P522572 - Experienced Child and Family Social Work Practitioner (SWIS)
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
15/08/2022
Advert End Date:
Closed for applications on 29/08/2022 23:59
Salary:
£37,102 - £40,480 which is inclusive of a 5% recruitment and retention allowance
Job Category:
Social Care - Children Service
Employment Location:
Gateshead
Further Information
We are looking to recruit an Experienced Child and Family Social Worker for the Social Workers in Schools (SWIS) scale-up programme run by ‘What Works for Children’s Social Care (WWCSC) and funded by the DfE.
At Gateshead our vision is that all children and families, regardless of their background, are at the heart of everything we do – ensuring all children can thrive and meet their full potential.
As an employee of Gateshead Council you will benefit from:
Great transport links with the use of reliable and frequent public transport and have access to a discounted Annual Pass. You will also have use of Co-wheel pool cars and access to the Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme
A generous annual leave package. You will also have the opportunity to purchase up to 10 days extra leave via our Annual Leave Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
Access to the flexi scheme which will allow you to work a 9 day fortnight
Being a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Eligibility to access a range of other staff offers and discounts such as:
Reduced rate membership for GO Gateshead Leisure Services
Health Shield which provides a wide range of innovative products that help to improve long-term health and wellbeing via a health care plan.
O2 open discount scheme
Virgin Media partner discount scheme
Dell Advantage discount programme
By pursuing your career with Gateshead Council, we can also guarantee you will have:
A senior leadership team that listens and care about you and your work
Your base in the same building as all social work teams, allowing support not just from your allocated team but all services.
Hybrid working – both working from the office base and home working
A culture which takes pride in and actively celebrates social work.
Excellent opportunities for career progression, whether you are a newly qualified social worker completing your assessment and supported year in employment with the support of our Social Work Academy, or a more experiences social worker looking to broaden your experience in order to step into management.
A protected time employee induction scheme.
We are an Ofsted “Good” rated local authority and in a recent Focussed Visit in September 2021, inspectors told us:
“Gateshead's highly skilled, committed and caring social workers and their managers in the front door teams provide sensitive, innovative child-centered help and protection to most children seen during the visit. Continuously strong, ambitious and effective senior leadership has resulted in sustained improvements.
Closely aligned, mature professional partnerships work together effectively to safeguard children from harm.
There is consistent and commendable evidence of continuous innovation and improvement during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Senior leaders are fittingly proud of their staff's commitment and determination throughout this period to see vulnerable children and their families face to face.
Staff report that they feel valued in their work and professional development and that their personal well-being is prioritised.”
The Social Workers in Schools programme has embedded social workers in 6 secondary schools to reduce referral rates to children’s social care (CSC) and reduce the numbers of Section 17 or Section 47 investigations, along with the overarching aim of reducing the number of children in care and improving educational attainment. This has promoted better inter-agency working between schools and the children’s social care system.
Each SW is based in one school but the whole team work together, meet regularly and report to one supervisor. Here are some of the expectations:
Social workers are attached to one secondary school each and may work with feeder primary schools.
Social workers are physically based in schools as much as possible and integrated into the life of the school.
Social workers are employees of the local authority, and should retain regular supervision, contact and training from the local authority.
Social workers conduct statutory social work as the main focus of their work, holding cases and working with children and families from their school.
Social workers work with staff in the school to develop a deeper understanding of safeguarding and child protection, and to increase mutual understanding of the goals and ways of working of both schools and social care.
Job profiles are aligned to the Knowledge and Skills Statement for social workers and the salary offer reflects the calibre of applicant we are looking to attract. The successful applicant will join a highly effective and motivated team who are committed to continuous improvement following our 'good' Ofsted judgement in May 2019.
The successful applicant will have significant experience of practicing statutory child-care social work in a multi-disciplinary way in addition to having knowledge of statutory and organisational contexts, corporate parenting responsibilities and Government policy contexts and drivers. You will have experience of practising Social Work in a statutory setting and within statutory frameworks, applying legislation frameworks and statutory guidance.
They will have demonstrable skills in planning and delivering interventions with complex and challenging families, formulating plans and interventions targeted at affecting change, coupled with the ability to analyse and evaluate complex situations and risk. In addition to this they will also have experience in responding to issues of separation and loss for children and young people and have worked intensively with families and children who are at risk of harm.
Their knowledge base will demonstrate a sound understanding of social work legislation, assessment and social work methodologies, including an awareness of systemic approaches. You will also have knowledge of child development across the age group and inhibitors to growth and development.
You must have knowledge of child protection and multi-agency responsibilities
Successful applicants will be empathic, enabling and resilient, with a 'can do' approach. They will be comfortable in reaching evidence-based decisions and able to exercise professional authority appropriately. They will be team players with a proven ability to work constructively with other professional groups.
Our aim is to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children and young people. Our staff offer includes a range of training and development opportunities to equip workers with the tools to achieve the highest standard of practice. Our culture recognises the value of our staff by supporting social workers through reflective supervision, accessibility to senior managers and manageable caseloads.
It is essential that you have a recognised Social Work qualification and PQ training, and are registered with Social Work England with relevant demonstrable experience post qualification. A current driving licence and access to a car or means to mobility support is also an essential requirement of the post. If successful you will need to apply for an enhanced Disclosure.
As an employee of Gateshead Council, you will receive a generous annual leave package (increasing after 5 years), be a member of the Tyne & Wear Pensions Fund and be eligible to access a range of employee benefits such as the child-care benefit scheme and annual leave purchase scheme as well as a variety of staff offers and discounts.
If successful you will be required to apply for an enhanced disclosure.
During the selection process candidates will be assessed against the Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities as set out in the job profile.
If you would like further information regarding the post, please contact Christopher Walker on 0191 433 2523 for an informal discussion.
apply online at www.gateshead.gov.uk/counciljobs
Please note
This job is closed for applications.