Suffolk County Council are currently seeking Children’s Social Workers and Senior Social Workers who are looking for a role that enables them make meaningful impact in the lives of others whilst also being rewarded generously for their work.
Suffolk County Council is the governing body responsible for the county of Suffolk in England. As a local authority, it delivers a wide range of services to residents, businesses, and communities. These services include education, social care, transport, waste management, and environmental protection. The council plays a crucial role in shaping the county’s future, working to improve the quality of life for its residents while promoting economic growth and sustainability.
Based in Ipswich, Suffolk County Council is responsible for a vast geographic area encompassing both rural and urban communities. It works closely with district councils to ensure the effective delivery of services at a local level.
Suffolk County Council is dedicated to delivering exceptional care and support to children and young people. The council seeks highly motivated Social Workers to join its teams. Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, Suffolk County Council provides a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and enables staff to deliver optimal care.
Position: Children’s Social Workers and Senior Social Workers
Salary: £34,834 to £44,305 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Suffolk, UK
About the Role
When you join the Children and Young Peoples Service as a Social Worker, we will support your development from the start. We will help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you are motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you.
The Council has opportunities available for Social Workers and Senior Social Workers across the following teams:
Social care teams working with children subject to s17 and s47 assessment, a child in need, and child protection plans
Child in care teams working with our children in care, both children in long-term placements and subject to care proceedings
The salary package for the Social Workers role is £34,834 – £38,223 per annum, plus £4,000 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time), whilst that of the Senior Social Workers is £38,925- £44,305 per annum, plus £3,500 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)
Main Duties
(A) Social Worker Duties
- Communicating and engaging with children, young people and their families, with colleagues and with communities.
- Work directly with children, young people and families using the Suffolk Signs of Safety and Wellbeing framework.
- Where required by the role, to act as Lead Professional for named families, being the key contact with the family and liaising with other professionals to provide a joined-up response.
Assessment, Planning and Review
- Use Suffolk signs of safety principles, disciplines and tools.
- Where required, to participate in CAF, multi-agency assessment, Statutory Assessment and other relevant assessment processes.
Effective Practice
- To work alongside children, young people, parents and families where there are early signs of social, emotional, health or behavioural issues to bring about sustainable improvement.
- Where required by role, take responsibility for managing cases and holding appropriate levels of risk, overseeing the input of support workers where involved.
- Work within the service guidelines, statutory guidance and legal frameworks.
- To respond to needs identified with the family by identifying and delivering evidence-based interventions as required.
Reporting and Accurate Recording
- To maintain up to date records and data using electronic devices and systems as directed and to provide reports as required.
- To contribute to ensuring successful completion of Quality Assurance processes within team.
Information, Advice and Signposting
- To provide information and signposting for children, young people and families to relevant universal and specialist services in the local area and beyond where appropriate.
Multi-Agency and Partnership Working
- Actively build relationships and networks with other professional groups and services in the locality.
(B) Senior Social Worker Duties
Effective Practice
- To work alongside children, young people, parents and families where there are early signs of social, emotional, health or behavioural issues to bring about sustainable improvement.
- To undertake direct observation of practice, with effective feedback to offer quality assurance.
- To obtain user feedback and involvement to improve service delivery.
- Work within the service guidelines, statutory guidance and legal frameworks.
- To respond to needs identified with the family by identifying and delivering evidence-based interventions as required.
Reporting and Accurate Recording
- To maintain up to date records and data using electronic devices and systems and provide reports for a range of audiences.
- Offer management oversight on prepared reports where required by the role.
Information, Advice and Signposting
- To provide information and signposting for children, young people and families to relevant universal and specialist services in the local area and beyond where appropriate.
- Have an understanding of information and advice available to the service user and encourage colleagues and partners to engage.
Multi-Agency and Partnership Working
- Actively build relationships and networks with other professional groups and services in the locality.
- To actively work in partnership with other professional groups to deliver a holistic service to children, young people and families.
Qualifications
(A) Social Workers
- Suitable qualification at graduate level or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work.
- A relevant Social Work qualification and a Social Work England registration.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Brings creativity into their work through innovation and openness to change.
- Collaborates well with others and offers assistance and support to colleagues.
- Committed to listening to children and families and to working collaboratively with them to address concerns.
- Ability to use initiative within boundaries of the role.
- Demonstrates knowledge of Signs of Safety and a broad practical understanding of and skills in using solution focused approaches of intervention.
(B) Senior Support Workers
- Suitable professional qualification at graduate level or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work
- A relevant Social Work qualification and a Social Work England registration.
- A minimum of two year’s relevant post qualifying Social Work experience is required.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Management and leadership qualification. (Desired)
- Demonstrates a passion for making a positive difference for Suffolk.
- Shares our WE ASPIRE Values and strives to lead by example in relation to these.
- A strong commitment to fairness and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
- Strives to continuously improve in everything they do, taking the initiative to learn and develop.
- Brings creativity into their work through innovation and openness to change.
- Ability to be flexible, work under pressure and use own initiative.
- Demonstrates in depth knowledge of Signs of Safety and an in-depth practical understanding of and skills in using solution focused approaches of intervention.
- Knowledge and effective skills in using evidence-based models of intervention to deliver successful outcomes and an ability to bring research into practice.
- Ability to clarify risks and concerns and focus on solutions to create a climate in which change can happen.
Benefits
- Visa sponsorship may be available to those residing in the UK
- Up to 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays per annum, pro rata for part time
- An uplift of 3 additional annual leave days, pro rata for part time
- 3 protected CPD days per annum
- Access to a relocation package of up to £8,000, a car leasing scheme and a welcome loan of £2,000 for all new Social Workers moving to Suffolk
- Free on-site car parking in all council buildings
- Flexible working options and our commitment to supporting health and wellbeing
- Detailed induction programme, including mandatory Signs of Safety training
- Staff networks which are open to staff, councillors and partners that share similar characteristics, life experiences, values and beliefs.
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates should CLICK HERE to apply
Application Deadline
August 31, 2024 (11:30 PM)