Slough is officially the best place to work in the UK*!
Slough Children First is an exciting place to be. We want to be the best and we’re looking for people with the skills, drive, energy and ambition to help us get there! We are looking for people with a passion for children’s social care and a desire to help protect the more vulnerable members of our society.
*Glassdoor survey 2020
Manageable caseloads, great rewards, excellent training and progression opportunities and generally just a great place to work. Click here to find some of the many reasons our existing staff love working for us.
OPEN ADVERTS:
These positions are open adverts and applications are shortlisted every two weeks.
Family Support Worker
Salary: £30,139 - £34,451 (including local weighting)
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Do you have experience of intensive one to one work and group work with parents, children, and young people from complex families?
If so, then now is an exciting time to join Slough Children First as we look to recruit Family Support Workers to our frontline services.
As a Family Support Worker, you’ll act as the dedicated Lead Professional at all stages of support, ensuring parents and children engage and comply with the family’s action plan, as well as conducting comprehensive whole family assessments and producing appropriate written reports detailing family assessments.
You’ll benefit from working in a team that provides supervision, support and development opportunities and you will be a part of our journey to improve the lives of children and families in Slough.
Main Accountabilities
- To conduct comprehensive whole family assessments as required and produce appropriate written reports detailing family assessment and ensuring that these are recorded on the eCAF system.
- Deliver brief and short term interventions when this is sufficient to meet family needs, and long term interventions using the Dundee Model of family support.
- To act as dedicated Lead Professional at all stages of support from pre-assessment through to exit strategy, using support and challenge measures to ensure that parents and children engage and comply with the family’s action plan.
- Coordinate support from external agencies and lead the Team Around the Family (TAF) approach.
- To work with families at various times including early morning, evening and weekends, delivering services where they are required such as the family home and community settings.
- To maintain effective records of family interventions and use the outcomes-based Family Star assessment tool to evidence the achievement of outcomes and enable evaluation recording these on the eCAF system.
- To promote and contribute to early intervention processes using step up and step down approaches, supporting Social Care where appropriate and understanding when statutory interventions are required.
- To 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.
- The post holder will be expected to take on additional duties and changes to the job description as required by your line manager commensurate with the post.
Person specification
Education, Training & Experience
At least two years experience of intensive one to one work and group work with parents, children and young people from complex families (Essential)
At least one year’s experience of acting as lead professional delivering family-focused interventions. Experience of monitoring, reviewing and evaluating work (Essential)
Experience of working with statutory and voluntary organisations, including co-ordination of multi-agency Interventions (Desirable)
Proven track record of working with families with multiple complex needs (Essential)
Experience of monitoring, reviewing and evaluating work (Essential)
Thorough understanding of how complex families with entrenched negative behaviours interact (Essential)
Knowledge of Child Protection policies and procedures and Safeguarding and CAF (Essential)
Understanding of and commitment to the need for sensitivity and confidentiality (Essential)
Educated to A level or NVQ3 in Child Development, Youth Support, Health or Social Care, and/or a relevant professional qualification in these areas (Essential)
Be able to demonstrate continuous professional development in related disciplines (Essential)
Be able to travel around Slough (Essential)
Qualification in a specialist area e.g. Emotional Health (Desirable)
General & Specific Knowledge
Ability to work flexibly (including early morning, evening and weekends) and communicate with a range of organisations and service providers within the Slough area, including the ability to co-ordinate a multi-agency intervention (Essential)
Ability to assess complex family needs and work with families and agencies to form a comprehensive plan of action (Essential)
Ability to organise and prioritise own work and self motivation in order to obtain objectives (Essential)
Ability to work on a one to one basis and monitor and evaluate outcomes, including having good recording skills and keeping accurate client records (Essential)
Ability to work as a member of a team (Essential)
Ability to develop and apply equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice (Essential)
Computer literate (Microsoft Word and Excel) (Essential)
Experience of using the Common Assessment Framework to assess cases and show progress (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’ll be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.
Good luck!
Assistant Team Manager (MASH)
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!
Senior Social Worker (Referral and Assessment)
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!
Senior Social Worker (Safeguarding and Family Support)
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!
Social Worker (Referral and Assessment)
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!
Social Worker (CWD)
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!
Social Worker (MASH)
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!
Social Worker (Safeguarding and Family Support)
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!
Team Manager (Safeguarding and Family Support)
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!
Volunteers (Exploitation and Youth Justice Service)
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!
Volunteer for NYAS (external vacancy)
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.
CURRENT ADVERTS:
These positions are currently open but have a deadline date for application.
If any job role is re-advertised, previous applicants should not re-apply. Thank you.
Commissioning Lead
Salary: Circa £64,000 per annum based on experience
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Do you have the skills and experience to design and manage high quality and effective commissioning and purchasing strategies, understand the aspects of children's needs and behaviours and interpret that into business need, track record of developing commercially viable initiatives and business opportunities, develop strategic plans, negotiate with providers, draft complex reports, manage a multi skilled and multi disciplined workforce?
Slough Children First is seeking a Commissioning Lead to lead and advise on business opportunities, create and direct commissioning and purchasing strategies using a business and project management approach and hold responsibility for developing and managing SCF's commissioning function and its business activities.
The ideal candidate will have experience of working within the statutory, commercial or private enterprise service sectors. You will need to possess strong leadership skills and a commitment to improving performance and building achievement, confidence and skills in others. You will provide business acumen and understanding of the principles that inform enterprise, market management and commercial decision making. You will be able to lead, develop and manage a small but dynamic commissioning function that incorporates the development of an internal and external business interface to ensure the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their families.
You will manage and oversee the strategic and operational commissioning functions including procurement, child and young person placements, contract monitoring and management. You will create and direct commissioning and purchasing strategies using a business and project management approach, enabling Slough children First to meet its statutory duties and commercial and business interests. You will take the lead role in identifying, promoting and managing joint and collaborate commissioning opportunities. Act as Slough Children First's representative when interfacing with external business interests and internal stakeholders.
Moreover, you will protect the business and financial interests of Slough children First through the generation of accountable commissioning and contracting processes that protect the financial, legal and reputation of Slough Children First and contribute towards savings or efficiency targets.
Main Accountabilities
- To lead and advise Slough Children First on business opportunities, develop commercially viable initiatives following corporate governance procedures and cultivate a culture of enterprise and opportunity,
- Be accountable, and hold responsibility for leading, developing and managing Slough Children First's Commissioning function and its business activities, developing the commissioning framework as required.
- Responsible for the development and implementation of both the sufficiency and commissioning strategies to meet the future demands on children's services in Slough.
- Ensure Slough Children First's financial requirements and statutory duties form the core of all commissioning activities. Balancing quality and price with an identifiable need and demand on services.
- Lead commissioning and work activities, coordinate staff, drive commissioning projects through to completion and supervise staff on a day-to-day basis.
- Responsible for delivery of commissioning advice and market intelligence to enable Slough Children First to achieve the best service outcomes for children at the most economically advantageous price achievable whilst meeting their social care needs.
- Develop, build upon and maintain a commissioning work plan that links with the strategic direction of Slough Children First and the aims and objectives of the commissioning strategy.
- Safeguard the voice of the child, ensuring children and families are included and consulted in the commissioning process, conducting direct work with individuals as required to inform commissioning and sufficiency activity.
- Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues across Slough Children First, Slough Borough Council, Health and all external agencies.
- Develop strategies with partner agencies for joint commissioning opportunities, with a focus on mental health and children with disabilities.
- Chair meetings including internal multi disciplinary, external and stakeholder meetings that may include NHS Trust's (Continuing Health Care), Clinical Commissioning Groups (CHC), Slough Borough Council and other statutory agencies.
- Develop relationships with providers, creating a community resource to help provide cost effective services, developing strong communication channels to understand supply in the market, shape the market and consideration of preferential partnerships to drive supply at more cost effective rates.
- ensure all commissioned services are person-centred, promote end user choice and are compliant with the standards and requirements set by the inspectorate.
- Work flexible and be willing to travel to meetings when required.
- Undertake a range of other duties commensurate with the role of a Commissioning Lead.
Person specification
Education, Training & Experience
- Degree level or equivalent professional qualifications or expertise is essential (Essential)
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development (Essential)
- Experience of working within Children's statutory services, understanding the dynamics of children's needs and behaviours and interpreting that into business need whilst adhering to local government financial management and budget regulations (Essential)
- Track record of developing commercially viable initiatives and business opportunities in either a public or commercial work environment with evidenced success that has improved outcomes for individuals (Essential)
- Experience of designing and managing high quality and effective commissioning and purchasing strategies (Essential)
- Experience of holding suppliers to account, deliver on expected outcomes and driving value for money whilst developing and maintaining positive working relationships that can meet the needs of children and young people (Essential)
- Proficient in the drafting of complex reports, development of business case analysis including evidential demand analysis and project management documentation (Essential)
- Track record of working collaboratively and co-operatively with an internal and external stakeholder market (Essential)
- Competent and experienced in the management of a multi skilled, multi disciplined workforce (Essential)
- Be able to work with children and vulnerable people and their families, when called upon, to ensure equality of opportunity and culturally appropriate services are commissioned against an identified need (Essential)
General & Specific Knowledge
- Ability to develop strategic plans (Essential)
- Ability to negotiate with providers (Essential)
- Ability to hold stakeholders and suppliers to account (Essential)
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels as well as families, children and young people (Essential)
- Ability to manage staff (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 21 August 2022.
Good luck!
Case Manager - Youth Justice Service
Salary: £35,338 - £40,536 (including local weighting of £965)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
We have a brilliant opportunity for those passionate to work directly with children, to promote desistance, diversion, and change.
We are looking for a Case Manager to join our Youth Justice Service. As Case Manager you will assess, supervise, support and work to reduce the offending of young people subject to Custodial and Statutory Orders. You will also work closely with Probation Services to ensure a smooth transition, where appropriate, to Adult Services.
You'll provide high quality written and verbal reports to the Youth and Crown Courts and support the Team in acting as Court Officer. You will undertake direct work with young people and contribute to the Team's duty system as appropriate.
For this role, you'll need at least two years of working with young people open to the YOS and their families. You will have knowledge of safeguarding children issues, Every Child Matters, Children Act 2004, and the Pan Berkshire Child Protection procedure. You must be registered with Social Worker England and have a professional qualification relevant to Social Care/Youth Justice/Health/Education/Policy or Probation.
Main Accountabilities
- To undertake a range of assessment including AssetPlus assessments and health and safety risk assessments.
- Supervise young people subject to statutory court intervention and deliver the intervention required to assist a young person in reducing his/her offending behaviours, (balancing their welfare needs with those of the protection of the public).
- Manage the cases of any young person serving custodial sentences and ensure appropriate through care and resettlement.
- To case manage statutory community sentences etc, contributing to the development of new programmes and projects using evidence-based practice.
- To provide high quality written and verbal report to the Youth and Crown courts and act as Court Officer.
- Act as team link with both statutory and voluntary agencies in order to devise innovative and creative strategies to prevent or reduce offending behaviour.
- To undertake group and one-to-one work with young people and parents/carers, planning, delivering, monitoring, and evaluating programmes, processes and interventions to reduce offending.
- Keep accurate, clear records using relevant software systems, contributing to agreed performance indicators and producing relevant data as required by the management information system of the YOT in line with YOT policies.
- Contribute to the team's duty systems as appropriate, such as Office Duty/PACE.
- Contribute to the development of a team culture and practice that is anti-discriminatory and delivers appropriate service to the diverse communities of Slough.
- To develop links with other partner agencies, including the Probation Service, particularly in respect of prolific offenders and young people acting in an anti-social manner providing support, guidance, and opportunities for young people both within the YOT and in the local community.
- To involve young people in the planning and evaluation of opportunities made available to them.
- To work flexible and some unsociable hours according to the team's requirements in order to provide the most effective staff cover.
- To undertake any other duties as required commensurate with the post.
- This role requires the candidate to be registered with SWE or have at least 2 years of relevant YOT experience and relevant alternative degree.
Person specification
Education, Training & Experience
- At least two years experience of working with young people open to the YOT and their families (Essential)
- Experience of organizing own workload, prioritizing and ensuring work is delivered on time (Essential)
- Experience of monitoring and evaluation processes (Essential)
- Experience of assessing and case managing young people who are at risk (Essential)
- Experience of working with young people who are at risk to the public and themselves or at risk of harm (Essential)
- Professional qualification relevant to Social Care/Youth Justice/Health/Education/Police/Probation and a record of continuous professional development (Essential)
- Full driving license with access to car on daily basis (Essential)
- The post holder is required to register with the SWE (Essential)
General & Specific Knowledge
- Working and detailed knowledge of the causes of crime and effective practice in intervening to reduce offending and anti-social behaviour by young people (Essential)
- Working and detailed knowledge of safeguarding children issues, Every Child Matters, Children Act 2004, and the Pan Berkshire Child Protection procedures (Essential)
- Working and detailed knowledge of the youth justice system, Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Youth Justice Board National Standards and the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Essential)
- Working and detailed knowledge of the assessment and management of risk in terms of dangerousness, reoffending and vulnerability (Essential)
- Knowledge of Children and Families Act 2014 (transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2015 (Essential)
- Commitment and ability to work in a multi-agency team (Essential)
- Ability to keep accurate, clear and concise records, including ability to analyse information using software systems both electronics and manual (Essential)
- To develop and implement appropriate innovative and creative initiatives/tools to use with young people and their families (Essential)
- To work with staff and managers at all levels and across disciplines, and particularly partner agencies, to conduct assessment and design intervention place to address offending behaviour (Essential)
- Demonstrates excellent oral, written, communication influencing, negotiating and advocacy skills (Essential)
- Ability to work with young people who misuse substances, are prolific offenders and display anti-social behaviour (Essential)
- The ability to work outside office hours (Essential)
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 11th September 2022.
Good luck!
Senior Supervising Social Worker
Salary: £43,043 - £48,113 (including local weighting of £965 and market supplement of £1500)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
We have a brilliant opportunity for those passionate to work directly with children and foster carers.
We are looking for a Senior Supervising Social Worker to join our IFA Service. As a Senior Supervising Social Worker you will make sure planned breaks from caring are provided for foster carers as appropriate. You will need to have fostering experience to provide supervision to a caseload of foster carers.
For this role you'll need to have 4 years experience of working as a Social Worker within children's services. You will have a good understanding of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Services Regulations.
Main Accountabilities
- Ensure the child/ren placed with foster carers are safeguarded and foster carers are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities in line with all regulations and standards and with policies, procedures (including with regard to allegations), guidance and financial, legal and insurance information
- Build positive relationships with foster carers and the child/ren placed with them
- Provide supervision to a caseload of foster carers
- Provide assessment, case planning and review of the foster carers ensuring timelines are met as laid down by the IFA and within the National Minimum Standards for Fostering in terms of completing these pieces of work
- Complete initial visits, initial enquiries, participate in the skills to foster training and all events that promote fostering
- complete references and checks for potential and approved foster carers
- Complete Form F assessments within timescales for Stages 1 and 2
- Undertake direct work with children to understand their lived experience within the foster placement
- Give support and guidance to foster carers to help them manage their responses and feelings arising from caring for children, particularly when challenging behaviour is presented
- understand the needs of the foster carers own child/ren
- Ensure planned breaks from caring are provided for foster carers as appropriate
- Work with other partners and stakeholders to ensure the voice of the child and their wishes and feelings are taken into account in aspects of their care
- Report concerns, identify risks, respond to care plans and move children on in accordance with their needs in agreement with the Practice Manager and Services Manager
- Ensure foster carers receive appropriate training in order to provide care and support, health and safety, enjoyment, education and preparation for the future of the child/ren in their care
- Provide support and guidance to ensure foster carers access the correct stakeholders when ensuring the child/ren achieve their full potential in educational attainment
- Ensure all assessments are robust and fit for purpose
- Promote and safeguard the wellbeing and interests of the child/young person at all times and through all aspects of work
- Be responsible for managing a complex and independent workload, ensuring legislative requirements are me to a high standard and within required timescales
- Act as a senior professional, using knowledge and experience in a specialist area and from own professional experience to provide advice, support and 'critical friend' challenge on cases to colleagues to support them in their work
- Take responsibility for a student working in Slough Children First, carrying out their supervision alongside the Fostering Practice Manager
- Be willing to work towards the Practice Educator Professional Standards for social work, especially stage 2
- Ensure foster carers understand contact arrangements with the child/rens family
- Ensure all trackers, systems and reposts are updated in a timely manner including ICS/Charms and that they are accurate
- Write reposts using chronological order
- Take part in recruitment and activity events
- Arrange and deliver Skills to Foster to potential foster carers
- Deliver training to approved foster carers on a variety of issues
- Complete assessments for potential foster carers and present to panel
- Ensure children's files are kept up to date and accurate
- Actively participate in supervision and appraisal processes
- Actively participate in team meetings or any other meetings internally/externally
- Provide duty cover in the office as allocated
- Provide cover of the out-of-hours duty telephone line when allocated, ensuring ability to respond to any requirements needed
- 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 and issues, accidents or near missed appropriately
- Adhere to all legislation in terms of practice, policies and procedures for the role including the National Minimum Standards for Fostering and SWE standards
Person specification
Education, Training & Experience
- Must have 4 years experience of working as a Social Worker within children's services (Essential)
- Must have a good understanding of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Services Regulations (Essential)
- Knowledge of the Childrens Act 2004 (Essential)
- Social Work England registered - this role is a Regulated Activity (Essential)
- Relevant degree (Essential)
- Commitment to CPD (Essential)
General & Specific Knowledge
- Strong verbal and written communication skills (Essential)
- Ability to build good working relationships and maintain them (Essential)
- Excellent listening skills in order to translate verbal discussion into written reports and assessments (Essential)
- Solution focused with consideration to the feelings and wishes of the child/ren and the foster carers (Essential)
- Thorough understanding of safeguarding child/ren (Essential)
- Excellent eye for detail (Essential)
- Ability to work within frameworks and to timescales (Essential)
- Ability to write analytical reports that are fit to purpose (Essential)
- Ability to have a flexible approach to working hours (Essential)
- A satisfactory DBS check (Essential)
- Full clean UK driving license (Essential)
- Access to own vehicle (Desirable)
- Understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity (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 11th September 2022.
Good luck!
Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist
Salary: £41,543 - £46,613 (including local weighting) (pro rata for part time)
Hours: Part time 28.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
A fantastic opportunity has arisen in our Children with Disabilities team for a Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist!
As a Senior Practitioner OT, you’ll supervise a small team to support children with learning difficulties and disabilities. As well as assisting senior managers in the delivery of effective management and development of the OT based care management services.
You’ll have ongoing oversight of the progress of the work of the team and will ensure this is reviewed and monitored in accordance with government and departmental procedures. And work in partnership with other agency colleagues in the development of the service.
You’ll need to have a World Federation of Occupational Therapy recognised Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy, as well as currently being OT registered with the Health Professions Council.
Main Accountabilities
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- To supervise the Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants to achieve high standards of performance within the context of Assessment, Care Management requirements and other relevant legislation. To achieve budgetary limitations and to ensure compliance with all departmental procedures and priorities, within all Government performance indicators.
- To assist with the development and implementation of effective systems to manage the allocation of work to meet identified carer and user needs and the changing demand on resources.
- To monitor the progress of work referred to the team and ensure case recordings and written communications meet departmental objectives, key performance indicators and standards.
- To ensure ongoing work, care plans and care packages are reviewed and monitored in accordance with Government and departmental procedure and contractual agreements.
- To ensure the professional development of staff via supervision, appraisal and support and to report to the Team Manager any identified training and developmental needs.
- To ensure the appropriate and effective use of budgets and resources in accordance with the department’s criteria and priorities and to assist the Head of Service in the monitoring of expenditure and identification of service/resources deficits.
- To work in partnership with Community Care and Health, Housing and Partner Agency colleagues in the development and implementation of the service.
- To carry an allocated caseload, this will take into account other responsibilities and provide, to a high standard, care management services to both carers and users of the service.
- To chair planning meetings and case conferences, as appropriate for the team and agreed delegated authorities.
- To contribute to the development and training of OT staff in using the ordering system and ICS and provide support to Administrative staff.
- To undertake any other duties as are commensurate with the post in agreement with the managers of the team.
Person specification
Education, Training & Experience
Minimum of 3 years post qualifying experience, preferably with time working in Social Services (Essential)
Previous experience of supervising staff, with commitment to performance appraisal, and to make best use of available talents (Essential)
Previous experience of therapeutic intervention, major adaption planning, manual handling, risk assessments and supplying and fitting a broad range of disability equipment (Essential)
A World Federation of Occupational Therapy recognised Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy (Essential)
Current OT registration with the Health Professions Council (Essential)
Evidence of continuous and professional development (Essential)General & Specific Knowledge
Understanding of working with children who have severe/profound disabilities (Essential)
Some knowledge & understanding of Disabled Persons Act 1986; NHS & Community Care Act 1990, section 47; Housing & Regeneration Act 1996 re. mandatory DFGs; and Care Act 2014 (Essential)
Particular interest in an OT related specialism (Desirable)
Understanding of Occupational Therapy standards and National assessment and care management standards (Essential)
An understanding and commitment to equality and diversity (Essential)
An ability to work with staff and managers at all levels and across Community Care disciplines Health, Housing, Partner Agencies and voluntary sector (Essential)
An ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team using initiative to direct others as necessary (Essential)
Ability to contribute to the identification of service needs/deficits and help in the development of strategies to meet the needs of children with a wide range of physical disabilities and pathologies (Essential)
To be proficient in the use of IT systems and packages (Essential)
Ability to work under pressure and be self motivated (Essential)
Full UK driving license with access to a car on a daily basis (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’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 28 August 2022.
Good luck!
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Occupational Therapist
Salary: £35,338- £40,536 (including local weighting of £965)
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 28 August. The advert will be extended depending on the number of applications we receive.
Good luck!
Team Administrator
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 28 August.
Good luck!