Social Worker (CAAS)
In this role you will champion the rights of our children and young people whilst ensuring our children and young people are supported and safeguarded. We are looking for a number of experienced and dynamic children’s social work practitioners to join our Contact Advice and Assessment Service (CAAS) as a Social Worker in the Assessment Team as the team is expanding.
You will be a vital enabler of improving outcomes for children, young people and their families. Working directly with our partner agencies and combining expertise to support our Family Safeguarding Model within our ‘front door’ of West Berkshire Children’s Services.
We want Social Workers that bring a comprehensive knowledge and skill-base to their work with children, young people and families. You must be driven and ambitious, both for yourself and for children, young people and families. You must also be an enthusiastic team player who understands the vital role of supportive teams.
The role
- Using professional knowledge to assess, monitor and review individual social care
needs of children, relatives and carers, in accordance with agreed competency and
quality standards and professional good practice. - Working in partnership with families, relatives and other professionals in relation to safely
managing risk with strong emphasis on relationship-based practice in a way which
recognises and builds on their strengths and keeps families together. - Effective caseload management that demonstrates clarity of assessment, professional
curiosity, reliability of information to evidence analysis and recommendations for realistic
action plans. - Ensuring the highest of professional standards and good overall knowledge of relevant
legislation, regulation and practice methods.
The ideal candidate would have the following skills and attributes:
- Recognised Social Work qualification
- Up to date registration with Social Work England
- Evidence of commitment to CPD
- Successful completion of Assessed and Supported Year in Employment
- Experience and evidence of identifying the needs of young people and establishing targeted programme to meet needs.
- Practical experience of applying assessment skills within statutory social work settings
- Knowledge of child protection, children in care and associated child in need social work practice issues and knowledge of methods of social work intervention.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, guidance and policies.
- Up to date knowledge of social work applications i.e. attachment theory, enabling change, behaviour and behaviour management.
Our offer to you
A competitive dalary alongside a range of benefits including:
- A golden hello payment of £3k after one year in post
- A retention payment of £2k after two years of service
- A further retention payment of £3k, plus a four week paid sabbatical after three years’ service
- Flexible Working: West Berkshire has adopted a Hybrid Working Policy, which allows employees to split their time between attending the workplace and working remotely
- Free Parking
- Social Work England registration fees reimbursed
- Dedicated employee wellbeing service
- Regular and high quality reflective supervision.
- Approachable and visible senior leadership
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave allowance, plus an additional 5 days leave after 5 years continuous local authority service
- Staff benefits and discount scheme
- Relocation package of up to £8000 for individuals moving from outside a 30 mile radius (subject to eligibility)
- Blue Light card fees reimbursed
About us
West Berkshire council is a forward thinking and ambitious council. We have a positive attitude to our work and focus on excellent teamwork to deliver award winning services for our residents and businesses.
We employ over 1,500 members of staff corporately, plus additional members of staff working across our local schools and education settings. We offer a wide array of opportunities for training and development and varied career progression opportunities.
Our staff support the delivery of a wide range of services on behalf of the Council. Ranging from garden waste collection, planning and roadworks to caring for those in our communities. Everything we do is focused on our priority for improvement and delivering our values of fairness, integrity and being customer focused.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Clare Fox, Team Manager CAAS (Assessment) or Karen Atalla, Service Manager (CAAS) on 01635 503190.
You can hear more about how we work at West Berkshire at https://info.westberks.gov.uk/cfsrecruitment.
How to Apply
Please complete an online application form.
Where possible please use Google Chrome as your preferred internet browser to complete your online application form. This system no longer supports the use of Internet Explorer as a browser which will cause issues when trying to submit your application.
This role requires the incumbent to have a car available at work to undertake his/her duties as they will be expected to undertake at least 1500 business miles per year. Essential Car User status attracts a lump sum allowance paid on a monthly basis as well as a free car parking space if he/she works at one of the Council’s corporate buildings.
This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2017; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.
West Berkshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share these values. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. Successful candidates will be offered employment subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Council https://info.westberks.gov.uk/pnapplications
