The Role

Are you an experienced social worker looking for a new challenge? 

Would you like to use your skills in a school setting to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in Wandsworth?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

We are looking to recruit an exceptional social worker to take on a unique role working as a school-based Social Worker for the period of one year. 

About the role

This exciting new project will see you working directly with children and young people in their school setting, with teachers and other school staff. Although you will not hold a full caseload, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with pupils, staff and the wider school community in two or three settings, and you will forge links with services in the wider community.

No two days will be the same, and you will undertake a variety of different activities according to the particular needs of each school. You will work alongside the schools and your team manager to agree the appropriate interventions, activities and support you can provide which might include both helping pupils and families to access statutory support, as well as supporting those being stepped down from statutory intervention.

As a new project, we are looking for individuals who can have a flexible and creative approach in order to make this a success by providing effective support to as many children and young people as possible.

To be shortlisted your CV and personal statement will cover following:

• You are a qualified social worker with relevant systemic practice experience working with children and young people in care;
• You can sensitively support children of different ages and lived experiences, and have the motivation to make a positive contribution to their lives;
• You are able to plan and lead on initiatives focused on safeguarding children, with the confidence to implement these in a school setting.
• You will ideally have an understanding of school settings and their educational context.

Contact details

For more information about the role, please speak to Recruiting manager Henrietta Curtis on Henrietta.curtis@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk and telephone number 07929177261.

Benefits

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including working from home and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities. In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative recruitment timeline

• Close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 6^th February 2022
• Shortlisting date: Tuesday 8^th February 2022
• Interview date: Thursday 24^th February 2022

Useful Information: The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible. Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

Equality statement

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

Attached documents

•  School-based Social Worker - Job Profile