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This is an exciting time to join the Medway Safeguarding Team as we have recently changed our service delivery model from three safeguarding teams to one overall safeguarding team.

We are also expanding the size of the team and are currently recruiting Social Workers to join the service.

Working in collaboration with the Senior Social Workers, Team Managers and other senior colleagues’, successful candidates will be required to practice as safeguarding social workers to support Medway Council in fulfilling its statutory duties in relation to safeguarding adults, as prescribed by relevant legislation and codes of practice.

The successful candidates will need to develop and maintain a high level of skill, expertise, and up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, and good practice in order to provide support and advice to others in relation to statutory interventions.

You will also need to maintain an awareness of changes in theories, legislation, and Medway Council policies, local and agency practices, in order to disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard safeguarding service.

Alongside the Designated Senior Officer, successful candidates will be required to undertake the triaging of safeguarding Concerns and competently assess multiple and complex risks. You will have excellent knowledge of Making Safeguarding Personal principles with the ability to apply these in practice.

You will work collaboratively with individuals, their families, support networks and partner agencies and apply a person centred and strengths-based approach when delivering safeguarding duties including undertaking S.42 enquiries and co-producing safety plans.

You will be required to initiate and develop effective partnerships and joint working arrangements with other professionals and agencies, in order to ensure the comprehensive assessment of need, and the planning and delivery of appropriate services.

You will be required to work flexibly in order to meet the needs of residents, with a requirement to undertake regular face to face visits, often unplanned or at short notice.

This role will require successful candidate to attend and present at safeguarding meetings and possess the skills to accurately and proficiently write, chronologies, s.42 Enquiries and case notes in a timely manner.

The successful post holder will be subject to an Enhanced Adults’ DBS check.

In return we will offer you:

Generous annual leave entitlement
Generous local government pension scheme package
Access to wider training and development qualifications
Flexible working scheme
Travel plan discounts
Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Safeguarding are seeking to appoint a Social Worker. You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Important Information

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria which are essential for appointment to the role.

For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

Salary range

£39,823 - £47,434 per year

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