Social Worker - Children with Disabilities

Ealing is one of the most vibrant, diverse communities in Britain – and a fantastic place to live and work. We are proud of everything we do to make Ealing a safe place in which children and young people can flourish. Ofsted agree, saying we provide ‘a nurturing environment which meets children's and carers’ emotional needs.’

Things are going well for us. Funding is good, and we are one of the few London boroughs with our own youth centre, in which 11,500 children grow, learn, develop and have fun every year.

We are a borough of innovation, and we are always improving on what we have learned about children’s issues. Our Building My Future (BMF) team works intensively with young people, and our Brighter Futures programme looks at new ways of working – such as welcoming psychologists into our social work teams.

Responsibilities of a social worker in the Children with Disabilities team:

• Manage caseloads of about 16-18 children
• Office-based duty on a rota
• Undertake the range of duties and responsibilities on behalf of the department as specified in the Children Act 1989 and such other legislation as is or may be appropriate to work with children and their families, to include:
  
  • The investigation of alleged neglect, ill treatment, or abuse of children and to make enquiries as to the need to provide services to such children, instigate Child Protection procedures or an application to a court for an appropriate order in respect of such children
  • The supervision of children subject of a Child Protection Plan
  • The assessment and supervision of children looked after by Ealing in order that statutory duties towards such children are met
  • Undertake the preparation of reports, statements in family proceedings courts and to attend court
  • Undertake assessments, design and implement care/protection plans and encourage the development of quality standards and practice
  • Manage a more complex caseload working with a high degree of personal and professional accountability and autonomy
  • Provide innovative social work services to service users
  • Follow a guiding principle that children should remain with their own families wherever possible and where this has broken down to plan a secure and permanent future for children
  • Promote a learning culture and lead on sharing and disseminating best practice across the department and partnerships and contribute to learning and development activities
  • Undertake complex assessments, make sound analytical judgements and utilise the most effective means of providing innovative care packages within budgetary constraints in conjunction with partners and external agencies
  • Supervise and support students using the practice educator framework and/or to support and enable learning of others
  • Support the Council’s vision for Children’s Services in line with overall corporate objectives.

What can Ealing offer you?

• An exciting opportunity to develop your career within a supportive, well-organised structure
• Ongoing personalised training and development opportunities
• Access to a wide range of high-quality resources to support children and their families
• An excellent benefits package with a range of innovative programmes to help you look after your health and well-being.