
Children and Families Team
- Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham
- £27.56 per hour
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Caseload Management: Managing a varied caseload of children and families who are subject to Child in Need plans or Child Protection plans, as well as those involved in Public Law Outline (PLO) and court proceedings.
- Assessment and Planning: Undertaking comprehensive child and family assessments to identify needs, risks, and protective factors, and developing effective, child-centred plans.
- Direct Work with Children and Families: Engaging in meaningful, transparent direct work with children and their families to understand their experiences, ensure their voices are heard, and work collaboratively towards positive outcomes.
- Safeguarding: Playing a key role in child protection investigations and conferences, contributing to safety planning and intervening where children need support and protection.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration: Working effectively with a range of professionals, including police, health visitors, schools, and other partner agencies, to ensure coordinated and holistic support for children and families.
- Court Work: Preparing reports and statements for court proceedings, attending court as required, and providing consistent support to children throughout the legal process.
- Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate, up-to-date, and high-quality case records in compliance with statutory requirements and local authority policies.
- Review and Monitoring: Regularly reviewing care plans and services, making adjustments as necessary to meet the evolving needs of children and families.
- Qualified Social Worker: You must hold a recognized Social Work qualification (e.g., Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW).
- Social Work England Registration: Essential to practice as a Social Worker in England.
- Enhanced DBS: You will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Experience: Demonstrable experience in children's social work, ideally within a Children in Need or Child Protection context.
- Knowledge: Sound knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., Children Act 1989/2004), guidance (e.g., Working Together to Safeguard Children), and best practice in children's social care.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and effectively communicate with children, families, and professionals from diverse backgrounds.
- Assessment Skills: Proven ability to undertake comprehensive assessments and formulate effective plans.
- Resilience: Ability to manage challenging situations and demanding workloads, whilst maintaining a child-focused approach.