We are looking for a Social Worker registered with Social Work England (SWE) with experience in working with children and families in a statutory setting. We are seeking candidates who are willing to work with a range of professionals and agencies in progressing permanency plans for Looked After Children. This is a unique and specialist role that is systematically designed to holistically support children secure permanent homes and a better future. The Kinship and Adoption Team aims to secure permanency for children via Adoption and Special Guardianship Order whilst working creatively and sensitively with children, families, professionals and agencies to promote stability for children. Kinship and Adoption Social workers are committed to making a difference in the life of every child placed in care. The team consist of dedicated social workers with shared responsibilities and understanding in promoting good practice. Kinship and Adoption Social workers are confident and resilient workers who are offered lots of opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in social work practice. We are looking for candidates who are open to a new challenge and willing to invest in a culture of learning and support targeted at improving the lives of children and families and promoting best outcomes. We are looking for a passionate social worker with two years post qualifying experience working with children and families. Direct experience of working within an Adoption and Special Guardianship team is not essential but safeguarding experience and ability to engage and communicate effectively with children and families is required. In this role, you will be working as an Adoption Social Worker and a Supervising Social Worker for Kinship carers. This means you will be working in line with Adoption and Fostering legislations whilst working effectively with professionals and agencies to drive permanency plans for children. You will be supervising Reg 24 carers in ensuring care standards requirements are met in the best interest of children whilst proactively seeking support to equip carers with resources required to promote the welfare and stability of children under Connected person arrangement, Special Guardianship Orders and Private Fostering. You will also be responsible for monitoring the welfare and progress of Looked After Children who are subject to LAC Reviews and LAC processes until Adoption Order is granted. The team provides post SGO support including making an application to seek therapeutic support for children under SGO via Adoption Support Fund(ASF). You will also be supporting children and families post SGO with general queries in relation to contact issues and Special Guardianship payments. We run a healthy and supportive Duty system as well as organise and run SG support groups to support carers. You will be an active team member working alongside colleagues to deliver effective and excellent services to children and families.
There has never been a more exciting time to join us at Barking and Dagenham Council – we have achieved Gold Investors in People accreditation and been shortlisted for PPMA Excellence in People Management Awards 2022, demonstrating our investment in and commitment to our staff. We are always on the lookout for Social Work applicants who are eager to achieve more.
We are putting the heart back into social work, and supported by our relational practice model, we ensure the child’s lived experience takes centre stage. We need committed individuals to support us in the delivery of these aims and to become part of our team to make a difference to our children and families.
In Barking & Dagenham we are developing our current career progression offer so that all internal staff and those wishing to join us know what to expect. Similarly to the journey of the child, we term this the journey of the worker. Below are some of the things we have as part of this offer:
a career progression handbook and matrix for all social workers, YOS practitioners and other non-social work roles
a bespoke offer of mentoring/coaching for all Team Managers from Service Managers as part of their progression
a bespoke offer of coaching for staff by the Principal Social Worker
a corporate mentoring offer available to all staff
shadowing and internal transfer opportunities for all staff so that a culture of internal movement between services can be promoted as part of retention
a robust ASYE programme as part of the NE London partnership with bespoke training schedule and plan
a potential post ASYE offer
fortnightly lunchtime share and learn practice sessions for all Assessment, Prebirth and MASH staff
a CSW forum for all Consultant Social Workers, to give a focus on development into management
a monthly management development forum focusing on oversight
a corporate leadership development course for all frontline managers and aspiring staff
a Child Practitioner Council for staff wanting to step up into representing their service to the Director of CS
free subscriptions to Research in Practice and other service-related forums for e.g., CORAM and LASC
Qualified Social Worker roles will also receive a recruitment and retention allowance of £2,500 with your first salary payment and an annual £2,500 retention payment (terms and conditions apply). We have a range of other there are a range of other benefits available to Barking & Dagenham employees, including:
flexible working (including “condensed hours”, flexi-time, part and term-time working)
up to 32 days annual leave
Local Government Pension Scheme
support for employees with caring responsibilities
support for employees who are members of the armed forces reserves or adult cadet volunteers
workplace adjustments for employees with a disability or long-term medical conditions
employee assistance programme
health and wellbeing support (including health checks, mental health and “revitalised” programme)
individual health risk assessments as appropriate
Occupational Health
EASE (Disability)
Graduates and trainees
LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender)
Maternity
Menopause
STARE (Standing Against Racism and Exclusion)
Womens’
Trade unions
appraisals
learning and development opportunities
mentoring
credit union membership
cycle purchase scheme
discounted gym membership
retail, holiday and travel discounts with our Wider Wallet scheme
season ticket and travel loans
If you have any questions regarding this role, your application, or children's social work in Barking & Dagenham, please contact us via email socialcarereruitment@lbbd.gov.uk