Exciting Opportunity for a Compassionate and Dynamic Social Worker in the Kinship Team at the London Borough of Hillingdon!
Are you ready to embark on a fulfilling journey as a Social Worker within our Kinship team, an integral part of the Permanence and Specialist Services at the London Borough of Hillingdon? This is not just a job; it's a chance to make a real impact on the lives of families and children, while contributing to innovative developments in the field of Kinship care. Join us and be part of a team that's committed to creating positive change and providing unparalleled support to our carers and children.
As a full-time Social Worker, you will play a pivotal role in conducting a variety of family and connected persons assessments, breathing life into our Kinship team's mission. Your responsibilities will encompass conducting viability assessments and comprehensive evaluations for connected carers and Special Guardianship (SGO), crucial for panel and court proceedings. You'll also engage in private law application assessments for SGO and non-agency adoptions, showcasing your expertise in a diverse range of areas.
But that's not all! In this role, you'll actively support our Special Guardianship (SG) and Kinship carers, truly making a difference on the ground. Your journey will involve direct interactions with families post-Order, including some direct work with children, seamless collaboration with the team around the child, and coordination with other local authorities and agencies. You'll even have the opportunity to tap into the Adoption Support Fund, enhancing your impact and extending your reach. Building up and evolving our Kinship carer support offer is a priority for us, and the Kinship support side of the work is central to this role.
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we're not content with the status quo. As a member of our Kinship team, you'll be at the forefront of exciting new developments and ideas aimed at fortifying the support we provide to our Kinship carers and the children they care for. Your input will shape the future of our services, making every day a fresh opportunity to innovate and uplift.
To flourish in this role, you should bring your Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent, backed by a minimum of 1 year's experience as a qualified Social Work practitioner, ideally with exposure to Kinship team dynamics. Your confidence in the Social Work Professional standards, combined with a comprehensive understanding of Special Guardianship and Kinship legislation, will be your guiding lights.
We value teamwork, collaboration, and the collective pursuit of excellence. As a member of our specialized Kinship service, you'll participate in team planning, contribute to service plans, and establish a network of internal and external colleagues to amplify the impact of your practice. Your role will extend beyond assessment – you'll be an advocate, a partner, and a change-maker.
Flexibility and adaptability are key traits in this role. Borough wide travel is part of the journey, and having a clean, current UK driving license and access to your own insured vehicle for work purposes is desirable. This is your chance to navigate new landscapes and enrich your experience.
Every report, assessment, and interaction will have a profound impact on the families and children you serve. Your adeptness in writing SG support needs reports and assessments to the highest standard, combined with impeccable communication and engagement skills, will ensure that your work becomes a beacon of hope and support.
If you're ready to embark on an exhilarating career journey, championing the cause of Kinship care and making a tangible difference in the lives of families, then we invite you to join our team. As a registered member of Social Work England, your commitment will be fortified by an enhanced DBS check, solidifying your role as a guardian of the well-being of our community.
Be the change you wish to see – apply now to become a Social Worker in the Kinship team at the London Borough of Hillingdon! Your compassion, expertise, and dedication will be the driving force behind a brighter future for families and children.
On joining our Children’s Social Care team, you’ll be welcomed and made to feel ‘at home’, benefitting from the right tools, skills, and resources. From day one you’ll meet with colleagues across the council who will provide expert guidance and support to succeed and develop your career at Hillingdon - giving you that ‘Hillingdon feeling’.
Our commitment to continuous improvement is also reflected in our dedication to lead, coach, and invest into our people. Whether you’re just about to embark on a career within social care, or aspire to progress into senior roles, we offer clear development pathways to help you achieve your career ambitions.
With access to a wide range of training and learning opportunities (PAMs, AIMs, CGP2, etc.), every day is a ‘learning day’. Partnering with local Universities to offer the ‘Practice Educators programme’ we’re keen to not only enhance the quality of our social care provision, but also supercharge your career!
In addition to a comprehensive career development plan, we offer a range of benefits which include:
Local government average salary pension scheme
From 26 to 34 days annual leave (rising to 37, dependant on length of service)
Free on-site parking when working at our civic centre offices
Career breaks
Hybrid working and flexible working hours
Season ticket loan
Access to a credit union
Access to a wide range of trainings, courses, and other types of professional development
Discount on a variety of adult education courses run by the council
Payment of professional fees where these are required
Discounts at council-owned leisure centres and swimming pools at Hillingdon (Uxbridge), Queensmead (South Ruislip), Highgrove (Ruislip) and Botwell Green (Hayes)
Cycle purchase scheme
Car sharing scheme
30% discount on green fees at council-owned golf courses
If you'd like to arrange an informal chat about this role, please send us an email to recruitment@hillingdon.gov.uk, highlighting your name, contact details, and the name of this role.