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SalaryParenting Assessor / Senior Practitioner – Social Work with Families – Children – Croydon Council
Salary: Grade 15 (£52,116- £54,129)
Permanent – 36 hours per week
Welcome Payment – £10,000
Retention Payment – £2,500
Hybrid working
Job Purpose
The Senior Practitioner role reports to the Consultant Social Worker/Team Manager providing a high quality of social work assessment and practice through the completion of Parenting Assessments for families in PLO (pre-proceedings and care proceedings). They are an expert practitioner who contributes to the delivery of positive safety and well-being outcomes for children and are integral in the journey of the child in securing permanence. They will carry out in-depth and ongoing family assessment of need and risk to children, with particular emphasis on parental capacity and capability to change, all in the context of PLO and/or pre-birth . Their role will also extend to the completion of Together or Apart assessments and Risk Assessments when capacity allows for this.
The Senior Practitioner would have a developed ability to deliver on outcomes and functions as a role model for teams across Children’s Services through the effective exercise of the following functions:
Engagement and relationship building / maintaining
Analytical and continuous assessment
High standard of report writing and case recording
Making professional judgments and recommendations based on assessment and review
Development, co-ordination, implementation, and review of evidence-based plans
The provision of direct help by the worker
The matching of child / family with evidence-based services relevant to the identified needs.
The co-ordination of multi-professional / agency input to assessment, planning and help.
The application of theory and theoretical frameworks to all aspects of practice.
Supporting the development of creative and innovate care planning to support children and their families.
Oversee the planning for children where necessary
Delivering to performance standards consistently across the measures within the journey of the child. Ensure that partnership working with children and families is at the core of practice.
Carry out in-depth and ongoing family assessment of need and risk to children, with particular emphasis on parental capacity and capability to change.
Recognise and address behaviour that may indicate resistance to change, ambivalent or selective cooperation with services, and recognise when there is a need for immediate action, and what other steps can be taken to protect children.
Promote a strengths-based approach that builds effective relationships with children and families to elicit their needs and views and embed active participation in practice.
Gather the information and evidence to complete parenting assessments, presenting a clear analysis and a sound rationale for recommendations as well as any conclusions reached.
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including with children’s social worker and other external professionals from partner agencies.
Support families to access and partake in activities, e.g., group work, one-to-one direct work sessions, systemic family therapy.
Practice in a way which promotes equality and diversity within all areas of work. Adhere to all policies and procedures of Croydon Council.
Take responsibility for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance relating to the user group.
Attend meetings, both internally and externally, as required for the duration of the PLO.
Essential Requirements
We are looking for experienced Senior Practitioners, who also have:
Qualified Social Worker and up to date registered with Social Work England
Foundation level systemic practice qualification - desirable
Practice Educator or Practice Teacher qualification – desirable
Knowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children’s social care, and areas that impact on children’s social care.
Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards and procedures.
Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models and research findings.
Knowledge of models of reflective supervision that impact on practice and outcomes.
Able to maintain records that evidence our engagement with children and families, informs the quality assurance framework e.g., quantitative, qualitative and outcome information for the children and families, the views and experiences of children and families
Why Join Us
In Croydon, our Children's Services has an established Systemic Practice model, experienced leaders, and high support for practitioners. Croydon people and staff are diverse, and we celebrate difference through focus on anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families.
Our teams consist of experienced Social Workers at various levels
Join a highly diverse workforce
Reflective supervision is actively promoted and supported
The ethos at Croydon is very much about working together to make positive change
Caseloads of Social Workers are very manageable enabling managers to know children well & ensure high standards of practice
You will join an established team who can help you settle in and offer their expertise
Benefits
You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:
Highly competitive compensation package
Accredited Systemic Practice training
A range of CPD opportunities
29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more
A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%
Continuing Professional Development – genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career
Management development programmes
Investment into your wellbeing
Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more)
We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance.
Closing Date: Sunday 19th May at 11:59pm
Click here to view the Parenting Assessor/Senior Practitioner role profile
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced barring DBS check.
