Job Title: Social Worker - Children in Care Team
Location: Dudley, West Midlands
Rate of Pay: £33.30 per hour
Are you a dedicated and compassionate Social Worker eager to make a lasting difference in the lives of children in care? Dudley Council is seeking an enthusiastic Social Worker to join our committed Children in Care (CiC) Team!
At Dudley Council, we are deeply committed to providing the best possible care and outcomes for our looked after children. Our Children in Care Team plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, well-being, and positive development of children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families. We strive to achieve permanence for every child, whether through adoption, Special Guardianship, long-term fostering, or reunification.
The Role:
As a Social Worker in the Children in Care Team, you will manage a varied caseload of looked after children and young people. Your primary responsibilities will include:
Developing, implementing, and regularly reviewing comprehensive care plans and permanence plans for children in the care of the local authority.
Working proactively towards achieving permanence for children, ensuring timely and effective plans for adoption, Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs), long-term fostering, or safe return to family.
Building meaningful relationships with children and young people, ensuring their voice is heard and their wishes and feelings inform all decisions.
Working closely with foster carers, residential staff, Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs), education providers, health professionals, and other agencies to support children's holistic needs.
Attending and contributing to Looked After Child (LAC) Reviews, Placement Planning Meetings, and other statutory meetings.
Supporting children's emotional well-being, educational attainment, and physical health development.
Maintaining accurate, analytical, and up-to-date electronic case records in compliance with statutory requirements and Dudley Council policies.
Responding to and managing safeguarding concerns within your caseload.
About You:
We are looking for a highly motivated and empathetic Social Worker with:
A recognised Social Work qualification.
Current registration with Social Work England.
Minimum 3 years post qualifying experience of working with children and families in a social care setting, with direct experience in Children in Care / Looked After Children's services being highly desirable.
A strong understanding of relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and associated statutory guidance for looked after children and care planning.
Excellent assessment, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with children and their carers.
The ability to manage a diverse and demanding caseload effectively and prioritise tasks.
A commitment to child-centred practice and achieving permanence.
A full UK driving licence and access to a car for business use (or ability to travel efficiently around the borough).
What We Offer:
A competitive rate of £33.30 per hour.
The opportunity to work in a highly dedicated and supportive team environment.
Regular, high-quality supervision and ongoing professional development opportunities tailored to your needs.
The chance to make a profound and lasting positive impact on the lives of children and young people in Dudley.
Access to a range of employee benefits (details available upon request).
Why Dudley Council?
Dudley Council is committed to providing outstanding services for our children and families. We foster a supportive culture where our social workers are valued, invested in, and empowered to deliver the best possible care. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to safeguarding and nurturing our looked after children.
Apply Now:
If you are a passionate and experienced Social Worker ready for your next rewarding role, we would love to hear from you!
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Fahmida Ahmed on 07441 927663 or .
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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