Senior Social Worker – Children in Care

Our social workers make a real difference. Every day they work with families to help children and young people who have had a difficult start in life to achieve their ambitions. You will be listening to young people and putting them at the heart of all that we do and working in partnership with families, equipping them with the skills they need to ensure young people live in happy, healthy and safe homes.  We are pleased to say that we provide an Ofsted rated 'Good' service, our Ofsted report can be viewed here; we are seeking additional driven professionals to help us to collectively maintain and build on this for the ongoing betterment of the children and young people of South Gloucestershire.  Although this post is advertised as a full time position, we encourage and welcome applications from experienced social workers who may be seeking part time, job share or flexible working arrangements.   What will you be doing?  The Children in Care service includes sub specialisms, with social workers allocated to a full range of children in care, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC), Early Permanence and Care Leavers.  Your role will be more weighted towards one specialism based on your skillset, however as a 'one-service' approach, you will have opportunities to develop skills and experience within the wider disciplines within the service; and may be required to support areas outside of your primary specialism.   We have a strong culture of giving staff the time, freedom and support to explore new and better ways of doing things, so we’re looking for individuals keen to use their creativity to deliver high quality, child-centred practices, which ensure the best outcomes for children and families.  As a case holding social worker you will have the opportunity to travel as some children and young people are placed are out of the local area. Common work will include completing regular visits and assessments, gaining the views and wishes of children and young people and incorporating their views into your daily work. You may also be working with children and young people who are in Private Fostering settings, placed with Kinship Carers and Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers.