Advanced Social Worker - Children's (Stafford Area)

There are exciting new opportunities for experienced Social Workers via the Social Work progression framework. We are looking for qualified Social Workers with post qualifying experience with working with vulnerable children and knowledge of safeguarding and children in care. 

Carer Progression Framework

A career progression framework is in place to support you which also includes:

• Practice Educator Programme
• Aspiring Senior Practice Lead and Aspiring Team Manager programmes
• We are ambitious in our learning and development programme with strong links within the West Midlands and our teaching partnership

As an Advanced Social Worker you will work within the framework of legislation, agreed council policies and procedures to work with or on behalf of children, young people and their families, to improve their well-being, and promote their independence.

As an Advanced Social Worker you would be supporting families facing challenging situations, and managing complex issues. You would be supporting children and young people subject to Child in Need and Child Protection Plans, including those within the PLO and court arena. There would be an expectation as experienced Social Workers that you offer informal and formal mentoring to less experience staff, and used your practice wisdom to champion specific areas of practice.

The Ideal Candidate

As an experience Social Worker to apply for this role you must have:

•  A social work degree and be Social Work England (SWE) registered
• Post qualifying experience in social work
• Knowledge of legislation and guidance underpinning delivery of children's social care e.g. Childrens Act, Working Together, Adoption Act, Every Child Matters
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Knowledge and skills in supporting assessment and formulating plans for children and young people
• Experience in mentoring
• Demonstrated ability in improving outcomes for children and young people
• Examples of creative social work practice to keep children and young people within their families where safe to do so.

Interviews will take place on: 22nd and 23rd of January 2024

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Jen Banks, Deputy District Lead on jen.banks@staffordshire.gov.uk 

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too. 

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits .

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post. 

As you'll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that's why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.