Senior Practitioner, Community Connect@ Rattray

Job Description

Senior Practitioner -PKC10846
£43, 566 - £ 46, 944
Blairgowrie Fieldwork Children and Families Team, Community Connect, High Street, Rattray

An opportunity has arisen for a full-time, permanent Senior Practitioner within the Blairgowrie Children and Families Team. Core working hours are 08:45 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

The successful candidate will be a qualified Social Worker with significant post-qualifying experience in a statutory setting, preferably within children and families. A key requirement of the role is deputising for the Team Leader in his/her absence - therefore the successful candidate will have leadership qualities and be able to make decisions confidently, independently and under pressure.

Previous supervisory experience would be helpful as the role involves formally supervising Senior Social Care Officers as well as providing a high level of support and guidance to Social Workers. Previous experience of chairing complex multi-agency meetings would also be helpful, as this is an important part of the Senior Practitioner role.

A post qualifying certificate in Child Protection is desirable, or candidates must at least have the willingness to work towards this qualification.

Key duties are noted below:

• Undertake assessments of need and risk and take a lead role in the implementation of plans to deliver care, protection and support to children, young people and their families, and promote their wellbeing in the community.
  • Work collaboratively with partner agencies to build the capacity of people using services.
  • Make assessments in relation to child protection referrals, carry out investigations and make recommendations related to child protection procedures.
• Assess and make recommendations about whether compulsory measures of supervision are necessary.
  • Assess and make recommendations about whether a child should be accommodated away from home.
  • Assess and make recommendations for children who may require permanent alternative family care.
  • Provide the social work contribution to any review of the needs of children and young people, including recommendations on behalf of the Council to Children’s Hearings and Courts.
  • Plan rehabilitation and provide support to looked after and accommodated children.
  • Provide written reports and records as required.
• Deputise for the Team Leader in his/her absence.
• Provide support, guidance and formal supervision to the Senior Social Care Officers in the team.
• Provide a high level of support and guidance to the Social Workers in the team.
• Chair multi-agency meetings, including Child’s Plan meetings and Child Protection Core Groups.

Requirements

Essential:

• A degree in Social work or equivalent as recognised by the SSSC.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in a statutory Social Work setting.
• Post qualifying certificate in Child Protection, or a willingness to work towards this.
     Knowledge of child-care law and policy.
  •    An ability to undertake collaborative work with other disciplines.
  •    An ability to work within professional boundaries.
  •    An ability to work well as a member of a team.
  •    Ability to undertake ‘risk assessment‘ of activities.
  •    Ability to analyse information and draw out recommendations.
  •    Ability to work towards resolving problems independently.
  •    Understanding of when to refer problems to the appropriate person.
  •    An ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families.
  •    Registration with the SSSC.
• A full UK Driving Licence and use of a vehicle.

Desirable:

• Considerable post-qualifying experience in a statutory children and families setting.
  •    Post-qualifying certificate in Child Protection.
• Previous supervisory or mentoring experience.
• Experience of chairing multi-agency meetings.
  
  

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

•    Take account of service users’ views in all aspects of work.
•    Practice in line with the Council’s Equalities Policies. 
•    Take responsibility for any pieces of work delegated to others in their absence.
•    Take responsibility for monitoring and improving your knowledge and skills, and undertake professional development as identified. 
•    Awareness of the need for safe lone working practice.
•    Promote Equality & Dignity at Work.
•    Commitment to treat customers/clients & colleagues in accordance with Council’s policies on equalities and dignity at work.
•    Maintain electronic records in line with Children and Families Services guidance.
•    Achievement of Results.
•    Meet required timescales in respect of reports, assessments etc.
•    Maintain and promote high standards of Social Work practice.
•    Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement of the service and your individual role within this.
•    Work as part of a team and contribute to the effective operation of the team.
•    Work in an integrated way with partner agencies.

The Individual

If you would like any more information regarding this post, please contact Keith Main, Team Leader, via email at kmain@pkc.gov.uk.

When completing your application for this post, please ensure that you provide contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees. One should be your current or most recent employer.

Please APPLY ONLINE.  Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross.  If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.

As part of our safer recruitment measures, Perth & Kinross Council carries out rigorous checks on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, employment history, including references, and fitness to undertake the post.

A healthy work life balance is important to Perth & Kinross Council and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender. 

Perth & Kinross Council welcomes applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

At PKC our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Offer. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about PKC and you could soon be joining our team!

Find out more about working for Perth & Kinross Council and living in one of the most scenic areas of Scotland Jobs, careers and employment.

What we can do for you

If you are successful in a role with Perth & Kinross Council, you will have access to a range of benefits to help your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.