About this role
Job summary
You must be registered with Social Work England and have at least three years postqualifying experience in Childrens Social Care that includes child protection, public law outline and care proceedings.
You are passionate about relational social work and share our commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children. By taking the time to understand each child's lived experience, you become a determined advocate for their voice, championing their needs and providing the support they require to achieve positive and lasting outcomes.
To thrive in this role, you will bring an indepth understanding of the relevant legislation, guidance, policies and thresholds that underpin safeguarding. Strong experience of effective multi-agency working enables you to build partnerships and co-produce needs-led safety plans for children and young people. Excellent recording skills support the production of high-quality assessments, reports and court statements.
As a Senior Social Worker, you rolemodel and champion highquality practice, demonstrating a strong commitment to your own continued professional development, knowledge and experience to support colleagues, helping to foster our inclusive and collaborative culture.
Experience of working with children with disabilities and complex needs is desirable, but not essential, as we will support you to develop this specialist knowledge.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities
- To hold a caseload and provide assessment, care planning, intervention and family support in line with expertise commensurate to a senior practitioner.
- To promote listening to children at every opportunity, ensuring their views are heard, recorded and acted upon in an appropriate and timely manner and to ensure life journey work is completed with children and young people in accordance with their age and understanding.
- To assess and identify the needs of children and families referred and negotiate delivery of services by determining how these needs can be best met in accordance with statutory responsibilities and council policies using best value principles.
- To work alongside partner agencies, for example, voluntary and statutory and within the context of the care plan for children and families to ensure the provision of appropriate and effective services.
- To develop and maintain accurate case records and comply with the department's policies, procedures and guidelines including data protection and GDPR.
- To participate in regular reflective supervision and be able to set clear goals and intervention strategies.
- To support and mentor less experienced colleagues including newly qualified Social Workers, Family Workers and social work students.
About us
The Childrens Specialist Support Team is a highly skilled team working with children who have disabilities and/or complex health needs.
We provide a wide range of services for children with additional needs and those who may be more vulnerable. This includes delivering the councils statutory responsibilities for disabled children in need within the community, such as care packages, practical support and access to short breaks.
The team brings together an eclectic mix of expertise across different service areas, covering a broad spectrum of work with children with disabilities, occupational therapy and short breaks, including Larchwood, our dedicated short break respite unit.
Please note Children's services are currently progressing its Families First transformation programme. This role may be subject to changes to its responsibilities, reporting arrangements and or job description. Any proposed changes would be managed in accordance with the council's relevant consultation processes and policies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of this vacancy and salary details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc/MA in Social Work or equivalent.
- Social Work England registration.
Desirable
- P Q Training in children and families.
- Experience in working with children and families in fieldwork setting.
- Post qualifying experience and training including Child Protection
- and Children Looked After.
- Experience of working with children, young people with disabilities and their families.
- Practice Educator or working towards.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Bracknell Forest Council
Address
Time Square
Market Street
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 1JD
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)