PURPOSE OF ROLE:
· To be practice leaders in the department, responsible for contributing to the development of the workforce through modelling excellence, mentoring and coaching.
· To be the specialist lead for the department in an agreed area of practice.
· To ensure good outcomes for children and young people in need or at risk through the delivery of timely, high quality social work services.
· To be the lead professional and undertake work autonomously with the most challenging and high-risk cases providing an exemplary service in line with statutory requirements and departmental priorities.
· To provide guidance, support and professional wisdom to colleagues and other professionals in situations of high complexity.
· To be responsible for participation in the management of the duty system and having delegated decision-making authority as directed by the manager.
· To be responsible for monthly team group supervisions to develop good practice, and to reflect and advise on complex and high-risk cases.
· To be a visible member of the Leadership Team and to contribute to the operational policy and procedural developments within their Team, Service and the Specialist Services Division.
· To support the Team Manager in ensuring the highest professional standards of practice are evidenced through rigorous quality assurance processes in line with statutory guidelines.
· To be responsible for reporting to the annual plan to Children’s Safeguarding and Specialist Services DLT.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Corporate
1. To work effectively as part of the Council’s Safeguarding & Specialist Services, delivering corporate objectives through the work of the department
2. To act, at all times, in line with the professional standards of conduct and performance as defined by the L.B. Hounslow Code of Conduct and the HCPC.
3. To work within the relevant competency framework and standards set by the regulatory authority, participating in training ensuring own continuous professional development and that of their team.
4. To work according to the council’s data protection and confidentiality standards
Functional
1. Manage a complex caseload working with a high degree of personal accountability and autonomy.
2. Provide lead expertise in a specialist field (agreed with the Departmental Leadership Team) acting as a resource to the team and department to develop practice, engage in research and evaluation of practice.
3. Develop and deliver comprehensive training across the department in their nominated specialist field.
4. Model, identify and promote best practice informed by current evidence in social work policy, procedures and training.
5. Provide practice consultation and promote respect for professional social work expertise both with internal and external partnerships.
6. Undertake student supervision and mentoring of less experienced staff and to encourage creativity and innovation when co-working cases whilst ensuring practice is focused on safeguarding and within the council’s policies and procedures.
7. Promote a learning culture and lead on sharing and dissemination of good practice across the department and partnerships.
8. Undertake complex assessments and make sound analytical judgements.
9. Undertake quality assurance functions, including case audits and attending the departments’ quarterly Quality Assurance Group.
10. Representing the team and department at internal and external meetings, including multi-agencies meetings, as directed by the Team manager.
11. Contributing to reports for Children’s Safeguarding and Specialist Services departmental leadership team.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
1. Achieving performance targets as set out in Corporate, Service and Team Plans.
2. Achieving measurable targets as set out in one’s own PDA.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL)
1. All teams and Services within the Local Authority with an input into Children’s Safeguarding.
2.All Teams within Specialist Services with particular regard to Independent Reviewing Officers within the Safeguarding and Review Service and the Social Work Standards Manager.
3. L.B. Hounslow Legal Services.
4. Community and Hospital Health Services, including but not limited to: Health Visiting Service; CMHT; WMUH, Schools.
We’re here for the people of Hounslow. We work together with them and for them with care and compassion, with patience and in partnership. We put ourselves in other’s shoes, remembering that every person is different, and every interaction is a real moment in their lives. We always feel first.
We need to do things differently if we’re going to help Hounslow people thrive in the future. Hard work is important but it’s not enough on its own. We need to challenge ourselves to break new ground, invent new approaches, try new ideas keep moving forward and keep improving. That means being ready to stop doing things we’ve done before. It means taking on risk and backing each other when we take a leap.
The world keeps on changing and we need to change with it. We won’t be able to adapt fast enough to the future needs of our residents if we stick to old fashioned command and control. We need to hand over responsibility and give people more power to make decisions and take action themselves. It’s about being transparent and straightforward. It’s about providing tools and support. But most of all, it’s about being ready to trust each other to do the right thing.
We work together, across disciplines and roles. We talk lots, share our insights, our skills and experience. We’re not interested in siloes or defensiveness. We’re always open to different approaches, we’re flexible and ready to adapt. We break down the barriers between our parts and people to unlock the problem-solving power of our amazing mix of minds.
There’s lots to do and people need us. It’s up to us to take the initiative. To take responsibility. To stand up and be counted. Everyday. It’s about being super focused, effective, and efficient. It’s about allocating our resources smartly and with good rationale – using data to help guide our decisions. But most of all, it’s about having the strength and determination to keep on going through thick and thin.
· You will have considerable experience within statutory social work and have a specialist interest area that you are knowledgeable and passionate about and have the ability to support the learning of less experienced staff.
· You will the ability to manage a complex caseload working with a high degree of personal accountability and autonomy.
· You will have expertise in a specialist field (agreed with the Departmental Leadership Team) acting as a resource to the team and department to develop practice, engage in research and evaluation of practice.
· You will Undertake student supervision and mentoring of less experienced staff and to encourage creativity and innovation when co-working cases whilst ensuring practice is focused on safeguarding and within the Council’s policies and procedures.
· Promote a learning culture and lead on sharing and dissemination of good practice across the department and partnerships.
Qualifications:
You will need to be a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England and have at least 2 years statutory experience.
Essential for The Role:
Enhanced DBS
The London Borough of Hounslow is a vibrant, exciting place to visit, stay and explore, with many hidden gems. Miles of rivers – including the Thames, canals, nature reserves and parks, bustling town centres, and a fantastic leisure offer.
Children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do here in Hounslow. We listen to what children, young people and families have to say about what we do and how and where we do it because their say matters. Putting children, young people and families first is at the heart of our Family Friendly vision and we are committed to developing and supporting our workforce to deliver excellent services using resilience-based approaches.
We are looking for skilled, dynamic and motivated professionals who are aspirational for children and young people with the ability to drive change in the families and professional systems they work within. If you thrive in a child-centred and creative environment – Hounslow could be for you. We know that to recruit passionate, dedicated social workers - where there’s simply more demand than the available resource - we must show our appreciation in more tangible ways. That's why we have put together an attractive package for all our social workers.
In return for your skills, knowledge, and experience, you will receive an appropriate starting salary and a friendly, kind, positive and supportive working culture. We also offer:
Annual leave – Generous annual leave entitlements starting from 22 days and rising to max 30 days.
Christmas closure – Up to 3 days, between Christmas and New Year, if your office is closed. This is at the discretion of the council.
Employee benefits –a range of discounts and benefits across a range of companies which you can access as an employee of Hounslow.
Enhanced maternity leave – Up to 52 weeks’ leave after the birth of the baby and the option of a phased return over 3 months.
Flexible working arrangements - our focus is on the outcomes you deliver and we are flexible about where and how this is best achieved.
Local Government Pension Scheme – Open to all employees, this is a tax approved, occupational pension scheme. Your contributions are based on a sliding scale according to your salary band.
Learning and development – we want you to learn everyday. We have a fantastic range of resources and opportunities and are committed to your development throughout your career with us.
Premature baby leave and pay – where a baby is born prematurely. We are proud to have The Smallest Things Charter mark.
Paternity Leave – Up to two weeks paid leave Parental Leave – Up to 18 weeks’ unpaid leave.
Parental Bereavement leave - two weeks’ paid leave following the death of a child or a stillbirth.
Pool cars –Pool bikes –available for our employees to use for work.
Shared parental leave – Up to 50 weeks’ shared parental leave.
Season ticket loans – Interest free loans for British Rail, Underground and Bus season tickets.
Staff wellbeing services - Including access to Occupational Health, an Osteopath/Chiropractor and Employee Assistance Programme.