Social Worker FAST Family Assessment and Support Team Harrogate AreainNorthallertoninNorthallertonPUBLISHED WED 12 FEB 2025

Salary: From £37,To £41,511 per annum pro rata + relocation support

Grade: JK

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time/part time hours available

Location: Harrogate area, flexible working bases and hybrid working available

Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers, and networks. This will include children in need, children subject to child protection plans and those where public law proceedings are needed.

A good understanding of all these aspects of the legislation, practice and court process will be needed. In North Yorkshire Council we have an extensive training and learning offer and will support you in your continual professional development. This includes all aspects of our defined practice model, Systemic, signs of safety and family seeing/network training.

We have high aspirations for our young people and always strive to work collaboratively with children, young people, and their families, working strongly with the belief that each child and young person has a network around them which is essential to work alongside and tap into.

The role is very varied, no two days look the same for workers, one day you maybe completing words and pictures with a family or the next supporting a young person with complex needs and family circumstances. We work with all young people from birth to the age of 18 having strong links with other agencies externally and teams in North Yorkshire.

We are looking for Social Workers with at least two years post qualifying experience and a can do attitude who are child focussed, like to think outside of the box and are creative in their planning with children.

Be the change you trained to be.

About us

Job context

Childrens Social Care provide services which follow from specific legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004 as well as other Government guidance and policy. We are committed to providing good quality services to support children young people and their families. To work at all times in line with the Health and Care Professions Councils Code of Practice. Enhanced DBS check and Health and Care Professions Council registration required. This role involves spoken communications, so a confident use of English language is required

Job Purpose:

Hold and manage a caseload including Children in Need, Child Protection and Looked After Children as allocated by the Team Manager or Assistant Team Manager. The post holder will do this by undertaking assessments, formulating, monitoring and managing plans for children with multi agency partners to ensure good, timely outcomes for children.

Operational management:

Manage and prioritise cases as allocated by the line manager

Assess children and their familys needs and make appropriate recommendations for services to achieve agreed outcomes

Participate in the allocation of cases and accept cases allocated by the Team Manager commensurate with your level of experience.

Liaise with other agency professionals as necessary to fulfil the Directorates statutory duties and achieve best outcomes for children.

Fully engage in supervision and performance appraisal

Maintain good case records, write reports as required in line with departmental standards. Give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.

Partnerships:

Have a commitment to shared values and the common purpose of developing a culture of interagency working; including statutory bodies, third and private sector organisations

Ensure multi agency engagement in all assessment and planning processes

Plan and commission services and support for children, young people and their families.

Liaise with colleagues in own and other departments and external agencies in order to gather information relevant to assessment and care planning activities: organise and chair meetings as required.

Work with individuals or groups to develop individual potential.

Understand and support the role and value of families and carers as partners in supporting their children to achieve positive outcomes

Ensure all interventions serve to improve outcomes for children

Make key decisions in terms of case management based on observation and professional judgement: understanding their context in relation to behaviour, listen actively and respond to concerns

Evaluate situations, analyse and record them appropriately.

Grade K only: Act as supervisor to Social Work students on placement, including support, guidance, challenge and assessment

Strategic management:

Contribute to the planning and development of the Directorates services

Understand your own role, and the importance of providing care or support through transitional periods.

Identify transition points

Provide appropriate support and interventions

Communications:

Advise clients on the Directorates charging policies

Comply with Data Protection Legislation and the Access Request to Files Policy

Demonstrate good recording skills with the available technology

Liaise with staff of the Directorate and other agencies to effect decisions reached, and to participate in all necessary placement or review panels to ensure that service provision continues to be appropriate to service user needs and wishes.

Promote children, young people and their familys participation in decision making.

Ensure all work with children and families remains focused and meets the need of children

Use high level communication skills, including listening, building empathy, consultation and negotiation to ensure positive outcomes for children

Undertake preventative work with families in order to reduce the need for care or accommodation: support and assist families and extended families, to care for their children

Work with children and young people, families, carers and communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.

Develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families and carers: provide advice and support: help resolve conflict.

Systems and information:

Maintain case records, including computerised systems, in line with Directorate procedures.

Adhere to professional and organisational procedures on confidentiality and maintaining appropriate boundaries with service users and their families.

Safeguarding:

Complete assessments within timescales with children and their families, develop care plans and provide support for children and their families

Provide support and advice to carers and encourage the development and maintenance of appropriate support networks and services within individual homes or in the community

Take necessary statutory or other action in relation to the safety of children, including emergency situations, and liaison with other agencies as required in such cases.

Be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people that you are responsible for and come into contact with.

Investigate allegations of neglect, abuse or ill-treatment of children, in accordance with legislative requirements and child protection procedures; undertake assessments of risk and need; where appropriate, arrange accommodation for children and young people.

Apply for Child Assessment Orders and Emergency Protection Orders.

Prepare appropriate plans for children and young people, including arrangements for obtaining and implementing Court orders.