Senior Social Worker - Req24424

There is an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker to join The Safe Project in a full time, permanent position. 

The Safe Project is based at the Youth Justice Centre and provides a city-wide service to young people who are at risk or, or experiencing child exploitation. 

This role will also include consultation and support around Harmful Sexual Behaviour.

The team works closely with partner agencies including CSWS, police and third sector organisations.

Why might you want to come and join us?

• We are a committed and creative team
• We build strong relationships and work in a trauma informed way with children at risk of criminal and/or sexual exploitation.
• Opportunity to really get to know and spend time with your young people and their families
• Space to undertake lots of direct and creative work
• A role in running groups and undertaking case consultations, training and briefings
• Ongoing training and professional development

What are we looking for?

• An enthusiastic, committed and confident Social Worker
• Someone who can work in a creative, flexible and intensive way
• Someone who is organised and efficient.
• Someone who enjoys and has experience of offering direct work to young people
• Someone who has a working knowledge of child exploitation.
• Someone who is passionate about working with and advocating for children

A bit more about us….

• We work with all genders and backgrounds so welcome applicants who represent diversity within the workforce.
• With the risk of serious youth violence in Leeds we work with children linked to urban street gangs and criminal exploitation. This is an evolving area of risk and requires development and creativity.
• This role will support the HSB Coordinator’s work and will include learning and opportunities to build expertise within HSB.
• The role will include attending various meetings and supporting best practice across the city.

To learn more about this position please contact team manager Rebecca Mauganai or SDM David Gammage either by phone or email.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose: Under the general direction of a Team Manager to provide a high quality and comprehensive social work service to children, their families, and carers, in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines. To Develop relationships with children, young people, and families/carers so as to best provide a high-quality service, Honour commitments, and demonstrate accountability.   The work will be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager. This may include elements of co-working more challenging/complex casework.  

The post holder must at all times carry out the responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures,  and also within the Social Work England Code of Practice. 

Responsibilities: 

Responsible for a caseload which includes the assessment of needs and management of risk regarding children, their families, and carers.  

Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required and if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.   

Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.  Supervise students. 

Carry a caseload and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.    

On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a child focused approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in line with procedures. 

Responsible for analysing information to support the on-going needs of users, their families, and carers. 

Monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in accordance with directorate procedures 

Use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm. 

Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.   

Maintain and update case notes and other records and write reports as required. 

Work directly with children and young people to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views. 

Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection. 

Comply with relevant governance, policy, and procedures 

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic, and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users. 

Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities. 

Responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies, and procedures. 

Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility. 

Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required. 

Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi-agency meetings in line with procedures. 

Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met. 

Work to and within the prescribed knowledge and skill statement (Child & Family Social Work 2014) 

Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal. 

Carry out the role and responsibilities of key worker for a caseload which will include statutory work 

Undertake assessment, planning and reviewing of work concerning children in need, children subject to child protection plans and children who are looked after in care. 

Working restoratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families, and carers to achieve positive outcomes. 

Participate in arrangements to receive, screen, and respond to requests for service and referrals   

Work with children and young people, families, and carers to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning 

Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders  

Plan and commission services and support for children, young people, and their families 

Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations. 

Undertake preventative work with families in order to reduce the need for children to become looked after in care. 

Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings.  

Carry out the Practice Educator Level 1 role  

Promote the right to advocacy to all children and young people on their caseload and offer full information on how to make complaints. 

Being available for young people to contact and respond to phone calls/call them back promptly. 

Make young people aware of whom they can contact outside office hours. 

Flexible working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings. 

Work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with other colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers, and other agencies. 

Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade   

Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills 

To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes. 

To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice. 

Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested. 

Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person 

Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.  

Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures. 

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters. 

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post. 

Qualifications Appropriate professional qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with Social Work England upon commencement in post and maintain registration.  The post holder should have achieved or commenced the Practice Educator Level 1 qualification after 2 years post qualification but within an agreed timescale starting in this post 

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION  

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements 

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate 

Skills Required 

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.   
• Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise, and evaluate work with users    
• Able to plan, prioritise and time manage own workload. 
• Able to communicate and pass information effectively, accurately, and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers, and colleagues 
• Able to engage individuals, families, carers, and workers from other agencies   
• Able to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change 
• Able to devise and implement service and support plans  
• Able to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person-centred approach 
• Able to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure 
• Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology 
• Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate. 
• Able to make proactive use of Supervision to reflect critically on practice and explore different approaches to work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability. 
• Ability to chair routine or less complex meetings  
• Able to work and engage with children and young people and use their views to inform assessments, plans and interventions. 

Knowledge Required 

• Appropriate social work professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent) 
• Registration with Social Work England 
• Of the range of theories and models for Social Work intervention with individuals, families, groups, and communities. 
• Of relevant legislation appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds 
• Awareness of the broad range of factors that impact on service users and families e.g., drugs, alcohol domestic violence 
• Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies. 
• Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet, and Email,  
• Of current, trends, policies, legislation, and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families, and carers as appropriate. 
• Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities. 
• Report Writing and Communications Skills 
• Completion of NQSW programme or the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) 

Experience Required 

• Of implementing a person centred/child focused approach 
• Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems 
• Of advocacy and user involvement. 
• Of using initiative and a commitment to develop services 
• Of use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning 
• Of producing records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function 
• Of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments  
• Of using supervision effectively 
• Minimum of 12 months post qualification experience of working in a statutory setting 
• Of devising, implementing, and reviewing support plans 

Behavioural & other Characteristics required 

• Registration with Social Work England upon commencement in post and maintain registration. 
• Committed to continuous improvement 
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy 
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the council's Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy  
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development 
• Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role.  Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.   

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate 

Skills Required 

Possession of a full current driving licence 

Knowledge Required 

Of the range of services available to Service users, families, and carers 

Experience Required 

Of working with a wide range of Service user groups