About this role
Integrated Services Programme (ISP) Principal Social Worker Contract: Full Time, Permanent Salary: Up to £44,000 per annum Base Location: South London Core Hours: 35 hours per week, 09:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday
Benefits
30 days’ annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidaysCompany pensionLife AssuranceEmployee Discount Scheme ISP South London is currently recruiting a Principal Social Worker. Working with the Registered Manager, the Principal Social Worker will develop and manage the service while promoting the ISP therapeutic ethos for employees, Foster Parents and young people to support them to meet their full potential.
The Principal Social Worker will provide day-to-day operational support to the Registered Manager, taking a collaborative approach with Foster Parents in order to identify how the Centre teams and other ISP services can best provide appropriate input to the placement, ensuring that there is access to the range of disciplines within ISP.
To ensure that the safety and welfare of all young people placed at ISP is promoted and that their best interests are at the centre of our thinking and planning.
Requirements
Hold a recognised social work qualification, current registration with Social Work England and post-qualifying and supervisory experience as a social workerPrevious experience of fostering and children and families social workExperience of supervising staff is desirableAble to challenge effectivelyAble to engage others, demonstrate teamwork and bring creative flairA comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation pertaining to fostering and children’s services as well as publications which inform current thinking regarding good practice and the safeguarding of childrenFull driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes Core Tasks
Provide day-to-day operational support to the Registered Manager to oversee all the staff working in the registration and the services delivered, ensuring that children are receiving foster care and additional services of the highest standardEnsure that all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements are complied with in daily operationsUndertake the supervision and performance appraisal of identified staff membersWork collaboratively with Foster Parents, enlisting and valuing their expertise and experienceUnderstand and enjoy the challenge of working with children with trauma backgrounds in order to play a key role in extending ISP’s expertise and reputation for successFacilitate strong, positive relationships within the Polaris Community, with other staff, across all services and with external partners to contribute to increasing the quality of services offered to, and the opportunities and progress enjoyed by childrenDevelop relationships with external partners, working collaboratively to anticipate and resolve childcare and service issuesMake a positive contribution towards the agency’s development plansHold a caseload of Foster Parents as appropriate and when required by the serviceCarry out other work or projects as required and agreed with the Registered ManagerDeputise for the Registered Manager, including attending meetings, chairing team meetings and Foster Parent Support Groups Staff Management Responsibilities
Regular formal and informal supervision of staff as detailed in the supervision agreementRecruit and select staffEnsure the appropriate induction of newly appointed staff is completedComplete probation reviews and annual appraisals in line with ISP’s policies and proceduresComply with the equal opportunities policy and procedure in all employment practicesContribute to the development of social work practice within the service Business and Commercial Responsibilities
Meet with commissioning teams to discuss individual packages of care and/or service development opportunitiesRepresent ISP Fostering in a business capacityContribute towards the growth and development of the business by implementing key areas identified in the business plan agreed through supervisionEnsure a team understanding of the different placement packages and identify recharges where appropriate Supervision and Support of Foster Parents
Monitor the suitability and competence of Foster Parents, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children and young peopleEnsure that Foster Parents fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representations procedures as detailed in the ISP Fostering policies and proceduresWork in partnership with all professionals to identify any needs within the foster family e.g. respite, activities, therapy, holidays, with all members of the child’s network, including contributing to all relevant meetings and any other tasks definedIdentify the learning and development needs of Foster Parents and recommend action as requiredAttend and/or arrange meetings to support Foster Parents, children and young peopleTake a lead role in the resolution of any disputes arising between Foster Parents and other professionalsSupport Foster Parents in preparing children and young people for independent or semi-independent living Safeguarding Children and Young People
Work in partnership with the placing local authority to ensure that the child and young person’s needs as identified in the Care Plan and placement agreement are metEnsure that comprehensive case recordings are completed and maintainedDemonstrate and ensure that the team has a sound knowledge of child safeguarding proceduresParticipate in negotiation between ISP Fostering and local authorities to ensure that each child or young person placed is carefully matched with a Foster Parent capable of meeting their needsEnsure all required paperwork and procedures in relation to Critical Incidents and Notifiable Events are completed and shared with relevant partiesEnsure the necessary risk assessments are completed in line with ISP Fostering policies and proceduresEnsure compliance with the Social Work England, or equivalent body, requirements necessary to retain job title and reg