Children Services Senior Social Worker FSCP

Main Purpose of Post

• To implement positive change in complex cases involving children families and carers using systemic social work methods models and tools aiming to support independence. Additionally to manage and minimise risks of abuse and neglect while meeting care needs and exercising professional judgement.
  
• To lead and oversee professional judgements within the relevant legal and policy frameworks.
  
• To undertake and advise on high need comprehensive/complex assessments using the assessment framework and plan how those needs will be met. This includes supporting the implementation of plans reviewing and reassessing needs.
  
• To establish and develop collaborative and robust working relationships with partner agencies and promote model and be accountable for effective interagency working arrangements to protect children from significant harm and meet their care needs.
  
• To carry out safeguarding enquiries support the work of others involved in these enquiries and assist children families and carers in developing and implementing plans appropriate to their wishes and circumstances.
  
• To act as the lead professional in complex statutory cases particularly in child protection care proceedings and looked after children cases.
  

Our Core Values

• We believe children are best cared for in their birth families and when this is not possible we take timely and appropriate action to ensure children have permanence and stability.
  
• We work openly and collaboratively with parents and families helping them understand why we are involved.
  
• We treat everyone with dignity and respect.
  

Key Unit Accountabilities

1. To manage and monitor a highneed complex and challenging caseload of children families and carers developing and implementing casework while making recommendations to management on irregularities or serious issues. This includes cases with:
   

   • Multiagency input
     
   • Complex family or organisational dynamics
     
   • Emotional and psychological complexities
     
   • Professional differences
     
   • Multiple problems or disadvantages
     
   • Multiple significant risk factors
     
   • Public interest considerations
     

2. To undertake indepth and robust assessments care planning and review activities formulating recommendations for support plans including:
   

   • Engaging with diverse perspectives to deliver interventions
     
   • Contributing to multiagency work
     
   • Influencing change through relationshipbased practice
     
   • Demonstrating evidenceinformed decisionmaking
     
   • Coordinating work across networks and communities
     
   • Taking initiative and acting as a change agent
     

3. To prepare applications and reports for court representing the Council in legal proceedings and making recommendations regarding legal action when appropriate.
   

4. To maintain highlevel knowledge of legislation regulations and departmental procedures related to working with children families and carers.
   

5. To attend and make constructive use of supervision appraisal and case reflection meetings with the line manager.
   

6. To take responsibility for complex projects or areas of work as agreed with the line manager.
   

7. To organise and plan own and colleagues work activities considering competing demands and priorities and keeping the manager informed of any difficulties.
   

8. To act on safeguarding concerns and contribute to responses to such concerns ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children families carers and professionals.
   

9. To identify and report where needs cannot be met due to unavailable resources or inadequate financial provision making recommendations to management on how to proceed.
   

10. To analyse complex information and produce highquality analytic reports for performance and quality monitoring.
    

11. To contribute to the investigation and resolution of complaints Member s Enquiries or Local Government Ombudsman inquiries identifying and acting on lessons learned.
    

12. To present complex information in various settings including meetings reviews panels and legal proceedings.
    

13. To demonstrate flexibility in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of the job and participate in crossdisciplinary and crossorganisational teams as required.
    

14. To meet the requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework Social Worker level and adhere to HCPC registration standards including professional development.
    

15. To carry out duties in line with the Council s Equal Opportunities Policy Public Sector Equality Duty and other policies and guidelines.
    

16. To undertake other duties within the post s scope of responsibilities as reasonably requested.
    

17. To model good practice and set expectations for others including mentoring newly qualified social workers and more junior staff and take responsibility for the practice of others (e.g. AYSE assessor Practice Educator).
    

18. To develop specialist knowledge in areas such as practice education or research methods contributing to the development of services policies practice and research.
    

19. To work with a degree of independence seeking advice when needed using supervision to build professional resilience and balancing potential biases in decisionmaking.
    

20. To recognise that due to the nature of the work with vulnerable children families and carers some work outside normal office hours may be required.
    

21. To work flexibly and participate in multidisciplinary crossdepartment and crossorganisational teams as necessary.
    

22. To uphold Council statutes and government legislation including but not limited to Management Compliance Charter Environmental Policy Data Protection Act Race Equality Action Plan Quality Assurance Plan Health & Safety and Sustainable Construction.
    

23. To take responsibility for tackling racism and promoting positive race ethnic and community relations.
    

Requirements

Knowledge

Relevant Experience

Qualification

• Professional qualification in Social Work and must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (or any successor body).
  
• Accreditation in one of the following or equivalent:
  • 15day Heart of Practice training and accreditation (internal candidates).
    
  • Practice Educator training.
    
  • Accredited CPD equivalent training.
    

Core Behaviours

Focuses on People

• Approach families with empathy compassion and creativity using relationships for positive change.
  
• Be curious sensitive reflective authoritative professional and tenacious in improving life outcomes for children families and carers.
  
• Use a systemic approach to work purposefully openly and compassionately with the whole family system.
  
  
  

Takes Ownership

• Reflective critical thinking and analysis to evaluate and integrate multiple sources of knowledge and evidence to create meaningful assessments and plans.
  
• Draw on a range of approaches used proportionately and regularly reviewed.
  
• Have highquality planning and decisionmaking skills.
  
• Take appropriate responsibility for your conduct practice and learning.
  
  
  

Works Collaboratively

• Build skilful and influential working relationships with other professionals and agencies.
  
• Demonstrate understanding and skill in working as a member of a team and organisation.
  
  
  

Communicates Effectively

• Make good and emotionally intelligent use of supervision.
  
  
  

Focuses on Results

• Understand legal and statutory responsibilities and execute these in the best interests of children families and carers.