Senior Social Worker - REQ001329

Job title: Senior Social Worker

Salary: PO3 £41,511 to £44,711 pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Various

As a children’s social worker, you will thrive on working restoratively with children and families by building strong relationships to inspire positive change and sustainable outcomes.

Our restorative practice model lies at the heart of our children’s social work team at Leeds City Council. We believe that relationships really matter in our role; working with and alongside people is the best way to make a positive difference for children and young people.

We have opportunities for senior social workers with experience of managing a high level, complex and diverse caseload. We can offer permanent contracts on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates. We are open to flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance, if service needs can be fulfilled.

We are also recruiting:

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We provide comprehensive support and training packages for our social workers, with clear career progression opportunities. Our established in-house management team offers continuous support, guidance and reflective supervision allowing you to grow and develop through your career.

There’s a wealth of opportunity across the city with roles in locality teams, children looked after and more specialist teams such as front door, restorative early support and the child health and disability service. We will offer successful candidates a post based on individual preference and experience as well as the needs of the service.

We’re proud to be part of Ofsted outstanding Leeds children’s services, working to improve outcomes for all children and young people, and close the gap facing those from vulnerable and deprived backgrounds.

We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Senior Social Worker you will hold an appropriate professional qualification (degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) and must be registered with Social Work England on commencement in post. In addition to your professional qualification and registration you will hold Practice Educator Level 1 and be willing to work towards Level 2.

You will also bring to the role:

experience of managing a complex caseload in a statutory setting, with ability to problem solve, negotiate and manage conflict
up-to-date knowledge of trends, policies, regulation and safeguarding in social care
communication and collaboration skills, for positive engagement with children and families and productive relationship building in a multi-agency environment
ability to lead, motivate, mentor and develop social work colleagues
proactive use of supervision for critical reflection and to enhance practice and insight

About the role

You will be integral to our close-knit, supportive children’s social work team which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart. As a Senior Social Worker, you will contribute to planning and innovation to ensure our service is fit for the future.

You will manage a complex and diverse caseload, taking a child-focused approach which is underpinned by our culture of restorative practice and family decision making including family group conferencing. We work closely with local health and third sector partners, and you will develop and maintain these strong links in your role.

You will engage proactively in the supervision and appraisal framework for critical reflection and exploration of your role. You will undertake the Practice Educator Level 2 qualification, equipping you to take a lead role in supervising, mentoring and developing less experienced colleagues and students.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits for social workers including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities

essential car user allowance plus car loan scheme
access to deals and discounts, including eligibility for a blue light card
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please call the recruitment team on 0113 378 5165, who will be able to put you in touch with a relevant manager.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying.â€¯To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To provide a high quality and comprehensive social work service to children, families, and carers in accordance with the organisational needs, policy, and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines. This is an experienced Social Worker role with specific responsibilities for managing a caseload of higher levels of complexity, which will include assessment and management of risk and to provide casework advice, support, and guidance to other team members.

The post holder must at all times carry out the responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, and also within the Social Work England Code of Practice.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for a complex caseload which includes the assessment of needs and management of risk regarding children, their families, and carers.
Maintain and update case notes and other records, author reports as required and if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
Develop relationships with children, young people, and families/carers so as to best provide a high-quality service. .
Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.
Supervise students and develop the practice learning setting and provide guidance to trainees, support staff and social work assistants as required.
Carry a caseload of complex cases and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.
Provide advice, support, and guidance on casework to less experienced team members.
On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a child focused approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in line with procedures.
Responsible for analysing information to support the on-going needs of users, their families, and carers.
Monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in accordance with directorate procedures.
Use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.
Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
Maintain and update case notes and other records and author reports as required.
Work directly with children and young people to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views.
Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
Comply with relevant governance, policy, and procedures.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic, and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies, and procedures. Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation. Disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.
Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
Assist in the planning and developing of future services and policies, promote innovative ways of developing practice and contribute to the development of capacity within the community.
Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
Under the direction of the Team Manager undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi-agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or actions plans to implement these to improve service delivery.
Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi-agency meetings in line with procedures.
Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
Work to and within the prescribed Professional Capabilities Framework
Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
Supervise students and contribute to the preparation of practice learning settings for student placements, ensuring induction programmes are provided and continuously monitor learning setting and opportunities provided.
Carry out the role and responsibilities of key worker for a caseload which will include complex and statutory work.
Undertake assessment, planning and reviewing of work concerning children in need, children subject to child protection plans and children who are looked after in care.
Work restoratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, their families, and carers to achieve positive outcomes.
Participate in arrangements to receive, screen, and respond to requests for service and referrals.
Work with children and young people, families, and carers to help them make informed decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders
Plan and commission services and support for children, young people, and their families
Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.
Undertake preventative work with families in order to reduce the need for children to become looked after in care.
Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings.
Work to be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager.
Undertake the Practice Educator Level 2 role and assess and manage the work of social work students.
Promote the right to advocacy to all children and young people on their caseload and offer full information on how to make complaints.
Be available for young people to contact and respond to phone calls/call them back promptly.
Make young people aware of whom they can contact outside office hours.
Flexible working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings.
Work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with other colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers, and other agencies. Supervision will be provided as a minimum on a monthly basis.
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications: Appropriate professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement of the post and maintain registration. Practice Educator Level 1 on appointment and to undertake Practice Educator Level 2 within an agreed time period.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise, and evaluate work with service users.
Able to plan, prioritise and time manage a complex workload.
A high level of effective written and verbal communication and the ability to pass information accurately and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers, and colleagues.
Able to overcome resistance and to exercise assertiveness in appropriate situations when working with individuals, families, carers, and other agencies.
Able to negotiate, challenge and manage conflict.
Able to innovate and problem solve with the ability to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change.
Able to devise, implement review and evaluate service and support plans.
Able to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person-centred approach.
Able to exercise individual judgement and consult where and when necessary.
Able to be flexible, creative and use own initiative.
Able to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
Able to chair multi-agency and other meetings and represent the Council in a professional capacity.
Able to develop self and others including mentoring, supervision and development of student placements and other social work staff.
Able to lead and motivate staff.
Ability to work and engage with children and young people and use their views to inform assessments, plans and interventions.
Knowledge of recent relevant professional development
Knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds
Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet, and Email,
Knowledge of current, trends, policies, legislation, and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families, and carers as appropriate.
Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
Of the challenges of working within a multi-agency environment
Experience of working within a Social Care environment
Experience of working in a multi-agency setting
Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems.
Experience of working within and implementing a person centred/child focused approach.
Experience of supervising, supporting, encouraging, and advising qualified and non-qualified staff
Experience of the use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning.
Experience of producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function.
Experience of managing a high level, complex and diverse caseload within agreed parameters, policy, and procedure
Experience of the application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up,to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Possession of a full current driving licence
Knowledge of consolidation of learning for specialist practice
Experience of working and reporting within a court environment

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