CSW - Senior Social Worker/Specialist Social Worker - Safeguarding & Care Planning (BR13)

Job Category : Social Care & Health Qualified

Location : Civic Centre, Bromley Council

Hours Per Week : 36.00

Start Date : Immediate Start

Start Time : 09:00

End Time : 17:00
Salary: £28.69

1.         With appropriate supervision, assess for and provide services to children and families in need within the framework of the appropriate legislation, regulations, departmental procedures and child care policy. This will include responsibility for children and families where needs are particularly complex and problematic.

2.         To ensure that services are efficiently and effectively provided, liaising as necessary with other divisions, Council Departments, N.H.S. trusts, schools, carers, voluntary and independent sector providers.

3.         To maintain high standards of professional practice within their own workload and to promote and enhance such practice within the team and division.

4.         Senior Practitioners may be responsible for supervision of some staff (up to level III Social Workers) in the service and share the operational management of the service.

5.         All postholders are expected to maintain professional standards of practice and to work in accordance with the Departmental vision, values, procedures and managerial guidance.

6.   To manage a caseload of children and families, including:

6.2       Making a comprehensive assessment of need, in partnership with the child, parents, other family members and professionals as appropriate in accordance with the National Assessment Framework.

6.3       Planning, implementing and terminating interventions.

6.4       Facilitating the provision and co-ordination of appropriate services.

6.5       Making referrals to the Community Mental Health Team where adults have particularly complex or problematic needs and maintaining liaison with psychiatric services in order to promote timely and effective management of mental health problems

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Ability to work within a framework of legislation, guidance, divisional policies and procedures and accountability to senior officers.

Ability to relate effectively to children, parents and carers, many of whom may be under stress.

This will include the ability to support and facilitate the work of more junior staff who are having to deal with particularly difficult situations.

Ability to work as a team member and to form professional partnerships with other staff within the Department, colleagues from other agencies, foster carers and residential workers and health and education professionals. This will include an ability to remain aware of the roles and responsibilities of others and to promote a positive image of the division and department.

Skill in analysing complex and problematic situations and in formulating, implementing and reviewing, alongside service users, appropriate assessment and intervention programmes. 

Skill in communicating clearly orally and in writing, including an ability to maintain concise case records including Looked After Children documentation and to produce reports for case conferences, courts and other bodies.

Ability to manage working time effectively in order to meet both professional priorities and administrative requirements.

Ability to think creatively in meeting children’s and families’ needs, using family and community networks, voluntary sector and other external resources and provision where appropriate.

Ability to contribute to the overall development of the team e.g.: making presentations and leading discussion in areas of professional practice; identifying opportunities for meeting need more effectively; promoting an appropriate and professional climate.

Demonstrate appropriate understanding, knowledge and skills in valuing diversity

KNOWLEDGE

Comprehensive knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and other relevant legislation, regulations and guidance such as national assessment framework.

Knowledge of the range of services which are available to children and families and of the organisational framework within which they are provided.

Knowledge of child development and of family functioning and dynamics. 

Knowledge of methods of social work intervention.

EXPERIENCE 

Appropriate and relevant post-qualification experience of children and families social work within a statutory, voluntary or independent sector organisation.

BROMLEY VALUES AND BEHAVIOUR

Each post within the Council correlates to the Bromley BR grading system. Using a Job Evaluation scheme each role is benchmarked to demonstrate the responsibilities, skills and abilities required to undertake it. Our behaviours framework complements this approach by giving examples of the types of behaviours expected at each grade and goes further to indicate aspirational levels.

Expected Behaviour Levels of Staff for BR11-BR14 Grades:

Accountability and Responsibility:

Shows strong understanding of how their actions will impact on the reputation of the wider service they deliver. Shows drive and tenacity in resolving immediate problems and finding ways to ensure they do not occur again.

Continuous Improvement:

Keeps up to date with new ideas and issues that impact on his/her service. Shares own experience and learning to the benefit of colleagues and the service.

Builds Relationships:

Has a reputation for acting with integrity. Always seeks to find the common ground on which to build productive working relationships.

Communication:

Influences others by presenting their ideas in a compelling manner. Picks up non-verbal clues when talking with others.

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree, Masters, C.Q. S.W., Dip.S.W. or equivalent.

Essential – Applicant to be registered with Social Work England or able to obtain registration prior to commencement of employment

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A Satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check.