Social Worker Level 2 (Children in Care Team)

Job Introduction

Job Title: Social Worker Level 2 (Children in Care team)

Salary: £39,152 - £42,839 Pay Award Pending plus 7% attraction and retention payment.

Location: North Hykeham, Lincoln.

Closing date: 2nd August

Interviews: 13th August

We are looking for Experienced Social Workers to join our Children in Care Team in North Hykeham.

Passionate Social Workers Required across Lincolnshire

Are you an experienced Social Worker passionate about advocating for others? Do you believe that “Putting Children First” is the key to successful outcomes for children and families? If you can answer yes to both questions, then Lincolnshire County Council may just be the place you belong.

Children's Social Work at Lincolnshire County Council

Our Children's Social Work teams are amongst the absolute best in the country. We have an overall Outstanding rating from Ofsted and in our recent inspection in April 2023 we are very proud to have maintained this judgement. But... we are not about to let up on our progress and development. As an organisation we are extremely proud of the work our teams undertake and this pride shines through from every member of the teams too.

Our practice model is Signs of Safety and this is underpinned by a firm commitment to restorative practice, working in a way where the strengths of the family and their network are honoured and families are supported to develop their own solutions. Most importantly, we believe the voice of the child should be at the very heart of every plan.

About the Role of a Level 2 Social Worker

As a Level 2 in our teams, you'll use your skills, knowledge and experience to manage a range of cases, you will be responsible for assessing social care needs, support planning and reviewing Care Plans and packages of care. You'll use your specialist knowledge and experience to manage a range of more complex cases, leading on these from start to finish meaning children and families have consistency of Social Worker.

You'll have the rewarding opportunity of working directly with children, young people and their families along with other stakeholders and partners to build a brighter future for the children and families of Lincolnshire. The children and families that we work with face a range of challenges, and if you join our Children in Care team, your caseload will be extremely varied, allowing you the opportunity and experience to grow as a practitioner and develop your skills and confidence, whilst having the opportunity to build long term professional relationships with the children and their families.

There will also be the opportunity within the role to mentor less experienced staff and to support and take the lead with students on placement in the teams.

To learn more about our teams take a look at the attached Social Care Brochure.

About Our Offer

We know that being a Social Worker can be challenging and often emotional, but we also know, from experience that it’s a very rewarding career. This is why you will be surrounded by a supportive, caring and compassionate team.

You will receive monthly formal professional and case supervision, and take part in monthly group learning and team meetings with an annual team development day too. Our managers are always on hand, and our practitioners say that the informal, ad hoc supervision they receive, plus the support they get from colleagues to test out their thinking, is absolutely invaluable.

Your continued professional development will be as important to us as it is to you, and your learning and development will remain in focus, not just during your annual appraisal. Our offer of complimentary access to the Research in Practice online platform further demonstrates this. Alongside our excellent in-house training offer, you will also have the opportunity to complete fully funded PQ modules including Practice Educator training which will enable you to fulfil the role of Practice Educator for the social work students on placement.

Along with a competitive salary of £39,152 - £42,839 + 7% attraction and retention payment paid monthly we also offer;

• A Contributory pension.
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work.
• Flexible working policies.
• Career progression opportunities..
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more
• A re-location package (see details attached)

Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure.

What Next

If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role then please contact; Michelle Hakes (North Hykeham) on michelle.hakes@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Applications close on 2nd August, interviews will be held on 13th August.

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.