Social Worker (Grade 8)

Job Category: Social Care Qualified

Job location: Beaufort Road, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, NP23 5LH, United Kingdom
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Hours per week: 37

Start date: Immediate start
Salary: £29.22 per hour

The role allows hybrid and office working. Full monthly management supervision. Requires a social work qualification and registration

Job Summary

The 14+ Team will offer you the opportunity to work with young people aged 14 years and over who are in need of care and support, in need of protection, are looked after and/or are care leavers. The post offers the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and practice in relation to young people across all manner of statutory intervention including assessment, care planning, long term planning, pathway planning and transition to adulthood.

You will have the opportunity to manage a varied case load focusing on what matters to young people and families, building on and supporting young people to identify their own strengths and resources, managing risk collaboratively with multi agency professionals as well as encouraging the development of independence skills.

We recognise the need for staff support when working with young people who may have specific support needs and, as such, the successful appointees will benefit from training and development opportunities, monthly formal supervision sessions (more frequently if required), group supervision sessions and access to psychological consultations for psychologically informed advice and practice guidance. We recognise the importance of peer support and the stability of the team has enabled the development of a strong team ethic which is to work together to effectively problem solve, motivate and encourage each other.

The 14+ team office has recently been repurposed to create indoor and outdoor space which promotes group work and independent living skills development. We want to offer a safe space to young people to learn new skills and for all 14+ staff to be involved in providing unique and creative ways of engaging young people to promote their wellbeing and safety. 

Principal Accountabilities

1. To provide social work assessment and care management in line with the policy and procedure of the Authority.

1. To effectively manage a caseload.

1. To assist and empower service users to develop their potential for independence and enable them to exercise choices wherever possible.

1. To ensure the implementation of agreed plans, monitor progress and coordinate the process of reviews that involve service users, carers and associated professional and partner agencies.

1. To provide full information and advice on the availability of services, the appropriateness of service provision and statutory responsibility of the Department.

1. To write clear and concise reports for a variety of audiences, including court and safeguarding.

1. To act as an advocate in pursuit of the service users’ best interests, including educator to professional colleagues and the community at large, the needs and rights of the service user.

1. As required, to provide or access information or refer appropriately to alternative agencies in matters which require specialist or specific advice, eg Welfare rights, legal rights.

Qualifications 

CQSW: Diploma or Degree in Social Work         

Registered as a Social Worker with Social Care Wales

Knowledge / Skills

Knowledge of current legislation, guidance, regulations and standards              

Knowledge and understanding of research, legislation and good practice        

Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write reports              

I.T literate           

Well-developed negotiating skills          

Effective problem-solving skills              

Ability to analyse and evaluate information and to apply criteria to make prioritised judgements         

Knowledge of anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities

Full UK driving licience