We are looking to recruit Social Workers for our new Assessment Team in North Somerset Childrens social care. The assessment team will work alongside the Front Door and undertake any new section 47 investigations as well as assessments when they are identified at the Front Door.

About the role

The social worker post will include responding to immediate safeguarding concerns and undertaking visits to family homes as well as schools, nurseries etc. You will be expected to complete work within statutory guidance and will be supported through supervision from your line manager.

This role will require experienced social workers who have worked within assessment team previously or have substantial knowledge around assessment and section 47 investigations. As well as social workers who may need support.

There may be times when you are required to support the Front Door in triaging referrals and there may also be times when you are requested to support other areas. However, the main role will be predominately short-term intervention work before making long term plans and decisions for the children and young people in our area.

The work you undertake will be at some of the most difficult and challenging times for the children and young people we work with and therefore you will be expected to be compassionate and kind with a desire to support the child/young person and their families and ensure support is in place to reduce any risk of harm identified. North Somerset Children Services work under 5 key principles which will be pivotal to the work you undertake.

The role will be based in the Town Hall and it is expected that the Team Manager will be working in the Town Hall during the office hours which are 08:45 – 17:00 each day. However, there may be times when you may need to work from another office or home.

You need to work in a timely manner and be able to be flexible when there is a need to support children and young people. This can sometimes be out of hours. Any out of hours work undertaken will be able to be claimed back using flexi time as you will be working under a flexible workers policy.

We work to the 6 fundamentals:

• Relationship matters
• Seeing hearing the child or young person’s voice relating to their lived experience
• Understanding the child’s or young persons lived experience
• Responding to child’s voice or young people’s voice to improve their lived experience
• Outcome focused practise
• Language that cares

North Somerset Council is on an exciting journey of further transformation and improvement in its Children’s Services. We are looking for passionate, creative, experienced child centred qualified social workers to join us. You will be supported by a strong and consistent senior management team, with a manageable caseload, high quality reflective supervision working in supportive and creative social work teams.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

About you

The successful candidate will:

• Be a qualified Social Worker (with a Social Work England Registration) with a passion for working with children and their families to help improve their outcomes and to keep them safe from harm using a strengths-based approach.
• Have sound knowledge of relevant childcare legislation, including a clear understanding of ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and fostering regulations and legislation.
• Have an ability to build effective relationships with children, young people and families.

Want to know more and apply?

For an informal discussion, please contact Dawn Newton, Head of Front Door and Family Wellbeing, on 01275 882939.

Anticipated interview date: To be confirmed.

North Somerset Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of our community regardless of age, disability, sex, race, religion, belief or sexual orientation. North Somerset Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

North Somerset Council – Open, Fairer, Greener.