Join the team at Northampton Children's Trust and become part of a community-driven ethos that places children's needs at the forefront. We extend our care to support the welfare of entire families, guided by values of trust, integrity, and empathy. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe in demonstrating respect, kindness, and unwavering commitment, we invite you to apply today and help us shape a brighter tomorrow for our community.
Job Title: Senior Social Worker - Duty & Assessment
Location: Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Position Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary Range: £44,658 - £46,704 per annum
Overall Purpose of the role:
The role is responsible for providing practical and social work support for children, young people and families. This involves holding a more complex caseload. This will include undertaking assessments, visiting children and their families, carrying out interventions, reviewing the work undertaken, direct work with children, young people and families and any other work identified as necessary. All this must be based on best evidence and good practice, privileging the best interests of children and young people. The post holder could be expected to offer mentoring, work-shadowing/work experience opportunities and study towards the Practice Educator qualification and post qualifying modules.
Principal Responsibilities:
Work independently to hold and effectively manage a more complex caseload, acknowledging and ensuring appropriate levels of responsibility commensurate with the individual's knowledge and skills.
Work directly with children, young people and families, involving all key family members and prioritising children and young people's safety. Work using Signs of Safety methodology, which works collaboratively with families to empower them to find solutions whilst ensuring working within the policies, procedures of Children's Services and regulatory standards.
Carry out in depth and ongoing family assessment of social need and risk to children, with particular focus on parental capacity and capacity to change.
Recognise harm and risk indictors of different forms of harm to children relating to sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect. Consider the possibility of Child Sexual Exploitation, grooming (on and offline), female genital mutilation, enforced marriage and the range of adult behaviours which pose a risk to children, recognising too the potential for children to be perpetrators of abuse.
Navigate the family and youth justice systems in England using legal powers and duties to support families, to protect children and to look after children in the public care system, including the regulated frameworks that support the full range of permanence options. Participate in decisions about whether to make an application to the family court, the order to be applied for and the preparation and presentation of evidence.
Use the law and regulatory and statutory guidance to inform practice decisions. Take into account the complex relationship between professional ethics, the application of the law and the impact of social policy on both.
Arrange or provide transport/escort for Service Users e.g. to health appointments, education; provide practical support including access to living aids, to families and to young people, including those formally looked after by the Authority seeking to live independently in the community.
Essential Criteria:
Qualification in Social Work (CQSW)/ Certificate in Social Service (CSS)/ Diploma in Social Work (SW- SP)/ Home Office letter of recognition.
PQ Award Evidence of Post Qualification learning and Development.
Social Work England registration.
Knowledge of main issues in relation to own client group. Awareness of the main legislative framework within which the role operates.
Knowledge of the range of services which are available to children and families and of the organisational framework within which they are provided.
Extensive post qualification experience of children and families social work within a statutory or voluntary organisation.
Knowledge of child development and of family functioning and dynamics.
How to Apply:
If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity and possess the required qualifications, click the link above to apply now.