Children and Families HUB Social Worker - 8 hours per week

Please note this is an 8 hour a weeks vacancy - options available are: one full day, 2 half days or lunchtime cover 12pm-2pm, 4 days a week

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". 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 Role

The Children and Families Hub is the single point of access for Family Solutions and Children's Social Care. Its primary purpose is to ensure that children and young people and their families receive Early Help, advice and support to assist in protecting them from significant harm and promoting their development and wellbeing. The Children and Families Hub does this by identifying the lowest appropriate level of support needed to bring about change, support good parenting and boundaries and promote children's emotional wellbeing. The Children and Families Hub plays a critical role in engaging parents and professionals in interventions that can bring about change in families and we aspire to deliver an outstanding service to children and families in Essex.

The role reports directly to a Senior Practitioner and will be a member of a large team of Social Workers and Alternatively Qualified staff. The role is focussed upon delivering excellent social work practice, with offering advice to professionals who have safeguarding concerns for children and undertaking triage to establish whether there is an ongoing role for Children's Social Care to assist parents in ensuring their child's safety. The postholder is responsible for bringing to bear the highest possible standards in Social Work practice, ability and skills, working in accordance with defined legal frameworks, Policy and Procedures
What you will need to join our Social Work teams

Skills and knowledge

Diploma or Degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent

Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Registered Social Worker

Demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards eg Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS)

Case recording

Demonstrate ability in the application of SW knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills and act with confidence in challenging social and family situations.

A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems eg, Word, SW case recording systems

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

(Please note ECC regularly reviews its reward and benefits)

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact the Recruitment Team on 03330135888