Job title: Social work assistant
Salary: C1 £27,711 - £30,060
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Kernel House
INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.
As a social work assistant you’ll thrive on working as part of a team to support children and families. This is an opportunity to undertake valuable and varied work with experienced and dedicated colleagues. You will work as part of a multi-agency team supporting children to live within their family and friends network.
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 social work assistant, you will bring to the role:
- Able to work with service users and carers who have a diverse range of needs and presenting behaviours
- Able to work as part of a team and with professionals from other agencies, in the delivery of services.
- Able to pass information effectively, accurately, and concisely between service users, carers, colleagues, and other agencies.
- Able to produce good quality records and reports.
- Basic understanding of issues of child development including adolescence and transition to adulthood.
About the role
As our next social work assistant you’ll support the supervising social workers by undertaking valuable and varied work to ensure children’s needs are met. The work will include providing guidance to kinship families. You will have the opportunity to help kinship carers develop their skills through our training programme. You will also learn about all aspects of kinship care and how families can be supported to provide homes for children who cannot live with their parents.
The role is integral to our Kinship Team. The Kinship Team provides support to kinship carers so they can provide good care and meet fostering regulations. The team provides support through one to one time with kinship carers, helping them to access resources and navigate services. The team plays a big part in developing support services for kinship carers so they can provide good care for vulnerable children.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits 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
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
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 contact Edward McCallum (Service Delivery Manager) Call 0113 378 2126 or Edward.McCallum@leeds.gov.uk
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. 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. 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 take responsibility for assessing needs and providing services to less vulnerable service users and to assist staff in assessing need and providing services in more complex cases. Variable working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings. Social Work Assistants are based at locations across the City and will be required to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Responsibilities:
- Provide or assist the provision of services to meet and assist users in respect of welfare rights, as appropriate.
- Provide advice, under Directorate guidance, to service users and carers in respect of financial problems, debts, and welfare benefits as appropriate.
- Undertake financial assessments and give appropriate advice and support.
- Work under the oversight of experienced Social Workers (post ASYE) in making enquiries of alleged neglect, abuse, or ill-treatment of children.
- Work under the oversight of experienced Social Workers (post ASYE) in supporting the undertaking of a wide range of assessments (pre-birth assessments, risk assessment, Child, and Family Assessment).
- Undertake family work relating to preventative work, offering guidance and support, in conjunction with the Social Worker and/or Team Manager.
- Undertake planned pieces of work or specific tasks with children who have a child protection plan, under the oversight of an experienced Social Worker.
- Work in partnership with other professionals and/or agencies within the local authority, to meet outcomes for children.
- Maintain case records accurately and in line with your role prepare any relevant documentation as required by the local Authority and other agencies in accordance with the Directorate’s and policy and practice.
- Arrange and supervise children in care to see their parents and/or other significant family members (contact) to meet the requirements of the child.
- Transport children and families to medical examinations and appointments where necessary.
- Undertaking direct work with children, this to include obtaining their wishes and feelings and supporting them throughout assessment process. This will include Life Story work.
- Assist young people in independent living when unable to live at home, building a package of support to meet their needs.
- Engage with families in a positive, respectful, and responsive manner to enable them to gain the most out of the support being offered and where needed support alternative care planning for those children and young people.
- With the support of an experienced Social Worker/Team Manager to attend and participate in Child Protection Conferences, Core Group meetings, family Group conferencing or other relevant meetings as required and contributing to care planning.
- Offer support and encouragement to parent/carers, relating to the development and well-being of their children with a view to enabling them to remain with their families/carers safely where appropriate.
- Offer support and respond to families in crisis quickly identifying a package of support.
- Under the close supervision of your Team Manager to attend court to give evidence should this be required.
- Participate in appropriate training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
- The post holder will maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within Childrens Services, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies, and the general public.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
- Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
- To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
- Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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 No formal qualifications required
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate
Skills Required
- Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
- Able to work with service users and carers who have a diverse range of needs and presenting behaviours
- Able to relate to individuals and groups, particularly children, young people, and families from a diverse range of backgrounds.
- Able to work as part of a team and with professionals from other agencies, in the delivery of services.
- Able to pass information effectively, accurately, and concisely between service users, carers, colleagues, and other agencies.
- Able to produce good quality records and reports.
Knowledge Required
- Basic understanding of legislation and current issues in Children’s Social Care.
- An understanding of the need for confidentiality.
- Basic understanding of issues of child development including adolescence and transition to adulthood.
Experience Required
- Of working within a team.
- Of working with children, young people, and families from a diverse range of backgrounds with a diverse range of needs.
- Of working with other relevant agencies.
- Of undertaking assessments.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- Committed to continuous improvement
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the council's Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development
- Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct
