Social Worker - Adoption Recruitment and Training Team (specialist partner/ non-agency (step parent) worker)

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda - one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We're immensely proud of our flexible working options.

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

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established team of social workers who co-ordinate the recruitment and training of adopters and family finding for children with a plan of adoption This post will provide the opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to practice in adoption. The team is based in Ely House Basildon the Adoption Agency covers the county of Essex.

The Role

* To act as a role model and source of professional expertise in relation to current best practice in adoption.
* To uphold statutory requirements of both adoption and children's legislation, plus any Departmental requirements.
* To participate in team meetings and to attend any other meetings as required, including wider agency/departmental meetings
* To contribute and deliver training courses when required
* To ensure both the safety and best interests of children are paramount and that child protection procedures are followed
* To be accountable for working cases and to undertake direct work with children as requested by the team manager and courts to include assessments of children, and any siblings
* To complete assessments of prospective adopter applicants and to support them after the placement of a child through to the making of an adoption order
* To maintain an up to date record of activity on case files in line with the department case recording policy, produce reports and attend court as required.
* To participate in case discussions, Strategy Meetings, Legal Case discussions and other meetings as relevant.
* To work effectively with other child care social workers and professionals to ensure that any plans for adoption are in the best interests of the child.
* To promote and comply with Safeguarding procedures
* Record details of assessments on the system; input key data, monitor outcomes and respond to data requests.


What you'll need to join our Social Work team

* A Diploma or Degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
* Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Registered Social Worker.
* Be able to demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge& Skills Statement (KSS)
* Experience of leading a team in a Social Care environment
* Experience or a good understanding of working within Children and Family/Fostering services
* Open to change and ready to innovate, you will be keen to join an environment where you can stretch yourself professionally, make an impact individually and deliver positive outcomes collaboratively
* Court experience preferable
* Understanding impact of neglect/abuse on children and trauma in children is important
* Flexible working is required with occasional out of county work and Saturdays
* Ability to write in-depth analytical reports to a high standard of literacy, make clear recommendations and present them to Panel, court etc as required.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, potentially 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.