Social Worker - Family Safeguarding

About Us

Here at West Sussex County Council, we are ambitious for our children and our workforce. We are committed to improving our services for the children and families in West Sussex we support. You will join us as at a key time on our improvement journey. The work we have started includes establishing a new and experienced senior leadership team, driving forward our 'Children First' improvement plan and implementing the Family Safeguarding Practice Model. You will be trained in motivational interviewing, to support our strengths-based approach to working with families and creating lasting change for children.

For further information about us and about working in Children's Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children's social work in West Sussex.

About The Job

Salary: £39,837 - £52,368 (market supplements included)

Working Pattern: Full-time, permanent (37 hours)

Location: Worthing

As of 01 February 2022, the first phase of our service redesign to move to the Family Safeguarding Model has begun. As such, our previous Family Support & Protection teams have become our Family Safeguarding teams. We're seeking dedicated and experienced Social Workers to join us across our locations of Horsham, Chichester, Burgess Hill, Bognor Regis or Crawley.

Family Safeguarding is a strengths-based model and a new way of working with families so that they can stay together, and children can remain safely at home. We will help families to identify what changes need to be made in their daily life and support them to achieve these.

Social Workers in our Family Safeguarding teams will undertake meaningful, evidence-based interventions that contribute to improved levels of engagement and safeguarding with parents and children. All of our current staff are currently undergoing training on the new model and motivational interview. You will work within a positive, nurturing environment where successes are celebrated and individuals within the team are supported to grow and develop.

Experience and Skills

Key Skills:

• Able to analyse and interpret complex information and data, prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
• Able to work proactively as a member of the team to make accurate assessments of needs and negotiate and implement effective outcomes.
• Able to work in partnership with carers, colleagues and external agencies to deliver an effective service.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral format, including the ability to explain complicated information to a wide range of people and use negotiation and persuasion skills to encourage others to adopt a course of action they may not wish to take.
• Able to recognise limits of own accountability and responsibility and seek appropriate support, advice and supervision.

Qualifications and/or experience:

• A recognised Social Work qualification e.g. Degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
• Completion of relevant post qualifying training.
• Evidence of at least two year's experience post qualification working in the UK within front line operational practice
• Registration with the relevant professional registration body and maintaining registration with that body.
• Knowledge of theoretical Social Work concepts and practices, with demonstrable examples of dealing with a breadth of complex issues and situations, for example, attachment, impact of developmental trauma and child development, motivational interviewing, relational practice, solution-focussed interventions and systemic working. A good understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in social work.
• Experience of effective partnership working and forming effective working relationships with individuals and colleagues, focusing on the needs and handling conflict and disagreement.
• Experience of effectively coaching and supervising others, acting as practice role model and promoting exemplary practice.
• Experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
• Readiness to work towards Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) qualification at Stage one or equivalent.
• Valid, full driving licence.

Rewards and Benefits

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE03802.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Karen Jenner at .

For issues or queries regarding your application please contact .