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Part Time Senior Practitioner

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
England, Essex, Colchester
Salary
£38400 - £46475 per annum + Excellent Benefits Package
Closing date
17 Oct 2019

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Please note that this is a part time position, offering 22 hours a week covering Monday's, Tuesday's and Wednesday's.

In ECC we are "Serious about Social Work". Having recently won the Best Social Work Employer of the Year Award 2018 and been awarded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted this is an exciting time to join us. As if that wasn't enough, Essex has also been announced as a Partner in Practice by the Department of Education, and the Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA) is the only Local Authority team in the country to be accredited by BASW as a CPD provider. We have invested in our workforce and created a positive environment for our social workers to make a difference and achieve change for our most vulnerable children and families through direct relationship-based social work practice. We have supported our staff to have an understanding of systemic theoretical framework and models underpinning our interventions; to have access to the right tools, equipment and resources; and also the right supervision, training and learning opportunities they need to be strong practitioners.

The Team

The Children and Families Hub is the single point of access to service, early help and statutory intervention.

The Role.

Working with families, young people and partner agencies to triage concerns to identify the most appropriate level of intervention in reflecting the Effective Support Threshold document. Triage is telephone based and requires the candidate to build effective working relationships with partners to ensure that a robust understanding of the child and their family's needs evidences decision making. Working to support individual and team development; engaging partner agencies to support ongoing understanding of levels of need and statutory thresholds, providing group and individual supervision and supporting the management team to build on the outstanding service provided by Essex.

Job Purpose

To hold and sustain a caseload to which the post holder can bring to bear the highest standards of professional ability and a considerable depth of knowledge in relevant legislation in policy and practice methods. To provide a focus of specialist advice and professional consultation for Social Workers and contribute to the development of practice standards within the service.

Key Accountabilities

  • To function as a flexible, influential and supportive practitioner within the requirements of ECC policies and procedures.
  • Operates on a countywide basis across service areas and work in partnership with diverse range of external organisations.
  • Indirectly accountable for provision of services and budgetary expenditure by recommending options leading to quality outcomes.
  • Personal autonomy and responsibility for analysis, planning, execution and evaluation of complex cases.
  • Accountable for own judgment and decisions in high-risk social work cases.
  • Personal responsibility for the professional guidance issued to colleagues.
  • Actively participate in practice research and determine the appropriate method of disseminating research findings for local, regional and national settings.
  • To maintain an up to date record of activity on case files, produce reports, attend court and give verbal presentations as required. To participate actively in case discussions, legal case discussions, Child Protection conferences, Statutory Reviews, etc.
  • Represent ECC in court proceedings as an "expert witness".
  • Establish and maintain effective systems of quality assurance and quality controls for recording guidance issued and evaluating outcomes.
  • Critically appraise the quality of own/others practice and challenge this within identified forums.
  • To maintain a current and active interest and knowledge in such legislation and policy changes, research findings and practice developments, from a wide field, as are relevant to the post holders' clients group responsibilities including training and other professional development opportunities.
  • To act as a source of expert advice and consultation for staff within Schools, Children & Families, on professional issues relating to Child Protection situations (particularly Section 47 investigations) and assessments of risk to the child or young person affected.
  • For a full list of Key Accountabilities please visit the working for Essex Web Site

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

  • Diploma in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
  • GSCC Registration as a Registered Social Worker.
  • PQ1.
  • Advanced Award in Social Work (AASW).
  • IT/Word Processing Skills. * Evidence of recent practice at a senior practitioner/team manager or equivalent level, supported by comprehensive working knowledge and experience of front line exposure to a wide ranging field of practice in Children Services.
  • Substantial, in-depth experience of Child Protection work including section 47 investigations and assessments since the implementation of the Children's Act 1989.Considerable, recent experience of communicating with children of all ages and working in partnership with parents and/or carers.
  • Experience in planning activities and programmes for children, young people and parents.
  • Experience of Court work in relation to Child Care matters and have an understanding of the legal process.
  • Detailed knowledge of current legislation pertinent to Child Protection (e.g. CA1989, CJA1991), Guidance and Regulations.
  • Knowledge and understanding of child development, relating theory and practice.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

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