We are looking to recruit to three new Social Worker posts for our new Central/Assessment Team in North Somerset Council Children’s Services. This team will work alongside the Front Door and undertake any new assessments, Child in Need, Section 47, where Emergency Protection is needed and where identified by the Front Door Triage team.
About the role
North Somerset Council is on an exciting journey of further transformation and improvement in its Children’s Services. We are looking for passionate, creative, experienced, child-centred qualified social workers to join us. You will be supported by a strong and consistent senior management team, with a manageable caseload, high quality reflective supervision, working in supportive and creative social work teams.
This role will require experienced social workers who have worked within an assessment team previously or have knowledge around assessment and Section 47 investigations.
Your role will be predominately short-term intervention work before moving the family on and making long-term plans and decisions for the children and young people in our area.
Typical activities will include;
- Responding to immediate safeguarding concerns,
- undertaking visits to family homes as well as schools, nurseries etc.
- Expected to complete work within statutory guidance.
You will be supported through supervision from your line manager.
The role will be based in the Town Hall, Weston-Super-Mare and it is expected that the team will be working in the Town Hall during the office hours which are 8.45am to 5pm each day. However, there may be times when you may need to work from another office or home.
You need to work in a timely manner and be able to be flexible when there is a need to support children and young people. This can sometimes be out of hours. Any out of hours work undertaken will be able to be claimed back using flexi time as you will be working under a Flexitime Scheme
This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
A valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.
About you
The work you undertake will be at some of the most difficult and challenging times for the children and young people we work with. You will therefore you will be expected to be compassionate and kind with a desire to support the child/young person and their families and ensure support is in place to reduce any risk of harm identified.
The successful candidate will:
- Be a qualified Social Worker (with a Social Work England Registration) with a passion for working with children and their families to help improve their outcomes and to keep them safe from harm using a strengths-based approach.
- Have sound knowledge of relevant childcare legislation, including a clear understanding of ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and fostering regulations and legislation.
- Have an ability to build effective relationships with children, young people, and families.
Why North Somerset Council?
We understand working for a local authority is more than just a job. We want to ensure our employees remain passionate about what they do and enjoys their time at North Somerset. Whether that means you want training and development opportunities or a flexible working arrangement to fit around family commitments, we will work with you to ensure you are getting the best out of your employment.
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance with the option to purchase up to an additional 10 days per year. Further details of the rewards package on offer can be found in our Benefits booklet.
Want to know more and apply?
For an informal discussion, please contact Dawn Newton, Head of Front Door and Family Wellbeing, on 01275 882939.
Anticipated interview date: Friday 10th May 2024.
At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
North Somerset Council – Open, Fairer, Greener.
Please note: We are currently only accepting applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.