Job Details
Key responsibilities
As a Child and Family Social Worker you will be responsible for working to keep children in need
of help and protection or in public care safe. You will work directly with the child or young
person and their family or carer to build a working relationship that facilitates meaningful and
sustainable change whilst maintaining the focus on risk. You will share and exercise the
organisational practice ethos which places Motivational Social Work and trauma-informed
practice at the heart of working with families. You will show a strong commitment and an ability
to use evidence-based approaches throughout your practice.
Responsibilities
1) Manage the specific set of tasks relating to statutory case responsibility for children in need
of help and protection and in public care, with the support of an appropriately qualified
supervisor:
a) Build a working relationship with the child, family or carers to decide the best way to keep
them safe and bring about change ensuring that child protection is always prioritised. Observe
and talk to child in their environment to help understand their physical and emotional world.
b) Identify and analyse risks and protective factors and potential impact on the child and
parental capacity. Consider how impact of traumatic experiences affect the current every day
functioning and long-term development and dynamics. Set out the most relevant options for
resolving the difficulties facing each child.
c) Work intensively with the child, their families and carer using evidenced-based skills- based
approaches in direct work helping them to identify goals and bring about meaningful and
sustainable change.
d) Review and scrutinise regularly whether the help provided is making a difference to reduce
risk and adjust the plan accordingly.
e) Report risk through the line management structure, where relevant. Use supervision
reflectively to discuss, debate and test hypotheses about what is happening in examining your
cases. Explore not only the presenting issues but the underlying causes of risks and needs.
Invest in shaping your supervision to improve your case practice and help you develop your
competence and confidence as a practitioner and within your role. Engage in continuous selfevaluation of case practice through self-reflection and consultation and explore your limitations.
f) Use case recording as a way to extend your understanding of the case and inform analysis
and decision-making. Show accountability for the help being provided by producing written case
notes and reports, which are well argued, focused and jargon free. Present a clear analysis and
a sound rationale for actions as well as any conclusions reached, so that all parties are well
informed.
g) Maintain effective working relationships with peers, managers and leaders both within the
profession, throughout multi-agency partnerships and public bodies, including the family courts.
Pay rate: £31.46 per hour umbrella
Three to six months contract with view to extend or make permanent
