). The allowance is provided on the condition that your own insurance covers you for business use and indemnifies the Council against claim (including those concerning passengers) arising out of the use of the vehicle on official business. You will also be eligible for a car loan if you meet the criteria within the Council’s Car Loan Scheme. 

We are unable to accept applications from Newly Qualified Social Workers requiring completion of their ASYE for this position.

Safer Recruitment

South Gloucestershire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

As an employee of South Gloucestershire Council you will be expected to have a can-do attitude and adapt to the fast pace of change. You will strive to work well with others to reach a common goal and embrace a partnership and inclusive approach to delivering efficient and effective services. You will use your initiative to deliver and take responsibility for your performance to help the team, department and council to achieve its goals and make the best use of available knowledge, expertise and capacity in order to continuously improve the quality of services.

For an informal discussion prior to applying please contact Sophie Hitch, Adoption and Permanence Team Manager, on 01454 863988.
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