Senior Social Worker - Children's Services, Referral & Assessment Team

Senior Social Worker - Children's Services, Referral & Assessment Team

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £47,420.00 - £48,474.00 + £3,000 Market Supplement from April 2024
Location: Shute End, Wokingham
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 19/02/2024 at 23:00
Reference: 710785

Wokingham Children’s Services are looking to recruit a Senior Social Worker in the Referral & Assessment Team on a Permanent Basis.

The Referral and Assessment Team is a fast-paced team that works closely with the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, Early Help Service and the long term social work teams within Children’s services. 

As a Senior Social Worker in the Referral & Assessment Team you will speak to children and their families and other involved professionals to complete assessments which will identify relevant support needed in a timely manner.

The goal of the Referral & Assessment team is to work in partnership with children and the important people in their lives to understand more about the support families may need to safely and effectively parent. Our aim is to identify where this support can be obtained, be that through further social work support alongside a family’s naturally connected networks or other community-based services.

Your work will include single assessments, child protection enquiries, can include court proceedings work including applications in care proceedings and section 7 reports. 

The Senior Social Worker role

You will work as part of a dynamic and fast paced team and be able to demonstrate the ability to multi-task, work collaboratively with stakeholders, and exhibit resilience. The right candidate will work effectively with colleagues alongside representatives from partner agencies, to ensure the child’s voice is evident throughout the work completed.

You will need to have great inter-personal skills, excellent recording skills, and a sound knowledge of children’s legislation and thresholds.

The Referral & Assessment Team are currently working in a hybrid capacity, with our Social Workers combining a regular routine of working in the office, working from home, and working within the community. 

Social Workers in Wokingham are highly valued for the important and challenging work they undertake and will find an environment where their learning and development is promoted and supported. We welcome creative individuals who are keen to make a difference by finding supportive solutions for our most vulnerable children. We work within the Signs of Safety framework to achieve collaborative and positive outcomes for all our families.

The Social Workers in our Referral and Assessment Team benefit from regular in-depth supervision, supportive peers and an energetic team spirit. Our Principal Social Worker and Practice Consultants work closely with our teams to ensure developmental milestones are regularly met and exceeded.

What we can offer you:-

• £3,000 Market Supplement from April 2024
• Manageable caseloads and supportive management
• Excellent Learning & Development and Career Progression programme
• Generous Annual Leave allowance (minimum of 28 days; with additional days added according to seniority and length of continuous service)
• Flexible working environment
• Enhanced Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A number of discount and benefit schemes locally and nationally

For more information or an informal discussion about the role please contact either Team Manager, Alison Miller at alison.miller@wokingham.gov.uk or Recruitment & Retention Specialist, Alix Williams at alix.williams@wokingham.gov.uk

This vacancy will close: 19^th February 2024

Interviews will take place: 1^st March

We hold the right to close this vacancy early in response to applications received.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

WBC is an equal opportunities employer.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Further information on this vacancy

• Candidate briefing note - Competency Based Interview
• Competency Framework
• Job Description R&A SSW