Please note interview for this position will take place on the 18th and / or 19th August 2022.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

Rare opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to develop skills in specialist parenting and risk assessments and relationship based, trauma informed change work at South Essex Family Centre. This post holder will lead on our Masulinity Empowerment and Nurture programme, which supports men with childhood trauma to address issues in their adult functioning.

Family Centres

The Family Centres in Essex County Council provide a range of interventions to bring about positive change within families, help adults address issues such as domestic abuse which impact their lives and parenting, and increase the resilience of children so that they can stay with their families where it is safe to do so. The Family Centres also provide specialist and bespoke parenting, sibling and risk assessments within the Court arena. They also deliver a variety of group work sessions to vulnerable children and their families.

Accountabilities

• Assess complex social care needs and provide support to children and families.
• Developing and leading on programmes of work with male service users.
• Develop support plans that gain commitment to solutions that enable the child, young person and family to build resilience and look forward to a brighter future.
• Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance and determining when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached.
• Work collaboratively, building effective relationships with internal and external partnerships and stakeholders and the voluntary sector, to assist children and their families and carers in gaining support.
• Accountable for conducting assessments and plan responses to safeguard a child or young person and promote their welfare, including appropriate intervention as determined by need.
• Develop a child centred approach which enables early intervention and prevention and increases independence.
• Pro-actively influences in a range of inter-agency planning, decision making and case discussions.
• Communicate assessments and professional judgements clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing, including report writing and court statements.
• Work with families, communities and individuals to help people get the best start in life and age well, supporting strategic aims.

The Experience You Will Bring

• A recognised social work qualification i.e. Diploma, degree or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England as a registered social worker.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Experience within a social work setting with evidence of challenging social and family situations.
• Strong communication skills and an ability to develop a rapport and engage with diverse groups of individuals.
• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community, to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and families.
• Understand delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.
• Evidence of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.
• Experience of working inclusively and supportively with male service users.

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.