Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
23/01/2019
Advert End Date:
Closed for applications on 06/02/2019 12:00
Job Category:
Social Care - Children Service
Employment Location:
Foundry House, Bedlington
Further Information
Northumberland County Council operates a huge range of services across the largest county in the UK. Local Government’s ongoing challenges and the diversity of our residents means we have to work smarter. That’s why we want bold, creative and agile thinkers who can help us move forward and innovate.
For further information about working for Northumberland County Council, please click here: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/working
The Service
The Front Door is the first point of contact for all new contacts about children, young people and their families. We help vulnerable children who may benefit from early help services as well as children in need of social work support, protection and care and your role will be to manage referrals and staff insitu in the statutory arena alongside the early help team manager. The role of the Front Door is to gather information, signpost to services and make recommendations about thresholds for intervention.
The team consists of Three Team Managers (one early help), four deputy team managers and 20+ social workers as well as 15 unqualified staff who are responsible for early help processes and inputting of statutory referrals and who are an integral part of the service.
The role
You will have experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, ideally with direct experience of early help and/or front door/triage service.
You will have experience of working in an early help/ statutory setting and be confident and competent in your ability to safeguard and protect children.
You will always want to hear the child’s voice and ensure that this is taken into account.
You will have excellent communication skills and be able to make decisions and recommendations in a fast paced environment
You will be able to contribute to the development of the service.
You may have some knowledge base of the Knowledge and Skills Statement for Child and Family Social Work and the application of Professional Capabilities Framework which will be embedded within all elements of your practice.
You will be empathetic and sensitive to the needs of children and families
You will understand the importance of performance information and your contribution to maintaining high standards .
You will have excellent communication skills and be able to convey complex messages in a straightforward way, both verbally and in writing.
You will not be afraid to think creatively to solve problems.
You will be passionate about maximising a child’s life chances to improve their overall outcomes.
You will care enough to want to make a difference - every day.
We are offering:
A starting salary of £46,183 - £49,406
Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (or other pension scheme)
A wide range of staff benefits including a competitive annual leave provision
Flexible working arrangements (delete if not applicable)
Ongoing training opportunities are offered in order to keep continuous professional development
Essential requirements:
If your skill-set includes the above, come and join a progressive and innovative organisation which values all of our employees.
You should hold a Social Work qualification or relevant qualification to the role
We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is working in regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for a barred individual to apply for a job in regulated activity.
We offer:
A competitive salary up to £49,406 with a wide range of additional benefits, the opportunity to continually develop skills and experience across a range of different specialist teams within children’s and adults across rural and urban localities.
Regular line supervision
A supportive environment
Career progression opportunities
A generous remuneration package
Induction, support and mentoring from day one in post
Flexible working
Please note that successful applicants must be able to attend an interview week commencing 18 Feb 2019.
Northumberland County Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sectors of the community. We recognise the difficulties that transgender applicants in particular may face during a recruitment process; any concerns regarding the process can be discussed with Rebecca Harding (Trans HR Support Officer) on 01670 623 130 or rebecca.harding@northumberland.gov.uk . We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. All applications to work on a part-time will be considered in line with the requirements of the post and the needs of the service.
For further information, please contact Dorothy Chambers dorothy.chambers@northumberland.gov.uk 0r 01670 536510 for an informal discussion.
If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to attend interview please contact rebecca.harding@northumberland.gov.uk or email hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk.
Please note
This job is closed for applications.