Contribute to the delivery of an effective Children’s Social Work Service as part of a departmental team improving outcomes for children and young people. To be responsible for social work provision to allocated and newly referred cases in accordance with national statutory guidance and local departmental policy.
What do we expect this role to achieve?
Below is the link to the Job Description:
Experience
Experience of working with vulnerable children and families according to statutory guidance, ideally in a local authority children’s services environment.
Experience of working to safeguard children and families in accordance with the expectations set out in the Children Act 1989 and 2004.
This should include qualified social work or placement experience in at least one of the following areas:
Experience of assessing and engaging families from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
Experience of understanding and supporting families to overcome complex problems and needs.
Experience of working collaboratively with a range of professionals to protect and support children and their families.
Experience of needs-led planning and reviews for children in need of help, protection and care.
Experience of conducting direct work with children of different ages, needs and cultural backgrounds.
Experience of working with young people with particularly challenging behaviours and underlying vulnerabilities.
Desirable Skills
Good verbal and written communication skills relevant to the statutory context and job role.
Ability to write a range of good quality reports according to statutory expectations and deadlines.
Organisational skills to be able to manage time effectively to balance the competing demands of direct work, record keeping and statutory processes.
Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals in managing risk and achieving change.
Ability to analyse complex information and implement SMART plans of action.
Ability to assess needs and risk in way which keeps the child/young person at the centre whilst facilitating opportunities for change and development in families.
Ability to draw on signs of safety and systemic models of intervention to intervene meaningfully and to manage the personal impact of the work.
The ability to engage, communicate and actively involve vulnerable children and young people presenting with a range of complex experiences, behaviours and traumas.
Qualifications
Social work registration with Social Work England
Recognised Social Work Qualification
Interested in working for us? Hear below from our staff on why we think Westminster is a great place to be a social worker.
Westminster is dynamic, multicultural and unique - much like you, our potential employees.
This is an opportunity to work within a family services that has been Ofsted rated as OUTSTANDING since 2016 and with stable inspiring leadership also rated by Ofsted as OUTSTANDING. Caseloads are manageable and you will have the opportunity to genuinely make a difference to families. We are committed to creating opportunities for our staff to thrive.
We believe that everyone has talent. We will coach and mentor our people, taking the time to nurture our own. Staff have several opportunities for career progression within the organisation through secondment and permanent appointments to managerial, clinical and other specialist roles.
We have a culture where our people embrace feedback and are constantly learning. We are continuously striving to set high standards and finding innovative ways to provide a better service to our residents. Our offer to you includes:
Systemic Social Work Practice for Children and Families (Year 1 and 2)
Signs of Safety
Rich training offer through the West London Alliance (various core and additional training)
Supportive, inspiring and reliable leadership
Manageable caseloads and a strong Early Help offer to provide a wide range of resources
Support from our highly skilled clinical team
Competitive remuneration packages
Genuine remote and flexible working options – we know how important this is to you
Smarter Working with new modern technology
Wellbeing service, leisure, and discount benefits (Council scheme)
Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension
Visit our website for more information and detail about working in family services in Westminster.
To arrange an informal discussion with one of our managers, please contact Myriam Ridgway, Senior Business Support at mridgway@westminster.gov.uk