Social Worker - Fieldwork, Children and Families Team

Job Title: Social Worker - Fieldwork, Children and Families TeamLocation: Stockton-on-Tees, EnglandJob Overview:Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Worker to join its Children and Families Fieldwork Team. This vital role involves working closely with children, young people, and their families to safeguard their welfare, ensure their developmental needs are met, and support them to achieve the best possible outcomes.The successful candidate will undertake statutory duties under the Children Act and related legislation, playing a pivotal role in assessing, planning, and delivering services designed to keep children safe and promote their well-being.Key Responsibilities:1. Comprehensive Child and Family Assessments:

• Undertake robust assessments to identify risks, strengths, and support needs of children and their families.
• Use Signs of Safety or similar strengths-based models to inform planning.
• Formulate evidence-based recommendations and care plans in a timely manner.

2. Care Planning and Case Management:

• Develop and implement individualized care plans, including Child Protection Plans, Child in Need Plans, and Looked After Children Plans.
• Monitor progress against plans, conduct regular reviews, and ensure all interventions are purposeful and timely.
• Chair and attend multi-agency meetings such as Core Groups, CIN reviews, and LAC reviews.

3. Direct Work with Children and Families:

• Build meaningful relationships with children and families to effect positive change.
• Provide advice, emotional support, and practical assistance.
• Advocate on behalf of children to ensure their voices are heard in all decisions that affect them.

4. Safeguarding and Risk Management:

• Identify children at risk of significant harm and take immediate, appropriate action to protect them.
• Work in collaboration with statutory partners, including the police, education, and health services.
• Prepare and present clear, comprehensive reports for legal proceedings, when required.

5. Record-Keeping and Legal Compliance:

• Maintain high-quality case records in line with legislative, policy, and procedural requirements.
• Ensure documentation is reflective of the child's lived experience and evidences the rationale for decision-making.

6. Partnership and Multi-Agency Working:

• Foster effective working relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to integrated service delivery that meets the holistic needs of families.
• Promote continuity of care and seamless transitions between services.

Essential Requirements:

• Recognised qualification in Social Work (e.g., DipSW, CQSW, or BSc in Social Work).
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Previous experience working with children in need, child protection, or looked after children services.
• Knowledge of the legal and statutory framework governing children's social care, including the Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together 2018, and associated safeguarding guidance.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage a complex caseload efficiently.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and support diverse individuals and families.

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.