Children’s Social Worker: Sponsorship Available

A local Council/Authority in the United Kingdom is currently recruiting qualified social workers from Nigeria to be a part of their children’s social care team.

MAIN PURPOSE:

To discharge the authority’s responsibilities under the Children Act 1989 and other relevant legislation with respect to children in need, particularly those in need of protection and those looked after by the authority.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Ability to work within a framework of legislation, guidance, divisional policies and procedures and accountability to senior officers.
Ability to relate effectively to disabled children, their parents and carers, many of whom may be under stress.
Ability to work as a team member and to form professional partnerships with other staff within the CYPS, colleagues from the voluntary sector, foster carers and residential workers . This will include an ability to remain aware of the roles and responsibilities of others and to promote a positive image of the service.
Skill in analysing situations and in formulating, implementing and reviewing, alongside service users, appropriate assessment and intervention programmes.
Skill in communicating clearly orally and in writing, including an ability to maintain concise case records and to produce reports for panels, and other bodies if required.
Skills in IT, recording on a data base, records kept up to date
Skills in chairing Core Group, child in need and TAC meetings, review meetings and producing succinct accurate minutes.
Ability to manage working time effectively in order to meet workload priorities and administrative requirements.
Ability to think creatively in meeting children’s and families’ needs, using family and community networks, voluntary sector and other external resources and provision where appropriate.
To travel to home visits and meetings when required.
Demonstrate appropriate understanding, knowledge and skills in valuing diversity,

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

With appropriate supervision, assess for and provide services to children in need within the framework of the appropriate legislation, regulations, departmental procedures and child care policy.
To ensure that services are efficiently and effectively provided, liaising as necessary with other divisions, Council Departments, N.H.S. trusts, schools, carers, voluntary and independent sector providers.
To maintain high standards of professional practice within their own workload and to promote and enhance such practice within the team and division.
All post holders are expected to maintain professional standards of practice and to work in accordance with the Departmental vision, values, procedures and managerial guidance.

5. To manage a caseload of children and families, including:

i. Undertaking, contributing to and participating in child and family assessments in partnership with the child, parents, other family members and professionals as appropriate in accordance with the Dfes. Assessment Framework.

ii. Implementing Child Protection and LAC Procedures as and when required

iii. Facilitating the provision and co –ordination of appropriate services

iv. Working with families and children and young people to reduce the need for accommodation or care proceedings

v. In line with the Every Child Matters agenda, working in partnership with colleagues in other agencies to develop and provide a range of interventions for families and children and young people.

Reviewing short breaks packages and assessing the thresholds for a child to receive a short break package

2. Working within the Borough’s child protection guidelines to:

i. Undertake investigations under Section 47s on allocated and duty cases as required.

ii. provide reports as required for child protection case conferences, children in need meetings, permanency meetings, child care reviews and in court processes. This may include giving evidence in Court.

3. Undertaking responsibilities towards children looked after by the authority, including:

i. Contributing to and assisting in the progression of care plans for Looked After Children in line with the Children and Families Divisions guidelines.

ii. Ensuring that procedural requirements with respect to consultation and recording are adhered to

4. To make recommendations to the Team Manager or Group Manager (or other budget holder as appropriate) regarding financial expenditure entailed in care plans and to undertake delegated financial responsibilities.

5. To undertake appropriate training and to maintain a knowledge of changes to departmental procedure, legislation and regulations and of developments in professional practice.

6. To promote Equal Opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice in all areas of work within and outside the Council, in line with legislation and Council policy.

7. To undertake any other duties as may be required commensurate with the grading of the post in order to meet the changing needs of the service.

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and other relevant legislation, regulations and guidance related to Disability.
Some knowledge of the range of services, which are available to disabled children and families, and of the organisational framework within which they are provided.
Knowledge of child development and of family functioning and dynamics.
Knowledge of the social care role and safeguarding procedures

EXPERIENCE

Relevant experience of working within a statutory, voluntary or independent sector organisation, with disabled children and/or carers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Recognised Social Work Qualification (CQSW, DipSW or equivalent) be registered with Social Work England and have a variety of post qualification experience with working with children/adults and their families.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

You are required to have a car/vehicle available for you to use for business purposes as required.

Essential – Driving a car/vehicle is an integral and regular feature of the job; and therefore having a current driving licence and use of own car/vehicle are deemed to be essential and compulsory for the performance of the job.

A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Barring Service check is required (formerly CRB).

Benefits: