Qualified Social Worker - Children & Families

Office location and area covered
Based in Sheerness gateway on the high street with access to a wide range of shops and eateries and less than a 5-minute walk to the beach with the sea visible from some of the office windows. The office building offers air conditioning and space to hot desk on non-duty days and room to base yourself in on duty days with your team.
 
Covering a small geographical area compared to our neighbours in Medway and Swale Central services. We have three teams that work with families residing on Isle of Sheppey or from the small rural section of Swale above the A249 visible in the picture.
 

The office is accessible from Dartford crossing via the A2 and A249 which typically runs smoothly now the bridge is in place at the junction between A2 and A249. The office location is just 40 minutes from central Maidstone, or Chatham and only 50 minutes from central Dartford or Gravesend. We offer a hybrid working pattern where workers are expected in the office on their duty week (1 week in every 3), and on the other days they attend to visits and meetings as required in line with agreement with their manager where needed.
 
Purpose of the Job:   
  
Manage a Children & Families caseload of various levels of complexity, involving the assessment, planning, implementation, court work and evaluation of appropriate action, contributing to the effective application of resources to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and their families.  The postholder should be working in line with the Social Care Capability Framework (SCCF).  
 
With caseloads typically at 20 or below when staffing levels are in place and a good range of support via the training options available to all staff and development support from the managers who are accessible and supportive too. We host many students and ASYE’s who go on to remain with the Teams in Swale Island and Rural with some remaining as Social Workers and others now working as Senior Practitioners in the service.
  
Main duties and responsibilities:   
  

• Manage a complex caseload, including assessment and planning in cases involving high levels of risk or need, within the parameters of agreed policies and practices, together with the professional guidance and support to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and meet their individual needs.

 

• Work in partnership with the child, parents and carers, Health Service including Acute and Community Trusts and with Primary Care Trusts, Education Authority, District Councils, commercial and private sector and voluntary bodies to identify, evaluate and review care plans to produce positive outcomes for children and their families.

 

• Complete effective and timely recording of accurate information using agreed systems.

 

• Work in a cross-section of social work teams, through secondments etc., to continually develop and consolidate knowledge base and level of skills and enabling the assignment of more complex caseloads to meet the ever changing needs of the children and their families.

 

• Maintain an awareness of changes in child development etc., and related theories, legislation, corporate and directorate policies, local and agency practices, in order to disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.

 

• Use appropriate theory and research to inform practice

 

• Prepare applications for submission to Family Courts and represent the County Council’s Children & Families Service as and when required in Court in accordance with the County Council’s procedures to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

 

• In liaison with the Senior Practitioner, operate across a variety of SCS teams to gain a diverse level of knowledge and experience that meets the appropriate practice level and a high standard of service delivery.