Social Worker - Adoption Team, Mid Essex

Social Worker - Adoption Team, Mid Essex

Permanent, Full Time

£34,712 to £46,751 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 28th January 2024

Interview Date: 5th February 2024

The Team
This is an exciting opportunity to join an established team of Social Workers who co-ordinate, undertake and support assessment of suitable adoptive households and seek to identify suitable adoptive placement for children whose care plans are one of adoption. The team is based in Chelmsford however the adoption agency covers the county and therefore we support colleagues in our neighbouring quadrant teams when required.

The Role

· To act as a role model and source of professional expertise in relation to current best practice in adoption.

· To uphold statutory requirements of both adoption and children's legislation, plus any Departmental requirements

· To participate in team meetings and to attend any other meetings as required, including wider agency/departmental meetings

· To attend relevant children's reviews and adoption planning meetings when required by the team manager (with the exception of Recruitment and Post Adoption)

· To lead and contribute to training courses when required

· To ensure both the safety and best interests of children are paramount and that child protection procedures are followed

· To be accountable for working cases and to undertake direct work with children as requested by the team manager to include assessments of children, and any siblings

· To undertake the assessment of prospective adopters (with the exception of Recruitment Team and Post Adoption), support approved adopters through introductions and the placement of a child through to the making of an adoption order

· To maintain an up to date record of activity on case files in line with the department case recording policy, produce reports, attend court and give verbal presentations to the Adoption Panel as required

· To participate in case discussions, Strategy Meetings, Legal Case discussions, Child Protection Conferences and Statutory Reviews.

· To work effectively with other child care Social Workers to ensure that children are placed for adoption with the minimum of delay

· To promote and comply with Safeguarding procedures

· Record details of assessments on the system; collate cohort and trend data, monitor outcomes and respond to data requests.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

· A recognised social work qualification i.e. Diploma, degree or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.

· Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.

· Experience within a social work setting with evidence of challenging social and family situations.

· Strong communication skills and an ability to develop a rapport and engage with diverse groups of individuals.

· Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community, to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and families.

· Understand delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.

· Evidence of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

If you're ready to contribute to creating a brighter future for children and families, apply now! Join us in a rewarding journey where your skills and passion will make a lasting impact.

To read more about us please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our 'No Magic' Children & Families video

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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