Job Description

About Us

As a Children\'s Social Worker you will be at the forefront of assessing need and risk for vulnerable children and their families. You will be responsible for achieving positive change and improved outcomes by undertaking high quality assessments, care planning and, as appropriate, child protection investigations to prevent the separation of children from their families where possible. You will ensure that children and young people are adequately protected in line with our policies, procedures and relevant legislation.

About The Job

Salary: NJC Grade 10 -12 \xc2\xa339,837 - \xc2\xa352,368 (market supplements included)

This is calculated as \xc2\xa332,300 to \xc2\xa342,460 market supplements included pro rata for 30 hours per week

Working Pattern: Part Time - 30 Hours Per week
Contract Length: Permanent
Location: Bognor Regis Area

As a Social Worker within the Fostering Support Team, you will have excellent interpersonal and assessment skills and be confident in providing analysis on complex situations including matters pertaining to safeguarding and safe care. You will have a good understanding of what it takes to be a foster carer and an appreciation for both how challenging and rewarding the role can be. A good working knowledge of Attachment, the impact of developmental trauma on children and families and the application of therapeutic parenting will all be required in the role.

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 one year\'s experience post qualification.
• 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 antiracist 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

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:

• A competitive salary
• A generous pension scheme
• Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
• Flexible working
• A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers with the opportunity to save over \xc2\xa31,000 (Including: Argos, Samsung, Asos, B&Q and many more)
• Free access to employee assistance programmes
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
• A range of commuting and business travel discounts and initiatives

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our page.

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