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Form of work
SalaryAs the first point of contact with children and families, our Social Workers in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Integrated Front Door can influence their entire journeys.
As a fast-moving service, everyone has a voice in relation to the development of the service and can make a difference to delivering the best outcomes for children and families. The MASH and Integrated Front Door team continues to develop practice and build strong relationships with a wide range of partner agencies. These include police, health and housing professionals who are co-located and working together to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.
We offer small practice teams of Social Workers managed by a Team Manager and supported by Child & Family Workers as well as additional flexible administrative support from Coordinators embedded within the service. For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
The Opportunity
As a Social Worker within the MASH and Integrated Front Door team, you will be working to deliver first class support to vulnerable children and young people. We are looking for emotionally intelligent, organised, resilient individuals who can evidence the value they could add to our team. You will be able to build positive working relationships with children and young people, professionals, partner agencies and carers as well as respectfully challenge when appropriate. You will have an excellent understanding of the statutory requirements relating to children looked after and keeping children safe.
About You
Some of the key skills and experience required for this role include:
- Analysis and interpretation of complex information and data to enable prioritisation and support in planning next steps.
- Work as part of a team and partnership with key stakeholders to assess needs and implement outcomes.
- Communicate effectively to all audiences, both written and orally and negotiated and persuade where necessary.
- recognised Social Work qualification e.g. Degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
- Completed relevant post qualifying training, have evidence of at least one year's experience post qualification and be registered with the relevant professional body.
- Knowledge of theoretical Social Work concepts and practices, with demonstrable examples of dealing with a breadth of complex issues and situations, for example, attachment, impact of developmental trauma and child development, motivational interviewing, relational practice, solution-focussed interventions and systemic working. A good understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in social work.
- Experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
- You will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes are available.
For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.
About Us
We are committed to improving our services for the children and families we support in West Sussex. In May 2023 Ofsted Inspectors praised West Sussex County Council's Children's Services for its 'relentless approach to improving practice,' giving the service an overall rating of 'requires improvement', with 'good' judgements for children in care and leadership and management. The judgements on children needing help and protection and children leaving care are they 'require improvement to be good'.
Inspectors recognised the 'strong, determined and cohesive leadership team' who have made significant improvements since 2019 and their commitment and focus to make further improvements.
For further information about us and about working in Children's Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children's social work in West Sussex .
Further Information
To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and Cover Letter. In your cover letter please outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.
Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.
