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Senior Practitioner - Family Support & Protection Team

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
England, Essex, Chelmsford
Salary
Negotiable
Closing date
23 Dec 2020

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Sector
Health and Social Care, Social Care
Job role
Social Worker
Contract Type
Interim

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 Role

The Senior Practitioner is responsible for the management of their own cases and support of social work staff in the management of complex Child Protection and Child in Need Cases, or Children Looked After. Whilst this will include investigation, assessment and purposeful intervention, the primary role within Family Operations is to achieve positive change within families wherever possible, with the aim of enabling children to remain within their home. This will be achieved through implementation of the Child Protection, Child in Need plan and achieving permanency through care planning for Children in Care.

To hold and sustain a caseload consisting mainly of the most sensitive, "complex and difficult" cases to which the post holder is able to bring to bear the highest standards of professional ability and a considerable depth of knowledge in relevant legislation in policy and practice methods.

There will also be an expectation within this role to support the progression and supervision of newly qualified social workers and students entering the profession.

In addition, the role contains undertaking operational duties and supporting the team manager through delegation of tasks, such as chairing meetings etc.

Family Support & Protection

Family Support and Protection works with families with long term complex issues that are most in need and require sustained intervention for more than 3 months, children subject to child protection plans. This includes reviewing and updating assessments, supporting families to achieve change, Special Guardianship Order assessments, Section 7 court reports, working with children subject to court proceedings who are at home or children subject to Supervision orders.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

  • Diploma in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent. 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 wider 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 the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Sorry, newly qualified social worker will not be considered for this position.

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