Social Workers - Children's Services
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
10/10/2024
Advert End Date:
03/11/2024 23:59
Salary:
£35,745 - £44,428 plus pending pay award
Allowances:
Annual Retention Payment
Job Category:
Social Work - Children Service
Employment Location:
Stockton-on-Tees
Number of posts:
Multiple
Further Information
- Can you help positively shape and develop the lives of children and their families in Stockton?
- Do you want to work in a social work team that is friendly, compassionate, positive and supportive?
- Would you like to join a council that invests in developing our Social Workers through a clear progression pathway?
Look no further, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has the perfect opportunity for you!
Our Children’s Services is focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our children and young people. We are dedicated to creating an environment where social work practice can thrive, where Social Workers are encouraged to be innovative and creative to ensure the services we offer to children and families help improve their lives.
We are currently recruiting qualified Social Workers for our Assessment Team, Children & Families Social Care Teams and Disabled Children's Team.
As a Social Worker in the Assessment team, you will be working in a fast-paced environment, providing short term help and support to families. Your focus will be to work with families to understand concerns regarding a child or young person’s safety or wellbeing, make an assessment of the risk and protective factors in the family, and decide on the most appropriate support.
As a Social Worker in the Children & Families Social Care teams, you will build longer term relationships with children and their families. In this varied role, you will be responding to, co-ordinating and delivering social care services to children, young people and their families for children who have a child in need plan or child protection plan, including those who may be involved in PLO and court proceedings.
As a Social Worker in the Disabled Children’s Team, you will work with children, their primary carers and families to support them within the family home as well as promoting opportunities for them to access the community and develop their independence. Social Workers within the Disabled Children’s team support children who have a disability and their families via Child in Need Plans, Child Protection Plans, PLO Pre-Proceedings and Care Proceedings and continue to support children in our care who have a disability. In this team you will also work with children and their families to support them via a short breaks package where suitable. You will work closely with colleagues in our SEND service with regards to Education, Health and Care Plans. The team also works closely with specialist partnership agencies and adult services to ensure children who have a disability are supported throughout their childhoods and have a smooth and positive transition into adulthood.
We will provide a nurturing environment where your practice will flourish to contribute to positive outcomes for our children, young people and their families. You will work within small friendly teams, have a manageable caseload, and be provided with strong learning resources. You will also receive extra personal support from an advanced practitioner, regular supervision, bespoke learning and development and excellent post-qualifying opportunities.
To be considered for interview, you will:
- Have a relevant social work qualification
- Be registered with Social Work England
- Have passed your ASYE year (please note we run a separate programme for newly qualified Social Workers through our NQSW Academy)
- Have compassion and an understanding of the needs of children and families
- Have knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance and practices
- Be an excellent communicator
We know and understand that being a social worker is hard work and challenging at times, that’s why we reward you with a very attractive employment offer and excellent benefits. Alongside regular supervision, access to training and shared learning, mental health and well-being support, we offer a wider range of benefits including:
- A career progression salary from £35,745 to £44,428
- £3,000 annual retention payment (paid monthly)
- 27 days annual leave per year rising to 32 with 5 years service. Ability to purchase additional leave is also available
- Generous Pension Scheme through the LGPS with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement
- Your SWE Registration paid for
- Access to a number of employee benefits including salary sacrifice Car Lease Scheme, discounts at high street and online retailers, employee assistance programme, physiotherapy and more.
If you would like an informal discussion about the Assessment Team roles before you apply, then please contact Louise Nixon, Service Lead - Childrens Response & Assessment by phone on 01642 526224 or via email on louise.nixon@stockton.gov.uk.
If you would like an informal discussion about the Children & Families Social Care Teams and Disabled Children's Team roles before you apply, then please contact Julie Allison, Service Lead - Children & Families by phone on 01642 527396 or via email on julie.allison@stockton.gov.uk.
We look forward to reading your application.