Job Title: Social Worker - PQ Award
Team: Children's Transitions
Office Base: The Portal, Ellesmere Port
Hours: 37 hours per week
Grade: 10
Responsible To: Team Manager
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Social Worker to join the Children's Transitions Team. This team provides a statutory social work service to vulnerable disabled young people across the Cheshire West borough, supporting their transition into adulthood and adult social care.
Job Purpose
Within the framework of legislation and council policies and procedures, you will work with or on behalf of children, young people, and their families to improve well-being and promote independence.
Principal Responsibilities
- Assess the needs of children and young people requiring social work services, including identifying risks and protection needs. Develop, coordinate, and deliver multi-agency plans to meet assessed needs, ensuring regular reviews.
- Identify unmet needs and gaps in service provision to inform resource allocation and service development.
- Engage other professionals, statutory bodies, and voluntary agencies in delivering services as per assessment outcomes.
- Manage an allocated workload within a team setting.
- Comply with statutory obligations and departmental policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on the Integrated Children s System (ICS).
- Prepare for and participate in professional supervision sessions, staff meetings, and training opportunities.
- Contribute to service evaluation and development by sharing knowledge and best practices with colleagues, professional groups, and stakeholders.
- Provide professional support to newly qualified and less experienced social work staff to help develop their knowledge and skills.
Flexible Working
This role follows a flexible working style, meaning work will take place at the most effective locations and times, considering the needs of tasks, customers, the individual, and the team. As many services and customers are spread across the Borough, you may be required to work at any location within Cheshire West and Chester.
Qualifications
- CQSW/Dip SW or equivalent (Essential)
- PQ Child Care Award/BAAF Award (Essential)
Experience
Essential:
- Experience in child care, particularly with looked-after children
- Experience assessing/supporting adopters and carers
- Experience of mentoring
- Experience working with looked-after children
- Experience planning and delivering support for carers
- Knowledge of information systems
Desirable:
- Experience in a statutory agency
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary area
- Competency-based assessments
- Planning and delivering training
- Supervision of staff
Job-Related Knowledge
Essential:
- Legal framework: Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004, Adoption Regulations, and National Minimum Standards for Adoption
- Care planning processes
- Valuing diversity
Desirable:
- Knowledge of assessment and care planning for children in need
- Knowledge and experience in assessing adopters/carers
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to adapt positively to change in social work
- Effective engagement with service users
- Planning and caseload management
- Ability to work autonomously and take initiative
- Effective time management
- Strong partnership working with colleagues and agencies
- Proven experience in interagency/multi-disciplinary collaboration
Desirable:
- Presentation skills
- Aptitude for new technology and IT systems
- Positive personal stress management
- Commitment to teamwork
Other Requirements
Essential:
- Enhanced DBS (including Children s/Adults Barred List)
- HCPC Registration
- Self-motivation and enthusiasm
- Willingness to work irregular and unsocial hours as required
- Ability to travel across Cheshire
Desirable:
- A sense of humour
- Tolerance
- Energy
Competencies
- Customer First Level 3
- Best Practice Level 3
- Value for Money Level 3
- Leadership Level 3
Why Work with We Do Social Work?
- Faster Pay service to ensure quicker payment processing.
- Twice-weekly payroll for financial flexibility.
- Free DBS and compliance service.
- Dedicated consultant with extensive social work knowledge.
- Access to a wide range of social work opportunities across the UK.
Referral & Bonus Scheme
- Refer a Friend Bonus Earn £250 for every successful referral.
- Find Your Own Job Bonus Receive £250 when you bring your own role to us.
To apply or find out more, please contact (url removed).
Terms and conditions apply. We Do Social Work is an equal opportunities employer and operates as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.