Advanced Social Worker

Our Social Workers make a huge difference to the lives of people across our county, and we remain passionate about investing in retaining our own and developing practice and this an exciting opportunity which offers just that. Working with us means collaborating across our different teams, and sharing best practice, knowledge, and experience to continually improve the way we do things. Support is important, as we work in a big county with some diverse challenges – but together we can meet all kinds of needs and demands. If you are looking for more responsibility, a supportive role with your colleagues whilst continuing to support and safeguard some of our most vulnerable/high risk children and young people, then this could be just for you. We also have a career progression framework in place to support you which also includes: * Practice Educator Programme * Aspiring Senior Practice Lead and Aspiring Team Manager programme. We are ambitious in our learning and development programme with strong links within the West Midlands and our teaching partnership. You can find out more about working her and our social worker career pathways here. This role is based in Newcastle in the Assessment and Staying Together Team and you will be working with families across the continuum of need from child In need through to the conclusion of care proceedings. Main Responsibility As an advanced social worker you will: * be responsible for completing your statutory duties in co ordinating the child’s plan, reviewing and ensuring that our children are seen and heard. * undertake section 47 investigations * undertake placement of children into Local Authority care, when it is agreed they can no longer remain at home * be responsible for the completion of both Private and Public law reports * be responsible for referring into our centralised services for specialist support/ services. * offer informal and formal mentoring to less experienced social workers, and use your practice wisdom to champion specific areas of practice. * work within the framework of legislation, agreed council policies and procedures to work with or on behalf of children, young people and their families, to improve their well-being, and promote their independence. * work within a District Model and will work closely with your colleagues in Early Help, Children in Care and Care Leavers and Children with Disabilities Team. As well as our colleagues in health and education. The Ideal Candidate You will be an experienced social worker and have: * a social work degree and be Social Work England (SWE) registered. * post qualifying experience of working with vulnerable children and knowledge of safeguarding and children in care. * knowledge of legislation and guidance underpinning delivery of children’s social care e.g. Children's Act, Working Together, Adoption Act, Every Child Matters. * full UK Driving Licence. * experience in mentoring. * demonstrated ability in improving outcomes for children and young people * examples of creative social work practice to keep children and young people within their families where safe to do so. But above all, you will bring the desire to work with children and families to give them the right support, at the right time with the aim of keeping families together where it is safe to do so. Interviews will be held on the Thursday 24th October. Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role