Join Us

Salary: £51,608 - £53,587 (including local weighting and market )
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

Are you passionate about providing appropriate support and challenge to ensure the delivery of high quality services that safeguard the welfare of children and young people? Then we have a Assistant Team Manager role available for you in the MASH team in Referral & Assessment service.

The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the first point of contact for all potential safeguarding concerns in relation to children. MASH is a co-located team which brings together agencies and their information, in order to identify risks to and needs of children at the earliest possible point and respond with the most effective and joined up actions. The purpose of MASH is to make the right decisions for the right families at the right time. This in turn will ensure timely and necessary actions to improve the outcomes for vulnerable children.

The structure of the MASH Team includes one Team Manager ,  two Deputy Team  Managers, three Senior Practitioners ,four  Social Workers and four team administrators.

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to be art of an exciting time for children's services in Slough then come and join us.

Main Accountabilities

• As a member of Slough Children First’s management team, provide day to day management of the team, providing appropriate support and challenge to ensure the delivery of high quality services that safeguard the welfare of children and young people.
• Make effective day to day use of all available professional resources and use a range of theoretical, evidence based and practical approaches including systemic practice to develop and implement effective interventions and support for children and families both within and outside of the family home.
• Manage the distribution of caseloads to ensure that the child or young person’s needs are met appropriately.
• Support and challenge the team to meet the requirements around thresholds for cases, managing the preparation of high quality reports for court or other purposes, challenging, providing expert advice to guide the team through legal and organisational processes as required
• Support and challenge the team in the completion of assessments, plans, toolkits based on identified need, ensuring at each point risk is evaluated, decisions and management oversight are recorded on the case file and any issues or concerns are escalated to the Team Manager to address.
• Chair the first and transfer core groups and CIN meetings to a high standard, supporting social workers in further meetings as required.
• Co-work complex cases with team members as required without taking on a specific caseload of their own.
• Supervise social workers and non qualified staff in the team as per Slough Children First’s supervision policy, supporting and supervising social work students, acting as a mentor to support them through their professional training.
• Lead hub / group supervision to a high standard ensuring that all team members are aware of progress on cases.
• Provide day to day supervision on case work to a high standard.
• Understand what performance information, and audit outcomes are saying to positively impact on individual cases and support staff development.
• Promote direct work with children and young people, supporting all members of the team to actively seek the views of children and families to inform practice in assessment and planning in individual cases.
• Participate in quality assurance activities to support professional development of staff and improve the consistency of practice.
• Support the Team Manager to tackle under-performance, sickness absence and conduct both informally and formally and within Slough Children First’s policy frameworks.
• Contribute to Slough Children First’s development with knowledge of an area of specialist practice and to provide consultation, coaching and mentoring within the Team, and across the service as a whole as required.
• Develop and maintain own professional links and leads with partner agencies and the voluntary sector and support those of the Team Manager.
• Maintain own professional development through training and other suitable mechanisms and keep up to date with changes in national, regional and local policy initiatives that will impact on the delivery of services and respond accordingly.
• Represent Slough Children First’s values, leading by example in the delivery of these and setting a positive culture within your team, service and Slough Children First; challenge behaviour when it is not aligned with our values and take appropriate action; support a professional in a respectful and child-focussed environment which supports Slough Children First’s vision
• Ensure all interventions are conducted within an anti-discriminatory framework, and take into account issues such as race, gender, sexuality, disability etc, and deliver appropriate services to the diverse communities of Slough.
• Deputise for the Team Manager, undertake projects and other additional duties as required. Undertake work outside office hours as necessary.

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Working knowledge of the legislative framework and relevant guidance and procedures as appropriate to the post. (Essential)
• Experience of managing newly qualified social workers and/or unqualified staff (Essential)
• Social Work England registered (Essential)
• Experience of delivering high quality services to children and in assessment of needs, case planning and/or case management, including complex cases. (Essential)
• Ability to analyse risk relating to child protection and to plan appropriate interventions.(Essential)
• Acceptance and commitment to the principles of human rights and equality and how they underpin practice (Essential)
• Demonstrable understanding and application of the statutory framework underpinning social work (Essential)
• Specialist knowledge of one or more key issues affecting children and their families. E.g. Domestic Abuse, Mental Health, Radicalisation, Neglect, Contextual Safeguarding (Essential)
• Evidence of continued professional development to enhance own knowledge and skills ad encouraging others to develop theirs (Essential)
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (Essential)
• Significant experience in the use of electronic case management systems (Essential)
• Post graduate qualification or equivalent, or the willingness to work towards (Desirable)
• Experience of co-ordinating and managing the work of a tea, balancing needs and resources to achieve a high quality service (Desirable)
• Experience in conducting appraisals/supervision that are reflective and strive towards the successful achievement of department/business objectives (Desirable)
• Experience of managing budgets (Desirable)
• Current UK driving license and access to a vehicle (Desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. if you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £44,829-£49,812 (inc local weighting & market supplement)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

At Slough Children First we offer exceptional support, flexible working and a chance to do things differently. We are proud to have created a place where social work can flourish. Our young people are looking for social workers who are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and who can be themselves. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

As a senior social worker within our Referral and Assessment Service, you will be responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases and producing outcome-based plans that reflect the needs of and risks to children and their families. You will develop effective relationships with children, young people and their families to improve the impact of work and determine the level of service available.

For this role you will need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification, or equivalent, and at least four years' experience. You will need to have direct management experience within children's social services where you can demonstrate strong and successful leadership and the ability to maximise the potential of others and implement service improvements.

Main Accountabilities

• Responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases producing outcome based plans, having regard to the needs of, and risks to, children and their families.
• To develop effective relationships with CYP and their families to improve impact of work and determine the level of service available ensuring written plans are agreed with the CYP and their families and reflect their views.
• To determine, using evidence based practice how these needs will be met subject to resources, statutory responsibilities, within the framework of council policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for effective Individual performance in line with national standards and performance indicators, including receiving regular supervision.
• Responsible for participating in routine auditing activity across the service to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice and record keeping and to act in accordance with requirements of the Quality Assurance Framework.
• To ensure that the needs of service users/carers from all communities are addressed, and that close attention is paid to equalities issues in all aspects of work. To ensure access to translation and interpretation services as necessary.
• To complete financial assessments and, where appropriate, to determine contributions and levels of need/service.
• With the agreement of the Social Work Team Manager/Practice Manager, to identify resources required and available to promote child/family well being.
• To develop and maintain effective working relationships at appropriate levels with other relevant partner agencies e.g. voluntary, community, schools, police, health other statutory agencies/local resource networks and internal partners.
• To maintain, monitor and review accurate records of all work undertaken ensuring recording information is accurate and up to date, including comprehensive use of the Integrated Children’s System.
• To work effectively move casework to other areas of service as appropriate with a clear transfer plan.
• To contribute to the development of services to children and families and to attend and contribute positively to team meetings to promote the delivery of integrated and effective services.
• To identify own individual learning needs and ensure that practice reflects contemporary thinking. To ensure regular reflection of skills and abilities and use supervision and approval to identify future and plan to meet future needs.
• To provide cover for the work of other team members and undertake projects and other additional duties commensurate with the level of the job. (The nature of these will vary according to experience, competencies and the grade of the post).

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Social Work England Registered (Essential)
• DBS Check (Enhanced)
• Indicative post graduate experience (2+ years)
• Professional Standards (Essential)
• Knowledge and Skills for Child and Family Social Workers – issued by DfE (Essential)
• Ability to write reports to a high standard (Essential)
• Understanding of children and families legal framework and assessment process (Essential)
• Understanding and experience of child protection procedures (Essential)
• Current UK driving licence (Desirable)
• Access to own vehicle (insured for work purposes) (Desirable)
• Management experience (Not required)
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant Social work discipline (Desirable)

Apply Online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@scstrust.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £44,829-£49,812 (inc local weighting & market supplement)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

At Slough Children First we offer exceptional support, flexible working and a chance to do things differently. We are proud to have created a place where social work can flourish. Our young people are looking for social workers who are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and who can be themselves. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

As a senior social worker within our Safeguarding and Family Support Service, you will respond to urgent Priority 1 and 2 child protection referrals with the aim of keeping children and young people safe from the risk of significant harm. You will gather information, assess and prioritise all decisions about the most appropriate response under S47 of the Children Act. You will carry out assessments on children and young people who have been sexually abused, as well as those who use sexually abusive behaviour. You will work to secure permanency within the family, either in the community or through court processes. The most vital aspect of your role is to help make the child’s journey as smooth and safe as possible, whether that’s through PLO, court, adoption and post adoption and to prevent a ‘cycle’ of being in and out of care.

For this role you will need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification, or equivalent, and at least four years' experience. You will need to have direct management experience within children's social services where you can demonstrate strong and successful leadership and the ability to maximise the potential of others and implement service improvements.

Main Accountabilities

• Responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases producing outcome based plans, having regard to the needs of, and risks to, children and their families.
• To develop effective relationships with CYP and their families to improve impact of work and determine the level of service available ensuring written plans are agreed with the CYP and their families and reflect their views.
• To determine, using evidence based practice how these needs will be met subject to resources, statutory responsibilities, within the framework of council policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for effective Individual performance in line with national standards and performance indicators, including receiving regular supervision.
• Responsible for participating in routine auditing activity across the service to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice and record keeping and to act in accordance with requirements of the Quality Assurance Framework.
• To ensure that the needs of service users/carers from all communities are addressed, and that close attention is paid to equalities issues in all aspects of work. To ensure access to translation and interpretation services as necessary.
• To complete financial assessments and, where appropriate, to determine contributions and levels of need/service.
• With the agreement of the Social Work Team Manager/Practice Manager, to identify resources required and available to promote child/family well being.
• To develop and maintain effective working relationships at appropriate levels with other relevant partner agencies e.g. voluntary, community, schools, police, health other statutory agencies/local resource networks and internal partners.
• To maintain, monitor and review accurate records of all work undertaken ensuring recording information is accurate and up to date, including comprehensive use of the Integrated Children’s System.
• To work effectively move casework to other areas of service as appropriate with a clear transfer plan.
• To contribute to the development of services to children and families and to attend and contribute positively to team meetings to promote the delivery of integrated and effective services.
• To identify own individual learning needs and ensure that practice reflects contemporary thinking. To ensure regular reflection of skills and abilities and use supervision and approval to identify future and plan to meet future needs.
• To provide cover for the work of other team members and undertake projects and other additional duties commensurate with the level of the job. (The nature of these will vary according to experience, competencies and the grade of the post).

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Social Work England Registered (Essential)
• DBS Check (Enhanced)
• Indicative post graduate experience (2+ years)
• Professional Standards (Essential)
• Knowledge and Skills for Child and Family Social Workers – issued by DfE (Essential)
• Ability to write reports to a high standard (Essential)
• Understanding of children and families legal framework and assessment process (Essential)
• Understanding and experience of child protection procedures (Essential)
• Current UK driving licence (Desirable)
• Access to own vehicle (insured for work purposes) (Desirable)
• Management experience (Not required)
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant Social work discipline (Desirable)

Apply Online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@scstrust.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £37,731-£42,839 (inc local weighting & market supplement)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

At Slough Children First we offer exceptional support, flexible working and a chance to do things differently. We are proud to have created a place where social work can flourish. Our young people are looking for social workers who are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and who can be themselves. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

As a social worker within our Referral and Assessment Service, what we call the front door, you will be responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases and producing outcome-based plans that reflect the needs of and risks to children and their families. You will develop effective relationships with children, young people and their families to improve the impact of work and determine the level of service available.

For this role you will need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification, or equivalent, and at least four years' experience. You will need to have direct management experience within children's social services where you can demonstrate strong and successful leadership and the ability to maximise the potential of others and implement service improvements.

Main Accountabilities

• Responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases producing outcome based plans, having regard to the needs of, and risks to, children and their families.
• To develop effective relationships with children, young people and their families to improve impact of work and determine the level of service available ensuring written plans are agreed with the CYP and their families and reflect their views.
• To determine, using evidence based practice how these needs will be met subject to resources, statutory responsibilities, within the framework of council policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for effective Individual performance in line with national standards and performance indicators, including receiving regular supervision.
• Responsible for participating in routine auditing activity across the service to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice and record keeping and to act in accordance with requirements of the Quality Assurance Framework.
• To ensure that the needs of service users/carers from all communities are addressed, and that close attention is paid to equalities issues in all aspects of work. To ensure access to translation and interpretation services as necessary.
• To complete financial assessments and, where appropriate, to determine contributions and levels of need/service.
• With the agreement of the Social Work Team Manager, to identify resources required and available to promote child/family well being.
• To develop and maintain effective working relationships at appropriate levels with other relevant partner agencies e.g. voluntary, community, schools, police, health other statutory agencies/local resource networks and internal partners.
• To maintain, monitor and review accurate records of all work undertaken ensuring recording information is accurate and up to date, including comprehensive use of the Integrated Children’s System.
• To work effectively move casework to other areas of service as appropriate with a clear transfer plan.
• To contribute to the development of services to children and families and to attend and contribute positively to team meetings to promote the delivery of integrated and effective services.
• To identify own individual learning needs and ensure that practice reflects contemporary thinking. To ensure regular reflection of skills and abilities and use supervision and approval to identify future and plan to meet future needs.
• To provide cover for the work of other team members and undertake projects and other additional duties commensurate with the level of the job. (The nature of these will vary according to experience, competencies and the grade of the post).

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Social Work England Registered (Essential)
• DBS Check (Enhanced)
• Indicative post graduate experience (12 months ASYE)
• Professional Standards (Essential)
• Knowledge and Skills for Child and Family Social Workers – issued by DfE (Essential)
• Ability to write reports to a high standard (Essential)
• Understanding of children and families legal framework and assessment process (Essential)
• Understanding and experience of child protection procedures (Essential)
• Current UK driving licence (Desirable)
• Access to own vehicle (insured for work purposes) (Desirable)
• Management experience (Not required)
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant Social work discipline (Desirable)

Apply Online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@scstrust.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £37,731 - £42,839 (including market supplement and local weighting)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

At Slough Children First we offer exceptional support, flexible working and a chance to do things differently. We’re proud to have created a place where social work can flourish. Our young people are looking for social workers who are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and who can be themselves.  If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

We have a social worker vacancy within our Children with Disabilities (CWD) team, through this role you will be safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and young people in Slough through the delivery of high quality services.

For this role, you’ll need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification, or equivalent, and post qualifying experience of working as a social worker within children’s services.

 Main Accountabilities 

• Promote and safeguard the wellbeing and interests of the child / young person at all times and throughout all aspects of work.
• Be responsible for managing an independent workload, ensuring legislative requirements are met to a high standard and within required timescales.
• Thoroughly assess, critically analyse, plan and implement suitable interventions for complex cases that fulfil statutory regulations, instigating proceedings and taking cases to court as required whilst effectively managing risk at all time and seeking support from senior team members when required.
• Produce concise, well-structured assessments, plans and reports, clearly recording and reporting analysis and judgements and ensuring that all recommendations are followed.
• Where cases are to be transferred to another service or partners, ensure that there is a clearly recorded transfer plan.
• Maintain accurate, up to date, evidence-based records safely and confidentially, in line with statutory requirements.
• Work with children, young people and families/carers to develop effective relationships through meaningful and purposeful direct work, actively seeking and understanding their needs and views to promote their participation in decision making and inform practice in assessment and planning in individual cases.
• Work in partnership with colleagues and other agencies to deliver accessible and effective services, empowering parents and carers to develop and maintain safe parenting practices, leading meetings to achieve outcomes for children.
• Be responsible for own individual performance in line with national standards, service and team specific performance indicators and actions required to address areas for improvement.
• Be responsible for own professional development keeping pace with national, regional and local policy initiatives, attending training to maintain professional development and ensuring the receipt of regular supervision.
• Participate in and learn from routine observation, review and auditing activity conducted by the Team Manager and Assistant Team Manager to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice.
• With the agreement of the Assistant Team Manager, identify resources where required and available to promote child/family well being.
• Develop and maintain effective internal and external working relationships to achieve optimal outcomes for children and young people, ensuring a joined-up approach to relationships to other team members and managers.
• Represent Slough Children First’s values and be part of setting a positive culture within your team, service and Slough Children First; challenge behaviour when it is not aligned with our values and take appropriate action; support a professional in a respectful and child-focused environment which supports Slough Children First’s vision.
• Ensure all interventions are conducted within an anti-discriminatory framework, and take into account issues such as race, gender, sexuality, disability etc, and deliver appropriate services to the diverse communities of Slough.
• Provide cover for the work of other team members and take on other additional duties, as required.

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Post qualifying experience as a social worker working with children and families (Essential)
• Social Work England Registered (Essential)
• DBS Check (Enhanced)
• Knowledge and application of the legal framework and assessment process in Children’s Social Care (Essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of the values and principles underpinning the involvement of children, young people and families/carers, including the right to access independent advocacy and complaints processes (Essential)
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences including children, young people, parents and carers and professional colleagues (Essential)
• Knowledge and application of social work interventions in at least one area of practice (Essential)
• Ability to gather and assess information to inform judgement in complex situations and in response to challenge, clearly reporting and recording analysis (Essential)
• Ability to use a range of interventions effectively and evaluate them in practice to ensure that the correct outcomes are achieved (Essential)
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload independently, maintaining professionalism in challenging circumstances and seeking support and suggesting solutions for workload difficulties (Essential)
• Acceptance and commitment to the principles of human rights and equality and how they underpin practice (Essential)
• Understands and has experience of the statutory framework underpinning social work (Essential)
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (Essential)
• Some experience in using electronic case management skills (Essential)
• Current UK driving license and access to a vehicle (Desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. if you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £37,731 - £42,839 (including local weighting and market supplement )
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

Are you passionate about promoting and safeguarding the wellbeing and interest of the child? Then we have a Social Worker role available for you in the MASH team in Referral & Assessment service.

The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the first point of contact for all potential safeguarding concerns in relation to children. MASH is a co-located team which brings together agencies and their information, in order to identify risks to and needs of children at the earliest possible point and respond with the most effective and joined up actions. The purpose of MASH is to make the right decisions for the right families at the right time. This in turn will ensure timely and necessary actions to improve the outcomes for vulnerable children.

The structure of the MASH Team includes one Team Manager ,  two Deputy Team  Managers, three Senior Practitioners ,four  Social Workers and four team administrators.

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to be art of an exciting time for children's services in Slough then come and join us.

Main Accountabilities

• Promote and safeguard the wellbeing and interests of the child/young person at all times and throughout all aspects of work.
• Be responsible for managing an independent workload, ensuring legislative requirements are met to a high standard and within required timescales.
• Thoroughly assess, critically analyse, plan and implement suitable interventions for complex cases that fulfil statutory regulations, instigating proceedings and taking cases to court as required whilst effectively managing risk at all time and seeking support from senior team members when required.
• Produce concise, well-structured assessments, plans and reports, clearly recording and reporting analysis and judgements and ensuring that all recommendations are followed.
• Where cases are to be transferred to another service or partners, ensure that there is a clearly recorded transfer plan.
• Maintain accurate, up to date, evidence-based records safely and confidentially, in line with statutory requirements.
• Work with children, young people and families/carers to develop effective relationships through meaningful and purposeful direct work, actively seeking and understanding their needs and views to promote their participation in decision making and inform practice in assessment and planning in individual cases.
• Work in partnership with colleagues and other agencies to deliver accessible and effective services, empowering parents and carers to develop and maintain safe parenting practices, leading meetings to achieve outcomes for children.
• Be responsible for own individual performance in line with national standards, service and team specific performance indicators and actions required to address areas for improvement.
• Be responsible for own professional development keeping pace with national, regional and local policy initiatives, attending training to maintain professional development and ensuring the receipt of regular supervision.
• Participate in and learn from routine observation, review and auditing activity conducted by the Team Manager and Assistant Team Manager to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice.
• With the agreement of the Assistant Team Manager, identify resources where required and available to promote child/family well being.
• Develop and maintain effective internal and external working relationships to achieve optimal outcomes for children and young people, ensuring a joined-up approach to relationships to other team members and managers.
• Represent Slough Children First’s values and be part of setting a positive culture within your team, service and Slough Children First; challenge behaviour when it is not aligned with our values and take appropriate action; support a professional in a respectful and child-focused environment which supports Slough Children First’s vision.
• Ensure all interventions are conducted within an anti-discriminatory framework, and take into account issues such as race, gender, sexuality, disability etc, and deliver appropriate services to the diverse communities of Slough.
• Provide cover for the work of other team members and take on other additional duties, as required.

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Post qualifying experience as a social worker working with children and families (Essential)
• Social Work England registered (Essential)
• Knowledge and application of the legal framework and assessment process in Children’s Social Care (Essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of the values and principles underpinning the involvement of children, young people and families/carers, including the right to access independent advocacy and complaints processes (Essential)
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences including children, young people, parents and carers and professional colleagues (Essential)
• Knowledge and application of social work interventions in at least one area of practice (Essential)
• Ability to gather and assess information to inform judgement in complex situations and in response to challenge, clearly reporting and recording analysis (Essential)
• Ability to use a range of interventions effectively and evaluate them in practice to ensure that the correct outcomes are achieved (Essential)
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload independently, maintaining professionalism in challenging circumstances and seeking support and suggesting solutions for workload difficulties (Essential)
• Acceptance and commitment to the principles of human rights and equality and how they underpin practice (Essential)
• Understands and has experience of the statutory framework underpinning social work  (Essential)
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (Essential)
• Some experience in using electronic case management skills (Essential)
• Current UK driving license and access to a vehicle (Desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. if you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £37,731-£42,839  (inc local weighting & market supplement)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

At Slough Children First we offer exceptional support, flexible working and a chance to do things differently. We are proud to have created a place where social work can flourish. Our young people are looking for social workers who are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and who can be themselves. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

As a social worker within our Safeguarding and Family Support Service, you will respond to urgent Priority 1 and 2 child protection referrals with the aim of keeping children and young people safe from the risk of significant harm. You will gather information, assess and prioritise all decisions about the most appropriate response under S47 of the Children Act. You will carry out assessments on children and young people who have been sexually abused, as well as those who use sexually abusive behaviour. You will work to secure permanency within the family, either in the community or through court processes. The most vital aspect of your role is to help make the child’s journey as smooth and safe as possible, whether that’s through PLO, court, adoption and post adoption and to prevent a ‘cycle’ of being in and out of care.

For this role you will need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification, or equivalent, and at least four years' experience. You will need to have direct management experience within children's social services where you can demonstrate strong and successful leadership and the ability to maximise the potential of others and implement service improvements.

Main Accountabilities

• Responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases producing outcome based plans, having regard to the needs of, and risks to, children and their families.
• To develop effective relationships with children, young people and their families to improve impact of work and determine the level of service available ensuring written plans are agreed with the CYP and their families and reflect their views.
• To determine, using evidence based practice how these needs will be met subject to resources, statutory responsibilities, within the framework of council policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for effective Individual performance in line with national standards and performance indicators, including receiving regular supervision.
• Responsible for participating in routine auditing activity across the service to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice and record keeping and to act in accordance with requirements of the Quality Assurance Framework.
• To ensure that the needs of service users/carers from all communities are addressed, and that close attention is paid to equalities issues in all aspects of work. To ensure access to translation and interpretation services as necessary.
• To complete financial assessments and, where appropriate, to determine contributions and levels of need/service.
• With the agreement of the Social Work Team Manager, to identify resources required and available to promote child/family well being.
• To develop and maintain effective working relationships at appropriate levels with other relevant partner agencies e.g. voluntary, community, schools, police, health other statutory agencies/local resource networks and internal partners.
• To maintain, monitor and review accurate records of all work undertaken ensuring recording information is accurate and up to date, including comprehensive use of the Integrated Children’s System.
• To work effectively move casework to other areas of service as appropriate with a clear transfer plan.
• To contribute to the development of services to children and families and to attend and contribute positively to team meetings to promote the delivery of integrated and effective services.
• To identify own individual learning needs and ensure that practice reflects contemporary thinking. To ensure regular reflection of skills and abilities and use supervision and approval to identify future and plan to meet future needs.
• To provide cover for the work of other team members and undertake projects and other additional duties commensurate with the level of the job. (The nature of these will vary according to experience, competencies and the grade of the post).

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Social Work England Registered (Essential)
• DBS Check (Enhanced)
• Indicative post graduate experience (12 months ASYE)
• Professional Standards (Essential)
• Knowledge and Skills for Child and Family Social Workers – issued by DfE (Essential)
• Ability to write reports to a high standard (Essential)
• Understanding of children and families legal framework and assessment process (Essential)
• Understanding and experience of child protection procedures (Essential)
• Current UK driving licence (Desirable)
• Access to own vehicle (insured for work purposes) (Desirable)
• Management experience (Not required)
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant Social work discipline (Desirable)

Apply Online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@scstrust.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £55,394 - £57,417 (including local weighting and market )
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

Are you capable of making clear decisions around threshold for cases and leading the team by providing support and challenge to ensure delivery of high quality services? Then we have a Team Manager role available for you in the Safeguarding and Family Support service.

As a Team Manager you will:

• Lead, manage and be accountable for a team of Assistant Team Managers, Senior Social Workers, Social Workers and other professionals in the delivery of statutory and legislative duties and requirements.
• Lead the team to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable children and young people in Slough whilst effectively managing risk.
• Ensure the key performance targets as they apply to the team, the service and Slough Children First are met.
• Carry out this role in a collaborative manner that promotes equality of opportunity and joint working with other teams across Slough Children First and partners, while challenging and supporting the team to ensure timely and suitable outcomes for child, young people and their families.
• Take a leading role in promoting, delivering and embracing Slough Children First’s values– Child focussed, Honest and respectful, Improving constantly, Looking ahead and Delivering together – to your team and peers to help deliver our vision of making our children safe, secure and successful.
• Ensure that all multi disciplinary resources are available to ensure that the quality of practice with children, young people and families is of a consistently high quality, is cost effective and quality service standards are met, taking remedial action where this is not the case.

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to be art of an exciting time for children's services in Slough then come and join us.

Main Accountabilities

• As a member of Slough Children First’s management team, lead the team providing appropriate support and challenge to ensure the delivery of high quality services, accurate and timely case file records and the effective use of resources to statutory and legislative requirements
• To oversee the distribution of caseloads to ensure that the child or young person’s needs are met appropriately.
• Make clear decisions around threshold for cases that are part of legal planning meetings, strategy decisions, ensuring at each point risk is evaluated and decisions are recorded on the case file. This is not limited to but to include:
  • Chair strategy meetings, making decisions about whether S47’s are undertaken and signs off S47 reports
  • Quality assure and sign off all reviews, reports and assessments
  • Quality assure and signs off court reports
  • Quality assure and agree care plans
  • Sign off key decision making points with quality assurance undertaken and the provision of regular management oversight on case files
• Carry out regular quality assurance activities including observations, case reviews, team and peer moderated audits that collaboratively involve social work staff to support their professional development, improve the consistency of practice and seek the views of families.
• Use all available performance information and audit outcomes to efficiently manage their team, translating this information in a meaningful way so that all members of the team understand what it is saying and what they need to do.
• Attend Head of Service Performance clinics with a clear narrative for performance in their team and actions to be undertaken to address areas for development.
• Present to Heads of Service on legal matters
• Create, implement and monitor a team plan which links to service and strategic objectives with the overall aim to improve performance.
• Responsible for the regular and effective appraisal of staff performance through Slough Children First’s appraisal process in order to provide clear direction and challenge to prevent drift and delay.
• Responsible for tackling under-performance and performance issues, sickness absence, conduct and grievances as required both informally and formally and within Slough Children First’s policy frameworks.
• Directly supervises the Assistant Team Managers and Senior Social Workers in the team as per Slough Children First supervision policy.
• As part of Quality Assurance activities, ensure that there is effective direct work undertaken with all children and young people with the voice of the child clearly recorded on case files.
• Support all members of the team to actively seek the views of children and families to inform practice in individual cases and uses this feedback to shape the team, its learning and feed into the overall strategic direction of Slough Children First.
• Leads team meetings to a high standard, ensuring that service and corporate messages are cascaded to the team in a timely way and supporting effective two way communications back up to managers from the team.
• Ensure that all members of the team have the capacity to attend training to support their on-going professional development and enable continuous improvements in practice
• Assist and encourage the professional development of the Assistant Team Manager, providing them with opportunities to grow and develop to become Team Managers.
• Maintain own professional development through training and other suitable mechanisms and keep up to date with changes in national, regional and local policy initiatives that will impact on the delivery of services and respond accordingly.
• Supports the Assistant Team Manager to make effective day to day use of all available professional resources, addressing barriers and issues across Slough Children First and with partners where required through the development and maintenance of professional links with partner agencies and the voluntary sector, whilst supporting the links of the Assistant Team Manager.
• Manage the complaints relating to your team effectively and to a high standard in line with Slough Children First’s complaints procedure ensuring they are dealt with promptly and feedback/learning from complaints is delivered back to the team.
• Ensure the effective deployment, monitoring and management of delegated budgets, approving individual case expenditure as authorised up to the value of £1000 whilst maintaining an awareness of the implications of decision on Slough Children First budgets.
• Represent Slough Children First’s values, leading by example in the delivery of these and setting a positive culture within your team, service and Slough Children First; challenge behaviour when it is not aligned with our values and take appropriate action; support a professional in a respectful and child-focussed environment which supports Slough Children First’s vision.
• Ensure all interventions are conducted within an anti-discriminatory framework, and take into account issues such as race, gender, sexuality, disability etc, and deliver appropriate services to the diverse communities of Slough.
• Deputise for the Head of Service, undertake projects and other additional duties, as required. To undertake work outside office hours as necessary.

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Demonstrable working knowledge of the legislative framework and relevant guidance and procedures as appropriate to the post.. (Essential)
• Experience of managing  qualified and unqualified social workers  (Essential)
• Social Work England registered (Essential)
• Substantial experience of working at management level, involved in delivering services to children and in assessment of needs, case planning and/or case management. (Essential)
• Ability to analyse risk relating to child protection and to plan appropriate interventions. (Essential)
• Demonstrable experience of co-ordinating and managing the work of a team, balancing needs and resources to achieve a high quality service. (Essential)
• Proven experience in conducting appraisals/supervision that are reflective and strive towards the successful achievement of department/business objectives (Essential)
• Experience of successfully using performance management information to adhere to statutory timescales and effectively run the team (Essential)
• Experience of managing budgets (Essential)
• Acceptance and commitment to the principles of human rights and equality and how they underpin practice (Essential)
• Is skilled in the understanding and application of the statutory framework underpinning social work (Essential)
• Specialist knowledge of one or more key issues affecting children and their families. E.g. Domestic Abuse, Mental Health, Radicalisation, Neglect, Contexual Safeguarding (Essential)
• Knowledge and demonstrable experience of the application of systemic interventions and methodologies on social work practice (Essential)
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (Essential)
• Significant experience in the use of electronic case management systems to effectively manage cases to a successful resolution (Essential)
• Post graduate qualification or equivalent, or the willingness to work towards (Desirable)
• Current UK driving license and access to a vehicle (Desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. if you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

Good luck!

Slough Children First is looking for committed volunteers who want to work within our Exploitation and Youth Justice Service, previously known as the Youth Offending Team. This role will give you the opportunity to improve your knowledge, learn new skills and also to develop positive partnership working with the local community.

We are looking for volunteers in these areas:

• Panels for young people who are on court referral orders
• Appropriate Adult (representing young people)
• Activities and programmes
• Mentoring (young people)
• Supervising (reparation projects)

If you are enthusiastic, keen to learn and work with the local community, you can benefit from this opportunity.

Apply Online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk. This is an open advert with no end date. Applications will be shortlisted every two weeks.

Good luck!

Do you want to make a difference to a young person’s life? Do you have 2- 4 hours per month to spare?

The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) urgently requires more volunteers, so why not volunteer as a mentor/befriender for NYAS as an Independent Visitor for children and young people in care? As a volunteer you will:

• Have fun, take young people on outings and maybe share a hobby, sport or interest
• Offer support and a listening ear and be a positive influence in a young person’s life and help build self- esteem and confidence

You don’t need any special qualifications. NYAS is looking for reliable and dependable people from all walks of life and they will provide training and ongoing support. They will also pay expenses to a set limit

Here is what some of their young people and volunteers have to say about this rewarding role:

• I like how my Independent Visitor isn’t anything to do with social services and is here to support me
• They have boosted my confidence, now I feel like when I go places I can just relax and have fun
• My young person always looks forward to me coming, they have had such a disjointed life, I am a stable figure in their life and this has to be important for them, as everything else changes around them a lot.

If you are interested, please visit the NYAS website or call Linzi Bagshaw on 07484 075165.

Salary: £53,165 - £55,223 (including local weighting and market supplement of £2,500)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Fostering Practice Manager within our Independent Fostering Agency (IFA)!

As our Fostering Practice Manager, you will be providing effective and efficient management to fostering team members. You will be supervising the team members of the fostering service and will plan and monitor the team's performance.

You will contribute and generate reports and data collection for Ofsted. You will ensure that resources and budgets are effectively utilized to promote the safeguarding and welfare of children in placements.

Main Accountabilities

• To provide effective and efficient management of fostering team staff, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and departmental eligibility criteria in order to meet local and national policies and standards.
• To report to and sit on Fostering panel as an adviser or social work representative, where appropriate.
• To contribute to the development of quality standards, performance indicators and best practice in line with the Quality Assurance and Performance Management frameworks, including ensuring these are sensitive to ethnic, cultural and religious needs and those of other disadvantaged groups.
• To develop, support and maintain good social work practice; ensure adherence to policies and procedures and provide management oversight to ensure that risk is identified and managed in a systematic and timely way that is sensitive to the needs of the community in Slough.
• To contribute to and generate reports and data collection for Ofsted, including Reg 35 reports.
• To plan and monitor the team’s performance using management information systems and regular direct observation of work.
• To oversee and monitor case recording and decision making, including chairing meetings, conferences, and reviews as required and to have regular meetings with colleagues to ensure the effective flow of work and the transfer of cases.
• To supervise members of the fostering service and undertake regular personal and case supervision and appraisals.
• To challenge (respectfully but firmly) and scrutinize practice and ensure continuous improvement, identifying capability gaps within the service and taking appropriate action to improve staff performance.
• To collate data and monitor performance data of staff and the service.
• To maintain an awareness of changes in legislation and regulation guidance and ensure policies and procedures of Slough are kept up-to-date and all staff and foster carers remain informed of changes.
• To ensure the delivery of high-quality safeguarding practice through regular supervision of staff in accordance with the Supervision Policy.
• To quality assure annual reviews/SOC/Form F and various assessments relevant to the fostering role and our safeguarding duty.
• To be responsible for participating in case audit across the service (and with partner agencies as required) to secure the highest possible standards of social work and other safeguarding practice and record keeping and to act in accordance with requirements of statutory guidance.
• To contribute to, quality assure and deliver training as appropriate.
• To maintain, monitor and review accurate records of all work undertaken ensuring recording information is accurate and up to date, including comprehensive use of the Integrated Children’s System and the Charms Fostering database.
• To offer an advice and consultancy service to social work colleagues in relation to fostering matters.
• To prepare and/or contribute towards service improvements, annual service planning specifying targets, performance measures, quality standards etc.
• To contribute to contracts and tender applications.
• To continually appraise the team’s learning and development needs and translate these into development plans.
• To plan and keep under review allocated budgets adhering to SCF procedures at all times, producing monthly monitoring reports and to communicate budget pressures to the service manager at an early stage.
• To ensure that resources and budgets are effectively utilized to promote the safeguarding and welfare of children in placements.
• To be responsible for the promotion of own professional development; ensure current and continued registration with Social Work England and that of every member of the Fostering Service.
• To promote good standards of customer care ensuring service user, carer and parental participation, and that their views, are considered in service delivery including effective complaints handling, user consultation via partnership and project group working so that effective engagement with all customers and stakeholders can be routinely evidenced.
• To undertake risk assessments and ensure the health, safety and welfare of visitors, service users and staff is maintained in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
• As required, to provide and present reports and participate in working groups.
• To deputise for the service manager and other practice managers (children’s), acting as a representative on external groups, court/care proceedings and undertaking additional duties as required.

Person specification

Education, Training & Experience

• At least 2 years’ experience at management level (Essential)
• At least 2- 3 years’ experience of working with children and families within a CP, CLA or MASH service (Essential)
• Experience of services that support vulnerable children (Essential)
• Experience of analyzing training/development needs and the subsequent design and delivery of training programmes for both foster carers and staff and ensure practice targets and outcomes are met (Essential)
• Professional experience of fostering in recruitment, retention, supervision, and support of carers (Essential)
• A recognized degree level qualification (Essential)
• Registration with Social Work England (Essential)
• A relevant professional qualification (Essential)
• Management qualification or willingness to work towards (Desirable)

General & Specific Knowledge

• Knowledge of children’s social care ICT systems, e.g. ICS or Charms and how they can be harnessed to support practice and operation change and deliver business benefits (Essential)
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and requirements (Essential)
• Knowledge of Fostering Regulations/legislation and how to support the service, carers, and team members (Essential)
• High standard of interpersonal and facilitative skills (Essential)
• Excellent skills in communicating effectively verbally and in writing, with people at all levels internally and externally (Essential)
• Confidence to deal with changing and challenging situations regarding the service and staff (Essential)
• Ability to present ideas and information persuasively, communicate effectively, facilitate groups, and build rapport with an audience (Essential)
• Ability to demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice (Essential)
• Ability to demonstrate anti   Discriminatory Practice (Essential)
• Be able to participate in out of hours and duty rota and liaise with EDT where appropriate (Essential)
• Knowledge of models and methods to assure quality (Essential)
• Up-to-date knowledge of issues relating to services for children (Essential)
• An ability to contribute to practice development of the fostering service and social workers (Essential)
• Good organizational planning skills (Essential)
• To undertake any other duties, responsibility, and project work commensurate with the skills and abilities of the role (Essential)
• Current driving license (Desirable)

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk. The deadline for submitted applications is 11pm on Sunday 5th June 2022. 

Good luck!

Salary: £30,139 - £34,451 (including local weighting of £965)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for  Team Leader within our Breakaway service!

As the Team Leader you will be responsible for the supervision of a team of staff to ensure that young people receive a complete person-centred care service in a residential setting.

As an excellent role model, you will lead, delegate, supervise and assess the residential childcare officers' practice.

Due to the nature of the role, there is an expectation that you will provide direct high-quality car and support to young people and work a shift pattern that includes evenings and weekends.

Main Accountabilities

• To attend all training as required and contribute in a positive manner.
• Have an up-to-date  working knowledge of the relevant  SCF policies and ensure that you and your team are aware of their contents.
• Oversee the physical resources of the home in-line with legal, inspection & registration guidelines/requirements whiles leading the staff team on shift.
• All children are equally entitled to have their needs met in a fair and balances way.
• To be responsible for promoting equal opportunities for all and for challenging any behaviour or practice which discriminates against any young person or colleague on the grounds of race, religion, disability, age gender, sexual orientation, or any other perceived difference.
• Ensuring that each member of staff is aware of each child' care plan and their responsibilities for its implementation.
• Under the guidance and facilitation of the manager set in place procedures within current government regulations and organization policies/procedures.
• Ensure that all unit staff have a good knowledge and understanding of legal and registration requirements and are working to ensure that all National Care Standards are met to an exceptional level.
• Monitor and review effective procedures to manage all Health & Safety requirements of the home in-line with legal requirements.
• To be responsible for ensuring all correct procedures are followed while leading the staff team on shift.
• To be responsible for the co-ordination and the correct recording of all financial expenditure while leading the staff team on a shift.
• To be responsible for the management of the shift and deputise in the absence of the manager as and when required.
• Under the guidance and facilitation of the manager, monitor and evaluate clear child protection procedures within the home, in line with the Protection of Children Act and Company policies.
• To be responsible for ensuring all correct procedures are followed while leading the staff team on shift.
• Under the guidance of the manager instruct and guide staff through clearly laid out procedures to exercise responsible over the children and young people to ensure their health and safety and to facilitate the children's sense of responsibility and morals.
• Liaise with social workers, schools, therapists and other professional as required in order to represent the child's needs or wishes if they are unable to do so themselves. To advise the facilitate them in raising wishes or complaints with the appropriate people, either personally or through delegated members of your staff team.
• To be able to facilitate meetings on behalf of the manager as needed & required.
• Under the guidance of the manager, complete or direct the compilation of any necessary reports for court, reviews, or planning meetings etc. By liaising with the staff team organize/direct/facilitate the carrying out those plans within the care environment.
• Under the guidance of the manager, take part in recruitment, selection and retention procedures as required and directed.
• Under the guidance of the manager, establish, monitor and review positive equal opportunity and diversity practices.
• Under the guidance of the manager monitor and evaluate high standards in meeting human resources requirements.
• Under the guidance of the manager, establish, monitor and review procedures which include service users in provision planning and service development.
• Under the guidance of the manager take part in monitoring and evaluating effective supervision and appraisal systems which identify and acknowledge both poor performance and good practice. Identify and set in place procedures to meet the developmental needs of all staff.
• Under the guidance of the manager take part in compilation of all staff rosters as required and directed.
• To be able to facilitate good practice in team management and team building, incorporating appropriate meeting and training sessions in the weekly roster.
• To be able to assist the manager in compiling a company training and development plan, and individual staff development plans/goals which are reviewed and updated on a regular basis in line with changing needs.
• To be able to feedback to the manager any changing needs and developments.
• Under the guidance of the manager facilitate, monitor and review effective record keeping and information gathering procedures, in line with legal and organization requirements and policies.
• To be responsible for ensuring all correct emergency procedures are followed while leading the staff team on shift.
• To be responsible for ensuring that all correct procedures are carried out in caring for children and young people when they are ill, including the administration of medicines treatments etc, under the guidance of the child's doctor, and within organization's policy and legal requirements.
• To facilitate the children's leisure activities, through the staff team. This will including organizing and going away on holiday/trips with the children.
• To take an active part in the management team, contributing to management planning meetings and feeding back relevant developments and occurrences to the manager in order to aid the smooth running of the home.
• To support the manager in carrying through plans and decisions made by the directors and management team.

Person specification

Education, Training & Experience

• Experience of working with children with challenging behaviour in a residential or group work setting. (Essential)
• Experience of diffusing conflict and de-escalating situations (Essential)
• Experience of facilitating organizing and directing and developing teams (Essential)
• Experience of using childcare standards and best practice model to guide decision making (Essential)
• Experience of translating policy into practice (Essential)
• Awareness of group dynamics in residential settings (Essential)
• Experience of leading or managing a team (Essential)
• Education to GCSE level of equivalent (Essential)
• Hold a child related/social care qualification/certificate in Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma Level 3 with Social Care Pathway or the equivalent (Essential)
• Experience of working with children who have experiences loss of trauma (Desirable)
• Hold a certificate in/or willing to undertake Management and Leadership Level 5 or equivalent. (Desirable)
• Training in direct work or group work (Desirable)

General & Specific Knowledge

• Knowledge of equal opportunities & diversity models (Essential)
• Ability to organize, plan and take responsibility (Essential)
• Enthusiasm and commitment to the children's protection and development (Essential)
• Good organizational and time management skills (Essential)
• Professional assertiveness (Essential)
• Tolerance and resilience (Essential)
• Vision, creativity and innovation (Essential)
• A good standard or written English and an ability to write reports (Essential)
• Up to date knowledge of Childcare & Child Protection Laws (Desirable)
• Basic knowledge of IT (Desirable)

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk. The deadline for submitted applications is 11pm on Sunday 5th June 2022. 

Good luck!

Salary: £43,043 - £48,113 (including local weighting & market supplement)
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: 12 month fixed term contract – maternity cover

As a Senior Social Worker within our IFA Service, you’ll be the central point of contact of SGO and Connected Persons assessments. You’ll undertake assessment visits, and review case records and the assessment of the child’s needs. You’ll prepare court reports and SGO support plans, working with child care teams, IRO and fostering teams, recording details of assessments on ICS.

For this role, you’ll need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification. You must understand SGO process and procedure and have worked in a similar role within fostering.

Main Accountabilities

• Be the central point of contact, collation and completion of SGO, Kinship and Connected Persons assessments, following a positive viability assessment
• Conduct joint viabilities with allocated social worker
• Undertake SGO and Connected Persons assessments, including Private assessment and SGO/child arrangement orders
• Review case records and the assessment of the child/ren needs
• Undertake assessment visits
• Observe contact with applicants and child/ren
• Propose transition plan with allocated social worker
• Undertake referee visits for the applicants, child/ren and adult child/ren within the home
• Prepare the court report and SGO support plan
• Attend associated professional meetings as required, including Court
• Organize and deliver trainee preparation workshops for prospective Special Guardians, family and friends
• Work with child care teams, IRO and fostering teams
• Record details of assessments on ICS
• Undertake duty, as allocated
• Collate cohort and trend data, monitor outcomes and respond to data requests
• Preparation for Fostering panel and attend
• Plan and hold SGO forums on 6-8 week basis
• Plan and hold 2 fun days per annum
• Write SGO newsletter twice per annum
• Wherever possible, generate leads for potential new foster carers and home from home carers
• Ensure the safeguarding of children/young people in line with the role and responsibilities
• Undertake any other duties as commensurate with the level of responsibility of the role
• Attend all mandatory training in line with the requirements of the role as advised by your manager and other training as and when required
• Adhere to all SCF policies and procedures at all times
• Positively demonstrate the values and behaviours required by SCF at all times
• Ensure own Health & Safety while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the role and report any issues, accidents or near misses appropriately
• Adhere to all legislation in terms of practice, policies and procedures for the role including the National Minimum Standards for Fostering and the SWE standards

Person specification

Education, Training & Experience

 Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
Social Work England registration – this role is a Regulated Activity (Essential)
Have worked in a similar role within Fostering (Essential)
Have worked with families and children (Essential)
Understand SGO/kinship process and procedure (Essential)
Minimum 2 years post qualification experience (Essential)
Commitment to continued CPD (Essential)

General & Specific Knowledge

Undertake SGO/kinship assessment (Essential)
Build professional working relationships with other services (Essential)
Prepare documentation and write reports required for various reviews, meetings, panel and court to a high standard (Essential)
Ability to hold forums (Essential)
Ability to prepare and deliver training (Essential)
Good observation skills (Essential)
Good verbal and written communication skills (Essential)
Understanding of and commitments to equality and diversity (Essential)
Satisfactory enhanced DBS (Essential)
Full clean UK driving licence (Essential)
Access to own vehicle (Desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted, we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk. The deadline for submitted applications is 11pm on Sunday 12^th June 2022.

Good luck!

Salary: £34,731- £39,839 (including local weighting of £949)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join Children With Disabilities team within Slough Children First as an Occupational Therapist.

As an Occupational Therapist you will work in accordance with policies, guidelines and OT standards as determined by Slough Children First and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional Standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics 2021.

Main Accountabilities

• To carry out assessments of need for services and decide how to meet the identified social and physical care needs of the individual service users in their own homes, within available resources.
• To involve carers in this process and take into account their needs as well as those of the service users to ensure best outcomes.
• To work with supervisor to identify the level of resources which will be required and made available for each service user.
• To manage a personal caseload and throughout the care management process to provide for service users and carers, as appropriate, advice, counselling, treatment, and advocacy according to professional expertise.
• To explore with the service user the service(s) which will be required and should be made available or purchased, and to confirm in writing with the client the agreed objectives and expectations of both service user and the Department.
• Attend and participate in appropriate clinical and case management and team meetings, disseminating and acting upon information.
• To arrange for the delivery of services and installation of equipment with providers, paying all due regard to statutory responsibilities.
• To review the progress of the written objectives and amend these as required. This should take account of the service users’ and carers’ views and needs and ensure cost effectiveness in relation to the quality of the service delivery.
• To participate in other activities which would benefit from the application of professional skills, e.g. working parties, special service developments, policy formation, group work and community development.
• To inform managers of specific needs which cannot be met, through non-availability of services or because of inadequate budgetary provision.
• To collect and submit statistical information to inform departmental reporting.
• Depending on experience and competence, to contribute to standards of practice, training and development activities.
• Participate in clinical supervision and appraisals and supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants according to level of experience.
• To work in accordance with policies and guidelines and the OT standards as determined by Slough Children First and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional Standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics 2001.
• To work in accordance with local and national health and safety regulations and ensure confidentiality of service user information within the SCF confidentiality policy.
• To maintain comprehensive case records that demonstrate good practice and follow departmental procedures to ensure Slough Children First is discharging its statutory duties.
• To carry out other tasks as are commensurate to the post according to OT core skills

Person specification

Education, Training & Experience

• Good assessment and recording skills. (Essential)
• Willingness to take responsibility and use initiative according to level of experience and delegations. (Essential)
• Use of computer and word processing skills (Essential)
• Good written and verbal communication skills (Essential)
• General knowledge of safe installation and use of assistive equipment and adaptations (Essential)
• General knowledge of common conditions, their prognoses and management (Essential)
• Broad experience working with people having a range of disabilities and multiple pathology. (Essential)
• Bsc/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy. (Essential)
• SWE Registration or Royal College of OT Registration (Essential)
• Full Driving licence with access to car on daily basis. (Essential)
• Physically capable of carrying transporting and fitting equipment in peoples homes, within manual handling constraints. (Essential)
• Can demonstrate and evidence skill in working with all age groups and many pathologies and disabilities. (Desirable)
• Level of experience and delegations. (Desirable)
• Clinical experience of working with people in their own homes (Desirable)
• Experience of working with people of diverse cultural and religious communities. (Desirable)

General & Specific Knowledge

• Ability to work as part of a team and establish effective relationships. (Essential)
• Demonstrate ability to set work priorities and deal with competing everyday demands. (Essential)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk. The deadline for submitted applications is 11pm on Sunday 29 May.  The advert will be extended depending on the number of applications we receive.

Good luck!

Salary: £47,627 - £52,723 (including local weighting) (Pro rata for part-time)
Hours: Part time - 29.6 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

As the panel advisor, you’ll manage Slough Children First's fostering panels, with some work for the adoption panel.

You’ll develop and implement management and quality assurance frameworks, as well as promote service improvement, achieve good inspection outcomes with regard to panel business and contribute towards high quality placements for children.

You’ll ensure panel members are appraised regularly, supporting the chair and agency decision maker in effectively fulfilling their roles and facilitating regular training.

For this role, you’ll need to be a Social Worker with at least five years post qualification experience, with relevant fostering work experience. And have an excellent knowledge and application of the relevant legal frameworks, regulations and fostering national minimum standards. You’ll also need to have proven experience of the successful management of staff/panel members, including the resolution of conflicting interests and priorities.

Main Accountabilities

• Manage Slough Children First's fostering panels
• Act as the Fostering Agency Advisor – there will be work for the Adoption panel also
•  Develop and implement performance management and quality assurance frameworks
•  Promote service improvement and achieve good inspection outcomes with regard to panel business
•  Contribute towards high quality placements for children
•  Ensure that panel members are appraised regularly
•  Facilitate regular training for the panel and service
•  Support the chair and agency decision maker in fulfilling their role in the most effective way through support and appropriate challenge
•  Maintain excellent knowledge and application of the relevant legal frameworks, regulation, and fostering national minimum standards
•  Disseminate regularly relevant and up to date research in the field of fostering to support the chair, panel members and agency decision maker in their respective roles
• Facilitate user feedback to inform service development and continuous improvement of the service
• Wherever possible, generate leads for potential new foster carers and home from home carers
• Ensure the safeguarding of children/young people in all that you do within the role
• Provide every opportunity for the voice of the child to be listened to in all that you do within your role
• Undertake any other duties as commensurate with the level of responsibility of the role
•  Attend all mandatory training in line with the requirements of the role as advised by your manager and other training as and when required
• Attend and participate in case and personal supervision on a regular basis
•  Adhere to your line managers guidance and decisions
•  Attend and participate in personal appraisal
• Adhere to all Trust policies and procedures at all times
•  Positively demonstrate the values and behaviours required by the Trust at all times
•  Ensure your own Health & Safety while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the role and report any issues, accidents or near misses appropriately and in a timely manner and use any devices provided as guided
•  Adhere to all legislation in terms of practice, policies and procedures for the role including the National Minimum Standards for Fostering and SWE Standards
•  Undertake appraisals, ensuring objectives are set and regularly reviewing them during supervision to ensure they are fully met in line with delivery dates, amended or ended in line with changes required
• Supervise members of the fostering service and undertake regular personal and case supervision
• Review appraisal objectives at supervision to ensure they are being completed or updated as necessary, setting new objectives when required
•  Challenge and scrutinise practice and ensure continuous improvement, identifying capability gaps within the service and taking appropriate action to improve staff performance, using company policies where necessary and with support and advice from HR
•  Log and monitor sickness absence and take appropriate action to deal with absence issues in line with the Sickness Absence policy, with support and advice from HR
• Participate in investigations of staff or hear disciplinaries as and when requested by HR

Person specification

• A social worker with at least five years post qualification experience and/or relevant management experience (Essential)
• Relevant experience of fostering work (Essential)
• Successful management of staff/panel members including the resolution of conflicting interests and priorities (Essential)
• Excellent knowledge and application of the relevant legal frameworks, regulation, and fostering national minimum standards (Essential)
• Evidence of good partnership working to achieve excellent timely outcomes for children, and foster carers (Essential)
• Evidence of achievement and a clear understanding of equal opportunities in employment and service delivery (Essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of children’s services statutory duties, responsibilities and policy requirements (Essential)
• An understanding and knowledge of public sector policy and performance frameworks relating to services for children and young people and families (Essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of children’s safeguarding (Essential)
• Visible leadership to support the agency in achieving the best outcomes for children and foster carers (Essential)
• Excellent time management and organisational skills (Essential)
• Able to role model flexibility and meet deadlines (Essential)
• Able to manage conflict and challenge in a constructive way (Essential)
• Application of anti-discriminatory practice (Essential)
• Knowledge and application of meeting safer recruitment practices as set out in the fostering national minimum standards (Essential)
• Able to inform, listen, support and motivate the panel members (Essential)
• Able to appropriately challenge inadequate performance or unacceptable behaviour (Essential)
• Able to manage business processes to ensure efficiency and effectiveness (Essential)
• Identifies and implements customer focused improvements (Essential)
• Excellent verbal, written and IT Skills to produce clear literate and appropriate reports/correspondence (Essential)
• Understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity (Essential)
• Social Work qualification (Essential)
• Evidence of post qualifying training (Essential)
• A recognised management qualification (Essential)
• Evidence of commitment to continued training and development (Essential)
• Social Work England registration – this role is a Regulated Activity (Essential)
• A satisfactory enhanced DBS check (Essential)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk. The deadline for submitted applications is 11pm on Sunday 29 May 2022.

Good luck!

Salary: £21,817 - £23,536  (including local weighting of £965)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent and Fixed term positions available across the services

Are you passionate about supporting a high functioning team with administrative tasks? If so, then we have a great opportunity for you as a Team Administrator, as we have several vacancies across our frontline services.

In this role, you'll provide high quality administrative support to the work of a team, so the team can deliver its statutory and legislative duties and requirements.

You'll promote, deliver and embrace our values– child focussed, honest and respectful, improving constantly, looking ahead and delivering together – to your team and peers to help deliver our vision of making our children safe, secure and successful.

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to be part of an exciting time for children's services in Slough then come and join us.

Main Accountabilities

• Organises and co-ordinates support from external agencies to ensure effective multi-agency meetings within the team. These are to include but not limited to: Core Groups, CIN meetings, strategy group meetings, legal meetings, court related meetings and any other meetings relevant to the service area. To include booking rooms, sharing reports and key documents in advance and making sure that the meetings are run effectively, ensuring all attendees know the location and are made aware of any changes and minutes are typed up and circulated promptly
• Arrange appointments for visits on behalf of social workers, Case Managers and Personal Advisors as requested including organising travel out of borough purchasing tickets in advance to save costs and organises for an interpreter where required
• Have oversight of individual’s and the team calendar checking last thing each evening/ first thing each morning that all visits and meetings are covered, arranging cover for visits or meetings when staff are off or unable to attend by prioritising remaining staff’s calendars and duties
• Support the team manager and assistant team manager with their diaries
• Support the senior social worker to arrange and maintain a duty calendar for the team, dealing with changes to duty as required
• Scan and upload relevant casefile documentation to ICS / Child View/Charms and complete notifications and actions relevant for case files, liaising with other agencies as required to address individual case file actions
• As the first point of contact for the team taking calls and screen for appropriate action to be taken, answering queries from families open to the team as appropriate.
• Act as a point of contact and liaison for the team with other teams across the Trust and with other teams and organisations externally as appropriate
• Reviews team level data e.g. visits, assessments due and court dates, reminding social workers /relevant team members when actions are about to go out of timescale and escalating it to managers as required
• Keep track of initial and review health assessments, dental assessments and immunisations for any Looked After Children in the team, being clear on the status of each child and supporting social workers to remain within timescale on actions.
• Processes invoices for the team and raise requisitions on Agresso as required
• Supports the Service Co-ordinator and team managers by providing and circulating team level statistics as required
• Supports the team manager to effectively track sickness and absence within the team by assisting with timely recording on Agresso
• Supports panels and meetings as directed by the service co-ordinator, ensuring minutes are circulating promptly
• Knows where all IT kit is for the team and provides information to the Service Co-ordinator upon request
• Works with the service co-ordinator to ensure all new starters receive a local induction as well as a corporate induction.
• Uses own initiative to identify actions and activities to support the development of a high functioning team
• Support the Team Manager and Service Co-ordinator with any necessary duties as consummate with the level of the role, including providing cover for the work of other team administrators during annual leave and take on other additional duties, as required.
• Represent the Trust’s values and be part of setting a positive culture within your team, service and the Trust; challenge behaviour when it is not aligned with our values and take appropriate action; support a professional in a respectful and child-focused environment which supports the Trust’s vision.

Person specification

Experience

• High level administrative skills including experience of diary management (Essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of the services provided by children’s social care (Essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation, policy and guidance relating to Children and Young People’s service work including Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 (Desirable)

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrable understanding of appropriate verbal communication skills, including the ability to deal with members of the public and staff in a sensitive and professional manner both over the phone and face to face (Essential)
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately. (Essential)
• Good information technology skills to include but not limited to: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), Agresso (or equivalent )and electronic casefile management systems (Essential)
• Can deal with data and analyse it accurately to inform the work of the team and ensure statutory deadlines are met (Essential)
• Flexible, adaptable and able to work using own initiative to ensure both self and others are organised. (Essential)
• Ability to prioritise own and work of the team managing conflicting priorities and multiple pieces of work to achieve targets and statutory deadlines. (Essential)
• Understanding of what is good customer service looks and feels like to both to colleagues within SCF and externally (Essential)
• Clear understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity. (Essential)

Qualifications/Training 

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent level with a good
  level of numeracy and literacy. (Essential)
• Commitment to personal and professional development (Essential)
• Office skills based qualifications such as RSA, Pitmans, NVQ Business Administration Level 3, BTEC or equivalent. (Desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. if you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk. The deadline for submitted applications is 11pm on Sunday 29 May.

Good luck!