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An opportunity has arisen for a qualified Social Worker to join the Kinship Team which is part of the Family Placement Service at Northumberland County Council.

We are looking for an experienced social worker with a minimum of one year post qualifying experience in statutory social work.

The Kinship Team strives to support children remaining in their wider family network, by assessing and supporting Kinship Carers. This includes completing viability assessments to allow for those children unable to remain living with their birth family to be placed immediately into their wider family or friends network (Regulation 24 assessments). Longer term pieces of work include conducting assessments for approval to the Fostering Panel or for Special Guardianship.

At Northumberland County Council, we recognise the positive impact placing children in Kinship Care can have on a child's overall wellbeing and outcomes.

We are committed to developing our support package to our Kinship Carers; the Social Work role also involves contributing to Preparation Training for Kinship Carers, attendance at Coffee Morning (Support Groups), participating in our half term Kinship Community Events and making applications for therapeutic assessment and support through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.

This is an exciting role in a busy team that combines core statutory social work tasks alongside community social work.

The Kinship Team is led by a Team Manager with two Advanced Practitioners, ten Social Workers, two Kinship Family Support Workers and one Enquiry and Referral Coordinator.

Kinship Care has a great focus within the Children's Social Care Reform, joining the Kinship Team will also allow you to become part of the Kinship Care Strategy published in 2023 by the Government - Championing kinship care: national kinship care strategy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We would welcome applications from those that are passionate about Kinship Care, if you would like to know more about the day to day role of a Kinship Social Worker please contact one of our Advanced Practitioners, Lesley Moss or Lindsay Mitchell via 01670 626262.

Alternatively, you are welcome to contact Team Manager, Eleanor Tamhne for further details; 01670 626262 or eleanor.tamhne@northumberland.gov.uk

Please note we use a generic Social Work job description; within the Kinship Team the role does not involve holding CIN/CP/LAC cases.

We are offering:

A competitive salary starting at £39,862 up to £44,075 – full time figure quoted (dependent on grade and experience) with a wide range of additional benefits
Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (or other pension scheme)
A wide range of staff benefits including a competitive annual leave provision
Regular supervision
A supportive environment
Career progression opportunities
A generous remuneration package
Induction, support and mentoring from day one inpost

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

Essential requirements:

You will have excellent communication skills and be able to convey complex messages in a straightforward way, both verbally and in writing.
You will not be afraid to think creatively to solve problems.
You will be empathetic and sensitive to the needs of children, young people and families.
You will always want to hear the young person's voice and ensure that this istaken into account.
You will be passionate about maximising a child’s life chances to improve their overall outcomes
You will understand the importance of performance information and your contribution to maintaining high standards.
You will have experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment
You will be able to contribute to the development of the service.

You will have a sound knowledge base of the Knowledge and Skills Statement for Child and Family Social Work and the application of Professional Capabilities Framework which will be embedded within all elements of your practice.

You must hold a relevant Social Work qualification such as the Social Work Degree, DipSW, CQSW or CSS and be registered with Social Work England. You should also have a minimum of one years post qualifying experience.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to attend an interview, please also let the team know. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

Salary range

£39,862 - £44,075 per year