Address
Form of work
SalarySocial Workers x 2 – Children and Young People, South Lakes and Eden
Westmorland and Furness Council
Salary: £35,745 - £36,648
Hours: 37 Hours per week
Location: County Offices, Kendal, Craven House, Barrow-in-Furness
Contract: Permanent
The advertised salary includes a supplement (JWC) to the base grade of the post. JWC supplements are conditional on the physical demands and /or working conditions of the role
About this opportunity
A vacancy has arisen for a Social Worker to be based within the Children Looked After team South Lakes and Eden. We are looking for a motivated, hard-working, and dedicated person to join our team as a Social Worker; developing and delivering exceptional service to improve outcomes for our looked after children and young people, and those who care for them.
It is really important to us that Westmorland and Furness is a great place to be a child and grow up; a place of opportunity where young people are able to live happy and productive lives and a place where young people will want to live and work in the future.
We firmly believe that all children in our area deserve the best start in life, and we're looking for the right people to help make that happen.
You will be working with children who are currently looked after, making sure they have the right care plan in place to reach their potential, or alongside young people who are leaving or have left care, helping them to gain their independence. You will also be responsible for assessing children who are found to be seeking asylum. You will have a role in embedding Signs of Safety as an approach to working with children young people and those caring for them.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for Social Workers with a ‘can do’ attitude who are child focussed, like to think outside of the box and are creative in their planning with children. We are looking for people who share our vision and ambition and have the ability to inspire the trust and confidence of professionals across a range of agencies. We are keen recruit those who have successful experience in a similar role and those who have a good knowledge of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. If this sounds like you and you share our passion for the service, then apply today!
We recognise that social work can be a challenging job and if you are successful you will be working in a supportive working environment that is committed to your learning and career development.
Westmorland and Furness Council has a strong foundation of career progression and professional development to enable our employees to take up opportunities as they arise in their careers.We will provide you with coaching and mentoring in your professional development.
If this sounds like an opportunity you would be interested in, and you’re looking for a role where you can make a positive difference in the lives of children in Westmorland and Furness, then please apply today.
This role requires an enhanced DBS check with a Children’s and Adults Barred List check. Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children and Adults.
OUR OFFER TO YOU
- Genuine flexible working: family-friendly patterns such as flexible start/finish times and state of the art technology support, so you can spend some time working from home.
- Encouragement to take your TOIL back – we mean it!
- Our annual leave allowance isn’t bad either… 26 days per year, rising to 31 after four years’ service, alongside your yearly bank holiday leave, there should be plenty of time for rest and recuperation
- Manageable and Protected caseloads; We pride ourselves on giving our Social Workers the time and space they need to create meaningful relationships with families to get the best outcomes for children and young people we are working alongside.
- Supervision; Our strengthened supervision policy supports you to build a trusting relationship with your team manager.
- We have a permanent and stable management team. You will have easy and regular access to the Senior Leadership Team.
- We pay your Social Work England registration fee
- Career development; get your ASYE year under your belt and automatically move to the next pay grade.
- The Local Government Pension Scheme provides you with a secure future income, independent of share prices and stock market fluctuations. The council pays, on average, twice as much into your pension as you do and regular cost of living increases
- Child Care vouchers, Cycle to work scheme, free eye tests, car loans, car lease and so much more.
There to give you a helping hand - Specialist Inhouse Support
We have some unique teams that can offer specialist support to you in your role or create a great range of career paths and opportunities.
The Complex Safeguarding team; a team of child exploitation practitioners who support the child and young people on a one to one basis in our area who are at risk of exploitation and those children and young people who frequently go missing, making sure safety plans are developed and
Family Resilience Team; a team of family resilience practitioners providing intensive support day, evening and weekend wrap around to families we are working with who may be experiencing really difficult times.
Family and Assessment Team; a team of child and family workers who ensure family time is supported for those children unable to live with their parents, work is completed with parents as well as undertaking specialist assessment work such as parenting assessments, PAMS assessments and Ability to Protect assessments.
Family Group Conferencing Team; a team of practitioners who manage our most complex family group conferences
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Team; delivering therapeutic life story work to the children and young people who require it and supporting Social Workers in their work with children who have experienced trauma.
If you are interested in what you have read and would like to have an informal discussion please contact jean.mawdsley@cumbria.gov.uk
Alternatively you can apply by using our application form which is available through the link below.
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 7th April 2024
Interview date: 18th April 2024
We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss.
If you are invited to a virtual interview, this will preferably be undertaken using the Microsoft Teams software, which is currently free for new users, however if there are any issues with accessing this technology, we are happy to discuss alternative arrangements prior to the interviews.
Safer Recruitment
At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all employees, volunteers and the Externally Provided Workforce (EPWs) to share this commitment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
Please read the Supporting Information:
Post Specification
Role Profile
