Experienced Social Worker - Placements

We have an amazing opportunity arising in the Resource Commissioning team for an Experienced Social Worker. The position is a dual role which comprises of 0.5 Placements Social Worker and 0.5 Family Finder within the London Borough of Merton. This position is open to Social Workers with no prior experience within a placements team required.

The Resource Commissioning Team in Merton are responsible for sourcing homes for children in care and care experienced young people between the ages 0-24. The Social Worker will be part of team working to identify, source and commission suitable in house or external accommodation for any child that is “looked after.” As a part of the placement process various tasks/notifications will need to be made; including information management, brokerage and payments services on behalf of the Corporate Parenting service.

As a part of the role, you will provide carefully matched placements in accordance with the child/young person’s plan that considers the child/young person’s health, education, cultural, ethnic, religious and therapeutic needs. Upon receipt of a referral you will have the responsibility for holding consultations with Social Work teams regarding referrals, screening and presenting placement resource options to your line manager. As an experienced Social Worker in the team, you will attend stability meetings, strategy meetings and various multi agency meetings pertaining to children.

As Merton’s family finder you will be allocated children who require long term homes and permanency. This will include close working with the child and network to ensure that the desired outcome of permanence is achieved. The role will also involve:

• Attending Permanency Planning Meetings for children in care.

• Meeting with children to create and build profiles of their wants and needs to assist the process of sourcing their long term homes.

• Working alongside the team around the child to ensure matching of each child to their home is undertaken appropriately.

• Prepare children and carers for introductions/transitions meeting for children moving on to their long term homes.

• Attend fortnightly Permanency tracking meetings alongside the Permanence Lead to monitor children’s journey and support the necessary steps are being undertaken to achieve permanence.

There will be monthly supervision, reflective supervision, team meetings and relevant training available and support where professional development is concerned. In addition to this there is a hybrid working policy enabling work from home and flexible working approaches to support your work-life balance.

 About you :

• Experienced Social workers who are qualified and registered with Social Work England who have completed their ASYE.

• Great communication skills and can adapt to a fast-paced environment.

• Experience of working directly with children/young people and families.

• An overall understanding of legislation/policy relating to children, their needs and processes in relation to children in care.

• Skilled at building relationships with children and/or families.

• Confident in sharing knowledge and good practice with team members and the wider service.

• Passionate, dedicated and driven to improving the outcomes for children and care experienced young people.

• Experience of working in a statutory setting is desirable however, not essential.

We are looking for an individual who works well in a team but can take the initiative to work alone also. We are a very friendly team with a lot of experience in the social work field combined and would welcome a team member who shares the passion that we do for the children we source support for.

If you have any questions, please contact the Resource Commissioning Team Manager Amaal Ally on 0208 545 3105 for further information.

Interviews : To take place week beginning 2^nd October 2023