Social Worker (Leaving Care)

• Suffolk County Council, Ipswich, IP1 2DH
• £32,909 - £36,298 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• plus £4,000 annual retention payment (pro rata for part time)
• 37 Hours per week
• Permanent

We welcome applications from everyone. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people because they are under-represented in this directorate.

We are committed to flexible working, so please read the Job and Person Profile (docx) to find out about the types of flexible working available for this role.

Are you empowered by being able to see and feel the positive change?

• Would you like to work in an incredibly varied, challenging and rewarding role?
• Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people in Suffolk?
• Would you like to work together, with various professionals to support children in care and care leavers to achieve and be the best version of themselves?

If so, we are looking for people like you, who share the same care, support, and dedication as we do.

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join the Suffolk County Council (SCC) Leaving Care Service as a Social Worker in the Ipswich Team, Constantine House, Ipswich.

Here in Suffolk, we are proud to have created an environment where social workers and Personal Advisers can achieve the outcomes, they came into the profession to do

We were recognised as one of the leading social work authorities in the UK, whose children’s services are rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, "Services for children are of an exceptionally high standard. They are child-focused and make a positive difference to children's lives." (Ofsted, 2019). We have a well-embedded practice framework to enable meaningful family-focused help. ‘Signs of Safety’ enables us to do this respectfully and in collaboration with all the families, colleagues, and organisations we are working with.

Your role and responsibilities

The Leaving Care Service offers a comprehensive package of support for children in care and care leavers aged 16 up to 25 to develop their independence and prepare for adulthood.

You will:

• manage a caseload of 16- to 18-year-old Children in Care and support their transition into adulthood
• complete statutory visits to children in care, using innovative approaches to engage and support them to reach their goals
• work together with varied professionals and agencies to ensure children in care have their varied and complex needs met
• complete innovative strengths-based assessments and care planning with children in care and their support network
• be open to change, innovative and confident with a focus on strengthening social work
• be ambitious about what children in care can achieve and keen to explore ideas for positive outcomes
• be responsible for providing effective case management and support using a Signs of Safety approach.
  

You will need

• a relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration
• to promote a high-performance culture within the team that is flexible, innovative, responsive to changing priorities and empowers people to deliver excellence, best value and continuous improvement for children and young people in Suffolk.
  

We are looking for a committed self-motivated person with excellent relationship skills to support young people at this pivotal time in their life, from care to independence.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Leaving Care Service is a supportive and innovative service that focuses on good outcomes. The service is made up of social workers, Personal Advisors, Education and Employment workers and Housing Support workers focusing on supporting young people to achieve independence successfully.

You will be working within an area team in a particular geographical area of Suffolk, however we continue to manage the Suffolk children that move outside of County, therefore there is an expectation to travel out of County when needed.

We will offer you

• Access to regular supervision
• The necessary training to enhance career development through our supportive career pathways programme and to make sure you feel supported within your role
• A supportive working environment where you will be able to develop and achieve in this rewarding role.?
  

Travel and workplace requirements

We positively encourage the use of technology to communicate, but in this role, you will need to travel to locations away from your contractual base, so you must either hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to meet the travel requirements of this role, please speak with the contact detailed below.

This role supports hybrid working, a broadly even balance between working from home and working from an office base. If you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements, please contact the recruiting manager listed above. #LI-Hybrid

For more information

For an informal discussion, please contact Tania Sicling (She/Her) by calling: (01473 264949)

Please read the Job and Person Profile (docx), before applying for this job opportunity.

In your application, please ensure your statement indicates how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP.

Closing date: 11:30pm, 01 October 2023

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 28 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
• plus more!

If you would like to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Working for Suffolk County Council pages (www.Suffolk.gov.uk/careers).