Parenting Assessor / Senior Practitioner – Social Work with Families – Children – Croydon Council
Salary: Grade 15 (£52,116- £54,129)
Permanent – 36 hours per weekWelcome Payment – £10,000Retention Payment – £2,500
Hybrid working
Job Purpose
The Senior Practitioner role reports to the Consultant Social Worker/Team Manager providing a high quality of social work assessment and practice through the completion of Parenting Assessments for families in PLO (pre-proceedings and care proceedings). They are an expert practitioner who contributes to the delivery of positive safety and well-being outcomes for children and are integral in the journey of the child in securing permanence. They will carry out in-depth and ongoing family assessment of need and risk to children, with particular emphasis on parental capacity and capability to change, all in the context of PLO and/or pre-birth . Their role will also extend to the completion of Together or Apart assessments and Risk Assessments when capacity allows for this.
The Senior Practitioner would have a developed ability to deliver on outcomes and functions as a role model for teams across Children’s Services through the effective exercise of the following functions:
Engagement and relationship building / maintaining
Analytical and continuous assessment
High standard of report writing and case recording
Making professional judgments and recommendations based on assessment and review
Development, co-ordination, implementation, and review of evidence-based plans
The provision of direct help by the worker
The matching of child / family with evidence-based services relevant to the identified needs.
The co-ordination of multi-professional / agency input to assessment, planning and help.
The application of theory and theoretical frameworks to all aspects of practice.
Supporting the development of creative and innovate care planning to support children and their families.
Oversee the planning for children where necessary
Delivering to performance standards consistently across the measures within the journey of the child. Ensure that partnership working with children and families is at the core of practice.
Carry out in-depth and ongoing family assessment of need and risk to children, with particular emphasis on parental capacity and capability to change.
Recognise and address behaviour that may indicate resistance to change, ambivalent or selective cooperation with services, and recognise when there is a need for immediate action, and what other steps can be taken to protect children.
Promote a strengths-based approach that builds effective relationships with children and families to elicit their needs and views and embed active participation in practice.
Gather the information and evidence to complete parenting assessments, presenting a clear analysis and a sound rationale for recommendations as well as any conclusions reached.
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including with children’s social worker and other external professionals from partner agencies.
Support families to access and partake in activities, e.g., group work, one-to-one direct work sessions, systemic family therapy.
Practice in a way which promotes equality and diversity within all areas of work. Adhere to all policies and procedures of Croydon Council.
Take responsibility for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance relating to the user group.
Attend meetings, both internally and externally, as required for the duration of the PLO.
Essential Requirements
We are looking for experienced Senior Practitioners, who also have:Qualified Social Worker and up to date registered with Social Work EnglandFoundation level systemic practice qualification - desirablePractice Educator or Practice Teacher qualification – desirableKnowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children’s social care, and areas that impact on children’s social care.Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards and procedures.Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models and research findings.Knowledge of models of reflective supervision that impact on practice and outcomes.Able to maintain records that evidence our engagement with children and families, informs the quality assurance framework e.g., quantitative, qualitative and outcome information for the children and families, the views and experiences of children and families
Home to 94,000 children, Croydon is a truly unique place to practice social work. We are a borough with big ambition, grit, and determination. Children's social care was judged ‘good’ in our last Ofsted inspection.
Our systemic practice framework places emphasis on relationships as key to supporting change for families. We make sense of the world through relationships, focusing on the whole family system and thinking about our own part in that too – what we bring, our own family stories and beliefs, how we use ourselves in the work that we do. Our practice model is all about collaboration - with our families, networks and partners; being open to challenge and ensuring our practitioners are highly trained in a variety of intervention approaches. Our established clinical service will support you to grow your own systemic practice within the service, providing accredited training, co-working and direct work with families.
Benefits of working with Croydon:
You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:
Highly competitive compensation package
Accredited Systemic Practice training
A range of CPD opportunities
29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more
A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%
Continuing Professional Development – genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career
Management development programmes
Investment into your wellbeing
Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more)
We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance
What makes Croydon special is our people – both within the council and throughout the borough.
Choosing to practice social work in Croydon will give you opportunity to develop, grow, thrive, and strive; it is not just a job but a career. Here are some of the reasons our colleagues like working at Croydon:
Our team consists of experienced, dedicated practitionersWe meet regularly to make sure everyone we work with has the support and knowledge needed to make a difference and be the difference to our families, communities and colleaguesAt Croydon relationships matter and we are about strong partnerships and working together to make lasting positive changeWe are an established team who can help you settle in and offer their expertiseYou will have the support of an extremely knowledgeable understanding managerYou will have access to a busy, buzzy, committed workforce and work environment Opportunities to work from home and work flexibly provides you with more work-life balanceOpportunities to think together with your manager about career developmentSupport to help you grow, develop, learn and lead
For an informal chat about working in Croydon, contact Agata Stolowska at agata.stolowska@croydon.gov.uk