Job Description

Consultant Social Worker - Family Safeguarding Team

We are looking to recruit a Senior Social Worker within a Family Safeguarding Team within the Social Care industry in Somerset County Council. The successful candidate will be working in a well-structured, organised team who are growing their social worker staffing levels.

Responsibilities include:

• Act as the lead professional for the more complex cases and offer high level professional and statutory advice to other Social Workers.
• Undertake advanced assessments including court reports, child permanence records (CPRs) providing detailed outcome focused analysis of the main issues including risk and needs in relation to service users and carers so that, within relevant legislation, appropriate action is taken, monitored, and reviewed effectively. Specific responsibilities and duties relate to Permanence, Child Protection, legal work, Children Looked After, Fostering and Adoption.
• Represent the service in legal proceedings.
• Operate with a significant degree of professional independence and demonstrate competence through CPD and achievement of appropriate post qualification awards.
• Manage a workload within the designated function of complex and challenging cases with knowledge, skills and sensitivity or cases of sufficient risk and profile to warrant an experienced worker to work solely on it.
• Have an increased level of autonomy and decision making, based on experience and knowledge. Will report to the relevant manager on the progress of these cases
• Chair appropriate meetings including strategy discussions, to ensure the effective review of plans and make any necessary amendments to ensure the quality of care required. Will be expected to identify and specify the need for immediate and future changes to improve practice wherever necessary.
• Able to model and facilitate reflective practice.
• Maintain performance and develop practice and expertise in line with personal targets as agreed through supervision and annual review.
• Contribute to the achievement of Key Performance Indicators identified through service planning.
• Work to the prescribed quality standards for service provision set out by the service for all workers and participate as required in any review of quality standards or professional practice in the postholders area of expertise

To be successful:

For this role you will need to be a Qualified Social Worker with a HCPC Registration and educated to Degree Level. Candidates will need to have an excellent knowledge of therapeutic approaches, relevant legislation, national policy and initiatives and experience working with Children and Families. You will also need to have the Eligibility to Work in the UK with previous experience within a Children's Safeguarding or Children Safeguarding Team.

Benefits of Working for Somerset Council:

Our client cares about their staff, recognise the importance of training and development and support our social workers to reach their full potential. They have a clear Workforce Development Strategy, with opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Why Choose Ackerman Pierce?

Ackerman Pierce calls upon over 15 years' worth of experience in recruiting directly into the Social Work Sector. We can offer a unique experience within recruitment where you have your own personal consultant, a DBS and Compliance service with a quick and easy registration process. We pride ourselves on a guaranteed weekly payment process.

To discuss this Qualified Social Worker, Family Safeguarding Team or any further vacancies we have in Somerset County Council, please contact Harry Bannister on (phone number removed) or and send in your updated CV today!