Supporting children and families to be the best they can
In Kensington and Chelsea, we put local people and local businesses at the heart of decision-making, working in partnership with them to provide quality services that are responsive, effective and efficient. From education to healthcare, we are committed to improving the life chances of our children, and that includes ensuring families can access the support they need, when they need it. Through early interventions, often delivered via our borough-wide network of network of Family Hubs, we aim to prevent demand for services escalating.
Salary range: £39,615 - £47,736 per annum (Pending pay award)
Work location: London
Hours per week: 36
Contract type: Permanent
Vetting requirements: Enhanced DBS Check
Closing date: 16th July 2023
Interview date: Week Commencing 24th July 2023
As part of a committed, innovative team, you’ll shape and deliver an integrated early help offer for families through outreach and targeted group work. Collaborating closely with Family Hubs, schools, and wider professional networks, you’ll ensure children and families can overcome barriers and navigate the support on offer. It’s a highly varied role, driven by the needs of the individual families. We’ll look to you to foster constructive relationships, and you will often find yourself mediating between families and schools. The role also includes supervision and guidance for a small team of professional practitioners.
Please refer to the Job Description for more information.
Experience of working with families with complex needs is essential, so you are likely to have a professional background in social work, health or education. Substantial knowledge of the legislative framework around families, including safeguarding, is expected. Passionate, tenacious and resilient, you’ll have excellent engagement, negotiation and brokering skills. You’ll also be capable of prioritising your own and others’ workloads and operating effectively under pressure. An enhanced DBS check will be required.
In return, you can look forward to a package that includes a competitive salary, a high-quality pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays.
Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description. CV’s alone will not be considered for this role.
As a social worker, Kensington and Chelsea presents a unique and rewarding work environment. The borough is home to a diverse community and the demographic make up of our staff reflects this.
We are committed to promoting equality and celebrating the benefits of diversity. We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
The borough’s commitment to social care is reflected in its innovative approach to service delivery. For example, the Council has established a Bi-Borough partnership with neighbouring borough Westminster, which allows for the sharing of resources and expertise. The partnership has resulted in improved service delivery and better outcomes for vulnerable residents, which was recognised in our last ILACS inspection which found Kensington and Chelsea to be Outstanding in all judgement areas.
“Children in care and care leavers receive an outstanding service from workers who know them exceptionally well and are caring and ambitious for them. There is strong corporate support from the wider council to provide high-quality social work services for children, including significant financial investment so that the conditions are in place for excellent social work practice to flourish.”
Ofsted
Social workers in Kensington and Chelsea can look forward to a package that includes a competitive salary and child protection payment of £2,500 for social worker positions, membership of the Local Government pension scheme, Travel allowance scheme for zones 1 and 2, cycle scheme, reimbursement of Social Work England fees, generous annual leave plus bank holidays and discounts for many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. Employees also benefit from an extensive training package, with access to the West London Alliance essential training and to years 1 and 2 of Systemic Practice.
In addition, we offer an annual leave purchase scheme where you can purchase up to 5 days annual leave per annum at 90 per cent of the actual cost. The Council has a staff contributory private healthcare scheme, open to all staff and offers a Dental Insurance Plan.