Please note that this position is being offered on a Fixed Term Contract basis and is for a period of 15 months.

This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and Experienced Social Workers.

The starting salary for a NQSW is £28,592 per annum and this will rise to £32,065 per annum on successful completion of the ASYE programme.

In line with our Skills and Capability Framework for an experienced Social Worker the basic salary is between £32,065 per annum and £43,839 per annum with entry points at the following figures: £32,065, £33,536, 35,008, £36,480, £37,952, £39,423, £40,895, £42,366 and £43,839.

This position will focus primarily upon working with children between the ages of 0-10 who have been looked after by the local authority for a significant period (20 weeks or longer) , and where following careful assessment by the allocated social worker, the primary care plan supports connecting and uniting the child with family. We acknowledge that some children benefit from support to establish / re-establish these relationships which form the foundation of wellbeing and life chances. Recognising that each family is unique, we take a bespoke approach to strengthening and enhancing family time. We embark on a journey, connecting and uniting families and, in some cases and with appropriate support this may lead to reunification.

• Our aim is to enhance decision making and increase support to ensure children who are reunited with their birth families are safe and appropriately cared for by their parents/caregivers and family network.
• You will work in partnership with the child's allocated social worker to ensure that children's' needs and the risks that they may face are properly understood.
• You will work with the parents, children, family and professional network to develop a bespoke package of support for both the child and their parents.
• You will help give parents and children high-quality and timely support in their homes, at times when support is required. We will work with families during evenings and at weekends as required to strengthen family relationships and promote better outcomes.
• You will be part of a team providing parents with support to build their parenting skills and address the problems they face
• You will be part of a team providing children with the support that they need to promote helpful assimilation back into their families of origin.

About our team

The Divisional Based Intervention Team (D-BIT) is a secondary team working in partnership with front line children's services, devising a robust and structured connecting /reunification plans. The team is based in Chelmsford and provides a countywide response to requests for bespoke reunification activity. Assigned caseloads are limited, reflecting our commitment to bespoke, relevant, intensive family support activity Staff work cohesively together, providing support to families as a team with the capacity to flex and adapt as required to support our activity with families referred to the service.

Working arrangements are flexible, with acknowledgement that a percentage of family- based activity is likely to need to take place outside of usual working hours.

What you'll need to join our Social Work teams

To play a key part in transforming the lives of children and families, you will have a Diploma or Degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent and Registration with Social Work England 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) 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.

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.