Newly Qualified Social Worker - Children Services

Job Description

Job overviewChildrens Services at Haringey Council is a supportive, innovative and Outstanding department. Our ASYE Academy builds on these strengths, providing newly qualified social workers with excellent opportunities to learn and develop their knowledge and skills.Through our ASYE Academy, Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) are supported to create a firm foundation to their social work careers.Successful applicants will receive training and support from our Workforce Development Team and ASYE Academy. They will also receive regular group, 1:1 and critical reflective supervision.We are particularly interested in enthusiastic and skilled NQSWs, with relevant prequalifying experience, for the following teams.Children in NeedChildren Looked AfterIndependent Futures (service for care experienced young people)Disabled Childrens TeamMain duties of the jobYou will have qualified within the last 24-months and so be eligible for the national ASYE programme. If you qualified more than 24-months ago, please consider applying for one of our other social work roles.As a Children and Family Social Worker you will bring experience of assessing risk and making plans to safeguard and care for children. Additionally, you will be responsible for progressing plans for sustainable change with families, stepping up to careproceedings or stepping down to targeted services where necessary, ensuring plans for all children are in place that provide for their safety, stability and permanency. You will understand the impact of trauma on children and their families and implicationsfor their ongoing needs.Motivational interviewing (MI) skills are the cornerstone of social work practice in the Children Services in Islington. To help us select the best candidates, Islington have developed a two-stage interview process. The first stage is a role play that providesan opportunity to test out applicants MI compatibility. Candidates are not required to have advanced MI skills, rather we are seeking to identify those who have the capacity to learn and develop these skills with the advanced training and feedback. Furtherdetails will be provided to all candidates who are shortlisted and offered an interview. Applicants to the ASYE Academy will also undertake a written exercise as part of the ASYE Assessment Centre.Responsibilities:

• Manage the specific set of tasks relating to statutory case responsibility for children in need of help and protection and in public care, with the support of an appropriately qualified supervisor:
• Build a working relationship with the child, family or carers to decide the best way to keep children and young people safe and bring about change ensuring that child protection is always prioritised. Observe and talk to child in their environment to helpunderstand their physical and emotional world.
• Identify and analyse risks and protective factors and potential impact on the child and parental capacity. Consider how impact of traumatic experiences affect the current everyday functioning and long-term development and dynamics. Set out the most relevantoptions for resolving the difficulties facing each child.
• Work intensively with the child, their families and carer using evidenced-based skills- based approaches in direct work helping them to identify goals and bring about meaningful and sustainable change.
• Review and scrutinise regularly whether the help provided is making a difference to reduce risk and adjust the plan accordingly.
• Report risk through the line management structure, where relevant. Use supervision reflectively to discuss, debate and test hypotheses about what is happening in examining your cases. Explore not only the presenting issues but the underlying causes of risksand needs. Invest in shaping your supervision to improve your case practice and help you develop your competence and confidence as a practitioner and within your role. Engage in continuous self-evaluation of case practice through self-reflection and consultationand explore your limitations.
• Use case recording to extend your understanding of the case and inform analysis and decision-making. Show accountability for the help being provided by producing written case notes and reports, which are well argued, focused and jargon free. Present a clearanalysis and a sound rationale for actions as well as any conclusions reached, so that all parties are well informed.
• Maintain effective working relationships with peers, managers and leaders both within the profession, throughout multi-agency partnerships and public bodies, including the family courts.

Benefits:

• Retention bonus, Zone 1-2 Travel Card
• Protected case load
• Specially designed core training package
• Professional development opportunities
• Regular reflective supervision, practice evaluation
• Local Government Pension Scheme and generous holidays
• Flexible working arrangements
• An experienced management team
• And a great working location in Haringey.

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role here, or for more info on this or any other Qualified Social Work opportunities in Haringey contact Phil Puaca at Ackerman Pierce recruitment agency.