Are you a dedicated and empathetic Qualified Social Worker with a passion for championing the rights and needs of children with disabilities? Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is seeking a compassionate and skilled individual to join our Children with Disabilities (CWD) Team.
This is a unique opportunity to provide specialist support and advocacy, working in partnership with children, young people, and their families to ensure they receive the best possible care and opportunities in Stockton-on-Tees.
Pay Rate: £27.56 per hour
What you'll do:
As a Social Worker in the Children with Disabilities Team, you will be instrumental in supporting children and young people with complex and/or lifelong disabilities. Your responsibilities will include:
- Specialist Assessments: Conducting comprehensive and person-centred assessments for children and young people with disabilities, including Child and Family Assessments under Section 17 and Section 47 of the Children Act 1989, to identify their strengths, needs, risks, and safeguarding concerns.
- Care Planning: Developing and implementing individualised care and support plans, including the provision of short-break services, to promote independence, choice, and inclusion.
- Direct Work: Engaging in direct work with children, young people, and their families, ensuring their voices are heard and their wishes are respected throughout the assessment and planning process.
- Multi-Agency Coordination: Leading and actively participating in multi-agency collaboration with health professionals, education staff, therapists, adult services, and other partners to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to care.
- Advocacy: Acting as a strong advocate for the rights and needs of children with disabilities, empowering them and their families to access appropriate services and support.
- Safeguarding: Identifying children at risk of significant harm and taking immediate action in consultation with line management and legal services, including initiating and participating in Child Protection Conferences and Strategy Discussions.
- Court Work: Preparing statements and reports for court proceedings, and giving evidence in care proceedings when required.
- Case Management: Effectively managing a caseload, maintaining accurate, timely, and high-quality case records in accordance with statutory guidance and local procedures.
- Compliance: Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance (e.g., Working Together to Safeguard Children), and Ofsted frameworks.
What we're looking for:
- Qualified Social Worker: You must hold a recognized Social Work qualification (e.g., Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW).
- Social Work England Registration: Essential to practice as a Social Worker in England.
- Enhanced DBS: You will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Experience: Proven post-qualifying experience in children's social work, with specific experience or a strong understanding of working with children with disabilities and their families.
- Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of legislation and best practice relating to children with disabilities, including the Children Act 1989 and the SEND Code of Practice.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills to build rapport and work effectively with children, families, and a wide range of professionals.
- Assessment & Analytical Abilities: Strong assessment and analytical abilities to understand complex needs and develop effective interventions.
- Resilience & Organisation: Ability to manage a complex caseload, work effectively under pressure, and maintain meticulous records.
Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.
Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.
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