To act as a lead professional responsible for delivering a statutory social work service to those people who access or need the service.

Transcription

1 Senior Social Worker Children s Social Care Role Profile: Grade: Grade 11 Accountable to: Accountable for: Senior Social Worker Practice Manager A small team Role Context & Purpose Job Category: Customer Service Core To act as a lead professional responsible for delivering a statutory social work service to those people who access or need the service. Acting mainly autonomously, demonstrate expert and effective practice in complex situations, assessing and managing higher levels of risk, striking a balance between support and control, liaising with a wide range of professionals, including more senior levels. Manage complex caseloads and offer expert opinion within the organisation and to others. Chair a range of meetings, offer expert support to case conferences and produce high quality assessments and reports for a range of functions. The role holder will be required to model good practice and set expectations for others. Take shared responsibility and be accountable for the practice of others, mentoring newly qualified social workers and supervising the work of junior or non-qualified staff. Undertake capacity-building with individuals, families, communities, user groups and voluntary organisations and contribute their views on service provision to commissioners. Work within organisational, policy and legislative requirements. Key Accountabilities The specific accountabilities of this flexible role may alter from time to time in order to meet the needs of those people who access or need the service/the business, but accountabilities will include (or be equivalent in nature to) those listed below: Act as a lead senior professional representative for the service by working with a focus on ensuring the effective delivery of services to those people who access or need the service, acting with integrity, professionalism and respect on behalf of the organisation, ensuring at all times that the needs of individuals and the business are paramount. Manage and advise on complex cases within a specialist area including: working alongside many other agencies, dealing with complex family dynamics, safeguarding, managing complex risk levels and dealing with legal issues. This will include effectively leading on the most efficient use of resources to produce the appropriate outcomes. Deliver an effective service and operate in accordance with the appropriate National Occupational Standards for Social Work and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

2 Act on any allegation or suspicions of abuse or potential abuse of a vulnerable person. Follow County Council procedures and contribute and lead on Safeguarding Investigations and child protection planning where appropriate. Ensure the accurate and timely reporting of issues and ensure correct procedures are followed. Chair a range of meetings, offer expert support to case conferences and produce high quality assessments and reports for a range of functions to ensure that the identified social care needs of children, young people and their families are met effectively and within available resources. Contribute to the regular monitoring and review of services established to facilitate service improvement. Lead on initiatives and development work as required. Represent the service at events and meetings with external agencies, making commitments as directed and agreed. Develop effective working relationships and communicate effectively with those people who access or need the service, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals in order to deliver the appropriate interventions and service delivery. Use professional knowledge on more complex cases to negotiate with and on behalf of those people who access or need the service and with a wide range of providers and other professionals. Lead decision making on behalf of junior colleagues and advise them on how to proceed. Professionally supervise, co-work, advise and mentor less experienced or nonprofessionally qualified staff on casework and provision of care services, making sure that staff act in accordance with procedures and good practice, assisting in the development of staff and in the timely provision of services. Take responsibility for own development using relevant practice research, legislation, peer/user feedback and participative supervision and appraisal processes to facilitate social work progression. Prepare for, attend, contribute and participate fully in personal supervision. Ensure effective implementation of department policies and procedures in line with statutory responsibilities. Suggest reviews for policy developments and when appropriate contribute to reviews of policies and procedures. Maintain accurate records of all work undertaken and produce case reports and correspondence for a variety of audiences including meetings, conferences, court, panels and other agencies. Monitor colleagues record keeping as part of informal supervision. Responsible for proposing complex interventions taking into consideration both the needs of the individual and the effective use of resources. Responsible for expenditures from an agreed budget when appropriate. E.g. making necessary purchases in relation to situations arising with people who access or need the service such as commissioning respite care.

3 Responsible for the care of, accuracy, confidentiality, security and maintenance of all individuals records and related manual and/or computerised information, including highly sensitive and confidential adult/child protection issues. Remain up to date and compliant with all relevant legislation and adhere to organisational procedures, policies and professional codes of conduct in order to uphold a high quality seamless service. Identify own continuing professional development needs and strive to meet these. Equalities - Supports equality and diversity and respects anyone in contact with, working for and using the services provided by West Sussex County Council regardless of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic origin. Role Demands Initiative Anticipates problems and makes frequent informed decisions, particularly in relation to service provision, complex casework, partnership building and safeguarding investigations. The job requires the individual to concentrate over lengthy periods in order to manage casework and support junior colleagues. The work will involve regular exposure to people who access or need the service and/or subject matter which may place significant emotional demands on the postholder for example significant work involving dealing with highly complex social work cases and leading on safeguarding investigations. The role could also involve exposure to challenging behaviour from people who access or need the service. There will be some requirement to work flexibly out of office hours to assist customers, carers and families. Postholders will be required to undertake post qualifying training and maintain records of training in line with HCPC requirements. The role requires the postholder to be able to travel throughout the County including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport. Postholders will be required to undertake post qualifying training and maintain records of training in line with HCPC requirements and to demonstrate practice in Social Work in line with the Professional Capabilities Framework Experienced Level, as defined by the College of Social Work.

4 Senior Social Worker Person Specification This section outlines the key criteria that must be addressed when submitting an application for employment or registering with West Sussex Futures as shortlisting for interview will be based on information supplied here. Level of Knowledge Relevant advanced theoretical Social Work concepts and practices and detailed organisational knowledge relating to the provision of a professional Social Work service dealing with very complex issues, for example, attachment, impact of developmental trauma, child development. Detailed knowledge of the wider Social Work legislation, organisational policies practices and procedures. Good, up-to-date knowledge of legislation relevant to the specialist area of the post, for example, Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act 2004, Working Together 2013, Fostering regulations and standards, Public Law Outline. Advanced understanding of the therapeutic interventions that can be used, for example, solution focused, systemic and evidence based programmes. An excellent understanding of the partnership agencies including health, housing, learning, statutory, voluntary and independent sector. Knowledge of management strategies in order to confidently manage internal and external issues. Qualifications and Professional Membership A recognised professional Social Work qualification, for example, Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the HCPC. A recognised post qualifying award in Social Work or demonstrable evidence of continuous professional development as a Registered Social Worker (HCPC) at a similar level. Registration with the HCPC and responsibility for maintaining registration. Full Practice Educator qualification at stage two or equivalent (or willingness to work towards achievement). Valid, full driving licence. Experience Demonstrable evidence of providing focused, timely, sound and accurate advice and guidance and working through very complex casework.

5 Experience of making a significant contribution to delivering and implementing change within families. Experience of effective partnership working with those who access or need the service and maintaining a focus on the needs of the individual whilst handling conflict and disagreement. Experience of effectively coaching and supervising others. Experience of maintaining and developing effective working relationships within a multi-agency/multidisciplinary setting with evidence of influencing change. Experience of writing reports using an evidence based approach. Skills Key skill 1 Able to communicate clearly and effectively to explain complicated information, in ways that promote understanding, to a wide range of people, including using negotiation and a skilful use of authority to persuade others of the need to adopt a particular course of action that they may not otherwise wish to take. Key skill 2 Ability to diagnose, research, analyse and interpret complex or technical information to make effective assessment and analysis and robust professional judgments, which employ high level interventions, achieve change that can be evidenced, evaluated and links theory to practice. Key skill 3 Outcome focused with the ability to assess and analyse risk within a context of complexity and uncertainty, providing forward thinking strategies and solutions that consider a variety of possible options to achieve desired outcomes. Key skill 4 Ability to think creatively, innovatively and laterally and to respond to changing situations in a measured, flexible and proportionate manner adapting the advice or service provided as required. Key skill 5 Able to manage self, is self-aware and understands impact of work on self and others and responds constructively to situations. Understanding the need for emotional intelligence/resilience, specifically in relation to risk, ensuring that there is a positive balance between perceived risk and protection from harm where necessary. Ability to respond calmly and appropriately to situations where others are in a stressful or anxious situation. Key skill 6 Ability to lead and supervise others, provide coaching and mentoring as appropriate. Acting as a practice role model and promoting exemplary practice. Able to reflect on practice and learn from experience to take responsibility for own performance and to be proactive in relation to own work and professional development.

6 Ability to promote and encourage the participation, engagement and involvement of children, young people and families in their care and service delivery. Ability to engage directly with children, young people and families, employing therapeutic approaches and a range of interventions to facilitate behavioural change, that can be evidenced and evaluated, linking theory to practice. Able to reflect on practice and learn from experience and feedback, taking responsibility for own performance and being proactive in relation to own work and professional development. Ability to work proactively as a member of the team including working together with others internally or in external multiagency settings. Understanding others priorities and able to negotiate, influence, deal with conflict and resolve difficulties. Ability to analyse and interpret people related information and data in order to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision. Ability to maintain clear, accurate records of all work undertaken and produce case reports and correspondence for a variety of audiences including meetings, conferences, Court panels and other agencies. Ability to be proactive in having up-to-date knowledge and understanding of changes in legislation, white papers, current research and best practice developments. Remain up-to-date with key legislation and apply legislative requirements within social work practice. Ability to prioritise and manage own workload and competitive demands. Sound and accurate ICT and keyboard skills. West Sussex Behaviours This section will be assessed when a candidate is successful at securing an interview, and for continued development at Performance and Development Reviews. (The West Sussex Behaviours are not required to be addressed at application.) We expect everyone in the Council to demonstrate the West Sussex Behaviours, regardless of grade, level or role. They describe how we work with our customers, colleagues and partners. Further information on the West Sussex Behaviours can be found on the West Sussex County Council website.